30052013 vanguard

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...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 61893

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

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THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013

I 've done well, says Jonathan •Slams media rating of ministers •Nigeria on course — Jesse Jackson

BY BEN AGANDE

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BUJA— P R E S I DENT Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, gave a robust defence of his administration’s performance at mid-term and dismissed public and media assessment of his ministers, saying the criticisms were mostly bereft of objectivity.

President Jonathan spoke at the public presentation of the administration’s mid-term report in Abuja during which administration officials

Continues on page 5

N150

AMAECHI:

Jonathan rallies PDP members ....Fashola apologises for govs' conduct •P.16

DEMOCRACY DAY •P.25

COLUMNISTS:

Is'haq Modibbo Kawu

•P.17

OCHEREOME NNANNA •P.19

Josef Omorotionmwan •P.19

Mr & Mrs

DEMOCRACY DAY—From right: Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Alfa Belgore; PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur; wife of the Vice-President, Hajiya Amina Sambo; Vice-President Namadi Sambo; President Goodluck Jonathan; First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan; Senate President David Mark; Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar at the 2013 Democracy Day Celebration in Abuja, yesterday.

Photo: State House.

2— Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013

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POCKET CARTOON

NACCIMA—From right: Executive Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso; National President of Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Alhaji Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, and the immediate past President, Dr. Herbert Ademola Ajayi, during the inauguration of Abubakar at the association's 53rd Annual Conference in Kano.

I 've done well — Jonathan Continues from page 1 rolled out positive financial indicators which among others was that Nigeria has become the highest investment destination in the continent.

The presentation was graced by former Nigerian leaders, including former President Shehu Shagari, General Yakubu Gowon, Chief Ernest Shonekan, former Chief

of General Staff, Gen. Oladipo Diya; one-time United States presidential candidate, Jesse Jackson among others.

Also present at the event were the Senate President, Sen. David Mark; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar.

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

You cannot claim to be the master of the summit when you have not experienced the valley.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Happiness is not a goal...it’s a by-product of a life well lived — Eleanor Roosevelt

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N many ways, Contentment, which can be de fined as the state of being satisfied, can be closely associated with the concept of happiness.

Positive Psychology finds it very important to study what contributes to people being happy. This contented state of mind is that which psychologist and writer Christopher Petersons calls “savouring”. He refers to it as an understanding, rather than expecting everything to be perfect in our world before being happy; it is best to delve into what you already have and savour it for all its worth with a knowing that you have put yourself in a position that is meaningful to your calling and purpose in life.

In a sense, contentment is said to be the freedom from anxiety, want or need. Contentment is the goal behind all goals. Many people strongly associate money with happiness, and they believe that being rich will contribute greatly to making them happier, and we see that this idea is increasing with people who reflect an unusual intensity in growing materialism. Although wealth is associated with uplifting positive outcomes, the overall relationship between money and happiness is marginal.

Jackson, speaking at the occasion, commended the president for giving a midterm report of his performance. He said that it was indicative that the ship of the nation was sailing in the right direction.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim also commended the leadership of President Jonathan, who he said had shown impressive democratic culture through his restraint in the face of unparalleled challenges to his authority.

President Jonathan was nevertheless dismissive of media assessment of his administration. He said that as a former teacher, he was conscious of the fact that any examination should be guided by a marking scheme.

Challenges media of objective assessment He thus challenged the media to use the 234-page report as a veritable tool for any objective assessment.

He said: “Only on Monday, I looked through a particular publication in one of our dailies, which gave an assessment of the per-

formance of the ministers.

“The first thing I looked for that I did not see was the criteria they used to assess the performance of the ministers. As a teacher, I know that for you to mark a student, you must have a marking scheme. Because, assessment could be very subjective, and if a fellow politician is assessing another politician, you assess the person based on heartbeats.”

He said two ministries; the ministries of Trade and Investments and National Planning which performed creditably well were rated average.

“Since I came to the centre in 2007, I have worked with three ministers of National Planning and three ministers of Trade and Investments. They have never done what is being done today.

“In terms of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) attracted to this country by activities of that ministry, it has never happened. In spite of our security challenges, there is so much interest from business men wanting to come to Nigeria.

“Before now, that Ministry of Trade and Investments was a dead end, but now they are very active. Talk about Ministry of Planning, people

say that until Shamsudeen came on board, we did not even know that we had a Planning Ministry.

“But these two ministries were scored average and I asked what are the criteria? That is the purpose of today, our elders, ladies and gentlemen. The idea is to formally present a document to all Nigerians about the activities of the government these past two years.

“I plead with all of us especially those who want to assess and write about it to develop criteria because without a marking scheme, you cannot mark anybody’s paper. Develop your own, compare with previous governments. Develop your marking scheme and mark us.”

Nigeria's economy waxing strong — Okonjo-Iweala Making her presentation earlier, the Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said that despite challenges of inequality and inclusion, the nation’s economy was waxing strong.

She said in the last two years, the GDP had recorded significant growth and dollar exchange rate had remained stable between N155 and N160.

She said the rate of inflation had dropped to 9.1 per cent from 12.4 per cent in May 2011, while the external reserve had risen from $32.08 billion in May 2011 to $48.4 billion as at May, 2013.

Specifically, she said the External Crude Account (ECA) had risen from about $4 billion in May, 2011 to about $9 billion at the end of 2012 and presently $6 billion in May 2013.

The minister said the ECA had been of help in improving the economy since oil production had fallen from the projected 2.53 million bpd to between 2.1 and 2.2 million bpd, adding that there were deliberate government policies to reduce recurrent expenditure and complete unfinished capital projects.

She said: ”Recurrent expenditure has dropped from 70.4 per cent of total budget in 2011 to 68.7 per cent in 2013".

She added that government’s annual borrowing had fallen from N852 billion in 2011 to N588 billion in 2013 while the debt to GDP is 21 per cent.

According to her, the administration’s waiver and tariff policies had also changed positively.

She said: “Government is focusing on sectoral waivers such as agriculture, power, aircraft spare parts, solid minerals at zero duty. Trade has improved and exports are up in plastics and rubber, vegetable products, prepared food stuff and beverages.”

The minister explained that exports have increased from nine per cent in 2008 to 31 per cent in 2012, saying oil export had increased to 69 per cent of total exports compared to 91 per cent in 2008.

She said with over $7 billion foreign direct investment into the country in 2012, Nigeria has become the highest investment destination in Africa.

Also speaking at the event, the Minister of National Planning, Dr Shamsudeen Usman said the Federal Government has achieved eight of 14 points in its transformation agenda.

Giving sectoral appraisal of the achieve

Continues on page 11

6—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013

Robbers attack, snatch Pasuma’s SUV

BY EVELYN USMAN

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UNMEN, Monday night, attacked fuji artiste, Wasiu Alabi, popularly known as Pasuma, along Abeokuta Expressway, snatching his Range Rover Sports Utility Vehicle, SUV. It was gathered that the gunmen, numbering nine, intercepted Wasiu, who was on his way to perform at a function, at 9pm.

Wasiu and his friend were said to have been driven in the car by four members of the gang for about three hours before they were pushed out somewhere in Ogun State.

The robbers, thereafter, zoomed off in SUV with number plate MUS 830 AP. One of his back-up singers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “The incident happened at Ahmadiya area of Abeokuta Expressway. They took all the money that was on him, his mobile phones and those of his friend.

“They were dumped in a bush at Itele area of Ogun at 12midnight. While that was on, Pasuma hid his face from them so as not to be recognised. Sympathisers later came to their aid and assisted them back home.”

Police recover N7m from pirates

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

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ORT HARCOURT—PO LICE have paraded three pirates, who allegedly robbed some passengers on the border ways of Bonny and Bayelsa high sea.

Items recovered from them included N7, 870,000.00, three laptops and eleven different types of handsets.

Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mr. Joseph Mbu, said the pirates robbed N30 million on board the ship, adding that they made use of six AK-47 riffles during the operation.

Meantime, a group, Rivers State Ethnic Nationalities’ Youth Association, RISENYA, has lauded the state Commissioner of Police for reducing the number of Policemen attached to politicians in the state.

One of the buses involved in the Tombia Amassoma Road crash.

Generator fumes kill mother, 4 children zStudents feared dead in road crash

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

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ENAGOA—A sombre at mosphere overshadowed 2013 Democracy Day celebration in Bayelsa State as a number of persons were feared dead from a road accident and fumes from a power generating set.

A housewife, Chinyere and her four children were found dead in their home in the early hours of yesterday at Ekeki, a suburb of Yenagoa, while two other kids were unconscious and rushed to the hospital.

Also, students of Niger Delta University, NDU, who were involved in a ghastly accident along Tombia-Amassoma Road, Tuesday night, died.

Power generation

The deceased woman and her children were believed to have inhaled fumes from a power generator they had left running in the house located along Toolda Road, Ekeki. They had left it inside for fear it would be stolen.

Bayelsa State had been without electricity supply in the last three weeks, when a tree fell destroying some of the pylon carrying the 33kv transmission line from Owerri to the Gbarantoru sub-station in the outskirts of Yenagoa.

Students in auto crash

On the ghastly road carnage involving students of NDU, an eyewitness, Enaikonzigha Fumgbe, a 100 level Sociology student of the institution, told newsmen at the accident scene that they were behind one of

the buses travelling to Yenagoa when tragedy struck at 8pm, Tuesday night.

Fumgbe stated that both vehicles were travelling at high speed and the bus, with number plate Rivers XB 269 KPR, was attempting to overtake a trailer when it collided with the other bus with number plate, Rivers KNM

141 XA. According to him, the bus was filled with part-time students of NDU, who were returning to Yenagoa after classes, while the other was heading towards Amassoma.

He said: “A girl in front of the bus, whose head was split in two, died on the way to hospital, while many others, who suffered serious injuries, were rushed to Gloryland Hospital, Etegwe, Yenagoa and others

brought back to Amassoma.”

Police story

However, Police Public Relations Officer, Alex Akhigbe, who confirmed the accident, said though no death was recorded, several persons were seriously injured.

This reporter, who visited the scene of accident, saw mangled buses on both sides of the road, with dried blood stains inside the vehicle and on the road.

Flood sweeps away UNICAL Works Director

BY EMMA UNA

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ALABAR—SEARCH parties mounted by family and friends to fish out the body of Mr. Friday Sampson, a director with the Department of Works in the University of Calabar, who was swept away by rampaging flood, Monday evening, have failed to yield any result after two days of frantic search.

Patience Sampson, his first daughter, said her father, drove to UJ Esuene Sports Stadium from his residence at 3, Akpandem Lane, off Unical Satellite Town.

Patience said: “He was coming back from the stadium, where he went to pick our mother, Uduak Sampson, who came back from Uyo and along IBB Way, there was a hold up and my father blared and blared his horn but the car in front did not move.

“So he stepped out to find out what was going on and mistakenly stepped into the gutter and was carried away.”

She said her mother and Ime, his 18-year-old brother, who accompanied the father to the

stadium to pick the mother, were in the car and because of the intensity of the downpour could not do anything to rescue their father.

She said: “The rain was falling very heavily and the flood was rapid so my mother and younger brother could not do anything to rescue him, while he was being carried away.”

Patience said the men of Cross River State Fire Service were contacted to help fish out the man that night, but that all efforts, until Wednesday morn-

ing, did not yield any result.

“We have searched all the big gutters and forest and now we are at the CRUTCEH river.

Hopefully, we might locate him here,” she added.

Mr. Eyo, Information Officer with the University of Calabar, said the matter had not been officially reported to the school, adding “but I have heard that somebody like that died.”

Cross River Police spokesman, DSP John Umoh, said he was yet to be briefed on the matter.

Father of 3 commits suicide

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

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ENIN—A father of three, who was identified as Patrick Essien, was reported have committed suicide, yesterday, in Benin after he was allegedly sacked from the transport company where he worked.

His dangling body was found in the roof of the toilet at the residence at Imasabemwen Street, off Siluko Road.

Some co-tenants, who spoke to journalists, said the deceased

had complained earlier that he had been sacked, although they could not volunteer the name of the company.

According to them, a co-tenant, who went to the toilet to ease himself, peeped in after knocking several times without getting any response. That was when he saw a body dangling from the roof.

They said the late driver had been living at the residence for the past 14 years without any wife or children but that he told them he had a wife and three kids somewhere.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013—7

Chinese baby rescued from sewer pipe

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Chinese baby 'accidentally' flushed down a sewer pipe. INSET: Doctors and firemen taking apart the pipe.

Troops uncover armoury in Kano, arrest Lebanese zDISCOVERED: 40 air-to-surface missiles, 50 cluster bombs, 200 rocket-propelled launcher, 8 AK-47 rifles, 200 military hand grenades, live ammunition, Armoured Personnel Carriers destroyers

BY ABDULSALAM MUHAMMAD

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ANO—SPECIAL forces drafted from the Nigerian Military, Tuesday night, raided a residential building-cumwarehouse packed with sophisticated military hardware at Bompai, a highbrow area located within the precinct of police and immigration headquarters in the troubled northern commercial city.

Vanguard learnt that the warehouse belonged to an alien from the Middle East and located in Gaya Road, Bompai GRA and within a striking distance to the Police state headquarters and the headquarters of the Nigerian Immigration Service.

Security sources close to the military told Vanguard, on condition of anonymity, in Kano that the highly coordinated military operation was carried out following a tip-off by a suspect under investigation.

The elite troops were said to

after sack According to them, “we saw him this morning. He said he was sacked and we later found him dead in the toilet.”

His corpse was later taken away by the police.

In a related development, a 74year-old man, Clement Omorogbe, has been jailed by an Egor Magistrate Court for raping a minor in November 2010.

Presiding Magistrate, Eboh Braimoh in her judgment, said there were increasing cases of rape and sentenced the accused to serve as deterrent to others.

have stormed the residence, picked up the occupants and in the ensuing search on the suspected bungalow, large cache of arms and ammunition were discovered in the sitting room and some wardrobe in the house.

The military source revealed that, “large quantities of the military hardware were buried in the house, while some were neatly concealed. It took a trained officer in counter-terrorism to discover the hidden mass weapon of war.”

Recovered

The security source further revealed that items recovered from the 72-hour operation includes: 40 air-to-surface missiles, 50 cluster bombs, 200 rocket-propel launcher, eight AK-47 rifles, 200 military hand grenades, uncountable number of live ammunition and certain military hard wares deployed to destroy Armoured Personnel Carriers, APC.” The dependable source said that the weapons of war were evacuated to the headquarters of the 3rd Motorised Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Kano, alongside two other arrested nationals of the same Middle East extraction, in connection with the shocking discovery.

The source stated that preliminary investigation revealed that “three countries have been indicted and the military high command is working to ascertain the culpability.”

Eyewitness account

However, a civilian eyewitness, who lives in the neigh-

bourhood, said he counted over “300 AK-47 riffles and I saw soldiers packing ammunition using shovels into some large containers from the house.”

The account gave the name of the suspect as one Ta’al, who appeared to be in his late 50s, stressing that “Ta’al had been staying in the house for the past five years alone without his family, and lived a secluded life as he hardly associate himself with people in the neighbourhood.

“The suspect hardly received visitors and drives a white Toyota Hilux, and doesn’t keep late night.”

However, the military authorities are keeping sealed lips over the development as effort to get their side of the story proved abortive.

When contacted, JTF spokesman in Kano, Capt Ikediche Iweha, neither denied nor confirmed the discovery, but pleaded understanding, saying that “we are going to issue a statement.”

newborn Chinese baby boy plucked alive from a sewer pipe was flushed down a toilet ‘by accident’, police have said today.

They have also confirmed the young mother, who is reportedly also recovering in hospital after experiencing ‘birth complications,’ will not face prosecution.

The 22-year-old woman is believed to have raised the initial alarm, but only confessed to police after they searched her rented room and found toys and blood-stained toilet paper, the Chinese state news agency reported.

The two-day-old, five pounds boy had been temporarily named Baby 59— the number of the incubator in which he lies with a fractured skull and severe bruising.

A rescue operation was launched after residents living in a residential building in Jinhua, in the wealthy coastal province of Zhejiang, reported the sound of a baby crying in the public restroom on Saturday.

In scenes captured on video and posted online, firemen desperately, but carefully, sawed away at the four-inchwide pipe just below a ceiling in which the boy was trapped.

The rescuers then rushed the section of pipe to a hospital, where firemen and doctors alternately used pliers and saws to take it apart.

The infant’s arms were pinned to his side and when the pipe was prised away, he let out a long wail at the Pujiang County People’s Hospital in Jinhua, eastern China. He was still attached to the placenta.

Chief Imam remanded in prison over N3m fence

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HIEF Imam of Lagbasa Central Mosque in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State, Alhaji Akibu Adam, is still languishing in Kirikiri Prisons, Lagos, seven days after he was arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate Court, Lagos for damaging the fence of an estate belonging to Archbishop Felix Job. The Chief Imam is been detained following his inability to meet his bail conditions.

Adam, who was arraigned alongside four others, Alhaji Oseni Falana, Chief Shamsudeen Elegbeleye and Tunde Ashafa, was alleged to have conspired with others to destroy the fence of a 10-acre land located at Langbasa Estate, in Eti-Osa council.

Police Prosecutor, Michael Okon, alleged in the threecount charge leveled against the defendants, that the destroyed fence, valued at N3 million, belonged to Archbishop Job. Part of the charge reads: “That you, Akibu Adam, Oseni Falana, Shamsudeen Elegbeleye, Tunde Ashafa and others at large, sometimes in 2012 at Alaba Estate Langbasa town, Eti-Osa Local Government Area, Lagos, did maliciously damage the fence of entire 10 acres of land valued at N3 million, property of Archbishop Job.” The alleged offence committed by the defendants is punishable under sections 52, 337 and 409 of the criminal law of Lagos State, 2011.

When the charge was read to them, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bail in the sum of N5 million by Magistrate H. O. Omisore.

The matter has been adjourned till July 2.

We shall kill Nigerians in Pakistan if...

— Families of kidnap victims

BY EMMA ARUBI

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ARRI—FAMILIES of the five Pakistani nationals on board an oil vessel, Mt Matrix 1, abducted last Saturday 40 nautical miles off the Bayelsa coast have told the management of the company, Matrix Energy, in Warri, Delta State, not to pay any ransom

to the abductors to get them released, promising to take revenge on Nigerians in their hundreds in Pakistan, if any of the victims was killed.

The abducted victims include the Captain, Chief Officer, cook and two others. They were conveying automated gasoline oil, AGO, from Lagos to Eket, when they were ab-

ducted at 9pm.

Sources said that relevant security agencies in Bayelsa State and Warri in Delta State, had been informed of the incident.

The source added that the company had begun negotiation with the abductors, but that details of negotiations with the company on ransom were not disclosed.

8—Vanguard , THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013

Obasanjo tasks leaders on socioeconomic devt

Bridged-Banks: Preferred bidders must retain staff — AMCON

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UTSE—FORMER Presi dent Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, tasked political leaders to adopt practical measures to accelerate effective utilisation of human and natural resources for sustainable development in the country.

Obasanjo gave the challenge while speaking at the maiden Jigawa Economic and Investment Summit in Dutse.

The summit was organised by the state as part of the activities to mark the 2013 Democracy Day. The major highlight of the summit was to encourage investment in agriculture, information and communication technology, solid minerals and small and medium scale enterprises.

Obasanjo said Nigeria was endowed with abundant natural and human resources, which could be transformed to the social and economic benefit of the people.

He said: “Nigeria is a land of opportunities and it is blessed with all it takes to develop, it has been stagnant for so long, it is about time to change these opportunities to actuality.

“There is no reason why we should not do that, we must invest in education to save the larger population of the country or else our population will become a liability”.

The former president said for Nigeria to attain sustainable development, children must be trained, educated and be skilled in every sector to be selfreliant.

Obasanjo said it was necessary for the government at all levels to adopt proactive measures to translate the improvement recorded on the Gross Domestic Product, GDP, to the wellbeing of the people.

He explained that such improvement could be translated to provide employment opportunities, wealth creation and poverty reduction in the society.

According to him, a conducive and friendly business environment was necessary to attract investment opportunities.

Obasanjo commended the state government for its developmental stride in education, describing it as vital tool for development.

In a speech, a member of British Parliament, Lord Boateng, said it was good for the African countries to address the problem of capacity building and poor policies to attract investment.

BY NKIRUKA NNOROM HE Asset Management Cor poration of Nigeria, AMCON, will not sell any of the three bridged banks, Keystone Bank, Mainstreet Bank and Enterprise Bank, to a core investor who will not preserve employment, says the Managing Director/CEO, Mr. Mustafa ChikeObi. Speaking during his visit to Vanguard’s Head Office in Lagos, Chike-Obi described as false the rumour that FirstRand had expressed interest in acquiring Enterprise Bank, but later withdrew from the deal, saying that FirstRand did not at any point express interest in buying Enterprise Bank.

He noted that besides job preservation, he would also be looking for investors that would offer the most attractive price for the banks.

He stated that soon, announcement would be made on the new management of the depots AMCON took over from some of its debtors, including Zenon Oil. Chike-Obi said: “From my point of view, I want two things.

The best price I can get and the person that will keep the most jobs. That is what I am going to be asking. If somebody offers me N100 billion and they are going to fire all the staff and somebody offers me N80 billion and they are going to keep all the staff, I will take the N80 billion and keep the staff.

“The issue of ‘fit and proper’ is Central Bank’s issue. Whoever buys the bank has to be approved by the Central Bank as you know. So, the Central Bank has to approve the person as fit and proper owner of the bank because that is a regulatory issue”.

On the speculation that some South African banks, including Firstrand expressed interest in Enterprise Bank, but later withdrew, Chike-Obi said: “It is only FirstRand by the way, not South African Bank.

“FirstRand always wanted to buy Keystone Bank. They have never been interested in Enterprise Bank. They have come to me and say they want to buy Keystone Bank and I said, ‘wait till the end of the year.’

"When we announced Enterprise Bank first; they of course said they don’t have interest in Enterprise Bank because they never were. So, the whole story of how South African banks were interested and they are no longer interested is completely false.

It is only FirstRand, and the only bank they are interested in is Keystone. They are not interest-

DEMOCRACY DAY—Former Chairman, Interim National Government, ING, Chief Ernest Shonekan; Rev. Jesse Jackson; and former Chief of General Staff, Gen. Oladipo Diya, rtd. at the Democracy Day celebration in Abuja, yesterday.

ed in anything else, they are interested in Keystone and when it comes to Keystone, you will see them there,” he assured.

Waivers on loans purchased On granting interest waiver on loans purchased from the banks, he stated that the law does not permit the Corporation to waive interest on loans, adding that both the cost for acquiring and maintaining such loans must be recovered in full.

He said: “What the law tells us is that if you buy a loan for N1, and it costs us another Naira for interest and all other things, we must recover all our cost plus our cost of maintaining it. That is what the law requires.

“We have a policy in AMCON that there is always a difference between the outstanding amount and what AMCON pays because AMCON does not believe what the banks say in the first place. So, if the bank says it is N100, we may pay N40 first.

“The law obliges us to recover that N40 plus the cost of acquiring it. That’s the interest cost; we must do that. Our guideline generally, is that nobody can recommend something less than 100 percent of that.

“We try to get more, but we cannot get less than that. So, we don’t waive interest and we do not waive cost of acquiring loans from what you said, but if

a bank has a loan of N100 and sells to me for N40, it is the bank that is going to lose, because the bank made N60 loss. I paid N40 and I want to recover N40 plus interest. That is the policy.”

Reason for sale of Enterprise Bank first Chike-Obi further explained that the Corporation took the decision to sell Enterprise Bank first because it is the cleanest and most attractive of the three Nationalised banks.

The AMCON boss said: “I think Enterprise Bank is the most attractive. It is the smallest, it is the cleanest, it has the fewest branches, it has fewest issues, and I think it is always best to start with the simplest and learn from the process so that when you get to the most complicated, you must have learnt a lot of stuff out of that.

“We will sell Enterprise first, we will see how it goes, we will see what we will learn from the process, we will refine the process and we will go to the next one, which is likely going to be Mainstreet Bank by the way, not Keystone”.

Political manipulation The AMCON boss insisted that that the Corporation was not influenced by any politician in the manner it recovers and restructures loans, saying that he does not have any political leaning.

Chike-Obi maintained that

some evasive politicians that were accusing AMCON of having political leanings and influence were some debtors that are used to borrowing money from banks without paying back.

He said; “I am not interested in politics; these people owe us and I am only interested in getting my money back. I say give me my money back and you start complaining about that. For instance, Great Ogboru’s outstanding debt is about N3 billion. We paid over N617 million because we agreed that some of these things could be suspicious. Now, we are asking him to pay back the N617 million, not the N3 billion and he said he won't pay. Look, we have 13,000 loans.

“We are not subject to any political interference. The president of Nigeria, who technically is my boss, because he appointed me, has never asked me to do anything for anybody.

“I talk to him frequently and if he doesn’t ask me to do it, nobody will because I always ask him, ‘This thing they are asking me to do, is it with your permission? So, they now know that I will ask him. So, nobody, not the Minister of Finance, not the CBN governor, nobody has ever asked me to do anything improper. People complain and they will come and say ‘This person has complained, look into it.’

“I know people bash Jonathan depending on their political will, but he has never asked me to do anything improper as the MD of AMCON. Not one,” he emphasised.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013 —9

BY HENRY UMORU

Onoja to Govs: Don't tear Nigeria apart over NGF election

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BUJA—SENATE President David Mark said, yesterday, that the State of emergency proclamation in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states will soon come to an end because the military personnel were living up to the assignment given to them.

Senate President Mark who noted that the state of emergency was a last resort to tame the lingering menace of insecurity as well as bring normalcy back to the land, however, charged every Nigerian to be a good apostle of peace to ensure that Nigerians enjoy dividends of democracy.

Speaking at a church service to mark the 2013 Democracy Day at St. Mulumba Catholic Chaplaincy, Apo, Abuja, Mark said, “the state of emergency proclamation on three States was a last resort to curtail the unabating insurgency.

And I know it is yielding positive result. Very soon, it will be over as our military formations are living up to the task”.

Mark, however, reiterated that the challenges, including security militating against the nation were not insurmountable, adding, “All we need is a collective resolve to confront our challenges and find a lasting solution to them.”

Senate President who noted that the nation was currently passing through some difficulties, especially in the areas of security and socio-economy challenges, said, “we can collectively resolve to say enough is enough. All our efforts towards development would come to naught if the crisis continues.

He thanked Nigerians for their perseverance and cooperation in the propagation and sustenance

BY EMMA UJAH, ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF

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ROUNDTABLE—From left: Kayode Akinkugbe, MD, First Bank of Nigeria, FBN Capital; Sanmi Fayumide, Head, Origination and Client Services; and Lolade Balogun of Marketing and Corporate Communications, at the FBN Capital Oil & Gas roundtable series in Lagos.

Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

Emergency rule to end soon — Mark of democracy, adding that democracy was a process everyone should uphold to benefit from its dividends.

He said: “It was by choice and design that the nation chose democracy as best form of government. Democracy promotes rule of law, upholds human rights, freedom of speech and indeed participatory.

“Whichever faith or religion, I

urge Nigerians to continue to pray for peace, unity and progress of the nation.

On the part of legislature, the Senate President assured of continued and responsive legislation that will carter for the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.

He added that: “We shall continue to identify and prioritize key areas where legislations would be required for the rapid transforma-

tion of the economy and polity.

We shall be patriotic, honest, fair and just in the discharge of our duties and be guided by the Constitution and fear of God”.

Earlier in the homely, Rev. Father Innocent Jooji called on religious leaders to do away with provocative statements that may generate crisis, saying Nigeria remains the only country of all Nigerians.

....As military dogs track 50 suspected terrorists, catch 15 with arms hidden in their body

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI

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BUJA—AS the military on slaught to dislodge Boko Haram terrorists from the North Eastern part of the country continues, specially trained counter terrorists dogs of the Nigerian Army have helped to arrest over 50 terrorists who tried to infiltrate Maiduguri, the Borno State Capital.

Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Chris Olukolade who made this known in a statement, however, disclosed that 15 of the terrorists were arrested with arms concealed in their body or property.

The Statement titled ‘Trained Dogs help track terrorists’, reads, “The efforts of the specially trained dogs have so far led to the arrest of over 50 terrorists who were trying to infiltrate Maiduguri. More than 15 of them were arrested with arms concealed in their body or property.

“Trained Military Police dogs are participating in the cordon and search phase of Special Operations against terrorism in the country.

“Various attempts being made by the insurgents to escape and enter towns and cities in the North East as troops dislodge them from their forest bases, have been

foiled by the dogs.

“Meanwhile, cordon and search has been intensified as the forests in the North East are being combed for terrorists”.

“At Deseri forest, three Hilux vehicles mounted with anti-aircraft were destroyed; one Voxwagen Golf car and four motorcycles were also recovered”.

Pini Jason, media guru, to be interred on Saturday

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HE remains of late media guru, Chief Pini Jason Onyegbadue, who died on Saturday May 4, 2013, will be laid to rest in his home town, Obizi, Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Council Area of Imo State, on Saturday June 1, 2013.

Speaking with his son, Amamdi Onyegbadue on phone, yesterday, the young Onyegbadue confirmed that there will be a commendation service at St. Andrews Anglican church, Obizi by 11:00am, thereafter, the body will be laid to rest at the family compound in Umuosisi Obizi.

Burial rites for the late columnist had started on Tuesday May 21, at All Saints Anglican Church, Montgomery Road Yaba, Lagos

and a Day of Tributes in his honour on Monday, May 27, at Continental Hall, Reiz Continental Hotel, Central Business District, Abuja.

The late commentator, 65, was born on April 4, 1948 to late Pa Godson Anyanwu and Mrs. Fest IhuomaNzekwe Onyegbadue of Umuosisi Obizi Ezinihitte LGA of Imo State.

He had his early education at St. Andrews primary school, Obizi, a missionary school owned by the Anglican Church.

He moved to Lagos, precisely to CMS Grammar School Bariga, thereafter to Times Journalism Institute .

His working career started with the Customs as an Assistant

PRO. He wrote for many media houses at editorial level and also as African correspondent for many international based print media.

He was also the publisher of defunct The Examiner, a daily newspaper.

In 2007, he joined the government of Chief Ikedi Ohakim as a Senior Special Adviser on Media, and in 2011, he returned to his former position as a columnist with Vanguard Newspaper.

He was survived by his wife, Priscilla Oby Onyegbadue, three children, Amamdi, Kelechi Onyegbadue and Ozodi Adigwe and two grand-children, Chisom and chinezirim Adigwe.

BUJA—PRESIDENT of the Alumni Association of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos, AANI, Maj. Gen. Lawrence Onoja (rtd), has charged state governors not to tear the nation apart over the leadership tussle of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF. He berated the governors for their inability to conduct a credible election that could be accepted by the 36-member informal body.

He urged the governors to concentrate on good governance rather than playing politics of 2015 at the detriment of the nation’s socio-economic development.

Onoja said: “The recent unfortunate outcome of the NGF’s election in which 36 governors could not count 36 votes is a setback for democratic process.

"Indeed the incident that characterized the elections of NGF deeply saddened AANI. We strongly condemn the incident and wish to call on the governors to immediately put their house in order and refrain from any action that may threaten our collective security.

“An informal gathering like the NGF is not a substitute for the constitutional National Economic Council, all the game plans for 2015 should give way to good governance in 2013.

"We need all hands to be on deck to address critical challenges facing the country today to be sure of a country in 2015 ”.

Dissatisfied by the quality of governance at the state level, the AANI president advocated that governors should go to NIPSS and sharpen their capacity for good governance and leadership skills, saying, “we also strongly recommend that governors have refresher course in NIPSS Kuru to enhance their capacity and broaden their patriotic national outlook.”

He also charged the governors to cooperate with President Goodluck Jonathan in his efforts towards returning the economy to the path of sustainable growth through sound economic policies.

On the fight against insurgency in parts of the country, Gen. Onoja said President Jonathan should exploit necessary resources to restore normalcy.

According to him, no amount of money was comparable to the lives of innocent Nigerians, whom have been murdered by fundamentalists in Northern Nigeria since 2009.

10—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013

Lagos Gov commends 2012 external exams' results

BY AMAKAABAYOMI AGOS—GOVER NOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has commended the improved performance of students in the Stateowned schools in the year 2012 West African Examination Council, WAEC, results, Speaking during the Children Day celebration attended by thousands of excited children from both public and private schools, Fashola charged the students to study harder to double their performance from 39 per cent to 70 per cent in this year’s results.

According to him “We have a lot to be thankful for because so much has happened to both students and the education sector in the state in the past year. We have more reasons to be proud of you, especially with the impressive results recorded in year 2012 WAEC exams. The improvement from 19 per cent in 2011 to 39 per cent in 2012 shows that you have worked really hard and we are witnessing improved results in mathematics and English language, subjects that have been considered difficult.”

