Gunmen massacre 78 students in Yobe

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 61981

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N150

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

Gunmen massacre 78 students in Yobe

BY UDUMA KALU, JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU, JOSEPH ERUNKE &BALA AJIYA, WITH AGENCY REPORTS

•33 persons feared dead as herdsmen, farmers clash in Benue P.7

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AGOS—GUNMEN suspected to be Boko Haram sect members yesterday went on rampage in Gujba community, Yobe state where they opened fire on the students Continues on page 7

Presidency plots crack down on our members — nPDP •P.7 Court asked to void PDP's special •P.8 convention •Inside tomorrow

53RD INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY — From left, PDP BOT Chairman, Chief Tony Anenih; former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan; former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon; Senate President, David Mark; President Goodluck Jonathan; Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha; Gov Jonah Jang of Plateau State and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim at the 53rd Independence Anniversary Interdenominational Church Service in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

2015: I didn't sign one-term deal with anybody — Jonathan •Speaks on ASUU strike, education, corruption •Insists Nigeria is not broke; explains sack of ministers

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DELE •P.47 SOBOWALE

Mr & Mrs

2 — Vanguard, MONDAY,SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

Vanguard, MONDAY,SEPTEMBER 30, 2013 — 3

4 — Vanguard, MONDAY,SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2013—5

POCKET CARTOON

MEETING—From left: Governors Theodore Orji (Abia), Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Sullivan Chime (Enugu), Martin Elechi (Ebonyi), Peter Obi (Anambra), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Godswill Akpabio, Akwa Ibom state and Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral John Jonah (rtd) at the South East/S-South Governors meeting at Government House, Enugu, yesterday. See story on Page 14.

2015: I didn't sign one-term deal with anybody — Jonathan

BY DAPO AKINREFON, GBENGA OKE & LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

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AGOS—PRESI DENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday vehemently denied signing a one-term agreement either officially or unofficially with any individual or group in 2011 as has been widely speculated.

Jonathan, who spoke during his periodic media chat with a team of

journalists, said: “I have not signed agreement with anybody. If I have signed agreement, they would have shown you.”

Similarly, the President refused to clear the air on his intention to recontest, saying that it was early to comment on 2015.

According to him, early politicking was against the spirit and letters of the Electoral Act and could also destabilize the polity.

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

Say something kind and encouraging to everyone you meet, and people will always be happy to see you coming. Weak people revenge. Strong people forgive. Intelligent people ignore!

TAKE HEART

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BY ELLA RANDLE

O what you love. Do what makes your heart sing. And don’t just do it for the money, Go to work to spread joy — Marianne Williamson Each of us is so different and unique, with gifts and talents. You have been created with certain gifts and purpose in life. Enjoy who you were created to be, without trying to be someone you are not supposed to be. Accept the things that have happened in your life, and allow them to make you better, and not bitter.

Don’t sweat the small stuff. Sometimes we get so caught up in the little things that really don’t matter, that we can’t enjoy the moment. Sometimes these little things that we worry about rob us of the joy of the moment. Every day, if you can, try to write down the things you are thankful for and how these things uplift you. Fill your heart with pure love just like the rose gives out its fragrance simply because there is nothing else it can be, whether there is someone to enjoy the fragrance or not, a lamp shines with no thought of whether someone gets its luminescence, the light always shines, the tree does not withdraw its shade, because no one is there, and of course the bird in the forest sings beautifully not worrying who hears or listens...so it is with Divine Love. If there is a thing that cannot be taken away from you...it is Divine Love.

His words: “We have laws in this country. I quite appreciate that Electoral Laws tend to regulate political activities. If you do it earlier, you will destabilize the country. Don’t force a President to declare. It is against the Electoral Law. It has time.”

He, however said that any Nigerian, who is seeking to contest the office of the President in 2015 should not wait for him to declare before making his or her intention known.

“Don’t wait for me to declare before you declare your intention if you want to contest”, the President added. A lot of people are misinforming Nigerians. I was in Addis-Ababa, that was the time I advocated a single tenure. The way you look at the politics of Nigeria now, the country is just developing, in terms of the political evolution, this is about the first time; if you look at the way our polity is, I suggested that probably if the president has a single tenure of seven years running without interference, it will be productive.”

Electoral laws He said that politicians declaring early for various respective positions are bound to over-heat the polity.

His words: “I know that our electoral laws give people time to campaign but if you start early, you will create more prob-

lems for the system. I know what it takes to campaign, for you to go round the country, you will spend a lot of money in campaigning. The electoral law gives INEC the power to set time frame for politicians who are interested in elections to begin to inform Nigerians. If you do it earlier, you will destabilize the country.

Any president, whether it is Goodluck Jonathan, as long as you still have the opportunity to contest, if you declare it early, you will create more problems in the system than solving the problems... So, don’t even force a president to declare his interest. It is even against the Electoral Act, even if it is not a sitting president. The electoral law has a time for political parties to conduct their primaries.

Whatever you are doing is clandestine. You can tell your friends. A lot of people have been holding meetings silently, who has declared?"

