ALLEGED FORGERY: Resign, SGF tells Saraki, Ekweremadu

CBN, Citibank execute first Naira-Settled OTC Futures

By Babajide Komolafe

L

AGOS — THE new foreign exchange policy, yesterday, received a $20 million foreign investment boost

•As new forex policy attracts $20m foreign investment as the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and Citibank Nigeria Limited

executed the first NairaSettled Over the Counter (OTC) Foreign

Exchange Futures.

Meanwhile, the CBN, yesterday, assured

Bureau de Change (BDC) operators that it was working out

FG, Chinese investors sign $50bn MoU on oil sector funding •P.2

...towards a better life for the people

**

VOL. 25: NO. 63061

modalities for resumption of dollar sales to the subsector.

Announcing the NairaSettled OTC transaction on its website, yesterday,

Continues on page 19

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N200

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

ALLEGED FORGERY:

Resign, SGF tells Saraki, Ekweremadu

By Henry Umoru & Joseph Erunke

•Says Senate not on trial •Saraki, Ekweremadu won’t resign — Senate

A

BUJA—THE Secretary to the Government of the Federation, David Babachir Lawal, has thrown himself into the fray in respect of alleged forgery trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki

Continues on page 5

COLUMNISTS:

Hijab and institutions of many colours

•P.31

A clash of three powers •P.17

Mr & Mrs RAMADAN: President Muhammadu Buhari (middle) when he hosted traditional rulers during the breaking of Ramadan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.

How court sacked Modu Sheriff as PDP chairman

>>2

Economy: NIMASA broke, struggling to pay salaries — Peterside

>> 9

How will BREXIT affect Nigerians?

•Pgs 27-30

Ex-Transport Minister, Ojo Maduekwe dies at 71 •P 16

Novelist Elechi Amadi dies at 82 •P 14

2—Vanguard, THURSDAY JUNE 30, 2016

FG, Chinese investors sign $50bn MoU on oil sector funding

By Michael Eboh

T

HE FEDERAL Government, yesterday, said it has signed Memoranda of Understandings (MoU) with a number of Chinese firms to invest $50 billion in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, to bridge the infrastructure funding gaps in the industry.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, in a statement in Abuja, listed the companies that are involved in the MoUs signed by at the ongoing NNPC - China Investors’ Roadshow organized by the Corporation to attract investors in China and the Asian sub region to invest in the Nigerian Oil and Gas sector, to include NORINCO, CINDA, CNOOC, SINOPEC/ ADDAX, ICC -NDRC amongst others.

The agreement, the NNPC said was facilitated by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu, who is currently visiting China as a Special Envoy of the Nigerian President and who is leading a team of top management of the NNPC and key industry stakeholders to showcase the investment opportunities which abound in the oil and gas value chain in Nigeria to the investors with a view to attracting funding and partnerships that would turn around the sector and place it among the best in the world.

The NNPC further stated that they would also develop bankable projects that would attract Chinese investors on this Government-to-Government platform.

How court sacked Modu Sheriff as PDP chairman I remain PDP chairman —Sheriff

By Ben Agande & Ikechukwu Nnochiri

A

BUJA—AN Abuja High Court sitting at Apo yesterday sacked the factional chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ali Modu Sheriff, from office.

But Modu Sheriff in a swift reaction to the judgement last night, said he remained the chairman of the PDP The court, in a judgment by Justice Valantine Ashi, declared as “unconstitutional, null and void”, purported amendment of Article 47 Rule 6 of PDP constitution, 2012, at a special National Convention the party held on Wednesday and Thursday, December 10 and 11, 2014.

It voided the said amendment on the basis that there was no compliance with mandatory provisions of Article 66 (2) and (3) of the PDP constitution.

“By reason of the above, the purported amendments introduced to the constitution on the aforesaid dates, are hereby setaside.

“All persons, individuals, servants or agents of PDP parading themselves as national officers of the PDP pursuant to the purported amendment which has now been nullified are hereby restrained from further parading themselves in these capacities,’’ Justice Ashi held.

The judgment followed a suit marked FCT/HC/CV/1867/2016, which was lodged before the court by a chieftain of the PDP in Ondo state, Chief Joseph Jero.

PDP was cited as the sole defendant in the matter.

Specifically, the plaintiff had in his originating summons, prayed

the court to, among other things, determine “whether in view of the mandatory provisions of section 222(d) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the purported amendment of the provisions of Article 47(6) of the Constitution of the PDP 2012, without registering the alteration within 30 days with the Independent National Electoral Commission, is not null, void, illegal, unconstitutional and of no effect whatsoever.”

However, Modu Sheriff said in a reaction last night that he

Presidency summons Borno gov over deaths in IDP camps

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

A

BUJA—THERE were indications yesterday that President Muhammadu Buhari,

A

BUJA—THE Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has expressed readiness to conclude rerun elections in four states not later than July 31.

Court-ordered re-run elections in Rivers, Kogi, Kano and Imo states were cancelled or suspended by the commission,

who is perturbed by the reports of malnutrition and death of some Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in government camps in Borno State, has summoned the governor, Alhaji Kassin Shettima,

EFCC docks ex-Adamawa gov, Fintiri, today over alleged N1.9bn fraud

By Soni Daniel

A

BUJA—MANY weeks after being detained on what he did with N1.9 billion of state funds, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission will today formally dock the former Adamawa Governor, Umaru Fintiri.

The former governor, who is

following alleged widespread electoral malfeasance and violence which marred the exercise.

INEC Chairman, Prof.

Mahmood Yakubu, stated this during his second quarterly meeting with states Resident Electoral Commissioners, RECs, in Abuja yesterday.

In his brief remarks, shortly before the meeting dissolved into

“For the avoidance of doubt, the court only heard and delivered judgment on a matter concerning certain amendments in the PDP constitution, which has nothing to do with the election of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as the national chairman or even that of his predecessor, Alhaji Adamu Muazu.

“Senator Ali Modu Sheriff was duly elected as the national chairman of the PDP. He still holds office as the national chairman and has not been removed by any court,"he said.

From left, Gbadebo Owodunni, Air Commodore; ex-Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu (retd), and Jacob Adigun, Air Vice Marshal (behind), before their arraignment for N21 billion fraud, at the Federal High Court, in Ikoyi, Lagos, yesterday, after which they being granted bail, but held in the prison custody pending its bail term fulfilment. Photo: Akinwunmi Ibrahim

accused of diverting the sum meant for road construction and other projects, will be arraigned before Justice A. R. Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja for theft, breach of public trust and money laundering, among others by the anti-graft agency.

Fintiri was drafted into office in acting capacity following the illegal impeachment of Governor

INEC to conclude Rivers, Kano, Imo, Kogi rerun before July 31 ....Expresses readiness for Edo, Ondo gov elections

By Omeiza Ajayi

remained the chairman of the party, despite the judgment.

In a statement by Professor Wale Oladipo, who served as secretary before the Port Harcourt convention and still laid claims to the post, said Sheriff was was duly elected as chairman of the PDP. He said the reports that Senator Sheriff had been removed from office by the court was completely false and a clear misrepresentation of the ruling of the court, which never gave any ruling ousting the national chairman.

a closed door session, Yakubu also restated the readiness of the commission for the forthcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states.

“There are a number of issues to be discussed, though this is a regular meeting. Notably, the preparations for the forthcoming elections. The conclusion of rerun in Rivers, Kano, Imo and Kogi states,"he said.

Murtala Nyako, which was recently quashed by a Federal High Court, which described the removal of the governor as a nullity An EFCC official confirmed to Vanguard last night that the commission had established sufficient evidence of money laundering against the former acting governor and had decided to arraign him.

The former Adamawa speaker, who was taken into custody by operatives about a month ago but freed on health grounds, has been unable to convince his interrogators how the state funds ended up in a company believed to be his.

Fintiri, who spent over 83 days in office, is accused of having made away with the sum of money using fraudulent tactics, including two phantom road projects-Yola township road and Mararaba Garta.

for some explanations.

Recall that Doctors Without Borders- (Médecins Sans Frontières), MSF, an international humanitarian aid organization last week, released a statement alongside photographs of grossly malnourished children, stating that about 24,000 IDPs needed urgent medical attention.

The organization also stated that at least 30 people, mainly children, die daily from this condition.

The report, it was gathered, infuriated President Muhammadu Buhari who felt that despite huge spending by the different levels of government as well as donor agencies and philanthropists on the IDPs, there was little to show for it.

Shettima, who was at the Presidential Villa, Abuja yesterday, was seen coming down from the office of the Chief of Staff.

He, however, refused to speak to Journalists who had approached him for comments on the allegations and also his mission at the Presidential Villa.

The governor kept mum on the issues, saying it was a private visit as he walked towards his car.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

C M Y K

—3

4—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

Contribute to devt, NAE President urges engineers

By Bartholomew Madukwe

P

RESIDENT of Nigerian Academy of Engineering, NAE, Mrs. Joanna Maduka, has called on engineers in the country to use their knowledge and experience to advise government and the business community on technological issues.

Maduka, who emerged as the first female president of the academy in Lagos, said technology has a key role in the s u c c e s s f u l implementation of socioeconomic initiatives to meet the needs of the country and the global community.

Speaking at her inauguration as the new President of NAE, Maduka urged engineers to be more committed to the profession.

She said: “We need to concern ourselves with issues such as global warming, climate change, Earth Systems Engineering that has evolved to define the direction of multidisciplinary process development; new frontiers in technology and engineering, such as n a n o t e c h n o l o g y, advanced materials, petrochemicals, robotics and advances in biotechnology.”

L AUNCH: From left—Managing Director/ CEO, FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange, Mr. Bola Koko; Special Adviser to the CBN Governor on Financial Markets, Mr. Emmanuel Ukeje, representing the CBN governor; Director, Mr. Yinka Sanni, and Founding Chairman, Mr. Aigboje AigImoukhuede, both of FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange, at the launch of the Naira-Settled OTC FX Futures Market on FMDQ OTC Securities Exchange in Lagos, yesterday.

PHOTO: Akeem Salau.

Detention: Court dismisses Fani-Kayode’s rights enforcement suit

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

A

BUJA—AN Abuja High Court at Apo, yesterday, dismissed a fundamental rights enforcement application that the embattled former Minister of Aviation, Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode, lodged against his detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Fani-Kayode, who is currently answering to a 17count corruption charge before the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court, had approached the Abuja court, praying it to order his release from custody of the anti-graft agency.

While dismissing the suit, Justice Olukayode Adeniyi held that the arrest and

Roll up your sleeves for Night of Majesty

A

S the rainy season is suitable for farming, where crops and farm produce will grow and remain fresh, the period of Lailatul Qadr is a period for renewing our relationship with Allah and ensure closeness to Him. Lailatul Qadr means the night of honour and dignity.

It is the night in which the first Divine Revelation came to the Prophet (S.A.W.), when he was in prayer in the cave of Hira. Since this night enjoys the honour of having the first revelation brought to the Prophet (S.A.W.), it has been named Lailatul Qadr.

This night had already C M Y K

opened its gates of treasures when the angel, for the first time, had come with the Divine Message. But its auspiciousness has continued to be with us permanently.

These blessings remain throughout the night until the break of dawn and are not confined to any specific hour.

The Prophet (S.A.W.) said: “The person who offered prayers to Allah in the Night of Majesty with faith and with hope of reward from Allah, all his past sins have been forgiven” (Bukhari).

This holiest and most blessed night is likely to

subsequent detention of the applicant by EFCC on May 9, was not illegal since the action was backed by a valid court order.

However, the judge faulted EFCC for often adopting the approach of arresting and detaining a suspect for the purposes of investigation, saying the agency, as an establishment of the law,

should always stick to the tenets of the Rule of Law. He said: “It is expected that EFCC should be more professional in carrying out their duties. A situation whereby they arrest and detain suspects before rushing to obtain court orders is wrong.

“As much as they want to fight corruption, it should be done in accordance with the Rule of Law.” Fani-Kayode, who served as

spokesman for Peoples Democratic Party’s Presidential Campaign Organisation in 2015, is facing charges bordering on conspiracy, stealing, corruption and making cash payments exceeding the amount authorised by law.

He was arraigned alongside a former Minister of Finance, Nenadi Usman, who was the Director of Finance of the campaign organisation, Danjuma Yusuf and a firm, Jointrust Dimensions Nigeria Limited.

Cement, rice funds hit N44.6bn with BoI

By Favour Nnabugwu

M

ANAGED funds, under the portfolio of Bank of Industry, BoI, has hit N44.6 billion as at the end of 2015 financial year.

Acting Managing Director of the bank, Mr. Waheed occur on one of the odd nights on the last 10 days of Ramadan and the reward of worship on this night is better than the worship of a thousand months of worship; equivalent to a person’s lifetime put together.

Although the odd nights have been given as clue for seeking the Night of Majesty, no one night has been fixed so that the yearning to find it may increase and people may spend more nights in worshiping Allah.

Fortunate, indeed, is that person who attains the full blessings of this night by spending it in ibaadah of Allah, because he has then attained reward for ibaadah of 83 years, three months and three weeks. Indeed, the granting of this night to the faithful Muslim is a great favour.

Allahumma innaka afuwwun tuhib-bul af-wa faafu anni.

(O Allah, You are the One who grants pardon for sins, loves forgiving, so forgive me.)

Olagunju, stated yesterday in Abuja that the bank was strengthening its collaboration with its foreign and domestic partners, and community-based organisations, CBOs, to deepen the bank’s credit delivery process and financial inclusion initiatives.

He said: “The bank is on course to surpass the N83.5 billion disbursed in 2015.

“As at the middle of the current year, the bank had approved loans totaling N95 billion to more than 400 enterprises and working to approve more loans in the second half of 2016.”

He said meeting the

institution’s target of N212 billion could lead to the creation of almost one million jobs, in addition to 1.6 million projected under the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme.

The funds managed by BoI as at December 31, 2015, include N8.12 billion National Automotive Council Fund; N2.9 billion Dangote Fund; N12.3 billion Rice Processing Fund; N12.5 billion Cement Fund, among others.

He said the fund had risen above the figure, following various Memoranda of Understanding, MoU, sealed with its stakeholders since the beginning of 2016.

FUTA student wins space grant for Mexico confab

O

NIOSUN Isaiah, a 500 level student of the Department of Meteorology and Climate Science, Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA, has emerged one of the 14 global winners of the 2016 International Astronomical Federation, IAF, Emerging Space Leaders Grant instituted by the International Astronomical Federation, Paris, France.

The grant, contested for by more than 100 students and young professionals from 38

countries around the world, was won by Oniosun and Tijesu Ojumu, a graduate of FUTA, who currently works at the National Space Research and Development Agency, NSRDA. Oniosun, who is the President of the University Space Club under the Centre for Space Research and Applications, CESRA, will participate in the 67th International Astronomical Congress, Space Generation Congress and UN/IAF workshop in Guadalajara, Mexico, between September 21 and October 2.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 — 5

POCKET CARTOON

VISIT: Mr Paul Bulcke, Global Chief Executive Officer, Nestle (middle); Ms Wan Ling, Nestle Executive Vice President (2nd right), and Nestle Nigeria staff cutting the cake, during a visit to the region by Nestlé Executive Vice President to head office Ilupeju, Lagos.

Resign, SGF tells Saraki, Ekweremadu Continues from page 1 and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, asking the principal officers of the Senate to resign their positions.

The Senate, in a swift reaction last night, said the two principal officers of the Senate will not resign, insisting that it was being assaulted by the executive arm of government in the ongoing trial of its leaders.

But Lawal said, yesterday, that the Senate was not on trial for forgery, but that only the actors in the alleged act, the Senate President, his deputy and two others being prosecuted.

He also said the honourable thing for the duo to do was to resign as former Speaker of the

House of Representatives, Salisu Buhari, who was accused of certificate forgery, did.

The SGF was reacting to the allegation by Saraki that a “cabal” had hijacked the government of President Muhammadu Buhari as well as Ekweremadu’s statement that Buhari was exhibiting dictatorial tendencies.

In a statement he personally signed, Lawal said the positions of the Senate leaders were contradictory. He also described their statements as unfortunate, stating that the Federal Government was not deciding the trial of the duo.

Saraki and Ekweremadu are being tried before an FCT High Court for allegedly

IT'S UP TO YOU

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HEN you bite indiscriminately, you end up eating your own tail.

forging the Senate Standing Rules 2015. The other accused persons are former Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa, and his former deputy, Bernard Efeturi.

Lawal stated that a case of forgery was usually preferred against individuals, recalling that such case of certificate forgery led to the resignation of onetime Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Salisu Buhari. He said bringing the National Assembly as a body into the court case was unwarranted.

Senate not on trial —SGF The statement read in part: “Since the arraignment of the President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki and, his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, before the Federal High Court on Monday, June 27, 2016, the two leaders of the Senate have issued two separate press statements conveying messages that are far from being complementary to the person and government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Senator Saraki, in his statement, clearly insinuated that Mr President is not in control of his administration and that a cabal now runs the federal administration.

On the part of Senator Ekweremadu, he insists that President Buhari is exhibiting dictatorial tendencies that can derail our democracy.

“From their statements, the two leaders of the Senate also gave this erroneous impression that by their arraignment, it is the entire Senate and indeed, the legislative arm of government that is on trial. They want the public to believe that their prosecution is utter disregard by the executive arm of government for the constitutional provisions of separation of powers and that preferring the forgery case against them is a vendetta exercise.

“Since this case is in court, the judiciary should be allowed to do its job. However, it is important to emphasise that this case involves only the four accused persons and should not be presented to the unsuspecting public as involving the entire Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The complaint leading to the forgery investigation was reported to the police by some aggrieved senators, who specifically accused certain persons. It is not the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that is involved and definitely not the House of Representatives. To bring the national assembly as a body into this court case is totally unwarranted. It can only be for other purposes and reasons outside the investigation and legal proceedings.

“A case of forgery is usually preferred against individuals. This is not different. As was the case with a former speaker of the House of Representatives, who was accused of certificate forgery, what he did was to resign, honourably.

"The matter did not even go to court. In that particular case, it was never orchestrated as a matter for the National Assembly. The individual involved did not drag the entire legislature into the matter."

Saraki, Ekweremadu won't resign —Senate Reacting to the SGF’s call, the Senate said, yesterday, Saraki and his deputy, Ekweremadu, would not resign their positions.

According to the Senate, there is no basis for them to throw in the towel because both

Saraki and Ekweremadu were never mentioned by petitioners in the case involving alleged forgery of the 2015 Senate Standing Order.

In a statement signed yesterday by Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, the Senate said: “We note the statement issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. David Babachir Lawal, that the Senate is not the one on trial in the Forgery case instituted by the Attorney-General of the Federation against the Senate President and his deputy.

“We disagree with him on this position and we maintain our earlier stand that it is the Senate that is the target of the present attempt to intimidate the legislature to force a leadership change in the Senate.

“Mr. Babachir Lawal should tell us how reasonable it is to conclude that when the President of Nigeria and the Vice President are being jointly tried in a suit whose outcome can remove them from office, it is not the Buhari government that is being targeted?

“It is also imperative to clearly state that contrary to the claim by the SGF, neither the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, nor Senator Ike Ekweremadu was mentioned by the petitioners, the statements by those interviewed by the police or even the police report.

Don't compare an apple with orange “Meanwhile, let us refresh Mr. Lawal’s memory about the facts of the 1999 case. It is obvious that the Senate

President and his deputy are not being accused of certificate forgery as it happened in ex-Speaker Salisu Buhari’s case.

"Therefore, nobody should compare an apple with orange. Also, neither Saraki nor Ekweremadu is below the age requirement for their present position as it was alleged in the Buhari case. Attempts to make the two situations look similar is to present all Nigerians as having no sense of history.

“We also know that nobody can be accused of forging his own signature. The executive is in no position to determine what is the correct Standing Orders of the Senate. The Senate President and his deputy were, as at the morning of the June 9, 2015 inauguration of the Senate, mere Senatorselect and could, therefore, not have been in a position to influence any alteration in the rule book.

“The Senate, as an institution, and, indeed, the National Assembly, has spoken about their understanding of the present assault on their independence by the executive.

"We maintain that this trial is a design by the executive to criminalize the internal affairs of the Senate to create a distraction for the leadership of the Senate, force a leadership change and cow the legislators.

“Those behind this plot find this trial more expedient and important than finding tangible solutions to the multifarious socio-economic problems bedeviling the country. However, we are sure they will fail in this attempt. We only hope they will allow the judiciary to truly and creditably perform its duties and give independent verdict on the case.”

6—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

08023019505 08034073107

Babcock Varsity student kidnapped

By Evelyn Usman

Justina

G

UNMEN stormed a hostel in Ilishan Remo area of Ogun State, Sunday, and abducted Justina Anochie, a student of nursing at Babcock University.

They were said to have invaded the hostel located in an isolated area off campus at about 9p.m.

Their attempt to also abduct a male student in the same hostel failed as he reportedly fled.

The nursing student, who wrote her final examination in May, was waiting to complete her clearance before joining her family in Abuja, when the incident occurred.

Her abductors, as gathered, contacted her parents, Monday, and demanded N5 million ransom. They were said to have also ordered the parents to withdraw the case from the police.

Pleas by Justina’s mother for them to reduce the ransom failed.

A student in the same hostel said: “No one even knew what happened until they left. We did not hear the noise because our power generating set was on.

“But for the male student that ran away, no one would have known what happened. He was with Justina when the uninvited visitors came.”

KIDNAPPED HAUSA SINGER SPEAKS They asked why I sniff around other A

popular musician in North-East, Ado Dahiru Daukaka, who was kidnapped days after releasing a scathing anti-graft song, was freed yesterday. He went missing last Friday in Yola, Adamawa State capital, after he left his house to offer dawn prayers at a mosque.

Daukaka was discovered weak and famished early yesterday some 80 kilometres from his house in Lamurde village.

The singer said he believed his abduction was in connection with his new song that accuses politicians from the ruling party of corruption

Ekiti residents panic over dismembered body of youth found in bags

By Rotimi Ojomoyela

A

DO-EKITI—BARELY five days after a lifeless body of a day-old baby was found inside a canal in Irona area of Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, residents of Ojido Market in Ejigbo, another community in the state capital, discovered the dismembered body parts of a young man inside GhanaMust-Go bags inside the drainage.

The young had a ring on, an earring and a stylish hair-cut.

Strangely, though, he had a white cloth wrapped around his waist. His hands and legs had been chopped off. He also had a severe machete cut on his neck.

Residents claimed the deceased might have been a member of some secret cult, with the earring a symbol.

Others said he could have belonged to the clique of internet fraudsters, popularly known as Yahoo-yahoo. Yet, others claimed the unfortunate youth might just be a victim of

ritual killing.

According to one of the residents, who spoke on condition of anonymity, “this morning, residents and passers-by were worried when they noticed two rough Ghana-must-go bags inside the gutter. One was kept directly opposite the Ojido Market and the other was kept a few metres away from the first.

“The offensive smell from the two bags got people curious. Some Okada riders got more curious and teamed up to cut open the bags.

Inside the one directly opposite the market was the dismembered body of a youth. The limbs were in the other bag. That was when they raised alarm.”

Meanwhile, the development crippled business activities, particularly the ever busy Ojido Market, as market women and others deserted the area.

Speaking, Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Alberto

Adeyemi, who confirmed the development, said the deceased had been evacuated and deposited at the mortuary.

According to him, “we have evacuated the young man’s body. It is an unfortunate development. Sadly, no one in

the area could identify the deceased.

“We have been requesting for information from people in the area without any useful information on who dumped the body there. We are still investigating.”

Student, two others to die for robbery

By Abdulwahab Abdulah & Jane Echewedo

J

USTICE Lateef Lawal-Akapo of Ikeja High Court, yesterday, sentenced three persons, Wasiu Arepo, an aluminum products manufacturer; Oluwaseun Idowu, a driver, and Ganiyu Hassan, a student and commercial motorcycle rider, to death by hanging.

The convict were found guilty on a four-count charge of armed robbery and murder contrary to Section 402 Subsection 2(a) of the Criminal Code Law of Lagos

State, 2011, and Section 319 subsection 1(a) of Criminal Code Law of Lagos State, 2011.

According to the prosecution, the convicts committed the offence on February 5, 2011 at Aleke village, Imota at 2a.m.

The convicts were said to have stormed the house of one Mrs Adijatu Bakare and her husband, Abubakar, and demanded the money Abubakar withdrew from bank a day before.

During the process one of the accused persons, Arepo, shot Abubakar in the chest after which they ransacked the

house and carted away N15,000 and other valuables.

He reportedly died on his way to the hospital.

Meanwhile, it was reported that two hours after the incident, the convicts were caught in a nearby community by the vigilante group in the area after the wife of the victim reported the matter at Imota Police Station and was able to identify one of the convicts.

During trial, the convicts had denied involvement in the incident, claiming they were at home on the night.

TALL ORDER: Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos, yesterday. NAN PHOTO.

WAPA, anonymous helper clear hospita

By Esther Onuegbulam

L

AGOS—RESPITE, yesterday came the way of Mrs Okore, the woman who was detained by Bessylva Hospital and Maternity Home at Agege, after being delivered of triplets, following

her inability to the bill balance of N35,000 delivery.

Mother and babies returned home after Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, WAPA, paid N30,000.

However, the amount could not bail her out completely, as there was an accumulation of

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016—7

08023019505 08034073107

FROM HOSPITAL: people’s affairs and predicts that they will be voted out of power in the 2019 election.

The song “Gyara Kayanka,” (Put your house in order), accuses local lawmakers of being selfish and corrupt.

Speaking from a hospital in Lamurde, Daukaka said: “They asked me why I sniff around other people’s affairs, which clearly shows that my kidnap had to do with my work as a singer.

“I was never physically harmed by my captors, but I was quite traumatised by being abducted and held captive.”

Hadiza Adamu, one of the singer’s two wives, who gave

birth five days before he went missing, said: “My husband is not known to be at loggerheads with anyone. The only explanation we could provide is that he could have angered some powerful interests with his songs.”

Adamawa State police spokesman, Othman Abubakar, said an investigation had been launched but declined to comment on if the disappearance was linked to the song.

Daukaka became popular following Nigeria’s return to civilian rule in 1999 with a hit in praise of then state governor, Murtala Nyako.

Protesters damage BRT buses over death of street hawker

By Evelyn Usman

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A G O S — PANDEMONIUM broke out, yesterday, along Ikorodu Road, Lagos, following the destruction of over 10 BRT buses by a mob protesting the death of a hawker allegedly caused by officials of Kick Against Indiscipline, KAI. The street hawker, identity unknown, was clad in a yellow T-shirt and a blue jeans trouser, was dashing across the road in Maryland, to evade arrest by KAI officials, when he was knocked down by a truck.

His death sparked off a violent protest as a mob

started vandalising BRT buses belonging to Primero Transport Service Limited.

The bus drivers, who were taking off their uniforms, and passengers abandoned the vehicles and fled for their lives.

The situation was hijacked by hoodlums, who started dispossessing women of their bags.

Police sources hinted that five persons were arrested in connection with the chaos, adding that the damaged BRT buses were taken to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, office, while the truck that crushed the hawker was taken to the

police station.

Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the incident.

Reacting to claim in the social media that the hawker was crushed by a BRT bus, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, explained that a truck belonging to a soft drink company was responsible for the death.

59-yr-old docked over illegal possession of arms

By Onozure Dania & Gladys Ezeagu

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HOME WITH MOTHER: An indigent woman and her baby lying on the Umaru Yar'adua Expressway, between the National Stadium and Wonderland Park, Abuja, yesterday. NAN PHOTO.

Vandal re-arrested 18 days after detention for same offence

By Esther Onyegbula

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AGOS—BARELY 18 days after gaining freedom from detention at the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Yaba, Lagos, Godwin Nwankwo, 23, was yesterday re-arrested by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, of Lagos State Police Command, for vandalising bridge railings and crash barriers on Ijora Bridge.

Nwankwo, as gathered, was apprehended while bringing out some cut-to-size railings and crash barriers from manholes meant to reinforce Ijora Bridge.

During interrogation, he

blamed his action on hunger, claiming there were no alternative means to get money.

According to the Enugu Stateborn suspect, “ when I was arrested the first time over same offence, I pleaded for leniency and mercy. Now that I have been caught again, I do not know what to say. But I know that the devil pushed me into this act.

“My plan was to raise some money to enable me relocate to Enugu, where I was repairing handsets before coming to Lagos. I want to leave Lagos because my life has been meaningless here.

“Unfortunately, I have been

al bill for detained nursing mother N30,000 debt due to bed space use.

However, a woman, who did not disclose her identity to the indigent nursing mother, visited the hospital and cleared the bill, with the payment of N35,000.

In addition, the woman, who was full of praise for Vanguard for the publication, also gave the

nursing mother food and items for baby care.

Vanguard was informed that before help came, the hospital's management had asked Mrs Okore to vacate the bed space, for another patient.

It will be recalled that one of the triplets, a female, died at the hospital for lack of care.

Godwin Nwankwo and his loot arrested again and only God knows if this will not lead me to jail.”

He claimed the railings were sold to one Alhaji Talimu Sanni and another man. His revelation as gathered, led to the arrest of Sanni.

During interrogation the 54year-old receiver admitted to the claim, but stated that he was oblivious of the fact that they were stolen.

Spokesperson for Lagos

State Police Command, Superintendent Dolapo Badmus, confirmed the arrest, saying anyone involved in the act would be brought to book.

She said: “We are intensifying our efforts to arrest anybody vandalising government’s infrastructure across the state. This stride has begun to yield positive results as some of them have been arrested and they are facing prosecution.”

AGOS—A 59-year-old man, Maurice Fangnon, was yesterday arraigned before an Apapa Magistrate’s Court in Lagos, over unlawful possession of offensive weapons and illegal assembly with others now at large, with intent to breach the peace, attack members of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, among others, at 119 Osho Drive, Olodi, Apapa and its environs.

The said address is the headquarters of MWUN. The defendant was issued a bench warrant by Magistrate Olufunke Oshin on June 20, alongside former PresidentGeneral of MWUN, Mr. Uzoije Ukaumunna and Ganiyu Ola. The warrant of arrest was sequel to their failure to appear before the court after they were served summons over the alleged tension they caused in their neighbourhood.

The order was issued after police filed a charge before the court against the defendants for allegedly causing fear on persons in his neighbourhood.

During the arraignment, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge and Magistrate Oshin granted him bail in the sum of N300,000, with two responsible sureties in like sum.

She ordered that one of the sureties must be a reputable civil servant of level 12 and show evidence of three years tax clearance to Lagos State.

The case has been adjourned till August 28.