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Sister's Fellowship Int'l holds group Day

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HE Sisters’ Fellow ship International, SFI, Shitta Chapter will today holds its Annual Group Day with the theme: “The Power of a Praying Woman.”

The ceremony which will be holding at Wesley Nursery and Primary School by Methodist Church compound, Surulere is designed to bring women irrespective of their denomination closer to God. SFI is an interdenominational fellowship of women built on love and appreciation.

COMMISSIONING: From left: Mr. Wolfgang Goetsch, MD, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc; Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Commissioner for Works and Infrastucture; Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Deputy Governor of Lagos State; Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State; Oba Riliwan Akiolu, Oba of Lagos; Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, First Lady of Lagos State and Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, during the commissioning of Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge to commemorate Democracy Day in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez.

Fashola commissions Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge zHails late President Yar'Adua over the project zIt is lawless tolling the bridge —Adegboruwa

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI & MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

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AGOS—AS part of activi ties marking the nation's Democracy Day and the commemoration of his sixth year administration in Lagos, Governor Babatunde Fashola, yesterday, commissioned the newly completed 1.358 kilometres Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge, Victoria Island, paying glowing tributes to late President Musa Yar ’Adua for making the project a reality.

However, the bridge, believed to have cost a whopping N29 billion, will officially not be opened to the public till June 1, 2013.

Speaking at the commissioning witnessed by dignitaries including the former Secretary to the Federal Government, SGF, Mr. Yayale Ahmed, former Governor of Lagos state, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Brigadier-General Mobolaji Johnson (rtd), Oba Rilwanu Akiolu, I, among others, Fashola, described late Yar’Adua as a statesman and not a politician.

Tribute to Yar ’ Adua The governor said the late president, during his short stay in office, never allowed his political affiliation to affect his duties, noting “the late president was the first builder of the bridge. When the design was completed and shown to me, it was obvious that four property

would have to give way at the Ikoyi end.”

He quoted the late President to have said: “SGF, there is this bridge in conception by the Lagos State Government. It will affect some property over which we have a dispute with the state government in court, without prejudice to the outcome, please release the two property to them. Our political difference cannot stand in the way of our peoples’ development. That was President Yar’Adua as a statesman not a politician.

“This was the same President who released our seized fund. When I showed him the design in his office in Abuja, he simply picked up his intercom and invited Alhaji Yayale Ahmed to join in the meeting.

“With the new cable bridge that would be opened for vehicular movement on June 1st, it is now easy for us to connect two communities separated by water. This has brought a compelling need for a 4th Mainland Bridge and possibly a 5th and 6th bridge and expanded ferry services are all no longer debatable.”

Assuring residents, he said: “We are still working ceaselessly to start the 4th Mainland Bridge. To make the construction of the 4th Mainland bridge successful, we have made a lot of progress to commence an alternative mode of crossing the Lagoon from Lekki to Ikorodu with the completion of the

Ipakodo and Badore ferry terminals, as we race to conclude the Osborne terminal that will complete what I call the Lagos lagoon ferry triangle. All these will bring a lot of relief during the period of constructing the 4th Mainland Bridge as it will provide choice after its completion.”

Fashola explained that the new cable bridge would reduce the travel time of anyone driving through the bridge to link Alexandra Avenue, Victoria Island by 20 minutes daily and 5 days yearly.

Fashola added that “users of the 1.358 kilometres cable bridge will have to pay a toll each way whenever they use the bridge depending on the category of car they drive.”

Categories of tolling The categories are: Class 1: Saloon cars; N250, Class 11: Mini-vans, SUVs and light pick-up trucks; N300, Class 111: Non-commercial buses with maximum seating capacity of 26 person and Class 1V: Motorcycles with 200CC capacity and above; N100.

However, commercial motorcycle popularly called Okada, Tricycle popularly called Keke, commercial buses popularly called Danfo and high capacity buses with maximum of 26seater, heavy duty trucks and articulated trucks, are restricted from using the bridge.

Lagos lawmakers oppose tolling

However, at an earlier sitting by the State House of Assembly, there was a stormy session, as members debated the executive bill which requested the endorsement of the House to introduce a toll system on the Bridge While suspending further debate on the bill till today (Thursday) and Friday, the House noted that the bill came to members very late and given the technicalities contained in the draft, members would need to take their time and seek experts’ opinion on the passage.

Faulting the tolling of the bridge, a Lagos lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, accused Governor Fashola of disregard to the rule of law claiming the issue of tolling of the bridge is still in the court.

In a statement, he said:“On May 22, 2013, I was at the federal high court, Ikoyi, Lagos, with the Attorney-General of Lagos State, Mr. Adetoro Ipaye, to conclude arguments on my court case against tolling on the bridge.

Part of the arguments of Lagos State before the court, was that no decision had been taken to toll the bridge. The case was then adjourned to July 9, 2013, for judgment. It is in the interval of that judgment that the Lagos State Government has ambushed the court by commencing tolling on the bridge, to overreach the pending judgment of court.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013—11

8 policemen hospitalised, 47 youths nabbed over Ondo crisis zSoldiers deployed as govt starts judicial inquiry

BY DAYO JOHNSON

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KURE—EIGHT policemen deployed to quell the uprising that erupted in Ile Oluji area of the state over the desperate plan by some youths to eject the traditional ruler, Oba Suulade Adedugbe from the palace who were critically wounded have been referred to the Obafemi Awolowo Teaching Hospital in Ile Ife for medical attention.

They were alleged to have been shot by the violent youths who invaded the Oba's palace.

Meantime, 47 persons have been arrested by the police over the crisis.

The Divisional Police Officer, DPO, of Ile Oluji is also said to be hospitalised following the injury he sustained while trying to quell the crisis.

This is coming as the state government yesterday set up a judicial commission of enquiry to probe the violence that led to the death of three persons.

According to the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Dr. Rotimi Adelola, the Judicial Commission of Inquiry is to look into the recent disturbances and crises in Ile Oluji/ Oke Igbo Local Government of Ondo State, especially the disturbance of May 27 and 28, 2013 and or any similar disturbance in Ile Oluji.

It has Justice Nelson Adeyanju as Chairman, Mr. Ajose Kudehinbu, Chief Olugbenga Ale as members and Mr. Fredrick Oye as Secretary.

The Judicial Commission of Inquiry is to “ recommend appropriate sanction, take stock of the losses or damages occasioned during the crises, make appropriate recommendations to government on the subject of the terms of references or any other matter connected with the crises."

The Commission of Inquiry which has 14 days to submit its findings is to be inaugurated today, at the Cocoa Conference Hall of the Governor ’s Office.

Also, the governor, Dr Mimiko

yesterday, at a Democracy Day lecture said the crisis in Ile Oluji has some undertone and has nothing to do with the citing of a Federal institution in the area.

He confirmed that a policeman who was shot by the youths was operated upon at OAUTH in Ile Ife, yesterday.

Meantime, soldiers from the 323 Artillery Regiment in the state have been deployed to the troubled town to complement the efforts of the policemen.

Also, the palace of the Oba was said to have been van-

dalised by the irate youths.

There was partial curfew in the town yesterday as both commercial and social activities were completely paralysed following the violence in the town.

Police sources said that the youths picked up have started fingering their sponsors and are being detained at the state SIIB in Akure.

Reports said that the Oba has returned to the palace and he is under police protective custody.

The Ondo State Government in a statement on the crisis

signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Eni Akinsola, said there was no truth about a Polytechnic in Ile Oluji as rumoured by some people in the community, a rumour that resulted into a violent protest in the week.

Akinsola said: “The state is not contemplating a new polytechnic now as it is busy repositioning its two universities in Okitipupa and Akungba and the polytechnic in Owo. “ We have also found out that the federal government has also not decided on citing any higher institution in the

state now. We are therefore shocked to hear that the crisis is linked to a rumoured location of a polytechnic to and away from the town.”

RALLY: From left: Chief Owolabi Salis, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain; Chief Ishola Filani, Chairman, South West PDP Caretaker Committee and Chief Ola Apena, Deputy State Chairman, PDP, Lagos State, during the party's Democracy Day rally in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele.

Navy orders robbers out of territorial waters

BY EVELYN USMAN

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AGOS—FLAG of ficer Commanding the Western Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy, NN Apapa, Lagos, Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas , yesterday, reinstated the NN resolve to protect the nation’s territorial waters from sea robbers and oil thieves, handing down a warning to pirates to leave the nation’s maritime zone or face NN’s wrath.

Speaking at the end of a sea trip with over 200 civilians in the Force’s five warships, as part of activities making the NN 57th anniversary, Ibas informed that machinery had been put in place to checkmate activities of sea robbers.

The trip he explained, was a demonstration of the civil/military relations and also an opportunity for members of the public to see how the Navy operates.

Warships used during the trip included NNS Obula, NNS Andoni, the Isreali made Shaldag Boat, NNS Markudi and Suka Lafia.

I 've done well — Jonathan Continues from page 5 ments of the administration, he said the railway which had become irrelevant in the national transportation system for over 30 years was back on track, adding that

tor, the Minister said there had been key improvement on key access roads across the country, citing the BeninOre Road, Kano-Maiduguri Road and the AbujaKaduna-Kano Road among

the western rail corridor from Lagos to Kano as well as intracity train services in Lag o s , Kaduna a n d Kano are n o w fully ope r a tional.

In the road sec-

others.

The minister added that there has also been significant improvements in power and the government was working hard to ensure that Nigerians were provided with uninterrupted power supply.

In agriculture, Usman said the administration had saved significant amount of money through the blocking of loopholes in the procurement of fertiliser and other agricultural inputs and ensuring the direct distribution to farmers. She added that with the policy, there has been increased production of crops like cassava, wheat and rice, thereby moving the country

to self sufficiency in food and liberating the people from poverty.

He said there had also been a significant improvement in the airports across the country with the expansion, renovation and remodelling works in the existing airports.

Nigeria on right course — Jackson Jackson, a 1994 and 1998 United States Democratic Party presidential candidate also speaking at the occasion, said there was much expectation on Nigeria as the most populous black nation on earth and that the country should not disappoint the world.

Appraising the mid-term report, he said that there was no doubt that Nigeria was on the right course and called for support from every strata

of society.

According to him, “the world takes Nigeria serious and it cannot afford to let the world down.

Nigeria must do everything to get it right. It is an obligation that Nigeria must meet”.

Former head of the Interim Government in Liberia, Professor Amos Sawyer also speaking, praised Nigeria's contributions to international peace keeping in the continent and thus urged the country ’s political leaders to join hands at critical times of national challenges.

Anyim noted that the uncommon restraint by President Jonathan in the face of different provocative challenges had helped to deepen democracy in the last two years.

12—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013

Women urged to be active in shaping families

BY DANIEL GUMM

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OMADI—THE need for women to take more active role in shaping their families as home makers took the centre stage at a forum organised by women groups in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State to brainstorm on ways of contributing to national development through the family.

The groups, comprising market women, farmers, opinion leaders and women leaders of thought, charged women to see themselves as home builders and take more active role in shaping their families.

Convener of the meeting, Mrs. Odaere Agbedi maintained that a forum to discuss women and family life became necessary in view of the security challenges as well as social vices in the country. She called on politicians in the state, particularly lawmakers, to come up with policies that will support and enhance the quality of life of women and their families.

Don't join others to pull President down, Uduaghan urges Deltans

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

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SABA—GOVERNOR of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, yesterday, advised people of the South-South region to stop criticising President Goodluck Jonathan publicly. He said that as a son of the region, the president should be given the support to enable him succeed, noting that “politics in Nigeria is still very regional.”

The governor, at a luncheon to mark this year ’s Democracy Day in, Asaba, after commissioning a number of projects, told the gathering that he was on course in realising his three-point agenda before the end of his tenure.

He said: “I need to say that the South-South, to which Delta State belongs, has produced the President, Dr. Jonathan. He is the first President from the region and I want to remind us that he was the Vice President, when President Umaru Yar’Adua died. Of course, he became the President and just before he could find his feet as President, there was an election in which he took part and eventually became the President.

“Today, Jonathan has effec-

tively become the President of Nigeria. We will not forget that.

I am emphasising this because people compare his two years to eight years spent by other presidents. He has just spent two years in office and a lot has happened. I am sure many of you must have listened to his mid-

term report today (yesterday). It is full in the areas of power, roads, airports. And so, because he is our son, we must give him maximum support.

“As a state government, we are giving him maximum support and I am urging all

of us from Delta State to give him the support to succeed because the politics of Nigeria is still very regional. Every region is struggling for its interest. No other region is struggling for your interest and we must understand that. It is a game of interests."

A railway coach, named, Dame Patience Jonathan, Number, 2204, which derailed around Agege, near Pen-Cinema, in Lagos State yesterday. Photo: Joe Akintola,Photo Editor.

Presidency distracting Nigerians with NGF politics —Edo Majority Leader

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ENIN—MAJORITY Leader of Edo State House of Assembly, Mr. Philip Shaibu, has described the alleged involvement of the Presidency in the crisis rocking the Nigeria Governors' Forum as diversionary and urged the Presidency to tackle the security and developmental problems facing the country and allow governors choose their leader.

Also, Coalition to Save Nigeria, CSN, led by Dr Philip Ugbodaga, has described the crisis as a shame, saying that “what happened at the NGF election is disheartening and speaks volumes about what to expect in 2015. It is not surprising that a body consisting of only 36 Nigerian governors is unable to conduct an election to change its

leadership. The show of shame that played out is symptomatic of the general electoral immaturity that has characterised our electoral history since independence.”

Shaibu, while congratulating Governor Rotimi

Amaechi of Rivers State, over his re-election as Chairman of NGF, reminded Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State that the country was bigger than any political party, and admonished him to accept the result

of the election rather than create unnecessary tension.

“Nigeria has grown above the politics of do or die. The problem of industrialisation, unemployment should occupy us more," he said.

Deaconess Colette Ojirhomu Ben-Obi for burial

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HE families of Eju mudo of Effurun in Uvwie Local Government, Delta State and His Royal Highness, late Igwe J. O. Obi, of Awka town, in Anambra State, have announced the burial plans for their late wife, daugh-

Late Mrs. C. O. Ben-Obi

ter, sister, mother and grand mother, Deaconess Mrs. Colette Ojirhomu Ben-Obi, who passed on following a brief illness, on April 14, at the National Hospital, Abuja.

According to the burial programme, service of songs will be held for her on June 4, at St. Matthews Anglican Church, Maitama, Abuja, from 5pm to 7pm, while Christian wake-keep comes up on June 6, at Senator Ben Obi’s residence in Awka, Anambra State between 5pm and 7pm Funeral service will

hold on June 7, at 10am, followed by interment at Senator Ben Obi’s family compound at 9/11 Onwubuya Close, Off Court Road Awka, Anambra State.

Outing Service will be held on June 9, at St Faith’s Cathedral, Anglican Church, Awka, Anambra State She is survived by her widower, Ojeligbo Senator Dr Ben Ndi Obi, her children, Mrs. Julia Azike, Mr. Jushua Chito Obi Miss Uchechi Obi, grand children and a host of relations on both sides.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013—13

C M Y K

14 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013

DEMOCRACY DAY CELEBRATIONS

President Goodluck Jonathan flanked by Vice-President Namadi Sambo (left) and First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, at the 2013 Democracy Day Celebration, in Abuja, yesterday.

President Goodluck Jonathan presenting his administration’s mid-term report at the 2013 Democracy Day celebration in Abuja, yesterday.

Cross section of traditional rulers at the presentation of President Goodluck Jonathan’s mid term report, at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida.

Former Minister of Information, Chief Edwin Clark (right), Senator Joy Ermodi, Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters (middle), and Police Affairs Minister, Caleb Olubolade, at the presentation of mid-term report of President Goodluck Jonathan to mark 2013 Democracy Day at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. PHOTO: Abayomi Adeshida.

Governor Theodore Orji of Abia, (2nd right) during the commissioning of the Ajata-Isieke road in Umuahia North LGA. With him from right is his deputy, Sir Emeka Ananaba; TC Chairman, Umuahia North LGA ,Chief Chukwudi Ndumele and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Mr. Richard Nwala.

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State at the Democracy Day celebrations at the Ilorin Metropolitan Square.

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From right: Alhaji Yahyale Ahmed, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation; Alhaji Lateef Jakande, former Governor of Lagos State and his wife Abimbola, during the commissioning of Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge, to commemorate Democracy Day in Lagos. Photo: Bunmi Azeez.

COMMISSIONING: Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State (middle) his Deputy, Prof. Amos Utuama (left) and H.R.M. Obi Prof. Chike Edozie, Asagba of Asaba (left) during the commissioning of a school project to mark Democracy Day, in Asaba. Photo: Henry Unini.

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013 — 15

2015: Lamido, Amaechi’s posters flood Abuja .I’ve no hand in it — Amaechi

.Niger Delta group cautions Jonathan, Amaechi over rift

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

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BUJA — AS impeach ment threat dangles before embattled Rivers State governor, Chibuike Amaechi , posters bearing his photo-

graph and that of his Jigawa counterpart, Sule Lamido, for the 2015 presidential election now litter some parts of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

But the governor has de-

nied having any ambition to contest the 2015 election against President Goodluck Jonathan, saying the posters might be the handiwork of his political detractors.

Governor Amaechi’s poster

INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS’ MAN OF THE YEAR INVESTITURE

Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, presenting award to Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui Okauru, MFR, Managing Partner, Compliance Professionals Plc and former Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS (right), during Independent Newspapers Ltd’s Man of the Year 2012 investiture, at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos. Photo: Shola Oyelese

Mr. Ray Ekpu, presenting award to Mr. Ekanem Etim, representing Alhaji Aliko Dangote, GCON, President, Dangote Group Plc (right) at the event

with the Peoples Democrtic Party, PDP, logo, pasted along the highway and some bus stops, especially, the Federal Housing Estate Kubwa, Dutse bus stop and others, struggled for space with Church Crusade posters.

They were posted early morning of Democracy Day. Commenting on the appearance of his posters in Abuja, Governor Amaechi, who spoke through his Commissioner for Information, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, said he neither had any political ambition for the 2015 presidential election nor printed posters.

The governor, who was recently handed down a suspension order by the National Working Committee of Peoples Democratic Party after his victory at the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, election, said he had no knowledge of any poster being pasted in the FCT. “We have no such knowledge (of the posters) The governor of Rivers State has not printed any poster, but it may be the detractors behind that.

Governor Chibuike Amaechi is not interested in election in 2015,” he said.

Meanwhile, a Niger Delta group that goes with the name, Credible Nigeria, has advised President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Rotimi Amaechi to find a way to settle their political differences, saying continuous acrimony by the duo will not be in the interest of the region.

National Chairman of Credible Nigeria, Chief Ibyekaribo Longjohn, said the political differences between the two prominent Niger Delta sons were affecting the economy of Rivers State, alleging that the state was getting backward as a result of the distractions.

Longjohn advised Governor Amaechi to accord due respect to the President and also appealed to Dr. Jonathan to respect the governor.

N200bn abandoned road projects: Reps set to probe Ministry of Works ...to X-ray N17bn mobilisation fees on contracts

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

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BUJA — THE Public Accounts Committee, PAC of the House of Representatives would next week start an investigative hearing into several abandoned road projects across the country put at over N200 billion allegedly not executed by the Federal Ministry of Works.

Solomon Olamilekan Adeola Chairman of House

Committee on Public Accounts, PAC, disclosed this on Tuesday when officials of the Ministry, led by its Permanent Secretary, Dr.A K Mohammed, appeared before the committee over 28 queries raised against it by the office of the Auditor -General of the Federation, AuGF, for the financial year ended December 31, 2010.

The committee also revealed that it had uncovered

another N17billion reportedly paid out to contractors as mobilisation fees but later abandoned sites after collecting money, while another contractor, JMK Nigeria Limited, was allegedly accused of receiving about N2.2billion from the Ministry as mobilization fees only for it to sub-let same contract.

Members of the committee immediately directed their secretariat to write to the Corporate Affairs Commission,CAC,

to furnish it with necessary information about those behind the company, JMK Nig. Ltd, with a view to getting at the root of what transpired.

Adeola, however, made it clear that the committee was not out to witch- hunt any contractor or officials of the Ministry and district engineers of the Ministry of collaborating with contractors.

Opposition parties have played credible roles in Nigeria’s democracy — Moghalu

BY GABRIEL EWEPU

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BUJA — AS Ni geria celebrated Democracy Day yesterday, Secretary, ANPP National Rebuilding and Inter-party Contact Committee, Dr. George Moghalu, said opposition parties in the country have played a prominent role to sustain the nation’s democratic experiment since May 29, 1999.

Moghalu told Vanguard in an interview that opposition parties had done well in checkmating the party in government but added that a lot more needed to be done by the opposition parties in this regard.

He said: In looking at the performance of the opposition parties, we must also look at the challenges. Like I have said time and time again, we are in a system where government has become the only business which has brought about the total collapse of the private sector.

Nigeria has recorded remarkable success in democracy —Ndoma Egba

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

A

BUJA — AS Ni geria marks Democracy Day, Senate Leader, Chief Victor Ndoma-Egba, SAN, said yesterday that the country has recorded remarkable achievement since the enthronement of democracy after many years of military rule.

Senator Ndoma-Egba, in an interview with Vanguard in Abuja, said Nigerians now enjoyed the rule of law, speak freely and move freely.

He added that a lot had been achieved without compromising any of the freedoms guaranteed by the nation’s constitution.

“I will like to categorize the assessment into tangibles and intangibles,” he said.

16—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013

Amaechi: Jonathan rallies PDP leaders •As Fashola apologises for conduct of governors •Mimiko challeges Amaechi over NGF video

By EMMANUEL AZIKEN, Political Editor, DAYO JOHNSON, ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH & OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan is today moving to check cracks in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, arising from the suspension of Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State from the party at a dinner for senior officials and members of the party.

The move by the President is coming as Governor Babatunde Fashola, yesterday, described as disgraceful the conduct of some of his colleagues following the election of Amaechi as chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF. He tendered an apology to Nigerians on the issue.

Irrespective of Fashola’s apology, Governor Segun Mimiko who emerged as vicechairman of the rival faction of the NGF opposed to the Amaechi-led group, yesterday, challenged Governor Amaechi over the video of the NGF election released to the public.

He flayed the election as a fraud insisting that he and other

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governors that participated were coerced into voting in the election that threw up Amaechi as winner.

The development came as some activists on the occasion of Democracy Day called for the abrogation of the NGF saying that it had become a waste to citizens governed by the governors.

News of today’s dinner to be hosted by the president was given in a notice issued by the national publicity secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh.

Admission into the dinner couched as a “family dinner” is, however, strictly by invitation to party members who are expected to call two telephone numbers 08072579776, 08033145661 contained in the notice.

The president, it was learnt, is expected to use the dinner to rouse party faithful to be steadfast and loyal to the party leadership in the face of increasing attacks from the opposition. It could not be confirmed if the president would mention the latest crisis arising from the suspension of Governor Amaechi from the party, but the issue is, however, expected to cast a large spectre at the meeting given increasing

questions on the procedure used in the suspension of the governor without a hearing. Senior party figures apparently not willing to be caught in the crossfire were yesterday escaping discussion on the matter. Nevertheless, Governor Fashola yesterday expressed disappointment over the fall out from the issue and apologised to Nigerians.

Reacting to a question from the audience during an interactive broadcast on Lagos Television to mark his sixth anniversary in office, Fashola said: “I am not proud of what is happening with the Nigeria Governor’s Forum, NGF. I feel bad about it and as a governor, I should apologise to Nigerians over the way the election issue has been handled.

We are sorry.” Fashola briefly stated.

Mimiko speaking at Democracy Day lecture in Akure, yesterday, said that the Amaechi faction only released to the public a 10 minutes video that favours it.

Dr. Mimiko said “Nigerians should ask the pro-Amaechi group why he presided over an election which he is also contesting. I specifically raised that issue and insisted that he

must resign but his supporters maintained that he should supervise the poll as a sitting chairman. They asked me whether I resigned my position while seeking a re-election for a second term in office and I replied them that it was not the same thing because the NGF is like an association not a democratic institution which had its existence entrenched in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

“When it was obvious that we cannot guarantee the source of the ballot boxes and ballot papers brought by Amaechi, I protested again that we should conduct the election openly by raising up our hands in support of our preferred candidate, again, they rejected.

The ballot papers they produced were without serial numbers and we discovered this was a fraud, hence there were protests.They never captured all these facts but merely recorded the fraction of the process which was in line with their pre-determined agenda.” The Democracy Day lecture was delivered by Prof Bola Akinterinwa the Director General, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, NIIA, with

the title: “Democracy, security and development, the challenges of Ondo State as a catalyst agent.”

Meanwhile, Lagos Lawyer, Mr. Bamidele Aturu and President, Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, Dr. Frederick Fasehun have called for the abrogation of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, saying it was an avenue for the governors to waste their respective state’s revenue.

In a statement issued by the Dr. Fasehun to mark democracy day, he expressed surprise at the rancour that characterised the election that produced two chairmen of the Forum. In same vein, Aturu expressed shock and disgust at the rejection of the result by the losers in the NGF election as he called for the demise of the forum and other bodies alike.

He said: “In all democratic settings it is sacrilegious to question the procedure of an election in which one took part after the result of the election, particularly when the procedure is not known to have violated the Constitution of the association or of any known democratic norm.

“It is, therefore, extremely childish, and irrationally so, that some people who claim to be governors can openly identify with the irrational rejection of the result of the NGF Election.I believe no word can be too harsh to deprecate the un-becoming conduct of those governors who have rejected the result of the election.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013— 17

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Monopoly of power It was the much-lamented Chief Sunday Awoniyi, who provided the best description of what the PDP evolved into, in its years of monopoly of power in Nigeria. Under the stifling control of Obasanjo, with its unresolved assassinations of political operatives, he said the party had become a basket of scorpions, all stinging themselves to death. In the period since that apt description, things have evolved beyond the wildest imagination. The PDP is suffering the fatigue and degeneracy associated with a long residence in power.

What unite its members are not grand ideas, but naked, irresponsible and unaccountable power in order to facilitate grand larceny against the Nigerian people.

They know that they have a whole lot to lose if they are kicked off their perch. But the vicious rivalry within the conclave has become so destructive, largely because so many of the members are genuinely worried that President Jonathan is just not up to scratch as a candidate. On the other hand, the power of incumbency is so enormous, that there is no reason why it should not be wielded. Those who do the president’s biddings from Tony Anenih, the party leadership through to the governors, like Akpabio, believe that is where they can find cover for their own ambitions too.

Not to talk of protection from the anti-graft agencies!

When people like Atiku Abubakar called on founding fathers of the party to rally, in order to save the PDP from itself, he C M Y K

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AST week’s return of Rivers state governor, Chibuike Amaechi, as chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), despite the desperate effort by the Jonathan presidency to stop him, represented a major kick in the groin for President Jonathan Goodluck. A significant plank of the maneuver for the presidential battle in 2015 suffered an embarrassing reverse, despite the concerted effort put into the venture to stop Amaechi’s return.

But in the bad-tempered response of the pro-Jonathan governors, as represented by Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom state, we caught a whiff of the danger which the hawks of the PDP represent to democracy consolidation in Nigeria. If 35 governors took part in an election and the votes were split 19 to 16; an election which was recorded and has now become available on many news sites on the internet, it is clear that these individuals who would not manage their response to a vote by 35 individuals, would certainly do anything to subvert a national election which does not go their way. And that is what we have lived with since 1999: a systematic theft of elections which have enthroned, arguably the most irresponsible ruling elite, on the African continent today.

The PDP and its denizens are desperate to clear every hurdle on the path of Goodluck Jonathan’s candidacy in 2015, and they are managing the effort so incompetently and crudely, largely because their potential candidate still has his work cut out for him in the lead to the electioneering process to come. On the one hand, the records of governance have been pitiably poor; the president has alienated most of the country and he has been frighteningly divisive, with a propensity to exploit the fault lines of Nigeria. Take the NGF election, for instance. It was first rumoured that his preferred candidate was Governor Shehu Shema of Katsina; then a few days to the election, the newly anointed candidate became Isa Yuguda of Bauchi and finally, on the day of the election, Jonah Jang of Plateau, who is an emblematic expression of divisiveness, all of a sudden, became Jonathan’s preferred choice to lead the NGF. It came as no surprise when Amaechi defeated Jonah Jang!

The PDP, Governors’ Forum and democracy

It was the muchlamented Chief Sunday Awoniyi, who provided the best description of what the PDP evolved into, in its years of monopoly of power in Nigeria. Under the stifling control of Obasanjo, with its unresolved assassinations of political operatives, he said the party had become a basket of scorpions, all stinging themselves to death

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Gov. Jonah Jang

probably believed that the party can still somehow, re-discover the basis for some dubious idealism. But the PDP is far too lost in its new ways. It will do only what suits the president and for as long as the route can be cleared for Jonathan’s 2015 ambition, no loss along the way, will be seen as too much. The intention is for Jonathan to run in 2015, and that alone will justify whatever damage might have been inflicted upon the party, the state structure, the democratic process and Nigeria.

When Tony Anenih boasted that when the time comes, the PDP will do what it knows best, maybe a lot of people did not take note of the implications of the statement. Those who were defeated at the NGF elections were acting their part of an elaborate script; they could not be bothered about the niceties of democracy and decency. They displayed a doctored piece of paper, as evidence of ‘endorsement’ of the defeated Jonah Jang. And in the days since, the diminutive man has added a

Gov. Chibuike Amaechi

new line of blasphemy to Nigeria’s antidemocracy lexicon. God, he said, backs a successfully rigged election, such as the brazen effort to enthrone him chairman of the NGF. To further the charade, President Goodluck Jonathan’s Man Friday in Bayelsa, Henry Seriake Dickson, bought pages in Nigerian newspapers, to congratulate Jonah on his “emergence” (not election!), as Chairman of the NGF. The suspension, early this week of Governor Amaechi, just underscores how vicious is the bite that the Jonathan camp is willing to inflict on perceived opponents of the man’s ambition. They will not take any prisoners. In this type of politics, the most useful opponent is the one that is completely routed. The incredulity of the action led even the normally pro-PDP THISDAY newspaper to lead its Tuesday, May 28, 20103 edition, in a most pithy manner: “For PDP”, it said of Amaechi’s suspension, “it is punishment before investigation”! What we have witnessed in the past week is merely a peek into the

Kwankwaso and Bola Tinubu: Timely gesture

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AST weekend, the former governor of Lagos state, Bola Tinubu, was given an honorary degree by the Kano State University of Technology in Wudil. The university was established during Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s first tenure, between 1999 and 2003. The occasion brought to Wudil many politicians from the southern part of Nigeria, who probably were visiting that part of Northern Nigeria for the first time! I have always had a very ambiguous view of Bola Tinubu’s politics.

But in recent times, I have come to view more favourably, the work he has done together with other politicians from around the country, in trying to build a new platform for politics in our country. I do have reservations about the APC contraption being cobbled together, but there is no gainsaying the fact that Nigerians want a new platform that can challenge the hegemony of the PDP. In APC, an effort has been made to bring together political tendencies that one would have argued in the past, can never come together.

But the imperative of the day in Nigeria is to think outside of divisive prejudices which have kept us divided for a very long time. In that effort at building new alliances across regions; across political traditions and tendencies, Bola Tinubu has played a very central role. Although wedded to the regionalism that had strong secessionist proclivities for a long time, I believe that Tinubu’s politics now has a more pan-Nigerian, content today and is more in tune, with the needs of contemporary Nigeria. It is this backdrop, which made Governor Kwankwaso to host Bola Tinubu’s honorary degree.

It was a timely gesture that speaks to the yearnings of Nigerians to defeat the divisive politics that was embedded in the exploitation of the ethno-religious fault lines of Nigeria. The frustrations of the years since 1999, have not left out the mass of the Nigerian people, North or South, Muslim or Christian; it is this background which is driving people towards a new definition of politics. Politicians like Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Bola Tinubu are now responding to the challenges of the times in Nigeria. But they will do well to stay the course!

next two years of political life in Nigeria.

Unfortunately for the Nigerian people, in all these naked expressions of power politics, not for once, will the political gladiators give themselves the pause to think about our best interests. The people just do no matter in all the calculations to acquire power and hold it firmly, any which ways.

Jigawa's green shoots of growth

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HIS morning, the First Jigawa Economic and Investment Summit opens here in Dutse, the state capital. The planning for this elaborate summit has been on, for the better part of the last three months, and it brings together intellectuals, technocrats, investors and politicians from all over Nigeria. I have been invited to participate as a rapporteur at the threeday gathering, along with other colleagues from around Nigeria.

The government of Sule Lamido has very grand hopes to make this state one of the leading investment destinations in Nigeria; and already, Jigawa is ranked as about the best place to do business in the country.

Here they want to do even more! I have been travelling back and forth to Dutse in the past two months, working in a Technical Committee to help establish a state-owned television service and each time that I have been back here, I get the impression that there is admirable commitment to the public good on the part of a government which sees itself as organically connected to the wishes of the people and is also sworn to upholding the best interests of the people of this state.