On Apo killings

Speaking on the recent killings in Apo, President Jonathan said ‘though innocent persons may have died, there were confessions from arrested Boko Haram operatives that there were arms in that building. “Some of the people that were arrested confessed and they were leading them to where they said arms were kept and there was an exchange of gunfire.

In the process some people were arrested some died. I cannot say clearly that all those who died were members of Boko Haram but definitely there were Boko Haram elements there” he said.

FG is committed to education On the continued faceoff between ASUU and the Federal Government, he said: “Some of the issues in the 2009 agreement with ASUU, maybe those who sat down to do the negotiations were civil servants, there were certain things that some of them know and agree that cannot be implemented. How can they say that assets of government should be transferred to universities?

The Federal Government has so many assets, government cannot take care of universities alone. So if we transfer all the landed property of government to the universities, what about the armed forces?

“We have been faithful to the agreement because after the 2009 agreement there have been other strikes. So this strike is beyond the 2009 agreement because it is apart from those ones that talk about transferring assets of government to universities. You cannot just do that. Talking about infrastructure, the government was not forced into that but we on our side decided to go and take inventory of the infrastructure. So they should not capitalize on it, you cannot change this overnight but we are looking at this with serious commitment. We still have our challenges but you have seen the commitment of government.

On how the government plans to resolve the ASUU logjam, he appealed to ASUU to call off the strike saying that government is committed to effecting the changes.

“Members of ASUU are our brothers and sisters, they should look at the country, they should look at the young men and women and they should also look at the commitment of government. We are very sincere and my commitment is total to make changes but you cannot make this overnight. If you see the sincerity in government and given the extra things government is doing, we are committed. You should not expect us to close down other sectors of government and bring all the money to solve the problem over night.

We’re not bankrupt Clearing the air on whether the country was bankrupt or not, the president said, “People play politics because for anybody to say that Nigeria is bankrupt, there must be some indicators.

You just don’t wake up from your sleep and say Nigeria is bankrupt. Nigeria, as a nation, in terms of foreign direct investment, shows that the business environment is viable. More

than 90 per cent of those who invest in our capital market are non-Nigerians. If Nigeria was bankrupt, the investors will remove their money overnight. Anybody who talks about Nigeria being bankrupt is just playing politics. If Nigeria is broke, there are parameters you use.”

Corruption Commenting on the high rate of corruption in the country, he said: “When you talk of corruption in Nigeria, it is all about perception and index. Perception is like when you say something is wrong 100 times, it becomes true. There was a time we assembled civil society people and asked them to compare and contrast what the major problem of Nigeria was, I think corruption came third. I am not saying corruption does not exist in this country, corruption is existing and it is as old as the human race.

What our administration is doing is to ensure that public funds are not exposed to people to steal."

Sacking of ministers Explaining the rationale behind the sack of nine ministers from the Federal Executive Council, the president said the sack had nothing to with the G7 governors.

Said he: “It has nothing to do with the G7 governors. I can tell you that some ministers dropped from different states are ministers nominated by governors very close to me. The minister dropped from Kaduna State where the Vice President is from did not have issues with my Vice President.

Sometimes, you just want to do something differently and since as president, you have the power to hire and fire, you just have to do it to reposition your government."

6—Vanguard , MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

JTF arrests 29 oil thieves, destroys 127 illegal refineries

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HE Joint Military Task Force, JTF, in the Niger Delta has nabbed 29 oil thieves and destroyed 127 illegal oil refineries in various locations in the area.

Media Coordinator of JTF, Lt.-Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, who made the disclosure in a statement yesterday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, said that the anti-oil theft operations were carried out between September 16 and 28.

He said: “Between September 16 and 28, we carried out multiple anti-oiltheft operations in which a total of 29 suspects were arrested for oil theft-related offences.

“Anti-oil theft troops of JTF, Operation Pulo Shield, also crushed 127 illegal crude oil distillation sites.”

He explained that troops of the 19 and 3 Battalions of JTF, covering Edo and Delta states, also scuttled 24 illegal oil distillation camps and 73 wooden boats.

“31 of the 73 boats were intercepted at an illegal crude oil loading point close to an abandoned oil well-head in Okpo-ghare in Warri North, Delta State,” he added.

He said another 27 boats were intercepted in Egara Creek in the Warri South Local Government Area of Delta.

PLANTING: Farmers planting rice during the visit of a delegation from South-South Cooperation in Africa to Kogi Accelerated Rice Project, Okumi, Lokoja, Kogi State, Saturday.

Kidnappers of Edo judge yet to make contact zJudicial workers threaten 7-day strike

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

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ENIN—KIDNAPPERS of an Edo State High Court Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, abducted on his way to resume at the Ekpoma Division of the high court last week, are yet to make contact with the family.

It was gathered that no ransom demand had been made, nor communications established by the kidnappers.

Meanwhile, Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSON, has resolved to stage a protest march to Edo State Governor’s office, Department of State Services, DSS, and the Commissioner of Police, today to register their displeasure over the kidnap of Justice Okungbowa.

JUSON at its meeting, weekend in Benin, directed its members to stay at home for seven days effective from Wednesday, if the judge was not released.

Edo State branch Treasurer of JUSON, Alex Osigbemhe, told Vanguard that their decision to boycott all judicial activities in the state pending the unconditional release of Justice Okungbowa was total, insisting that the kidnap of lawyers and judges in the state was becoming an embarrassment.