8—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016—9

SECURITY CHALLENGES:

Buhari vows to end all

forms of terrorism

By Kingsley Omonobi

A

BUJA—PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari yesterday vowed continued support to the Armed Forces to end the myriad of security challenges plaguing the nation, including terrorism and militancy.

Represented by the Minister of Defence, Mansur Muhammad Dan-Ali at the commissioning of the multi-purpose Nigerian Army Resource Centre in Abuja, Buhari commended the efforts of the Nigerian armed forces in containing the security challenges, emphasizing that security remained top on his administration’s agenda.

He, however, urged the security agencies to sustain the tempo in the ongoing campaigns against contemporary threats across the country.

“I want to emphatically state that one of the top priorities of this administration is the enhancement of the Armed Forces to discharge their duties.

“We will continue to provide the much needed support to the Armed Forces of Nigeria to deliver efficient services and to effectively discharge their duties.

“I commend the commitment and zeal of the present leadership of the Armed Forces in tackling security issues across the country.

“I also appreciate the successes of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in the counter-

insurgency operation in the North East and urge you to sustain the tempo,” he said.

Buhari said the activities of the security agencies in the country would be further enhanced to actualize the objective of the present administration in making Nigeria a safe haven for investment.

Earlier, Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, said the vision behind the establishment of the resource centre was anchored on the need to optimize the capability of the

Army.

He noted that contemporary security challenges in the country and around its borders had stretched the Armed Forces close to its limits, hence the need for new ideas and interaction that will lead to improved performance.

According to the Army chief, the need to optimize the capability of the Army to meet emerging security challenges cannot be overemphasized.

“The Nigerian Army Resource Centre is a vision that is anchored on the need to ensure that the

Army does not only participate in the ground battle but in all types of terrain to ensure that our adversaries are defeated wherever they are.

“As you are aware, Nigeria faces sundry security challenges but our main focus has been in counter-insurgency operations in the North East.

“The Nigerian Army has been involved in operations to check militancy, pipeline vandalism, armed robbery, cattle rustling and inter-ethnic clashes, among others.

“These myriad of security challenges have stretched us close to our limits,” he said.

COMMISSIONING: From left: Director, Purple Capital Partners Ltd, Mr Nnamdi Obi; President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mrs Nike Akande; Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc., Mrs Sola David-Borha; Chairman, Purple Capital Partners Ltd, Mr Olutola Mobolurin; and representative of the Lagos State governor, Mr Adeyemi Olabinjo, at the official commissioning of the Stanbic IBTC-financed Maryland Mall in Lagos.

ECONOMY: NIMASA broke, managing to pay salaries—PETERSIDE

By Godwin Oritse, Godfrey Bivbere & Favour Eliokun

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AGOS—THE management of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, has said the agency was broke and managing to pay salaries.

Disclosing this to newsmen yesterday, NIMASA’s DirectorGeneral, Dr. Dakuku Peterside said the agency was managing to pay salaries due to the current economic down turn, coupled with low cargo throughput.

Peterside also said that the new forex regime will also impact on the finances of the agency, adding that it had taken some level of creativity to pay staff salaries.

He explained that every financial leakage in the agency was being identified and blocked simultaneously, with a view to improving its financial profile.

Explaining further, Peterside said the low level of crude export was another reason responsible for the current financial status of the agency.

“NIMASA is almost down and out; we are only managing to pay salaries. It is no longer

C M Y K

business as usual,” he added.

Meanwhile, the management of the agency has set December deadline for operations in the agency to go paperless.

This, according to Peterside, is meant to eliminate human contact between clients of the agency and its staff, a development that breeds corruption in the first place.

He noted that the bad image the agency currently had in the

eyes of Nigerians coupled with the global economic down turn and the seeming lack of focus on the part of the staff of the agency made the task before him very challenging.

The NIMASA boss said though the agency had a crop of well trained and dynamic staff, the structure of the agency currently made it difficult to achieve its core mandate.

He noted that though the

merger of the Nigerian Maritime Authority, NMA with the then Joint Maritime Labour Industrial Council, JOMALIC, to form NIMASA was done years ago; the new body had continued to operate on the structure of the defunct NMA. As a result, he said the management would embark on a structural reform of the agency to ensure it met its core mandate.

How Britain's split from EU'll help Africans —DONS

By Elizabeth Uwandu

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AGOS—LECTURERS in the Faculty of Arts, Lagos State University, Ojo, have said the exit of Britain from the European Union, EU, would raise the spirit of freedom, and nationalism across the world, and bring about the down fall of globalization. t They made this known at a roundtable discussion organised by the Faculty of Arts, Lagos State University, LASU Ojo, on the implications of United

Kingdom split from EU on Africans and, indeed, Nigeria, the largest of Britain's former colonies.

Guests at the event included the Dean of Faculty of Arts, Prof.

Abolade Adeniji; the Sub Dean and convener, Dr Pius Akhimien; Dr. Adeyemi Suenu; Senior Lecturer, Political Science Dept. Dr Sylvester Odion Akhaine; Senior Lecturer, History and International Studies, Dr. Dapo Thomas; Senior Lecturer, Political Science Dept., Dr Wale Aderemi and Prof. Harrison Adeniyi.

According to Prof. Adeniji,

Britain, leaving the EU, will factor a lot of issues politically, to the extent that if the crisis that will arise from it are not properly manage, the union will not be the same again.

“The split will lead to issue of insecurity, some members would want to leave the union and this might lead to the rise of nationalism, as many member states will begin to seek greater freedom. Lastly, no one can stop globalization, however, Britain’s break out will checkmate globalization,” he said.

GE to invest $2bn in Nigerian rail projects —AMAECHI

A

By Favour Nnabugwu

BUJA—THE Minister of Transport, Mr Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, yesterday disclosed that General Electric, GE, would invest $2 billion in the country’s rail projects.

Amaechi in an interview with CNBC monitored by Vanguard in Abuja, said the Federal Government was in search of Public-Private Partnership, PPP, funding in the Nigerian transportation sector.

He said: “GE is already in, we are trying to get the government agencies to allow us negotiate with GE. The company is going to bring in over $2billion in the Nigerian railway sector, in which they are going to revive the LagosKano narrow gauge and revive the Port HarcourtMaiduguri narrow gauge by private investment.

“It is good that such kind of funds will come into the economy, it will create employment, it will increase business and everybody will be part of the process."

MTN pays FG N18.96bn for 10-yr broadband license, N80bn fine

By Prince Osuagwu, Emeka Aginam & Emma Elebeke

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A G O S —

TELECOMMUNICATION Operator, MTN Nigeria, yesterday shelled out a whopping N18.96 billion to the Federal Government of Nigeria as payment to slots it won in the 2.6GHz spectrum auction carried out by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, recently.

This is also as the operator announced payment of N30 billion agreed first tranche of the N1.04 trillion fine which was reduced to N330 billion.

Added to the earlier N50 billion it paid to the Federal Government, the network has paid a total of N80 billion as part of the fine.

NCC said the spectrum guarantees superior performance for wireless networks, especially 4G LTE services.

10 — Vanguard, THURSDAY JUNE 30 , 2016

POLLUTION: Lagos shuts 70 churches, 20 mosques, others

By Monsur Olowoopejo

T

HE Lagos State Government has shut down 70 churches, 20 mosques and about 11 hotels, club houses and beer parlours in a move aimed at reducing noise in the state.

Mr Bola Shabi, the General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA, made this known in an interview in Lagos yesterday.

Shabi said that henceforth, the state government would no longer allow make-shift buildings to be used as places of worship.

“Precisely about 70 churches, 20 mosques and about 11 hotels, club houses and beer parlours were shut and we’ve given them some directives to follow.

“We’ve been so strict now that we are not going to even allow make-shift churches in the state any longer.''

Shabi said LASEPA planned to reduce noise in the state to zero per cent by the year 2020.

LAGOS LG POLLS: Hold govt, not NCP responsible for delay – AKELE

Live above board, Ambode tells LASIEC at inauguration Chairman promises credible polls

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

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A G O S—GOVERNOR Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State yesterday swore in the Chairman and members of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission, LASIEC, just as he charged them to live above board and be fair to all parties in the discharge of their duties.

Governor Ambode, who spoke during the swearing-in ceremony at the Lagos House, Ikeja, said the new Chairman, Justice Ayotunde Philips (retd) and other members of the Commission were carefully selected based on their track record of meritorious service and unquestionable integrity, hence they must be transparent and fair to all without giving undue advantage to one party over another.

The Governor said his administration places high premium on the Rule of Law, just as he vowed that the Executive arm of government would not do anything to directly or indirectly interfere in the affairs of the Commission.

He said LASIEC, as the statutory body saddled with the responsibility of conducting Local Government elections, has a critical role to play in entrenching the democratic process in the State, and therefore the newly sworn-in members must go all out to ensure the credibility of the electoral process.

Members of the Commission are Justice Philips (Chairman), Dr. Bunmi Omosehindemi, Mr. Lateef

AWARD: Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Finance, Mr. Yinka Ogundimu (2nd left), presenting the best school award to representative of Iju junior Grammar school, IfakoIjaiye Local Govt (left), while Mr. Oluwole Mamora, principal of the school (second right) and TutorGeneral/Permanent Secretary of Education District 1, Dr. Yinka Ayandele (right) watch, at the 2016 awards and honours ceremony for teachers in Lagos State Education District 1, Ogba, Ikeja.

Raji, Mrs. Toyin Famakinwa and Mr. Olusegun Ayedun, with Mr. Olumide Lawal as the Permanent Secretary.

Responding, Justice Philips thanked Governor Ambode for the confidence reposed in her and other members, and assured that they would do all within their powers to ensure credible, free and fair elections.

She also said that her tenure would witness the transformation of LASIEC to an institution that would be envied

L

AGOS—THE Lagos State governorship Candidate of the National Conscience Party, NCP, in the 2015 general elections, Comrade Ayodele Akele, has distanced his party from the inability of the state government to hold local council polls, saying the government should be held responsible.

Akele, who also criticised the appointment of care-taker committees to run the affairs of the 20 local councils and 37 local council development areas, spoke yesterday on ‘The flagrant and unrepentant breach of the provisions of the constitution on the 3rd tier of government in Lagos by the state government.’

Challenging the All Progressives Congress, APC-led state government to conduct the council polls, if it was not afraid of defeat, he said: ‘’APC in Lagos has been sponsoring propaganda and disinformation campaign against NCP.''

LASG saves over N10bn by restructuring LCC loan

Meantime, the Lagos State Executive Council yesterday approved the restructuring of the Lekki Concession Company, LCC, loan facility provided by local and international lenders.

The State Government in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, said that it has paid a total of

N9.8billion in full and final settlement of LCC’s indebtedness to its international lender, which granted a 21.16 per cent haircut (reduction) to the State. He said as a result, a sum of N3.15billion was saved.

The Commissioner said that in addition, local lenders, whose interest rate was 18.5 per cent at the consummation of the facility, offered a 12 per cent haircut and also fully paid with a restructured loan at 13.5 per cent, thereby creating a savings of N8.7billion for the Government.

Bank appeals ruling on Honeywell petition

By Innocent Anaba

By Anozie Egole

and emulated by other States of the Federation.

L

AGOS—ECOBANK Nigeria Limited has appealed a ruling by Justice Jude Dagat of the Federal High Court in Lagos, striking out its winding-up petition against Honeywell Group Limited and its sister company Anchorage Leisures Limited.

Trial judge, Justice Dagat had in its ruling of Monday held that Ecobank’s suit was an abuse of court process.

But, Ecobank, through its lawyer, Kunle Ogunba, SAN, has lodged two appeals at the Court of Appeal, Lagos, against the companies on seven grounds each.

The bank is praying the appellate court to set aside Justice Dagat’s consolidated ruling striking out the petition, as well

as an order directing the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to re-assign the petition to another judge for hearing.

Ecobank is also praying the court to restrain Honeywell and Anchorage or their agents from taking advantage of Justice Dagat’s ruling as it relates to their funds in Nigerian banks pending the determination of the appeal.

The appellant is also urging the appellate court to “urgently assign a date for hearing of the duly filed motion for injunction in the interest of justice and in pursuance of the abiding tenet to always hold the scale of justice evenly and balanced between contending parties.”

Ecobank filed the winding-up petition against Honeywell Group’s inability to pay an alleged debt to the tune of N5.5

Firm unveils UAC Unscripted tomorrow

H

S Media Group, a global sports conglomerate television company, will on behalf of UACN Plc, unveil a family television game show ‘UAC Unscripted’ tomorrow at the HS Media Group Complex in Oregun by 11.00 a.m. prompt.

The event which will be anchored by ace actor cum comedian – Okey Bakassi, will have in attendance top management hierarchy of UACN as well as select media gurus. It will also host quite a

handful of specially selected entertainment personalities with other attractive events lined up as well.

UAC Unscripted – the newest in the products of HS Media Group is a TV game show, which airs on NTA family belt by 8:30pm – 9:00pm on Mondays and will feature two celebrity families in fun-filled games that educate, entertain and stimulate family bond for the viewing audience. It is aimed at promoting family virtues of love and affinity.

billion, but same was struck out by the lower court for constituting an abuse of court process.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 — 11

Ajimobi begins property tax collection with self, EXCO members Arraigns civil servants over multiple salaries

By Ola Ajayi, with Agency reports

 Say N'Delta militants' actions wont go unpunished

I

BADAN—GOVERNOR Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and members of the state executive council have up till July 15 to pay property tax on their private buildings, as the state kick-starts aggressive revenue generation to shore up its dwindling Internally Generated Revenue, IGR. The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun, who stated this in Ibadan, yesterday, emphasized that the evaluation and collection of property tax would begin from the private residence of the governor.

He said the government had commenced the process for an aggressive revenue drive that would witness the collection of land use charge, revenue and taxes on properties and businesses located within the state.

Also at the briefing were the Special Adviser to the Governor on Internal Revenue, Mr. Biyi Oloko; a consultant on internal revenue generation, Mr. Bicci Alli and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of information, Dr Bashir Olanrewaju.

The commissioner assured residents that the ministry would embark on door-to-door advocacy and enlightenment campaign to sensitize members of the public

Y

VISIT: From left: Director General Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce, NBCC, Mrs. Joyce Akpata; Patron, NBCC, Chief Michael Olawale-Cole, CON; Chairman & CEO, Premier Lotto, Chief Kessington Adebukunola Adebutu; President & Chairman of Council; Prince Dapo Adelegan and immediate past President & patron, NBCC, Prince Prince Adeyemi Adefulu, MFR, when NBCC paid a courtesy visit to Premier Lotto in Lagos. about the new tax and payment regime before hitting the roads.

He added that any member of the state executive council whose tax had not been paid up to date would have such money deducted from source before other members of the public were dragged into the tax net.

In his contribution, Oloko said all self-employed individuals in the state would be dragged into Personal Income Tax net, stressing that all residents in the state would be expected to have completed payment of the tax by the end of March every year.

He explained that all property in the state had been enumerated and payment of taxes would be enforced through the issuance of Certificate of Occupancy, adding that tax offices had been opened across the 33 local government councils in the state.

Arraigns civil servants over multiple salaries

Meantime, two out of over 16,000 civil servants alleged to have been involved in fraudulent practices including collection of multiple salaries running into millions of naira in Oyo State have

been arraigned in an Iyaganku Magistrate Court.

Other suspects discovered by the screening committee set up

by Governor Abiola Ajimobi were said to have escaped arrest and gone into hiding for fear of being prosecuted.

The two accused, Mr. Oluwaseun Adegoke and Ojo David Olanrewaju who appeared in courts two and three presided over by Magistrates A. F Richard and A.A Adebisi respectively were brought into the court room by men from the Department of State Security Services.

Ekiti Assembly members protest, condemn freezing of Fayose’s accounts

By Rotimi Ojomoyela

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DO-EKITI—THERE was a mild drama in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital yesterday, when lawmakers of state House of Assembly hold a plenary session right in the middle of highway, in protest against the freezing of the account of Governor Ayodele Fayose at the Zenith by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC had on June 21 frozen two account numbers 1003126654 and 9013074033, belonging to Fayose at the Zenith Bank alleging that N1.2 billion of the $2.1 billion arms scandal was traced to the accounts.

The lawmakers, who sat under a canopy displayed placards with different inscriptions such as: “ we are ready for arrest”,”harassing Ekiti lawmakers/government won’t give you 2018,” “No matter your media trial and blackmail, on Fayose we stand” and leave Fayose alone” among others.

They accuse the federal government of deliberately orchestrating and manipulating anti-graft and security agencies to intimidate and harass Fayose over his consistent and strident C M Y K

Yoruba elders fume over attacks on South-West

criticism of Buhari’s policies.

Policemen in 11 hilux pick-up vans provide security to the protesters, six of the vans were used to block one lane of the Okesa dual carriage highway forcing motorists coming from Fajuyi road to divert to the other side of the road.

The lawmakers, who came to the scene with travelling bags

containing their personal effects, said they were ready for the EFCC’s arrest.

The Speaker of the assembly, Hon. Kola Oluwawole, while addressing newsmen said the sit out assignment was meant to pass a note of warning to the APC-led federal government that they were solidly behind Fayose and that nobody can use them to impeach

the governor.

The deputy speaker, Segun Adewumi, said; “If Fayose builds house anywhere, it is not their business; they should wait until he finishes his tenure.”

He alleged that security reports at their disposal indicated that 10 of them had been pencilled down by the federal government for arrest over trump up charges.”

Aregbesola, great supporter of the Church, says Pope’s envoy ‘I've not drawn salary since I became gov'

By Gbenga Olarinoye

O

SOGBO—THE Catholic Church yesterday described Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State as a major pillar of support of the church, just as the church said it does not promote or support violence of any form.

This was just as the Governor Aregbesola said his government has no ill-feeling against any sect or religion, noting that religion is an instrument of developing capacity for love, instrument for refinement and testing the human will to resist provocations.

Both spoke when the representatives of the Pope and Ambassador of the Vatican, Most

Reverend Augustine Kashuja led other Bishops of the church to pay a courtesy call on him at the Government House yesterday.

The visit was ahead of the ordination of a new Bishop for the Osogbo Dioceses of the Catholic Church.

The Papal envoy said there is no face-off between the Christians since the governor assumed office five years ago because of the role dialogue plays in the relationship between the church and the state.

Aregbesola pledged his administration’s support to the Catholic and entire Church, promising that government will continue to work with leadership of the church, members as well

other Christian bodies so as to bring about peaceful state where people will go about their religious, social and cultural activities without molestation.

In his remark, Professor Olu Aina, of the Osun Development Association ODA, who had been involved in the dialogue between the Muslims and Christian groups in the state over the hijab issue, said the furore on hijab had been resolved amicably.

I’ve not drawn salary since I became governor - Aregbesola Meantime, Governor Aregbesola has given reasons why he had not constituted a new cabinet with about two years into his re -election into the office.

ORUBA elders on the banner of the Yoruba Unity Forum, YUF, have decried what they termed as unprovoked attacks on Yoruba land, warning that ‘’enough is enough.’’

The umbrella body of Yoruba socio-cultural organisations was piqued by the recurring incidents of criminal activities of terrorists, militants, oil thieves, kidnappers, armed robbers and Fulani herdsmen in the region, which had claimed many lives and destroyed properties worth millions of naira in recent times.

In a statement by Rt Rev Emmanuel Gbonigi (chairman) and Senator Anthony Adefuye (secretary), the elders said they were compelled to aver again that the murderous activities of the criminals were stressing the peace” stability and corporate existence of the country.

Vowing that the attacks would not go unpunished, they said they would not allow the South-West to become a theatre for the prosecution.

The statement read in part: ‘’Nigeria is at,the precipice, threats of insecurity to life and property is no longer the exclusive preserve of any particular community. The peace and quiet in the South-west in the last few weeks has again come under attack in spite of the ongoing criminal activities of armed Fulani herdsmen in the region.

12—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

C M Y K

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016—13

Delta community raises alarm over killings, kidnappings

By Tare Youdeowei

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BU-UKU—THE People of Ubulu-Uku community in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, have raised alarm over the spate of killings and kidnappings, in the community, including the murder of the paramount ruler of the kingdom, Obi Ofulue Akaeze II, by unknown persons and called on the state and Federal Governments to urgently come to their aid.

The cry for help followed alleged murder of a security aide attached to the country home of one of the prominent political figures in the community, Mr. Emeka Okwudishu, who has been away from the state for several months.

Family members, who had visited Mr. Okwudishu’s country home, were shocked to discover the body of the security aide, who had served him for several years, killed and dumped in the water storage tank, within the premises.

A Police source who confirmed the incident, said that investigation into the killing was ongoing.

However, members of the Okwudishu family have raised alarm over the incident, claiming

that they have also been receiving death threats from unknown phone calls, since they reported the murder to the law enforcement agents.

An indigene of the community, who spoke on grounds of anonymity said: “Ubulu Uku community has now become a desert of sort, where people are

being killed almost on a daily basis by assailants who break into peoples’ homes, murder them and then disappear into thin air, without any trace.”

The motive behind these killings is yet to be ascertained, but sources said it may not be unconnected to political struggle in the traditional institution in the

community.

“Illustrious sons and daughter who usually visit home for social and festive activities are now afraid to come back, while some have relocated their parents and siblings to other places, because of fear for their lives. This is having adverse effect on our socio-economic, cultural and traditional life,” a source said.

Gbaramatu Kingdom begs Buhari to commence EPZ, Seaport projects

By Emma Amaize, Egufe Yafugborhi & Perez Brisibe

W

ARRI—GBARAMATU Kingdom, Warri SouthWest Local Government Area, Delta State, host to several multinational oil and gas facilities, has called on the Federal Government to begin the construction of the Export Processing Zone, EPZ/Gas Revolution Industrial Park, Ogidigben and Gbaramatu Seaport component of the projects monthly.

Gbaramatu Communities Chairmen Forum in an open

letter to President Muhammadu Buhari by Demebi Johnbull (Oporoza) and 10 others, said: “The benefits of these projects are enormous as they can absorb the teeming restive youths and further boost economic activities of the communities, Delta State and the federation.”

They commended President Buhari for sending the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Kachikwu, to the kingdom to inspect the site of the Nigerian Maritime University, NMU, Okerenkoko, pleading that the Federal Government “should continue the construction of the university

and ensure the commencement of academic activities in the institution within the next academic session.”

The chairmen said that the take off campus at Kurutie in Gbaramatu Kingdom “has been acquiredanddevelopedbytheFederal Government to support this exercise.”

Theypleaded:“ThePresidentshould directthemultinationalOilCompanies to carry out their Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, adopt environmental best practice, comply with the Local Content Policy of the Federal Government and give employment to people from the host communities."

SSANU threatens strike over unpaid salary

A

BRAKA—SENIOR Staff Association of Nigerian University, SSANU, Delta State University, DELSU chapter has threatened to embark on a strike action if the Delta State Government fails to pay its May salary.

Rising from its congress, yesterday, on the Abraka campus of the university, chairman and secretary of the association, Izu Monday and Mathew Eyuren in a statement, questioned the rationale for their unpaid salary saying, “what is our offence for which we are being made to suffer?”

Speaking at the end of the congress, Izu said: “We have not given the government any ultimatum yet, but we are using this medium to reach out to them on the assumption that they are not aware of our plight.

“If by the end of June, May salary is not paid, we would give them a 14days ultimatum and if they refuse to act, we would review the situation and take a decision."

14—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

Vandalisation and Power Supply

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By Bisi Koyejo

PROGRAMMEramme on Channels TV recently highlighted the awfully negative effect of vandalisation of gas pipelines, nationwide, on the poor state of electricity generation and distribution in Nigeria. While security agencies bosses interviewed on Channels insisted that they were doing their best to protect Nigeria’s vital power assets they admitted that they faced an uphill task in guaranteeing the security and functionality of these very important pipelines. Experts on the TV programme were at pains to point out that the pipelines carried gas needed to generate electricity for transmission and distribution to Nigerian electricity consumers and this would just be impossible in the face of such successful and persistent vandalization bordering on economic sabotage with impunity.

Given such a bad situation on generation of power which is bound to affect its transmission and subsequent delivery, one is really taken aback by the insistence of a section of the power industry especially the trade unions to vilify the distribution companies involved in electricity delivery for poor electricity supply and going on to accuse them of exploitation of the Nigerian masses for the new tariffs approved for them sometime ago. Undoubtedly the Labour Unions influenced the Senate in stopping the new tariffs which has led to the regulator of the electricity industry, the Nigerian Electricity Regulation Commission, NERC, taking the Senate to Court. With the Unions hailing the Senate with which it never sees eye to eye on anything as quite patriotic in illegally stopping the tariff approved legitimately by the body empowered to do so legally in Nigeria .

The Channels programme has been an eye opener to many Nigerians who smelt a rat in the ever ready and incessant

castigation of the distribution companies called DISCOs. From experience on privatization matters we thought it was just a case of sour grapes stemming from resentment of the new disco owners because of the huge capital they had put into the business. We thought that the unions wanted to show the new owners of the DISCOs that unions have to be recognized as before when the distribution was a public sector affair even though the unions know fully well the owners of discos were hard nosed Nigerian businessmen who had put their huge investment into the power sector because they believe in the Nigerian economy. No one expected the labour unions, in full knowledge of the problem of vandalisation nationwide to be leading the fight to call the dog a bad name in order to hang it in the way and manner they have championed the cause of vilifying the discos for poor electricity supply in the face of rampant vandalisation of pipe lines expected to be used to generate electricity in the first instance.

To Nigerians who watched that Channels programme the unions have been misleading the Nigerian public in painting the DISCOs as power sharks exploiting Nigerians in the supply of electricity when indeed it is fellow Nigerians vandalizing the gas pipelines nationwide who should be held responsible for a sheer act of sabotage or outright hostility and felony or even high treason. As patriotic and much respected public institutions in the labour market, the union leaders are enlightened enough to know that without regular electricity Nigeria can never make it in terms of economic development. Without economic development the fate of the Nigerian worker is to suffer and struggle to live always on subsistence level. Yet the objective of trade unions is to promote the progress and economic welfare of the Nigerian worker.

Koyejo, an analysts, writes from Bauchi

Elechi Amadi dies at 82

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT : ONE of Africa’s finest novelist, poet and dramatist, Captain Elechi Amadi, died, yesterday, at the Good Heart hospital in Port Harcourt, Rivers State at the age of 82.

A member of the family, Wabueze Amadi, confirmed his death Vanguard, on phone, saying he passed on at 3.45p.m., at the hospital.

The late captain Elechi Amadi was among the first generation African writers and novelists.

Some of his works were The Concubine, The Great Ponds, Isiburu, Sunset in Biafra, Dance of Johannesburg, Peppersoup, The Road to Ibadan, The Slave, Estrangement and the Woman of Calabar.

He celebrated his 80th birthday in Port Harcourt, in 2014 releasing a souvenir edition of one of his plays, Isiburu to mark his 80th birthday.

Born on May 12, 1934 in Aluu community, Ikwerre Local Government Area, Rivers State, he attended Government College, Umuahia and went to the C M Y K

•The late Elechi Amadi University College, Ibadan, where he bagged a B.Sc degree in Physics and Mathematics.

He served in the 3rd Marine Commandos of the Nigerian Army. He was first Commissioner for Education in the old Rivers State and also served as Commissioner for Lands and Housing. He had several honours to his credit. He was Fellow of the Nigerian Academy of Education and a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He was awarded a honorary doctorate degree by the University of Port Harcourt in 2011. He was abducted by unknown gunmen in 2008 and later released after

some days in their custody. He lived in his community, Aluu until his death.

Director General, NIMASA, Dr Dakuku Peterside, reacting to the sad news, described him as a great Nigerian who will be greatly missed.

He said, “Captain Elechi Amadi, certainly was a man of many parts who touched lives in many ways. And he will be remembered for good by many people who met him physically or through his books. He was a well known author, publisher, soldier and statesman who was concerned about a better society.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, expressed sadness over the death, describing his passage as a loss to the country. In a condolence message to the family, people of Rivers State and the entire country, Governor Wike said that Captain Amadi’s contributions to the development of the nation were legendary.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016—15

C M Y K

16—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

Biafra: Govt’s poor strategies inflamed renewed agitation —Kukah

By Clifford Ndujihe

T

HE RENEWED clamour for the actualisation of Biafra Republic would not have arisen if the government had adopted sound strategies to address the issues, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Most Rev Matthew Hassan Kukah, has said.

According to him, ‘’the so called movement for Biafra has gestated more as a result of the poor strategy that the government may have adopted in dealing with these issues.”

Bishop Kukah shared his thoughts in the 2016 edition of Truth Magazine, a publication of the Dominican Student Brothers, Ibadan.

Asked if the pro-Biafra Republic agitations are engineered by the economic and political failure of the government, he said: “Nothing succumbs to mere mono-causality. Everything is always the result of many other isolated things that finally come together. Some times, it is more important to ask what may have provided the conditions. So, again, the so called movement for Biafra has gestated more as a result of the poor strategy that the government may have adopted in dealing with these issues.”

Causes of violence Fingering poverty as the primary cause of violence in the country, he said: ‘’Extremism in whatever form operates in an environment of weak government’s presence, which tends to create a climate of corruption. This is why most of the violence often springs from the periphery of society where poverty exists. It is also the reasons why you hardly find violence expressed in places like

Asokoro, Victoria Island or the GRAs where the big men and women live together surrounded by their wealth, power and privilege which enables them to live peacefully. Violence is bred by the fact that the poor are often fighting over water for example and other scarce commodities that

the big men and women take for granted. Extremism thrives in the pools of poverty and destitution and its victims are often the foot soldiers.’’

On whether he subscribes to the claim that most religious violence in Nigeria begin as political before degenerating, he said: “It can start

from anywhere, but the failure of politics does help and to the extent that politics is about the distribution of resources, where this is not done equitably, people are often predisposed to violence.

So, political failure may be a necessary but not a sufficient condition.”

PROCESSION: Cross-section of Abians on a solidarity procession for Abia State governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, over Monday’s Federal High Court verdict nullifying his election.

PDP members, supporters on solidarity march for Ikpeazu over court verdict

By Anayo Okoli

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MUAHIA—HUNDREDS of PDP supporters from the 17 local government areas of Abia State, yesterday, thronged the Umuahia Government House in a solidarity visit to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu over his sack because of tax evasion by an Abuja Federal High Court presided over by Justice Okon Abang.

The party members and supporters took off in a procession from the party’s Finbarrs Road secretariat where they were addressed by the State

Chairman, Chief Johnson Onuigbo, before proceeding to Government House.

Leaders of the party who led the procession, including former senate president Chief Adolphus Nwabara and Chairman of Umuahia South Council, Randy Ukanwoke, who spoke for them, said that they were in Government House in solidarity with Governor Ikpeazu’s administration, which they said has brought hope to the people of the state within its one year tenure in office.