It is this background which has also informed the amount of work done to arrive at the summit which opens today.

The possibilities are enormous for the economic development of this state, with its rich agricultural potentials; the diverse mineral deposits and the increasingly attractive opportunities for commerce with the incentive environment. The old saying that if we all do a little, we can achieve a lot still applies; all over Nigeria, there is a yearning need for initiatives like this, that concentrate the best minds and capacities for the creation of economic opportunities.

Ours is a very young country, in terms of the demography and it is very vital to open up opportunities for rapid economic development that create jobs and opportunities. In Jigawa, there are significant shoots of growth which give hope and the economic and investment summit opening up today, represents something very creative and useful.

18 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013 MID-May, the remains of Major Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro were re-interred at the Heroes Park in Yenagoa, capital of Bayelsa State. Most people below 50 may not know Boro, a student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, who died fighting in the civil war.

Convinced that peoples of the Niger Delta were not benefitting enough from the proceeds of crude oil, he left school to lead an armed protest. His Niger Delta Volunteer Force declared the Niger Delta Republic on 23 February 1966. Boro’s republic lasted 12 days. Federal forces contained the insurrection.

He was jailed for treason. General Yakubu Gowon granted him amnesty in May 1967, after which he was commissioned a major in the Nigerian Army. He fought in the 3rd Marine Commando when Colonel (later General) Benjamin Adekunle was boss.

According to official accounts, a Biafran soldier who was hiding in an empty house

by Okrika water side killed Boro on 18 May 1968 as federal troops advanced towards Port Harcourt which they captured six hours after Boro’s demise.

Re-burial Of Isaac Boro Boro, who initially took up arms against Nigeria, defended the same country against secession. His interment at the military section of Ikoyi Cemetery accorded him a national status and recognition for fighting against secession.

The event in Yenagoa, and the government’s investments in it – a DNA was conducted on his exhumed bones in London to ascertain the remains were his - raise some curiosity.

Why would the remains of a soldier who fought gallantly to preserve the fidelity of the nation be re-buried in a state government cemetery? Why would the Nigerian Army permit the re-burial? Boro was more than an Ijaw nationalist; he was a Nigerian

nationalist who paid the supreme price defending Nigeria. Would it be the rule hence to re-bury every nationalist, of Bayelsa origin, at the Heroes Park?

Late General Andrew Owoye Azazi was buried in the same park. Azazi was a fourstar general of the Nigerian Army, not Bayelsa’s army. He was Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, not Security Adviser to Bayelsa State Government. In the United States, whose system of government we copied, people like Boro and Azazi, would have been interred at any of the US’ 146 national cemeteries. The one in Arlington, Virginia, seems to be the most prominent.

The re-burial of Boro, whatever it was meant to achieve, simply diminishes him, cascading him from the lofty status of a nationalist to a state irredentist. A statue at the Heroes Park would have been adequate recognition for Boro without denationalising him.

In future, when posterity and propriety drive governance, both men will secure final resting places in a befitting national cemetery - they deserve no less

OPINION

BY C.DON ADINUBA

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P to the moment he breathed his last on Thursday, March 21, 2013, Chinua Achebe, Africa’s most quoted raconteur, novelist , essayist and social critic, did not know he was the person who ignited my interest in the business of public affairs and communication consulting. When Okike, the African journal of new writing which he founded in 1971 at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, was getting ready to mark its 20th anniversary, the magazine was financially challenged. A fund raiser was needed. Achebe, a thorough person, had by 1989 begun in earnest to prepare for the anniversary. He spoke to me in his characteristically solemn voice: “C. Don, you know a lot of successful and prominent people and they respect you because you have talent and enthusiasm. I would like you to launch a revenue drive for Okike and get a commission on it”. A request from Achebe was, of course, like a command to most people who knew him on account of the man’s incomparable quick mind, intimidating personae and great virtues.

But this request was somewhat difficult to process. I probably had some contacts in high places, but I had never regarded myself as someone with business acumen or even organisational abilities. In fact, Molara Ogundipe, the ebullient feminist and literary scholar, once famously described me as “too artistic” when I opposed her suggestion on how to run the affairs of a fledging circle of writers and critics she was leading at The Guardian. “I am allergic to C M Y K

Achebe: A personal testimony rules!”, I thundered at the meeting, leading everyone to a paroxysm of Homeric laughter.

We must give it to Achebe: He was clairvoyant, he possessed this stunning natural gift that seemed to border on divination. At the inauguration of the Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA, at the University of Nigeria in 1982, for instance, he told the audience that the greatest challenge facing the nation was “the rough beast of fanaticism”. This beast, he explained, was making both Nigerian religious adherents and members of the political class look like “dangerous lunatics”. He ruefully spoke of how some mullahs in Iran were passing fatwa on local poets for protesting against some excesses of the Islamic government in Teheran and a columnist with The New Nigerian newspaper in Kaduna was hailing the death sentences in the name of Islamic solidarity.

Achebe also bemoaned the growing tendency of some Nigerian state governors acting like imperial lords, conquerors of their own people, rather than their servants.

The import of Achebe’s speech appeared lost on even fellow writers and scholars.

Only Stanley Macebuh, writing in The Punch on Sunday, was to call national attention to the extremely dangerous phenomenon of extremism which was then developing, describing Achebe as an original thinker and far-sighted analyst. It is a mark of the writer’s prescience that the

greatest threat to Nigeria’s survival today, 21 years after the Achebe soul-stirring speech, is fanaticism. Extremsim accounts for thousands of violent deaths in the last couple of years and the ruination of socioeconomic activity of a certain part of our nation.

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ack to my personal relationship with Achebe. When I saw how Macebuh, an exceedingly brilliant and urbane writer, was getting along in life after he resigned from The Guardian as the founding managing director and after seeing George Okoro, another gifted top journalist, go by a decrepit commercial bus in Lagos, I knew my days in active journalism were numbered. Sunday Punch founding editor Dayo Wright used to tell us in Enugu in the early 1980s when I was a rookie journalist but given the high responsibility of the chief editorial writer of the Satellite newspaper: “It is either you use journalism or journalism will use you”. Given the flattering comment I received from Achebe about my talent, enthusiasm, network and goodwill, I reached a conclusion about what to do with journalism, and so quickly moved into the related field of communication and public affairs consulting.

Despite the difference of about three decades in age between Achebe and myself, we did get on very well. Achebe had no airs, no hang-ups . There was a night Okey

Ndibe and I walked across Rangers Avenue from Hotel Presidential in Enugu where we were lodging to see Achebe who was then Chairman of the Governing Council of the Anambra State University of Science and Technology and a personal guest of the Vice Chancellor, Chiweyite Ejike. Achebe was eating boiled maize and roasted local pear with Ejike and his wife. Before we could be invited, Okey and I descended on the traditional snacks with viciousness. We ordered Mrs Ekije, a flabbergasted, bemused but cultured lady who hardly knew us, to the kitchen and prepare more maize and pears! Okey then turned to Achebe: “Prof, it is better to meet you here in Enugu than in Nsukka where you would not invite us to the table because you would wait for every family member to be around before anyone can eat. You know C. Don and I are bohemians who have no time for protocol and niceties”. The entire living room was engulfed by laughter.

I took over: “Two weeks ago we went to see Prof without notice, without even calling him on the phone”. Okey cut in: “C. Don has over two hundred local and foreign telephone numbers in his head. He has the memory of an elephant”. “Rather than call 042-770513 which is Prof ’s number”, I resumed the story, satisfied to see the pleasant surprise on everybody’s face that I effortlessly mentioned Achebe’s residential telephone number, “we bumped into his home. Prof was in poor health in his bedroom , attended to by a doctor.

Continues tomorrow on pg 18 *Mr. Adinuba, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Lagos.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013 — 19

, Kaita and Ango’s losing streak

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LHAJI Lawal Kaita and Professor Ango Abdullahi are two men who can’t hide their bornto-rule mentality. They are Atiku boys politically, even though they are both older than the Turaki of Adamawa.

It was this Atiku political group that joined with the likes of General Ibrahim Babangida, Mallam Adamu Ciroma and others to form the Northern Leaders Political Forum, NLPF, with the sole purpose of using the so-called “majority” power of the North to either force President Goodluck Jonathan to give up his constitutional right to contest the 2011 presidential election or get him voted out.

As Jonathan pressed ahead with his ambition, Atiku at a media briefing threatened that those who made peaceful change impossible would make violent change inevitable. Ango Abdullahi and Lawal Kaita continued to predict doom for the President at the 2011 polls until the elections came and went. Not only was Atiku beaten ragged at the PDP presidential primaries, President Jonathan coasted home to a comfortable

landslide victory in an internationally-acclaimed credible election in 2011.

Atiku and his boys were proved dead wrong, because the result of the election was a pan-Nigerian mandate that defied regional, sectional and religious stereotyping. It instead proved that primordial gang-ups are no longer fashionable in our democracy, and that those (such as Kaita and Ango) who pin their prognosis on them would always get it wrong.

It seemed that those who threatened to make the system ungovernable for the President meant business when, all of a sudden, so soon after the 2011 elections, Boko Harm insurgency, which had been crushed by the regime of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, made a stubborn resurgence. In two years of bloody campaign, they crippled the economy of the North and started making territorial claims. We called on the President to take action as his predecessors did in the past when rebellion went beyond the scope of the Police.

A monolithic wall of opinion among the Muslim North eilte led

But Ango Abdullahi would not have any of it; speaking on behalf of the Northern Elders Forum, he wailed that the President had “declared war on the North”; it was clearly a statement meant to incite the North against the President

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by Sultan Abubakar Sa’ad, put pressure on President Jonathan to offer the terrorists amnesty. The President succumbed and set up a committee. Meanwhile, the terrorists became emboldened and the President finally declared a state of emergency on Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states. The President took the right step: quell the insurgency first and explore amnesty later. Today, the enemy is in flight and Nigeria’s total sovereignty is on the verge of being recovered.

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ut, of course, Ango Abdullahi would not have any of it.

Speaking on behalf of the Northern Elders Forum he wailed that the President had “declared war on the North”. It was clearly a statement meant to incite the North against the President; a weapon to be used against him when the 2015 elections come up.

Both Ango and Kaita had since gone back to their old, jaded refrain of predicting doom at the polls for the President, conveniently forgetting that this antic failed only two years ago.

Happily enough, the majority of Northern Nigerians, including its Governors’ Forum, have applauded the emergency rule, though it came a little belatedly.

Ango would have the President go on his knees and beg Boko Haram to accept amnesty so that he could call him as a “weak” leader. Ango and Kaita and their cohorts will never be satisfied with anything Jonathan may do until they achieve their dream of forcefully snatching power from him. This will not happen. Therefore, I call

them perpetual losers.

Power will go to the North when the time comes, and it will be a democratic decision taken across the diversities of our citizenry. It is unwise to play politics with security. The President’s decision to declare emergency is in the interest of the North in particular and the nation at large. It is the right thing. The popularity of the decision is evident in successful operations of the security agencies, which made our President to surmise over the weekend that the emergency rule may end before six months.

When the insurgents are silenced and peace returns to the North I will be waiting to hear from Kaita and Ango!

Re: Emergency rule

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R. Nnanna, I am happy you know the President "has superior information and advice from our security chiefs who should know better than the rest of us." With that in mind, my response to your article is this: The seemingly indecisiveness and lack of will on the part of the President to take on the insurgents before now was tactical to some extent. When it started, Boko Haram was a complete guerrilla outfit.

They lived among the people, held meetings underground and struck via suicide bombings and withdrew into the midst of the people. At that stage, it was impossible to take the kind of action being taken against them now. They had no physical camp and occupied no territories then that anyone could attack. The President is not stupid; he could not have sent the army against residential settlements even in places believed to be harbouring the militants.

But the so-called indecisiveness of the President gave the insurgents the false belief that they can overrun the North-East and maybe the entire North and beyond. That was when they had the confidence to start establishing camps, burning Nigerian flags and planting their own. It was now easy for the Nigerian army to isolate them and carry out an onslaught against them as we are presently seeing.

The President in my estimation is not weak neither is he indecisive. He probably understands this unique nation and its governance than most of us. Above all we must not forget that discretion is the better part of valour.

Adiza Osilama (taken from Vanguard Online)

Mark misses the mark on Almajiri HIS big elephant, Nigeria, still shortchanges herself at every bend. Nigeria is simply satisfied with being the most populous country in Africa; hence it means nothing to her that her population is grossly understated. In the 10-yearly ritual called population census, we are not quite sure that those “countrymen” at the market square and the myriads of Almajirai are fully captured. Yet, these are the people that, in an ideal society, would require utmost care and adequate budgetary outlays.

Our curiosity on the Almajiri question may have been aroused by the Senate debate on “A Bill for an Act to Repeal and Re-enact the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Act 2003”, sponsored by Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba (PDP/Cross River Central).

Under the Teach Yourself Islamic Studies, we came out with a full definition of ALMAJIRI as a word that emanated from the Arabic word “AL-MUHAJIRIN”, meaning migrant, which came as a result of Prophet Mohammed’s migration from Mecca to Medina. In Hausa land, Almajiri has become applicable to any person who begs for assistance on the streets or from house to house as a result of some deformity or disability.

The Nigerian factor has since taken over the Almajiri system from its original intention. The system has since become a big source of child abuse because children between the ages of seven and 15 years who attend informal religious schools now roam about collecting assistance and alms; and sometimes they engage in various forms of labour in order to survive. Sometimes, they fall into the hands of irresponsible adults who exploit them sexually.

Invariably, the Almajirai children grow up aggressive and violent, as they have been exposed to the vagaries of weather, different forms of pressure, problems, hunger and exploitations.

Unfortunately, these are children who are C M Y K

supposed to be the leaders of tomorrow. The Almajirai have thus become sources of worry to the Northern elite. The system has become a source of embarrassment to the entire region. When the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Bill came up for debates, Senator Alkali Abdulkadir Jajere (ANPP/ Yobe South) chronicled his ugly experience, growing up in the system.

The Senate President, David Mark, went to town and delivered a treatise on the sins of poverty. Mark missed the mark when he called for the abolition of the Almajiri system, when we should, in fact, be seeking ways to make it function better.

This column finds one common fault with some of our legislators. Quite often, presiding officers who should talk less and listen more to their members soon hijack the debates and take over proceedings when they should only intervene in crucial moments to whip erring members on line.

Listen to Mark: “It is amazing when we tend to make excuses for our failings. If you cannot gain employment, you go and join a terrorist group so that you can be employed.

You join Boko Haram because you have no employment. If you are poor, you begin to traffic in human beings so that you can be rich… Everything is reduced to the level of unemployment in the country. Nigeria is not the only country where everybody is not employed.”

The Almajirai did not ask to be born poor.

It is not as if they had a choice between being poor and being rich and they deliberately chose the former. Mark’s suggestion simply mixes science with ethics; unknown to him that the essential difference between science and ethics is that science is descriptive while ethics is prescriptive. Science deals with what is in the indicative mood. Ethics, on the other hand, deals with what ought to be in the imperative mood. The stark reality of

the situation is that the Almajirai are already here with us. What do we do with them? That is the question that we must answer at this ethical level. Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State is visibly pained that “some irresponsible parents would give

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Mark cannot wish away the fact that there is a correlation between unemployment and criminality; no responsible government can abdicate its responsibility of providing employment to its citizens

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birth to some 30 children, decide to take care of only two and unleash the rest of the pack on society… They grow up to hate their parents, their leaders, their government and society. They feel they are deprived, they feel injustice and they become enemies of the state and constituted authorities.”

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hall we round up all the irresponsible men and castrate them as a way of limiting their reckless production escapade?

No! That would be a return to atavism and cannot be permitted in 21st century Nigeria.

As for the Almajirai, we are also reluctant to tap on the experience of the Nazi-German regime which established a number of

concentration camps where Jewish prisoners were gathered and executed in gas chambers.

If all life offers you are broken eggs, you must quickly learn to make omelettes. No one ever solves a problem by running away from it. Mark and his co-travellers cannot wish away the fact that there is a correlation between unemployment and criminality. No responsible government can abdicate its responsibility of providing gainful employment to its citizens.

The Almajiri question can only be addressed within an integrated context: The Federal Government must prosecute its Almajiri Education Programme with added diligence. The affected states should devote more of their allocations to education and housing, by upping the Almajirai in their scale of preference. The provision of rehabilitation centres and homes is an idea that is capable of removing them from the streets and under the bridges.

The Almajirai must know that manna no longer comes from heaven. They must quickly inculcate the virtues of hard work.

This underscores the need to establish longterm enlightenment and public education programmes to teach parents the dangers inherent in having more children than they can cater for.

The concept of reward and punishment also requires us to give adequate biting teeth to some of our existing laws such as the UBE requirement that parents who refuse to send their children to school should be prosecuted and punished commensurately.

20 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013

*Protesting residents brandishing placards at Kirikiri

Day of rage in Kirikiri Town as residents stall oil operations

BY IFEANYI OKOLIE AND WILLIAM JIMOH

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PERATIONS at five major oil firms in Kirikiri town, Oriade Local Council Development Council Area, LCDA, of Lagos State, were paralysed penultimate Monday and Tuesday when residents protested against the deplorable state of roads in the community and lack of employment opportunities for its youths.

The community accused the oil firms of not only refusing to offer jobs to the youths of the area, but also destroyed the two major roads in the community (Cardoso and Karimu) by their heavy duty trucks.

Affected oil companies are Bovas Oil, Techno Oil, Swift Oil, Index Petrolube Africa and Fatgbems Oil. The protesters who displayed several placards with inscriptions such as “repair our roads and provide jobs for our youths”, blamed the oil companies for the sorry state of the major roads in the town and vowed to halt the operations of the oil companies by preventing tanker trucks from entering into the community until their demands were met.

Vanguard Metro, VM, gathered that residents of the community had on several occasions attempted to get the attention of the oil tank farms over the state of the roads. “Our roads were not as bad as this when these oil tank farms were not here. It was motorable C M Y K

and there was no traffic gridlock, but ever since they commenced operations with their heavy duty trucks entering our town on a daily bases, the whole town is in a mess. Highly inflammable trucks now park along our streets preventing vehicles and pedestrians from accessing their homes. We’ve tried getting their attention on this matter and in July 2011, they had a memorandum of understanding with the community where they agreed to rehabilitate the two major streets (Karimu and Cadoso) leading to their tank farms and other adjoining streets, but up until now, they have done nothing about it. All they care about is to make their money and leave the community in ruins,” Ojo Afolabi, a resident lamented.

Operations of the oil tank farm Meanwhile, the President General of Kirikiri Youth Association, Mr. Udoji Popoola, who addressed newsmen during the protest, said the stoppage of the operations of the oil tank farm in the area remain the only option as oil companies situated in the area have failed in their promises to repair the roads. “We are not fighting anybody; we are not destroying anything, and all we are agitating for is that the roads in this community are in a very bad condition and that it was

high time they are repaired. They have been promising us for the past four years, telling us they are going to repair the road but all are lies. We have been holding series of meetings with them but all to no effect. We will stop their tankers from entering this place, until they come to round table with us,” he said.

Also, the Chairman, Oriade Local Development Council Area, LCDA, Ibrahim Sanusi, told VM that he has made several efforts to get the attention of the oil tank farm operators on the

state of the road, which he said is beyond the capacity of his council. “The funds I get from the state government are not enough to fix all the roads in my council and my officers and I have been trying to manage what we got. We have taken a critical look into the issue of Kirikiri and we’ve realised that the council cannot foot the bill. I have briefed the state governor about it; even though some of the roads in that community are controlled by the Federal Government, he has offered to assist me.

But the street inside the community where these heavy duty tanker trucks take to get to the tank farms are under the LCDA’s control. I have urged the oil tank farms to assist the community in repairing the two major streets (Karimu and Cadoso) that lead

to their tank farms and set a standard for their trucks, while I will use the little funds I have to repair other adjoining streets. I can afford to repair these two major streets with the little funds I have to serve only cars and have them barricaded from heavy duty tanker trucks,” he informed.

Reacting to VM’s enquiry on the matter, the Deport Manager Index Petrolube Africa Limited, Dr. Mark, who spoke on the phone, wanted to know if the oil tank farm owners are representatives of government whose duty it is to provide good roads for the people. “Let me ask you: Are we now the government who has the duty to provide road for the people. In fact we don’t want to join issues with anyone,” he stated.

NEMA cautions commuters, motorists on Ibadan-Gbogan road

BY BOSE ADELAJA

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OUTH-WEST Zone of Na tional Emergency Management Authority, NEMA, has advised motorists and commuters plying the Ibadan and Gbogan highway both in Oyo and Osun states to exercise caution around Ikire area as flood has taken over a sizeable portion of this road.

NEMA’s South-West information officer, Ibrahim Farinloye, said the flood water has covered the median on the dual carriage road and this may pose serious danger to the lives of commuters who may run into the water unexpectedly.

The flood water, according to Ibrahim, has caused several vehicles to break down on this road which has exposed many commuters to danger. Also, he warned residents of the flood

prone-areas of Fiditi, Olu-Ofinrin, Express, Monday, Shagba and Olufi to relocate to safer areas.

He urged the affected states and local government to take urgent steps to safeguard lives and property. ‘’NEMA had strongly advised motorists plying the Ibadan and Gbogan highway to exercise extreme caution around Ikire area as flood has taken over a sizeable portion of the road. The flood water has covered the concrete slabs that divide the dual carriage road and this may cause serious danger... to commuters who may run into the water which has caused several vehicles to break down there.

NEMA is also enjoining the residents in the flood plains of Ikire to relocate to safer areas till after the raining season which is just approaching,” he stated.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013 —

21

Work to commence on Lagos-Ibadan railway projects — FG

By CHRIS OCHAYI

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HE Federal Government assured Nigerians that the contractor handling the construction of Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge double rail track would soon commence actions on the projects. Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar who disclosed in Abuja while inauguration the Board of Directors of the Ni-

gerian Railway Corporation, NRC, said the government is equally working to ensure that the rehabilitation of the Railway line from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri is completed this year.

According to the minister, “the Board of the Nigerian Railway Corporation has a great task to perform, especially at this moment when Government is poised to re-

position the Railway to play a pivotal role in the transport sector as a significant plank of the Transformation Agenda of Mr. President. In this regard, Government is vigorously pursuing the resuscitation and revitalization of the Nigerian Railway System in line with the 25 Year Railway Strategic Vision containing milestones for future development.

The Vision is being imple-

mented” in three phases namely System Transition, System Modernization and System Stabilisation. In the implementation process, a systematic dual approach is adopted entailing the rehabilitation of the entire existing narrow gauge line simultaneously with development of the standard gauge lines. As you are aware, Nigerians have already started reaping

FROM LEFT: Commissioner for Finance, Lagos State, Mr. Adetokunbo Abiru, Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Oluseyi Williams, Permanent Secretary, Debt Management Office, Mrs. Olabowale Ademola and Accountant General of the State, Mr. David Sunmoni. at the 2013 Ministerial Press Briefing of the Ministry of Finance in commemoration of the 2nd anniversary of the second term of Governor Babatunde Fashola, held at the State Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja.

the benefits of the efforts of the Federal Government in revamping the Railway System as evidenced in the commencement of full train services from Lagos to Kano.

This is a great feat achieved after more than two decades of comatose. We are equally working to ensure that the rehabilitation of the Railway line from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri is completed this year. Under the modernization phase, the construction of Itakpe - Ajaokuta - Warri and Abuja - Kaduna Standard Gauge Line are in progress and are expected to be completed and commissioned by next year. The construction of Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge Double Track would soon commence following the award of the contract by the Federal Government. As part of the Reforms in the transport sector, the law establishing the Nigerian Railway Corporation is currently undergoing review with the aim of ensuring Private Sector, State and Local Governments participation in the Rail transport sector.

The Bill has been considered and approved by the National Council on Privatisation and will be presented to the Federal Executive Council for consideration and approval before transmission to the National Assembly for legislation.

Nigeria, UK to boost trade relations

By JONAH NWOKPOKU

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HE United Kingdom and Nigeria are both committed to doubling bilateral trade relations by 2014, said the Acting Deputy High Commissioner, Nigeria British High Commission, Mike Purves.

He stated this in Lagos while receiving the United Kingdom Trade and Investment, UKTI North West trade delegation to strengthen Nigerian SMEs, led by the Shadow Secretary for Business, Innovation and Skills, Chuka Ummunna.

“This mission is developed in conjunction with the UK trade and Investment North West. And it is an indication that the UK is very much interested in doing business in Nigeria. There have been

some suggestions over the years that the UK lost interest in doing business in Nigeria, but that is not true. The UK Prime Minister, David Cameron and Nigeria’s President, Goodluck Jonathan are both committed to doubling bilateral trade relations by 2014,” he said.

Purves who maintained that the UK has not lost interest in investing in Nigeria, also noted that UK companies are looking beyond negative perceptions being portrayed of Nigeria.

Also addressing a press conference, the Shadow Secretary, Umunna, said the primary message of the delegation is that the UK government is its commitment to the growth of the Nigerian economy. He noted that despite the

challenges that the Nigerian economy faces at the moment, it is still experiencing a remarkable growth, adding that Lagos’ economic growth alone surpasses those of most African countries.

“The partnership is on a win-win situation. The two countries are both seeking to expand their economies and they both must look for a way to balance their economic relations,” he said.

Also speaking, the Joint Mission Manager, UKTI, North West, Lynne Gillen, who was part of the delegation said, “UKTI is here to help companies maintain and improve upon economic growth, providing a range of services for everyone, from new and inexperienced exporters to high growth

research and d e v e l o p m e n t companies. This visit will allow UKTI’s North West build relationships with the exciting market of Nigeria.”

On his part, Femi Fadipe of Roughton International Ltd, who was also part of the business delegation said, “As the Regional M a n a g e r f o r We s t Africa, my overall objective is to contribute to the development of infrastructure in Nigeria. We are also committed to capacity building for business that we will work with.”

126.8

0.35

2,209.00

+4.00

16.63

-0.09

103.90 -0.33 94.56 -0.45 CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL DOLLAR POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYA KRONA SDR

154.74 233.9824 200.2026 159.7069 1.5162 0.285 230.0661 25.2764 41.2607 26.8557 231.0732

155.24 234.7384 200.8495 160.2229 1.5211 0.295 230.8095 25.3585 41.394 26.9425 231.8199

SELLING 155.74 235.4945 201.4964 160.739 1.526 0.305 231.5529 25.4406 41.5273 27.0293 232.5665

CBN Exchange rate as at 28/05/2013

22—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30 , 2013

Reforms, FDI boost Nigeria’s economic growth — Ernst & Young

By PETER EGWUATU

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RNST & Young has attributed the increased private equity investment in Nigeria and Africa in general to government reforms and increase in Direct Foreign Investment (FDI).

In a study on private equity exits across Africa between 2007 and 2012 carried out by Ernst & Young and African Venture Capital Association (AVCA), it was discovered that Private Equity (PE) focused on organic revenue growth in Africa companies, a move that accounted for approximately two-thirds of the Earning Before Interest , Tax, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA).

Regional Managing Partner for West Africa, Ernst & Young,

Mr. Henry Egbiki, who was represented by Mr. Bisi Sanda, during a discussion with some news men on the findings of the survey said, “ Africa’s economic growth development over the last few years has been impressive , with many countries across the continent starting to see the benefits of government and economic reforms and increased FDI flows .”

He stated that with a steady rate on investment, among other things, Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) have enabled the creation of a viable and vibrant private equity market as managers seek to capitalize on Africa’s strong economic growth rates.

According to him, “ Over the last 10 years , Africa’s economic output has increased three fold to US$2t, and 6 African counties have been among the

10 fastest growing economies in the world.”

Sanda noted that in Africa, the private equity industry is in a phase of relative infancy, stressing that the continent’s stock market , other than the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, are still very small and relatively illiquid and the intermediary networks remain far from complete across the region.

He further stated that private equity houses are clearly working closely with the management teams they back to create value in investee companies. According to him, “This partnership approach is particularly important , given the high incidence of minority stakes in the markets- 80per cent of our sample were minority stakes. A large part of value creation is implementing new procedures and processes

to improve governance, but we have also found much evidence of PE houses using their networks to full effect to bring in the right expertise and to support portfolio companies in their growth plans.”

In his analysis of the survey, he said “Our analysis of 62 exits for which we have returns information shows that PE’s strategic and operational improvements are generating returns of almost double the Johannesburg Stock Exchange All Share Index (ALSI). And while we may not have a comprehensive sample for this inaugural study, overall, our study demonstrates that Africa’s PE houses are using all the levers at their disposal to find the right businesses and management to back, working in partnership with management teams to improve governance and performance and identifying the best available exit route.”

BRIEF:

Stanbic IBTC gets best sub-custodian rating

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TANBIC IBTC Bank, a member of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, has been named the “Best Sub Custodian” in Nigeria for 2013 by Global Finance magazine in affirmation of its expertise and leadership in the provision of custody services in Nigeria.

The bank won the same award in 2011 and 2012.

The award, which is in its 7th edition, recognises the important role sub-custodians play in the safekeeping of clients’ assets, such as stocks, treasury bills and bonds. A formal presentation ceremony has been scheduled for September in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The selection of winners, according to a statement released by the organisers, is done by its editors and reporters, with input from expert sources, from among institutions that reliably provide the best custody services in local markets, regions and to global custodians. The criteria used included customer relations, quality of service, competitive pricing, smooth handling of exception items, technology platforms, post-settlement operations, business continuity plans and knowledge of local regulations and practices.

India banking institute to train Nigerian bankers L-R: Guest Lecturer, Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Lagos State, Mr Abdulrahman Ipaye, Deputy Speaker, Lagos State of Assembly , Musibau Kolawole Taiwo, and Commissioner for Finance, Lagos State, Mr Tokunbo Abiru at the 3rd Annual Public Lecture/Chapter inauguration of ICAN, Lagos State Public Service Chapter

ICAN urges new members to join anti-corruption crusade

By PROVIDENCE OBUH

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HE Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) has called on its new members to join in the anti-corruption crusade by the Federal Government, as it inducts about 672 new members.

ICAN President, Mr. Adedoyin Owolabi made the call during the institute’s 51st induction ceremony in Lagos.

Owolabi said, “As chartered accountants, we must deliberately join the critical mass to support and sustain the on-going anti-corruption crusade by the government. We must all stand up to be counted in this battle for the renaissance of our social values and those of you being brought into the fold of this noble profession, join with your peers to take up battle.”

He warned that the institute will not condone any professional misconduct on the part of any chartered accountant C M Y K

irrespective of how highly or lowly placed in the profession or society.

According to him, “It is the prevalence of corruption and sharp practices in low and high places in the nation, which has accounted for the slow pace of development of this richly endowed nation and this is exacerbated by the absence of transparency and accountability. Indeed, financial improprieties by persons in positions of trust have been a recipe for underdevelopment, increased suffering of the citizens, unemployment, hunger and anger of the poor and insecurity for all.”

Specifically, he enjoined the inductees to strive at all times to faithfully adhere to the ideals of integrity, transparency and accountability, which have influenced the development of the accountancy profession globally.

Urging them on IFRS, he said, “In addition to the knowledge acquired from your theoretical training provided by the

institute’s syllabus, avail yourselves of the opportunity of IFRS practical training, particularly, those provided by the institute via its faculty and MCPE programme.”

Meanwhile, over the last 48 years, the institute’s membership has grown from a paltry figure of 250 members to 37,560 following induction of the new members and the induction ceremonies are designed to congratulate those who successfully passed the various qualifying exams, welcome and admit individuals who have satisfied the council and introduce newly admitted members to the ethics and practice of the profession.

In his keynote address, guest speaker, Dr. Michael Omolayole advised the inductees to embrace the institute’s motto: “Accuracy and Integrity” where he said that integrity is most paramount and an important personal attribute required of a professional.

N

IIT’s Institute for Finance, Banking and Insurance (IFBI), India’s largest banking training institute, has announced the launch of its first training centre in Nigeria.

In a statement by NIIT, the Institute will create a talent pool of skilled banking professionals in Nigeria with the introduction of its flagship “PGDB” program. The PGDB program is designed to meet the skill requirements of the fast evolving banking industry in the country.

NIIT said that NIIT IFBI had trained over 110,000 students and professionals in India for the Banking and Financial Services Industry.

The statement said the institute’s PGDB programme has unique technology application training modules which give a hands-on experience on the latest banking software, adding that the program is aimed at providing direct exposure to real-life banking environment with industry immersion and expert interactions.

Vanguard, THURSDAY , MAY 30 , 2013 —23

Minister warns ITF, FRC Board over interference STORIES BY FRANKLIN ALLI

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HE Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga , has warned the newly appointed board members of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC) not to interfere with the day-to-day running of their respective agencies.

While the Board Members of the FRC is chaired by the immediate past President of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria, Hajia Maryam Ibrahim, that of ITF is being chaired

by Senator Musiliu Obanikoro.