He said: “We will decide on the next line of action to take if at the end of the seven days, the judge was not released.”

Judges' resolution

Meanwhile, judges in the state may have resolved to shun the courts in protest over the abduction of Justice

Okungbowa.

The action of the judges is coming on the heels of the resolution by the Benin branch of Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, to boycott all courts in the state until Justice Okungbowa was released unhurt and unconditionally.

Vanguard learnt that among the courts allegedly shunned

by NBA last week were Court of Appeal, Benin Division, Federal High Court, all state high court, magistrate courts, customary courts, and district customary courts.

NBA reacts

NBA, in a statement by its chairman, Oriane Akere, called on the state government and security agencies to live up to their responsibilities and take proactive measures to stop the

5 aliens nabbed for illegal bunkering

BY EVELYN USMAN

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IVE foreign nationals, who allegedly specialised in conveying petroleum products from pipeline vandals to Benin Republic, have been arrested by the Nigerian Navy Task Force in Badagry area of Lagos State.

The suspects, comprising four teenagers from Benin Republic and a 50-year-old Ghanaian, were reportedly arrested while conveying 113 50-litre jerrycans filled with petroleum products.

Parading the suspects before journalists, weekend, Administration Officer, NNS Beecroft, Apapa, Commander Hyacynth Nwaka, said operatives of the Task Force at Atlas Cove, acting on a tip-off, intercepted the suspects at 3.30a.m. and brought them to the

base for further investigation.

The suspects claimed they were fishermen based in Seme

area of Lagos.

One of them, Andre Tougene, a secondary school

student in Benin Republic, told Vanguard that they were instructed by some persons to convey the product to Seme, where it would be sold to buyers for onward transportation to Benin Republic.

He claimed to have been tempted by the N4,000 payment he was to get.

The 50-year-old Ghanaian, Nabroda Ajete, said a friend of his told him to bring 30 empty jerrycans to the shore. And that he didn’t know they were going to be used to siphon petroleum products.

The suspects, according to Commander Nwaka, would be handed over to the police. He said that the fate of the one that claimed to be 15 years would be determined by the Police.

state from degenerating “into the Hobbesian state of nature, where life was short, nasty and brutish.”

It was learnt that security operatives of DSS and the Police in Edo and Delta states were working together to ensure the safe release of Justices Okungbowa.

Firm's boss docked over alleged N36m theft

BY IJEOMA NATHANIEL

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ANAGING Director of OSV Metro Services Company, Abbas Ibrahim, has been arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court over theft of N36,000,000 worth of property.

Docked before Magistrate A. O. Akande, Ibrahim is facing a twocount charge of theft and conspiracy preferred against him by the police.

Police Prosecutor, Inspector Chinalu Uwadione, told the court that the crime was committed sometime in May at Eko Court Complex, Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

He said the defendant leased out a security guard to Kuro Communications (Nig) Ltd. and the guard conspired with others to steal 56 tones of telecommunication equipment in a 40-foot container valued N36 million.

Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2013— 7

Gunmen massacre 78 students in Yobe Continues from Page 1 of the College of Agriculture, Gujba, at 3a.m. as they slept in their hostels. They later moved to other houses, where they killed residents at will.

They also blocked the Damaturu-Maiduguri road and killed travellers.

At the end of the attack, 78 persons lay dead, while several others were still missing.

According to members of the community, soldiers arrived the scene two hours after the gunmen had left.

The gunmen were said to be wearing military camouflage with black bandanas round their heads.

An official of Damaturu Specialist Hospital, who requested anonymity, said “immediately after the attack, 40 bodies were brought to the morgue and all are

believed to have been students of the College of Agriculture in Gujba.”

The number, however, increased as more bodies were recovered from the bush.

Military spokesman, Lazarus Eli told newsmen that security forces were at the scene, but that details on the number of dead and injured were not yet available.

He added that the early morning assault was targeted at the College of Agriculture in Gujba, Yobe State.

“It was carried out by Boko Haram terrorists, who went into the school and opened fire on students while they were sleeping,” he added.

A police source, who requested anonymity, said that initial reports indicated the death toll could be higher, but he was not prepared to dis-

cuss figures.

Provost of the College, Molima Idi Mato, said: “They attacked our students while they were sleeping in their hostels. They opened fire at them.”

He said he could not give an exact death toll as security forces were still recovering bodies of students mostly aged between 18 and 22. ”The school’s surviving students have fled,” he added.

One of the surviving students, Idris, who would not give his first name, said: “They started gathering students into groups outside, then they opened fire and killed one group and then moved onto the next group and killed them.

“It was so terrible. They came with guns around 1a.m. and went directly to the male hostel and opened fire on them” Ahmed Gujunba, a taxi driver

who lives by the college said: “The college is in the bush, so the other students were running around helplessly as guns went off and some of them were shot down.”

Gujba is about 30 kilometres (18 miles) from Damaturu, the state capital.

Yobe has seen a series of brutal attacks targeting students in recent months, all blamed on Boko Haram.

By afternoon after the attack, scores of travellers were also killed, by suspected members of Boko Haram in Yobe State.