According to them, "it was not

justifiable to remove the mandate of the people and “give to someone who did not contest or solicit for their votes because of pre-election issue of tax payment”.

Displaying some placards, some of which bore inscriptions as “No justice on Abang judgment," "We want Ikpeazu as our governor," "Ikpeazu has bettered our lives," "Stop the gang-up against our governor," "We have confidence in the judiciary," "He shall win again,” among others, said that their confidence in the governor had even grown stronger.

Unpaid salaries: Former Imo AG blasts Okorocha

By Chidi Nkwopara

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W E R R I — FORMER Imo State Attorney General, AG, and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Anamelechi Aguwa, has described the prolonged industrial action of the state branch of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, as “the worst thing that has happened in the state”.

Dr. Aguwa, who made his feelings known while fielding questions from journalists, also reasoned that no government can claim to have done well when the vehicle through which the citizens can assert their right is comatose.

“No government can claim to have done well, or is doing well, when the vehicle through which the fundamental rights of the people are protected, is dormant or not functioning.

Any government that fails to provide the right to justice for the people, is a total disappointment to those who voted for it”, Aguwa said.

When asked to proffer solution for the current impasse, the former AG declined, adding that the present state administration is impervious to advice.

“I cannot advise this state government because it doesn’t take advice. Why should I advise the administration? People should be paid for them to go back to work”, Aguwa said.

Ex-Transport Minister, Ojo Maduekwe, dies at 71, Ekweremadu mourns

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

L

AGOS — Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Chief Ojo Maduekwe has died at the age of 71. Maduekwe served variously as Minister of Culture and tourism, and Minister of Transport in the Olusegun Obasanjo administration and also Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Yar’Adua administration.

He also served as National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Maduekwe was mourned last night by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu who described him as a “political colossus, public administrator par excellence and uncommon

Late Maduekwe patriot who gave his best to the fatherland.”

Following the exit of Obasanjo from power, he served as Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Canada during the Umar Yar‘adua presidency.

He was an unwavering associate of former President Obasanjo in the period between 1999 and 2007 and was pivotal

to the development of some of the most cardinal political and policy programmes of that administration.

Even before bicycles exchange programmes became a central policy of many European and American cities, Maduekwe as Nigeria’s minister of transport had advocated the use of bicycles as a major mode of intra-city transport and demonstrated his passion when he rode on a bicycle to a meeting of the Federal Executive Council in Abuja.

Maduekwe was a central player in the politics of Abia State and represented the state at several levels.

As a matter of irony, one of Maduekwe’s first political rivals, Senator Onyeka Okoroafor who fought off Madukwe’s bid to the Abia Central Senatorial District in

1991 himself died last February and is yet to be buried.

Many Ibo leaders including

officials of the Abia State administration were yesterday comforting the family.

IPOB elders disown alliance with Niger Delta Avengers

By Vincent Ujumadu

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WKA—A body which describes itself as the Supreme Council of Elders of Indigenous People of Biafra, SCIPOB, has distanced itself from any alliance with Niger Delta Avengers, insisting that those who preach violence might be infants or not born during the 1967-1970 NigeriaBiafra civil war.

Deputy chairman of the Council, Dr. Dozie Ikedife, a former president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, who spoke with

reporters at Nnewi, was reacting to the claims by some IPOB members and Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, that the groups were aligning with Niger Delta Avengers and other militants in the Niger Delta for a united front.

Ikedife said there was no such thing as an alliance of IPOB with any group, adding that as a man who saw the Biafra war from beginning to the end, he would never support any violence.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016— —17 Unequal equities F the many doctrines or rules that I am intrigued by in the ‘English law’, the ‘maxims of equity’ have a place uniquely their own. If you must know ‘maxims of equity’ are ‘short pithy statements’ used to denote the general principles of ‘equity’. Like the maxim: ‘he who seeks equity must do equity’ –which may have been founded from the religious moral which instructs the doing ‘unto others what one would wish done unto oneself’.

By the way the ‘doctrines of equity ’ (within which the ‘maxims of equity ’ are contained), themselves are a system of the ‘English law’ developed centuries ago by the Court of Chancery in England, primarily to mitigate the severity of what the French would call the ‘comune ley’ or ‘Common law’ itself. And such severities of the English ‘common law’ as you should know, in the early days of that system of law, were especially legion, to say the least.

Whenever the rules of ‘common law ’ appeared unduly harsh or rigid, predisposing the ‘common law courts’ not to do proper ‘justice’ –which is the raison d’être for the existence of law- the equitable Court of Chancery, like the proverbial ‘avenging angel’, was empowered to revisit settled matters, with the gyroscope of ‘conscience’ and not with the giddy ‘scales’ of ‘law’, to reproof ‘injustice’ and to exhort the ‘common law’ judges into righteous adjudication.

Thus ‘equity’ was –and still is- like the equally ‘short pithy’ biblical apothegm too that says something to the effect: ‘all scriptures are given for ‘doctrine’ (as law), for ‘correction’ (in morals), for ‘reproof ’ (as measure of truth) and for ‘instruction’ into righteousness (or good conduct)’.

O

A clash of three powers

Senators Saraki and Ekweremadu

Right to prosecute President Muhammadu Buhari says: ‘delay defeats equity’, seems to suggest that any ‘law’ does not necessarily work ‘justice’ merely because it insists that ‘justice must be done and must be seen to been done’. Truth is ‘Justice’ must not

Righteous conduct So that the words of any scriptures –no matter of what creed- would have been written in vain if the essence is not so that they become a ‘code’ of ‘moral truth’ that guide adherents to righteous conduct.

And as with the scriptures of religious dogmas, so it is with ‘the laws’ made by man; -so that all laws amount practically to ‘nothing’ if they do not conduce in the end to the achievement of ‘justice’ in the society. For then ‘law’ becomes merely ‘for law’s sake’ as the ‘aesthetic arts’ are lampooned often for being merely ‘art for art’s sake’.

It has taken several pieces of ‘short pithy statements’ called the ‘maxims of equity’ to teach the English ‘common law’ itself the need, sometimes, to let ‘conscience’- and not ‘logic’season the instruments of ‘justice’. And it is the reason that one of the many ‘maxims of equity’, includes this one which proudly says ‘equity acts on the conscience’.

By the way the maxim which C M Y K

‘ right’ in law is proved, it obviates the need to prove entitlement to ‘remedy’ -in the event that that right is infringed.

The only circumstance in which a presumed ‘ right’ can go without a ‘remedy’ is where such ‘right’ appears ‘uncertain’ –in law. Thus, the saying: ‘ubi jus incertum, ibi jus nullum’ – or ‘where the right is uncertain, there is no right’.

But not so in the forgery case concerning Saraki and three others. The ‘right’ of the State accruing in the prerogative powers constitutionally invested in the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF to sue in this case, is as ‘certain’ as ‘certainty’ itself can get. All relevant police investigations at the highest level of administration revealed that a prima facie case exists which imposed a duty –even if discretionarily- on the AGF to prosecute.

In criminal, unlike in civil, law ‘vengeance’ is for the State which, as far as prosecutorial rights are concerned, it is deemed the veritable ‘victim’ of crime and not the ‘actual victim’ himself who suffered the consequences of a criminal act.

The ‘State’ and not the ‘plaintiff’ alone reserves the right to -or not to- seek remedy in court.

The victim of the crime allegedly committed by Saraki and others is the ‘State’, ably personified in the AGF.

By the way, the theoretical notion of the ‘independence’ of the arms of government is practically a misnomer; because what exists in practice among and between the arms of government is functional ‘interdependence’

only ‘be done’, or ‘seen to be done’, it must ‘timeously’ -if not ‘expeditiously ’- be done.

Because ‘justice delayed’ as a maxim of law posits, is ‘justice denied’.

Saraki and the gang: One popular ‘maxim of equity’ that resonates well with the ‘lay public’ is that which says ‘he who comes to equity must come with clean hands’.

It is a little less pithy version of that which says ‘he who seeks equity must do equity’.

But there are several other such maxims of equity away from the knowledge of the ‘lay public’ which are as morally conscientious –if not more soas ‘coming to equity’ only when ‘your hands are clean’ or ‘doing equity’ because you too ‘seek equity’.

One of such is: ‘equity will not suffer a wrong to be without remedy’. Meaning that ‘equity’ abhors denying any who has a claim backed by ‘law’ the right to sue on that claim. And this resonates perfectly well with the allegation of ‘forgery’ said to have been committed by the Senate President Saraki and three others side by side with the right of the State to sue upon that. If ‘equity will not suffer a wrong to be without remedy’, ‘victims’ of infraction of the law are therefore assured a right of recourse to the courts for remedy.

In fact, in spite of its famed antecedent severity, even the ‘common law’ has not been known to be averse to recognising the basic fundamental requirement of ‘justice’ which is encased in the maxim: ‘ubi jus ibi remedium’ or ‘where there is a right, there is a remedy’.

Whenever the existence of a

And going also by the maxim ‘equitas sequitor legem’, or ‘equity follows the law’, the one in whom the right resides to seek remedy for a wrong cannot, in equity, be denied that right.

In the instant case of Saraki and others therefore, to derogate –under any guise- the right of the State to prosecute the alleged offenders, is to suggest that equity, contrary what it claims, CAN ‘suffer a wrong to be without remedy’ or to suggest that even where there is a right ‘certain’ in ‘law’, there should NOT be remedy.

The Attorney General of the Federation being the Chief law Officer of the land, personifies the ‘State’ in this case and is thus its ‘avenging angel’. And although he is not obligated by law to have to seek redress in every wrong done to the state, he is imbued with the right of a person wronged at civil law, to choose to sue to get the State

recompensed or to forgo the right to prosecute even the most grievous offence done to the commonwealth.

It is within the constitutional powers and or right of the AGF, in the interest of justice and of the due process of law, to exercise that prerogative of choice to take over and continue or to take over and discontinue prosecution of any criminal case instituted by any prosecuting agency empowered by law to do so. In fact, it is within the constitutional powers of the AGF to decide to prosecute ‘one’ or ‘all’ or ‘some’ or ‘none’ of members of a confederacy of persons accused of a crime.

Postscript: To suggest therefore that instituting criminal proceedings against the Senate leadership bears the imprimatur of the Executive arm trying to undermine the principles of separation of powers; or that it constitutes a coup of one arm against another, is most uncharitable, odiously non sequitur, preposterous and vexatious -to say the least. It goes beyond merely ‘crying wolf ’, it tantamounts to the ‘hauling of Irish wolves against the appearance of the moon’.

By the way, the theoretical notion of the ‘independence’ of the arms of government is practically a misnomer; because what exists in practice among and between the arms of government is functional ‘interdependence’.

In fact,even the idea of noninterference in the affairs of one arm by another is a farce; because each arm in one way or another is constitutionally obligated to interfere in the affairs of the other. The management of crimes cannot be the internal affairs of the legislature. It is the preserve of the executive; as its determination is that of the judiciary.

Legislators cannot hide under the guise of lawmaking to get away with high crimes and misdemeanors. Because again “equity will not permit a statute to be a cloak of fraud”. The power to ‘legislate’ cannot derogate the power to ‘execute’; nor should the power to ‘adjudicate’ be derogated by either powers, or that itself should attempt to derogate the others.

“Where there are equal equities”, as another maxim of equity would say, “the law prevails”. Let it, let it –Saraki.

18 — Vanguard, THURSDAY June 30, 2016 EARLY this week, just the second week in the life of the flexible foreign exchange regime, the policy has slid into revisionism, rejigs and reforms.

First, at the point of take off, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, was forced to abandon its plans to admit only 8 to 10 banks into its Forex Principal Dealership category after some industry stakeholders impressed on it, the implication of the competition of the categorization.

The apex bank had to throw the window open wider to accommodate as many banks as possible.

Next, on Monday while hosting the big business elites, President Muhammadu Buhari, who had endorsed the new forex regime made a full 360 degree reversal and discredited the value of the new order, apparently displeased at the new exchange rate.

Finally, less than 24 hours later we were told by the association of Bureau de Change, BDC,

New forex regime: Too early for somersaults operators that CBN had reversed itself and decided to begin direct sales of foreign exchange to BDCs despite the long and decisive condemnation the apex bank had reeled out while banning them from accessing its forex trade. The CBN had reiterated the ban in the new forex policy.

Who knows what the changes would be in the next few weeks or even days. That is the character of the new forex regime, policy infidelity, and this is what the apex bank can hardly afford.

We recall that just a week ago,

several international investor comments alluded to policy stability as a factor that would determine the expectations that foreign investments, one of the key targets and yard sticks for measuring the success of the new policy, would respond positively, to the new regime.

Generally, the foreign investors have applauded the policy but most, , said they will stay away until the authorities demonstrate commitment to sound and credible market regime, with the economy showing signs of recovering from damage inflicted by the 16-month old

wrong-headed exchange rate control policy.

While investors welcomed the new forex regime as the right first step, most of them plan to watch Nigeria from the sidelines, probably anticipating a flip-flop.

Are we already seeing the flipflop?

For sure the apex bank had its reasons for the policy adjustments it had effected but we are worried about the extent of the thoughtfulness and consultations in its making.

We empathise with the apex bank for the presidential revolt and we also expect it to be a little more tactical in managing the presidential mind-set which most people see as anti-market. Was he properly informed?

We urge the CBN to immediately begin appropriate damage control to change the ugly face of instability threatening the intended outcome of its well received forex policy.

OPINION Sen Pius Ewherido: Three years after

By Daniel Okeme OW time flies! Three years ago, precisely on the 30th of June 2013, H Delta State and the entire nation lost to the

world beyond, one of the brightest, foremost and accomplished politician in the person of Senator Akporokena Pius Ewherido. He was the representative of Delta Central Senatorial District in the Nigerian Senate.

The eulogies that greeted his glorious exit and the gathering witnessed even in his death particularly the presence of people from all walks of life, were resounding testimony of the life and times of this great man.

Pius Ewherido was born on May 4, 1963 into the family of Joseph Ewherido of Egwhu, Delta State. He was the third child in a closely-knit family of the Catholic tradition.

Senator Ewherido started his formal education at St. Paul’s, Primary School Ughelli, and finished in RCM Primary School, Ozoro, all in Delta State.

He attended Notre Dame College, Ozoro, for his secondary education and thereafter proceeded to the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) where he studied philosophy and emerged the best graduating student in his class. After his Youth Service in Ogun State University, Ago Iwoye, he joined the business world. During his years as a business man, he enrolled in the University of Benin to study law on a part-time basis and graduated with a law degree and was called to the Nigerian Bar

in the year 2000.

Senator Ewherido cut his teeth in politics when he joined the United Nigeria Congress party in 1997 during the Sani Abacha era.

After the botched transition programme, he continued with his businesses.

In 1998, he joined the People’s Democratic Party,PDP, contested and won the Ughelli

At the time of his death, Ewherido was not only a dominant figure in Nigerian politics South Constituency election to the Delta State House of Assembly in 1999. His colleagues, who noticed his leadership qualities in those early days, elected him Deputy Speaker which was the highest position zoned to Delta Central in the House. For over a year, he also acted as Speaker of the House. His distinguished, vibrant, sterling and robust leadership are still reference points till date. He brought recognition, acceptance, dignity and prestige to the Office of the Deputy Speaker and was perhaps the most visible State Assembly Deputy Speaker in his time.

Senator Ewherido was not just a leader in the House, he was a lawmaker par excellence. In his time, in conjuction with the executive arm, over 10 roads were constructed in his Ughelli South Constituency, over 20 towns and villages were provided with electricity, over 15 towns and villages were blessed with potable

water, a lot of primary and secondary schools were given face lift in the Local Government, among many other projects.

It was mainly in appreciation of his performance that he was overwhelmingly voted back to the House in 2003. Other accolades also came in appreciation of his performance and contributions. He was honoured with the following traditional titles, The Otemunoruemu of Egwhu Kingdom, The Adjerese of Effurun-Otor Kingdom. The Aruore of Enwhe Kingdom.

The Eje Urhobo Yovwi of Olomu Kingdom.

Ewherido contested the PDP governorship primaries in 2006. Dissatisfied with the conduct of the primaries, he withdrew from active politics in 2007 after his tenure in the House lapsed. In 2010 he switched camp to the Democratic People’s Party, DPP. He contested and won the DPP Delta Central Senatorial primaries before going on to win the main election in 2011. Since 2011, even as a lone DPP senator, Ewherido gave the people of Delta Central vibrant and effective representation, drawing from his experience as a state legislator. In less than two years in the Senate, he had sponsored four bills. They are: *A Bill for an Act to make provisions for creating the offence of Corporate Manslaughter and matters incidental thereto. *A Bill for an Act to Establish the Welding Standards Regulatory Council of Nigeria *A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of The Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for Devolution of more responsibilities to States and Public Sector Accountability(by the creation of the office of Auditor General of the Federation

as distinct from the The Office of The Auditor General of the Federal Government of Nigeria) *A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to streamline the jurisdiction of the appellate courts for quick dispensation of justice and for matters incidental thereto.

The public hearing of the Bill on corporate Manslaughter was held on April 22, 2013 and was well received by stakeholders.

Consistent with his humanist disposition, majority of the bills Ewherido sponsored since his days in the State Assembly are people oriented. Ewherido was a man of the people, a thoroughbred grass root politician. In his time in the Senate, he also co-sponsored 12 motions and attracted developmental projects, scholarships, job opportunities, training locally and abroad among others to his constituents and constituency.

At the time of his death, Ewherido was not only a dominant figure in Nigerian politics, he had also distinguished himself as a grass root man, a charismatic leader of the rural poor, a gifted orator and a profound social thinker. Ewherido was heavily into charity and philanthropy that cut across denominational, religious and ethnic lines to the extent that he forgot himself.

There was no denying the fact that Ewherido’s death three years ago was a very sad one, memorable, poignant, not only for the Urhobo people but to Nigeria as a nation. *Mr. Okeme, editor The Freelance Eleven, wrote from Warri, Delta State.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

— 19

New forex policy attracts $20m foreign investment •Modalities for dollar sales to BDCs coming soon —CBN Continues from page 1 the Financial Market Dealers Quote (FMDQ) said, “First Naira-Settled OTC FX Futures Trades Executed between CBN and Citibank Nig. Ltd. on FMDQ”.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a source with knowledge of the transaction, told Vanguard that the value of the transaction was $20 million.

Vanguard investigations revealed that the $20 million was a foreign investment inflow into the country.

“What the bank did was to leverage on the opportunity provided by the Naira-Settled OTC Futures to facilitate inflow of $20 million into the country. It is boost for dollar supply into the market,” the source said.

The Naira Settled OTC Futures is one of the critical features of the flexible exchange rate regime announced by the CBN on Tuesday June 14th, 2016.

It basically means future purchase of foreign exchange at an agreed exchange rate, with any difference between agreed exchange rate and the prevailing exchange rate on the agreed date, settled in naira. It was designed as a means of managing foreign exchange risks and reduces demand pressure for immediate purchase of foreign exchange.

Among other things, the Naira Settled OTC Futures: Provides protection against exchange rate fluctuation in investment portfolio; It allows the holder to fix prices for import and export purposes; It allows an investor to take a view as to whether the exchange rate will strengthen or weaken and take advantage of price movements that

suit their position.

“It is a good way of encouraging foreigninvestmentintothecountry”, said a senior banker, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “With the Naira-Settled OTC Futures, foreign

We urge the CBN to grant Approval-inPrinciple or Certificate of No Objection to the ABCON ROADMAP investors can bring in money and use the Naira-Settled OTC futures to guarantee the exchange rate at which they will exit the country. It will help to stabilise the system, if it iswellmanagedandimplemented”, he said.

Modalities for dollar sales to BDCs coming—CBN

Meanwhile, the CBN yesterday said that it is working on modalities toaccommodatebureauxdechange (BDCs) and other stakeholders in the new foreign exchange regime.

Deputy Director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department, Mr. Anthony Ikem disclosed this while speaking at an interactive session between CBN and BDCs organised

by Association of Bureaux De Change Operators (ABCON) in Lagos.

From left, Chairman, Board of Directors, Unilever Nigeria Plc, His Majesty, Nnaemeka Achebe; Managing Director, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Mr. Yaw Nsarkoh; Global CEO, Unilever PLC, Mr. Paul Polman; and President Muhammadu Buhari during the Unilever Global CEO’s courtesy visit to President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja Ikem said the management of the CBN was working on how the BDCs could be accommodated and carried along in the new forex regime.

He urged the bureau de change operators to exercise patience, saying the CBN was aware of the challenges confronting the subsector.

He added, “The CBN is asking the BDCS to exercise patience. The New policy is still being tested to see how it would be later.”

“Even as the policy is being tested, the CBN still understands the role of the BDCs in the country. They are still relevant in the scheme of theaffairsofthecountry.Thedirector noted that there was need for the BDCs to corporate and partner with the CBN to see how they would be accommodated in the new policy.”

On his part, ABCON President, Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe called on the CBN to make Retail foreign Exchangetransactionstheexclusive preserve of BDCs. He said: “We

believe that the CBN and ABCON have a common goal which is stability of the foreign exchange market and the exchange rates. The challenge however that is while ABCON has been increasingly willing to collaborate and support efforts of the CBN in this regard, the attitude and response from the CBN in recent times is not too encouraging.

Hence, we urge the CBN to be more sensitive to the BDC industry and considerate in its policy formulationtoallowtheindustryplay its role.

Stock market rebounds as investors gain N81.63 bn *Naira float makes stocks interesting -Templeton’s Mobius

By Peter Egwuatu

$142.20

3.30

$3,040.00 6.00 $ 20.23

0.42

$49.05

0.47

$48.40

0.55

CURRENCY BUYING US DOLLAR 281 369.9084 POUNDS 308.9595 EURO 287.5857 FRANC 2.7649 YEN 0.454 CFA 391.4646 WAUA 42.242 RENMINBI 74.9233 RIYAL 41.5201 KRONA 391.44 SDR

he Nigerian Stock market yesterday rebounded to a positive position after a three day consecutive downturn as investors recovered N81.63 billion from their investment in shares traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE.

SELLING 281.5 370.5666 309.5093 288.0974 2.7699 0.464 392.1611 42.3176 75.0567 41.594 392.139

282 371.2248 371.2248 288.6091 2.7748 0.474 392.8577 42.3933 75.19 41.6679 392.838

CBN Exchange rate as at 29/06/2016 C M Y K

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Specifically, the NSE market capitalisation, which is the total value of shares listed on the exchange increased by N81.63 billion to close at N10.239 trillion from N10.157 trillion.

Another stock market performance indicator, NSE All share Index surged by 0.8 per cent to close at 29,812.91 points.

The performance, according to market operators was largely buoyed by the renewed buying sentiment in bellwether stocks such as Dangote Cement, DANGCEM Plc, which gained 1.0 per cent, followed by Guaranty Trust Bank , GTBANK 4.2 per cent and Zenith Bank 2.2 per cent. Volume of shares traded on the NSE rose 19.8 per cent, while value traded declined 13.5 per cent to close at 305.8million units and N2.9billion respectively, indicating mixed market activity.

Meanwhile, emerging market veteran investor ,Mark Mobius said yesterday that Nigeria’s stock market is becoming the most interesting one on the African continent to foreign investors after Nigeria devalued its currency. Earlier in June, Nigeria

ditched its 16-month old currency peg to the dollar that had throttled foreign exchange markets, led to widespread capital flight and caused its first quarterly economic contraction since the 1990s in a move widely welcomed by investors.

“Probably now, it would be Nigeria, simply because they are in such a bad shape,” said Mobius, executive chairman of Templeton Emerging Markets Group. Everybody is concerned what is happening to the country ,so Nigeria would be the place to look now,” he said in an interview on the sidelines of an Africa investment conference.

Templeton has around $700 million assets under management in its dedicated Africa fund, which has its biggest holdings in Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa. “The naira is still a

bit overvalued, so we could see a further fall in the naira,” he said.

Renewed buying interest in banking stocks Performance across sectors on the NSE was largely positive save for the Insurance index which dipped 0.7 per cent owing to profit taking activities in MANSARD Insurance which dropped by -3.1 per cent .

The Banking index rose 2.0 per cent as a result of improved buying interest in GTBANK , which gained 4.2 per cent , followed by Zenith Bank which increased by 2.2 per cent. UBA garnered 1.7 per cent and Wema Bank 8.0 per cent. The Industrial Goods and Oil & Gas indices inched by 0.6 per cent and 0.4 per cent higher on the back of bargain hunting in Dangote Cement rising by 1.0 per cent and Forte Oil 1.6 per cent.

20 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

An entrepreneur undertakes personal research on how to satisfy customers and solve problems

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Think like an entrepreneur

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F you are an entrepreneur, you need to think like an entrepreneur. If you are an employee working for a company who values entrepreneurial thinking, you need to think like an entrepreneur too.

As the culture and human-mind revolutionize, so do the needs and demands of the marketplace.

Many employees/entrepreneurs are rewarded for their innovative and unexpected ideas put forth that are unconventional, yet creative. For this reason, it is encouraged that people should, or must have that entrepreneurial mindset to raise their ranks.

Do you have that “entrepreneurial spirit”? Not sure what that means? Here are some of the characteristics that make an entrepreneur. To change your employee mindset into an entrepreneurial mindset, you need to acquire the following abilities.

Think big, think change Entrepreneurs typically have that zeal to change and become something more. They are constantly after making things better and improving what is not working. They dream big and tend to dislike being “conditioned” to thinking like a worker. Just like dreams, practicality and reality are set aside by entrepreneurial minds.

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BUSINESS

How to be a real estate entrepreneur

By Yinka Kolawole, with agency reports

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ESPITE the huge importance of shelter, Africa currently faces a serious housing crisis. The shortage of suitable accommodation is pushing up rent and property prices in several cities and towns across the continent, making it one of the hottest and most promising places in the world for real estate investment. The boom in Africa’s real estate market is a juicy opportunity for entrepreneurs to exploit and become successful property owners. It is not just enough to know about the juicy opportunities that exist in real estate market, the key to entrepreneurial success lies in action. The following are some very important tips about investing in real estate.

Set goals: There are two main ways to make money from any real estate you buy - sell at a higher price or rent (or lease) it to earn steady flowing monthly/yearly income. Which of these will be your goal?

What’s your plan?

Planning for retirement Are you planning for retirement and need a source of income to sustain you when you are no longer working? Do you plan to quit your job one day to pursue your real passions but need a regular source of income other than a job?

Maybe you really don’t need a steady income. It could be that you are looking for low risk and long-term investment opportunities that appreciate in value over time and give a better return. You want

something with investment returns that are better than a savings account and more predictable than stocks. Whether your plan is to buy, keep and sell later or to earn steady rent income, it is very important that you have a plan and stick to it. This is the first and most important thing to do before investing in real estate.

Who to buy from and how: There are usually two groups who sell most of the real estate you want to buy – public and private sectors. The main player in the public group is the government. Governments often sell real estate to ordinary people and companies for residential or industrial development. When governments sell real estate, it usually sells at a lower price compared to the prevailing market prices. Government housing

Passionate about work Whether you own a business or work for an organisation, you have to be utterly passionate about your work to have that entrepreneurial mindset. They tend to think about how they can evolve in their career and reach beyond the current boundaries.

Focus more on opportunities The entrepreneur thinks more about opportunities, and sometimes those that don’t even seem realistic. They don’t disquiet their thoughts with constraints such as money, people and time. They just jump into opportunities and think about resources later. Even Mark Zuckerberg did this and was very successful.

Appetite for risk You’ve probably heard this one many times before. They like to “give it a shot” at everything.

The entrepreneurial mindset loves the game of gambling. Just like gamblers, they dive in, maybe several times, just to find that one possibility in which he wins the game.

Brainstorm Remember the time in school when your teacher would make you brainstorm ideas for your new project. The art teacher may have tried this every time she asked her students a question.

Did you enjoy it and come up with some brilliant ones? Or, did you hate the exercise and waited for others to give them until the teacher had enough? Entrepreneurs are just like those kids who raise their hands jumping and flailing to give new ideas. To have that entrepreneurial mindset you need to have a creative imagination.

Be different The best of entrepreneurs have this desire for “different”. They don’t like routine and receptiveness. They want something more.

Entrepreneurs actively seek out new ideas and bring in something new to the field. There are plenty of faux-entrepreneurs who don’t practice this and just like to copy ideas from others. But that’s not the characteristic of a true entrepreneur.

•Sadie Douse is a consultant on entrepreneurship and business blogger C M Y K

Exportable items from Nigeria COMMODITIES Cocoa Coffee Cashew nuts Rubber Kola nuts Palm kernel Coconuts Cotton Ginger Charcoal Cow horns Hooves Timber Gmelina Shrimps and prawns Shea nut Sesame seeds MINERALS Cassaiterite Columbite

Gelena Gold Iron-ore Ilemmite Lead-Zinc Manganese Asbestos Limestone Coal Emerald Aquamarine Ruby Sapphire Granite Marble Lignite PRODUCTS Alkylate Alcoholic Beverages Aluminum products Adhesives

Ball pens Bolt and Nuts Baby food Feeding bottles Chemicals Cosmetics and perfumes Furniture Foam products Garments and suits Handicrafts Insecticides Palm kernel/edible oil Rubber sheets Lubricants Liquor Powder Leather products Polyester yarn and chip Textiles Tires and tubes Printing ink Glycerin

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 —

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& YOU estates are a good example of a real estate opportunity where ordinary people can buy and own housing units (single homes, duplexes etc) at below market prices. The private group is primarily made up of individuals and corporate organisations. If you look in the classifieds section of your local newspaper, you are likely to find adverts for real estate properties on sale. People are always on the market to sell property for all sorts of reasons.

Maybe it’s land that they inherited which they want to sell or it could be that they have an urgent need for cash. Other times, sellers could just be investors like you who want to realise their profit/investment.

There are always a wide variety of properties on the market for sale –

Set a target for yourself every year to set some money aside for real estate investment

bare land, partially completed buildings, old properties that need to be renovated and brand-new (finished) houses. Depending on their condition and location (developed or undeveloped parts of town), the prices will vary significantly.

Do your research You do not want to get involved in a property that is the subject of a fight or legal battle. There is a lot of real estate fraud going on and you need to be sure that you are buying from the right owner of a piece of property.

You must be sure of the correct condition of any piece of real estate you are interested in.

Depending on your location, there is often a way to verify the ownership title of every property. Most cities have a Land Registry with records that contain up-to-date information about every kind of real estate in the area. Your lawyer would definitely know about this. Pay him/her to obtain a report from the relevant government department. This is one of the most important but often overlooked things inexperienced real estate investors never do.