The Minister, while congratulating the board members on their appointments, however warned them not to interfere with the day-today running of their respective agencies.

“While congratulating you on your well deserved

appointment, may I emphasise that your appointment is on parttime basis only. As such, you are not expected to interfere or participate in the day-to-day running of your respective agencies.

I must stress at this juncture, that no

Chairman or board member is entitled to an official vehicle on permanent basis,” he said.

He said that the appointment of the board members was based on their knowledge and wealth of experience in their respective areas of

specialization.

He said that their appointment would further enhance the overall Ministry’s roles and Mandates in addressing the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck J o n a t h a n ’ s administration.

L

S

MALL and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) account for more than 80 percent of jobs created in many developed countries, while it accounts for 55 percent in Nigeria.

This was disclosed by Dr Gideon Onuekwusi, the Director, Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State (CES MOUA).

In a paper “Entrepreneurship and Employment Generation in Africa,” delivered during a development policy seminar organised by the African Heritage

Institution (AfriHeritage), Enugu State, he noted that the recent reforms in Nigeria have brought about tremendous growth in creating more jobs and it is just the beginning of great things being expected.

The executive director of AfriHeritage, Dr. Ifediora Amobi noted that the institution would continue to encourage its associate fellows and collaborate with other stakeholders towards providing intellectual leadership in helping Nigeria and Africa think through the emerging economic renaissance.

La Casera commends distributors for performance

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Pix 1: L-R: Chairman Grand Oak Nigeria Limited, Mr Anil Ahhiwelia, Outgoing Managing Director, Grand Oak Limited, Mr Babatunde Bajulaiye, new Managing Director/CEO, Grand Oak Limited, Mr. Askay Kumar and Commercial Director of the company, Aare Fatai Odesile, at the sendforth ceremony in honour of the retiring Mr Bajulaiye, in Oregun Lagos weekend.

Lafarge spends N34.2b on R&D annually — Osunkeye company in Nigeria AFARGE Cement WAPCO Nigeria Plc says its new products for the nation’s construction industry were developed as a result of 170 million Euros (N34.2 billion) annual spending on Research and Develop by it parents company, Lafarge Group.

Also the company ’s shareholders are being paid a gross dividend of N3.602 billion of 120 kobo on each ordinary share for financial year ended December 31.

2012.

Chairman Board of Directors, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye, disclosed during their 54th annual general meeting in Lagos, Tuesday.

Osunkeye told the shareholders that their new products in the market such as Supaset cement, powermax cement and ReadyMix cement couldn’t have come about without investment in R&D. “With an annual R& D budget exceeding 170 million Euros, the group has the largest building

SMEs account for 80% jobs abroad, 55% local

materials laboratory in the world, and with more than 1,300 employees working as R&D and technical staff, innovation is undoubtedly one of the driving forces on the group’s strategy.

“Lafarge WAPCO remains the only

with unique brands; the company has demonstrated that it skills and technical resources are deployed to achieve effectiveness in meeting all building needs,” he said.

Analysis of the company ’s financial performance for the year

under review, showed that revenue increased by 41 percent to N87.9 billion compared to N62.5 billion recorded in 2011, with a contribution of N874 million from ReadyMix Concrete business.

Also profit before tax of N21.3 billion was recorded for the year.

HE La Casera Company Limited, makers of La Casera fruit juice drink has commended its trade partners for their performance in the 2012 fiscal year.

Chief Operating Officer of the company, Mr. Dileeban Ponniah , gave the commendation at a Conference tagged: ‘Soaring Higher’, where the company rewarded the trade partners and gave out over 500 prizes worth millions of Naira for their contribution to the growth of the company.

Mr. Ponniah noted: “Last year was a very positive one for the company and the brands; this was evident in the overall performance of

the company as they grew in volume, reached more consumers across the country and beat industry growth rates in a year which saw tough trading conditions.”

He charged the trade partners to aspire and to do better for 2013. Also speaking at the event, the General Manager, CB Total Impact, Mr. Gary Carlton, thanked the dealers for their unflinching support.

“The La Casera Company Plc would stop at nothing in supporting its trade partners to help them move their businesses forward which would foster a mutually beneficial relationship between the company and its trade partners”, he said.

Tinapa is gold mine waiting to be tapped – Umeh F RANK Umeh a lawyer and Managing Director, Tradewinds Duty Free Market, Tinapa Free Trade zone, Calabar, in this interview offers insights into how the Tinapa free trade will be successful. He said he believes that Tinapa is a viable project and everyone should be thinking of how to make it do better than it is doing presently. Here is an excerpt.

How would you describe doing business in Tinapa?

Tinapa is a relatively new chapter in business in this clime. It is like a

breath of fresh air. Tinapa is the only free trade zone in Nigeria today that is engaged in trade in finished goods. The trade in Tinapa involved importing goods from outside the country for onward distribution to either the local market or outside Nigeria.

If you have customers from other countries outside Nigeria coming into Tinapa to buy, it becomes a form that Dubai takes. You have Nigerians going to Dubai to import goods into Nigeria.

In Tinapa, we have customers from different countries like Cameroun and even from the

•Frank Umeh

Equatorial Guinea coming in to do shopping. Then for the local economy, Nigerians come to Tinapa to make their purchases. Anytime you visit Tinapa, it is assumed that you have left the country. Trade in Tinapa has been good; it has been wonderful but it could be better.

What is your take on the operation of free trade zones in this country?

I have been a keen observer of the development in Tinapa free trade zone since it was commissioned. And my training as a lawyer is a leverage in the essence that one understands the legal framework involved.

I have read several gazettes of other free trade zones within and outside this clime. I have travelled to Dubai and I have also heard much about the operations of the Dubai free trade zone.

When the Tinapa law was signed by the late

President Umar Yar’Adua in 2009, I took time to read through the law and I saw the enormous potential and opportunity that Tinapa has for any serious trader that really wants to excel beyond the identified hiccups and difficulties in logistics in the importation of goods into the zone then.

I have read the law of Tinapa back to back and, therefore, conversant with the procedure. So, it’s been more of learning and practice. I believe that one needs to constantly update his knowledge in any field of endeavour he is into because when you stop reading, you start dying.

24—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30 , 2013

Freight forwarders, importers lament inefficient scanners at Seme border Stories by GODWIN ORITSE FREIGTH Forwarders, importers and dockworkers have lamented inefficiency of the scanning machines installed by GlobalScans Systems at the Seme border saying that the development may lead to loss of revenue to the government.

Speaking to newsmen at Atlas park in Seme recently, Mr. Ignatius Ezeukwu said that the level of deterioration of the scanners leaves much to be desired adding that the government needed to be alerted over the development.

Ezeukwu stated that if the efficiency of the scanners are not checked, the government will continue to lose revenue as a result of dismal performance constantly experienced by clearing agents and importers which is occasioned by the constant break down of , Ezeukwu lamented that instead of the management of

Globalscan system to concern themselves with the efficiency of their scanning machines, they are carrying out unnecessary propaganda of their efficency on the pages of newspaers.

He however warned that if the scanning machines at Seme are not made to perform efficiently as soon as possible, he will mobilise other importers to move against Globalscan systems.

He said “ A day is coming when we shall mobilize against them and their obsolete Scanner.

“They should realise that it is because of this outdated Scanner that we were compelled to downsize our trucks. Yet, after we had complied , we constantly face frustration because of everyday breakdown of their Scanner.

“Most times, it takes several days to fix while our demurrage accumulates day after day. We are asking the government to stop the use of this mobile scanner forth-with until the fixed

scanner is finished.

“Conduct an opinion poll, we are not the only people affected. check the revenue board of the

Customs, its nothing to be written about. In a sharp reaction, the Seme Branch Manager of Globalscanm Mr Babayo Bello said that the scanning machines are workin perfectly well.

“We scan 20 trucks in one hour, and 150 in one day, whatever anybody says to you

is not true” Asked if they operate 24 hours, Bello explained that if the government gives such directive, they will do.

“We only scan trucks whose documents have been perfected by the relevant government agencies,” he added.

We seize over 200 bags of rice every day — Seme Customs boss

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HE Seme Customs Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has said that the command, on a daily basis seizes at least two hundred bags of rice from trucks and traders who patronize that route.

Speaking to newsmen at the destruction of contaminated rice and expired medicament, the Customs Area Comptroller, Controller Othman Abdul Saleh said that despite the Federal Government policy on rice import through land borders across the country, Nigerians who frequent the ports of neighbouring countries have refused to adherer to the

directive.

Abdul Saleh, who physically commenced the destruction of the seized items, some of which contains banned pharmaceutical drugs, sub-standard public address system, new and second hand clothings, also said that the command will implement to the letter, the policy on rice import through the land border.

On the whole, about 680 bags of contaminated rice and medicament with Duty Paid Value(DPV) of N13million were destroyed The Comptroller said “ We are stepping up the war against rice being smuggled through the

land borders and other unauthorised entry points and we have blocked every loopholes through which these unscrupulous traders bring these items. “The Command has been given the authority to carry this destruction exercise and that is why we have also called other relevant agencies of government to witness the exercise “It is amazing the unyielding attitude of Nigerians, people have bluntly refused to adhere the ban of rice through land borders, and my officers will not relent in the arrest and consequent confiscation of such imports”.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013 — 25

learning@vanguardngr.com

Accountability, not more money, needed to fix education – Ezekwesili

By AMAKA ABAYOMI

F

ORMER Minister of Education ,Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, has said the problem with Nigeria’s education system is not more funding but accountability and transparency.

Speaking at the just-concluded 3rd Lagos State Education Summit, Ezekwesili said the fundamental challenge of education in Nigeria is the many decades of poor sector governance and entrenched dysfunction with no mechanism of accountability and performance.

“For the administrators and managers

of the education sector, funding is an important input that is often considered the single solution to all education system and sector problems. The agitation is usually persuasive and while it is true that the sector does not yet have the optimal funding level, it has benefited from increase in yearly budgetary allocation to education both at the national, state and local levels.

“The fundamental challenge of education in Nigeria is the many decades of poor sector governance and entrenched dysfunction with no mechanism of accountability and performance. Evidence

supports this because in 2006, the budgetary trend for the education sector was analysed which showed an incredulous inverse relationship between more budget allocation and performance of pupils and students.

“It also showed that the more the budget of a given year to the sector, the lower the academic achievement of the students at both state and federal levels. This fuelled my resolve to lead a root and branch reform of a deeply dysfunctional system. Therefore, if government at all levels simply chose to throw more money at a dysfunctional system rather than ad-

dressing the systemic, structural and institutional bottlenecks in the sector; it will ultimately discover that throwing more money at a problem does not solve it but lead to increased well-funded dysfunctionality.”

Commending the Lagos State Government for sustained education reforms which has led to some early positive results, the former Minister of Education said the nation still confronts a number of dysfunctions in the education sector.

She listed such dysfunctions to include low enrolment, completion and progression rates at all levels of education; low numbers in school and poor quality of learning outcomes; inappropriate curriculum for the needs of a modern society

Continues on page 26

Kings College wins Bestman Games Monopoly Tournament Page 26

•Physically and mentally challenged children of Atunda Olu School at the 2013 Children's Day Celebration in Lagos

State of emergency: Students share gory experiences, as one student dies

BY ISOLA TAIWO, UNIMAID

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HE State of Emergency which was announced in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states two weeks ago, was seen as a remedy for the militants’ insurgence but students residing in these states are beginning to feel the heat, even as they have continued to share their gory experiences.

The challenges started when mobile network operators in Borno State closed their network services the second day the emergency rule was declared. Students and lecturers were stranded as there was no means of communicating.

A student of the University of Maiduguri, Lawrence Ayolotu, said; “It was a surprise when the network went off. I had thought it would come back soon but it is more than C M Y K

one week now and it’s yet to be brought back. It’s not been easy living in a place like Maiduguri without communicating with your parents and loved ones for more than a week.

The reports of the media concerning the security situation in Maiduguri are of bombings, killings and casualties. I am sure they would be disturbed about my well-being but there is nothing I can do to help this situation.

“For now, the only means by which the campus community communicates with the outside world is via the internet. The university cafe which can accommodate about 60 students at a time is the last resort for students, while students with smart phones and Android access the university's café wireless services.”

When Quadlife visited the café, there was hardly space to

Continues on page 26

Imo students in FUTO berate Rochas over non-payment of bursary awards Page 28 RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Anaerobic digester for electricity, fertiliser production

Page 38

26 — VANGUARD, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013

Kings College wins Bestman Games Monopoly Tournament

BY IKENNA ASOMBA

I

be.

Lauding the organisers and sponsors of the tournament for the initiative, the CBN Governor noted that it was a right step in the right direction.

“This tournament is a unique way of encouraging connection with financial managers. It’s laudable as is aimed at

targeting young boys and girls, trying to get them at the very early age to understand the importance of financial management and personal finances. So, this is an initiative that is in the right step with the objectives of the Central Bank.”

Presenting Rabiu with the cheque, Sola David-Borha, an old girl of Queens College, said; “Monopoly encourages hard work and investment amongst players, and I encourage all of you to imbibe in your growing up, the financial skills acquired through this game.

T was a hilarious day for students and staff of Kings College, Lagos, as Habeeb Rabiu, an SS2 student of the school carted home N1,000,000 from Stanbic IBTC Bank for emerging overall winner of the 1st Annual City of Lagos Monopoly Tournament, organised by Bestman Games.

The tournament saw students of Kings College and Queens College, Lagos, lock horns to produce the finalists.

While Rabiu went home with N1m, the 1st runner-up, Daniel Oyeduntan, SS2 student of Kings College and the 2nd runner-up, Akpanuwa Udeme, SS1 student of Queens College, went home with N100,000 and N50,000 respectively.

Present at the tournament were the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi; former Petroleum Minister, Odein Ajumogobia; CEO, Stanbic IBTC, Sola David-Borha; Head, Business Development, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Ltd, Nike Bajomo; Senior Mrs. Margret Oni,Director Debiruss College,Lekki (m), assisted by an enviromental officer, Manager, Marketing and Mrs. Bolanle Akinleye, (right), the Principal,Debiruss College, Mrs. Caroline Obodoeshike, Communications, First Bank staff and students of Debiruss College at the tree planting exercise tagged ’Sustaning our Nigeria Plc, Victoria Onwu- Environment through Tree Planting' as part of activities to mark Debiruss College Founders biko and CEO, Bestman Day at the school’s premises, Lekki,Lagos.

Games, Mrs. Nimi Akinkug-

Accountability, not more money, needed to fix education Continues from page 25 which seeks to create a competitive and efficient economy; schools are not well managed and are not operating as effective education service deliverers; the education sector displays serious inequities in terms of gender (females are under-represented in both pupil and teacher numbers), geographical zones, states, local governments, and schools.

There is a sharp divide between rural and urban areas and between the Northern and Southern states.

Others are insufficient attention being directed towards early childhood care and education with insufficiently prepared teachers to handle this age group; basic education is failing to provide many pupils with adequate levels of literacy, numeracy and life skills; the sector suffers from and helps to create socio-cultural problems, and this is most evident in the prevalence of examination malpractice and cultism; planning, management and monitoring is made ineffective through weak systems of data collection, analysis and dissemination.

Dissatisfaction with the public education system is leading to the expansion of private schools with a consequential exodus of influential stakeholders in the state sector; political intrigues impeding education reform, leading to nonimplementation of vision and plans; poor governance and management of sector, ineffective and inefficient allocation of resources; weak information base, among others.

Continuing, she said “Lagos is actually modeling the right approach to education reform and the trend is positive and I applaud the early results so far recorded.

I was very proud to have led my former team at the World Bank in the partnership that resulted in the Lagos Eko Education project.

“Specifically, the two outstanding results are improvements in pass marks continued in the externally-administered WASSCE examinations. June 2012 was regarded as the litmus test for the Project as the first cohort of senior secondary school year 3 students under the Lagos Eko Project sat

for the externally administered WASSCE examinations in June 2012. 38.53% of students who sat for the examination obtained five credits and above including English Language and Mathematics as against 10.41% at baseline in 2008.

“Public-private partnerships in the five Government Technical Colleges (GTC) with grants intended to improve the quality of teaching, and skills development at the technical colleges and make them more relevant to the demands for employment, entrepreneurship and further education.”

State of emergency: Students share gory experiences, as one student dies Continues from page 25 move about as there were so many students in the cafe. A student who spoke in Hausa language said; “I’m trying to send message to my parents that I’m still alive and nothing negative is happening on campus.”

The news of the sudden death of one Jilpilda Samuel Thliza, a 100-Level student of Agricultural Engineering, University of Maiduguri on the second day after the emergency rule was declared, has continued to heighten the fears amongst students of the university.

Samuel was said to have been hit by

stray bullets within Maiduguri metropolis on his way home for the weekend break. The posters of his obituary at different strategic points on campus sent cold shivers down the spines of the students as it was like the proverbial death killing your neighbour, it may mean that yours is around the corner.

Idris Suleiman, a 200-Level Medical student of the university said; “The death of Samuel made me scared. I always go to town every weekend to spend time with my family. But with the death of Samuel, I’ve decided to stay on campus till vacation.”

FUTA commissions bookshop T

HE Federal University of Technology, Akure, has commissioned an ultra-modern bookshop through Public-Private Partnership arrangement with Havillah Group of Companies, for the use of staff, students, the university community and other institutions in and around Akure.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Adebiyi Daramola who spoke during the ceremony said that teaching, learning and research in any educational setting can only flourish when a befitting bookshop and library are in place among other teaching and learning facilities.

Daramola who described the development as a major milestone, appreciated the efforts of Prof. Peter Adeniyi in establishing the bookshop during the 2005/2006 session which resulted in the construction of the building now housing the bookshop.

On the operation of the bookshop, the VC promised that the university management would facilitate patronage, but however advised Havillah Merchants (Nigeria) Ltd to develop aggressive and productive marketing strategies for the sale of the books in the bookshop.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Executive Officer of Havillah Group of Companies, Mr. Lanre Adesuyi appealed to the university community to embrace the bookshop as their own baby and nourish it to maturity through constant patronage.

Lagos begins registration into nursery education

By AMAKA ABAYOMI

R

egistration of children for compulsory free nursery and primary education in Lagos State in September 2013 for the 2013/ 2014 academic session has begun on Monday, 27 May, 2013.

The registration, which will run till July 15, is open to children whose parents are resident in Lagos State.

According to the Lagos State Universal Education Board, the minimum age for registration into primary one is six years while registration into nursery one is open to children from three years old.

Application form for registration can be obtained from the HeadTeachers of all public nursery and primary schools in the state while completed forms must be submitted with three passport photographs and birth certificate of the child.

All completed application forms must be submitted on or before Monday, July 15, 2013 to the HeadTeachers of the schools where they obtained the forms.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013 — 27

28 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013

Dufil inspires 100,000 kids to mark Children’s Day

By DAYO ADESULU

I

N commemoration of this year ’s Children’s Day celebration, Dutil Prima Foods PIc, makers of Indomie Instant Noodles flagged off its annual Children’s Day celebration in Lagos through its children-based fan club - Indomie Fan Club (IFC).

The nine day-long Children’s Day celebration was organised under the auspices of the Indomie Fan Club and hosted over 100,000 kids nationwide.

The event kicked off on the 20th of May, 2013 at the NIS Hall, National Stadium, Surulere and had the wife of the Lagos State Governor, Her Excdlency, Mrs. Abimbola Emmanuella Fashola in attendance.

The flag-off event featured a lot of exciting activities to engage the children, who were mostly from primary schools in Lagos registered under the platform of the IFC. The children were treated to dance competitions, quizzes intended at stimulating their intellectual reasoning and other fun activities such as train rides, bouncing castles, swings,

face paintings, and so on, to nurture their social interactions.

Speaking at the flag-off event, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju, Public Relations/ Event Manager, Dufil Prima Foods Plc said this year’s edition of the Indomie Fan Club Children’s Day Party is bigger and better with a wider reach. He also explained that the essence of the party is to ensure as many children as possible get to have a memorable Children Day’s celebration, as many parents may not have the time to celebrate their children.

“Dufil Prima Foods places a lot of value on Nigerian children

and that is why we are reaching out to them during this season, which is solely dedicated to them.

The Children’s Day party would hold in 12 different locations across Nigeria to host over 100,000 children altogether. We have taken it upon ourselves as an organisation to ensure these kids who hold the future of our dear nation, are treated to an exciting Children’s Day celebration.

According to Mrs. Faith Joshua, the Indomie Fan Club Coordinator, the Indomie Fan Club Children’s Day celebration party is one of the many ways of

showing Nigerian children how much they are loved and appreciated for their continuous support and loyalty towards the brand over the years. The event will continue till the 28th of May, 2013 in other locations within Lagos as well as other key cities across the country such as Abuja, Ibadan and Benin City.

“Indomie Instant Noodles is largely affiliated with children and over the years, we have enjoyed their unwavering loyalty and that is why we are expressing our love and appreciation to them during this season."

Pupils win Berkley Science Magnet School scholarship

By AMAKA ABAYOMI

C

HILDREN’s Day 2013 took on special resonance for pupils of Ogudu Nursery and Primary School, a public school, as Berkley Science Magnet School, a private school, showered them with N100,000 worth of gift items and awarded two pupils, Miss Haisat Abubakar and Master Promise Ihegadin-

ma, scholarships.

The Chief Operating Officer, Berkley Science Magnet School, Dr. Maria Onyia, said the specialised school decided to adopt the public school as part of its annual community service programme to contribute positively to student learning and teacher development.

“We use this opportunity to teach children from well-en-

dowed homes the virtues of sharing and giving and I believe this visit will benefit both student groups. These pupils will appreciate the fellowship, friendship and supplies brought to them by our children. Even more, our children will develop renewed appreciation for what they have and the parents that work hard to provide them with opportunities that other children do not enjoy.”

School marks Cultural Day

By EKEMINI EYOH

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HE proprietress of Afod International School, Mrs. Adenike Olufehinti, has charged parents to inculcate in their children the various Nigerian cultures so as to promote unity and peace in the country.

Olufehinti, who made this charge during the school’s Cultural Day celebrations, bemoaned the state of the Nigerian culture which is being replaced with foreign cultures due to parents’ loss of focus on their tradition and culture.

Imploring parents to help revive the nation’s culture which promotes tolerance for one another, spirit of friendliness, inter-tribal marriages, Olufehinti said culture is the central point and umbrella which shields the various ethnic groups in the country Parents at the event expressed delight in having their children being taught different Nigerian cultures which they say, will enable the kids know and value their various cultures.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013—29

American Varsity honours Atlantic Hall valedictorian

Covenant varsity holds drama night

By LAJU ARENYEKA

T

HE General, a play recently organised by the Covenant University Theatre Group, (CUTG), received the attention of thousands of students and faculty who trooped to the university chapel to experience the thrill of stage action. Michael Akinrogunde, who co-directed the play said; “We are so thankful to God for the success of Drama night. This is the fifth in the series, and the response tonight was much more than we anticipated.”

The plot revolves around a military dictator in the county of Dovia, who wanted nothing to do with Christians. The General measures the success of his administration by the number of Christians killed and charged his second-in- command with the sole responsibility of eliminating Christians and Christianity. The story, however, takes an ironic twist when the General’s only daughter whom he loves dearly converts to Christianity.

Masked and brought to the vil-

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lage square for execution, the identity is revealed only after the general has just killed two other Christians in cold blood.

Now, between the devil and the deep blue sea, he kills his own daughter and sinks into an emotional, guilt-driven depression.

It is in light of this depression that an angel appears to him, and he also becomes a Christian. The General receives a call

into the ministry and seems to vanish from the public eye. In lieu of this, his even more Christian-blood-thirsty secondin-command, Major Lambo takes over the throne. The General is caught and almost executed, but when he brings Major Lambo’s dead wife back to life by the power of God, the entire village is turned to Jesus.

The Chaplain, Covenant University, Pastor Victor Oluwadamilare told the awestruck audience after the play; “Let us leave here with an understanding of God’s love. The theatre group has painted the gospel of salvation in a contemporary form. It is my prayer that everyone here will experience the fullness of God’s love, because it can never be exhausted.”

*Morgan Smart Development Foundation (MSDF) held her 3rd scholarship award ceremony in Warri for 16 indigent students under the educational assistance scheme. Pix shows the President/Chief Executive Officer of MSDF, Dr Omawumi Urhobo (middle) with recipients.

By PRISCA SAM-DURU

A

MERICAN University of Nigeria (AUN ) last Thursday, during the 2013 Valedictory and Graduation ceremony of the Atlantic Hall School, Lagos, honoured Aborowa Olumayowa Valerie, an outgoing student of Atlantic Hall School, with a Certificate of Academic excellence for emerging the overall best student of class of 2013 and also the school’s valedictorian.

Valerie, who also got an Ipad from the Assistant Director of Admission who represented AUN, Mr. Verse’ Shom, also received awards and gifts from her Alma mata for her outstanding performances in academics and emerging the best behaved student as well as the outgoing Health prefect.

The chairman of the school’s Educational Trust Council, Mrs. Towry-Coker, represented by her Vice, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, congratulated and advised the graduands to dedicate their lives to noble causeswithoutexpecting anycompensation.

The principal of the Atlantic Hall school, Andrew Jedras, expressed hope that the deep seated motivation and an unflinching burning desire to make a positive impact, which have been inculcated in the graduates will definitely turn them into real agents of change in the future.

30 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013

C M Y K

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30 , 2013 — 31 ifychimexs@yahoo.com

Vol 01

No. 16 MAY, 2013

www.vanguardngr.com

We have trained 5,000 officers on destination Inspection —Customs Customs Stories by Ifeyinwa Obi

T

HE Nigeria Customs Service,(NCS), said it has trained about 5, 000 of its officers on different aspects of Destination Inspection of cargo clearance.

Comptroller General of the Service, Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi told Customs Watch that the service had surpassed the designated number of officers that were expected to be trained.

Abdullahi said the service contracted providers to train 300 of its officers in all segments of cargo clearance, adding that the trainers had given the service a good score card on the training of its officers.

“We have trained not less than 5, 000 officers, at different levels, on our own apart from those the service providers provided. What they tell us is that they are not obliged to

“NCS has selected 20 officers to act as Radiation Protection Supervisors at each site. These officers report to the NCS Radiation Safety Officer, who holds a Master;s degree in Physics and has more than seven years’ experience with x-ray scanners. All of these officers are trained to international standards and qualified from a United Kingdom Radiation Safety company. They will be further trained and assessed by an NNRA approved establishment. All of these activities have been instigated and carried out by NCS as a response to the failure of the service providers to carry out a credible transfer activity”.

In a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer (PRO), Customs Headquarters, Abuja, Wale Adeniyi, a deputy comptroller, Abdullahi said there was no truth

,

We are already on a steady course, that is self- sustaining and inward looking. Our salvation ultimately lies not in the hands of self-styled desperate arm-chair experts

train more than 300 or 350, that is based on their terms of contract. We discovered that this would be highly inadequate, so on our own we have trained more. But we do know that the 300 is highly inadequate for the kind of job we are going to do. So, we have gone beyond the training provided by the service providers to do another training ourselves.”

He added: “As part of our takeover plans, we have developed our professional and sustainable scanner training capability, including the professional development of expert trainers.

NCS has undertaken an enormous development of training courses for all officers involved in scanning, with specific training for each functional role. NCS has also undertaken the selection and delivery of these courses to over 300 NCS officers. This is reinforced by a programme of coaching by experts who have years of experience in operating scanners for customs around the world.

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,

in the statements in some quarters that NCS was ready to take over DI by next month.

According to him, some of the service providers, particularly GlobalScan have the worst maintained and operated equipment. He said it was not only amusing but also insulting to be criticised for lack of capacity at the end of a seven year contract which had, as its goal, the establishment of an NCS scanning capacity.

Describing it as diversionary tactics from real facts, the Comptroller of Customs said the failed attempt by GlobalScan Managing Director, Mr. Fred Udechukwu, to change the narrative of DI, hiding behind the façade of capacity gap building, should be put in proper perspective.

“Most Nigerians still find it very difficult and disheartening to correlate the amount of money thrown at the service providers, particularly Globalscan, in return

•CGC Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi for the poor infrastructure, operation, and capacity building and transfer activity delivered so far. The seven years of service paid for by the Federal Government in no way represents value for money. Udechukwu’s position that NCS has insufficient capacity to take over is a clear self- indictment by Globalscan.

“We will not allow the criticisms of Udechukwu and his likes to deter us from building our capacity to perform our statutory responsibility. We are already on a steady course, that is selfsustaining and inward looking. Our salvation ultimately lies not in the hands of self-styled desperate arm-chair experts”, he added.

Customs intercepts vehicles conveying 56,750 live ammunition

T

he Oyo/Osun Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service has impounded a vehicle loaded with 56,750 rounds of ammunition at Saki in Oke Ogun area of Oyo State.

The Area Controller, Mr Richard Oteri, said the vehicle conveying the ammunition was arrested along the Igboho road in Saki.

Disclosing that the contraband was concealed in bags packed with dried cassava tubers, he appealed to royal fathers and community leaders to sensitize their subjects on the dangers of smuggling especially in the light of serious security challenges in the country.

He said the command generated more than N4.5 billion in the first quarter of this year.

The breakdown showed

thatN49,726,393 was made from revenue collected on vehicles between January and April this year.

Oteri further explained that 2,716 bags of rice, 28 fairly used assorted cars and SUVs, 2,500 cartons of frozen products, a lorry loaded with 700 cartons of foreign shoes, a bus loaded with textile materials and 521 used tyres concealed with 600 bags of animal feeds in a trailer were seized by his command.

Oteri later handed over the ammunition to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, Oyo State Police Command, Musa Kimo.

Kimo, while receiving the ammunition said “we shall not relent in ensuring adequate security”

32 —Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30 , 2013

The Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ Ikeja Lagos State under the leadership of Controller Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’, DC Inuwa Mohammed Abubakar, has released report on anti-smuggling activities, saying that 1,487 contraband goods were seized between January 2013 and May 18, 2013.

V

Suppression of smuggling

Ejesieme stated: “Our remarkable exploits on suppression of smuggling generally,followed the strategies which the Controller initiated in this campaign as well as our resuscitated collaboration and synergy with all the critical stakeholders, particularly the Military, Police, Para-Military, the various associations in the Maritime Industry as well as the Media.”

New strategy: Part of the proactive measures which the Controller initiated, he said was the Customs ‘Community Relations Approach’ which culminated into the creation of an enlightenment patrol team, made up of officers and men with the requisite experience and knowledge, charged with responsibilities to sensitize and educate the public on the dangers of smuggling, especially Rice, Poultry Products etc, following the C M Y K

•CAC FOU Ikeja zone A

FOU releases report on anti-smuggling activities

•records 1,487 contraband goods marching order on zero tolerance for these consignment by the CGC and the Management team.

“It is pertinent to note that efforts of the Enlightenment team led to the spectacular seizure of illegally imported parboiled rice along the Agbara-Badagry unapproved inland waterways.

Enhancement of infrastructure: “As a way of guaranteeing optimal performance and enhancement of efficiency, the Controller shortly on resumption, embarked on massive restructuring and refurbishment of all the offices through replacement of old and dilapidated office furniture and equipment and replacing them with the state of the art furniture. The psychological implication of these gestures on the officers and men cannot be over-emphasized.

“The Unit is also among the first to fully comply with the directive on Establishment of a Ruling Centre. We have organized series of lectures on Nigeria Trade Hub and Emailing procedures for all cadres.

“Also a combined team of Resource officers who are vast in areas such as Import guidelines, prohibitions, Airport/Baggage procedures, concessions to passengers were at the Chinese Embassy on the

request of the Chinese Consulate in Lagos to educate and sensitize the Chinese Business Community on some basic guidelines on the related topics. There were commendations and eulogies from the Deputy Consular General of the Chinese embassy in Lagos.”

Inter agency relations: In view of the need to ensure collaboration and synergy between the Controller and the various agencies of Government, coupled with the need to familiarize himself with heads of critical agencies of government – Military, Police and Paramilitary, the Con-

,

ALUE of goods: The Public Relations Officer, Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ – Ikeja. ASCI EJESIEME, U.I in the report disclosed that goods were valued at Four hundred and forty five million, forty thousand and eighty naira (N445,040,080) with a payable duty of Eighty one million, six hundred and seventy nine thousand, nine hundred and fifty one naira (N81,679,951) with a duty paid value of five hundred and twenty six million, seven hundred and twenty thousand and thirty one naira (N526,720,031).

According to him, the unit while complementing efforts of the Customs Command in Lagos zone, in terms of maintenance of a conducive environment in areas of security to ensure seamless transactions in the various commands rolled out proactive measures to ensure that smuggling activities were nipped in the bud.

The report: He said that report covers the giant strides of the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ in strictly enforcing the ban on importation of Rice through the land borders.

tolerance for the importation of frozen Poultry Products into the country, the Controller he added initiated periodic meetings with the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Agric Sector to deliberate on measures to eradicate this menace. The meeting later became enlarged to include the Cold Room Operators and Processors who are also considered as very critical stakeholders.