The militants were said to have blocked Damaturu-Maiduguri Road, shooting indiscriminately.

An eyewitness, who was on his way to Maiduguri, told the media that at least 20 persons were killed.

The witness said: “The situation is terrible. They blocked our way, and were spraying people with bullets.

“Some of us managed to run into the bush. At least, 20 persons were shot dead in the three buses before us.”

NGF seeks end to attacks

FORUM: From left, Alhaji Umaru Mutallab, former chairman of First Bank of Nigeria, Vice-President Namadi Sambo, and Mallam Lamido Sanusi, Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, at a forum on Financing the Power Sector Reforms for Economic Development in Abuja, last Friday.

Meanwhile, the Northern States Governors’ Forum, yesterday, urged security agencies to “take urgent steps to halt the senseless killing of defenceless citizens.”

Speaking through its chairman, Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, the forum in a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Danladi Ndayebo, also called for an end to “attacks on places of worship and educational facilities.”

It said: “The forum is particularly alarmed that the shooting to death of 38 students of the College of Agriculture, Gujba, Yobe State, followed the same pattern as the killing of 22 students and a teacher at Government Secondary School, Mamudo, in the same state last

‘Presidency plots crack down on nPDP'

BY HENRY UMORU

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BUJA—THE Abubakar Baraje-led Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, raised alarm of alleged moves to crack down on its members by the presidency, just as it urged all its leaders and members to, as a matter of urgency, write their wills.

The group, which boasted that it was not afraid of arrest or death in the course of fighting against injustice in the party, however, urged the presidency to wait till October 7, when a meeting would be held with President Goodluck Jonathan and use the opportunity to pick, arrest and lock them up rather than being in a hurry.

It said: “Though it is sad that instead of employing diplomacy to attend to the is-

sues that provoked this conflict, the Presidency prefers to use force, we are not disturbed as we are ready for any of its tactics.

“In this regard, we wish to urge both the Presidency and those detailed to attack us not to waste further time or wait till October 7 to start arresting us as there are thousands of Nigerians ready to step into our shoes and fight this cause to its conclusion.

The new PDP also described as ridiculous the report associating former President Olusegun Obasanjo with the Barajeled PDP, saying that the former PDP BoT chairman was not a member and has no proxy with regard to the existence and operations of the group.

In a statement, yesterday, by the new PDP National Publicity Secretar y, Chukwuemeka Eze, the group said: “Some days ago, we received intelligence reports that the Presidency was putting finishing touches to what it calls Operation Total Crackdown on G7 and their allies in the New PDP. “When we got details of the plot to arrest and commit the leadership of New PDP to prison without charge, we thought it was a joke. The reality, however, dawned on us after we read the interview of our friend and brother, Alhaji Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, confirming that President Goodluck Jonathan is under pressure to arrest former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar

without any further delay.

“The sin of these two distinguished Nigerian statesmen, according to those plotting their ‘demystification,’ is their alleged support for the New PDP, including the G7 Governors.

“That this evil plot is being conceived by the Presidency confirms that the Abacha days are truly here again with us.

“In view of the seriousness of this devilish plot to crack down on us in total disregard of the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, National Chairman of the new PDP, Alhaji Abubakar Baraje, summoned an emergency meeting of the National Working Committee, NWC, of the party to brainstorm on how best to respond to the situation.

“Our conclusion at the end of the meeting was that we would not be intimidated for any reason.”

July.”

It called on security agencies to intensify efforts at protecting the lives and property of citizens, and also ensure that those behind the violence in the region, were apprehended and brought to justice.

Mark, Ndoma-Egba condemn massacre Senate President, David Mark and Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, have described the massacre of scores of students at the college by gunmen as a dastardly act and unfortunate as it has a negative impact on the future of Nigeria.

The Senate President and the Senate Leader in their separate condolences commiserated with the people and government of Yobe State over the massacre Senator Mark said: “Violence has never produced any positive result neither has it any solution to problems or grievances.

“If you have any grievances, the only way out is through dialogue. Resorting to killing others can only add to the problem and not solution.

“There are more than enough channels of communication and ways of redressing misgivings.

“These killings, especially innocent citizens are not part of our culture. They are truly alien to us. All right thinking members of the society must rise up to end this carnage raging our land.”

33 feared dead as herdsmen, farmers clash in Benue

BY PETER DURU

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AKURDI—NO fewer than 33 persons were feared dead in a fresh outbreak of fighting between suspected Fulani herdsmen and native farmers in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.

Vanguard gathered from eyewitnesses that the crisis, which erupted Saturday and lasted till yesterday, some of the victims burnt beyond recognition. It also led to the burning down of over 30 houses and huts, including several farmlands and fish ponds owned by the natives.

According to the source, “the Fulani herdsmen had invaded Ojantele, Okpagabi and Ibadan in Agatu council on Saturday, killing close to 10 people.

“From there, they ambushed about three people from Agatu, who were going to a neighbouring villages in Apa Local Government Area of the state and slaughtered them in cold blood."

8—Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

Court asked to void PDP's special congress

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BUJA—A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has been asked by Bedding Holdings Limited, BHL, to nullify elections conducted during the last special convention of the People’s Democratic, PDP, on August 31, in Abuja.