Most times, there are important pieces of information that you may be unable to get from formal or government sources. Ask around the area for any things you may be missing. There may be softer issues about the property that may reduce

(or improve) the value of your investment. For example, if there are frequent security threats in the neighbourhood (like robberies, kidnapping etc), it may discourage tenants from your property and likely reduce its value should you plan to sell it in the future.

You can start small Many people think they need to have a truck load of money before they can invest in real estate. In fact, we often wrongly believe that the property market is reserved for rich people and large companies who have deep pockets. This is so not true. Like every other business or investment that exists, there is room for everybody in real estate, no matter the size of your capital. Start with your savings. Set a target for yourself every year to set some money aside for real estate investment.

Get titles, govt approvals Due to poor regulations and inadequate controls, real estate scams are rampant in many of the cities with hot property markets in Africa. There are incidences of fraud where the same piece of property is sold to several people. This is just one example of the different kinds of fraud and scams you could become a victim of if you are not careful.

After you have paid for any piece of real estate, you should ensure that you register your ownership (or ‘title’ as it is legally known) with the appropriate government office or department.

Your lawyer can advise you on the relevant registrations and approvals to obtain. After successfully purchasing property or real estate, many people ignore this very important step.

By the time they wake up to the realities of the situation, it may have become too late. By registering your title and getting the necessary approvals, the government recognizes your ownership of the property and protects you from any fights or disputes that often show up in this part of the world.

Getting your title registered may cost you some money and effort but it is usually worth it in the long run.

Investing in good real estate is not enough. You have to do what it takes (legally) to protect your investment.

Investing in real estate is usually a long term journey; the rewards and profits take time to accumulate and the impact on your finances grows over time. Time is the only element of real estate investing that you don’t have.

Start keeping away some money every month as savings to buy a piece of property.

Set a target for yourself at the beginning of every year to invest in real estate. Get hungry for real estate deals and information. Start working on your ‘property hunting’ and negotiation skills. Since real estate investments need time, the best time to start is today!

The real money in any business is on sales of supplemental products or service

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Lessons from start-up mistakes “Failure is only the opportunity to begin again, only this time more wisely ”... the words of legendary auto entrepreneur —Henry Ford.

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NUMBER of entrepreneurs spend a lot of effort trying to avoid failure, and there are some lessons that could be learnt from their mistakes.

Business owners should not necessarily actively pursue failures.

But when they happen, you can come away wiser, stronger and ultimately more profitable. The following are some lessons to be learnt from common startup mistakes.

Chase every opportunity Chasing profits and building a long-term profit model are two different things.

Entrepreneurs typically have an instinct for smelling opportunity, but that same killer instinct can quickly turn to weakness when it becomes a distraction from primary goals.

Setting boundaries for the type of work and clients you want is vital to achieving long-term success. Saying “no” can be a best practice for successful startups.

Increase customer value It’s almost always easier to sell to an existing customer base than to find a new one.

So you must do all necessary things to maximize this.

This doesn’t mean you should stop your marketing efforts, but it does mean you should have a plan in place to increase your total customer value (TCV) — the total amount each customer is potentially worth to you.

The real money in any business is on sales of supplemental products or services. But this means you need to create additional products, and have a

strategy to sell them. Your goal is to turn prospects into customers and then customers into clients. But without increasing TCV, it won’t happen.

Exit strategy Having an exit strategy allows you to begin with the end in mind and demonstrates to potential investors that they ’re investing in a business model, not just a passionate entrepreneur with a dream. Don’t let your passion or optimism seduce you into thinking nothing could go wrong or that you won’t need someone else to step in one day and run your company for you. Remember: Begin with the end in mind.

Test assumptions One of the greatest experiences of being an entrepreneur is coming up with a big idea. But not all ideas are worth perusing.

Unfortunately, this is a reality many have faced only after draining their savings.

Usually it takes an investment of only a few thousands of naira to test a product or service - not millions and countless sleepless nights. Test all of your assumptions on paper first, know your costs, factor in the unexpected and then decide if it’s even worth testing. Only after you’ve completed those steps should you consider moving forward with a new venture.

Burning out This is probably one you won’t be able to avoid.

Unless you’ve experienced burnout, you’ll probably keep thinking you can handle everything. If handled right, burning out can actually transform you into a superhero - just a different one. You’re just a person and there are only so many hours in a day.

Determine which tasks are better handled by others, delegate or outsource those tasks and keep track of the results.

Nigeria generates N50.4bn fr om cashe we xpor from cashew expor xportt

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he National Cashew Association of Nigeria, NCAN, has said that Cashew export generated $253 million (about N50.4billion) in foreign exchange for the country in 2015.

President of the association, Tola Faseru, who disclosed this, said that the nation produces about 160,000 metric tonnes of cashew yearly, during the cashew planting season.

Faseru said the target is to move production to 500,000 tonnes by 2020, and also be able to develop a processing capacity of 70 per cent which is about 350,000 metric tonnes, noting that Nigeria is the sixth largest cashew producer in the world after Ivory Coast, India, Vietnam, Tanzania and Guinea Bissau.

He said cashew is currently grown in over 21 states of the

federation, including Ebonyi, Kogi, Kwara, Enugu, Anambra, Imo, Abia, Cross River, Edo, Nassarawa, Benue, Taraba, Ogun, Oyo, Osun , Ondo, Ekiti, Delta, Akwa Ibom , FCT and Niger, adding that it can be grown in all parts of the country.

According to him, cashew is one of the 13 n o n - o i l Strategic E x p o r t P r o d u c t s (NSEPs), to be used to diversify the economy under the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan of the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment.

He expressed satisfaction with the promptness of implementation of the first phase of the four-year cashew development road map in Osun state, which is to scale up its production.

C M Y K

22— Vanguard,

THURSDAY, JUNE 30 16 30,, 20 2016

Nokia and others operating through National Network of Franchise and Distributors are yet to conform to the Trade Unions (Amendment) Act of 2005 that allows freedom of association.

“We implore the Federal Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Ministry of Labour, the National Assembly, the Chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chairman of United Bank for Africa, Mr. Tony Elumelu, Oba Otudeko, Chief Ifeanyi Uba, and other employers and captains of industry to help in this struggle. Unionism is not evil but a platform that protects the productive organisation and its workers.”

From left, First Deputy President of Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, Olusoji Salako; President, Bobboi Kaigama; Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige and immediate past Third Deputy President, Bede Opara at the Triennial Delegates Conference of the congress.

Our jobs no longer safe, TUC cries out Stories by Victor AhiumaYoung

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ORKERS and their unions are arguably the worst hit by the harsh economic situation in the country as they are confronted with twin problems of unpaid salaries and insecurity of jobs. Not only that, increasing non-pensionable employment policy such as casualization, outsourcing and contract staffing of workers, has weakened the powers of organized labour and their members to confront emerging challenges.

Worried by this development, umbrella body for senior workers in the country; the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, has

cried out over upsurge in precarious employment policy and increasing onslaught by employers.

The 10th Triennial National Delegates Conference, NDC, of TUC, provided an appropriate avenue to address this issue perceived as anti-labour practices.

Speaking, President of TUC, Mr. Bobboi Kaigama, lamented that this attack on organized labour cut across all sectors especially the Financial; Petroleum; Power; Textile, Food and Beverage, Construction and Engineering, Chemical, NonMetallic, Rubber and Leather; and Maritime sectors, where all forms of unfair labour practices including large scale of

retrenchment of workers are going on.

Casualisation, outsourcing According to him: “It has become a ritual for us to regularly decry employers’ indifference to unionism. These days, before workers are given employment they are forced to sign undertakings never to join any union. What is to be expected from someone who has been in the labour market for years? Of course he believes that “half a loaf is better than none”. In the telecom and electronics sector, MTN, GLO, Airtel, Etisalat, Spectranet, Huawei, Smile, Miicon Wire And Cable, Haier Thermocool, LG Electronics, Samsung, Philips, Panasonic,

Unemployed and idle hands Kaigama lamented that since Global Outsourcing Services Limited, GOS, was formed in 2005, Nigeria had lost millions of jobs, saying “Companies now sack and re-engage the same people as contract staff, and most times the contractor is a senior manager in the same organisation.

Employers tend to forget that it is from the pool of these sacked, unemployed and idle hands that the respective members of Boko Haram, Militant groups, kidnappers, robbers and their likes are drawn. Organisations have their boom and difficult periods. They should re-invest from the huge profit they make in the boom days to sustain them during the difficult times.

Food, beverage sector TUC President said: “By the end of the first quarter of this year, the food and beverage sector had lost over 400 workers to downsizing, rightsizing, redundancy and restructuring terms fondly used by organisations when they want

to disengage the services of workers. A number of factors are responsible for all these, and pivotal amongst them is the influx of imported food and other consumables into the country. We have the best of beverages yet the security agencies that man our boarders allow same products into the country. As the biggest black nation in the world, Nigeria is supposed to have over 80 per cent of its youths gainfully employment, but that is not the case.

“Out of the 201 million people that are unemployed globally, a figure which may likely rise to 219 million by 2019. Nigeria with an unemployment rate of 10.4 percent in the fourth quarter of 2015 has a better unemployment rate than was reported in 66 Countries, but worse than 111 Countries including 23 African Countries which have unemployment rates lower than 10.4 percent.

There is therefore need for the government to formulate and implement policies that would serve as catalyst for mass creation of decent well-paid jobs both in the public and private sectors of the economy. And by “job creation” we do not mean graduates sweeping the streets or operating commercial bikes “Okada” or “Keke Marwa.”

He implored the government to “stop Guinness, Promassidor, Cadbury, Coca Cola Bottling Company, Nigerian Breweries, Nestle Nigeria Plc., Seven-up Bottling Company, oil and telecommunications companies, the Electricity Distribution Companies, DISCOs and Generation Companies, GENCOs and their likes from sacking workers just for the fun of it.”

We need urgent govt intervention — CANMPEF •Explains inability to create jobs

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HEMICAL and NonMetallic Products Employer ’s Federation, CANMPEF, umbrella body of not less than 97 manufacturing firms has called for immediate intervention by the federal government to save the sector from looming collapse.

Among firms in the group are Dangote Cement, Lafarge Cement, Evans Medical Plc, Ashaka Cement, Unilever Plc, May& Baker, Procter & Gamble, CAP Plc, DN Meyer, PZ, Vital Foam, Mouka Foam, Nigerite, Dulux Paint, GlaxoSmithkline Nigeri Plc (Pharmaceuticals) and Cement Company of Northern Nigeria, group called on government to immediately put measures in place to encourage business before things degenerate further.

Speaking at the 37th Annual General Meeting, AGM of the group, its President, Mr. Devakumar Edwin, said: “Recent developments and the present global economic challenges, i.e. fall in crude oil price, high exchange rate, lack of access to Foreign Exchange, multiple taxation by government agencies, non-availability of raw materials, low capacity utilization, reduction in profitability of companies etc are beginning to exert profound impacts for both employers and employees. Each of us here feels the pains. The prices of food items have gone up; the cost of transportation has doubled, consumers are now prioritizing their expenses and are no longer buying our products. The problems are that it seems as our leaders do not understand what

is going on. So, instead of giving advice, we are on our knees praying to God to open the eyes of our leaders to see the pains the ordinary citizens are passing through. The purchasing power of the people have been eroded which has been compounded with the recent devaluation of the Naira.

Talking of job creation “The manufacturing sector needs real encouragement, real incentive to continue in business, if this does not come, the problem will worsen. We will not be talking of job creation, but existing jobs will be lost as more and more factories will scale down operations. The people are already frustrated and the effect

is the increase in crime rate and others like insurgency. We are in a very frightening situation and we hope the situation will improve. We need to see basic improvement in infrastructure and others. If nothing is done to improve the situation, things may get out of hand. Like I said, not only that new employment will not be created, existing jobs will be lost and the consequences are better imagined” Speaking to journalists after the AGM, Mr. Edwin said: “For the last one year, our members have not been getting foreign exchange, many of them need raw materials. Dangote cement for example, the raw materials is coming from the ground, which is limestone. Others like paint manufacturers have to bring in a lot of chemicals and they have not been able to get the dollars to

bring in the raw materials.

Although Dangote cement can get the limestone from the ground but we need to bring in spare parts and mining machinery to keep the operations running, but we are not getting the dollars.

Now they have freed up the exchange rate mechanism but one thing is that it is going to raise cost. This is not going to solve my problem because dollar inflow continues to remains the same and the foreign investors are not coming, and if the local investors are going through this kind of pain, no foreign investor will be coming to the country.

“We need to have policies that will embrace the local investors and if you look at it today, government is saying it wants withdraw all benefits because its income has reduced."

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

— 23

Widows Day 2016 How Nigeria marked it

Traditional widowhood rites: Pros and cons

It is traumatizing to be a widow in any part of the world but in 3rd world countries such as Nigeria, being a widow comes with its own peculiar challenges. Apart from various unfriendly widowhood practices in different cultures, there is also the challenge of being sole breadwinner of a family which had full support prior to the demise of its head.

This is perhaps why the United Nations set aside a day dedicated to the ways by which the world better addresses the “poverty and injustice faced by millions of widows and their dependants in many countries of the world. Last week, nongovernmental, intergovernmental and governmental organizations commemorated the day (June 23) in Nigeria on an unprecedented level.

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1,500 widows get succour in FCT

By Funmi Olasupo

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HE International Widows Day has come and gone but will continue to linger in the memory of 1, 500 widows in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja and its environs as they were recipients of various startup packs for setting up small businesses.

This amazing gesture came from a well-spirited nongovernmental organisation, the Rock of Ages Empowerment Foundation, RAEF, whose passion is to ensure encouragement and joy returns to the down trodden in the society.

This was demonstrated during the recently held International Widows Day, at the Women Development Centre, Abuja,

where they doled out the gifts to the benefitting widows.

Founder and Executive Director, RAEF, Evangelist Ignatius Ezeigbo, disclosed that from 2011 till date, the foundation has empowered over 9,000 widows in various areas of skills acquisition.

Expressing dissatisfaction over the well being of widows in the country, Evng. Newman however called on the National Assembly to enact a law that would protect the rights of widows in the country He said: “What I always tell government is that there is no existing law protecting rights of the widows in this country. We need such a law to come up to protect the rights of these women.

“Like what we have discovered

A widow with her children here during medical check-up, their blood pressure is always high, not because that’s what they but because of the situation in which they find themselves.

“In some cases, they are stripped of their husband’s property and even thrown out of their family houses by their brothers-in-law, who are only interested in taking whatever the widows’ husbands left behind.

“Government will always tell you there is no fund. But we partner with government agencies like Ministry of Women Affairs. They always encourage

us to continue doing the good work we are doing,” Evng.

Newman said.

When asked of further achievements, Newman explained that over 10,000 widows and the less privileged have benefited from her healthcare service scheme and adding that over 2,000 children have also benefited from her education support programs.

This year he said, more than 1,500 widows drawn from Abuja and its environs are being empowered financially and Continues on page 24

Africa Fashion Week Nigeria takes off tomorrow S the much anticipated Africa Fashion Week Nigeria (AFWN) 2016, begins tomorrow, July 1, the organisers have revealed that about 60 designers from across Africa, will be showcasing their latest designs at

Ronke Ademiluyi

this year’s event, set to be one of the biggest fashion shows in Africa.

With the theme ‘’Connecting Africa’’ this year’s event which holds from July 1-3, takes off tomorrow with the Textile and Garment Manufacturing Conference, to hold at the Eko Hotels and Suites Victoria Island. The conference which is first of its kind is expected to bring industry experts together under one roof, to deliberate on ways of maximizing the potentials within the fashion industry so as to enhance the economic fortunes of the nation.

The 2nd and 3rd will feature catwalk shows from emerging and

established designers, with an influx of designers, buyers and exhibitors on display.

T h e AFWN launched in 2014, a sister event to the Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) was founded by Ronke Ademiluyi, to project Africa and her creativity to the world. The objective she says is; “to project our young undiscovered talents in Africa to the world. The show was created in Nigeria to provide a platform for designers who can’t afford to

travel to London to showcase their designs; our aim at AFWN is to see them through.”

Also speaking at the event Mr. Lucky Idike of the Bank of Industry, sponsors of this year’s show, said the Bank of Industry is collaborating with Africa Fashion Week Nigeria because, Africa Fashion Week is an industry platform, designed to grow the textile and fashion industry in Nigeria.

INSIDE There is no any longer margin in the clothes import business Pg 26

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Aisha Buhari tasks family on treatment of widows Pg 25

HE rite of mourning the demise of a husband in Nigeria has for a very long time been taken to the extreme by the relatives of the dearly departed either because they have plans of punishing the grieving widow or for other reasons best known to themselves.

CONS Confinement: During the period of mourning, the woman is restricted to her room. She is not allowed to cook or do any chores she would normally do.

Defacement: The belief of Nigerian cultures states that a woman’s hair should be shaved during the period of mourning.

Disinheritance: The woman is believed not to have any right to her husbands properties at his passing. She may even get thrown out of the house by her in- laws.

Mourning period: Within this period, the woman is expected to cry at the top of her lungs so people will know she is in mourning. Some cultures even go as far as asking her to sleep in the same room with the corps or drink the water used in bathing her husband. Lest she is accused of being the one who killed him.

Ritual cleansing: This happens particularly in the rural areas. The woman is taken to the stream to bath. Her clothes are burnt and she is made to walk naked home.

Dethronement: The woman is made to sit on the floor while mourning as a sign to show that her status has fallen.

Ostracism: They are shunned by polite society through no fault of their own.

PROS Maintenance allowance and residence: The husband is encouraged to make provision for his wife even at the time of his passing. This can be done through writing a will.

Ownership of properties: Widows now have the right to hold onto properties that are in their names at the time of their husbands passing.

Equitable share in inheritance of the property of her husband: Gone are those days when a widow cannot contest for an equal right in the inheritance of her husband’s property.

Elimination of prejudices and customary practices: Customary practices that have been used to bring shame, debasement and embarrassment to widows are being eliminated.

24—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

1,500 widows got succour in FCT Continues from page 23 materially by the Foundation.

The over 1, 500 widows, at the event, were empowered with equipment and cash to enable them set up their small scale businesses.

It was gathered that prior to the empowerment, the beneficiaries who attended the events had undergone various vocational trainings.

Materials and equipment donated to the widows include iron pots, sewing merchants, grinding machines, micro ovens, clothing materials, processing items, food items among others.

Meanwhile, since June 23, 2011, the Foundation has been actively committed to transform lives of these underprivileged and vulnerable widows by giving them quality education, good medical treatment and financial support irrespective of age, gender, race, religion or financial status.

The Foundation now has become a household name, because of its positive impact on various families and individuals who were nothing but now are something in the society.

The empowerment programmes and activities of the Foundation span beyond Abuja to other States in the northern part of the country where the less privileged have benefited immensely and are now doing well. Empowerment Foundation is now a household name to so many families, agencies, organizations and government Ministries within and outside Nigeria because of her activities.

From left: Wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Mrs Bolanle Ambode and Founder of the Rose of Sharon Foundation, Mrs Folorunsho Alakija, during the foundation’s International Widow’s Day celebration, with the theme: “Widows’ Economic Empowerment and Political Participation: A Call to Action,” in Lagos.

Rose of Sharon and Bolanle Ambode …

WIDOWS in Lagos State have been advised to acquire vocational skills and play an active role in politics, to fully engage themselves, upon the death of their spouses.

The advice came from Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, wife of the governor of the state, while

delivering the keynote address at an event in Surulere, Lagos, organized by the Rose of Sharon Foundation, to mark the 2016 International Widows Day Speaking on ‘Widow ’s Economic Empowerment and Political Participation: A call to Action’, Mrs. Ambode noted

that a widow without a vocational skill would be badly disadvantaged, as she had to depend on external support for everything.

She said a widow without empowerment, would be unstable and incapable of taking decisions on important

issues, affecting her and the children.

According to her, ‘Economic empowerment means everything to the widow…

Empowerment helps the widow to stabilize in the midst of the storm; to gain her voice in the crowd; to swim against the tide

WAPA trains over 600 widows in vocational skills

By Josephine Agbonkhese

A

S part of activities marking this year’s International Widows’ Day, no fewer than 600 widows are presently undergoing a four-week skills acquisition training at no cost, at the Women Development Centre in Lagos, The training is being organised by the state Ministry for Women’s Affairs & Poverty alleviation, WAPA. Speaking at a symposium preceding the flag-off of the empowerment exercise, Commissioner, WAPA, Hon.(Mrs) Lola Akande, identified widowhood as a catalyst to poverty, explaining that it is because of this notion that the state government thought it pertinent to initiate the ongoing 4-week training; to ensure widows in the state became self-

reliant.

Akande stressed that the World Widows Day 2016 served as avenue for discussion and called for effective actions on the plight of widows and their children across the world, who suffer exploitation, deprivation, persecution and exclusion as a result of the demise of their husbands.

Describing this as a prevalent humanitarian crisis that had continued unabated for too long, she noted that widows were incessantly faced with stigmatization, with relatives blaming them endlessly for their husbands’ demise.

In her remark, wife of the state governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode, represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Arts & Culture, Hon. (Mrs) Adebimpe Akinsola, expressed great regret over the plight of widows in this part of the world.

“There are too many hostile

Lola Akande cultural practices against women here, and these practices are further made tougher for widows.

“I am pleased they are presently being trained by the

state government because the greatest friend and consolation to a bereaved woman is economic empowerment in the form of a job or an acquired skill that can bring regular income and keep her busy so that she worries less,” she said.

Others who spoke at the symposium were Mrs Yemi Osoba, Tinu Odegbemi and Mrs Folasade Adesoye, Permanent Secretary, WAPA, who all lauded the state government’s support and investment in the lives of women and children in the state.

•One of the beneficiaries recievin

By Esther Onyegbula

I

N a conscious effort to empower widows and alleviate the plight of unemployed youths in Amuwo Odofin, Engineer Adeshola Openibo Initiative EAOI on Saturday reached out

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 —25

and to take a firm decision when the odds are clearly against her’.

She enjoined them to take advantage of the skill acquisition programme of the state government, which teaches many vocational skills in various centres across the

state.

‘At those centres, there is free training on decoration and event planning, fashion, tie and dye, soap-making, pomademaking, hair-dressing, catering and many more. “The overall objective is to make widows financially independent and to become employers of labour,” she stressed.

Speaking further, she advised the widows to make themselves socially relevant by engaging in active politics.

She said: ‘bad as it may be for a woman to have lost her beloved spouse, that should not be the end of her own life too.

In most cases, children are there to be looked after.

Therefore, women, specifically widows should play active politics’.

In her own address, founder of the foundation, Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija, noted that the foundation used the widow’s day, to draw attention to the plight of widows and how they can be supported.

She called on public-spirited Nigerians to join hands to ameliorate the sufferings of down-trodden citizens.

Highlights of the event included health talks and health checks on the widows.

Delivering the UN secretarygeneral’s address, director, United Nations Information Centre in Nigeria, Mr. Ronald Kayanja, commended the Lagos State government for providing the model to follow regarding the welfare of women and children.

He urged everyone to support the widows by not stigmatizing them and by ensuring they do not suffer any form of discrimination or sexual abuse.

EAOI empowers widows, youths in Amuwo Odofin

Aisha Buhari tasks family on treatment of widows •Distributes Ramadan gifts to Muslim groups, Hausa community in Lagos

Wife of the Governor of Lagos State, Mrs Bolanle Ambode (M); Director, United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), Mr Ronald Kayanja (2nd left); Executive Director, Hope for Life Initiative, Ms Kendi Aig-Imoru (left); representative of Director, Citizens’ Mediation Centre, Mrs Rotimi Odutola (2nd right); and Taiwo Ajai-Lycet (right) during the UNIC’s International Widows’ Day, Ikoyi, Lagos.

W

IFE of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari has spoken of the need for cultural transformation and an end to wicked and inhuman widowhood rites imposed on Nigerian women.

Therefore, she stressed that widows must henceforth, not be subjected to any form of discrimination or sexual abuse.

Buhari, who made the call in Lagos at the celebration of Widow’s Day organized by the United Nations Information Centre and Hope for Life Foundation, lamented the life threatening widowhood rituals to which Nigerian women were subjected, adding that such must stop in the overall interest of the advancement of the society.

She, who was represented at the event by wife of Lagos State

Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, equally advised widows to seek economic empowerment to live above cheap temptations.

Buhari, at another event, while distributing Ramadan gifts to members of NASFAT, Ansar-uldeen and the Hausa community in Lagos, also represented by Ambode, called on Muslims across the country not to abandon the spirit of Ramadan after the fasting period. She noted that the call became imperative in view of the need to encourage the people to imbibe right virtues.

According to her, Ramadan represents love, peace, forgiveness, peaceful coexistence and extending a helping hand to the less privileged, hence the need for sustenance of such virtues. She said that the holy Prophet held those tenets in high esteem and lived his whole life

In his welcome address, the Chairman of the event Banjo Omole noted that we need seasoned technocrats in politics who would touch the lives of people positively.

“Democracy/governance is about fair representation of all interest groups in the society and the low representation of women violated the principle of democracy and good governance. Women should get involved in politics because they are more compassionate and hardworking. More women should get involved in politics to move the nation forward,” he said Commending Openibo for

the empowerment initiative Alahaja Atinuke Thomas, (Ward A 1) Chairman, Amuwo Odofin, said empowerment is not restricted to financial donation; it is more about empowerment and skill acquisition.

“Today Adeshola Openibo has taken a bold step to empower widows, youths and the less privileged in Amuwo Odofin,” she said.

However, she charged that beneficiaries should judiciously use the equipment given to them optimally to become useful to themselves and their community.

…..Urges women to get involved in politics

to indigent persons in the community.

Apart from the cash donations to widows; grinding machines, popcorn machines, sewing machines, and other items were given to 34 beneficiaries.

Emphasizing on the ng her gift need for more women to be politically involved and actively participate in decisionmaking processes and the need for a balance in the representation of the two genders in the corridors of politics in Nigeria, Engineer Adeshola Openibo said that when women and men work together equally and in a fair and respectful manner, the best results

can be achieved.

There is a need for technocrats to vie for political positions. This is the only way we can checkmate selfish politicians without genuine interest of the people at heart and those who go into politics to enrich themselves.

Openibo who is a house of assembly aspirant added that because women are compassionate beings they reach out more to indigent and less privileged in our society; when people are empowered they have a positive perspective in the way they deal with issues.

around them, adding that the entire sacrifice of fasting would only achieve its purpose if Muslims continue with those principles beyond Ramadan.

Buhari noted that Nigeria was in dire need of peaceful coexistence, unity and mutual love to strengthen the social bond and to help the country overcome all challenges.

“The lessons of Ramadan should go beyond the fasting period. As Muslims, we must carry on the banner of love, peace, friendship and mutual coexistence beyond the season.

Model to follow It is only by doing so that we can strengthen the social bond between us and keep the country united to overcome all challenges.” Buhari stated.

However, delivering the UN Secretary-General’s address at the celebration of Widow’s Day, Director of United Nations Information Centre in Nigeria, Mr. Ronald Kayanja commended the state government for providing the model to follow regarding the welfare of women and children.

At the distribution of the Ramadan gifts, responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Chief Missioner, NASFAT society of Nigeria, Sheik Abdullahi Akinbode thanked Buhari for her kindness and for staying connected with people at the grassroots from far-away Aso Rock in Abuja. He assured that the beneficiaries would use the fasting period to re-connect properly with Allah and carry the principles of the holy month beyond the period of fasting.

26—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

There is no longer any margin in clothes import business —Abimbola Omotosho Decries new forex regime

Abimbola Omotosho

For international businesswoman Abimbola Omotosho, the nitty gritty of fashion importation has only made her stronger.

Running her business for twenty three years for her has been a journey full of challenges, rewards, privileges, successes and short comings too. In this interview with Woman’s Own, she shares more.

By Anino Aganbi & Dolapo Majekodunmi

H

OW did you get started?

I started out with a shop at home. At that point, I was working with Texaco. But then being a US citizen, I had my children abroad and on one of the trips when I came to Nigeria, I decided to buy things and within two days everything was gone. That is how my eyes opened to the fact that I could run a business. My husband did not want his children with nannies until they were able to talk. I started with 300 dollars and the business began to multiply itself. I get along with people easily. I am flexible and I make sure my customers are happy. Referral has been our biggest advertisement because of the good experiences that customers have had.

Between when you started and now, how has the market been?

It has been a world of change.

Then, the economy was booming. I was able to sell to people. I was very flexible. You

could buy now and pay twice, the dollar was consistent with the exchange rate so there was no fear of loss. Then I could say buy now, pay twice, that encouraged a lot of people to buy. I had a high turn around, business wise. But now, because I don’t know what the dollar is going to be in another month or two, I cannot take a post dated payment in naira. Over the past year and a half, the naira has been devalued by over 200%.

Calculation of today’s rate In October 2013, the naira was N166 to a dollar, today it is N355 to a dollar, that’s way over 200% . So if I buy something now and say pay back in two months and I use the calculation of today’s rate, by the time I pay back I would be running at a loss. I actually fell into that trap once. I invested a certain amount in dollars and I was buying less back. I should have just left my dollars because at the end of the day I was running at a loss.

You do a lot of importing, with the current trend in market how do you cope?

It’s only God, because there is no profit margin any more.

Everything has been closed up.

Purchasing power has gone down. People who had money before are managing their funds, they are laying off, our customers are bankers, they are blue collar people, some of whom are being laid off and the rate of the dollar is going up. Let’s say I bought a shirt for 10 dollars which in 2013 was N1,600 and I was selling for N 3 , 0 0 0 calculating shipping rate, custom duty and all, now that 10 dollars is N3,550 not to talk about the shipping, clearing, customs duty and all, so even if I sell at N5000, it’s probably going to be like a cost price for me. Somebody that was buying a shirt for N3,000 before and its now N5,000, it’s almost twice the price and the salary of that person has not changed.

Nothing balances out. There is a challenge, instead of things improving, they are not.

People don’t have the money and we cannot increase the price like we should. What I hear all the time is; increase your price after all it is what you buy you will sell. It does not work like that otherwise you will be looking at your merchandise. There are a lot of people who have not travelled this year or who have not done any business this year because it just does not make any sense.

With the buy Nigeria slogan going on, how do we encourage people to buy Nigerian products if we are not manufacturing things?

That leads me to the point that I am not sure what is going on.

There is no country that can run on just their products. The whole idea of trading started by trade by barter. You have what I want, I have what you want, lets exchange and we both get what we want. In the United States, they have made in China, made in Italy, made in UK, they have

all countries represented. You just have to pay for what you want.

And the quality is different. We are talking about buy Nigeria; we don’t have the raw materials. We don’t have the right expertise.

Our finishing is not the same.

How do you explain a pair of shoes that you buy, wear once and its gone?