Part of the gains of the forum is the sharing of intelligence between the FOU ‘A’ and these groups. This approach has led to monumental seizures and

Our remarkable exploits on suppression of smuggling generally, followed the strategies which the Controller initiated in this campaign as well as our resuscitated collaboration and synergy with all the critical stakeholders

troller, on assumption of office, according to him, paid a courtesy visit to the Commissioner of Police, Lagos state, Compol Ibrahim Manko, mni, the AIG Zone 2 Onikan, Mamman Tsafe, mni and others.

Stakeholders engagement: Following the renewed vigor of the unit to ensure practical zero

,

destructions of frozen Poultry Products, he said.

Anti-smuggling report: “Generally speaking, the unit has continually remained on top of its statutory functions of suppressing smuggling. The latest approach of enlightenment campaign gave the necessary boost to our

operational results. Consequently, the unit recorded one thousand four hundred and eighty seven (1,487) contraband goods between January 2013 and May 18, 2013, valued at four hundred and forty five million, forty thousand and eighty naira (N445,040,080) with a payable duty of Eighty one million, six hundred and seventy nine thousand, nine hundred and fifty one naira (N81,679,951).

It had a duty paid value of Five hundred and twenty six million, seven hundred and twenty thousand and thirty one naira (N526,720,031)” Seizures: “Out of these figures, the unit seized and destroyed twenty three thousand, five hundred and sixty two (23,562) cartons of assorted Poultry Products valued at Eighty-two million, four hundred and sixty seven thousand naira (N82,467,000), a payable duty of Sixteen million, four hundred and ninety three thousand, four hundred naira (N16,493,400) with a duty paid value of Ninety eight million, nine hundred and sixty thousand, four hundred naira (N98,960,400).

“Similarly, the Unit recorded a total of Eighteen thousand, five hundred and fifty (18,550) bags of 50kg parboiled Rice

Continues on page 34

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30 , 2013 — 33

Money laundering: NSC intercepts $2.7m at Murtala Muhammed Airport M

URTALA Muhammad Airport Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted $2.7m (about N432m) from five suspected money launderers while attempting to travel abroad.

The Public Relations Officer of the command, Mrs. Thelma Williams, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos that the arrests were made between January and March 2013.

She said the command also arrested 12 suspects with $13.8m (N2.2bn) from September to December 2012.

Williams said there was no law banning travellers from taking money out of the country but the money must be declared by the travellers before being taken out.

Source of money She said: “From $10,000, there must be a declaration. We have a form here on which travellers make a declaration stating the source of the money they are carrying and what that money is meant for. We’ll leave one of the forms here and send a copy to EFCC. “They would go with a copy because there are some countries that would ask travellers to produce that.

“Sometimes we even have letters from some of these countries. They want to know if so, so person passed through our airport and if he made such a declaration so that it won’t look as if it is a fake declaration.

“You don’t pay any amount of money to declare. The money is yours; it’s just for you to declare. I have so, so amount of money with me that I am traveling out with.

“I think why they are running away from this declaration now

is because government is interested. Sometimes it could be money laundering.

“Those that are running away I want to believe are those that are laundering the money.”

Williams advised the travellers to ensure that the amount they would travel with was declared, adding that the money should be changed at a registered commercial bank and Bureau De Change.

She said the five suspects and the monies involved had been handed over to the EFCC for further interrogation.

Williams said the command also generated N2.3bn in April 2013 up from N2.2bn it recorded in the corresponding period of 2012.

She said agents’ compliance with the law at the airport had resulted to increase in revenue collection.

Sokoto command generates N268m revenue T

HE Nigeria Custom Service (NCS) Sokoto Command, has generated more than N268 million as revenue from January till date.

It has also arrested seven suspected smugglers and made 50 seizures, which included drugs, rice, mosquito coil, vehicles, and cigarette worth N56 million within the same period.

The Customs Area Controller (CAC) Sokoto Command, Comptroller Bamidele Akande, made this disclosure during a chat with journalists in his office in Sokoto.

He said the command which comprises Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states, was given a target of N920 million this year.

Akande revealed that the command collected a whopping N65 million last month, which was the first time in the history of the command that such sum

would be realised in a single month.

“As you are aware, the command made a record breaking collection of N65 million in April 2013. This is the first time in the history of the command that such sum was realised in a single month.

Thus, we are making strenuous effort to further improve on this to meet and even surpass our revenue target for the year”, he said.

Increase in revenue

The Customs chief attributed the increase in revenue generated by the command this year to an appreciable increase in the number of importers of used cars that willingly came to pay duty during the period under review.

He explained that the

•Hajia Sadiya Abdullahi, wife of the CGC; Comptroller General Dikko Abdullahi; and ACG Headquarters, Alhaji Tahi Musa, at a COWA outing in Lagos.

•FOU zone A Ikeja CAC inspecting seized rice. tremendous improvement was also as a result of serious commitment in reaching out to the general public on the need to pay duty on their imported used cars and strategies put in place to suppress smuggling.

T

he CAC revealed that part of the items seized from smugglers included 25 vehicles, 386 bags of rice and 590 rolls of cigarette. Others were 288 cartons of Tramol capsules, 146 cartons of Diarrhoea capsules, 149 pieces of jack knives, and 10 cartons of mosquito coil, among others.

He maintained that it was no longer business as usual, as the officers have intensified patrol at the border towns and villages in the zone. He, however, noted the porous borders and difficult terrain, which require specialised vehicles to patrol the border communities

effectively.

“The borders are not only porous but also wide. This is besides the difficult terrain which makes it difficult to conduct patrol. But we are doing our best to tackle the menace of smuggling in the area”, Akande said.

He added that the command was committed to enhancing trade facilitation in the nation’s quest to attain vision 2020 and would redouble efforts in combating smuggling in the zone. He emphasised that the seven suspects arrested by the command would be charged to court shortly.

Akande called on the public to continue to assist men and officers of the command by providing useful information that would assist officers in curbing smuggling in the area.

Customs destroys N11.5m smuggled frozen turkey T

HE Oyo/Osun command of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, said it has destroyed a load of frozen turkey worth N11.5 million.

The consignment was intercepted by men of the security outfit along the Ibadan – Ife expressway following a tip off from a member of the public, the service said.

A statement said the contraband was contained in a Toyota bus at the time of interception, and were concealed in 2,500 cartons of assorted household goods including soaps, milk, synthetic human hair,

insecticides and beverages.

Customs spokesperson, Nkiruka Nwala, said the smugglers managed to escape and abandoned the goods when they sighted Customs officials

at a checkpoint along Ibadan – Ile Ife expressway.

The statement said the smugglers were suspected to be taking the intercepted contraband to Ado-Ekiti area.

It noted: “The modern day Nigeria Customs Service works with sophisticated intelligence gathering network. Meantime, the command has said it destroys such consignments

after seizure because their consumption was dangerous to human health. The smugglers are said to have escaped arrest.

FOU Zone C impounds N5.9m contraband

T

HE Federal Operations Unit, FOU, Zone C recently intercepted a trailer loaded with 62 sacks of second hand clothings.

Showing newsmen round the seized items, Customs Area Controller, CAC, Mr. Victor David Dimka, said the vehicle was impounded at about

5.20 a.m along the ever busy Aba-Uyo federal highway.

“Sixty two bales of banned second hand clothes that were carefully concealed in a 10-tyre Mack tipping trailer, were also impounded by our operatives,” Dimka said.

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34 —Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30 , 2013

•Seized Frozen foods.

All items and the s u s p e c t s , according to the Public Relations Officer of the Airport Command of Nigeria Customs Service, Mrs. Thelma Williams, will be handed over to National Environmental Standards and Regulatory Enforcement Agency (NESREA) for further actions.

According to her, but for the diligence of officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service, at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Command, the prohibited items would have been smuggled out of the country against the worldwide practice of protecting endangered wildlife species from extinction.

Customs arrests foreigners over attempts to export elephant tusks T

HE Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command, has arrested two Chinese nationals and a Malian for attempting to smuggle out of the country more than 21 kilograms of processed ivory and elephant tusks.

The alleged smugglers had concealed the illegal items as hand bangles, hair attachment, building materials, beads and decorative samples, it was gathered.

They were smuggling the items through the cargo wing of the Lagos International Airport.

According to Customs, the items were packaged as courier in 176 separate packages to be flown to Liberia, South Africa and China, before they were

discovered and intercepted during a joint examination by Customs officers at the cargo sheds of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

Customs collects N223m in revenue A

REA Comptroller of the Nigeria Customs Service for Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states, Mr. Bamidele Akande, has said that about N223 million was collected as revenue from January to April. Akande told newsmen in Sokoto that contraband worth more than N22 million were seized in the first quarter of the year.

He said the goods included fairly used cars, fake drugs and rice, adding that the command had fashioned out detailed security measures to facilitate the arrest and prosecution of smugglers in the command. “Since the inception of the command, the amount collected in the first quarter represents the highest so far ever collected. Already, all identified routes of smugglers had been blocked by competent officers to ensure the arrest and prosecution of the smugglers,” Akande said.

Lilypond terminal loses N500 million over low container volume

T

HE management of Lilypond container depot in Ijora, Lagos, has said that it lost N500 million in the past year due to inactivity at the terminal occasioned by low container volume. Apapa port has experienced a low volume of imports since last year, and container dwell time at the port has reduced substantially thus eliminating the need for transfer of containers to off-dock facilities. Capacity utilization at the main port of Apapa container terminal is about 60 percent at present due to low volume.

Logistics Manager of Lilypond container depot, Tristram Denyer, said apart from the concession fee paid to the Federal Government in 2006, the firm has invested N3 billion in the facility. The sum, according to Denyer, was spent on safety, people, equipment, information technology and better infrastructure.

Operations at Lilypond peaked in 2011 with a record cargo throughput of 47,000 TEUs; however, the company said it does not expect to see a return of this situation in the foreseeable future. When contacted on the lack of transfer of containers from Apapa to Lilypond, spokesman for APM Terminals Apapa, Mr. Bolaji Akinola, said transfer of containers to Inland Container Depots (ICDs) is no longer feasible because it adds more cost to the logistics chain and to the importer; apart from the low volume being experienced at the port.

Shooting of smuggler s: smugglers: Dikko calls for caution

T

HE Comptroller - General of Customs, Dikko Inde Abdullahi CFR has described as inse nsitive the circumstances that led to the unfortunate conflict between soldiers and Customs o fficers in Katsina, Kats ina State.

The Deputy Public Relations Officer for Com ptroller General of Customs quoted the CGC as saying that in the face of current security challenges, firing while pursuing smugglers near a Military Barrack was tactically wrong and insensitive on the part of the Customs operatives.

According to him, the CGC recalled with satisfaction instances in the past where the Military assisted in the interception of un-wholesome drugs in Katsina /Kaduna Customs Area Command.

While reminding both parties that they were partn ers working for the common good of the nation, he calle d for caution and directed the Customs Area Controller to imm ediately liaise with the commanding officer and resolve the issue amicably in the spirit of espirit de corps. The CGC said his office relates well with Office of the National Security Adviser, Chief Of Army Staff and all other Service Chiefs.

FOU releases report on anti-smuggling activities Continues from page 32 valued at ninety two million, seven hundred and fifty thousand naira (N92, 750,000), with a duty of Nine million, two hundred and seventy-five thousand (N9, 275,000) and a duty paid value of one hundred and two million, twenty five thousand naira (N102, 025,000).

These figures represent more than 50 per cent increase when compared with the report of the corresponding period of last year.

“It is important to state that consequent upon the ban of Rice Importation through the land borders, the command beamed its searchlight on some volatile areas, particularly along the waterways which have been identified as flashpoints with a view to blocking all loopholes and supply chains.

“The same strategy was also C M Y K

adopted in case of frozen Poultry Products and all of these strategies provided the unit the necessary impetus to up the ante in anti-smuggling activities over the period.

Proactive measure

“Recall that the Federal Government in its wisdom placed this ban on frozen Poultry as a proactive measure to protect the investments of our local farmers who have invested heavily on Poultry farming and other Agro-allied Industries.

Also the issue of job creation for our teeming youths made it more imperative for the service to enforce the ban” he explained.

Beyond this, Ejesieme said that there was need to safeguard the Health of the nation in view of the understanding that these imported

frozen poultry products contains chemical substances that are injurious and detrimental to health.

Security, escorts and protocol: “During the period under reference, the unit regularly played host to a number of VIPs including ministers, foreign partners of NCS, Members of the National Assembly, COWA Executives, for the recent foundation laying ceremony of proposed COWA International Secondary School in Seme as well as the Skill Acquisition programme for the Award of Certificates to COWA Members who went for various vocational trainings.

“The combination of the Lagos Roving Team, the Public Relations and the Protocol Units ensures that all visits of VIP and others are given the necessary attention under the general supervision of the Staff

Officer” Ejesieme said.

Future plans: During the first meeting between the Controller and all Unit/Sectional heads, the Controller he said tasked all the officers to surpass the achievements of the previous year.

Though the unit is not a Revenue generating command, he said that its role in enforcing compliance with the Federal Government Policy in terms of trade remained was very crucial.

“The unit will not relent on this statutory responsibility. It is on this note, that the Controller has regularly reiterated the operational readiness of the unit as it is now better positioned to confront these hydra-headed monsters of smuggling both in this year and beyond. The unit has put modalities in place to ensure that impressive results

are achieved, particularly with the number of operational vehicles, arms/ammunition, etc, graciously made available to FOU ‘A’ by the ComptrollerGeneral of Customs and his Management team” he added.

Commitment to war against smuggling: The Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ he said was totally committed to the war on smuggling with a view to completely eradicating the menace.

“In the light of the above, smugglers are hereby warned to keep away from smuggling and toe the line of sanity as the Federal Operations Unit will continue to deal with anybody or group that might want to test our will.

“However, all genuine stakeholders are assured of our cooperation and support in terms of legitimate trade facilitation” he noted.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013 — 35

C M Y K

36 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013

C M Y K

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013—37

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Anaerobic digester for electricity, fertiliser production

By EBELE ORAKPO

Materials:

ACCORDING to the stu dents, anaerobic digestion of wastes not only deals with the problem of waste disposal but also land pollution, destruction of soil organisms, aquatic life etc. Speaking on the raw materials, they said they can be obtained at zero or minimal cost depending on the size of the digester. “For a small one like ours used for demonstration purpose, it was done at zero cost because the materials are available in our surroundings. They include plastic container, used tricep and tube, poultry/animal wastes, leaves, grasses etc.

They are easily sourced and sometimes you may be paid for coming to get these wastes from people.”

Construction:

"Constructing the digester does not require educational or technological skill. Just get your plastic container and convert it to a digester by making it airtight to ensure an anaerobic condition of the system.

"To construct the digester, we made the recombination chamber using a plastic container having three openings - the feed inlet, the gas outlet and the effluent outlet. We also needed a gas delivery tube which we improvised with used tricep from our school’s clinic waste bin and finally, a gas collector which we used a tube collected from a vulcaniser. We patched the places with holes so we could collect our gas C M Y K

•From right: Hope Henry Ekong, Richard Remy Andem, Perfect Anthony Enerson.

,

“If Nigeria should take up this project, it stands the chance of enjoying the benefits and realising her Vision 20-20 20. We are also recommending this to Nigerians because it serves as an alternative source of cheap renewable energy. In Oakland, California, US today, 700 – 1,300 kw of electricity is generated from this project. It also yields an organic fertiliser which serves as soil conditioner.”

These were the words of three students of Infant Jesus Model Secondary School, Oron, Akwa Ibom State while speaking with Vanguard Learning on their locally made anaerobic digester.

Excerpts:

Our project is environmentfriendly, economically friendly, agriculturally friendly, costefficient and leaves no waste as residue.

,

more efficiently," said Hope Henry Ekong.

THE PROCESS: Explaining the process, Richard Andem said; "Feed in your waste into the digester, allow it to decompose under favourable condition of temperature between 35 and 45 oC and a PH range of 6-8 for a retention period of 20 days after which you collect your gas (methane) and manure. The manure is pathogen-free and does not cause diseases in plants/animals.

"Anaerobic decomposition occurs in four different stages.

First is hydrolysis of starch. We all know that organic matter is mainly composed of carbohydrates. Carbohydrate is hydrolysed into sugar, alcohol and aldehyde. The alcohol and aldehyde are acted upon by acetogens in a process known as acidogenesis to form fatty and amino acids. They are further acted upon by the same acetogens to produce acetic acid alongside hydrogen, ammonia and a trace amount of hydrogen sulphide.

The methanogens act upon these to

•The locallymade anaerobic digester

form methane and carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a gas which does not burn so it is scrubbed off in the scrubbing unit containing sodium hydroxide. Hydrogen sulphide is a very dangerous greenhouse gas but we inhibit its production by adding iron (II) chloride to the medium. The hydrogen sulphide reacts with

iron (II) chloride to form iron (II) sulphide which is very essential to the growth of plants."

Advantages: On the advantages of the products of anaerobic digestion, Perfect Enerson said; "Anaerobic digestion has a lot of advantages and it can be applied in several areas of life for different purposes. It could

be applied as a waste management process, a cheap alternative energy source and a soil conditioner as it yields pathogen-free manure which is very friendly to soil organisms and plants.The manure has advantages over chemical fertilizer.

One, it prevents leeching because of its high water-holding capacity unlike chemical fertiliser; it is not toxic to plants and soil organisms. The advantage over ordinary livestock waste is that it does not have odour so no handling problems. and it doesn’t contain pathogens."

Electricity generation: "The methane gas is used to heat up water to produce steam which turns the turbines for electricity production," said Richard.

The students recommended the project to governments and individuals saying it will address some of the energy, environment and agricultural issues. "This is a safe way of managing organic waste because currently in countries like the UK, Germany and Denmark, anaerobic digestion has received great attention because government policies in these countries kick against indiscriminate disposal of organic wastes. As a result, household ownership of anaerobic digesters has increased in these countries.

"Our project is environment, economically and agriculturally-friendly, costefficient and leaves no waste as residue. It is interesting to know that the UN Clean Development Mechanism is giving financial assistance to countries that are carrying out this project if only they can show they have reduced carbon emission. Ours has even turned the carbon into a raw material for the soap industry."

AUST partners Alofos Foundation on green, solar energy design

By DAYO ADESULU

T

HE African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abuja has partnered Alofos Science and Technology Foundation to organise a workshop titled AUST-ALOFOS Foundation Workshop on Green Design held at Alofos Foundation Centre, Surulere, Lagos.

The workshop was aimed at enlightening students from the senior secondary and tertiary institutions about green energy with a focus on solar energy.

In the course of the programme, the students were first introduced to the basic principles of electricity gener-

ation and consumption and then to more advanced principles. Thereafter, they were lectured on the various means of green energy generation visa-a-vis wind, solar which are renewable energy sources. The lecturers also provided the students with insights into the various non-renewable energy sources that are in use today such as natural gas, coal, oil, and uranium that contribute to global emissions of carbon dioxide and other pollutants that result in global warming among other environmental ills.

The four facilitators of the one week workshop who are doctoral students of AUST include:

Joseph Asare, Benjamin AgyeiTuffour, Egidius Rwenyagila and Chukwuemeka Ani Joseph, brought with them Instructional materials and instruments for use by the students.

With a predilection for solar energy, the facilitators helped the students to understand that the field of solar energy research is an ever evolving one as the energy from sun is an under-tapped resource that is being looked into globally.

They explained that in order to help in solving the world’s energy needs, Nigeria by virtue of her geographical position, has this resource in abundance hence the need to be on the front lines in this research.

38—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013

By DAUD OLATUNJI

T

HE Students’ Union Gov ernment (SUG) of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), has urged the Federal Government and National Universities Commission (NUC) to upgrade and accord FUNAAB with full conventional status to allow the agriculture-based institution to run courses like medicine and law in addition to management sciences currently offered.

President of the union, Tope Adesipo, wondered why the university is yet to be accorded full conventional status like other universities despite possessing all it takes to offer course in every discipline within university system.

Adesipo, who commended President Goodluck Jonathan for ensuring reasonably constant school fees in Federal Government-owned varsities, tasked the Federal Government to direct the

Federal Ministry of Agriculture to key into the available opportunities in FUNAAB for an optimized agricultural production and increased Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Meanwhile, the Ogun State Government in collaboration with the Governing Council of Olabisi Onabanjo University, (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, has decided to intercede on behalf of the students affected by a recent di-

rective over the regularisation of their records with the NUC and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

The government, in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Taiwo Adeoluwa also appealed to the University Senate to grant amnesty for the last time to all students with matriculation numbers but who have not registered for several years to update their registration status within one week.

Head of School Matrix Learning Field School, Isaiah Olanrewaju, and pupils celebrate with the overall winner trophy at the Jodacy Communications Children's Day match pass competition for private schools in Lagos.

Scholarship: NGO rewards winners of Quiz with N2m

By DAYO ADESULU

F

OUNDATION for Effec tive Leadership and Development [FELD], a non-governmental organization, the organizers of My Education Quiz Play gave about N2million to 25 winners of My Education Quiz Play for their educational pursuit.

The winners who are students from senior secondary schools and tertiary institutions from different schools in Nigeria were presented with their cheques at a ceremony on Thursday, May 23, 2013 in Lagos.

Hon. Paul Adimgwupu, Chairman of the foundation, Mr. Azu Arinza, Publisher Yes International Magazine, Mrs. Ologun-wife of the Chairman,

Nigerian Institute of Public Relations Lagos and Mr. Godfrey Osakwe, Project DirectorFELD, presented the cheques to the students. Winners in the Senior Secondary School Category are: Glory OkparaN190,000, Maduka Ebuka from St.Nicholas High School - N130,000, Idemudia Emmanuel-N130,000, Akogwu Ozomena-N100, 000, Emmanuel OnwubuaririN100,000 to mention a few. In the tertiary institution category, Anthony Onyeahialam from University of Lagos got N280,000, Adesoji Adeoye Joseph from University of lagos-N240,000, Kelechi Nwoku from Abia state UniversityN210,000, Odi Jide Joshua from Nigeria Institute of Journalism, Ogba-N210,000 to

mention a few.

Mr. Godfrey Osakwe, the Project Director, FELD, said that My Education Quiz Play seeks to support and motivate students in secondary school and tertiary institutions in Nigeria to constructive ventures and research among a rising generation of future leaders. He further stated that the game is designed as a fun way of learning with particular emphasis on school curriculum of participating groups with general knowledge questions as well.

Students can also enter for the quiz as many times as possible.

For example the names with asterisk in the list of winners, played twice at different recordings as they were lucky to be randomly selected for the quiz play. All that is needed is to text EXCEL to 35811, anybody can text in, no age limit.

*From left: Korede Bello (artiste), Abdulmajeed Kabir of Osun State University (N50,000); Adesoji Adeoye of UNILAG, (N240,000); Odi Jide Joshua of NIJ, Ogba (N210,000); Hon. Paul Adingwupu, chairman, FELD; Anthony Onyeahialam of UNILAG (N280,000),wife of NIPR chairman, Lagos chapter, Mrs Ologun, publisher, Yes!Magazine, Mr Azuh Arinze; Project Director, FELD, Mr Godfrey Osakwe and Jimoh Abubakar Sadiq of LASU (N50,000).

Exercising your kingship M

ANKIND was destined to be a king and not a slave. A king rules in a kingdom which could also be referred to as the King’s domain. This presupposes that kings rules in specified territories. Mankind has been given the mandate to dominate the earth and not people; we have been vested with authority to control ourselves and things and not people. However, there are two kinds of kingship that operates in separate spheres of life; the wise king and the unwise king. The wise king and the unwise king live in two separate worlds that are far apart which cannot mingle with each other. The wise king operates in a higher level of consciousness and rules over his mind; body; and circumstances and greatly impacts positively the lives of people in his world or sphere of influence. On the contrary, the unwise king is a slave to his mind; body; and circumstances and makes his world a worse place to live in. Therefore, the kingdom that mankind has been assigned to rule primarily is his mind and life, only then can he expand his sphere of influence in the world and grow to rule his secondary kingdom by dominating the earth with his gifts and talents or his mandated purpose.

Mankind lives in two worlds; the inner world of thoughts which births the outer world of things. Each of these worlds operates in two levels of consciousness; the higher level of consciousness and the lower levTo the el of consciousness. The impure, higher level of consciousness is a realm of sound moral nobody is principles while the lower pure; to the level of consciousness is a realm of lawlessness or disdishonest, regard or ignorance of sound nobody can moral principles.

Your physical state is a mirbe honest; ror of your mental state; the you build the circumstance around you is a creation of your own context of thoughts. Your thoughts is your life by continually moulding and shaping your life and affairs. the content All that we are is the sum of of your mind our own thoughts. To change the outer world of things you need to alter the inner conditions of your mind. Nothing can improve around you until your attitude of mind is improved. Your outlook on life is determined by the inward look of your mind.

You see in others what already exists in you; to the impure nobody is pure; to the dishonest nobody can be honest. You build the context of your life by the content of your mind one act at a time. And until we exercise absolute control over the attitude of our minds we cannot ascend to the altitude of our kingship.

No circumstance has control or power over you except that which you give to it. Nobody can hurt you without your consent for you have the power to determine if the attitude of others towards you will get into you or fall off into oblivion. The more you understand the workings of the mind through the power of thoughts the more you gain mastery over the circumstances of life. Every circumstance of life is neutral and how you interpret and respond to these circumstances based on your belief about it will determine the meaning and the outcome of the circumstance over your life. Your circumstance is clothed by your thoughts; empowered or weakened by your belief; established or fade away by your response to it.

A wise king rules over his mind; body and circumstance. The more enlightened your mind is the greater you gain mastery over your destiny; the more darkened your mind is the greater the bondage of slavery.

An enlightened mind is built on knowledge; a darkened mind is produced by ignorance.

A mind sold out to vice purchases the conditions of life that are harmonious to it. A mind sold out to virtue purchases the rewards of a higher and noble living.

Therefore, we create the conditions of life by the seeds of thoughts and acts. And we may readily change the condition of our life by changing the seeds of our thoughts and deeds.

,

FUNNAB students demand full conventional status

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Vanguard Vanguard,,

THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013

— 39

YOUR LUCK TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

LIBRA: BETTER than yesterday as you will be at a more comfortable place today and suddenly discover that your hope is alive. Venus bring you money SCORPIO: ROMANTIC Venus at positive angle may bring matters-of-the heart related temptation through friends. But your best bet now is moderate ambition.

SAGITTARIUS: The best bet for you is to consolidate on progress you made yesterday and look for best way to pacify your new friends.

CAPRICORN: EVERYBODY needs other people’s co-operation just like you today but you will not be compelled by situation to dance to others’ tune; meaning that you can do things your own way and rightly expect success

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

T

HERE is this song I love to sing even when my voice is not friendly, it goes thus “magnify the Lord, oh’ magnify the Lord, the Lord is able”. My friend let me ask you a question: who do you magnify in your

Who do you magnify? life, your problem, your challenges or your God? The truth is that many of us unknowingly magnify our problem. Yet, we

profess to be children of God. If we truly believe in our God, we will magnify Him above every other thing in our life, including our problem. Or don’t

TERROR MUDA in “Never say goodbye”

you know that each time you place your problem above God, you are belittling Him? Magnify the Lord.

Play down your problem. The Lord is above.

Think about it!

By Lanre Kehinde

AQUARIUS: THOSE of you willing to give others the needed co-operation will be in better position to consolidate on progress you have made recently.

Don’t allow sex to distract you.

PISCES: WATCHOUT for minor and avoidable but costly mistake within your working arena, especially if you are in charge of other people’s money. If you develop new romantic liaison today, it may not last.

ARIES: AS the saying goes “time waits for nobody” it’s important you guard against unnecessary procrastination capable of putting you at tight corner tomorrow. Be loving.

TAURUS: IT’S better you conclude what you’ve been doing for a while rather than starting something new you don’t know when to finish it. Be more family minded.

GEMINI: IF careless remarks are made by you today, it would back-fire at resumption of work tomorrow morning. Those who are eager for romantic attention will have their dream coming true. Be more love

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Princess Shii’

By Andy Akman

CANCER: IF you wait too long before an important (financial) decision is taken, you may find yourself keeping date with what you don’t bargain for.

LEO: Placement of the Moon influences your associates to become more self-assertive. If you take good advice you’ll fare better. However, it’s important you don’t forget your tomorrow with others.

VIRGO: BETTER than yesterday and luckily for you, opportunity to rectify mistakes made yesterday may come today to the betterment of your finances.

Don’t try to buy love with money.

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

What about me?

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

Dear Joshua, You have done many people’s horoscope; what about me? I want you to kindly analyse my star and tell me everything about my self. Please take note that I value my health and career than any other thing.

Adedamola, Osun.

Dear Adedamola, What space can take will be given to you hereunder Scorpio and Libra that hosted both your natal sun and moon are members of very strong star signshealth wise.

Scorpio, in particular, has unusual survival ability.

That is to say, even when health related challenges come, your survival endowment will always see you through.

Your major challenge is from your constant worries about too many things, especially on career related issues. Business miscalculation can be another source of health related challenge. You will agree with the fact that both constant worries and business miscalculation can affect one’s circulatory system.

Other things to watch-out for include: Urino-genital organs, minor accident (fire), bones dislocations, a few other times, skin infections and, of-course, fever.

Always take care of the stomach. Please take note that all these are mere warnings as there is nothing fatalistic about them; a good guard, though.

Oil related Neptune was the closet heavenly body to the sun when you were born at positive angle to Pluto in Leo. Thus, having things to do with oil along your career/business lines is not by accident.

Then preponderance of water element and fixed quality in the distribution of the planets when you were born are favourable to commercial involvement with anything liquid.

HOME & AWAY

by Lawrence Akapa

40—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013

Labour needs reform … but - Adeyemi

By FUNMI KOMOLAFE

G

OVERNMENT is talking about labour reform. Do you think labour needs a reform , if so, in which areas?

I am a little bit skeptical when government talks about labour reform . One wants to find out the basis for the reform . You also want to know the criteria to be used. You also want to find out what is motivating government in this direction. Is it for political interest or an attempt to hijack the labour movement?

I think labour has the responsibility of reforming itself rather than surrender itself to government for reform. So, my opinion is that, government appears to be chewing more than it ought to chew , more than what its mouth can actually contain. Government appears to be putting its nose and its mouth virtually everywhere. They are talking of reform everywhere but there is no positivity in all these attempts to reform everything.

Reforming the economy They are reforming the economy, reforming every area, now they want to reform labour. I have a little bit of problem with that but I am convinced that there is the need for organized labour itself to do self purification. There is need for self examination. There is the need for labour to readjust, to reform itself with a view to reposition itself for effective and efficient service delivery to the rank and file members of the union who have no other hope than the trade union movement.

I have my doubts whether the labour movement in this country to which I belong, is able to justify the huge expectation of not only the working people of this country but also those who rely on the ability of the Nigerian labour movement to deliver them from the oppressive tendencies and policies of those in government because in this country we realize that opposition has been virtually non –existent and over time, labour has filled that gap adequately.

The Nigerian people have so much confidence in the labour movement but in the last couple of years , we have seen that that confidence has waned .

If you then look at that situation, you may come to the conclusion that there is need for self-examination, self purification and the need for labour to restructure itself so that it would be able to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the Nigerian people. .

We can’t have this interview without talking about your union’s relationship with the NLC. Your union has been out of the NLC now for over two years, are you being offered an olive branch? Are there reconciliation moves?

No. The answer is absolutely no. In fact we were aggrieved as a union because we were unjustly treated. Our position has been clearly explained to all and sundry. As at the time NLC went for that election in 2011, we were the third highest due paying affiliate of the NLC. We had Nigeria Union of Teachers ( NUT) as number one, we had Medical and Health Workers Union as number two and NASU was number three and we believe that for fairness, if

NLC immortalises Imoudu, Bafyau, Oyerinde

N

IGERIA Labour Congress, NLC, has immotalised three of its departed leaders; Comrade Pa Imoudu, Paschal Bafyau and Olaitan Oyerinde.

At its National Executive Council, NEC, meeting Tuesday, May 28, 2013, members of NEC named its Lagos sub-secretariat, Yaba, after Pa Imoudu, its national secretariat in Abuja, hitherto known as Labour House, after Bafyau while the auditorium in the Abuja national secretariat was named after Oyerinde.

NLC in a communiqué by Abdulwaheed Omar and Chris Uyot, President and Acting General Secretary, respectively, after the NEC meeting said NLC "has named its sub-secretariat in Lagos after the Labour Leader No 1, Comrade Pa Imoudu. It has also renamed the national secretariat in Abuja, Paschal Bafyau Labour House, after Paschal Bafyau who died last year.