Bedding is contesting in suit, the alleged unlawful use of its patented ballot boxes for the elections.

The plaintiff is arguing that by virtue of orders 6 and 7 contained in an earlier judgment of the court, declaring it the sole patentee of transparent and collapsible ballot boxes in the country, the use of such boxes without its consent renders the purpose for which the boxes were used a nullity.

Justice Adamu Bello had in his judgment of June 5, 2012, in a suit between BHL, Registrar of Patents, Federal Ministry of Commerce and Industry and six others, held “any action or actions whatsoever and howsoever taken or purported to have been taken by the defendants relating to the said products without the prior and express licence, consent, authority and/or approval of the plaintiff is unconstitutional, illegal, unlawful and is therefore null and void.”

The court also restrained the Registrar of Patents and its agents from registering or issuing the plaintiff ’s valid and subsisting patent over the ballot boxes to any person or organistion, except with the consent of BHL. The plaintiff further contended that Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, was a party in the suit in which judgment was given, and that despite being aware of the court’s orders, deployed the same ballot boxes for use at the PDP convention without its (BHL’s) consent, thereby, disobeying the judgment.

BHL had raised two questions for the court’s determination and sought three reliefs in the suit, with respondents as President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice President Namani Sambo, Senate President, David Mark, House of Representatives Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal and Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees, Anthony Anenih.

PHCN workers protest as FG hands over share certificates to new owners today

BY EMMA UJAH, ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF, VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG & KELECHI AZUBUIKE

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BUJA—PRESIDENT Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will today, in Abuja, hand over share certificates and licenses to 15 new owners of PHCN successor companies who have made 100 percent payment of the respective bid amounts.

The presentation, scheduled to take place at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, according to the Presidency, is part of build-up of activities to mark the 53rd independence anniversary of the nation.

There are 11 distribution companies, six generation companies and one distribution company. Only the generation and distribution companies are being privatized, while the Nigerian Distribution Company is being handled by a management contractor, Manitoba.

Director-General of BPE, Mr. Benjamin Dikki noted that “this handover is a culmination of 14 years of painstaking effort by the National Council on Privatization, NCP, Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE and other key stakeholders to reform and liberalize Nigeria’s electricity industry”.

The administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo set up the Electric Power Sector Reform Implementation Committee, EPIC, in 2000 with the mandate to fashion out appropriate legal and regulatory framework for the sector.

BPE spokesman, Mr. Chigbo Anichebe assured that labour issues have been adequately provided for with the setting aside of about N384 billion by the Federal Government to settle labour liabilities.

Meanwhile, workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, are today holding a nationwide protest to alert Nigerians of impending shutdown of the power sector on Wednesday over unresolved labour issues as the Federal Government plans to handover PHCN assets to private investors today.

The workers faulted claims by Chairman of National Council on Privatisation, NCP, and Vice President, Namadi Sambo that government had settled all the labour issues which hitherto had impeded the smooth take off of the privatisation programme and therefore ready to handover to the investors.

Vanguard gathered that the workers who had earlier been directed to down tools should government handover to new investors today as announced without full payment of workers’ terminal benefits, were later asked to hold on till after the nation’s 53rd independence anniversary

celebration.

It was alleged government was already using the independence celebration to blackmail union leaders of

plotting to throw the nation into darkness during the independence anniversary.

To prove the government wrong and show they are not

anti-Nigerians, they decided to hold a nationwide protest today to among others, alert Nigerians of the looming industrial unrest in the sector.

FIDAU PRAYER— From left: Vice Chairman of MTN, Col. Sani Bello (rtd); Former President, Ibrahim Babangida and Governor Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, during three day Fidau prayer for Late Ambassador Yunusa Paiko at the deceased's residence in Minna.

Independence: Army, Police, DSS mount joint patrols in Abuja zAir Force helicopters begin surveillance in FCT, Kogi, Nasarawa

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BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI

BUJA—FOLLOWING intelligence reports that the Boko Haram terrorist group is intent on attacking the Federal Capital city during the independence anniversary celebrations, Vanguard has gathered that a joint security apparatus has been put in place and tasked to ensure the attack did not take place.

Vanguard was told that the Nigerian Air Force, whose patrol helicopters, started flying across the FCT and neighbouring states of Nasarawa and Kogi states are to provide air surveillance while the Nigerian Army is to take care of all entry and exit points to the FCT. The Nigerian Police, the SSS, Navy and para-military organisations are to carry out internal patrols within the city and ensure that the security of places of worship, places of relaxation, hotel and especially shopping malls and supermarkets are not breached.

In this regard, the Army Headquarters Garrison Abuja, whose area of responsibility covers Kogi and Nasarawa states, as well as the Brigade of Guards have deployed personnel and equipment, including armed patrol teams to major routes of the FCT.

The Police, Navy and paramilitary are to be deployed to the nooks and crannies with mobile communication equipment so that in the case of eventualities, signals could quickly be sent across for re-

enforcements.

Police sniffing dogs, anti-terror trained officers and bomb disposal experts are also to be deployed to strategic places, in a bid to ensure tight security in and around the FCT.