Or a dress that you wear, wash and it’s gone. If you buy that dress or shirt for 2,000, you wear it once and it’s gone and you buy a top quality one which is not Nigerian that you bought and you wear it forever, which one would you think is a better option? So I think the government should give us an option or opportunity and make it easy for us to trade.

Better option I agree with the fact that we have to promote our goods and we have to be patriotic towards our own merchandise but also we have to think about the consumer.

Everybody wants value for their money. When the chips are down, we have to be really realistic about what is going on.

Encouraging the government can step in and encourage manufacturers to produce these things within Nigeria, thereby cutting off a lot of unwanted

Our finishing is not the same. How do you explain a pair of shoes that you buy, wear once and its gone? Or a dress that you wear, wash and it’s gone

cost………

The good thing about that is, Nigeria has a large population and there ae unlikely to be labour shortgage. There are other factors of manufacturing that we lack such as lack of power, no water; there are so many resources that manufacturing uses which are not readily available. Most of the raw materials we use for buy Nigeria

Abimbola Omotosho

are imported. A perfect example is our oil. We are blessed and endowed in this country and we are importing oil. That says it all in a nut shell. I don’t have a problem with inviting an international brand to come and start making their wears here but the truth of the matter is that most of these manufacturers are already on ground and moving out.

But Nigeria used to have some of these things produced within, what went wrong?

I would say lack of power, high maintenance of the manufacturing industry, to run a factory, you need electricity.

When there is no electricity, you have to buy diesel and all of these are reasons for manufacturing companies going down.

Tell us your definition of 21st century woman That woman who has successfully acquired the most important accessory of all. She has complete confidence in her clothes. We have upped our game by having our online shopping mall.

I am a very good communicator and as such I relate well with my customers.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 — 27

BREXIT

By Omoh Gabriel, Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor, Babajide Komolafe, Peter Egwuatu and Nkiru Nnorom

T

HE political uproar that saw Thursday’s decision by the majority of British voters to exit the European Union was about at the same level as the upheaval that preceded a similar referendum that formalised Britain’s entry into Europe in 1975. The decision of Prime Minister David Cameron to resign as leader of the Conservative Party and as such, prime minister, bears a parallel to the rebellion that Prime Minister Harold Wilson faced in the days leading to the referendum on the ratification of British membership of the EEC in 1975.

Just as with the 2016 referendum, the 1975 referendum was the first time in modern history that the historical mantra of collective cabinet responsibility was ditched as senior leaders of the then ruling Labour Party took to opposite sides in the campaign on ratifying the membership of the EEC. Indeed, the story of Britain and Europe has been one of mutual suspicion undoubtedly flamed by the historical rivalry between the engine drivers of the EU and Britain. At the end of the Second World War, the momentum towards unifying Europe through trade linkages led to the formation of the European Coal and Steel Community in 1951 with France, Italy, West Germany and the Benelux countries, namely, Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg as members.

Improved production Britain at that time preoccupied with its devotions to the Commonwealth, and also increasingly looking west towards the United States, refused to join, though it was invited.

The ECSC helped to create a common market for coal and later for steel. The benefit of the ECSC was seen in improved production of steel, a vital component of postwar technological advancement.

That led the member countries towards talks on a common market for all goods. This was agreed in March 1957 with the Treaty of Rome which gave birth to the European Economic Community, EEC, which formally took effect on January 1, 1958.

It was about this time that British consideration towards Europe began to change.

However, Britain’s application to join the new body was repeatedly vetoed by the French President, General Charles de Gaulle. It was the suggestion in several quarters that the French president had a natural detestation for the British who ironically hosted him during the war years. However, Mr. de Gaulle was to explain privately that his opposition and veto of British membership of the EEC was on the logical assumption that

•David Cameron

•Merkel

Britain and Europe: A cantankerous relationship Britain at that time could not mortgage her interests in the Commonwealth for Europe.

The French veto was only removed in 1969 after de Gaulle’s exit from power when his successor Mr. Georges Pompidou gave French assent for the commencement of talks with Britain which were at that time led by Mr. Edward Heath, who

At the heart of the opposition to the British presence in Europe was the fear of a federal Europe and the loss of sovereignty which were repeatedly echoed in the British media remarkably took Britain into the EEC as prime minister in 1973.

In the days leading to the formal entry of Britain into the EEC, the debate on the manner of entry led to a great uproar among the political class leading to internal divisions in the two leading parties, Labour, and Conservative.

Following the political rumpus that followed the entry, Prime Minister Heath of the

Conservative Party called for a post entry general election in February 1974. Though his party won the majority of votes, Labour won four more parliamentary seats forcing the prime minister to call for a second election in October 1974 which was decisively won

by Labour.

Labour had campaigned with the promise of renegotiating the terms of British entry into the EEC and to subject the renegotiated terms to a referendum. That promise enticed the majority of the voters in the first nationwide referendum ever called in Britain.

65% of the voters ratified Britain’s membership of the EEC and thus commenced the suspicious relationship that continued for most of the rest of the 20th century and the first decades of the 21st century.

At the heart of the opposition to the British presence in Europe was the fear of a federal Europe and the loss of sovereignty which were repeatedly echoed in the British media.

That fear led to Britain’s decision to opt out of the Maastricht Treaty of 1991 which led to the single currency which

came into being in 2002 following the transmutation of the EEC into the European Union with the creation of corresponding legislative and monetary institutions.

While it is true that the referendum that ratified Britain’s entry into Europe bore similarity with the one taking it out in terms of political casualties, there is one notable dissimilarityacceptability. In 1975 everyone agreed to forge ahead with the outcome of the referendum, but not in this case. At least on Europe, Britain remains divided!

Brexit: How will it affect Nigerians?

T

HE world lives in d a n g e r o u s times. The unimaginable and surprises are springing up by the day. At odds with almost all conventional economic thinking the British voted to leave the EU. The entire world was shocked beyond measure. It sent cold wave down the economic spine of global markets.

This decision to almost all commentators and analyst has huge ramifications for the future of the UK, the future of the EU and the future of the world.

It stands to reason that it is undoubtedly a manifestation of the widespread feeling in Europe, the US and elsewhere that ordinary people are being ignored politically and left behind economically. But whether this

outcome improves anything for them is highly questionable and will depend on how the rest of the EU responds. It makes other elections such as the US presidential one later this year harder to predict.

In the short term there is massive uncertainty. For the banks and for London as an international financial centre this outcome is definitely a negative and the failure to retain passporting rights across the single European market would be very damaging.

Non-binding advisory referendum: United Kingdom UK, vote to leave the EU was based on a non-binding advisory referendum which does not guarantee the UK’s departure from the EU. However, the

outcome of the vote has resulted in months of political uncertainty throughout Europe that is rattling global and African markets. If the UK does leave the EU, the impact on many African economies and Nigeria in particular will be shortterm and relatively insignificant.

The UK has two years to renegotiate trade agreements with the EU and African countries.

Nigeria will struggle to raise foreign loans: In Nigeria the effective implementation of a new foreign exchange mechanism and liberalisation of the fuel sector will face fresh hurdles as the UK withdraws from the EU. Nigeria will also struggle to attract interest in new debt sales aimed at financing the 2016 expansive budget.

See more on pages 28-30

28 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

BREXIT

How the exit will affect Nigerians Foreign investors will look toward Nigeria

M

R. Victor Ogiemwonyin, MD/CEO, Partnership Investment Company Plc reflecting on the issue said “the British exit from the EU is a mixed bag for Nigeria. There are however more pluses for our economy.

Because of the uncertainty and instability of the European Economy and particularly the UK economy , means those investors who have money to invest but worried about the European Economic situation and particularly the UK sees Nigeria as an option, for these investors, particularly because of the cheap equity prices in Nigeria and Assets generally. There is also a high incentive given a devalued Naira that is now also floating.

The commencement of the Naira Settled FX Futures Market is a confidence boosting step for investors looking at Nigeria.

Fixed Income investors will benefit: Fixed Income investors will also benefit, they can invest and hedge their investments, at the Nigeria FX Futures, and giving them confidence that they

•Buhari

OPS: Exit has immediate and remote implications

M

UDA Yusuf Director General Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry said “the exit of Britain from the European Union (EU) has a number of immediate and remote implications for the Nigerian economy.

First, the outcome of the referendum has triggered some measure of uncertainty and anxiety in the global economy.

The British economy, which is worth $3 trillion, is the fifth largest economy in the world and the second largest within the EU.

Transmission effects It is, therefore, a major component of both the global economy and that of the EU. Naturally, therefore, shocks to the British economy will have some transmission effects on the global economy.

This perhaps informed the immediate responses of global and domestic financial markets. However, this dimension of the impact is unlikely to endure. They are responses driven by expectations and uncertainties.

Nigeria importers will gain Mudal also said “there is the currency effect. There is a high probability that the British economy will suffer some setbacks arising from the resultant weakening of investors’ confidence within the economy. The Brexit implies that investors within the British C M Y K

economy will no longer have free access to the EU market of over $16 trillion and a market size of over 500 million people.

This will reflect in the strength of the currency as there is a relationship between the strength of the currency and the robustness of its economy. A weak British currency offers an advantage to importers from Britain.

“Thirdly, there is a trade effect. Britain accounts for only 4.4 per cent of Nigerian global trade and the EU accounts for 38.8 per cent. It is therefore unlikely that the Brexit will have a material impact on our balance of trade situation. If anything, the trade between Nigeria and United Kingdom could be further improved on account of the likely depreciation of the British pounds and the affinity with Britain within the context of the Commonwealth.

Nigerians home remittance from UK will drop: “It is also a fact that Nigeria is yet to sign the European Partnership Agreement (EPA) which also reduces Nigeria’s exposure to the shocks of the EU economy, especially from a trade perspective.

“Fourthly, there is a diaspora dimension. The current sentiments in the United Kingdom are to adopt tougher stance on immigration issues.

We have over one million Nigerians in the United Kingdom; Nigeria is also a major recipient of diaspora

remittances in Africa.

Therefore, the unfolding scenario may have some adverse implications for remittances to Nigerians from the UK. This will happen from the perspectives of tougher immigration regulations and enforcement as well as the likely slowdown of the British economy.

Little impact on economy: On the whole, the impact of Brexit on the Nigerian economy is unlikely to be profound.

Besides, negotiations will still take the next two years. Most of the current responses are driven by uncertainties and expectations which will fizzle out in the not too distant future”.

can exit at will. Those who import from the UK will also benefit from the devalued Naira, particularly manufacturing companies with UK ties. Parents who have children in the UK also will be able to buy the pound Sterling cheaper. This will compensate them for the loss in the value of the Naira. Because Nigerians spend a large proportion of their FX expenditure in the UK, Nigerians will save some money from the lower valued Sterling.

The negative is the Asset values of Nigerians investing in the UK will also go down.

Financial Market Dealers Association of Nigeria: Wale Abe, Former, Executive Secretary, Financial Market Dealers Association of Nigeria in his reaction said “The negative impact of the immediate consequences may impact Nigeria is not likely to be significant as FDIs as new investments have been virtually non-existent in the past years.

Relationship has been more historical because of the colonial bond.

CBN: Will boost Nigeria’s foreign exchange Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said that the decision of the British people to leave the European Union (EU) will boost Nigeria’s foreign exchange policy.

Commenting on the outcome of the British referendum, CBN Deputy Governor, Economic Policy, Dr. Sarah Alade said that the bank expected Britain’s vote

Continues on Page 29

Europe presses Britain for swift E

UROPEAN leaders told Britain on Tuesday to act quickly to resolve the political and economic chaos unleashed by its vote to leave the European Union, a move the IMF said could put pressure on global economic growth. Financial markets recovered slightly after the result of Thursday’s referendum wiped a record $3 trillion off global shares and sterling fell to its lowest level in 31 years, but trading was volatile and policymakers said they would take all necessary measures to protect their economies.

British finance minister George Osborne, whose attempt to calm markets fell on deaf ears on Monday, said the country would have to cut spending and raise taxes to stabilize the economy after a third credit ratings agency downgraded its debt. Firms have announced hiring freezes and possible job cuts, dashing voters’ hopes the economy would thrive outside the EU. European countries are particularly worried about the impact on the rest of the EU of the uncertainty created by Britain’s vote to leave, with little idea of when, or even if, the country will formally declare it is quitting. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker

told the European Parliament before meeting British Prime Minister David Cameron in Brussels that he would urge him to clarify London’s position as soon as possible.

But he said he did not expect him to launch the two-year withdrawal process “today, or tomorrow morning. We cannot be embroiled in lasting uncertainty,” Juncker said in a speech which he interrupted to ask British lawmakers who campaigned to leave the EU why they were there.

Cameron, who offered to resign when it became clear he had failed to persuade the country to stay in the EU in the referendum he called, says he will leave it to his successor to formally declare Britain’s exit.

Maintaining good relations “Britain will be leaving the European Union but I want that process to be as constructive as possible and I hope the outcome can be as constructive as possible,” Cameron said on arrival in Brussels for a summit with other EU leaders. Holding out hope of maintaining good relations with other European countries, he said: “And I very much hope we’ll seek the closest possible relationship in terms of trade and cooperation and security. Because that

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 — 29

BREXIT

How exit will affect Nigerians Continues from Page 28 to exit the European Union to be good for its forex policy as interest rates are likely to stay low in the U.S., channelling foreign investors to Nigeria.

“We only need to take advantage of this opportunity to grow the economy,” she said.

Cowry Assets Management Company: According to analysts at Cowry Assets Management Company, the naira will enjoy stability in the foreign exchange market this week due to slowdown in demand by end users.

Delay in foreign funds into capital market: Operators in the Nigerian capital market see a mixed impact of Britain’s vote to exit the European Union on the stock market. For Tola Odukoya, Managing Director, Dunn Loren Merrifield Asset Management & Research Limited, “at present, I do not see any direct impact.

Effect on our markets Therefore, it is my opinion that the effect on our markets will be neutral; and if at all there will be any impact, it should be positive in favour of our equity and capital markets.

Eczellon Capital: In his views, Mr. Mustapha Suberu, Research Analyst at Eczellon Capital said “the Nigerian equities has experienced significant sell-off since Friday, June 24th 2016. This could partly be attributed to the uncertainty created by the Brexit phenomena, and profit taking on the part of local investors given the rally recorded in the previous weeks of trading following the liberalisation of the naira. We

expect the market to normalize soon as the spate of profit taking reduces in the coming days.”

He added: “The likely impact of the Brexit on the Nigerian market will largely be a delay in the flow of funds into the financial markets which many had expected to trickle in following the liberalisation of the FX market. We still expect foreign portfolio investors to grace the Nigerian market as soon as the dust surrounding the Brexit settles in the coming weeks.”

United Capital Plc: In the views of analysts at a Lagos-based investment banking firm, United Capital Plc, the exit will have minimal impact on equities, but a possibility of medium term uptick in yields in fixed income instruments.

Though they envisaged a reduction in foreign portfolio investments, FPIs, into the country as UK had in the last 10 decades accounted for about 44 per cent of capital importation into Nigeria, they argued that the effect would be muted since domestic investors are the drivers of activities in the market at the moment.

“Given that foreign portfolio inflows (FPI) into Naira assets has waned significantly in the last 18 months, we do not expect an immediate negative impact on the equities market. In fact, the surge in equity market turnover seen in the last 1o days has been driven largely by domestic investors,” they said.

For fixed income assets, the impact on the direction of FPI in the medium remains uncertain but we expect investors to price in a possible decline in flows, they said, adding: “If we place this against the backdrop of our

expectation of significant FGN borrowing, we opine that yields are likely to inch up in the short to medium term.”

On prospects for FPIs, they said:”In the last decade, the UK has accounted for an average of 44 per cent of capital importation into Nigeria with the country’s share of total capital inflows into Nigeria reaching 61.8 per cent in 2012. While we do not yet have data on the split of capital flows between FDI and portfolio

referendums across the region) could place investors on an alert for possible deterioration in frontier markets that have strong trade ties to Europe, with contagious impacts on the broader EM world.”

Business Risk Intelligence: According a special report by Business Risk Intelligence on the Brexit in Africa, “The effective implementation of a new foreign exchange mechanism and liberalisation of the fuel sector in Nigeria will likely face fresh hurdles as the UK withdraws from the EU. Nigeria the report said will struggle in its bid to attract foreign investors’ interest in new debt sales aimed at financing the 2016 expansive budget.

Struggling economy

As a result of Brexit, new portfolio inflows will slow, which will hamper the implementation of the country’s new foreign exchange mechanism investments by origin, we reckon that the prospect of further political turmoil in the European region could see capital outflows from Europe in the near term.

“This is because a “flight to safety” may be accentuated by increased financial market volatility expected to ensue from political turmoil going forward.

However, we caution that these political upheavals (especially the possibility of a flurry of

The main impact of a ‘Brexit’ on Nigeria would be further deterioration of the country’s already struggling economy, which has been caused by the fall in global oil prices and a steep drop in local crude production due to an insurgency in the Niger Delta”.

The report noted “There is extensive trade and security cooperation between the UK and Nigeria that would be likely to face several years of disruption as the UK departs from the EU. Nigeria is the UK’s secondlargest export market in Africa.

Bilateral trade between the two countries is currently worth $8.3 billion and projected to reach $25 billion by 2020.

The UK is also Nigeria’s largest source of foreign investment, with assets worth over $1.4 billion. Moreover, UK-Nigerian remittances account for $21 billion a year. The UK is also one of the largest development assistance donors to Nigeria,

t exit to limit global fallout is good for us and that is good for them.”

His party says it aims to choose a new leader by early September, but those who campaigned for Britain’s leave vote have made clear they hope to negotiate a new deal for the country with Europe before triggering the formal exit process.

European leaders have said that is not an option. “No notification, no negotiation,” Juncker said.

Cameron and Juncker exchanged no words as they met. The British premier will meet other European counterparts one-on-one before addressing them all at what promises to be a frosty dinner to discuss what has become known as Brexit.

EU lawmakers have made clear they hope he will trigger the exit process at the dinner, but an EU official said that was unrealistic given the political chaos in London, where both Cameron’s party and opposition Labour lawmakers are deeply divided.

The ruling Conservative Party in parliament is split into pro- and anti-EU camps and Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn faces a no confidence vote on Tuesday from parliamentarians who accuse him of lukewarm support for the

•Hollande EU. “The 27 other members of the EU should not wait for the disorientated Tory (Conservative) party to get its act together,” former Belgian PM Guy

Verhofstadt, leader of the liberal group in the European Parliament, said on Tuesday, denouncing what he called the “lies” of the Leave campaign.

The chamber jeered loudly when the leader of Britain’s eurosceptic UKIP party gave a scathing speech saying Europe had deceived its population and Britain would be its “best friend” if it agreed to extend a tariff-free trade deal.

For Britain, the outlook is bleak. Fitch joined other major credit ratings agencies in downgrading its sovereign debt on Monday, making the promises by leave campaigners that Britain’s economy would be stronger outside the EU appear empty.

“We are absolutely going to have to provide fiscal security to people, we are going to have to show the country and the world that the government can live within its means,” Osborne, who, like Cameron campaigned to stay in the EU, told BB radio.

Asked if that meant tax rises and spending cuts, he said: “Yes, absolutely.”

After Cameron has addressed EU leaders Continues on Page 30

although Nigeria is not as aiddependent as most continental counterparts.

Reduced trade flow: “A slowing UK economy on the back of a departure from the EU and potential disruption as the UK renegotiates its trade agreements, would be likely to reduce trade flows, foreign direct investment, and Nigerian remittances. There is also no guarantee that other EU countries will make up the UK shortfall in trade and investment, as other EU. On 24 June, Nigerian stocks ended a three-day rally, falling 1.4% over worries of Britain’s vote to leave the EU. Nigerian banks, such as Fidelity Bank and Zenith Bank, recorded the biggest losses. Nigerian stocks had previously rallied 8.5% after the government floated the naira and ended a highly controversial currency peg.

“As a result of Brexit, new portfolio inflows will slow, which will hamper the implementation of the country’s new foreign exchange mechanism. On 20 June, the central bank introduced a more flexible foreign currency policy, removing a de facto peg of around N197 to the US dollar. The Naira’ 16-month peg to the dollar had overvalued the Nigerian currency, resulted in an economic contraction, and harmed investments.

Fuel sector liberalisation The implementation of the fuel sector liberalisation, including the termination of a burdensome state-subsidy scheme, would be likely to face implementation issues. The sector’s liberalisation will add to fuel importers’ margins and will allow shipments of fuel to resume.

The liberalisation of the fuel marketing sector and the introduction of a flexible exchange rate are both aimed at soothing foreign investor concerns and to attract new fundraising to finance a record budget deficit widened by a fall in oil revenues.

The effective implementation of the new currency regime and establishing its credibility will be key to attracting new foreign direct investment and portfolio flows. “Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun is due launch a planned eurobond sale later in 2016. The government plans to raise $10 billion of new debt of which $5 billion would come from foreign investors. Much of this planning would be delayed as risk averse investors steer away from Nigerian debt".

Beyond trade and investment, the UK is also a key partner in Nigerian security. The UK has been crucial to drawing international attention to the Islamist Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria’s northeast. There is a risk that the UK would become distracted from international security threats, such as those by Boko Haram, as it negotiates its departure from the EU.

30 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

BREXIT

•President Muhammadu Buhari and British Prime Minister David Cameron

Potential effect of Brexit on Sub Sahara Africa T

HIS region tends to be affected by global events via the financial and trade channels. In brief, of the bigger SSA economies, Kenya is one of the countries most exposed to a Brexit (relatively), via the tourism, trade and financial channels.

Fall in demand for SSA exports, on the back of a slower UK economy – There are fears that a Brexit could lead to a growth slowdown in Britain. A slower British economy will hurt the SSA countries that have strong trade linkages with it.

And the reality is that only a couple of SSA countries have what one would call strong trade linkages with the UK, as most have turned East over the past two decades. The UK is an important export destination for the small island nations of Seychelles and Mauritius. The share of their exports that end up in the UK are in the doubledigits. On a relative basis, Kenya is the third most exposed country in our SSA universe.

However, in actual

percentages, only 6% of its exports end up in the UK, according to IMF data. The rest of the East Africa Community is Kenya’s biggest export destination. That said, Europe is Kenya’s biggest source of tourists, and I think the British dominate that number. And tourism revenue is still one of Kenya’s top three sources of FX. Less than 4% of Nigeria’s exports end up in the UK.

Investor confidence Capital inflows may slowinvestor confidence has been severely undermined by the uncertainty created by Britain’s vote to leave the EU. This may result in a slowdown in capital flowing into frontier markets, as investors hide in safe haven assets.

Increased risk aversion may temper the appetite for SSA Eurobond issuances planned for second half of 2016. Nigeria, in particular was unfortunately hit by a double whammy – a

credit rating downgrade by Fitch (to B+, from BB-), which will make it more expensive for Nigeria to borrow externally when it issues its planned

Global growth concerns T

HE impact looked likely to spread far beyond Britain’s borders although European shares rose for the first time in three days after a heavy sell-off, partly due to hopes of a more co-ordinated central bank response to financial market losses.

Sterling also rose and Wall Street was expected to open up.

European Central Bank President Mario Draghi said central banks around the world should aim to align monetary policies to mitigate “destabilizing spillovers” between economies.

Shares in European banks have come under particular pressure, particularly those based in Britain, over doubts about future market access, and Italy, with high levels of bad loans.

Europe presses Britain for swift exit to limit global fallout Continues from Page 29 on Tuesday evening, they will meet the next day to discuss Brexit without him.

Leave campaigners in Britain, among them Cameron’s possible successor, former London Mayor Boris Johnson, have suggested Britain can retain access to the European single market and curb immigration — goals which are mutually incompatible under EU rules.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Britain would not be able to “cherry-pick” the parts of the EU it wants, such as enjoying access to the single C M Y K

market, without accepting principles such as freedom of movement when it negotiates its exit from the bloc.

“I can only advise our British friends not to fool themselves ... in terms of the necessary decisions that need to be made in Britain,” she said.

The 52-48 percent vote to leave, which seemed unlikely until the last minute, has deepened multiple geographical as well as political divisions within the United Kingdom.

Reflecting deep concern over the referendum result in London, where a majority voted

Eurobond, and Brexit, which may temper appetite for Nigerian assets. A further slowdown of capital inflows into SSA will result in a further

to stay and people fear job losses if the city loses its status as a global financial center, Mayor Sadiq Khan said access to Europe’s market was key.

“On behalf of all Londoners, I am demanding more autonomy for the capital - right now,” he said.

Scotland, where people voted strongly to remain in Europe, was due to hold a parliamentary vote seeking backing for a drive to keep EU status. Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon has suggested holding a possible second referendum on leaving the United Kingdom given the vote to leave the EU.

Sources said on Monday Italy was preparing to protect its banks from a destabilizing share selloff following the Brexit vote and that Prime Minister Matteo Renzi would ask for more flexibility from the EU regarding public spending.

I think currency and stock markets overreacted to the shock caused by Brexit. I think the real effects of Brexit will not be as big as people fear now

Brexit creates huge political uncertainty and will put pressure on global growth, the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s Deputy Managing Director Zhu Min said on Tuesday at the World Economic Forum in Tianjin in northern China.

Asian stocks rose and Chinese stocks, protected by capital controls, hit a three-week closing high. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang sought to reassure

deterioration of external balances that are already reeling from depressed commodity prices.

Currencies will come under pressure – the most tradable currencies will depreciate the most (like the ZAR has done), on the back of news that Britain voted to exit the EU. SSA currencies, less so, because their currencies are more managed. Kenya’s central bank has pledged ‘to intervene in the money and FX market to ensure their smooth operation’.

For Nigeria, we think this means investors that were encouraged by the liberalisation of the country’s FX regime and were considering dipping their toes into the country may now pause given the rise in global risk aversion, following the Brexit vote. This further delays a recovery in Nigeria’s capital inflows, which is negative for the naira.

Fed rate hikes may be pushed out – this would offer a reprieve for SSA currencies.

Trade agreements revisited – Britain may have to broker new trade agreements which may have some implications for SSA.

investors by saying the country would not allow “roller-coaster” rides in capital markets.

A key economic adviser to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the central bank should intervene if investors seeking safe havens drive the yen too high, but that he thought Brexit would have less of an impact in the long term.

“I think currency and stock markets overreacted to the shock caused by Brexit. I think the real effects of Brexit will not be as big as people fear now,” he told Reuters.

Trans-Atlantic alliance U.S. President Barack Obama took a similar line. “There’s been a little bit of hysteria post-Brexit vote, as if somehow NATO’s gone, the trans-Atlantic alliance is dissolving, and every country is rushing off to its own corner.

That’s not what’s happening,” he told National Public Radio.

In view of the disarray in Britain, some people questioned whether Brexit would happen at all. Nordea bank analysts gave it a likelihood of 70 percent and a senior EU official involved in the process said he thought the country may find a way never to announce its formal departure to the bloc. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said England had collapsed “politically, monetarily, constitutionally and economically”.

“I would argue to give them some space.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 30 30,, 2016 – 31 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com

Journey to Egbin

W

HEN you hear the saying: “the world is round”, take it seriously. It is not just a scientific fact; it is also a wise saying of the elders. What goes round comes round. Be nice to people because you will meet again as long as life lasts.

About a month ago, Ademola Adedoyin, a journalist and public relations expert specialising in the energy sector, invited me to join a small team of media executives to visit Egbin Power Plant. Demola and I met way back in 1992 in the defunct TSM,The Sunday Magazine.

We posted him to cover the Oil and Energy beat. I later left for Vanguard and he left for The Week. I brought him to Vanguard, and within a shot jiffy, he shot to the top as the Business Editor of the paper, and moved on to start his own company, Messages, which he runs successfully till date.

After a series of postponements, the trip finally took place on Saturday, 24th June, 2016. All four of us – Debo Adesina, the Editor-inChief of The Guardian; Sam Omatseye, Chairman, Editorial Board of The Nation; Eniola Bello, Managing

Director of Thisday and my humble self, beat the 11am deadline to assemble at the Ikoyi offices of Sahara Group (the new owners of Egbin Power Plc) where Demola received us in his usual breezy way. As we were just settling down to the usual banters, the Chairman of the company, Kola Adesina, hopped in, and airily drew our attention that he, too, was smack on time.

I had thought we would go to Egbin by road, but Sahara had other ideas. We were taken to a small jetty off Queens Drive, Ikoyi, where we embarked on a cute little yellow 13-seater boat with the inscription: Egbin, on its nose and rear. After being dressed up in clumsy, bright-red life jackets, we took off on a 40minute boat ride through the Lagos Lagoon. We docked at the power station’s jetty and came face to face with the sprawling Egbin thermal power complex.

There is nothing small and simple about energy production plants, especially petroleum production/refining and power plants. Those who liken what we experienced in the telecom sector with the challenges inherent in the

energy sector are either ignorant or mischievous. Any power or oil-production plant is bound to intimidate any lay onlooker.

We were received by officials of the company led by Mr.Peavey Dallas, an American engineer who is the MD/CEO of the plant.

Together with other top managers and specialists, we were conducted round the plant. Most of the high sounding technicalities were like Greek to me, but I was able to ascertain as follows: The Egbin Power Plant was started in 1982 by the Alhaji

There are problems everywhere and the Federal Government (the only institution that can provide the necessary leadership towards giving you and I steady power) appears confused Shehu Shagari regime. It is composed of six units, each with the maximum capacity to deliver 220 megawatts of electricity. This means that the plant, when fully capacitated, can give up 1,320 megawatts of power. Egbin, which is gaspowered, is the largest power plant in sub-Saharan Africa. It was never able to hit this max spot while it was under governmental control due to poor maintenance. Before Sahara bought the plant and started renovating it, Egbin

Hijab and institutions of many colours

S

ECTION 38(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, guarantees the citizen the “freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, including the freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom (either alone or in community with others, and in public or in private) to manifest and propagate his religion or belief….”

This right, or any right for that matter, is not absolute because as we co-exist in community with other people, one man’s right to swing his arm ends where another man’s nose begins.

Karl Marx (1818-1883) once described religion as the opium of the people. The opiate effect of religion has been descending heavily on Nigeria where thousands of innocent people have been dispatched to their early graves by people who disagree with them on issues of belief.

For some time now, Muslim fundamentalists and their induced problems have been at our wits’ end.

Last December, a group of Muslim youths under the aegis of Muslim Youths in Da’wab wanted the hijab introduced into the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, programme. They went to the headquarters of the NYSC with a strong protest against the ban of the use of the hijab for female Muslim corps members during orientation. They saw the ban as an infringement of the fundamental right of female corps members.

It took the intervention of the then Director General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Johnson Olawumi, who preached a long sermon on how he was a profound respecter of the rights of corps members but that the ban was for security reasons.