“Similarly, the NEC-in-session has named this auditorium where we are, the Olaitan Oyerinde Auditorium, after our slain Deputy General Secretary, Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde, while on secondment to the Comrade Governor in Edo State. Olaitan was killed on May 5, last year.”

ated this act of act of injustice, must repent because the truth of the matter is that the labour movement is about fighting injustice . So, if we now have a house that is supposed to be fighting injustice now perpectuating injustice, then of course, we cannot belong to that house.

That was why during our conference of November 2011, delFriedrich Ebert Stiftung ( FES) has a new egates said no if they would resident representative. She is Mrs. Seija Stunot do anything to remedy the ries . She takes over from Mr. Thomas Mattig situation, then we should move who has been in Nigeria for over three years. out of NLC and we notified It is the first time that the German Non- Govthem. They never considered ernmental Organisation will be represented it necessary to even acknowlby a woman. FES has over the years worked edge receipt of our conference with trade unions, women, journalists and resolution. several civil society groups in Nigeria .

The conference resolution Thomas Mattig who handed over to his sucwas simple, it was stated that cessor in Lagos last week, urged civil sociif NLC persists in its acts of not ety groups to cooperate with Mrs. Sturies in showing solidarity with NASU order to build a better society. The FES has , in its act of humiliation, act of been in Nigeria for over 15 years working with ganging up against NASU, we various civil society groups. should move out of the place.

We expected the NLC to take some action but they didn’t. After about wanted to have NLC sticker on their a year or 18 months, we were informed vehicles but the situation has changed. that NLC constituted a reconciliation We felt that if we were there, we would committee un- be able to do one or two things to turn der the leader- things around. We were persuaded by There is the need for labour to readship of Com- the likes of Comrade SOZ Ejiofoh , Comrade Hassan rade Stephen Osidipe that we should just, to reform itself with a view to Sunmonu then embrace the reconciliation committee reposition itself for effective and effiexecutive secre- and because of the respect our union tary of the Or- has for these veterans of the labour cient service delivery ganisation of Af- movement, we decided to appear beyou return the NUT man who never rican Trade Union Unity ( OATUU) . We fore the Sunmonu Committee. We subperformed to any level, they returned said were not comfortable with the com- mitted our memorandum to them and him for a second tenure. They returned position of the committee because most gave us a date to return so that we can the Medical and Health Workers members of the committee were active speak to those issues that were conplayers at the NLC congress but we were tained in our memorandum. UnfortuUnion man unopposed, they have no reason not to return the NASU man persuaded on the need for a vibrant la- nately, NLC decided to dissolve that unopposed because if that regime had bour centre and we think our presence Committee without informing us up to failed , then everybody should be dis- in that labour centre could make the this moment.

They have not notified us. They have qualified. So, anything that qualifies present labour centre to be more vibrant not told us anything but we heard from the head of that team to return, quali- than it is now.

In our union, we made a comparative the grape vine that they said they didn’t fies at least the first three who sustain the NLC so much. . So, we said analysis between this NLC and the NLC have any problem with NASU, but they it is clear injustice. I cannot see how led by Adams Oshiomhole and we said only had problem with Comrade John my union that pays five million Naira the NLC of Oshiomhole attracted so Odah and that since they have now setper month, N60 million per annum much support of Nigerians, so much ap- tled with John Odah , they have don’t would be so badly treated. So, it’s a plause from Nigerians to the extent that have any business with us. So, we said, matter of right that those who perpectu- people including commercial drivers fine.

,

Adeyemi

In the trade union movement, Peters Adeyemi is a name that rings a bell. Officially, he is the General Secretary of the NonAcademic Staff Union of Educational And Associated Institutions, NASU, and until 20011, a Deputy President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC . He served in that capacity from 2007 to 2011. At the international level, he is serving the Public Services International based in France as the President for Africa and the Vice- President, International.

In the last two years, his union has challenged the leadership of the NLC , a move that led the union to withdraw from NLC. Why did the union take this step? This and other issues were raised in this interview with Comrade Peters Adeyemi in his Lagos office.

Bits

New Rep takes over at FES

,

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013 — 41

42—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013 It took me another two years to accept a date from one of the brothers in my church.

To the glory of God, I am now happily married with my own child.

My husband is doing fine, even if he is not as rich as Duke. We have lacked nothing. I am now at peace with the world and even Duke. That peace however did not come until I learnt what actually happened that night.

It had all been set up by Duke and his friends. Duke was already in an affair with the lady he married and preferred to marry but did not know how to tell me. So, they came up with that plan.

I have forgiven him in my heart.

I used to think he was my knight in shining armour. A saint, someone flawless that could do no harm. I was ready to worship the ground beneath his feet.

Now, I am sure it is a sin for a human being to love another human being to that extent. There is no way such a person will not be disappointed. That is why I know that he will be punished by God for what he did to me. I also know that he would never find the kind of love and peace that I gave

A world without scruples (3)

Now, I am sure it is a sin for a human being to love another human being to that extent, there is no way such a person will not be disappointed, that is why I know that he will be punished

by God for what he did to me I also know that he would never find the kind of love and peace that I gave to him .

My parents became confused, they called him several times but he did not change his mind.

On the fifth day, I was taken to the hospital and sedated. I was allowed home a week later.

That did not stop my crying though.

And for months, I stayed at home, waiting and hoping that Duke would call. That he would discover the truth and apologise for not trusting me enough and beg me to marry him. I refused to go out, not even to church.

As I was not working anyway, that left me with much time on my hands to wallow in self pity.

In my heart, I felt it was a good thing that I did not have to go out to face people and be forced to explain what had happened over and over again.

I refused to see my friends too, believing they would all be laughing at me or feeling pity for me.

Three months after Duke and I broke up, one of my sisters came home with news of Duke’s

coming wedding with another lady. From the photographs, she was definitely older than me. A Yoruba girl, she had bleached her skin so much and I was convinced that she must have charmed him. She was nothing like the sort of girl Duke would date, not to talk of marry.

All attempts to call Duke had failed and my parents had barred me from calling and all my siblings from talking about him. I can’t say for how long I held the wedding invitation in my hands but I remember that I kept it under my pillows for a very long time. Long after the wedding in fact.

Most of what I recall that I did, are things told to me by members of my family. But I do remember that I was always crying. I was always being admin-

,

HI How far will you go to get out of a situation? The story below is narrated by a young, Public Relations executive named Cynthia who after an affair with a charming, young man went into depression for almost two year. How did it happened? Find out as she shares her story below: Dear readers, Please do write and share with us if you or anyone has fallen victim or escaped from the clutches or traps of these Internet predators or fraudsters. From your own experience, how do you think Internet predators can be curtailed? Your contribution might be the saving grace for other unsuspecting Nigerians. Send your contributions to: thehumanangle93@yahoo.com or P.M.B. 1007, Apapa, Kirikiri Canal. I’m looking forward to read from you.

istered with drugs to sleep,wake,eat,etc. It was pathetic. Eventually however, I started going out after one full year. Not to the hospital anymore but to church. Our pastor had come several times during the year to pray with us and so had most of the sisters.

They all knew my story and were ready to offer assistance in helping to rehabilitate me. I became a worker in the church, coupled with other activities, I started going out on my own.

Often, I would still come home crying because I’d seen a car that looked like Duke’s or someone that looked like him.

But you will not believe that I never set my eyes on him.

,

to him. I cannot punish or chastise him for what he did to me but I know someone will, one day, very soon.

However, as I said, it opened my eyes to all those flaws I never knew were there in the first place.

I realised he is a conniving, double face cheat. That he is not as charming and confident as I thought he was. That he does not really measure up in love making and caring as I assumed.

All he knows is how to make his money work for him. Without the money, he is nothing, just an empty shell. And to think that was the man I wanted to marry?

Concluded

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Expressing your emotions

By ONOZURE DANIA

I

T is certainly true that nobody likes a drama queen. But what may surprise you is that a man adores a woman who is in touch with her emotions and knows how to share them with him. So, if you are worried that you might push a man away by revealing your anger and feelings, this may be exactly why he is not getting closer to you.

Drama is what you do when you are afraid of your true emotions.

Drama is what you do when you feel afraid deep down and because you do not want to display your true feelings and want to keep them hidden. But no human being can handle this. So what happens?

Your emotions start bubbling away beneath the surface like a pressure cooker. Then one day, you burst. Just the effort of keeping your emotions at bay for fear of losing him causes you to become angry. Deep down, you are really angry at yourself. You are angry that you have been ignoring the truth about your self. When you do explode, it’s only natural that your man will take the blame for your feelings, causing even more of a disconnect in your relationship.

So, how do you undo all the damage of spending years stuffing down your emotions and instead learn to communicate with your man in a way that will engage his heart? You have to learn to love your emotions. This means that whatever comes up wherever you are, whatever you are feeling, you have to stop doing what you are doing and take a second to acknowledge the feeling.

Feel compassion for yourself and what you are experiencing inside.

At first this may not come naturally for you, especial-

ly when you are so used to hiding what you are feeling for fear that you will scare a man away or have him think you are flaky. In this case, practice really does make perfect.

You might practice first by telling your man about something you read or saw on television. Instead of relaying what you thought of the story, or analyzing what happened in the story and why, you stay with your feelings about it.

Don’t try to hide your tears if they come. Look at him directly without turning away or closing up.

For instance, if you saw something on the news about a robbery in your neighborhood, instead of telling him that you think it’s time for a new set of locks on the door, you could tell him how scared it made you feel to hear this news. See what he does. Chances are, he will want to comfort you and show he can take care of you. Chances are he will go out and get some new locks all on his own.

Once you get comfortable expressing your emotions about something outside your relationship, it will be easier to express yourself when it’s something directly involving him. Sometimes, this can take a long time to understand but once you do, it will become almost automatic.

When you don’t express your feelings, they don’t go away. If they are important, they stay around.

Sometimes, we are conscious of them and they build up and explode, usually to the surprise of others and perhaps even to our own surprise. This often makes it harder to deal with the issues that we are upset about. It is hard to discuss one thing because it has other incidents attached to it and the intense feeling may make it hard to think about solutions.

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013—43

Olu of Warri tasks Itsekiri on mutual love, assistance

BY EMMA ARUBI

W

ARRI—THE Olu of Warri, His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse II, has charged Itsekiri sons and daughters to be less self-centred and show more love, understanding and accommodate one another to make the Itsekiri better and more prosperous as a people.

The royal father also urged the elite to always assist the younger ones in the kingdom to attain positions of authority, wherever they find themselves in the course of their careers, businesses and professions to ensure an unbroken chain, quality and steady growth of human resources in Iwereland.

The Olu, at a dinner party organised by the frontline Itsekiri Progress Club, IPC, in Warri, with the theme: PIB and the implications for the Itsekiri People, noted that this was the only way to remain a vocal and quality minority, sought after in the Nigerian project.

Represented by the Ogwaolusan of Warri Kingdom, Chief Brown Mene, the royal father charged well meaning Itsekiris to emulate the IPC programme in their drive to ensure quality education for indigent and brilliant sons and daughters of the kingdom.

Delta PDP chieftain harps on credible candidates

A

PEOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain in Delta State, Dr. Alex Ideh, has urged eligible voters to vote for credible candidate in the next general elections, saying that the 2015 elections would be very challenging.

Ideh, while playing host to a political pressure group, G25 Assembly, at his residence in Benin City, Edo State, also advised the electorate not to accept any trash that emanates from their leaders or the older politicians, stressing that such policies and utterances should be thoroughly scrutinised with a view to ascertaining whether it is in the overall interest of the masses.

NDDC acquires tractors to boost food production

N

IGER Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has procured over 100 tractors for distribution to state ministries of agriculture in the nine Niger Delta states to boost food production.

Managing Director of the Commission, Dr. Christian Oboh, in a chat with newsmen after inspecting the tractors in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, said that plans were in top gear to inaugurate 11 completed hostel blocks, out of 18, in various institutions of higher learning across the region, adding that the Ibeno Road, with a 600m span bridge and side-drains, in Akwa Ibom State, was ready.

On the tractors set for distribution, Oboh said that for Nigeria to tackle youth’s unemployment and to be self sufficient in food production, it must embrace mechanized farming.

He said: “We are determined to properly engage our youths in line with the transformation agenda of Mr. President through agriculture. To support this, NDDC has acquired over 100 tractors to support various ministries of agriculture in the

nine states of the region to boost food production.”

He added that the Commission will partner government of the BRACED states, comprising Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta states to establish rice farms.

“The building of hostels in

various institutions of higher learning in the nine states is one of the legacies that I felt this current board would leave behind for posterity.

When we came on board, these projects were in very bad shape and nearly all the reports of the various agencies had criticized NDDC for

SWEARING-IN: Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State (right), and one of the newly sworn-in judges of the state High Court, Mr. Augustine Odokwo.

Delta community tasks NDDC on completion of reclamation project

BY FESTUS AHON

U

GHELLI—THE people Okpele-Ama community, Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area, Delta State, have called on the management of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, the National Assembly and Delta State Government, to prevail on the company handling the piling of the sea wall and reclamation of the community

project, to order.

Chairman of the community, Mr. Mike Titon, alleged that the company had invaded the community with men of the Joint Task Force, JTF, with two gunboats to forcefully remove their equipment, even though the project was yet to be completed.

According to him, the contract was awarded by NDDC in 2005 at the cost of N1.8 billion, decrying that the company had wanted to demobilise from the area without com-

pleting the job but was resisted by the community, noting that NDDC had paid N1.5 billion to the company.

“We are aware that NDDC paid the company over 80 percent of the total cost of the contract, yet the company brought two JTF gun boats to threaten people of the community and removed its equipment and as a result of our refusal, over 20 indigenes sustained various degrees of injuries due to their being manhandled by the military men,” he alleged.

PDP S-South youth leaders back Jonathan for 2nd term horn and mobilise the youths

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

ENAGOA—THE youth leadership of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, South-South zone, yesterday, threw its weight behind the resolution of the SouthSouth leaders to back President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term if he decides to run in 2015.

Led by Mr. Izuagie Francis (Edo), Edodi Ejekor (Cross River), Major Jack (Rivers), Emmanuel Bassey (Akwa Ibom), Arthur Akpow-

its poor state. But thank God, today, we have been able to deliver at least 11,” he added.

He commended some contractors working with the current board for timely execution of projects and advised those who are not serious to brace up or be prosecuted for non-performance.

owo (Delta), Vincent Akhere (Edo) and Donald Daunemighan (Bayelsa), the South-South youth leaders of the party, who called on the chairman, Bayelsa State PDP, Col. Sam Inokoba (rtd), declared that the zone was not prepared to play second fiddle and, therefore, not interested in the position of Vice President come 2015.

The youth leaders insisted that the President Jonathan has done creditably well and deserves a second tenure.

Francis said: “We have decided to take the bull by the

within the South-South region. We are ready to ensure that other regions are convinced that the time to actualise the trust in the SouthSouth is now. We are not ready to play second fiddle.

We are not interested in the Vice Presidential position.

We are not going to condone anyone working against our plan.”

Earlier, Chairman of Bayelsa PDP, Col. Inokoba (rtd), said the elders and the governors of the party from the zone had made their position known on Jonathan's re-election in 2015.

Asaba citizens protest alleged exclusion from centenary project

BY HUGO ODIOGOR

A

SABA Development Union, ASDU, has protested the alleged exclusion of Asaba, the capital of Delta State, from the centenary programme of the Federal Government, which is being coordinated by the Office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation.

Vice President-General of ASDU, Mr. Tony Efianya, in a statement in Asaba, said: “The attention of the group has been drawn to the fact that Asaba, which played the same role as Çalabar, Lokoja and Lagos, in the formation of Nigeria, had been by-passed by the committee planning the centenary events, which is a disservice to the people of Asaba and their contribution to the emergence of the Nigerian state.

“We want to put it on record that the activities of the Royal Niger Company, which had a Royal charter to negotiate and make treaties with groups, peoples and entities in the territory called Nigeria, was the genesis of the progressive colonisation of the geo-political entity called Nigeria."

44 —Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013

Achebe's body arrives Imansuangbon urges govt to pass laws on children's education

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN CITY — A former governorship aspirant on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo State and educationist, Mr. Kenneth Imansuangbon, has stressed the need for the Federal Government to come up

Community worried over kidnap of 2 NYSC members in Rivers

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

P

ORT HARCOURT — RUMUEWHOR community in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, has tasked the Rivers State Government and the Police to intensify efforts to secure the release of abducted two National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, members by kidnappers in the state.

It will be recalled that two NYSC members were, two days ago, abducted from Odegu Comprehensive High School, Rumuewhor by gunmen, who invaded the NYSC quarters in the community school.

Their whereabouts is still unknown, as no contact had been established with their abductors.

His Royal Highness, Oha Ikech Igbukwu, Yeweali Rumuewhor, who spoke on the development, said the community was calling on state government and the police to help free the corps members.

with laws that will ensure direct investment in the education of children.

Imansuangbon at the opening ceremony of the 5th Kenneth Imasuangbon Annual Essay Competition at Federal Government College, Ibillo, and Egbedi Learning Centre, Uromi, in Edo North and Central senatorial districts, noted that the future of the country depends on the quality of its children.

Addressing participants, Imasuagbon, who also is the proprietor of Pacesetters Academy, in Abuja, noted that without quality education for children, Nigeria may find it difficult to compete favourably with countries such as Ghana and called for concerted efforts in ensuring that relevant laws were passed to take care of children's education, "whether the person is poor or not.”

Rev. Father Fidelis Umole, administering oath of office on the new executive of the Isolo Sub-Council of the Knights of Saint Mulumba led by the grand knight, Worthy Brother Augustine Omaghomi.

A’Ibom govt, Hilton Group sign MoU on management of Uyo Hilton Garden A KWA IBOM State Government and Hilton Worldwide Group have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, for the

management of Uyo Hilton Garden.

Akwa Ibom governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, in Uyo signed for the state govern-

DESOPADEC commissioner commends Uduaghan over free healthcare policy ...flags off free health scheme in Isoko

BY FESTUS AHON

U

GHELLI — THE Com missioner representing Isoko ethnic nationality on the

board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Mr. Joseph Ogeh, yesterday, commended the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan

Ukwuani Foundation awards scholarships to indigent students

T

HE UKWUANI Foundation Union, UFU, has awarded scholarships to some indigent students of the area.

UFU President, Chief Joseph Olise, at the biennial general meeting of the union in Lagos, also rendered his stewardship for two years, listing as his achievements:enlightenment campaigns, fund-raising activities, conflict resolutions and inter tribal relationships.

The event featured two lec-

tures on ‘Awakening the Entrepreneur in You’ by Engr.

Tony Egba and ‘Delta State 2015: The Way Forward for Ndokwa,’ by Prof. Chike Okolocha.

President General of Ndokwa National Union, NNU, Mr. Paul Enebeli, who chaired the event, called on governorship aspirants of Ndokwa extraction to declare their intention before December 31, 2013 for screening.

for his commitment to free maternal healthcare and the zero-five years infants' healthcare policy in the state.

Ogeh, during the commissioning and hand-over of a 45 bed cottage hospital built by Isoko North Local Government Area, equipped by DESOPADEC, said it was the right of the Isoko people to enjoy the dividends of democracy - free health scheme.

Describing the commissioning of the hospital as part of the health intervention programme of the commission, he appealed to the state government to take over the hospital.

He also commended the Secretary to State Government, Mr. Ovuozorie Macaulay for his commitment to the wellbeing of Isoko people.

By Bartholomew Madukwe

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

ment while Mr. Michael Cooper, Vice President, Development, Hilton Worldwide Group, Sub-Saharan Africa signed for the group.

Speaking, Cooper expressed his delight at the signing of the agreement, which would be a model in Africa.

Cooper, accompanied by Louis Misford, in-charge of Development and Technical Drawings; Mark Volick incharge of Specification and Mr. Paul Ladiga, Lead Architect of the group, hinted that Hilton Group has 3,999 hotels worldwide with Uyo Hilton Gardens making it 4,000, assuring to keep to the terms of agreement.

Akpabio said he was happy to personally undertake the signing of the agreement, which according to him, was a symbolic opportunity opened for Hilton Group in the Gulf of Guinea.

He observed that Hilton Group is a brand known worldwide and has not suffered any business loss before, saying “This is happening in Uyo and in our time. It marks a major step forward in our effort to bring about transformation in our dear state."

(nwamad@yahoo.com)

On the release of suspected terrorists

I

am of the view that the law enforcement agents ought to be given enough time to separate the innocent from the ones that have cases to answer. The order should be in favour of those that there are no concrete evidences to nail. —Mr. J.C. Ngobili, Lawyer

T

HE President’s order was a step in the wrong direction because a country where insecurity seems to be at its peak, releasing people, who are supposedly terrorists to go back to the society is for what purpose? — Mrs. Amara Chukwuemeka, Student

F

ROM my point of view, terrorism is treated with levity in Nigeria. Despite that there are laws to state how things are to be done in the country, the President’s order seems not to be in conformity with any of the laws.— Miss Korede Martins, Student

R

ELEASING of suspected terror ists, just like that!

It is putting the lives of the public in absolute danger.

Moreover, it is a contradiction to the declaration of State of Emergency in the three northern states. — Miss Kofo Sanyaolu, Student

I

feel that the Goodluck Jonathan has abused his powers by ordering the release of suspected terrorists without following due process. How many of the families of the victims has the government gone to visit and helped in any way? —Mrs. Nekky Chidiobi, Businessperson

I

THINK releasing suspected terrorists without compliance of the legal procedure in the land, is more of a political decision. In the case of terrorism, there should be zero tolerance by all arms of government. — Mr. Adesoji Shiyanbola, Administrator

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013 — 45

C M Y K

C M Y K

46 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013

Group faults celebration of Democracy Day on May 29

VVF: Ebonyi First Lady seeks FG's assistance

BY PETER OKUTU

A

group, Coalition of Yoru ba Autonomy, COYA, has faulted the celebration of Democracy day on May 29, advising that October 1, be adopted as Nigeria’s democracy day.

He also lauded President Jonathan for declaring a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

Addressing newsmen yesterday in Lagos on what the group called “Negative spiritual significance of May 29 in Nigeria historical development”, President of the group, Ambassador Kunle Adeshokan, said “We, Coalition for Yoruba Autonomy, COYA, totally disagree with May 29 as Democracy Day in Nigeria. We rather opt for the usual October 1 as our independence- cum-Democracy day.

May 29 has no meaning whatsoever to Nigerians, neither is it an election day.

Endorsing the state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, Adeshokan said, “in other climes, no responsible or responsive government will fold its arms and allow such carnage to go at the expense of economically and socially oppressed society that is already battling the ills on ground".

“Our coalition, therefore, implores the President that if a state of emergency should be declared, it must be seen to be total, rather than giving political considerations to its process and procedure".

Ubah gives job to 50 drivers

O

NITSHA—A philanthro pist and governorship aspirant in Anambra State, Dr Ifeanyi Ubah, has given employment to 50 drivers in the state under the auspices of Ifeanyi Foundation.

Ubah announced this at the Onitsha North stadium while addressing members of Urban Commuters Welfare Association who celebrated their Drivers Day. Besides, he promised to build a befitting secretariat for them before the forthcoming governorship election in the state, saying it was high time drivers were given their rightful position in the state.

Soliciting their support in his governorship aspiration, Ubah further promised to build a low cost housing estate that would be tagged Drivers Village as a way of empowering them to own houses in the state.

A

UNVEILING—From left: Mr Richard Walker, Bailey Global Marketing Manager; Mrs Lola Ashafa, Brand Manager, Baileys; Mr Sola Oke, Marketing Manager, Diageo Brands Nigeria; and Ms Lisa Nichols, Commercial Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, at the unveiling of Baileys new bottles in Lagos. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

People living with HIV/AIDS protest non-passage of anti-discrimination bill

BY VICTORIA OJEME & RUTH ODINYA

A

BUJA—HIV/AIDS patients, under the aegis of Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria, have protested to the National Assembly, asking the lawmakers to pass the HIV/AIDS Anti-Discrimination bill into law.

Speaking during the protest, National Coordinator of the group, Mr Edward Ogenyi, lamented that of the 1.2 million Nigerians that required HIV medication (antiretroviral drug), only 491,000 were currently receiving treatment, leaving a huge gap of over 60 percent.

He noted that 3.1 million Nigerians were living with HIV/ AIDS, while over 2.5 million children had been orphaned and made vulnerable due to increasing HIV/AIDS morbidity, including violation of patients’ funda-

mental human rights, such as the right to live, work and own property.

According to him, the plight of persons living with HIV/ AIDS has not compelled senators and members of the House of Representatives to see the need to pass the HIV/AIDS Anti-Discrimination Bill into law as a priority.

He said: “We recognized there is competing interest, but it should be noted that AIDS have killed more people than all the wars and national catastrophes put together.

“AIDS related stigmatization and discrimination remain a big challenge threatening the fight against AIDS epidemic and the achievement of Millennium Development Goals in Nigeria .

“It is a pity that leadership in Nigeria has become experts in playing host to political declaration on HIV/AIDS but ama-

teur in the implementation of such declarations. Nigeria is the only country in West African that does not have HIV/AIDS AntiDiscrimination law.”

Addressing the protesters, Senator Wilson Ake, who represented the Senate President, David Mark, lamented the problems Nigeria was undergoing.

Mark, who was represented by Senator Wilson Ake, said: “We must understand that we have a problem in this country and the problem is ignorance because having HIV/AIDS is the same thing as having malaria and measles.

“Nobody is against the law, so there is need for urgent implementation of the bill to pass into law. We are all Nigerians and I promise you that I will take this message to the National Assembly and we will deliberate on it from now upwards, it is going to be listed among the things to be discussed.”

Trade volume between Nigeria, Australia hits $2.5bn — Envoy

BY VICTORIA OJEME

A

BUJA—THE Australian High Commissioner, Jonathan Richardson, has said his country remained one of Nigeria’s largest crude oil importer in the last three years, with trade volumes between both countries increasing to $2.5 billion.

The envoy made this disclosure during an official launch of Nigerian chapter of Australian Awards African Women in Leadership Network in Abuja.

He said: “As at last year, the volume of trade was over $2.5 billion, mainly got from the im-

port of Nigerian crude oil. Australia has actually become one of the largest importers of Nigerian crude oil in the last 2-3 years.

“Last year, the trade volume wasn’t so high and I believe we are Nigeria’s eight largest export destinations; amongst Europe, we are placed amongst the top of the table.”

He explained that African Women in Leadership Network would promote Australia awards to potential female applicants from eligible countries, including Nigeria.

“Gender equality is at the heart of Australia’s develop-

ment efforts in Africa. We want more women to participate in and benefit from the Australia Awards scholarships and to return to champion development issues in their careers and professional opportunities and challenges.

“In terms of scholarships, we have about 50 Nigerians since the major programme; the Australia awards for Africa started in 2010, the total number is 130 in the fields of agriculture, mining, health, education, water and sanitation, environment and governance, about half of these scholarships have been awarded to women.”

BAKALIKI—WIFE of Ebonyi State governor, Mrs. Josephine Elechi, yesterday, called on the Federal Government to assist the backlog of uterine prolapse patients from various parts of the country admitted at the National Obstetrics Fistula Centre, Abakaliki.

Mrs Elechi made the call during the discharge of another round of 46 clients who were treated free of charge, courtesy of the collaboration between her pet project, Mother and Childcare Initiative, MCCI, and the Centre.

The NOFC, which was built by the governor’s wife and later taken over by the Federal Government two years ago, has continued to receive financial support from the MCCI for the treatment of Vesico Vagina Fistula, VVF, and uterine prolapse.

She said: “The centre has recorded the repair of 1,621 and 238 uterine prolapse clients, including 46 repaired of uterine prolapse clients discharged today (yesterday), free of charge.

Emeka Offor Foundation to reward First Class degree holders with car gifts

S

IR Emeka Offor Foun dation, SEOF, has said any undergraduate on its scholarship who obtains a first class degree in his or her discipline would be presented with a brand new car.

Secretary of SEOF, Mrs C. N. Ufondu, made this known while presenting cheques worth millions of Naira to another batch of 42 students who are beneficiaries of the foundation’s 2013 scholarship scheme at Oraifite in Anambra State.

"The founder of SEOF, Sir Emeka Offor has promised that any of the students that graduate with a first class degree would take home a brand new car of 2.0 series and automatic employment will be sourced for the beneficiary, irrespective of the state, town or local government of origin".

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013—47

CEREMONY: From left: Nze Bob Ihedioha, Mr. Obinna Okwara, VISIT: From left: Mr. Sesan Sobowale, Corporate Relations Director, Mr. Seni Adetu, MD/CE, both of Guinness Nigeria Plc.; Mr. Olusegun Aganga, Minister of Trade and Mr. Ugochukwu Muotto Chairman, Ndimbara Village, Lagos Branch Investment, and Mr. Mike Onuoha, Head, Public Policy, Guinness Nigeria Plc., dur- and Onyi Muotto, during, a recent ceremony at Nkwerre, Imo State. ing a visit to the Minister in Abuja.

DINNER: From left: Group Captain Patrick Ugbona, Serra Club International Trustee for Africa; Rev Fr. Patrick Obayomi, Vocational Director, Lagos Catholic Archdiocese; Rev Fr. Raymond Anoliefo, guest speaker; Serran Cecilia Akindele, President, Serra Club, Maryland and Rev. Fr. Ethelbert Ukpabi, Club Chaplain and Parish Priest, Catholic Church of Presentation, GRA, Ikeja, during the club's, dinner with Priests/Religious leaders to raise fund in support of priestly location, at Maryland, Lagos. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele.

AUDITION: Some of the 5,000 aspiring singers who turned up, weekend, at Dream Studios, Omole Estate, Ikeja, Lagos, to participate in the final audition of X Factor, the world's biggest singing reality TV Show brought to Africa for the first time, by Globacom.

AWARD: Front row (L-R) Zainab Eniola Bello (Nigeria), Slovakian student representative; Adebola Duro Aina (Nigeria) and Faleke Oluwatoyin (Nigeria) flanked by other award winners at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix Arizona, USA. C M Y K

CELEBRATION: From left: Mr. Mayo Okunola, GM, DStv; Mrs. Biola Alabi, MD, M-Net Africa; Mr. Matin Mabutho, GM, Marketing and Sales, MultiChoice Nigeria; Mrs. Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, Regional Manager, M-Net Nigeria and Mr. Akinola Salu, GM, Trade and Distribution, MultiChoice Nigeria, during the Tinsel 1000th Episode celebration in Lagos. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

ETISALAT: FIESTA: From left: Etisalat Regional Distribution Manager, South-East; Mr. Francis Nnaike, Team Captain, Shooting Stars of Ezeagu, Enugu State, Eze Remigius; Coach, Enugu Rangers Football Club, Mr. Okey Emodi and Etisalat Manager, Mass Market Segment, Mr. Nnamdi Ezeani, during the Etisalat Easy Starter Football Fiesta in Enugu.

BRIEFING: From left: Mr Austin Nwakaife, Legend promo winner; Mr. John Ehiguise, MD/CEO, Mediacraft Associates and Mr. Temitope Ogunyemi, Legend promo winner, at a briefing on their Dubai shopping trip experience in Lagos.

BRIEFING: From left: Ms. Ademilola Adesanya,Manager, Media Services Cutler Ogilvy Public Relations; Dr Deji Morenikeji,Medical Director, Triumph Medical Centre and Ms. Funmilola Odutola, Account Manager, Cutler Ogilvy Public Relations, at the briefing on World Schizophrenia Day Awareness in Lagos: Photo: Akeem Salau.

48—Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013

Sultan lauds Wamakko's performance as Sokoto gov

10.5m children out of school in Nigeria — UNICEF

BY NDAHI MARAMA

BY ABDALLAH ELKUREBE

M

AIDUGURI— UNICEF representative in the country, Ms Jean Gough has said that 10.5 million children in Nigeria were out of school, adding that the situation was worsening with the insecurity situation in the north.

Gough, however, said that the situation was unacceptable, as, according to her, available resources were enough to put them in school.

“The problem is children cannot wait. So we have to intervene for them at the appropriate time or we lose them."

She spoke at the Children’s Day celebration in Abuja.

The Universal Basic Education, UBE, Gough emphasized had committed quite a lot of funds in this regard.

She however, reiterated that government at all levels and corporate organisations should reinvigorate the oversight and monitoring frameworks to ensure the funds were judiciously applied.

She noted that an interim measure to use in school is the box approach to continue the education of all children currently displaced, especially in Borno State which is the epicentre of the Boko Haram sect.

Gough also noted that the quality of education in Nigeria was also an issue, as many students were unable to read and write.

S

DANA BRIEFING—

From left: Media Relationship Manager, Dana Air, Mr. Sam Ogbogoro; Head, Corporate Communications, Mr. Tony Usidamen and Head Commercial, Mr. Obialor Mbanuzuo at a press briefing to mark one year of the Dana crash in Lagos.