PIB: Senate to hold another public hearing

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU & JOSEPH ERUNKE BUJA—THE Senate disclosed yesterday, that it would conduct another public hearing on the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, following protests by some stakeholders in the oil and gas sector, especially the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, as well as the Trade Union Congress, TUC, that they were denied participation in the last exercise.

Members of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, and National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, who protested their exclusion from the public hearing held last July, alleged that critical stakeholders in the oil and gas industry were denied opportunity of making presentations at the hearing.

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They alleged that the action of the National Assembly Joint Committee was deliberate and not in the interest of the nation. They said the committee ended the hearing, without allowing the invited stakeholders to make presentations.

But in a statement, Chairman Senate Committee on Petroleum (Upstream), Emmanuel Paulker, PDP, Bayelsa Central, who is also the Chairman of the Senate Joint Committee on PIB, explained that the Senate’s action to hold another public hearing with all stakeholders was because of its “desire that the new oil law will be an aggregate of opinions in oil and gas industry in the country.”

He said: “The joint committee decided to involve all stakeholders in the oil sector before the report is presented to the whole Senate for consideration so that at the end of the day when the new law is passed, nobody would complain they were left out.”

Vanguard, MONDAY,SEPTEMBER 30, 2013 — 9

10— Vanguard , MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

APC alleges plot to rig 2015 general elections

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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L L PROGRESSIVES Congress, APC, weekend, raised fresh alarm over alleged plot by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the Presidency to rig the 2015 general elections, especially the presidential poll.

The party called on Nigerians to be vigilant in the days, weeks and months ahead as the PDP/Presidency would allegedly begin to roll out its plot.

APC Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in a statement, said the strategy that was being employed by the duo of the PDP and the Presidency, in their unbridled desperation to win the 2015 elections at all cost, include suppression of votes in areas where the president’s chances were slim, using the police and the military.

APC also said it uncovered plan of PDP to use what it tagged a "Third Force to bamboozle” Nigerians and project the image of a performing presidency, even when PDP admitted that the current public percep-

tion of government was less than salutary because of its weakness and lack of vision.

The Third Force, APC noted, would engage in the destabilisation of the party using moles and fifth columnists; instigate chaos in the South-West using what it called the ‘’old Afenifere Guards’’ as well as infiltrate and weaken socio-cultural and socio-political organisations in areas it deemed to be unfavourable to the President.

The party stated that, shockingly, PDP/Presidency’s grand plot also did not exclude even the PDP itself, as it was pursuing a strategy of decisively and ruthlessly purging the ranks of the party’s inner decision-making caucus all recalcitrant members, including governors and House of Representatives members. ‘’The dogged pursuit of this action of dealing with supposed recalcitrant members has led to suspensions, expulsions and alienation of some PDP members, and it was the immediate trigger of the collapse of the party of tattered umbrella.

"After all, it is said that a

house divided against itself cannot stand. The NorthEast and the North-West have been singled out as

areas where votes must be suppressed in 2015, by creating an enabling environment for the deploy-

ment of special forces in the run-up to the 2015 elections.

They intend to launch police/military actions in the

run-up to 2015, to ensure most of the registered voters in the zones are disenfranchised.

COCKTAIL: From left, Professor Rahamon Bello, Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos; Professor Duro Oni, Deputy Vice Chancellor, (Management Services), UNILAG; Mr. Mac Ovbiagele, Chairman, UNILAG Advancement Board, and Mr. John Momoh, Chairman, Publicity and Publications Committee, during UNILAG's Advancement Board Alumni cocktail and dinner, at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

Fashola unveils N30bn tallest hotel in West Africa

BY MONSURU OLOWOOPEJO

L

AGOS — GOVERNOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, yesterday, unveiled the

tallest hotel in West Africa, the Intercontinental Lagos built at a cost of N30 billion.

Fashola unveiled the hotel in a ceremony also attended by the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi; Oba of Lagos, Oba Riliwan Akiolu 1; ex-governor of CBN, Joseph Sanusi, and other dignitaries.

The hotel situated on Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, is a 23-storey building with 358 rooms, 37 suites and a presidential suite.

The Intercontinental La-

gos, a subsidiary of the Intercontinental Hotel Group, IHG, is owned by the Milan Group.

Fashola said the new hotel showed that the economy of the country was witnessing growth daily but without corresponding employment.

According to him: “The new sector is the tourism sector. This is the only virgin sector in the country, and it will help address the challenges of unemployment in the country.”

The governor said the new hotel had helped to create new 650 direct jobs in the state.

He noted that with the

ICT experts discuss economic impact of Internet

I

NFORMATION COMMUNICATIONS experts will discuss the economic impact of the internet in the Nigerian market today.

The event, sponsored by Google Nigeria and supported by the Lagos State Innovating Council, Mobile Monday Nigeria, has the Minister of Communications Technology, Mobolaji Johnson; Deepanker Rustagi, General Manager VConnec; Simdul Shagaya, Founder and CEO, konga.com; Sina Badaru, Founder, Technology Times ; Jason Njoku, Co-Founder of Iroko TV and Spark.ng. Iroko TV; Femi Taiwo, Manager, Technology Services at INITS Limited; Olayinka David-West, Faculty Director at the Pan Atlantic University/Lagos Business School; Olumide Balogun, Partner Manager, Developer Experience, Nokia West & Central Africa, among other industry experts as speakers.