Apparently, it was immaterial to these youths that the NYSC is a national scheme that has been in existence since 1973, having its rules and regulations; and with

a nationally identifiable uniform code across all the States of the Federation.

It did not also make any meaning to them that since terrorists have made the hijab an instrument for suicide bombing, the NYSC authorities had a responsibility to guarantee the safety and security of corps members.

The latest entry into the murky waters of the hijab imbroglio comes from the State of Osun. Recently, the Muslim Community in that State brought an action suit against the State government urging it to allow female Muslim students to use the hijab in public schools.

Justice Jide Falola of the Osun State High Court on June 3 2016, ruled that Muslim female students should be allowed

We must stop the gathering storm in Osun State before it consumes everyone to wear hijab in all public schools across the state because it is their fundamental human right.

The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Osun State Chapter, missed the point when it merely appealed against the judgment but failed to apply for stay of execution. Meanwhile, CAN ordered Christian students to wear church robes to class.

On Wednesday, 15 June 2016, students of Baptist High School, Iwo, who wore choir robes and church garments on their uniform, were denied entry into the school premises; while their Muslim counterparts who wore the hijab on their uniform were allowed in.

On the previous day, the State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola had threatened those who

was only able to supply 300 megawatts, and the entire complex was in a sorry state, just like similar governmentrun industries, such as Ajaokuta Steel (and other steel complexes) the refineries and others.

The new owners have completely turned the plant around with a 320 million US Dollar lifeline. Today, the plant can comfortably supply 1,320 megawatts of power, and the management intends to take it to 3300 within the next couple of years.

However, that Egbin can now yield 1,320 megawatts of power does not mean it is doing so right now. In fact, the reading on the panel for that day was a total of 440 megawatts. Only one unit – which is dedicated to the Island district – was producing at full 220 megawatts full capacity. Two others had 110 megawatts on their panels, while three units recorded ZERO! Now, can you see why most parts of Lagos are unable to have reliable power supply (or any at all)?

The question of why you don’t have power (and won’t have it in the foreseeable future unless something radical happens) goes beyond what Egbin can do. There are problems everywhere and the Federal Government (the only institution that can provide the necessary leadership towards giving you and I steady power) appears confused.

You cannot have steady power yet because the gas suppliers are not true to their obligations. They prefer to sell lucratively to foreign buyers, such as South Korea, which depends on our gas for their own leaps-and-bounds

violate school rules and regulations with expulsion.

In fact, the Governor is fingered in the ensuring cataclysm. He is today presiding over the affairs of a State where Christians and Muslims, who are evenly divided, have co-existed peaceably over the years.

But his quixotic and dangerous religious adventurism since assuming office some six years ago; and his persistent efforts to push his personal religious agenda in schools have stoked tension, which could boil over, except something urgent is done.

There are important issues of governance staring Aregbesola in the face – the long overdue appointment of Commissioners, backlog of workers’ salaries, accumulated pension arrears and the rest. He should face the problems instead of dissipating energy on religious controversies.

In Osun State, we are looking at public schools that are, strictly speaking, not public. They are schools that were founded and funded by Christian missionaries before the military occupation of Nigeria, when they were compulsorily acquired by government without any compensation.

To discover that the same schools can now be taken over through the back-door and by the instrumentality of the hijab or under any guise is painful.

In this matter, the first step towards lasting social justice is to return those schools to their original owners. Truly, the affordability argument which the military advanced at the time of acquisition is attractive but that can be taken care of through Public Private Partnership, PPP, arrangement in which the owners can run their schools; while government puts in enough subsidy and subvention to be able to take part in regulating the charges.

growth. Militants are blowing up the pipelines feeding Egbin and other gas-fed plants. Customers (you and I) can’t pay what investors regard as “market prices”; some don’t even pay anything at all.

Without adequate funding, the distribution companies (discos) can’t remit money to the generation companies (gencos). To top it all off, the Federal Government, through its power bulk purchasing company, is owing the gencos a whopping N300 billion, out of which Egbin alone is owed N70 billion. With investors starved of funds and embattled on all sides, it is only a matter of time before a major system-wide implosion occurs.

Only the Federal Government can solve the problems in the power sector, first by stopping the sabotages; second by paying its debts to the power companies and third, by possibly providing some form subsidy (at least for this teething moments) to our nascent private power suppliers. You and I must pay more to bring in more investors. The issue of reversal of privatisation is simply not an option, given where we came from.

The solution to give Nigerians steady power supply is an assignment that requires the Federal Government, the private power companies and the Nigerian people to play their roles.

The Federal Government must lead from the front by making power supply its number one priority.

Islamisation anywhere takes a gradual process. When they finish with the schools, they will remember that their human rights also exist in the armed forces, the police, NYSC, Customs, Immigration, Road Safety, etc.

These are institutions that have hitherto been arranged for discipline and orderly conduct but which must now be destroyed by trivialities.

And by the time Christians in their various denominations also push through their own dress code, we shall simply have institutions of many colours all over the place.

But why do humans relish fishing in troubled waters? How does the hijab contribute in any way to solving the myriad of problems currently besetting Nigeria?

Ordinarily, the hijab is an Arabic word for “screen or curtain”. Islamic scholars are unanimous on the fact that the hijab was originally meant only for Prophet Muhammad’s wives to maintain their inviolability because Muhammad conducted all religious and civic affairs in the mosque adjacent to his home.

In some predominantly Muslim countries like Turkey, Tajikistan and Tunisia, the wearing of the hijab is strictly prohibited in government buildings, schools and universities.

We must stop the gathering storm in Osun State before it consumes everyone.

Let there be peace. Christian and Muslim leaders must realise that they cannot continue to sacrifice the future of their children on the altar of religious intolerance.

32—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

APC Panel endorses Obaseki

By Omeiza Ajayi

part of Gov. A d a m s Oshiomhole, urging the NWC to bring all the contestants together with its candidate, Godwin Obaseki for immediate reconciliation.

Two aggrieved aspirants, K e n n e t h Imasuagbon, and C h r i s Ogienwonyi, had

T

HE Opeyemi Bamidele appeal panel has upheld the report of the Aminu Masari panel report into the APC primaries upholding the outcome of the party primaries but at the same time calling for urgent reconciliation among the various tendencies in the party.

The committee report was submitted to the National Working Committee, NWC yesterday.

Although the appeal panel declined to reveal the outcome of its findings, Vanguard gathered that “its recommendations were not substantially different from those of the Aminu Masari-led Primary

Election Committee.”

The Masari committee had reported allegations of bias on the

appealed the conduct of the primary, alleging that there were many irregularities and

manipulation in the process.

Presenting his report, Bamidele thanked the leadership of the party for the opportunity given to him and other members of the committee, saying contents of the report would only be revealed by the party after its chairman; Chief John OdigieOyegun might have perused it.

“As to the content of our report and the conclusion drawn and recommendations, you’ll hear

APC aspirant fumes at reconciliation process

By Gabriel Enogholase

O

NE of the APC aspirants in the recent governorship primaries, Mr. Casely Omon-

Ize-Iyamu wants APC to account for N30bn Storm Water project

By Gabriel Enogholase

P

DP candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has challenged the APC administration in the state to explain what it did with the N30 billion it borrowed for the Benin Water Storm Project, which he said has been abandoned by the government.

Ize-Iyamu threw the challenge at Evbotubu, a suburb of Benin-City where he went to commiserate with the family of Osarobo Obayuwana, an Okada rider who died when he slipped into a gully while returning home.

The PDP candidate said the Edo State Government should be held responsible for his death due to its negligence.

“He died because the Edo State Government was negligent. You cannot dig a hole of this magnitude and abandon it. We are not against the government trying to do drainages because it is something I am sure people will applaud, but to start such

a project and abandon it is criminal because it has created more problem than it was meant to solve.

“Government should have known that this is rainy season because there are people who will pass through

it without knowing the dangers it posed. We are very concerned with the development of this place.

Iduoriyekemwen emerges rival PDP candidate

By Simon Ebegbulem

M

R Matthew Iduoriyekemwen yesterday emerged winner of the primary contest organised by the Ali Modu Sheriff faction of the PDP. He polled 481 votes out of the 677 delegates accredited while his only challenger, Mr. Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma stepped down just before the exercise.

Iduoriyekemwen had earlier contested in the primaries organised by the Dan Orbih led mainstream of the party where he came second with 13% of the total votes in the contest won

by Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

Yesterday’s rival primary was preceded by tension as the exercise scheduled to commence at 10 a.m. did not

start until 3:35 p.m.

The police had earlier sealed up the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium venue of the exercise, preventing both delegates and journalists from entering the venue.

However, Vanguard learnt that instructions came from the police high command in Abuja to allow the exercise hold before the state Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike ordered his men to allow the delegates enter the venue.

Ezike and the state Director of DSS monitored the exercise which was a one-way contest following the announcement by Agbonayinma that he was stepping aside.

However, the chairman of the governorship electoral panel and former Presidential aide,

Ahmed Gulak claimed 677 delegates across the 192 wards of the state were accredited for the exercise.

His claim was reiterated by Dr. Cairo Ojougbo, who was on Monday appointed by Sheriff as his deputy.

In his acceptance speech, Iduoriyekemwen expressed gratitude to the National leadership of the party for its efforts to refocus the party in the state.

“We are taking the government back to our people.

I thank all the delegates that came despite all attempts to stop us we remained unshaken through out the exercise. And we will continue to fight until we move to Osadebey Avenue come November 12."

•Ize-Iyamu: PDP gov candidate

•Iduoriyekemwen: Factional PDP candidate

Crisis over choice of APC running mate

By Gabriel Enogholase

F

RESH crisis is brewing in the APC over the choice of the senatorial zone to produce the running mate to the governorship candidate, Mr, Godwin Obaseki.

A competent source close to the party disclosed to Vanguard that the move to present the member representing Estako Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives Mr. Philip Shaibu is already causing bad blood between the party faithful in Edo North and Edo South Senatorial zones, It was further gathered that those who supported him for the nomination of his anointed

governorship candidate are unhappy and are now hoping for the cancellation of the primaries by the Opeyemi Bamidele led appeal panel.

APC leaders from Edo Central who had been hoping to present the running mate to Obaseki are said to be peeved over the plan to present Shuaibu and are threatening to vote against the ticket if Edo North presents the running mate.

However, Edo State Publicity Secretary, Comrade Erhahon when asked for his reaction to the development said, “Whoever is chosen as the running mate to Obaseki, as a loyal party man, I will help the party to market him."

further from the party, I am not in position to speak on that,” he said.

He maintained that the committee did justice to all the petitions received saying the petitioners were given opportunity to bring their agents and lawyers to make their presentations.

Responding, Chief OdigieOyegun expressed hope that the report presented by the committee will enable the party lay to rest all issues regarding the primary election.

Irabor has protested at what he yesterday described as the selective reconciliation of aggrieved persons in the recently concluded governorship primaries of the party, saying that the Committee headed by Prince Malik Afegbua was lopsided in its composition.

In an open letter to the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, he also accused the committee of failing to reach out to the stakeholders affected by the process leading to the primaries, saying that it did not act in good faith in the overall interest of the APC. The letter signed by Chris Onahacha – Director General of Barrister Omon- Irabor Governorship Campaign Organization and three others and copied to the Edo State Chairman of the APC, Mr. Anselm Ojezua, he said that, “the mannerism with which its affairs are conducted may jeopardize the performance of the party ahead of the election.”

Ize-Iyamu dares APC Youths on transperancy

P

ASTOR Osagie Ize-Iyamu has dared APC youths pressing him to be tried over what he claims as a nonexistent case to bring their principal to the same level of scrutiny.

The PDP candidate in a statement yesterday also promised to rejuvenate infrastructure in the state with the construction of asphalted roads with bicycle tracks to encourage cycling as a means of movement within townships.

Dismissing what he termed the call from a “notorious thug-led APC youth wing in the state for his trial” the Ize-Iyamu Campaign said: ‘’Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu had stated time without numbers that he was ready to subject himself to a thorough public and media scrutiny over his past patriotic services to his nation. He has nothing to hide, and he is very proud of his meritorious services in the past. We hope the socalled youth wing of APC will also tell its principal to do same”, the state further stated.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 — 33

34 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

Kogi grounded as labour, banks strike enters day three

By Boluwaji Obahopo

labour in the state because they were also affected by the decision of the state government to open

accounts for the workers in just two banks, which will prevent workers to service the loans owed

those banks since their salary accounts have been moved to other banks.

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OKOJA—THE ongoing strike by workers in Kogi State has grounded government activities and other operations including financial sector.

The strike, which began Monday, was called by leaders of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and their Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, counterpart, following alleged decision of the state government to open salary accounts for the state workers in Zenith bank, while that of local government workers were opened in Access bank without the knowledge of the workers who only received bank opening statement alerts, asking them to visit the banks for account reconciliation.

Part of labour grievances also included non-payment of workers’ salaries for the past six months and the sending of some top government officials on compulsory leave without any cogent reason or allegation against them.

While government offices, public primary and secondary schools across the state have been closed down since Monday, banks including micro-finance banks were also closed and customers turned back.

To worsen the situation, most of the Automated Teller Machines, ATM, were not loaded with money.

The banks were said to have joined the strike in solidarity with

By Peter Duru

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SEMINAR: From left; Mrs Laura Oloyede, MD/CEO, Laura & Lloyd Communications Ltd; Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Nigeria's Minister of Information and Culture; Mr Pang Xinxing, President/ Chairman, StarTimes Group, at the 6th African Digital TV Development Seminar in Beijing, China.

Council workers cripple activities in Ilorin over upaid eight months salaries regarding the unfortunate salary

By Demola Akinyemi

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LORIN—AGGRIEVED workers from the 16 local government areas of Kwara State, under the aegis of National Union of Local Government Employees of Nigeria, NULGE, yesterday crippled activities in Ilorin, the state capital, and barricaded the main entrance of the state

Government House in Ilorin, over eight months salaries and other benefits.

But in a reaction, the government through the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Media and Communications, Dr Muideen Akorede, in a statement said, “While the Ahmed administration sympathises with the workers

MASS RETRENCHMENT: Labour hails FG over planned

stakeholders’ summit

By Ehi Eweka

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ADUNA—ORGANISED labour has commended the Federal Government through the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, for the intervention and planned stakeholders’ summit on the mass sack in the financial sector, saying the dialogue is aimed at ensuring job retention in the banking sector.

Speaking through the General Secretary of the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, and a member of the National Executive Council of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Issa Aremu, in Kaduna, Labour contended that the Minister’s intervention was consistent with the mandate of the Ministry of Labour to promote productive employment policies and programmes for employment generation.

Aremu, who is also Chairman, IndustriALL Global Union Sub Saharan Africa, decried the “negative unhelpful” reaction of the Director General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, NECA, Mr. Segun

Benue sacks caretaker chairmen of 23 LGAs

Oshinowo, to the legitimize the flouting of the directive of the Federal Government to banks and other financial institutions to suspend further retrenchment of workers pending the proposed stakeholder’s summit.

According to him, employers of labour who often depended on government for favourable government policies for businesses to thrive could not “cry foul” when the same government

tried to intervene to create favourable atmosphere for industrial fairness and harmony.

Aremu noted that at the best of economic times, it was an open knowledge that the banking sector had always been “a haven” for gross violations of Nigerian labour laws and ILO conventions on freedom of association and collective bargaining.

“Most banks thrive on precarious work treating workers as slaves,” he said.

crises at the local government level, wthe Kwara State Government is not responsible for payment of local government workers’ salaries. As everyone is aware, the local government arrears were caused by the huge drop in their Federal allocation from N2.7 billion to N1 billion monthly.”

However, the protesting workers who displayed placards with different inscription, had converged as early as 8am at the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, secretariat, before marching through the popular Ahmadu Bello Way and to the government house.

Addressing reporters, state Secretary of NULGE, Abayomi Afolabi called for the scrapping of the second tier of government in the country, saying: “Worldwide 100 percent of the countries have local government areas. Only 45 percent of the countries in the world have state governments.''

Lagos warns occupants around public schools’ setbacks to vacate or face prosecution He wondered why traders and

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

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HE Lagos State Government has issued a Seven-Day ultimatum to illegal occupants along government schools’ setbacks to vacate or face prosecution.

The Executive Chairman of Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, LSUBEB, Dr. Ganiyu Sopeyin handed down the directive, during an inspection tour with other members and management staff of the board to some primary schools in the state.

He warned that any defaulter

of the directive after the expiration would be evicted and prosecuted accordingly, by the state taskforce team.

Sopeyin while decrying the rate of illegal and unauthorised use of public schools’ setbacks by traders and artisans described the action as, “environmental nuisance and a breach of public order.”

He warned illegal occupants that hence, the state government was determined to make the environment of public primary schools more conducive for qualitative and quantitative education.

artisans should constitute themselves into environmental nuisance without due consideration of the grave consequences of their action while leaving the private schools to flourish at the detriment of government owned schools.

Sopeyin also called on the management of public primary schools to avoid wastages assuring that the inspection exercise would be continuous.

The schools visited include: Gbagada Primary School, Gbagada, Ajidagan Primary School, Gbagada and Layi Oyekanmi Primary School, Mushin, across the metropolis.

A K U R D I— T H E Benue State government has sacked the local government caretaker chairmen in the 23 local government areas of the state.

The decision to relieve the caretaker Chairmen of their appoint was taken yesterday at the end of the weekly State Executive Council, SEC, meeting presided over by Governor Sanule Ortom in Makurdi.

Addressing reporters, the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Odey Ageh, said the SEC also directed the outgoing chairmen to hand over to their respective Directors General Service and Administration, DGSA. “They have also been directed to hand over all government property including their officials cars to their respective DGSAs who would run the councils until further notice,” Agey added.

Why Nasarawa shelved planned cargo airport

By David Odama

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A F I A — T H E Nasarawa State government has shelved its plans to build an international cargo airport in the state.

The commissioner for information, culture and tourism, Tim Yiga, who disclosed this in Lafia, said the plan had been changed and scaled down to airstrip to accommodate smaller air craft.

The commissioner, who explained the rationale behind the much-criticized cargo airport, said the issue had continued to drag on right from the time it was conceived by the state governor, Alhaji Tanko Almakura.

According to him, when the project was first mooted, the desire of government and the design was to build an airstrip estimated to cost not more than N2 bilion.

He said: “When that idea came, certain investors came to invest in Nasarawa State having been aware of the plan to establish an airstrip in view of its proximity to the federal capital. We could not afford to allow the gesture pass by, so we decided to change the initial plan to a cargo airport.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016—35

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36—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

HAPPY RAMADAN: President Muhammadu Buhari (left) and Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema, at the breaking of fast with the President at Presidential Villa, Monday.

COMMISSIONING: From left— Chairman, Port Harcourt Gardens Limited, Mr. Richard Nyong; Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, and the Managing Director, Port Harcourt Gardens Limited, Mr. Uche John, during the official commissioning of Garden Heights, Port Harcourt Gardens Estate, in GRA, Port Harcourt.

WISE WOMAN AWARDS: From left— Publisher, Workingmums Africa, Mrs Mary Ikoku; Executive Director, Women Awareness for Sustainable Empowerment Initiative and winner, Wise Woman in Media Award, Ify Onyegbule, and Founder, Wise Women Awards, Pastor Marjorie Esomowei, at the 4th edition of the awards in Lagos. PHOTO: Akeem Salau.

SAX APPEAL: From left— Head, Group Corporate Strategy, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, Lola Cardoso; organiser, Sax Appeal 5, Mike Aremu; four-time Grammy Award winning singer, India Arie, and Head, Strategic Communication, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc., Omotola Oyebanjo, at the fifth edition of the Sax Appeal Jazz concert.

VISA SECURITY WEEK: From left— Senior Business Development Leader, Group Country Manager, Visa West Africa, Mr. Emezino Afiegbe; Director, Risk Services, Visa, Sub-Sahara, Nita Omanga, and Country Director, Ade Ashaye, during the Visa Card Security Week media parley in Lagos. PHOTO: Lamidi Bamidele.

ETISALAT CAMPUS CLIQFEST: From left— Head, Regional Sales, South-South & South-East, Etisalat Nigeria, Enekwachi Aja; President, Rivers State University of Science and Technology Students’ Union, Nnaa Faith Barigboto; PA to the Vice Chancellor, Mr. Omah Sam; winner of Cliqfest star prize, a Hyundai i10 Car, Uzoma Chima, and Head, Youth Segment Etisalat Nigeria, Olayiwola Onafowokan, presenting the car keys to the winner during Cliqfest Campus activation at the university' s premises.

CLO BRIEFING: From left— Member, Princewill Akpakpan; President, Mr. Igho Akeregha, and Treasurer, Halima Ibrahim, all of Civil Liberties Organisation, CLO, at a briefing on the murder trial of one Ojukaye Flag Amachree in Rivers State.

BANIRE'S RAMADAN LECTURE: From left— Wife of Dr. Muiz Banire, Alhaja Jemila; former Commissioner, Lagos State, Independent National Electoral Commission, LASIEC, Mr. Musibaudeen Oyefeso; former Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Muiz Banire, and host; Assistant Director News, Voice of Nigeria, Alhaji Qasim Akinreti, and Chairperson, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, Lagos State chapter, Hajia Sekinah Lawal, during Dr. Banire's Ramadan lecture and Iftar at his residence in Ikeja, Lagos. PHOTO: Bunmi Azeez.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 —37

NYSC members bemoan living conditions in camps •Lament lean food rations •No, govt provides N500 per corps member for feeding daily — NYSC

By Dayo Adesulu, Tare Youdeowei & Elizabeth Uwandu

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OLLOWING the close of National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, camps yesterday across the nation, corps members spoke to Vanguard Learning, during the orientation, about the deplorable living conditions on camps, particularly temporary camps, and the lean food rations in both temporary and permanent camps.

These camps accommodate, at each orientation, between 2,500 to 3,000 graduates.

Temporary camps refer to secondary schools that are used

by NYSC as camp in the absence of an NYSC- owned compound for orientation purposes.

Whenever orientation is to hold, the students of the school, always boarding schools, vacate the premises and squat in a nearby school. While this in itself is a questionable practice, because all sorts of ills can befall the students during this migration and squatting period, it would be tackled squarely on a latter date.

One would therefore wonder; NYSC was established in 1973, how long could it possibly take to establish permanent sites in the 36 states of the federation?

A corps member currently on camp in Anambra State, Ijeoma Philip, shared her experience in one of these temporary camps.

“Anambra doesn’t have a permanent site yet. They use Progressive Secondary School in Umuinya-Oyi, LGA.

Agreement with the school

The school isn’t on holiday. I heard that when there is orientation, NYSC which has an agreement with the school, moves the students to a catholic school nearby. The conditions aren’t so bad though, it’s just a matter of management.

“The toilet area is sadly waterlogged, as a result,people don’t like to go inside. The result is that the place is messier than should be. The toilet is pit latrine but we make do. The first two days, the water supply was bad but they eventually had the pumping machine fixed. They probably underestimated the number of persons that would come. The mattresses are old but are not bed bug-infested.”

Deplorable Conditions: A former corps member, Titi Bada, recounted her ordeal thus; “I served in Sokoto in 2013. The conditions there were horrible.

They do not have a camp there, they use Government Technical College, Farfaru. When we first got there, I vehemently argued with my fellow corps members that the school was not inhabited by C M Y K

 LEAN RATIONS: A plate of rice with a barely visible piece of fish, served in the NYSC camp in one of the states in the SouthWest.

 A similar helping of rice before a corps member in the same camp.

students before we got there. I took my stand based on the conditions we met there.

“The ceiling boards were all broken. There was no bunk in my block, we had to look for stones to suspend our mattresses on planks and other surfaces we could find. Two girls managed to get the semblance of a bunk, one was on top and the other at the bottom.

"Eventually, the top bunk collapsed on the lady at the bottom in the middle of the night.

There was no bathroom. The entire dormitory area had just 4 pit toilets. If I was told, I wouldn’t have believed such conditions exist in modern day Nigeria.

There was no water. The big reservoir had dirty water in it.

Eventually, NYSC had to bring tanks that were filled once a day by tankers from outside the school.”

Permanent Camps: On the other hand, corps members in permanent camps have a fairer tale to tell. Taiye Odunuga, a Batch A Stream 2 corps member currently in orientation camp in Osun state, which has a permanent site, says life in camp is fine, save for the long queue at the tap for water. “I would rate the hostel average. The only problem is the long queue for water which is caused by poor water supply and a below service capacity water tank.”

Standard of hostels

Nearby Oyo State, Dare Sopade, also a Batch A stream 2 corps member, has nothing but wonderful tales. “Oyo State has its permanent site at Isehin, Ibadan, they just relocated here

in 2014 I guess. Generally, everything is fine.

"The living condition here is one of the best in Nigeria, if I am not mistaken. The accommodation here meets the standard of hostels in federal universities. The rooms are spacious, well ventilated, we have a standby generator.

However, for safety reasons, to avoid fire outbreaks, they removed all the sockets in the rooms; you know how boys can be. I believe this camp is the best in all the western states.”

Okolo Okus, also just leaving camp, curtly said; “I am currently in Benue State. It is a permanent camp situated in Tarka LGA. The hostels are above average because it is a new place. The hostels are not painted but you know Nigeria, they start things and they don’t finish.”

Stomach Infrastructure: As regards food rations, Okolo continued; “The food is above average, it is three square meals but the rations are small. They said the government gave them N500 to feed each corps member daily.

So, N500 divided by three meals, that’s approximately N167 per meal, you can envisage the kind of meal you will get. That also means the quality is paltry like the amount.”

Meanwhile, Ijeoma Philip in Anambra said; “Sometimes the food is fine, other times it isn’t. It is the usual thing when cooking for so many people. I heard that the kitchen staff say food stuffs are in short supply, so the rations are small. The soups are surprisingly tasty, but that is characteristic with eastern Nigeria. The beef isn’t bigger than a finger though.”

Taiye Odunuga, lamenting the poor quality of food in Osun camp,

said; “The standard of food and the quantity has made me and several of my colleagues rely on food joints in Mammy Market, a sales and service area within the camp, for feeding. The food is not impressive. I hardly go to the kitchen because it feels like a waste of time.”

In Oyo State’s camp, Dare Sopade complained; “Swallows are not really bad, but once the food they prepare has anything to do with tomatoes, the rations will be small. Jollof is also generally okay because it is prepared with tin tomatoes. Beef is reasonable because they seem not to lack beef in these parts.

The fish is always very small. It is not for satisfaction, it is just to have something in the stomach.

After the meal you can top up with one of the N50 sausage rolls.”

When in Sokoto, Titi Bada recalled; “The food rations were very small till we started cooking for ourselves, platoon by platoon. We were promised cows by dignitaries but it did not report in the food, we were still given pieces of meat that were

The ceiling boards were all broken; there was no bunk in my block, we had to look for stones to suspend our mattresses on planks and other surfaces we could find

no bigger than seasoning cubes.

Food stuffs then weren’t so expensive but they were still not generous with the food rations.

When we began to cook for ourselves, platoon by platoon, the rations improved.”

NYSC responds: Faulting the allegations of corps members, Director, Public Relations, NYSC, Mrs. Bose Aderibigbe, said the Director General, NYSC, Brigadier General Sule Kazaure, goes to the kitchen to see what corps members eat. “I don’t think they are telling you the truth, the new DG of NYSC is on orientation tour. He has been to almost 23 states, he goes to the kitchen and there is no complain whatsoever.

Tasting the food

Because he is fasting he cannot taste the food. In the stream one, he was tasting the food. I have been tasting the food too, because I have been on his entourage. ‘’The Federal Government gives us N500 to feed them per day. You know the cost of living today. There has been no increase in their feeding allowance. They take chicken and egg, what else do they want? ‘’The DG checks their toilet, in male and female hostels, to see how clean they are. He goes to the clinic to check if there are corps members who are sick, whether they are being treated correctly or being given the right drugs.’

"We were in Plateau State yesterday (Monday), we were in Bauchi on Sunday, on Saturday we were in Jigawa. On Thursday we were in Kastina. The other time, we were in Sokoto. We have been to Akwa Ibom, Cross river , Abia, Imo, Ebonyi, Ondo, Ekiti, Kogi and Osun states; the claims are not true."

38— Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

Research: First Medical University to launch N1b trust fund

By Dayo Johnson

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HE first University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED) in Nigeria located in Ondo town, Ondo state is to launch a N1b trust fund to achieve excellence in medical research and service delivery.

To be known as “ Friends of UNIMED trust fund”, the initiative is an invitation to friends, patriot and shareholders to join the building process of the University.

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Friday Okonofua said this in Ondo town during a chat with Vanguard that the launch will come on July 7 this year.

Prof Okonofua said that the goal “ is to attract one million faithful friends who make annual donations of at least N1000 each. “ This will amount to about N1b each year enough to embark on major developmental projects each year for the university.

Already over 500 persons have bought into the idea which over N2m has been

realized by the institution.

Prof Okonofua said that it is imperative that institutions that intend to attain global excellence must seek alternative methods of funding. “ The University of Medical Sciences has up to ten different fund raising strategies, one of which include the Friends of UNIMED fund.

The VC said that the fund will be managed by the governing council of the University while quarterly financial statements of the fund will be forwarded to all friends and that account will be audited by external auditors appointed by the council. “ Only projects that have been duly approved by the council will be implemented under the fund while award of contract will be based on open bidding and in accordance with existing national procurement.

Prof Okonofua speaking on the achievement of the institution said the laboratories are now ready and the NUC and the MDCN will soon be invited to accredit the basic medical courses of the Medical and dentistry Programme.

•The invasive plant, water lily, taking over Nigerian water bodies

From environmental threat to environment-friendly energy I like nonsense; it wakes up the brain cells — Dr. Seuss Although the water lily has many uses amongst different peoples of the world as food and shelter, it however, can become a weed, blocking out sunlight and oxygen from the water, displacing local aquatic plants and posing a danger to water transportation. Due to its extremely rapid proliferation, it presents serious challenges, especially to Nigeria.

Having observed the devastating effects of the invasive water lily on Nigerian waters, the 'nonsense' woke up the brain cells of the trio of Dr. Naomi John Dadi-Mamud, Dr A. Gudugi and Dr. R. L Nginga of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Niger State and they decided to create something good out of the bad and at the same time, solve the problem of rural energy supply. Vanguard Learning presents the work of three scientists at IBBU. Read on:

By Ebele Orakpo

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HE research: According to Dr. Naomi John DadiMamud, "over 85 per cent of the world rural population depends on biomass in the form of wood

and plant residues for domestic purposes, causing deforestation resulting to environmental degradation. Therefore, to solve the energy crises in our country, biogas production is important.