MINIMUM WAGE: NUT to embark on strike in 18 states

BY EMEKA MAMAH

L

AGOS—THE Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT, has reaffirmed its decision to proceed on an indefinite strike from Saturday, June 1, in 18 states that are yet to implement the N18,000 minimum wage as well as the 27.5 per cent Teachers Enhanced Allowance, TEA. The states include Benue, Cross River, Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu, Ekiti, Osun, Ogun, Oyo and Edo. Others are Nasarawa, Zamfara, Plateau, Taraba, Borno, Kogi, Niger and

Sokoto states.

Already, teachers in the affected states have been directed by the NUT headquarters in Abuja to indicate their readiness to proceed on the strike by signing their names and signatures in special registers provided at their local government headquarters in the affected states.

NUT sources said the response had been overwhelming as almost all the teachers involved had indicated their readiness to embark on the strike.

The affected teachers were

Census tribunal validates 2006 enumeration figure of Charanchi LG

A

BUJA— THE Census Tribunal, yesterday, in Abuja validated the 2006 enumeration figure of Charanchi Local Government Area of Katsina State as declared by the National Population Commission, NPC. The council had earlier dragged the commission before the Census Tribunal `A’ alleging that some of its localities were not captured by the enumeration officials during the 2006 National Population and Household Census.

It also alleged that the population figure of 136,989 C M Y K

declared for the area was grossly inaccurate and urged the tribunal to void the figure.

The council further submitted that the commission’s witness, Mr Simon Gonley, was not competent and that his testimonies were based on ‘hearsay’, adding that he was not physically present in Katsina State during the census.

The tribunal validated the figure in its judgement based on the failure of the council to tender evidence with regards to the localities it alleged were not enumerated.

The judgement read by the Tribunal Chairman, Mr Abraham Yisa, held that the complainant’s localities not enumerated were not disclosed to the tribunal.

Yisa further held that the complainant had failed to substantiate its claims of non-enumeration.

“The tribunal findings as submitted by the respondent that the localities the complainant’s related to were not pleaded and were not stated in their further and better affidavits."

given up till today to indicate their interest in the strike.

In Abuja, the NUT National President, Michael Olukoya told newsmen, yesterday, that the union had resolved that the strike would proceed if nothing was done at the expiration of its deadline.

Olukoya said that the decision to embark on an indefinite strike was taken on April 17, at the union’s National Executive Council, NEC, meeting held in Asaba, Delta State.

According to Olukoya, the Senate Committee on Education had on May 23, invited the union officials and the governors whose states were yet to implement the allowance to a meeting over the threat by the union.

He, however, said that the meeting with the Senate Committee was stalled, pointing out that the committee had appealed to the Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, to plead with the affected state governors to comply.

“Some of the state governors are yet to implement the N18,000 minimum wage, which was approved by the Federal Government.

“For us in the NUT, the strike is the only remaining option left for us now. We have been very patient since 2008,” he said.

OKOTO — SUL TAN of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has praised the Sokoto State Governor, Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko for performing creditably in office.

The Sultan spoke while laying the foundation stone for the Kalambaina 500 Housing units, which was expected to gulp about N3.73bn in Sokoto yesterday.

According to him: “In the eight years that Governor Wamakko is to spend in office, we have scored him 80 per cent for his performance in six years."

Sambo condoles with Sultan, Bayero

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BUJA— VICE President Namadi Sambo has commiserated with the Sultan of Sokoto Sa’ad Abubakar III over the loss of Hajiya Hafsatu Abubakar, the wife of the late Sultan Siddiq Abubakar.

The deceased died on May, 15 at the age of 72 years after a brief Illness.

Sambo described her death as a great loss not only to the Sultan, the entire family and the caliphate, but to the nation as a whole, considering her motherly role.

He prayed Almighty Allah to grant her soul eternal rest and for the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

The vice president also commiserated with the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, over the death of his wife, Hajiya Rabi Bayero.

Sambo described both deaths as a tragic loss to the country, considering their supportive role in the attainment of their traditional responsibility to the people.

He prayed for the repose of their gentle souls and for Allah to grant the families the fortitude to bear the loss.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013—49

C M Y K

50 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013

Pini Jason: The man who inspired many TRIBUTE

BY SOLOMON NWOKE

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UR hearts are broken by the passing on of Dee (Uncle) Pini Jason, a legendary Nigerian journalist. We have lost a tireless advocate of social justice, whose role on the public stage will always be missed. I heard about the sad event on Saturday morning, May 4, 2013 from my elder brother, Emmanuel, who called from his Abuja base.

Like most people, I was sent into a state of rude shock with many questions bothering my mind particularly on the actual cause of his death.

My Uncle, Dee Jason as he was fondly called by family

members and his younger relatives, was a towering figure, a personality not only in Nigeria, but also internationally. He was independent, fair, patriotic, brave and roaring with the desire and rage for socio-economic and political justice; a journalist, a classic essayist, humourist and precision story-teller.

His legacy was rooted in the conviction that giving up in the fight to right the wrongs of our beloved country was never an option. Most of us admired the courage with which he battled injustice.

Indeed, the void created by his death will be felt not only by our immediate family and relatives, but also by the peace-loving; democracy Nigerians. But the journalism

•Pini Jason profession would be the worst hit particularly. Dee Jason, was a man of courage and principle . He was good and humane; lived and led an exemplary, useful life. Through his writing alone, he contributed immensely to the course of making our country a bet-

ter place to live.

Dee Jason, I have not stopped crying since you took your sudden exit on that ill-fated Saturday. I still have not come to terms that you’re gone.

You touched so many lives positively and made life meaningful to them. I am one of the many you touched when life was miserable. I have not forgotten how you encouraged and mentored me in Journalism when I was hopeless; the role you played to save my life when renal dysfunction almost snuff away my life in 2004. In

1996, you brought me to Vanguard. I was told how you wept bitterly by my hospital bed for fear that I would die.

You paid all my hospital bills.

Oh death! You are so cruel and dastardly that you laid your wicked fingers and took my beloved uncle away. I regretted not being able to speak with you for the last time as I was away on official duty in Morocco. All I have now are the memories of you from childhood until your last days. Still remembering those early days when mama would prepare a special delicacy, packaged in a basket and sent me and my elder sister, Joy, to deliver to you at your popular 115 Ijesha road residence as we lived in the next street; 12, Shofolahan Street, Itire, Lagos.

Dee, I can only take solace knowing that you are resting in the bosom of our Lord, Jesus Christ. As a loving and caring uncle who was always there to provide counsel, I will miss your smiles and jokes about No. 11 Ururu Road, Amaudi Ovurukwu, (my village), and your ‘contagious’ laughter.

Dee Jason, you were a special uncle, father and a blessing to every member of the family. The family is comforted because you are with the heavenly Father and as such in the safest hands.

Leadership role As your native name, Okwuadighi, which means peace or peace keeper, your leadership, both in our family and even in our nation, through your write-ups, was worthy of emulation. I have not also forgotten your leadership role whenever there was a problem in the family because you always ensured there was peace.

You meant so many positive things to all of Onyegbadue’s family and beyond. The peace you sought to bring about was from God. It was the kind of peace endured.

Dee, you promised to bring all of Onyegbadue’s family together this December, for us to familiarize with ourselves as the family is growing bigger; this you never lived to actualize and today unwittingly, your passing on has brought that to bear. On Saturday, we will gather to bid you farewell. May your soul rest in perfect peace as your legacies live on to inspire the generation yet to come.

C M Y K

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013—51

Jonathan's cross (2)

By BEN NANAGHAN In this second instalment, Nanaghan argues that most northerners were in support of Boko Haram

After the Nigerian civil war, Why is the State allergic to the name Biafra?

BY C.M.HANUM

T

HE month of May marks the anniversary of the declaration of independence by Eastern Nigerians from Nigeria, and called their new born nation, Biafra. Easterners did so following the obvious statesponsored murder of the people of the East, as they were all branded Igbo: Ijaw, Ibibio, Efik, Ogoja, others. By the count of that period, the population of Nigeria was 60 million and 50,000 Igbo were killed in cold blood. For those who were alive at this time, it was blood-chilling, inhuman, barbaric, reprobate and harrowing, never to be forgotten period in the life of this fumbling and wobbling country still held together not by common good and mutual love but by a strange and uncommon phenomenon, nameless, but akin to uncivilization. Also unforgettable because it marks the beginning of a shadow Nigeria.

Sadly, this anniversary is being marred by, always, the state of Nigeria equivalent to beating a child and asking him not to cry.

A convenient silence draws a veil over the mass, countrywide killing of a people who found their back against the wall over 40 years ago, and who survived to the dismay of those who wished or are wishing they did not, and who see them as the wall against their total domination of this land of potentials.

Defilement of the land: Till date, the rest of the 302 languages (nations) of this

Map of Nigeria

& B (their own). This piece will not go into this because nothing will justify what was done to the people of the East by their fellow countrymen. Not even the Church has a word against this crime against humanity ever since. But why is the state allergic to the name Biafra?

Whenever it is mentioned, Nigeria quakes. How stupid indeed. Can anyone run away from his own shadow? Can history be ignored?

Such anniversaries remind us of our past failures and wickedness, and lead us to resolve not to repeat it. God destroyed the first world by water and seeing how terrible it was, swore not do it again. If God did so, who are we not to walk away from our blood sucking. Again shall we say that tribes, languages, groups, and individuals acted according to the dictates of that time? But, the killing syndrome has not abated

,

Looking back, we have lost peace; harmony, focus and freedom due to this reprobate action. I prophesy that we will remain in this state until the land is cleansed

country find no need or necessity to accept that a people, one of the 302 1anguages of Nigeria deserves to be appeased; rather, appeasement is given to those who lost non-living things, or mere opportunities. Known or unknown to us, the word of God in the scriptures says: murder defiles the land, and unless by the death of the murderer, there is no way to perform the rituals of purification for the land where a man/(people) have been murdered. Blood defiles the land and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it... (Num 35:31-33). This is the word of Him who created Nigeria. In this sense, defilement of a land means that God has forsaken the land until further notice.

Though accusations have been exchanged; it is the Igbo who killed X and Y and did not kill A

,

because a tacit approval was given by the rest of the countrymen for the reprobate on Igbos, confirming that the standards have not changed one bit, it even has increased and exacerbated, giving birth to groups like the Boko Haram who kill people for the fun of it.

Why would the State interrupt the anniversary of this event by those who fell victim of this action of the State as it was reported in Owerri, May 2011, killing many in the process, and increasing again the number of their dead?

Take it or leave it, the people have an inalienable right to commemorate the memory of their dead brothers and sisters, not goats, and must not be inhibited in any way. Whoever is hurt was the killer and wants to do it again. Now, May 2013 is here: shall we witness another killing?

Looking back, we have lost

peace; harmony, focus and freedom due to this reprobate action. 1 prophesy that we will remain in this state until the land is cleansed. We must take a cue from countries who acted wickedly in the past and who today have found peace and freedom after redress was made.

Pay back time: Let me start with Germany.

They killed the Jews in an orgy of blood, considering themselves powerful and more intelligent than the rest of mankind. But their hidden agenda was to stop the progressiveness of the Jews who were simply too much ahead of them in all spheres for their liking (just as Igbos are seen here). They of course lost their peace and freedom since 1945, the end of the Second World War, until the murderers were brought to book.

Parliamentary sitting It paid off in 1990, almost 50 years later when the East and West Germany re-united. The two parliaments apologized to the Jews before going into extinction. Or as they aptly put it, adjourned parliamentary sitting sine die. Germany is about the most prosperous nation in Europe, till date. They are still paying back to the Jews in cash and kind to express regret.

Mandela's country found peace and freedom only after the apartheid white government which ruled South Africa for 350 years exclusively, dissolved itself into extinction after apologizing to the blacks for the 350 years of injustices and ceded jurisdiction to them as pay back. In Rwanda, a small country in southern Africa, the story is the same. The Hutus and Tutsis (the two major tribes juggling for influence) went after each others throat and about one million people were killed in cold blood. The new government, in picking up the pieces of what was left of Rwanda, hunted down all who had a hand in the killing, and were killed.

I read about the arrest, trial and condemnation of two Catholic priests. And the late Pope John Paul II, respected worldwide, pleaded for mercy in vain. They were executed; life for life. Also the ex-president who ruled during this pogrom (1996) period was arrested and condemned just early July 2011. The search continues. *Mr. Hanum, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Lagos.

To be concluded

T

HE creators of Boko Haram are the untouchable northern elite who sit in mountain castles overseeing the ungovernableness of Nigeria.

But recent observations reveal that the sponsors of the present Boko Haram have almost lost control over the bloodsucking organization. Boko Haram has, therefore, become a Frankenstein to its sponsors who have reduced sponsorship to the consternation of the boko haram leaders. The Boko Haram leaders themselves have now resorted to executive kidnapping to raise enormous capital for their capital-intensive venture whose ultimate aim is to rubbish, intimidate and overthrow the President Jonathan administration.

Indeed Boko Haram is the greatest cross President Goodluck Jonathan has to bear throughout his presidency and maybe for ever as he may later have reasons to blame himself for not stamping out the menace once and for all. On a daily basis Boko Haram has continued the outpouring of its undiluted venom on the Nigerian population, pillaging, burning, raping, killing, maiming all the way with a Federal Government political advantage over the army. I am aware that the Nigerian Army is bound by a Federal Government Code of Conduct in its fight against Boko Haram. This unwarranted restriction to pacify the North’s greatest advocates of boko haram is another cross weighing heavily on Jonathan’s shoulders.

Baga, a small fishing village was a Boko Haram base until the army attacked on Tuesday 17, April 2013. The Northern sponsors of Boko Haram mobilized even the southern press to hype the attack to celebrate and elevate Boko Haram.

Baga casualty figure The press gave outrageous figures to embarrass the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, giving the Baga casualty figures as 185 dead and 3000 houses were razed. And most Nigerian believe this cock and bull story in a small fishing camp with far less than 1000 houses, according to the National Emergency Management Authority, NEMA. The press also blew up the story without verification to say Baga was littered with mass graves. Separate reports by the Chief of Defence Staff, NEMA, Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development confirm that there are only two graveyards in Baga - with 32 fresh graves and the Kukawa Local Government Area chairman confirmed that Muslims do not allow two corpses in a grave.

Local and international press

put the burnt houses at 3000 in a tiny fishing camp with mainly thatch roofed houses.

Who built 3000 houses in Baga? A Nigerian senator who is an apparent sponsor of Boko Haram from one of the Northern states even mischievously put the number of burnt houses at 4000. Though all Nigerians know the real arsonists, the press found it more convenient to heap the blame on the multi-national Joint Taskforce led by General Edokpayi. Boko Haram has never attacked their target without burning it down. It is their regular trade mark and the tatched roofs of Baga assisted the arson.

The internally displaced person’s, IDPs camp as at April 25, 2013, eight days after the attack recorded only 642 persons in a town with 4000 houses and may be 80000 people.

There lies the lies of the Baga expedition. My candid advice to the President is to deal with the Boko Haram issue as a crime against the state since Boko Haram leaders ridiculed the president’s amnesty programme.

Frantic planning and scheming Politicizing the Boko Haram issue is another way of prolonging the sufferings and continued wastage of Nigerian lives. Most Nigerians of Northern extraction are supportive of Boko Haram in their avowalment to push out the President Jonathan administration. The northern journalists are always awash in their glorification and elevation of Boko Haram.

In 1980, it took frantic planning and scheming for the then governor of Kano State, late Abubakar Rimi, to get the assent of a reluctant President Shehu Aliu Shagari to involve the military in flushing out the Maitatsine menace. It took the military only one day to track down the dreaded Maitatsine and when he was wasted, his followers fizzled out and many of them who came from Niger, Chad and Benin returned to their countries. Who says these Boko Haram leaders and fighters are faceless.

How can they be faceless, are they spirits? The communities in which they live know them very well.

Their local government chairmen must definitely have information about them. They have neighbours and we deceive ourselves if we say the governors do not have any information about them. The information leading to the discovery and eventual death of Osama Bin Laden was gleaned from one of his former bodyguards in far away Guantanamo Bay Prison facility in Cuba. And in Bama on Tuesday, May 7, 2013, these demonic savages struck again razing a police station to the ground and killing 22 officers.

To be concluded

52—Vanguard, THURSD AY, MAY 30, 2013 THURSDA

Imbibe culture of voluntary blood donation, Lagosians told

A

• Common cancer drugs used for chemotherapy treatment

S the Lagos State Blood Transfu sion Services, LBSTS, takes its state-wide blood donor drive to Agege area of the state, Lagosians have been urged to imbibe the culture of voluntary blood donation and shun any form of financial reward.

Making the call during a blood donor drive exercise by LBSTS in collaboration with Women Development Centre yesterday in Lagos, Assistant Director of the Centre, Mr. Deji Adelugba decried attitude of Lagosians towards blood donation.

Cancer: ‘Chemotherapy may not offer full recovery’

A

recent study has shown that peo ple receiving treatment for serious cancers may harbour false hopes for a full recovery.

The researchers from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have found that, about 81 percent of people with advanced colorectal cancer, and 69 percent of people with advanced lung cancer believe chemotherapy treatment can cure them.

But after surveying more than 1,200 people with end-stage cancer, study authors found only a small number of people who didn’t subscribe to the myth of chemotherapy as a cure-all.

What can chemo do?

Chemotherapy can give a person with advanced cancer a few more weeks or months of life and may offer them some

pain relief. But, the likelihood of longterm survival-let alone a cure-in the later stages of these diseases is exceedingly rare. According to figures from the American Cancer Society, only about six percent of people with late-stage colon or rectal cancer live for at least five more years. For lung cancer, that number is about four percent.

According to experts, Chemotherapy is not always ineffective-it can be an extremely helpful treatment. When a person’s cancer is caught in the earlier stages, chemotherapy often succeeds in sending the disease into remission.

Other cancer treatment options Optimism can be a valuable tool for coping with a difficult diagnosis, but misplaced faith in the power of medical intervention may prevent people from

choosing the treatment path that’s best for them.

Chemotherapy is just one of several different types of cancer treatment. Other options include: surgery to remove malignant organs and tissues, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, hyperthermia and alternative therapies. Those with terminal cancer may also decide to forgo additional treatment for their condition, and elect to only receive palliative or hospice care.

In an editorial accompanying the Dana Farber study, Thomas Smith, Professor of Oncology and Director of Palliative Medicine at Johns Hopkins, expressed concerns that doctors often shy away from discussions about end-of-life planning and palliative care because doing so could steal a patient’s hope.

According to Adelugba, voluntary blood donation should be seen as a major way of saving lives and not for financial gains. “If you look at the situation generally, you will find that getting a matching blood for accident victims has remained a serious problem in most of our hospitals and donating blood will also help to stamp out ‘no blood syndrome’ in our various blood banks, especially now that we are having more accidents on our roads.

“People should be interested in blood donation because life resides in the blood. It is a good exercise. There is much to benefit from blood donation.

You will appreciate blood donation only when you lost a relative due to shortage of blood.”

He called for more awareness creation on the importance of donating blood, benefits to donors and to the entire society.

Adelugba blamed the poor attitude to blood donation on ignorance. People are not even aware that excessive blood in the system is also a problem.” Some of the donors who spoke to Vanguard described it as a refreshing experience.

According to 32 years-old Bakare Olabisi, “It is my first time to donate blood.

I never knew there was nothing much in it. It is easy. I encourage Nigerians to please donate to save a life.” On his part, Abdulfatai Kelani urged Nigerians not to be scared but see the exercise as an opportunity to save a life. About 34 pints of blood were realised as at press time.

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

S

EVEN years ago, I lost the love of my life to another man. I was in my final year in the university and my girlfriend’s parents set her up to marry this rich and established guy. Back then I had nothing to offer her. I had no money, no job and no house but we were happy... until this rich man came and took her away from me. I have had many girlfriends ever since but I always thought about this particular girl. Her name is Mary.

Seven years later, I was at a wedding when I saw Mary again. She has two kids now. She has gained a little weight but she is still very pretty. And she is divorced. All the memories of the good times we had in school just came rushing back as I saw her for the first time in years. One thing led to another and we started seeing each other again. Back in school, I lacked sexual experience and often had premature ejaculation. But on the night I slept with this girl again after seven years, I had Sex Voltz and used Prolonging Delay cream and I fired this girl till morning. She cried and said it was the best sex she ever had and that she should have waited for me years ago. I have tears in my eyes as I write this but I cannot change the past. But I promise you that I will not lose this girl again. I will marry her in six months’ time and adopt her children. That is a promise – Sam Wow Sam! You nearly made me cry too. I am happy for you. Life is unpredictable and sometimes, when something is meant to happen, it still happens no matter what. So good for you. Good luck my friend and I hope everything works out for you this time.

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VANGUARD, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013—53

I N S I D E

'30,000 in-mates awaiting trial nationwide' — Page 55

ashola sstresses tresses Violence against women: F Fashola urgent law reform — Page 55

Governors have demonstrated they don’t believe in democracy — Daramola M

R. Olu Daramola, SAN, was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1993, thereafter, he joined the Chambers of Afe Babalola & Co in November 1994 after a brief stint with Tayo Oyetibo & Co. His areas of specialisation include commercial law, maritime law, intellectual property, banking, taxation and aviation. He was admitted into the inner bar in 2008. In this interview he spoke on the bill asking for immunity for the legislators, discipline of judges and the roles of lawyers in ensuring an egalitarian society and the controversial outcome of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum election.

Excerpts There is a bill pending before the National Assembly seeking constitutional immunity for legislators, just as it is obtainable in case of the executive. What is your take on this?

I am just amused. It shows that the National Assembly members are more concerned with protecting themselves and not the people who elected them.

The question is “what are they afraid of?”

While I concede that some public officers such as the President, Vice President, Governors and Deputy Governors ought to enjoy immunity so as not to be distracted, I believe the immunity should not extend to breach of code of conduct. There is no reason why a governor who is involved in graft while in office should enjoy immunity. The immunity should only cover cases where the public officer committed the wrong but acted in good faith. A governor who is stealing or diverting public funds for his own personal use cannot be heard to say

•Olu Daramola, SAN role of lawyers in creating a better Nigeria or a corruption-free society?

Honestly, there is very little lawyers can do to stem the tide of corruption in Nigeria. Mind you, a lawyer is a professional plying his trade to make a living. Corruption affects all strata of the society and there is very little lawyers alone can do to stem the tide.

You need political will to fight corruption. I doubt if you can point to any country in the world where lawyers alone stopped corruption. What lawyers can do is to aid the government in the fight by supporting measures put in place to attack the

So, it is a shame on the country. What we have in this country is civil rule and not democracy because civil rule is different from democracy

,

that he acted in good faith.

One of the remedies for breach of code of conduct is removal from office but it is unfortunate that the courts have interpreted the immunity clause in the constitution to include cases arising from the breach of code of conduct. If you say that a president or governor enjoys immunity from cases arising from breach of code of conduct, how do you remove such a person from office when he or she is no longer occupying the office? I think the courts merely interpreted the letters of the law rather than the spirit.

What do you think should be the

,

menace.

I am aware that many lawyers have been involved in campaigns against corruption but unless the government takes the battle seriously, nothing can be achieved. Imagine a school where the principal and most of the senior teachers are very corrupt, one teacher shouting against corruption in that school cannot achieve anything. He may even be framed and victimized. If you have a government that has zero tolerance for corruption, everybody would sit up and tow the line including public servants, lawyers, doctors, engineers and so on.

exceptional cases where the interlocutory appeal raises a novel or an important question on which there is no appellate decision.

What then will be your recommendations to solve the recurring issue of delay in adjudication of cases in our courts?

There is a need for all stakeholders, that is, the judges, lawyers, and litigants to recognise that justice delayed is justice denied. Courts should sit on time and should refuse frivolous applications for adjournment. The government must create enabling environment for the judges to work. By this, I am referring to regular supply of electricity to the court rooms, provision of air conditioners in the court rooms, recording facilities and judicial assistants should be appointed to assist judges in conducting research. I believe one of the reasons why Nigeria is not attractive to foreign investors is that they lack faith in our judicial system due to delay. No foreign investor would want to invest his money in a country where it will take up to fifteen years to resolve a commercial dispute in court.

In Singapore for instance, it takes Section 273 of the Administration of just about six months to conclude the Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State, hearing and determination of a case 2011, provides that an application for in the high court. The appeal will also stay of proceedings in respect of any not last for more than six months. If criminal matter brought before the the case turns out to be frivolous, High and Magistrates’ court shall not heavy cost is usually awarded. But in be entertained until judgment is Nigeria, a person who owes billions delivered. What is your comment on will rush to court knowing that if he this? eventually loses the case, he will pay It is not fair, because a person who little or no cost. ought not to be tried in the first place One of the reasons why corruption is may be convicted. He may even have very rampant in the country is the served the sentence before he succeeds delay in adjudication of cases. Most of on appeal. But again, you must consid- the cases of corruption proffered er the abuse to which application for against governors who served bestay of proceedings has been subjected tween 1999 and 2007 are still in court. not only in criminal matters but also in In many, trials have not even comcivil cases. In Nigeria, once you are menced. charged to court, your immediate In line with new High Court of response is to file any objection, no Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules, matter how unreasonable. Once the it is now mandatory for plaintiff to objection is refused, you file an appeal and an application for stay of proceedContinues on page 54 ings. No serious judicial system can tolerate this. I believe that Section 273 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State, 2011was introduced to address the mischief of using application for stay of proceedings to frustrate criminal trials.

We even have situations where an accused person will refuse to appear in court, but an objection will be filed on his behalf. Once the objection is (Editor) refused, an application for stay of proceedings is filed. I think that an accused person who refuses to appear in court is a fugitive who should not be allowed to bring any application before any court of law.

I am also of the opinion that a stay of proceeding should only be allowed in

EDITORIAL TEAM Dayo Benson Innocent Anaba Wahab Abdulah Ikechukwu Nnochiri

54—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013

Governors have demonstrated they don’t believe in democracy Continues from page 53

seek preliminary settlement before approaching the court for redress. What is your take on this?

It will not achieve much in decongesting the courts. It will only elongate the dispute.

When the Pre-Trial Conference was introduced in 2004, many thought that the process would decongest the courts but almost ten years after, the complaint is that the process has contributed to delay in hearing cases at the Lagos High Court. Most cases were filed in court because attempt to settle the case amicably failed.

Therefore, asking the parties to begin another round of settlement discussions under the supervision of the court will achieve nothing.

Just recently, the National Judicial Council (NJC) recommended compulsory retirement of two judges namely,

National Judicial Council. However, I think it is a welcome development for erring judges to be sanctioned. This will show to the general public that judges are not above the law. A judge must uphold the highest ethical standard in order to sustain the confidence of members of the public in the judiciary. The judiciary can only be the last hope of the common man if judicial officers are above board.

Some of your colleagues have said that poor remunerations for judges may be responsible for corruption in the judiciary. Do you agree?

I agree with them. Poor remuneration is responsible for corruption in public service. A judge like any other person has responsibilities. He wants to send his children to good schools and live in a good house after retirement. Unless you pay him well, he will be tempted to be corrupt.

,

If 36 governors cannot conduct election among themselves in a country of 150 million people that is a serious issue

Thomas Naron and Charles Archibong on ethical ground. How do you see this exercise?

I must confess that apart from what I read on the pages of newspapers, I don’t have the full details of what led to the judges’ compulsory retirement. I only read the allegations against them as reproduced in the newspapers but I don’t know their defence before the

,

In the UK for instance, you are not likely to hear of any judge demanding bribe from lawyers or litigants. The reason is not because judges in the UK are inherently good. The system under which they work creates an enabling environment for them to work and live well. In the UK, once you are in any employment, you can take a mortgage of between 3% and 5%

•Olu Daramola, SAN interest to buy a house.

In Nigeria, properties are sold on cash and carry basis. You cannot get mortgage loan of less than 20%. So unless you have cash to buy a property, you may never own a house in Nigeria.

The reason why public

office is attractive to many people in Nigeria is the opportunity for self-aggrandizement and not the legitimate emoluments attached to the office.

How do you react to the fall out of the controversial election of

the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, that produced two chairmen?

I think it is a shame that we have a forum of 36 governors and an election was conducted but they could not agree on who the winner is among them. There was no allegation that the election was rigged because they know the number of those who voted. According to them one person got 19 votes and the other got 16 votes and the person who scored 16 votes declared himself the winner.

So, it is a shame on the country. What we have in this country is civil rule and not democracy because civil rule is different from democracy. It further shows that these people that are ruling us do not understand what democracy is all about. If 36 governors cannot conduct election among themselves in a

country of 150 Million people that is a serious issue. They have just exhibited that they dont believe in democracy and they are not ready to practice it.

I think we can then begin to query the election that brought them to power. If Governor Jonah Jang that has been unable to solve the problem in Plateau State wants to be the leader of governors forum, it is sad indeed.

Business man sues ex-Judge over land purchase

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH

A

retired judge of Lagos State, Justice Ishola Oluwa has been dragged before an Ikeja High Court by a Germany based Nigerian business man, Mr. Paul Iwuna, for alleged trespass into a parcel of land the plaintiff purportedly bought from the former judge.

In the suit, the claimant alleged that he discovered in 2005 that the former judge had resold the piece of land he purportedly bought from him in 1997at the sum of N225, 750, which is now worth between N12m and N13m.

Iwuna claimed that the

land, located on an estate owned by the defendant, is at Road B, Plot 6 of Justice Oluwa Iroko Estate, Idimu-Isheri, Lagos.

He claimed that when he discovered in 2005 that the piece of land was already being developed by an unknown person, he reported the incident to the defendant, who he said promised to replace the piece of land with another one of “equal status and viability.”

According to him, up till 2009, the former judge allegedly refused to offer another one that was of the agreed standard.

At present, the matter is before Justice Iyabo Kasali.

In his statement of

claim, filed by the plaintiff counsel, Mr. F.A Ezeogbuefi, he stated, “The claimant avers that the act of the defendant in interfering with the land he sold to him has caused him huge financial losses as he had to travel down from Germany several times on account of the land and expend much money on professional fees to surveyors, lawyers etc.

“That the unlawful trespass and invasion of the claimant’s plot of land by the defendant have caused the claimant grave emotional and physical trauma and he has expended a large sum of money to ensure that he gets his plot of land back.”

He now prayed the court to declare that he is the rightful and legal owner of the property and an order setting aside the purported sale of the property “and every other documents relating to that purported sale.”

Besides, he urged the court to declare that the alleged trespass on the land is “unlawful” while asking for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendant or anybody claiming ownership of the land through him from committing any further acts of trespass.

In the alternative, he is asking for N13 million as the current value of the land and another N10 million as general damages he suffered in respect of defendant’s action.

In his response, the defendant, Justice Oluwa has denied having any son by the name, Duro Oluwa, whom the claimant alleged that he instructed to collect payments for the parcel of land on his behalf.

In his 27-paragrapgh statement of defence, Justice Oluwa maintained that the said intermediary was never his family as alleged, while denying ever selling or even offering the said parcel of land for sale to the claimant.

No date has been fixed for hearing of the matter.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013—55

'30,000 in-mates awaiting trial nationwide'

BY ONOZURE DANIA

A

S part of efforts toward decongesting the Nigerian Prisons, The Metropolitan Grand Knight of the Order of the Knights of Saint Mulumba, organised a conference on prison reforms with the Theme” The administration of Nigerian Criminal Justice and Reform of the Penal Code.”

Speaking at the conference the Metropolitan Grand Knights of Saint Mulumba, said that the cost of to feeding awaiting trial inmates in Nigeria is N5.5billion per year.

Sir Patrick Ikemefuna said this during the prison reform conference in Lagos, that Nigeria has over 30,000 awaiting inmates and that the cost of feeding them per day is N15million.

According to Ikemefuna, he said that out of the total of 45,000 inmates in the Nigerian prison about 30,000 are awaiting trial, which has made the prisons to be congested.

Adding that the Ikoyi prisons was designed to accommodate 400 inmates but as at today there are about 1,600 inmates in the prison, while some have spent up to 10years without trial and others have spent 5 to 19 years on trial.

Ikemefuna, who was expressing his gratitude to the Chief Judge of Lagos state Justice Ayotunde Philips, said her passion for the problems of inmates in Nigeria prison has led to the release of 250 inmates at both Kirikiri and Ikoyi prisons within her short period of becoming the chief Judge of the state.

He said that some of the inmates were suffering from various diseases which includes tuberculosis and other communicable diseases.

Those that are present at the event included a Justice of the Supreme court, Rev Matthew Kukah, Bishop of Sokoto. Mr Olasupo Sasore, SAN and the former Attorney general and commissioner of justice

of Lagos state.

He said that their prison ministration and visits to Lagos, Abeokuta and Ijebu Ode have revealed the problems of inmates in all parts of Nigeria, adding that Nigerians are locked up for long periods for mere loitering and wandering offences.

Ikemefuna, in his welcome address said that Nigerians are languishing in prisons for misdemeanors because of their inability to pay minor fines or get legal representations, adding that women even get pregnant and have babies in prisons as well as cases of children and minors.

He further said that the problems and challenges of the Nigerian prisons necessitated the conference, urging authorities and institutions of government on need for reforms.