Chairman of Mobile Monday Nigeria, Mr. Tomi Davies in a statement said: “the Internet is a tremendous, undisputed force for economic growth and social change.

construction of more hotels and hospitality outfits, more direct jobs would be created as well as indirect jobs.

Chairman, Milan Group, Ramesh Valechha said the hotel would change the landscape of Lagos and boost the hospitality industry in the state.

He noted that the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, for the project was signed on March 31, 2004 while it took two years to complete the design work before the conceptualisation of the project began.

NAFDAC seizes fake analgesic, Tramadol

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

NATIONAL AGENCY for Food, Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, weekend, intercepted 158 cartons of fake Tramadol capsules, a semisynthetic opiod analgesic for the management of pain.

Already the Agency has launched full investigations to unveil importers behind the importation of the fake drugs.

Tramadol is currently under Narcotics Control following high abuse and concerns by government and public health officials, meaning it cannot be brought into the country without permit.

At a media presentation of the intercepted truck load of the counterfeit drugs in Lagos, NAFDAC’s Director, Ports Inspection Directorate, Mrs. Moreen Ebigbeyi said efforts were to arrest importers.

Vanguard MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2013 —11

Mimiko, Gbenga Daniel, other LP leaders move against Amosun

By DAUD OLATUNJI

A

BEOKUTA — GOVERNOR Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and other leaders of Labour Party, LP, have moved against Governor Ibikunle Amosun, saying he must go in 2015.

The party secretary in Ogun

State, Sunday Ogini who disclosed this yesterday, at a meeting in Abeokuta, said the party National Chairman, Chief Dan Nwanyanwu would lead members of his executive to sensitise the people of the state to embrace the party.

Ogini said the planned mega rally which would hold in a couple of weeks in Abeokuta, would also feature formal opening of the party’s new secretariat in

Abeokuta for the preparation of 2015 general election.

According to Ogini: “Governor Olusegun Mimiko, our party National Chairman, former governor of the state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and our governorship candidate in Anambra State, Dr. Ifeanyi Uba are coming to Ogun State for a mega rally and to open our party secretariat.

“It is to sensitise the people of the state on the need to embrace Labour Party and reject Amosun-led government in the state.”

The party, however, noted it had embarked on a spiritual exercise to ensure victory for its governorship candidate in Anambra State, Dr. Ifeanyi Uba. According to him: “If the party wins

A

S THE world marks the International Right to Know Day, SocioEconomic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has urged the gov-

ernment of President Goodluck Jonathan to drop threat of attacks against social media, as “any such threat can only continue to strangle freedom of expres-

sion and limit the accountability of government.”

In a statement, yesterday,

by SERAP executive director Adetokunbo Mumuni, the organisation stated that,

Fayemi, Ondo gov to speak at Agagu’s Tribute Day

E

KITI STATE Gov ernor Kayode Fayemi and his Ondo State counterpart, Olusegun Mimiko, will today, speak at a day of tributes for the late former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Agagu.

The ‘Tributes Day,’ according to Mr. Yemi Olowolabi, the late Agagu’s former Chief Press Secretary, will

No ban on political rallies, but...

— Ekiti State Police

BY GBENGA ARIYIBI

A

DO EKITI — EKITI State Police Command, weekend, said it had not banned political rallies by politicians, saying, however, it frowned at procession that contradicted provision of Electoral Act 2011, as amended which “stipulates 90 days to an election for holding of campaign rallies.”

Speaking in Ado Ekiti, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Victor Babayemi, assured that the command would not associate with any political party or give undue advantage to any aspirant ahead of 2014 governorship election in the state.

According to him: “We have not banned political rallies in Ekiti; what we are defending is strict compliance with the provision of Section 99 of the Electoral Act.

hold at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The statement said the event would start at 11a.m.

The body of the late politician will leave Lagos on October 3 for Akure.

Lying-in-state will hold same day at the Democracy Park, Akure.

There will be another lying-in-state and wakekeep at the Civic Centre, Iju-Odo, Okitipupa Local Government.

A burial service will hold Friday, October 4, at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Iju-Odo, also in Okitipupa Local Government by 11a.m.

His body will thereafter be interred beside that of his father in Okitipupa.”

“The 2011 Report of the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression has underscored the importance of freedom of expression on the Internet, and urged governments not to arbitrarily restrict this right.”

According to the organization: “The call by government officials for censorship of social media is entirely unnecessary as social media has played an important role in educating the ordinary citizens about the performance of their governments, and on issues of transparency and accountability.

“Social media are im-

Lawmaker wants capacity building for youths

A

MEMBER of the House of Representatives, Mr. Lanre Odubote, has called for collective efforts to improve the standard of education and youth capacity building initiatives in the country.

Odubote, representing portant to the work of human rights defenders eve- Epe Federal Constituency, rywhere. Any attempt to made the remarks, weekundermine this work will end, while giving insight be resisted by civil soci- into various activities ety through national and scheduled for today’s international legal ac- presentation of educational materials to benefittions.”