Biogas

"As biogas technology provides an environmentally sound means of managing animal and plant wastes. Unlike water hyacinth that had been used for biogas production, Water lily from the same family, has not been used for biogas production from known literatures," said Dadi-Mamud.

Method They collected the water lily; cut them up, poured them into a digester; removed the substrates from digester.

The gas was produced in a gasometer (gas holder).

"The procedure of biomethanation, fermentation and pyrolysis was adopted for the conversion of the aquatic plant to produce biogas.

"Gas Chromatography equipped with a thermal conductivity detector was used for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the different components of the substrates."

Firm sponsors 2016 NBC graduands get automatic employment Spelling Bee contest

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n demonstration of its support for educational development in the Nigeria, non-alcoholic beverage giant,Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC) sponsored the 2016 Federal Capital Territor y (FCT) Spelling Bee Competition in Abuja. The event which took place on June 18, 2016is aimed at increasing the knowledge impact on lives of the participants, their schools and families. Representatives of schools in the 13 Local Government Areas in Abuja were in attendance, along side teacher and parents of the participating students.

Speaking at the event, the Legal Public Affairs and Communications Director, Sade Morgan, said, “Development in education is a task for all stakeholders and NBC’s sponsorship of the Spelling Bee Competition will drive academic excellence and sustain learning and development of the Nigerian child. The event will go a long way in supporting and motivating pupils towards

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academic excellence, instilling a sense of pride and confidence in participants.

Also speaking at the event was the Former Minister of Education and Vice-President, Africa Division of World Bank, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, who described the participants as ‘Spelling Champs’, encouraged them to challenge the status quo, set new records, and strive for excellence at all times. She stated further that, a strong commitment to studying and growth is always rewarded with success.

The FCT Spelling Bee was launched by Decipher Solutions as an annual community development service project in 2013. The Competition is a literacy program to teach students the effective pronunciation of words, their meaning and proper context of usage in English Language. The FCT Spelling Bee creates a platform for students from diverse backgrounds including public and private schools to engage and compete fairly in order to emerge as winners of the competition.

By Dayo Adesulu

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OPE of getting employment among the Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates, Bachelor of Science (BSc) and Master's degree holders rose after the Nigerian Bottling Company, NBC Limited churned out 732 graduands at its 25th graduation ceremony of the NBC Technical Training Centre in Lagos.

The Managing Director, NBC, Mr Ben Langat while addressing the audience disclosed that the 732 graduands have been offered employment within and outside the organisation.

According to him, since inception, 5,400 participants have completed various short and long-term technical programmes at the Technical Training Centre, adding, “about 85 per cent of those offered employment are still working at various levels within the organisation.”

He explained that overriding objective of the TTC is to continually train and empower technical personnel in the company, stressing that the Centre is also open to young Nigerians who aspire to build

a sound career in the beverage bottling industry.

He averred that the TTC is one of NBC's commitments to support human capital development, improve productivity and stimulate value-added production capacity that stimulates economic growth.

Langat who maintained that NBC is very passionate about

youths, added that those who have gone through their TTC have been exposed to practical world class bottling operations that are second to none.

He said: “In 2013, trainees at the TTC collaborated with the Lagos State Vocational and Technical Education Board, LASTVEB and fabricated eight traffic lights in Ikeja Local Government.

UNILAG hosts SETPOM on W.E.D lectures

By Chris Onuoha

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NIVERSITY of Lagos played host to the Society for E n v i r o n m e n t a l Toxicology and Pollution Mitigation, SETPOM, as they joined the world over to mark the World Environmental Day, WED 2016, in a lecture series themed Zero Tolerance for Illegal Wildlife Trade – Go Wild Life.

SETPOM, which also launched the environmental safety squad for Primary and Secondary School students called E-Squad Club, emphasized, through Chairman, Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria, Engr. Timothy Iwuagwu, the need for people to protect the environment against pollution and killing of wildlife.

According to him; “Today we have ecological problems on our hands, which are climatic change caused by global warming and some wildlife extinction. Our government has the constitutional duty of providing security and welfare to the people, wildlife inclusive.

These include actions and measures necessary to prevent loss in environment due to inappropriate use of environmental materials.

Considering the theme, government should boost the enforcement of existing laws that prevent people from destroying our environment and wildlife. Also, intensive public relation programmes that will enlighten the society about wild life should be encouraged.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016—39

11-yr-old wins 16th Spelling Bee competition

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GRADUATION:From left, Administrator, Samsung Engineering Academy, Ms Doris Ebole; representative, Lagos Eko Project, Mr Sunday Awefi; Corporate Citizenship Manager, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mrs Abosede George-Ogan; Overall best graduating student, Samsung Engineering class of 2015, Jayeola Kareem; Head of Service, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr Labin, and Training Manager, Samsung Engineering Academy, Mr Dickinson Odikayour, at the graduation ceremony of the 2015 class of the Samsung Engineering Academy.

Firm empowers graduates to strengthen technical sector

By Tare Youdeowei

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AMSUNG Engineering Academy, a Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative between Samsung Electronics and the Lagos State government, through the World Bank supported Eko Project, has graduated 67 technicians from the academy. They join 118 graduates who have passed through the academy over the last 4 years.

The graduands who are expected to deepen the pool of well trained technicians in the country, were all given tool box-

es in line with their specialised trade area, to better equip them for the future as entrepreneurs or as part of a skilled workforce.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Sunday Awefi, a representative of Lagos Eko Project, stated that the Samsung Engineering Academy is a great initiative which has given hope to youths with technical skills and has also equipped them to become technicians in electronics engineering.

It is a tremendous improvement to the Country’s technology sector, he said. "The engi-

Winners emerge in the 6th edition of Ose Young talent brain quest

By Esther Onyegbula

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OUR schools have emerged winners in the different category in the sixth edition of the Ose Young talent brain quest held recently in House of Grace, Satellite town Lagos.

Over the years, the competition has created a platform that aid mental development of students through giving them a comparative advantage to discover their creative ability.

According to the National director, Aidanmwosa Aiwanose, “the most powerful weapon of a nation is knowledge; lack of knowledge tends to poverty. The brain quest competition is aimed at creating a platform for students and pupils

to discover and nurture their innate abilities as well as empowering them in different area of academic knowledge.

The main Objectives of this programme is to add value to the lives of students, pupils, and the Nigerian Educational system while making knowledge acquisition fun especially in the area of Mathematics, Impromptu speech, and mental quest. We intend to make learning fun, helping them to cultivate a good reading and research habit, as well as discover various abilities in the young mind, thereby enhancing their boldness and confidence academically. The program is held twice a year with the school to schools and individual smart competition.”

neers are now well equipped with sound technical skills, which will help them build a better future for themselves while contributing towards driving Nigeria’s economic growth and development.

Mr. Changwook Lee, Managing Director, Samsung West Africa, stated that; "The academy revolutionizes traditional education by providing technical and vocational training for school learners, tertiary students and unemployed youth.

This links to Samsung’s goal to create a sustainable and meaningful contribution to education and employability.

“Samsung’s aim is to build successful partnerships in Nigeria to equip the country’s youth with the technical skills they need to transform their lives and contribute to the development of the country.”

According to Abosede George-Ogan, Corporate Citizenship Manager, Samsung West Africa, the academy was established to empower indigent Nigerians and positively impact communities.

He said: “Innovation is at the heart of what we do, and we believe education is the seed of innovation. Our hope is that through initiatives like the Samsung Engineering Academy we can empower the youth by creating opportunities that will lead to sustainable employment.”

Nigerians among most intelligent in the world — Remi Morgan

By Chris Onuoha N education expert, Remi Morgan has disclosed that Nigerians are among the most intelligent in the world but the country has remained on the low side of educational development as a result of improper sector reforms.

Morgan, the Chief Executive Officer, Laterna Ventures limited, owners of Laternabooks made this remark during the just concluded National Children’s Exhibition’ tagged: ‘Exclusive Children’ held at Lagos

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Preparatory School, Ikoyi, Lagos in commemoration of May 27th children’s Day anniversary.

He said: “I believe that Nigerians rank among the most intelligent in the world but at times that potential is not well harnessed in this sphere as expected. We have had children who just managed to pass exams here in Nigeria but when they go abroad, they do well and come top. The potential is inherent but the environment is not enabling for such success.”

According to Morgan, the

major thrust of education sector reforms in Nigeria in the past decade has been to widen access and improve the quality of education delivery in a manner that is equitable. To achieve this, various interventions have been introduced and continue to be present in the sector. Admittedly, some positive gains have been recorded but, however, the education performance indicators (EPI) and other development indicators for the country have remained on the low side.”

By Amaka Abayomi

LEVEN year old, Philip Daniel of Darocha Primary School, Agege, has emerged winner of the 16th Lagos State Spelling Bee Competition, primary category, beating Titus Friday of Anglican Primary School, Ajegunle and Nafisat Raji of Ahmadiyah Primary School, Yaba to second and third positions respectively.

The competition, which was keenly contested by 57 participants from public primary schools across the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Government Education Authorities, LGEAs, produced five best winners.

The winner, Daniel, was presented with N150,000.00 cash prize and Trophy, the second and third positions collected N100,000.00 and N75,000.00 cash prizes and trophies, while the other two winners for the fourth and fifth positions were given consolation prizes each.

The Executive Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Dr. Ganiyu Shopeyin, in his address, congratulated the winners and all the participants for displaying brilliance and urged them not to rest on their oars.

He also commended the teachers who have groomed the pupils for the competition for a job well done, just as he enjoined the pupils to strive more on their studies for academic excellence.

Speaking earlier, the permanent secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. Adesina Odeyemi, reiterated that the competition is another step taken by the State Government to demonstrate its resolve to further develop Education in Lagos. He added that the competition has been designed to promote the ideals of original thinking and confidence in pupils and students in our educational system.

10 Lagos teachers bag UK Masters degree

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By Amaka Abayomi

EN teachers from public schools in Lagos State have obtained Masters Degree certificate in various courses from the University of Nottingham, United Kingdom, through an on-line programme which started in 2011and sponsored by the Commonwealth of Nations.

Speaking at the presentation of certificates to the recipients by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. Adesina Odeyemi, the CEO, Corona Schools Trust Council, Mrs. Olufunsho Igun, disclosed that three of the scholars passed with merit, six had credit while the last scholar who is physically challenged is yet to obtain his certificate due to the nature of his course module which is yet to be completed. She added that 15 more are on the second batch and are expected to form the last batch for Nigeria as the Commonwealth has moved to Kenya.

Commending the Corona Schools Trust Fund Council for their worthy course and support, the Permanent Secretary, Odeyemi, implored the recipients to impact their students and colleagues with their acquired knowledge.

He opined that the knowledge and experience acquired in the course of their programme have become their property which no one can rob them off, adding that the state government would want to continue to hear about their exploits in their different fields.

Responding on behalf of the recipients, Mrs Iribiri Monilola Oladunni expressed appreciation to the Corona Trust Council for driving the programme, the State Government for giving approval and providing for them the opportunity to take advantage of the programme and the Commonwealth of Nations for sponsoring what she described as very impacting course.

FTC wins NNPC quiz competition

T

By Peter Duru

HE Federal Capital Territory, FCT, has emerged winner of the North-Central Zonal Final of the 2016 Annual NNPC National Quiz Competition for Secondary Schools held in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

FCT scored 50 marks to clinch the first position, Benue and Plateau states tied at second position with 40 marks each while Kogi and Niger also tied at the fourth position with 35 marks each. The fifth and six positions went to Kwara and Nasarawa states who scored 30 and 05 marks respectively.

The FCT which was represented at competition by Nwokolo David, William Anaigoh and James Anyacho, by the victory qualified to participate in the finals of the competition on a date to be announced by the NNPC. Addressing the participants, the Group General Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility, NNPC, Ohi Alegbe, said the contest was a deliberate programme of the Corporation to contribute to the education sector.

He said “we have therefore used the competition as an instrument for enhancing science education in the country, coaching students towards their promotional and qualifying examinations, building friendships amongst them and enlightening students and the public on NNPC activities.”

40 — VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

By Ebun-olu Adegboruwa

O

N Monday, June 27, 2016, the country was again thrown into some shock with the news of the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, sacking the Governor of Abia State, Mr. Okezie Ikpeazu. From the reports, it was said that Governor Ikpeazu does not possess the requisite qualification to contest the election as governor, in that he did not furnish credible evidence of payment of tax, to the Abia State Government.

Accordingly, the court directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to issue a certificate of return to Mr. John Ogah, the candidate who came second in the Peoples’ Democratic Party’s governorship primary.

Surrender his mandate This judgment is said to be predicated on section 24 (1) (f) of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act. According the court, the governor did not qualify to contest the election ab initio and PDP was wrong to have presented him as a candidate. On these grounds, he was asked to surrender his mandate to Mr. Ogah.

With all due respect to the court, this judgment is wrong, both in law and morality. Straightaway it should not be difficult to know that the qualifications for candidates seeking the office of governor of a state are as stipulated under section 182 (1) of the 1999 Constitution as follows: A. Dual Citizenship; B. Two previous terms in office; C. A person adjudged to be a lunatic or of unsound mind; D. Conviction by court or tribunal for death or an offence involving dishonesty or fraud; E. Conviction within ten years of contest for dishonesty or contravention of the Code of Conduct; F. Failure to retire from public service;

EDITORIAL Innocent Anaba ( Head) Wahab Abdulah Ikechukwu Nnochiri Dayo Benson (Supervising Editor) 08056180119 dayobenson@yahoo.com

G. Membership of a secret society; H. Indictment for embezzlement or fraud; or I. Has presented a forged certificate to INEC. In respect of section 182 (1) (i) relating to forged certificate, it must be that the alleged forgery must have been authenticated by the relevant hand writing analysis experts of the Nigeria Police Force and must be shown to have been masterminded by the governor himself.

Clearly therefore, the issue of payment or non payment of tax, cannot invalidate an otherwise valid election. Furthermore, the consequences of a failure, by any public officer, to pay tax, are well articulated in the various tax statutes. In this case, it is said that one of the documents furnished by the governor was said to have been forged because it was issued on a Saturday.

Under the Public Holidays Act, all days are working days except the ones specifically declared as public holiday. Indeed section 1 of the said Act states public holidays as New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Workers’ Day, National Day, Christmas Day, Id el Fitr, Id el Kabir, Id el Maulud or any other day so declared by the President or Governor.

Nullification of official acts So, Saturday and Sunday are not public holidays to nullify official acts done on those days.

This was why the former governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, signed the appropriation bill of Lagos State on a Sunday.

So the fact that a document is signed and dated on a Saturday or Sunday, does not of itself alone, render it invalid.

In any case, any mistake occurring upon a document issued by the Abia State Government, cannot be blamed on the beneficiary of the document itself.

The issue of tax evasion or tax default is a matter to be resolved between the citizen and the government, being one affecting revenue. I cannot see how that can lead to the annulment of the votes lawfully cast by the people of Abia State, for their choice of governor.

Section 24 (1) (f) of the 1999 Constitution, which enjoins citizens to pay tax, is part and parcel of Chapter 2 of the 1999 Constitution, under the directive principles of state policy. The chapter is a policy statement, for both the government and the citizens and thus, they are not meant to be enforced by any court.

This is clearly stated in section 6

* Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of f Abia State.

Why court cannot remove Ikpeazu as Governor of Abia State (6) (c) of the Constitution, directly dealing with the powers of the courts. Section 24 (1) (f) is therefore non justiciable and cannot be the basis of nullifying the election of any public officer.

It is clearly unenforceable and cannot form the basis of the judgment of any court created under the Constitution.

The other point that makes the judgment totally unacceptable is that it is totally against the tenets of democracy and the rule of choice, for courts to be supplanting pubic office holders that have been conferred with a sacred mandate by the people.

This is why matters relating to

that have no bearing with and cannot be traced to the votes cast.

Furthermore, this is a case that has been fought and won, even up to the highest court of the land, the Supreme Court. So if one may ask, where was Mr. Ogah, in all of the time that the governorship election of Abia State was in the tribunal, in the Court of Appeal and in the Supreme Court? Was it today that he got to know of the forged certificate? How will a High Court turn around to annul a mandate already confirmed by the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, the latter being the highest court of the land?

Investment decisions

In any case, any mistake occurring upon a document issued by the Abia State Government, cannot be blamed on the beneficiary of the document itself

elections have been limited to election petitions, so that it is only those who canvassed for the votes of the people that should expect to enjoy their mandate. The courts should not be imposing leaders on the people, to annul their mandate, through judgments

Presumably, the people of Abia State will be losers in this contest.

Investment decisions will be placed on hold, there will now be some kind of uncertainty in policy decisions of the State, until the case is finally decided by the Supreme Court. It is a needless distraction for governance, the State having gone through the rigours of an election petition, up to the Supreme Court.

The worrisome part of this whole drama is the sentiment gaining ground that this may just be the clandestine ploy of the ruling party to entrench a one party state, as it is already being speculated that upon his swearing-in, Mr Ogah will immediately defect to the ruling APC, citing the present factionalisation between Modu Sheriff and Ahmed Markafi.

Surely this cannot help our democracy, and it is gratifying that it is all a matter of

speculation and conjecture.

We must get to a stage when we must give due respect and honour to the wish of the people as expressed during the election.

Section 221 of the Constitution gives the electoral mandate to both the political party and the candidate, such that when the people have exercised their vote for a particular candidate as their choice of leader, such must not be removed through the backdoor under the guise of post election litigation. It is totally unacceptable, as that will become some form of judicial terrorism, for the court to sit over an election conducted over a year ago, to be annulling it, in the name of judicial exercise.

The judge in this case must be leveraging on the Supreme Court decision in Amaechi’s case, whereby Celestine Omehia was asked to surrender his mandate to Rotimi Amaechi, as governor of Rivers State. The difference in the two cases is that Amaechi won the PDP governorship primary fair and square, unlike in this case, where Ogar came second, behind Ikpeazu. So Ogar was not the choice of the party and he was not the choice of the people of Abia State and so he cannot be the choice of the court, against the wish of Abia people.

I trust that in no time, the appellate courts will correct this judicial anomaly and restore the mandate of the people of Abia State, to its rightful owner.

*Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, is a legal practitioner and human rights activist and managing partner of Adegboruwa and Company.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

— 41

Arbitration, key to foreign investments-Osinbajo

By Innocent Anaba

V

ICE President, Professor Yemi Osinbanjo, SAN, has urged businessmen in Nigeria to embrace commercial arbitration for the desired speed in dispute resolution to attract international investors.

Professor Osinbajo, said that with the robust dispute resolution mechanism like Arbitration in place, the country will actualise her vision of becoming the next major destination for foreign investment.

Speaking at the 1st ICC Africa Regional Arbitration Conference in Lagos with the Theme, “Arbitration and Africa: Prospects and Challenges,” he noted that the availability of dispute resolution mechanism was a factor in all investors’ decision.

Represented by the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami SAN, Osinbajo stated that the dispute resolution constituted a significant determinant of a country’s ranking in the ease of doing business, adding that disputes were common in the business environment. “Every prudent society must design and constantly draw up process through which disputes could be resolved in an amicable manner.

“In the world of today, commercial arbitration is now recognised as a preferred method of resolving several commercial disputes. “Arbitration is now seen as not only possessing the desired speed but also aggregating competency and often times, the relationship is tied to this process,” Osibanjo explained.

Critical issues The Vice President, however, urged conference participants to take time to address the critical issues which would expand arbitration as a desired tool for dispute resolution in Nigeria.

President, ICC Court of International Arbitration Paris, Mr. Alexis Mourre, at the event, commended Nigeria for hosting the 1st Africa Regional Arbitration conference. Mourre noted that with more engagement and interactions on Arbitration, commercial practitioners would recognise arbitration, just like common law and civil law.

According to Mourre, ICC was one of the institution that adopted arbitration and 70 percent of the world’s arbitration come from ICC. “Arbitration is booming in Africa.

We hope that at the end of the conference, we will be seeing more arbitrators in Africa,” Mourre emphasized.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Chairperson, ICC conference Planning Committee, Mrs. Dorothy Udeme-Ufot, SAN, stated that the theme of the threeday conference, “Arbitration and

L – R: Mr. Tunde Fagbohunlu, SAN, Vice Chairman host committee, 1st ICC Africa Regional Arbitration Conference; Mrs. Dorothy Udeme-Ufot, SAN, chairperson host committee, 1st ICC Africa Regional Arbitration Conference; Gabriel Olawoyin, SAN, Chairman of the Arbitration & ADR Committee; Mr. Harry Matovu, QC and Mrs. Jean Anishere, at the 1st ICC Africa Regional Arbitration Conference in Lagos.

Africa:Prospects and Challenges” was chosen by the Planning Committee because Africa is the next major destination for Foreign Direct Investments, FDIs. She urged the international community to support Africa’s effort to promote economic growth and investment. Ufot said that investors were also interested in infrastructure, technology, agriobusiness, consumer goods and manufacturing companies that would create sustained growth and create jobs and improved

livelihood.

“There is no way commercial disputes will not arise during these process and the conference aims at settling the background for their resolution,” ufot explained. According to her, ICC Nigeria is an affiliate of the ICC headquters in Paris. ICC was establised in 1919 in Paris. It was one of the largest business organiastion in the world with over six million companies and chambers of commerce and busines assocaites in more than 130 countries, including

Nigeria. She mentioned that the conference had been taken all over the world, adding that Nigeria was grateful to host the 1st ICC Africa Regional Arbitration Confernce.

Ufot also commended the President of ICC International for ensuring that the conference took place in Nigeria. “All countries in Africa are busy trying to attract foreign investments. You will agree with me that without international arbitration, there cannot be foreign investors. In

any jurisdiction, arbitration is one of the viable components for attracting foreign investors,” she said.

Ufot, commended organisations that supported the Nigerian ICC conference such as Globacom Ltd, Dangote group of companies, the NBA, the Nigerian Shippers Counci, the Nigerian Port Authority, among others.

The three-day conference attracted distinguished industry experts and Arbitrators specially selected from all over the world, including resource persons across all sectors . The event also featured different sessions with lively discussions which addressed topical themes in arbitration.

Speakers at the event included President Nigerian bar Association, Mr Augustine Alegeh, SAN, Chief Sena Anthony, Mr. Hassan Bello, Professor Paul Idornigie SAN, Tunde Ogunseitan, Ned Mojuetan, Kofi Mbiah, Rukia Baruti, Dr. Emilia Onyema, Jerome Finnis, Sammi Houerbi, Harry Matovu QC, Jimmy Kodo, Mr. Kamal Shah, among others.

Others in attendance were fommer Attoney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice , Chief Bayo, Ojo SAN, Mrs. Funke adekoya, SAN, Chief Gabriel Olawoyin, SAN and Mr. Gbenga Oyebode.

Arewa Lawyers Forum writes NBA over Gadzama’s adoption Mahmoud nominated Joseph Daudu, SAN, Mallam Yusuf Alli, SAN and Dr. Garba Tetengi, SAN. However, Daudu and Alli were disqualified for not being ALF members, and Mahmoud was asked to replace them within seven days from the February 11, but he allegedly did not.

“Regrettably, he has failed, refused and/or neglected to do so for over four months with a view to deliberately frustrating the process,” ALF said. The forum’s Executive Committee, at a meeting on June 9, in Abuja, decided to exercise its residual power.

By Innocent Anaba

T

HE Arewa Lawyers Forum, ALF, has explained the circumstances in which Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, presidential candidate Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN, was adopted.

In a letter to NBA president, Mr Augustine Alegeh, SAN, which was copied the regional fora, ALF denied a letter purportedly written by its Secretary, Sani Garun-Gabas, dissociating the forum from adopting Gadzama.

The forum, in the June 27 letter copied the Coordinator, Southwest Bar Forum, the Eastern Bar Forum, said that the letter purportedly written by Garun-Gabas on June 14 was on a letter headed paper that did not have the names of ALF’s exco members.

According to ALF Vice Chairman Garba Pwul, SAN and Assistant Secretary, T. T. Hyundu, in the build-up to the adoption of a sole candidate for the elections, the forum constituted a committee to choose between the two contending aspirants and set up the parameters for such a choice, with the consent of both aspirants and the general house in Bauchi State on October 30, 2015.

It said that the committee sat

Gadzama, SAN and reviewed the candidature of both Chief Gadzama and Mr. Abubakar Mahmoud, SAN, after which it adopted Gadzama as its sole candidate.

Mahmoud protested and it was agreed at a general meeting held on the January 30, in Kadunaa that a seven-man committee would be constituted to review the decision. Each aspirant was to name three representatives who must be ALF members.

Gadzama nominated K. T. Turaki, SAN, Dr. Tahir Mamman, SAN and Chief Audu Nunghe, while

Telephone numbers “Members of exco, therefore, voted on both aspirants and the scores were as follows: Chief Gadzama, eight votes; A. B. Mahmoud, two votes and one abstention. “It is instructive to state that the Vice Chairman, who convened the meeting on the instruction of the Chairman did not vote. Please note that those who attended the meeting can be reached via their telephone numbers contained therein for confirmation.

“It is, therefore, highly

mischievous, dishonourable and an attempt to distort the truth for the Secretary of the ALF who actively participated at the said meeting and undertook prior to voting to be bound by its outcome to turn around and deny the truth, and purport to disown the decision of the majority.

“We have painstakingly chronicled the steps leading to the formal adoption of Chief Gadzama, by the ALF as its sole presidential candidate in order to put to rest any doubt that those who lost out in the screening process are trying to foist on undiscerning members of the NBA and the general public.

“For the avoidance of doubt, we restate the fact that Chief Gadzama, is and still remains the sole adopted candidate of the ALF for the presidency of the NBA, 2016.

“We, therefore, urge you and your esteemed members to discountenance any correspondence or press statements by the minority in this regard, an unregistered group of lawyers called Committee of Chairmen, Secretaries and Leaders of Northern Branches or any other group for that matter.”

ALF said its chairman, Alh. M. A. Abubakar could be contacted for any necessary clarification.

42—Vanguard,

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

Lagos Live : Multidisciplinary showcase of contemporary performance

By Prisca Sam-Duru

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HE 2nd edition of the international performance festival, Lagos Live was in totality, an interesting convergence of artists from around the world including Nigeria, Germany, France, Austria and other African countries, showcasing contemporary theatre, dance and installation performances, as well as visual art exhibitions.

Organised by Goethe Institut, the four day festival held from June 24th to Sunday June 26th at the Freedom Park, GoetheInstitut Nigeria (City Hall) and Federal Government Press, Lagos Island, with performances that cut across the visual and performing arts. The maiden edition of the festival took place in 2012 and returned four years after with the aim of presenting contemporary performance projects from different genres.

Working in partnership with several local and international artists and institutions to present new artistic creations, GoetheInstitut, Nigeria’s Lagos Live featured performances, include the international co-production “We Almost Forgot” by Nigerian dancer Qudus Onikeku, and “Sorry” by Berlin-based theater performance group Monster

Truck, a collaboration with the Footprints of David (Lagos).

Others include Austrian theater company Theater im Bahnhof; Crown Troupe of Nigeria; Nigerian dancers Sunday Israel Akpan, Busayo Olowu, Taiwo Ojudun, and theater practitioner Joshua Alabi.

The visual arts exhibition was curated by London-based artist and industrial designer, Alafuro Sikoki-Coleman, mostly associated with cultural artifacts, gender roles and connectivity between objects, user and environment. She showcased five upcoming visual artists, photographers, designers, and

The festival was designed to promote the performance art in Nigeria performers, amongst whom are Odun Orimolade, Danielle Dean, Loza Maléombho, Adeju Thompson, etc.

German experimental sound artist Christina Kubisch unoffiiclly kick-started the

festival and for the first time in Africa she presented her series “Electrical Walks”, where she captures electromagnetic waves from the street and • Scene captured during the Lagos Live Festival at Freedom Park, Lagos transforms them into about negativity and positivity sound lines, through start to think about what can be specially adapted headphones. of life, through his perception. done with the environment Christina Kubisch’s Electrical Produced by KiNiNso-Koncepts because Lagos offers so many Walks enable a new experience Productions and Goethe-Institut possibilities of interacting of the city, one that uncovers Nigeria, 2016, ‘Punctuation’ is a culturally and artistically with the Lagos hidden electromagnetic metaphor for those ideologies city.” phenomena. Armed with a special that cause or create repeated and He also noted that the headphone that amplifies the regular interruptions throughout "Nigerian art industry needs perceptibility of electrical currents man’s existence using poetry, better co-ordination. While and a map marked with local dance, movement, music, and admitting that a lot has already magnetic landmarks, visitors are symbols to clarify meanings as been done to promote the arts in offered an auditory adventure that man contends with itself in this Nigeria, Schmachtel said: “We shifts perception of everyday ‘Gladiatorial Space’. should have a network of centres reality by giving substance to Silent No More, a collaborative rather than just have the island invisible wavelengths and visual performance by Crown and mainland people, there charges.

Troupe of Africa, shares should be a community,” Another high point of the knowledge with street and stressing that infrastructure was festival was the presence of the underprivileged kids, as well as one of the biggest challenge, in Pan-African Space Station, under socially excluded individuals and running an arts and culture the supervision of Ntone Edjabe also builds creative collaborations institution in Nigeria." from Chimurenga. Over a period that would consequently make Choreographer Sunday Israel of four days, this pop-up internet significant cultural, social and Akpan in Give A Hand which had radio-station transmitted live from economic contribution to our over 8 dancers, presented a Freedom Park and hosts an immediate environment, the performance that explores in its eclectic mix of artist and music broader community and to the realm of spirituality and physical sessions. global society. thoughtfulness, the relationship In Punctuation, a poetry “Silent no more” is an artistic of body and mind, technology physical-theatre and dance interpretation of the ordeals of and media in its creation, And performance, Joshua Alabi the silent majority who are also shows the everyday life of chronicles man’s different beliefs exposed to the pervasive culture people, on how life should see of crime, violence, drug itself. Give a hand, navigate the addiction, alcoholism and other mind in its character. It’s a piece vices found on the streets. about selfness towards one Out-going Head of Goethe another, intentionally influencing Institut in Nigeria, Marc-Andre the realization towards one Schmachtel disclosed that the another, confronting the human festival was designed to promote race and exploring the act of the performance art in Nigeria giving or sharing information adding that “I hope people can and knowledge.

Hellon Habila chairs 2016 Etisalat Lit Prize

By Japhet Alakam TISALAT has announced its call for entries to the 2016 edition of the Pan-African Prize, Etisalat Prize for Literature.

This is coming just a few months after the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Fiston Mwanza Mujila won the 2015 edition of the Prize with his first novel, Tram 83.

Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher, who made the disclosure at a press briefing in Lagos, also announced the Judging Panel for the 2016 Etisalat Prize. The panel comprises Nigerian novelist and poet, Helon Habila, as the Chair of Judges, South African writer and activist Elinor Sisulu and Ivorian writer, Edwige Rene Dro as members. Present at the briefing were Helon Habila, two of the Prize Patrons renowned literary icon, Prof. Kole Omotoso and awards-winning author, Dele Olojede.

Mr. Willsher, while speaking about the uniqueness of the Etisalat Prize, said it is designed to serve as a leading platform for the discovery and encouragiment of creative writing talents as well as the celebration of literary arts

by African writers.

“We are delighted to champion the cause for celebrating the richness and strength of African literature. Etisalat Prize for Literature is about discovering and bringing to the world stage

E

Excitement as The Governor premieres

By Prisca Sam-Duru

•Patron, Etisalat Prize for Literature, Dele Olojede; Chief Executive

Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher; Manager, High Value Sponsorship and Events, Etisalat Nigeria, Opeyemi Lawal; Chair of Judges, 2016 Etisalat Prize for Literature, Helon Habila, and Patron, Etisalat Prize for Literature, Kole Omotoso at the briefing in Lagos

the many creative talent Africa boasts of. The Etisalat Prize is about creativity, excellence, empowerment and rewards; it is about celebrating our African diversity in very innovative ways through various forms of art, literature being one of them,” he said. Willsher added that only books by debutant writers published not later than 24 months before submission, will qualify for entry. “They must also be by registered publishing houses not less than six years as incorporated publishers with registered ISBN Number or the equivalent, and who must have published a minimum of six authors. All entries should be accompanied by seven copies of the book entered along with an acceptance of our publicity

terms. A publisher may submit a maximum of three books.

On his part, chair of the judges, Nigerian-born Helon Habila, a writer, poet, author and an Associate Professor of Creative Writing at George Mason University, USA thanked the previous judges for setting the pace and promised to use the opportunity to contribute his own quota to the growth of African literature. The Etisalat Prize for Literature is a Pan African prize that celebrates debut African writers of published fiction.

Previous winners include Zimbabwe’s NoViolet Bulawayo (2013), South Africa’s Songeziwe Mahlangu (2014) and Democratic Republic of Congo’s Fiston Mwanza Mujila (2015).

E

BONYLIFE TV is set to premiere a new high octane political drama titled ‘The Governor ’ with its series th premiere airing Thursday 7 of July, 2016 at 9PM WAT. The Governor is the riveting tale of Angela Ochello, the Deputy Governor of Savannah State who with no governorship ambitions finds herself suddenly entangled in a web of political intrigue after the untimely death of the incumbent Governor.

As audiences embark on this journey with Angela, we see how with the help of her trusted Chief of Staff, she learns how to maneuver through the rough and shark-infested waters of politics whilst balancing the demands of her matrimonial home.

The Governor is set in Savannah, a coastal state in Western Africa established in 1964 and extremely rich in iron ore. Known for its widely spaced grassland with temperate weather conditions and unique

tourist attractions, Savannah has a population of 15 million people majority of who are fishermen and farmers. The rich cultural diversity and political awareness of the people makes it one of the most politically active states in the country.

The Governor will take constituents and citizens alike through the shadowy often gruesome corridors of power and promises to be packed with lots of intrigue, drama and sometimes humour.

Written by Yinka Ogun, Debo Oluwatuminu and Tunde Babalola and directed by Ema Edosio, the lead character ‘Angela Ochello’ is played by British-Nigerian actress Caroline Chikezie (Aeon Flux, BBC’s Casualty, Channel 4’s As If).

Other cast members include Bimbo Manuel, Baaj Adebule, Kachi Nnochiri, and Simi Adejumo amongst others. The 13-episode series will air Thursdays exclusively on EbonyLife TV (DSTV Channel 165).

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 — 43

UN adds 2,500 peacekeepers to Mali mission northern Mali by Islamist

T European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and European Council President Donald Tusk (R) at a meeting with the 27 EU leaders yesterday

Brexit: EU says no compromise on freedom of movement

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UROPEAN Union leaders have warned that the UK must honour the principle of free movement of people if it wants to retain access to the single market after it leaves the bloc.

European Council President Donald Tusk said the UK could not pick and choose.

The French and German leaders also made clear that the freedom of movement of EU citizens was

non-negotiable.

Immigration to the UK, particularly from poorer EU countries, was a key issue in the referendum campaign.

Some campaigners for Leave sent a clear message that the vote was about controlling immigration levels.

Outgoing UK Prime Minister David Cameron said that the issue of freedom of movement would be for the next PM and government to decide.

“I’m in no doubt that this is the difficult issue,” he told MPs in Westminster.

“Frankly, it’s a difficult issue inside the EU, where you’ve got all the negotiating ability to try and change things, and I think it will be in many ways even more difficult from outside.”

However EU leaders appear united after Wednesday’s meeting that there will be no “nuances”, as Mr Juncker put it, for the UK.

Turkey blames ISIS for Istanbul blast

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URKEY pointed the finger of blame at Islamic State jihadists Wednesday after suicide bombers armed with automatic rifles attacked Istanbul’s main international airport, killing 41 people, including foreigners.

Witnesses described scenes of terror and panic on Tuesday evening as the attackers began shooting

indiscriminately and then blew themselves up at the entrance to Ataturk airport, one of Europe’s busiest hubs.

The assault, which comes at the start of Turkey’s crucial tourist season, was the latest in a wave of attacks in Istanbul and the capital Ankara blamed either on Islamic State (IS) jihadists or Kurdish rebels.

Interior Minister Efkan Ala said there was an ongoing “serious and comprehensive investigation” into who was behind the attack, using another name for IS as he told reporters: “First signs point to Daesh but it’s not certain yet.”

The city’s governor said 41 people were killed, including 13 foreigners, and 239 wounded.

UK unlikely to hold second referendum —British High Commissioner

BY GBENGA OKE

B

RITISH High Com missioner to Nigeria, Paul Awkwright yesterday dismissed claims that the United Kingdom might hold another referendum to remain in the European Union.

He also said the referendum was a massive exercise in a democracy with 51.1percent voting to leave the EU. Speaking at the Channels Television Breakfast programme yesterday, he said Britain had made a choice and there is no reason for a second referendum.

He said, “Over 33 million people in the United Kingdom voted in June 24 referendum on whether to exit from the

European Union or not.

51.9 per cent voted to leave while 48.1 per cent voted to remain. After the decision, a group of persons have been

pushing a campaign for a second referendum, but I believe Britons had made a choice and I don’t think there will be a second referendum”.

Malia Obama to spend summer as an intern at U.S. Embassy in Spain

I

N a few weeks, Malia Obama will leave Pennsylvania Avenue for Madrid’s Serrano Street.

President Barack Obama’s eldest daughter is planning to do a summer internship at the U.S. Embassy there, Spanish newspaper ABC is reporting.

Malia Obama will turn 18 years old on July 4.

After graduating from Sidwell Friends School, she reportedly decided to take

a sabbatical year before starting at Harvard University in the fall of 2017.

American embassies often take State Department interns during the year, usually recent college graduates. According to ABC, Malia’s decision to intern in the Spanish capital may be related to the Obamas’ friendship with the U.S. ambassador in Madrid, James Costos, and his romantic partner of 14 years, interior designer Michael S. Smith.

HE United Nations Se curity Council agreed on Wednesday to add just over 2,500 peacekeepers to the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Mali, which has been hit by a series of deadly attacks and has become the deadliest place to serve for U.N. peacekeepers.

The French-drafted resolution, which was approved unanimously by the 15-nation council, said the

Mali peacekeeping mission (MINUSMA) should “take all necessary means to carry out its mandate and to move to a more proactive and robust posture.”

The increase will bring the force’s maximum size to 13,289 military personnel and 1,920 police.

Mali’s government and various separatist groups signed a peace deal last year but it has failed to prevent periodic violence in

militants, who have also staged assaults on high profile targets in the capital Bamako, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast.

French U.N. Ambasssador Francois Delattre, council president this month, said implementation of that peace agreement was now one of MINUSMA’s strategic priorities, along with taking a tougher stance to protect civilians in the face of a “resilient terrorist threat.”

EgyptAir crash: Flight MS804 black box confirms smoke

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LACK box record ings from crashed EgyptAir flight MS804 confirm smoke on board, Egyptian investigators say.

The flight from Paris to

Cairo plunged into the Mediterranean Sea on 19 May, killing all 66 people on board.

Automated electronic messages sent by the plane had shown that

smoke detectors went off in a toilet and in the avionics area below the cockpit, minutes before the plane disappeared.

The recorded data is consistent with those messages, investigators said.

17 Angola activists ordered from jail into house arrest

A

NGOLA’s Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered the conditional release of 17 political activists, known as the Luanda Book Club, who had been convicted of plotting to overthrow the government of the oil-rich southern African country. The court order published by news website Rede Angola says the release warrants, issued under terms of house

arrest, were to be carried out “in the present day.”

The conditional release is pending a final decision in the group’s case, Human Rights Watch researcher Zenaida Machado tweeted Wednesday afternoon.

The 17 activists were arrested after a 2015 meeting in the capital, Luanda, to discuss Gene Sharp’s 1993 book “From Dictator-

ship to Democracy, A Conceptual Framework for Liberation.”

The London-based PEN International, which promotes freedom of expression, said in a statement on the arrests that the book is described as “a blueprint for non-violent resistance to repressive regimes.” The book club members were found guilty of preparing a rebellion and criminal conspiracy.

Italy votes to halt aviation supplies to Egypt

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HE Italian Senate voted on Wednesday to halt supplies to Egypt of spare parts for F16 warplanes in protest against the killing of Italian student Giulio Regeni earlier this year.

Italy has repeatedly complained that Egyptian authorities have not cooperated to find those responsible for the 28-year-old student’s death, and in April it withdrew its ambassador to Egypt for consultations.

However Wednesday’s vote in the Italian Senate

marked the first commercial steps taken against Cairo. After a heated de-

bate, the upper house of parliament passed the so-called Regeni amendment by 159 to 55.

Up to 4.8m S/Sudanese face severe food shortages — U.N

U

P to 4.8 million people in South Sudan face severe food shortages in coming months, the highest level since a conflict erupted more than two years ago, U.N. agencies said on Wednesday.

Clashes have contin-

•President Kiir of South Sudan

ued to flare in South Sudan even though warring factions signed a peace deal in August last year to end the conflict that erupted in December 2013.

But the deal has only been implemented slowly, leaving the country’s economic crisis to deepen.

Rains at this time of year add to the challenge of supplying those in need by making many roads impassable. Most roads in the area are just dirt tracks.

“The deteriorating situation coincides with an unusually long and harsh annual lean season, when families have depleted their food stocks and new harvests are not expected until August.

44—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

How certain foods, drinks affect fertility

By Chioma Obinna

A

S the world is facing challenges of infertility, scientists are looking into the role of nutrition in improving fertility and supporting healthy pregnancies.

Most of the time, people only think of fertility treatment and imagine sophisticated diagnostic testing, powerful medications, and high-tech procedures, but hope is here as science has found that choosing certain foods and drinks can influence your ability to become pregnant.

Many women don't start getting serious about eating healthfully until after they have become pregnant, there's increasing evidence that diet matters long before conception.

According to experts, unhealthy food intake, whether too much or too little has been recognised as a factor to infertility.

Too little or too much weight can make your reproductive cycle irregular.

Foods that boost fertility

In a study, researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health,discovered that women who ate foods containing higher amounts of trans fats, animal proteins and carbohydrates, among other dietary factors, were likely to have an ovulatory disorder.

Unfortunately, ovulation problems cause infertility in about 20 percent of women seeking help in becoming pregnant. The researchers concluded that a majority of such cases may be preventable by

adjusting diet and lifestyle.

Switch protein sources: Replace some of the beef, pork or chicken you eat (animal protein) with vegetable protein sources, such as cooked dried beans and nuts.

When five percent of total calories eaten come from vegetable protein instead of animal, the risk of ovulatory infertility drops by more than 50 percent.

Add some high-fat dairy: The more low-fat dairy products you eat, the greater your risk of ovulatory infertility.

Don't forget your vitamins because women who regularly take iron supplements and multivitamins containing folic acid have less ovulation-related infertility.

Also, consumption of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean meats, beans and low-fat dairy foods are beneficial. For Omega-3, women are advised to consume salmon, some egg brands for development of the baby's brain and nervous system development as it reduces risk of premature birth You are also advised to watch your herbal teas and supplements.

Stay fluid: When you don't drink enough water, your cervical fluid that helps the sperm find the target egg becomes sluggish. Also cut caffeine because it affects conception.

Enforce tobacco control law, Heart Foundation tells FG

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HE Nigerian Heart Foundation, NHF, has called for immediate enforcement of the tobacco control act passed by the 7th Assembly and signed into Law in 2015. Nigeria became a signatory to WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in June 2004 and took a giant stride on March 15, 2011 and passed a bill to regulate and control production, manufacture, sale, advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products. At a ceremony to mark the World No Tobacco Day with the theme: "Get ready for plain packaging", a Renowned Cardiologist and Executive Director of the Nigerian Heart Foundation, NHF, Dr. Kingsley Akinroye, who expressed worry

over the delay in the implementation of the treaty, noted that few other African countries have honoured their own pledge by ensuring that all the tobacco that are being sold have no brand name on the packaging. Akinroye implored the Federal Government to take a cue from those few countries as giant of Africa.

"It is all about the president, making a pronouncement that we have to honour the treaty that we signed. Number two, we now have a tobacco law in the country, are we honouring the tobacco law our former president, Goodluck Jonathan signed in 2015? One of the ways we can honour a law is by empowering the agencies and also funding is very

important," he added.

Director, NHF Tobacco Programme, Mr. Dapo Aremo Rotifa, called on the Federal Government to enact a law on removal of all trappings of tobacco promotion on cigarette packs and all other tobacco product wrappings, and follow Australia's lead in introducing plain/standardized packaging. "The NHF implores not only the federal government of Nigeria but both the civil society organisations, advertising professionals and international agencies to come together in implementing this recently passed Nigerian Tobacco Act of 2015 which they say will further drive the prevention and control of non communicable diseases in Nigeria."

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016 — 45

Serena: ‘Sad’ seeing athletes dodge Olympics in zika scare A S the Rio Olympics draw closer, more athletes are refusing to participate because of Zika virus concerns. The chance of catching the disease is low, and the World Health Organization declared the Games will be safe, but many athletes aren’t about to the risk.

Serena Williams will compete and says she is sad so many fellow athletes will not.

“But at the same time I obviously understand where they’re coming from and how they feel,” she said.

“Part of me feels that way, too, which is why I’m going in with a whole mindset of how do I protect myself.”

Golfers Jason Day and Rory McIlroy area among headliners who cited Zika as the reason they dropped out. Others said it was a factor. U.S. soccer’s Hope Solo is among a number of athletes who were hesitant to take part but decided to travel and hope for the best.

•Serena

The Rio Games are scheduled to begin Aug. 7.

Brazil’s push for the Olympics has been plagued by problems including the rise of the Zika virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes

th winner in the 79 minute.

With the loss, Enyimba are rock bottom in the group with no points having lost their first game to Zamalek of Egypt 1-0 in Port Harcourt. Enyimba’s next game will be away to Zamalek on August 14 and on August 23 they will host Sundowns at home. Only a win in those two games and favourable results may guarantee Enyimba advancement.

The South African outfit lead the group with six points.

Le Guen Continues from BP consecutive Ligue 1 titles. He also managed Stade Rennais, Paris Saint-Germain, Glasgow Rangers and the Cameroon national team.

A reliable source in the NFF discarded reports of employing a Serbian coach insisting that Paul Le Guen remains their favourite. ‘’Initially, we thought

BY CHINWE OKEKE AND EWEKA EHI

H

Enyimba Continues from BP CAF Champions League game decided in Pretoria.

The defeat has left the People’s Elephants at the rear of the log with no point as Sundowns and Zamalek occupy the top with three points each.

Leonardo Castro cashed in on a poor clearance by Enyimba rd defence in the 43 minute.

Enyimba equalised through Oluwadamidare Ojo in th the 59 minute, and Wayne Arendse scrambled home the

Olympic Day Run: Oba Elegushi kicks off events today

of getting a Serbian.

We’ve since moved on and held talks with Le Guen who is enthusiastic on working with the star-studded Super Eagles. He is a gentleman and stickler for discipline’’, our source noted.

Le Guen qualified Cameroon for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where they crashed out in the first round.

that live and breed in fetid swampy areas in and near the host city.

IS Royal Majesty Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi ( Kusenla III of Ikate Kingdom in Lagos) will kick off the first opening ceremony of the Olympic Day Run starting with the art exhibition and cultural dance\ dance drama while debate and quiz competition comes up tomorrow.

According to Augustine Odijire, Oba Elegushi would lead a high profile retinue of invited guests to the Sportscity for the academic session of the Olympic Day Run to ensure the positive values of the Olympic Movement – Excellence, Friendship and Respect are promoted.

Nigeria joins the rest of the world to celebrate the Olympic Day on Saturday.

Klinsmann Continues from BP Mail column, Carragher said: “My own view is that international football should be about the best in your country against the best of someone else’s, so I had always favoured an Englishman but there can be no complaints if the FA look to a foreign coach.

“With that in mind, I wouldn’t knock the idea of appointing Jurgen Klinsmann, who has been to a World Cup semi-final with Germany, a Copa

America semi-final with the United States and knows our game.”

FA chief executive Martin Glenn opened the door for the next manager to be a foreigner.

He stated: “We are looking for the best person, not the best Englishman.”

Klinsmann led the USA — who he has managed since 2011 — to the semi-finals of the Copa America where they were defeated by Argentina.

Zlatan Continues from BP Paris-Saint Germain, and the BBC have reported that he will sign a one-year contract with Jose Mourinho’s side imminently.

Ibrahimovic, 34, has impressed in every top European league he has played in – but is yet to test himself in the Premier League.

The move will also see Ibrahimovic reunite with Mourinho. The pair worked together at Inter Milan, where they won the Serie A title in 2009.

Ibrahimovic leaves French champions PSG, where he won the Ligue 1

title in all four of his seasons with the club. Last season, he scored 38 goals in just 31 league games as PSG stormed to another league title triumph. All summer long he has been linked with a move to United, and just yesterday he posted this picture on Instagram with the caption: “I will bring my chef from Paris with me to my next destination.”

The forward had been at Euro 2016 with Sweden, but they failed to progress from the group stage. He said afterwards that he did not wish to be considered for the Rio Olympics with Swedes.

Many states of the federation would also roll out activities to celebrate the Olympic Day especially with less privileged Nigerians engaging in walking for life.

Former Olympian and Chairman of NOC Sports Commission, Henry Amike who has been at the vanguard to encourage young and old alike to get involved in the Olympic Day for sport, cultural and educational activities said

that they would also uphold the three pillars of Olympic Day which are Move, Learn and Discover.

Amike a former record holder for Nigeria said that through these messages, sports organizations today are promoting the benefits of physical exercise, inspiring people to get active and enabling them to discover new sports while embracing the Olympic ideals regardless of ability or background.

Dalung raises alarm over Rio Olympic squad “The list of the players

N

IGERIAN sports minister has raised concerns over the country’s football squad for the Rio Olympics after more than half of the team who qualified the team to the games were left out by coach Samson Siasia.

for Rio is very different from the one who qualified the country for the games,” said sports minister Solomon Dalung.

“It seems our local coaches cannot grow above parochial sentiments.”

Djokovic Continues from BP Mannarino of France, beaten 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 was no different.

Djokovic has now won 30 Grand Slam singles matches in a row, a record in the Open era and bettered ever only

by Rod Laver in a 31match run that started in 1962 and by Don Budge who won 37 Slam matches in a row in 1937 and 1938.

Djokovic hasn’t lost a Slam match since Roland Garros last year and has since bagged the Wimbledon 2015 title, the US Open, the

Australian Open and the French Open, the last two by beating Andy Murray in the final.

Djokovic is on course to become the first man since Laver in 1969 to hold the first three legs of the calendar Grand Slam, and hoping to win a fourth Wimbledon crown and 13th Slam in total. The greatest player of all time, Roger Federer, has won 17, and for a while already the debate has been raging over whether Djokovic deserves that mantle, or not.

Brazil Continues from BP Copa America in the US But the Chelsea star was an ever-present in the Brazilian side humiliated when they crashed out at the Copa group stage, resulting in the firing of coach Dunga.

Before the tournament he had been eager to assure fans that the Olympics was the title he wanted – even if it meant missing the start of the Premier League – but with three overage players allowed in the squad, the Blues winger

has been overlooked.

He had said: “If it were to choose one of the two [Copa America or Olympic], the Olympics is, for me the second biggest competition after the World Cup in terms of sport.

“And also because it is being held in Brazil, I would choose the Olympics.

“It is a title that Brazil does not have, so for sure I would choose the Olympics.

“I’m available to play both. Of course, the final decision is not mine”.

46 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

AFN sets July 6-9 for Olympic trials ...Says athletes not to be blamed for ‘Durban flop’

By Ben Efe

A

THLETICS Federa tion of Nigeria will hold its national trials from July 7-9 in Sapele Delta State, after a not so pleasant outing posted

by Nigerian athletes at the CAA African Championships in Durban, South Africa.

There were strong indications that the national championships may not hold due to paucity of funds. But AFN president, Solomon Ogba disclosed yesterday in Lagos that it became necessary in the wake of the poor run of form exhibited by some of the athletes in South Africa.

“Despite the financial constraints we are facing, we have decided to hold the national trials.

We thought that we could pick our team based on their current performances, but what we saw in South Africa made us to have a rethink.

“Besides we are having the CAA relay meet and we thought that we should make use of the opportunity to pick our Olympic relays team and make them run for qualification time. South Africa, Ghana and Botswana who are all chasing time are coming for the meet,” Ogba said.

He revealed that Nigeria did not put her best foot forward in the African championships.

“The team we presented in South Africa wasn’t

LESSANDRO Florenzi compared facing Germany at Euro 2016 to climbing Mount Everest, with Italy looking to conquer the world champions and reach the semi-finals in France.

Having knocked out

Florenzi...

C M Y K

ORMER Super Eagles goalkeeper coach, Ike Shorunmu has signed up for Lagos side Ikorodu United for the rest of the season.

The former Stores of Lagos keeper will team up with Shakiru Giwa on the bench of the newly promoted outfit that recently appointed Dutch coach, Theodorus Jacob de Jong.

“Shorunmu and Giwa were presented to the team on Tuesday as goalkeeper trainer and assistant coach respectively.

“Ikorodu United have a

tradition of giving former internationals a pride of place in the team so the newest additions is in keeping with the house trend.

“Of course, their jobs are well spelt out to work assiduously hard to ensure the team survive relegation in the on-going season.

“Incidentally, all the appointees will be on bench for the first time in Sunday’s NPFL matchday 25 clash at MFM FC in Agege,” Ikorodu United officials Tunde Ayoola.

Discipline, hard work ticket to Golden Eaglets, coach tells youngsters

A Power Game... Nigeria’s Nwanneka Okwelogu heaves 56.75m to win the women discus throw gold at the African championships. She need rapid improvements to make hay at the Rio 2016 Olympics. our best team. There was no money for us to pay for visa or even buy tickets, as we are talking we still haven’t got any money. “ Most of the USA based athletes who came to SA used their Ameri-

can passports. It was the reason Blessing Okagbare couldn’t make it.

She holds a Nigerian passport, which required visa.

“Our athletes shouldn’t be blamed for the débâcle. We didn’t want to go

in the first place, but we decided to be there for two reasons. First we are hosting the next edition in 2018 and secondly we wanted to see the current form of some of the athletes we have pencilled down for the Olympics.”

FTER six weeks of screening and 50 players shortlisted, Golden Eaglets coach Manu Garba has urged the selected youngsters to work hard and be decidacted as it was the only way to make his team.

Garba, who won with the Golden Eaglets at the 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup said he was determined to raise a solid team that will repeat the feat in the 2017 edition in India.

“This is just the starting

point with your selection and you have to be prayerful because there are crucial stages ahead of you,” Garba told the enthusiastic lads on Monday. “You have to pass the MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Test to play at this level and having said that, you also have to be disciplined and be ready to work hard. “ “All of us here want result and it is by getting good results that we can stay longer on this job,” said Garba

EURO 2016: Ronaldo ready to tear Poles apart ….As Lewandowski tackles goal drought Euro 2016 quarterfinal

R

O B E R T Lewandowski’s is yet to find the back of the net going into their

Germany is a mountain to climb —Florenzi

A

Shorunmu joins Ikorodu United F

double defending European champions Spain in Paris on Monday, Antonio Conte’s squad now face another daunting task in the last eight of the tournament.

Germany have the added advantage of enjoying an extra day of rest ahead of the game, having recorded a 3-0 triumph over Slovakia on Sunday, but Florenzi insists Italy will be fully prepared for a battle in Bordeaux.

“Whoever thinks that they should recover for an extra day is a loser,” he said.

“Losers make excuses.

We must only focus on our strength and take that to the pitch.

with Portugal, even as Cristiano Ronaldo is set to battle the rock solid Polish defence.

Despite racking up a total of 42 goals for Bayern Munich last season, Lewandowski, 27, is struggling with his form and has not scored in four games.

The striker did, however, score in the penalty shootout as Poland booked their place in the quarterfinals with victory over Switzerland.

“We are not worried about Robert, not at all,” assistant coach Hubert Malowiejski told AFP ahead of today’s clash, which would be Poland’s first major quarterfinal for 34 years.

“Of course he felt some pain after that match, but there is not even the slightest bit of doubt he will be ready for Portugal.”

Poland have an

Roll On... Ronaldo primed to score against a difficult Polish defence. impressive defensive record at Euro 2016 but standing in their way to a semi-final spot is arguably

one of sport’s greatest-ever athletes, Ronaldo. The monstrous Polish centre back pairing of Michal Pazdan and Kamil Glik face

their toughest challenge yet when they come up against Portugal. Describing 29year-old Ronaldo as the “perfect athlete”, U.S. lifestyle magazine Men’s Health says he hits speeds of more than 32 kph, jumps nearly a metre in the air off one leg, runs an average of 16 km per match and hits more winners in the last 20 minutes than anyone else.

He is the only player to have scored a goal in four Euros going back to 2004 and, while he struggled to find his feet early in this year’s tournament, there are signs that he is back to his sublime best.

Bale: Belgium can’t intimidate Wales

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EAL Madrid and Welsh star, Gareth Bale said he and his team-mates will not be intimidated by Belgium when they clash Friday in the quarter-final of Euro 2016 Championship.

Belgium ranked number two in the world thrashed Hungary 4-0 in the last 16 and find themselves facing what, on paper, is an easier route to the final than the likes of France, Germany and Italy.

“We don’t need extra motivation at all. They’re a very good team, we understand that.

“Their goal is to win the Euros and they see every team that they play as a stepping stone to the final and to winning."

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

— 47

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016

Zlatan brings personal chef to Man Utd

Le Guen to earn N16.2m per month

BY TONY UBANI

S

Z

LATAN Ibrahimovic will finally become a Manchester United player before the end of this week.

The mercurial Swede is a free agent after leaving

Sunday, July 26 that the football house already held talks with Le Guen who had a successful managerial career in France, most notably leading Olympique Lyonnais to three Continues on Page 45

Continues on Page 45

UPER Eagles target, Paul Le Guen would be paid a massive monthly salary of N16.2m, the equivalent of €44,000 by the Nigeria Football Federation.

There has been speculations on who tinkers the Super Eagles of Nigeria after Sunday N Y I M B A Oliseh walked out on the International FC team in February.

But Sports of Aba succumbed 2-1 Vanguard(authoritative yesterday to Sundowns and ahead of others) of South Africa in their reported exclusively on Continues on Page 45

Djokovic eases into Wimbledon third round

Sundowns beat Enyimba 2-1

N

OVAK Djokovic was fallible in advancing to the third round but won comfortably in straight sets anyway. That sums up the task ahead for anyone thinking they can stop him winning a fifth straight Grand Slam title.

The Serbian world No1 is setting records by the day, and this day - an unhappy 28th birthday for opponent Adrian

E

•Le Guen

Klinsmann confirms interest in England job

T

HE Germany legend has thrown his name into the hat to succeed Roy Hodgson.

Hodgson oversaw the Three Lions humiliating exit from Euro 2016 at the hand of competition minnows Iceland on Monday.

And just an hour later he resigned from his role with the FA now on the

hunt for his replacement.

Many names have been linked with the now-vacant role including Gareth Southgate, Glenn Hoddle, Eddie Howe and Alan Shearer amongst others.

Former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher backed the

idea of Klinsmann, 51, becoming the new Three Lions boss.

Speaking in his Daily Continues on Page 45

Continues on Page 45

•Neymar

Rio Olympics: Brazil snub Willian, pick Neymar, Marquinhos, Rafinha

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RAZIL have called Chelsea’s Willian. up Neymar, The Samba star, 27, Marquinhos and previously expressed a Rafinha for their desire to play in the Rio Olympic squad – but games ahead of the there’s no place for Continues on Page 45

QUICK CROSSWORD

T OD AY'S PUZZLE ODA

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Package (6) 5 Thing (6) 8 Scatter (8) 9 Heap (4) 10 Cot (3) 12 Allude (5) 15 Decay (3) 17 Epoch (3) 18 Employ (3) 19 Plunder (3) 20 Splendid (5) 21 Everything (3) 22 Hatched (3) 23 Defective (3) 24 Hill (3) 26 Hindrance (5) 29 Longing (3) 33 Border (4) 34 Acclaim (8) 35 Clergyman (6) 36 Bird (6)

DOWN 2 Similar (5) 3 Manage (4) 4 Big (5) 5 Fat (5) 6 Joke (4) 7 Instrument (5) 10 Cap (5) 11 Prevent (5) 12 Stormed (5) 13 Feeble (5) 14 Rosy (5) 15 Prompt (5) 16 Claw (5) 25 Command (5) 27 Precise (5) 28 Sufficient (5) 30 Follow (5) 31 Present (4) 32 Twinge (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Bear 4, Cap 6, Oath 8, Chaste 9, Infirm 10, Wad 12, Trait 14, Proud 15, Vista 18, Ascent 20, Wailed 24, Yield 26, Under 28, Eerie 30, Spy 32, Devise 33, Ailing 34, Heat 35, Jun 36, Yard.

DOWN: 2, Either 3, Restive 4, Chew 5, Paid 6, Offer 7, Torture 11, Aft 12, Tea 13, Tin 16, Sty 17, Awe 19, Sincere 21, Ale 22, Ideally 23, Due 25, Imp 27, Evict 29, Inner 30, Seat 31, Yarn.

How to Play Sudoku

P

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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