Ikemefuna, added that

L-R Member Customary Court of Appeal, Ondo State, Justice Eunice Aderonke Alade, the President of the court, Justice Folasade Aguda-Taiwo, Chief Judge of Ondo State, Justice Olasehinde Kumuyi, members of the court, Justice Titilayo Adesola-Ikpatt and Justice Michael Owoyemi at the formal presentation of the judges to the bar and the bench held at the High Court 1, Akure on Tuesday. Photo By: Dayo Johnson Akure efforts are being made to amend the constitutional and legislative framework and that the National Assembly is presently debating a bill on prison reforms

which is seeking sustainable options to raise the standards in Nigeria, policies that focus on correction, reformation and rehabilitation of inmates.

Also speaking, Mr Olasupo Shasore, in his keynote address, said,“Every person is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person and accordingly,

no person shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment.”

Shasore, said awaiting trial process ATP at present constitutes over 60 percent of the prison population, the average detention period hovers between 3 to 7 and 4 to 5 years.

He stated that for the first time in Nigeria section347(1) and (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2011 of Lagos State clearly states the purpose of community service as a distinct alternative to a sentence or fine. It also empowers the appointment of community service officers.

He noted that the “Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2011 ACJL, a new Section 76 (4) was added to set out rules to protect the rights of defendants engaged in a plea bargain agreement.”

Violence against women: Fashola stresses urgent law reform

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

V

IOLENCE against women and girls remains the most acute form of gender inequality in Nigeria and tneed for special protection of the feminine gender cannot be over-emphasized. Under the law, lies a rational belief that every human being is entitled to equal consideration and respect.

But in recent times in Nigeria, there have been several cases of violence against women and girls, which most times are unreported despite their pervasiveness.

Considering the increase in reported cases of violence and abuse against women, the first lady of Lagos State, Mrs Abimbola Fashola, who was special guest at the fifth year memorial anniversary forum for Prof.

Jadesola Olayinka Akande, stressed urgent need for reform of the country’s laws in that area.

While speaking on the

title “Uniting to End Violence against Women and Girls” at the event held at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos, Mrs. Fashola pointed out that there are institutional problems militating against the advocacy for women abuse, noting that such problems are inefficiency of law enforcement agencies and difficulties with the judicial system.

In her words: “Considering the increase in reported cases of violence and abuse against women, there is urgent need for reform of our laws. There are of course institutional problems, such as the inefficiency of law enforcement agencies and the difficulties with the judicial system and access to it.

“We need to adequately train and equip law enforcement agents to be able to enforce the law that convicted persons do not escape the full wrath of the law in order to serve as a deterrent to would-be offenders.

“In cases of rape, social issues like stigmatization and the difficulty of proof, often requiring strong medical and forensic evidence, have sometimes left victims with the choice of silence instead of the stigma that a failed prosecution may likely bring.”

She maintained that forced and early marriage, civil unrest etc also contribute to violence against women in our society, adding that poverty or lack of economic power have made a lot of women totally dependent on men.

Violence against women remains a global issue, which the United Nations General Assembly defined as any act of gender-based violence that results in, or likely to result in physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering to a woman, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty whether occurring in

public or private life.

According to her, the way forward is: “to promote mutual respect among both sexes; and create a society where no one is disadvantaged or treated with less or no dignity on the basis of gender.”

The Lagos first lady mince words as she asserted that the protection of women and child from violence would be a suitable responsibility for community of State Police if it is created because these are largely local problems.

She further said: “Violence against women and girls cannot be fought and won by women alone. It requires the active participation of men who are husbands, fathers, uncles, cousins, brothers and sons of the violated and abused women and young girls.

“Every man of good conscience and honour must rise and speak out against the ills of these acts. We must be a part

of the street rallies and speak out alongside the women organizations that are involved in denouncing this terrible act.”

No doubt, some of the laws applicable in Nigeria vis-à-vis the different aspects of violence against women need to be revisited, so as to curb the increasing violence against women and girls. These laws include the Criminal Code and the Penal Code, Sharia (Muslim Personal Laws in Nigeria) after the Maliki School, and Customary Laws which vary from place to place in Nigeria.

Violence against women is unconstitutional in Nigeria and should be illegal in any of its forms. The most common form of abuse against women and girls is rape, which is defined as unlawful carnal knowledge of a woman or girl without her con-

56— Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013

C M Y K

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013 — 57

Chinese hackers compromise US weapon systems design C

HINESE hackers have compromised the designs of some of America’s most sensitive and advanced weapons systems—including vital parts of the nation’s missile defenses, fighter aircraft and warships— the Washington Post reported.

The Post cited a report prepared for the Pentagon by the Defense Science Board, which groups government officials and private sector experts.

The document, “Resilient Military Systems and the Advanced Cyber Threat,” paints a grim picture of cyber-espionage emanating from China only 10 days before President Barack Obama meets in California with Chinese President Xi Jinping for the first time.

“I’m sure it will be a topic of discussion,” White House press secretary Jay Carney told reporters.

Beijing, riding a wave of robust economic growth, has been building up its military—and while the report does not accuse China’s government of stealing the designs, such intrusions could help the

world’s most populous country enhance its armed forces.

The Post published the list of compromised systems here. It includes drone video systems, “directed energy ” (a category that includes lasers and the like) and advanced Patriot missile systems.

Also compromised were designs for the F/A 18 fighter jet, V-22 Osprey, F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and the Navy ’s new Littoral Combat Ship meant to prowl the coasts. The list also includes the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) designed to shoot down ballistic missiles.

The report coincided with an Australian news report that Chinese hackers illegally accessed the designs for the new top secret headquarters of Australia’s intelligence service, including communications cable layouts, server locations and security systems.

American officials have complained publicly and

privately about Chinese cyber-espionage. Obama vowed in his State of the Union Address to take steps to protect the U.S.

T

The Pakistani Taliban leadership has not officially confirmed the death of Waliur Rehman so far.

Earlier, Pakistani security officials said a local Taliban commander was among

Bachman rules out Congress re-election

M

I C H E L E Bachmann, the firebrand conservative 2012 presidential contender, said yesterday she will not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives when her term ends but did not rule out another run for the White House.

Bachmann, a Minnesota Republican, said that four two-year terms was enough time for anyone to serve in the House. She gave no specific reason for not seeking a fifth term.

She made the announcement in a polished 8-1/2 minute video posted on her campaign website in which she sat in front of a bookcase and spoke over light rock music reminiscent of political ads.Bachmann faced a House challenge from Democrat Jim Graves, who came within 1 percentage point of beating her in 2012.

But fear of a difficult race in 2014 was not her reason for leaving the House, she said in the video.

specifically name China, or Chinese hackers, as the main culprits.

But National Security

Adviser Tom Donilon took aim at China in a blunt speech in March to the Asia Society in New York.

Boston bomber reassures mom as sister faces drug charges

Z

UBEIDAT Tsarnaeva, the mother of Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, says she has spoken with her son for the first time since his arrest.

“I couldn’t stop myself from crying,” Tsarnaeva said in an phone interview with Bloomberg News late Monday from her home in Dagestan, Russia. “He said: ‘I am absolutely fine; my wounds are healing.

Everything is in God’s hands. Be patient.

Everything will be fine.’”

This came as Bella Tsarnaeva pleaded not guilty Tuesday to possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

Attorney Mario Blanch says Tsarnaeva was arrested in December when police responded to a domestic violence

Pakistan Taliban: Senior leader ‘killed in US drone strike’ HE second-incommand of the Pakistani Taliban has been killed in a suspected US drone strike, a senior Taliban source told the BBC.

government and American businesses from such attacks— though he did not

casualties in the raid. Missiles hit a house close to the town of Miranshah, in north-west Pakistan, early on Wednesday.

The strike is the first for almost six weeks.

It comes a week after President Barack Obama issued new guidelines for tighter scrutiny of the US drone programme and stricter targeting rules.

A senior Taliban source in Miranshah told the BBC that one of those killed in the drone strike was Waliur Rehman, the No. 2 commander of the Pakistani Taliban.

The US government had placed a $5m (£3.3m) bounty on his head, accusing him of involvement in attacks on coalition forces in Afghanistan.

These included the 2009 bombing of a US base in which seven CIA agents were killed.

report at her Fairview, N.J., apartment. Her boyfriend, Ahmad Khalil, faces the same charge and also pleaded not guilty. Tsarnaeva has applied to a program that would enable her to avoid a criminal record.

Her brother Dzhokhar (joh-HAHR’ ) is charged with carrying out the April 15 Boston attack with older brother Tamerlan, who died in a police shootout.

Tsarnaev, 19, is accused

Tsarnaeva and her son Dzhokhar of carrying out the April 15 terror attack with his 26-year-old brother, Tamerlan, who died in a shootout with police. He

is in a federal prison hospital in Ayer, Mass., recovering from a gunshot wound to the neck.

58—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013

Abia: Still a long way The administration in Abia has done far better compared to the first two years in the first term between 2007 and 2009. However, given how low the state had sunk in all sectors, the governor still has a long way to go. have been fully equipped while others are still being equipped.

BY ANAYO OKOLI

G

OVERNOR Theodore Orji came into office for the second term on May 29, 2011 with a promise to make up for what he claimed was the lost time in his first term. The governor had prior to the 2011 election alleged that he was distracted by the political opposition who kept him in court for most of the first term and held captive by the political machinations of his predecessor and one time political benefactor, Chief Orji Kalu.

So, Governor Orji came into the second term with an aggressive approach to convince the people and make a legacy.

Major Campaign Promises.

In his campaign ahead the 2011 elections, the governor promised that his administration would pursue aggressively, the provision of security of lives and property in view of the very serious security challenges the state witnessed previously when criminal elements, especially kidnappers almost overran some parts of the state, particularly Aba, the commercial city. The bad boys even made an attempt on the governor when his convoy was attacked at Ngwa Iyiekwe in Ukwa West area, on the Port Harcourt-Enugu Express way.

Luckily, he escaped.

Governor Orji also promised to build Liberation Farms in the three Senatorial zones of the state which would provide job for the youths as part of his empowerment programme for them as one of the efforts to fight crime in the state. He promised to also build models secondary schools in the three senatorial zones of the state.

Orji equally promised that he would totally transform the health sector, and build Housing Estates for both low and high income earners. Also,

•Governor Orji commissioning a road project he promised to build a secretariat for workers in the state as well as pay them a living wage and to build a new Government House. Governor Orji also promised to industrialize the state by encouraging Private Participating Programme [PPP].

How far has he fared in fulfilling the promises?

Security situation in the state has remarkably improved in the second term with significant drop in the crime rate even including kidnapping. The administration has contributed to this through considerable investment in logistics for the security agencies.

The government has established Ochendo Liberation Farms in the three senatorial zones and over 750 youths have been selected from across the state to be the pioneer beneficiaries of the scheme. They are to be trained for nine months, after which they would be given incentives to establish their own farms as a way of empowering them.

In the provision of infrastructure, the Abia administration has in the last two years put renewed energy in changing the ugly face of roads in the state, especially in the commercial capital, Aba. About 12 roads in Aba have

received facelift while the administration has also worked on 16 federal roads in the state at a cost of N14.6 billion.

The government has in the last two years also given a facelift to government buildings and commenced work on a new Government House at the centre of the New Umuahia. In the health sector where Governor Orji has claimed he has great interest in, he has put on ground a functional diagnostic centre while a dialysis centre, an ophthalmology and a specialist Hospital at Amachara are on ground.

Over 250 health centres have also been built in the state’s 291 political wards. Many of them

Jigawa: Keeping tempo Governor Sule Lamido has sustained his agenda of transforming the largely rural state he met in 2007 and it is no surprise that vociferous criticism is at bay

BY ALIYU DANGIDA

S

INCE his swearing in for second term, Governor Lamido has not relented in his efforts at sustaining the tempo he started in his first term when he initiated the process of transforming the state. hitherto, Jigawa and its capital city were more or less

regarded as rural outposts of Kano State.

The administration has been lauded for its economic empowerment programmes which have seen thousands of people benefiting from training in different skills who have subsequently been provided with loans to kickstart their businesses.

Among the welfare programmes sustained in the second term is the provision of a monthly stipend of N7,000 to people with disability, effective service delivery in health sector, free education for females from primary level to university level among others.

In his second term Governor

The State House of Assembly.

The state House of Assembly in the period under review maintained cordial relations with the governor. The only time both arms disagreed was over plans for local government elections earlier scheduled for last January. The legislature disagreed with the governor’s plans saying that there was no provision for the election in the state budget and that the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission, ABSIEC was not prepared.

An assertion by the former governor of the state, Chief Orji Kalu that the legislators were being impoverished by the governor received the strong rebuke of the lawmakers who demanded an apology from him.

Views of the opposition.

The claim of progress by administration officials is, however, challenged by the opposition in the state.

Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA in the state, Prince Ukaegbu dismissed the governor’s performance in the last two years as “an abysmal failure,” saying that the governor has not done anything compared to the resources given.

The publicity secretary of the Progressive Peoples Alliance, PPA, Chief Oliver Obiezu equally dismissed the administration as a failure. He said that his party was not happy with the performance of the government which he said was an offshoot of the PPA. Conclusion.

Governor Orji himself has admitted that he has not actualized all he set out to do in the period under review but claims to have tried. He has two years to clear all doubts about an enduring legacy.

Lamido has set focus on more infrastructure developments including roads, a new Government House complex, a new airport, an ultra modern state secretariat and high court complex among others.

Indeed, the governor has made it a habit to invite elderstatesmen including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and fellow governors to commission projects in the state.

Governor Ibrahim Shema commissioned the multi billion naira residence and office of the state deputy

Continues on page 59

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013 —59

OYO: Carrying on without amala The two year administration of Senator Abiola Ajimobi has rewritten the rules of political engagement in Oyo State particularly deleting the politics of violence . But hearts are yet to be completely won over

BY OLA AJAYI

I

T would be unfair to say that nothing has changed in Oyo State since Senator Abiola Ajimobi assumed the mantle of leadership in the state two years ago. Besides physical developments on ground, the state has also shed the toga of political violence that was once associated with it.

Indeed, with the exception of the skirmish that happened some weeks ago when some people believed to be sympathetic to the government disrupted the rally organized by the opposition political party, Accord at Olomi where some people were injured, the state has enjoyed a peace which practically eluded the state in the last two previous governments As some claim, Ajimobi has shown that good governance can be attained without brandishing cutlasses, cudgels or intimidating political opponents. The praise is, however, not universal given the woes of street traders and many others that have been affected by the administration’s demolition programmes especially in Ibadan.

The speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mrs. Sunmonu Monsurat, is however, nonplussed by such assertions saying that Ajimobi has excelled his two immediate predecessors, in office, Senator Rasheed Ladoja and Adebayo Alao-Akala both of whom served on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Challenges of unemployment The administration has created 20,000 jobs under the Youth Employment Scheme, christened YES-O and launched 1,000 tricycles popularly called Keke Ajumose to address the challenges of unemployment, ensuring safety on roads, and crime prevention and control in the society.

The administration has also made financial and infrastructural interventions in the education sector and in 2012, paid N396 million WAEC fees of final year secondary school students and continues to provide free transportation for school children to and from school.

The administration has also secured National Universities Commission, NUC approval for the establishment of The Technical University, Ibadan.

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, however, faults the administration for its alleged political subterfuge. The PDP has faulted the administration for supposedly giving the

•Ajimobi impression that 100 mass transit busses provided by the Federal Government came from the state administration.

But the PDP accused the governor of trying to give a false impression that it was the Action Congress of Nigeria led administration in the state that provided 100 units of mass transit which President Goodluck Jonathan gave to the state.

The PDP wondered how a party that “dubbed itself as a haven of intellectuals and progressives could descend so low as to claim other party’s programme as its own, noting that in academics this is known as “plagiarism" and piracy in the creative industry, an offense that may earn the convicted student or scholar outright dismissal or a heavy

fine and even a long jail term”.

The ACN has dismissed the PDP’s claims accusing the party of shallow grasp of issues saying the state and local governments are paying for the busses, affirming, further that under the immediate past government of the PDP that hundreds of vehicles bought for such schemes were distributed to party faithful ,girlfriends of people in government and cronies of those in government.

“We actually understand their frustration. All their faithful who defaulted in repayment of the loans are hurting from the collection of the vehicles from them,” the ACN said in a statement. “The Ajimobi government had to pick up the liability of the unpaid loan defaults which denied the genuine Oyo State people from

benefitting from the scheme. So if the money used in purchasing the vehicles belonged to the Oyo State government, it is at liberty to name the buses whatever it desires,” the party added.

Another issue where the opposition parties have tackled the administration is the dithering procrastination to conduct local government elections saying that it is contrary to the democracy mantra that the ACN normally trumpets.

Former Governors Rashidi Ladoja and Adebayo Alao-Akala while crying foul have dared the governor to conduct the elections.

But, the Commissioner for Justice in the state, Mr. Adebayo Ojo said the election was put on hold due to legal constraints created by the opposition parties.

As commendable as the achievements of the administration are to its patrons and supporters, it has repeatedly been drummed into the ears of the governor by some chieftains of the opposition party, including Dr. Dejoi Raimi, that he should forget a second term as it has never happened in the history of the state for a governor to serve the state twice.

Jigawa: Keeping tempo Continued from page 58 governor and some township roads. Governor Chibuke Amaechi commissioned the college of nursing and midwifery, road projects, while the Sultan of Sokoto commissioned the five guest houses for the five emirs in the state capital, Dutse.

The harmonious relationship between the legislative and executive arms of government has led many observers to dub the House of Assembly as a rubber stamp given the lack of friction between the two arms.

It is a label the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Honourable Adamu Ahmed Sarawa quarrels with.

“People have wrong impression and we are misunderstood by many.

Living in peace with one another nowadays has become an issue of discussion.”

The speaker said the cordial working relationship between the executive and legislative

*Lamido arms of government in Jigawa state was sequel to the maturity, and sense of belonging given to the law makers by the executive branch in the delivery of its programmes.

Opposition parties in the state have largely been silenced maybe because of the various developmental projects executed by the

administration and where not, by the generous appointments to opposition party members in the state. It is as such not surprising that many opposition members are largely quiet.

One of the famous critics of the administration is Alhaji Ishaq Hadejia who while admitting the achievements of the governor, however, raises questions on the transparency involved in the contract award process.

“What we are against is the way and manner contract are been awarded to nonindigenous contractors despite their available”.

60 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013

Daniel Bankole wins Amila Painting contest

By JAPHET ALAKAM &

I

PRISCA SAM-DURU

N line with its corporate responsibility to the people, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, makers of Amila powdered soft drink organised a painting competition for young ones in primary schools in Lagos State tagged Amila Painting Challenge .

The competition which was flagged off last November in about 200 primary schools across 20 local government areas in Lagos State under the first stage of the competition came to an end at a ceremony held at the University of Lagos.

In the keenly contested competition, the panel of four judges unanimously adjudged the painting of Master Daniel Bankole, a basic six pupil of Joint Heirs Primary School, Fola Agoro, Shomolu, Lagos state as the overall best and was declared winner of the Amila Painting

Challenge. He was followed by Master Chukwudi Kosi, a 13year-old Basic six pupil of Subuola Nursery and Primary School, Lawanson, Surulere, Lagos state and Master Daniel Iwajomo, of St. Dominic Primary School, Yaba, Lagos.

The overall best went home with a cheque of N250,000, first runner up N150,000 while the second runner up got N100,000.

The other 12 contestants got consolation prizes of N30,000 each while arts teachers of the three best pupils got cash reward of N25,000 each and also the winning schools each, got art materials worth N250,000, among others.

About 15 pupils, representing 15 local government areas out of the 20 local government areas in Lagos state participated in the final stage of the competition which lasted for over one hour.

Earlier, in her address of welcome Mrs. Abiola Inawo,

M a n a g e r, B r a n d s Group, Food Enhancement & Beverages, Promasidor stated that the competition is all about making the children have f u n .

L-R: Mrs. Abiola Inawo, Manager, Brands Group, Food Enhancement & Beverages, According to Promasidor Nigeria Limited; Daniel Bankole, 1st prize winner, Amila Painting her, “the Challenge and Mr. Adekunle Abayomi, Head Teacher, Joint Heirs Schools Fola Agoro, Shomolu at the presentation of the cheque to the winner. competition was in three stages, the market in March 2009. Launched first stage was at the school level goodie bags where pupils painted any art of The third phase, which was the in four flavours, Orange, Apple their choices. The winners from grand finale of the competition Pear, Mango Appricot and Strawthis level, represented their was graced by representatives of berry Banana, and is targeted at schools at the local government the arts and culture from 20 kids but ideal for sharing by all area for the second stage. educational districts under the members of the family. Amila curAt the second stage, the overall Lagos State Universal Basic rently sponsors the ‘Amila Spelling Bee’ on Cool FM 96.9 winner from the local Education Board (SUBEB.) government level got a branded Amila powder soft drink was anchored by Manni.

Amila bicycle and Promasidor launched into the Nigerian

Obalende youths in concert A

TOTAL of 35 youths aged 15-25 last weekend, at Obalende, Ikoyi Lagos, thrilled a mammoth crowd which gathered at the venue of the 6th edition of BornTroWay project.

The public presentation held in collaboration with the Eti-Osa Youth Development Initiative, featured a 5day workshop sessions at Girls Modern Academy, Lagos.

Having learned greater self-confidence evident in the dance, poetry, song that the youths created as well as acting pieces, they proceeded on

Obalende youths performing

day 3, to work with friend of BornTroWay and artiste, Abolore Sobayo who gave a master class in tie & dye.

Interestingly, the tie & dye session resulted in the team's production of tshirts that later became their uniform in the final day’s public performance.

For the youths who exhibited so much interest in contributing to achieve the much desired change in the country, Obalende even with the efforts of the Lagos State Government could still be described as Crowdy, dirty, filled with guest houses, noisy, lunatics, very busy, commercial, ghetto, old, army barracks, market,

,

By PRISCA SAM-DURU

The BornTroWay Obalende team kept their neighbourhood, comprising market traders and buyers, school children heading back home and passers-by, well entertained for over 30 minutes in a show that was funny, educating, engaging and at the same time, well coordinated

not in order, trade centre, garage, bus stop, centre of attraction, congested, rough, and lastly, as Nigeria’s New York. And if given the opportunity, they would help to “improve education and security, provide electricity, renew the town, demolish dangerous collapsing buildings and reconstruct them, clean the environment, take the beggars off the street, increase the quality of medical health care, change people’s mind-set especially the youth, good water, stop prostitution, take touts off the streets, stop child abuse, violence, pick pockets; and provide job opportunities.”

They however suggested that Obalende would be livelier if “the bridges were painted in colours, dirts swept off the streets, if a talent centre for jobs could be opened and traffic were reduced.”

Throughout the duration of the workshop cum public

,

performance, participants learned the value of inclusion, concentration and team collaboration which are necessary factors for their success in future. At the end of the workshop, the team headed to the heart of Obalende where they street-staged a great heart-rendering performance, which was an amazing testimony of the value of team effort and consistent hard work.

The BornTroWay Obalende team kept their neighbourhood, comprising market traders and buyers, school children heading back home and passers-by, well entertained for over 30 minutes in a show that was funny, educating, engaging and at the same time, well coordinated. The public Obalende-hailing multi-award winner and superstar General Pype who graced the occasion, seized the opportunity, to display a heartwarming and encouraging performance for the young participants who achieved so much in so little time by putting in their very best.

Highlights of the public performance was issuance of certificates to those who completed the training with a resounding success.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013—61

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62 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013

Pinherio heads NBBF Victor Moses devastated by Eagles no-show HELSEA winger he will only be fit again ago and went on to Emmanuel Emenike Task team CVictor Moses has by July 6 after shine as Nigeria won a and Kalu Uche from

T

HE Board of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF held its inaugural meeting in Abuja Tuesday, May 28, 2013 with a resolution to mandate a three-man Task team to co-ordinate its on-going activities pending the reconstitution of the working committees.

To head the team is a former national team coach and Board member, Agboola Pinherio who will be supported by two former national team players, Deji Jaiyeola and Lawal Garba while the NBBF Secretary General, Francis Gbiri is to serve as secretary.

President of the newly inaugurated NBBF Board, Tijjani Umar said the team would coordinate the DSTV

Premier Basketball League, the Zenith Bank National Womens League as well as preparations for the 2013 Afrobasket for men and women coming up later in the year.

In the same vein, former captain of Team Nigeria and member of the NBBF Board, Olumide Oyedeji has been mandated the federation’s International Liaison officer to coordinate all the federation’s international activities.

2:40pm local time (8:40pm Nigeria time) after an 11-hour flight from Frankfurt, Germany.

The team was received

by Chairman of the NFF Media and Publicity Committee, Chief Emeka Inyama, and Mr. Jairo Pachon, NFF’s FIFA Match Agent who is organizing the big match alongside the Match Agent of Federacion Mexicana de Futball Association, Mexico’s football body.

After airport formalities, the delegation was driven to its The Westin Galleria hotel in West Alabama and immediately had lunch.

In order to shake off jet-lag, the team set out for evening training and also trained on Wednesday evening, to get used to evening period of the match.

Ukraine-based forward Brown Ideye also joined the team almost immediately, and Head Coach Keshi said he is confident the African champions would do the continent proud in the ‘Game of Continental Kings’.

undergoing treatment.

The player said on his Tweeter handle W e d n e s d a y @VictorMoses: “Devastated not to be able to represent my country this summer bt have to respect medical advice on injury. I’ll be supporting though #nigeria.”

Moses represented England at various agegroup levels, but made his Eagles debut against Rwanda in a Nations Cup qualifier two years

third Nations Cup in South Africa earlier this year.

Injury-hit Spartak Moscow striker

Turkish club Kasimpasa have also pulled out of the Nigeria squad ahead of a hectic summer schedule.

Djokovic survives Goffin scare

N

OVAK Djokovic was given a stern reminder that winning a maiden French Open title this year will not be easy after coming through a testing first-

Eagles Continues from BP

said he is devastated that injury has ruled him out of upcoming matches for Nigeria.

The Super Eagles take on Mexico in a friendly in Houston, Texas, on Thursday. They then travel to Kenya on June 5 and a week later they are in Namibia for World Cup qualifiers before they jet out to Brazil for the FIFA Confederations Cup. Moses has pulled out of all these games and his club have announced

“We are here to give a good account of ourselves as a team and also as the champion team of Africa. Definitely, we want to take a look at a couple of new players and see what they have to offer. But we take this match serious as it will prepare us for crucial encounters in the next few weeks,” Keshi told the media at the Houston International Airport.

Nigeria play Kenya and Namibia away in crucial 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches on June 5 and June 12 respectively, before flying into Brazil through South Africa.

The two teams are preparing for big dates in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup tournament in Brazil, with Nigeria to play World and European champions Spain, South American champions Uruguay and Oceania champions Tahiti in Group B. Mexico, in Group A, will clash with host Brazil and Italy (who have NINE World Cup titles between them) as well as Asian champions Japan.

round encounter against determined Belgian David Goffin.

The top seed and last year ’s runner-up is looking to complete his set of grand slam titles in the Roland Garros fortnight, but his opening opponent provided a stiff challenge.

Goffin largely matched the world number one

stroke for stroke throughout an entertaining encounter and Djokovic had to produce some of his best tennis to claim a 7-6 (7/ 5) 6-4 7-5 win in two hours and 13 minutes.

Djokovic is bidding to become the first man since Jim Courier in 1992 to win back-to-back singles slams in Australia and France.

Wozniacki bustled out in second round 1 0 t h - s e e d e d

F

ORMER topranked Caroline Wozniacki lost 7-6 (2), 6-3 to Bojana Jovanovski of Serbia in the second round of the French Open.

The unseeded Jovanovski hit 33 winners to only 13 for the

Dane.

She will next face former French Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia.

A runner-up at the 2009 US Open, Wozniacki had her best showing at Roland Garros in 2010 when she reached the quarterfinals.

Thierry Henry Continues from BP But Henry, 35, hopes they were celebrating ousting their rivals.

He said: “Putting Tottenham out of the top four, and I really do hope that’s what they were celebrating about, that’s the only thing you can celebrate.

“If you’re an Arsenal man through and through, that’s like winning something. I said it when we did to them in 2006.

“It wasn’t the fact that we qualified for the Champions League, it was because we kicked them out of it and we went in.”

Henry won two Premier League titles and three FA Cups during his eightyear spell with the club.

And despite the Gunners failing to win a trophy since 2005, he believes they should still be going for the top prizes.

Henry also paid tribute to Arsenal manager Wenger, who has been in charge since October 1996 making him the longest-serving manager in the top flight by 14 YEARS. The Frenchman says it would be difficult to imagine what life would be like when Wenger finally steps down.

France's Caroline Garcia hits a shot to USA's Serena Williams during their French Tennis Open match at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, yesterday PHOTO : AFP

Cricket: FCC ends Ibeju Lekki’s dominance in T20 final

F

O U N D AT I O N Cricket Club won the T20 Cricket title after defeating Ibeju Lekki Cricket Club by Four wickets in the Final.

The Super 4 Champions batted first and scored 134 for 8 wickets in 20 overs no thanks to returnee Bejide Jide’s 42 runs off 35 balls while the duo of Leke Oyede (38) and Opening Batsman Ademola Onikoyi

added 23 runs.

Joshua Ogunlola and Godffrey Bakiwenyen both took 2 wickets while the trio of Femi Oduyebo, Captain Kunle Adegbola and Segun Olayinka all had One wicket each to make life unbearable for the batsmen of ILCC who were aiming for their second title this season after winning the Club Cricket Committee Super 4 Final.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013—63

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VANGUARD, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2013

Finishing 4th is nothing to celebrate •Thierry-Henry tells Arsenal

T

HIERRY HENRY says Arsenal should be aiming higher than fourth place in the Premier League.

The North London leg-

end — now at New York Red Bulls — was surprised at the celebrations as the Gunners pushed Spurs into fifth.

Continues on Page 62

Clash of Continental Champions

Eagles set to battle Mexico tomorrow Kicked-off: 2am Saturday in Nigeria

A

F R I C A N champions Nigeria are battle-ready to confront CONCACAF champions Mexico in a prestigeous, highprofile international friendly match at the Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas, United States of America tomorrow.

The Super Eagles’ contingent to the match arrived in the United States of America on Tuesday afternoon, landing at the Houston International Airport at exactly Continues on Page 62

•MISSING IN ACTION: Victor Moses

PUZZLE

M

Like Nigeria, Mexico will play World Cup qualifiers in June before heading to the Fifa Confederations Cup in Brazil.

Manager Jose Manuel de la Torre will use the game against the African champions to prepare his side. Only six of the called up lads play in Europe while the remaining 17 are based in Mexico.

ANCHESTER United star Javier Hernandez (Chicharito) and Mallorca forward Giovanni Dos Santos will lead the Mexican national team in the friendly against Nigeria tomorrow in Houston.

The duo was named among the 23 players for Tricolore going into their packed campaign in June.

Toulon Tournament

Flying Eagles

0

Mexico

2

Moses devastated by Eagles no-show Page 62

•Chacharito

QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

Chicharito, Dos Santos to lead Mexico against Nigeria

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 4, Clergyman (5) 7 Astounded (6) 9 Guided (3) 10 Through (3) 12 Wash out (5) 13 Irritation (4) 15 Weird (5) 17 Funeral-car (6) 19 Repulsive (4) 20 Crawl (5) 22 Rotter (3) 24 Polluted (7) 27 Lair (3) 28 Smallest (5) 31 Composition 33 Confused (6) 35 Irrigate (5) 37 Method (4) 38 Beneath (5) 39 Cur (3) 41 Deed (3) 42 Obvious (6) 43 Demise (5)

DOWN 1 Enthusiast (6) 2 Awkward (6) 3 Vitality (3) 4 Fairy (4) 5 Farewell (5) 6 Uneasy (8) 8 Caribou (4) 11 Revoked (9) 14 Respect (4) 16 Genuine (4) 18 Imitated (4) 21 Reply (8) 23 Dale (4) 25 Stunt (4) 26 Consider (4) 29 Worshipped (6) 30 Pact (6) 32 Perspire (5) 34 Fall (4) 36 Cunning (4) 40 Breach (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 2, Brag 4, Fib 6, Thaw 9, Hug 10, Assessed 11, Read 14, Rim 16, Sweet 19, Pullover 21, Eaten 23, Lacerate 24, Theme 27, Low 31, Kiln 33, Alliance 34, See 35, Star 36, Rod 37, Name.

How to Play Sudoku

THE VIGILANTE

DOWN: 2, Rust 3, Glen 4, Festival 5, Body 6, Throw 7, Hue 8, Agape 12, Apart 13, Globe 14, Roe 15, Metal 17, Essay 18, Tower 20, Recoiled 22, New 25, Hoist 26, Miner 28, Fair 29, Dawn 30, Scum 32, Lea.

e-mail: rowolove@yahoo.co.uk

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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