SERAP added: “Free- ing schools and handingover of youth skills acquidom of expression on the sition centre to community Internet is a fundamen- in Epe area of the state. tal freedom. It is absoAccording to him: “As lutely crucial to citizens’ part of my intervention in rights to communicate capacity building for the and associate, and to the youths, in collaboration enjoyment of their other with a communication outhuman rights, including fit, I will on Monday (tothe right to know how day), be handing over 400 their governments are school tables and chairs to run, and to hold their representatives of Agbowa Community Grammar leaders accountable .”

School, Epe,

SOCIAL MEDIA: Civil society ‘ll resist attacks against

freedom of expression, says SERAP

Anambra governorship election, it will ease the task in Ekiti and Osun states and then Ogun and other South Western states.”

12 —VANGUARD, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2013—13

Edo urges residents to quit flood-prone areas

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

B

ENIN—FOLLOWING the recent torrential rain, which wreaked havoc in parts of Edo State, the state government has again advised residents in the low lands, river banks and other flood-prone areas of the state to relocate to higher grounds as preventive measure to avoid a repeat of the flood disaster of last year.

In a statement, yesterday, by Mr. Peter Okhiria, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, the government also advised residents to avoid indiscriminate waste dumping habits that block the drains.

He said: “Nigerian Metrological Agency, NIMET, in its seasonal rainfall prediction for 2013, had predicted heavy rainfall this year and the likelihood of flooding in many states. Edo State has consistently recorded an increase in rainfall volume, frequency and intensity. We, as a people, must not underestimate the power of the weather again.

We must take every preventive measure to avert a repeat of the disaster of 2012.

“The good people of Edo State are, hereby, advised to collectively take precautions to forestall a recurrence of similar incident of flooding and

its consequences in the state.”

The statement urged the people to stop “indiscriminate waste dumping habits that end up blocking the drains, which can result in the breeding of mosquitoes, flies and other disease that may eventually result in high prevalence of malaria, yellow fever, lassa fever and cholera.

“Endeavour to de-silt the

drains in front of your houses and remove same. People in low land, river banks and other flood-prone areas of the state are advised to relocate to higher grounds. Because of the stormy nature of the expected rainfall pattern of 2013, residents are advised to take a second look at the binding of their roofs to ensure that they are firm.

“Government, hereby, calls on the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, to immediately take another look at all their distribution facilities within the state to ensure that they are firm and strong enough to withstand the expected stormy weather in 2013 in order to avoid electrocution-related but avoidable deaths.”

INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY THANKSGIVING: Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State (left); Deputy Governor, Pius Odubu (right) and Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, Secretary to State Government (behind), at a thanksgiving service held at St Paul's Catholic Church, Benin City, to mark Nigeria's 53rd Independence Anniversary, yesterday.

London trial: Delta didn’t fund Ibori’s alleged assets —Defence ….Agreed, but you were uncooperative — British Police

T

HE British Metropolitan Police investigators into the case against former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, weekend, agreed that they never questioned any Delta State official about missing funds nor linked any property of Ibori as having been bought with the state’s money.

Buffeted by a barrage of questions from Ibori’s legal team, the man who led the investigation against Ibori, Police Detective, Mr. Peter Clark, said: “I agree.

However, we were unable to ask Delta State Government because Delta State was uncooperative.”

The reply came after a series of questions were fired at Clark, a prime prosecution witness, in relation to Ibori’s property having a link with Delta State funds in any way and even in some of the charges Ibori had already pleaded guilty to.

Led by Mr. Ivan Krolic, QC, Ibori’s lead counsel in the asset confiscation hearing he put it to the court that, “in confiscation cases, the issue for consideration before the court is not about any asset acquired but the sources of funds for the purchase of the asset.”

C M Y K

To make his point clearer, Clark stated: “When it comes to benefit in confiscation hearing, it is not about what the defendant buys but the source of the money used to buy what has been bought.”

Thus, as the two weeks old asset confiscation trial was about to enter its final week, and hearing is gradually drawing to a close, the main British Police financial investigator in the money laundering case against Ibori may have admit-

ted that he had not been able to directly link the source of funds for the purchase of the alleged Ibori assets to Delta State accounts.

Uncomfortable with this, the Crown Prosecutor ’s Sasha Wass interjected: “Ibori has pleaded guilty to money laundering and defrauding Delta State. The crown has concerns as to why QC Krolic is going through these matters the way he is.”

Krolic obliged her and read-

ing a section of Police detective Clark’s statement that deals with the purchase of a Maybach vehicle, a car alleged to have been bought by Ibori with funds stolen from Delta State, said: “The position of the defendant, James Ibori, is that he admits purchasing the vehicle and that Stanhope is an account which he is a beneficial owner.

It is denied, however, that the funds going into Stanhope were funds that came directly or indirectly from Delta State, but they came from very clear and genuine sources. There is no evidence showing any payment from Delta State.”

FG sends 20 pilots to Lufthansa for training ...targets 200 aviation professionals

BY KENNETH EHIGIATOR

T

HE Federal Government, yesterday, sent to Lufthansa Pilot Training Institute, Germany, 20 commercial licensed pilots for jet/ type-rating training.

The pilots, 19 men and a woman, had earlier been trained for their Private Pilot License, PPL, in South Africa by the Office of Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs.

The delegates are the first batch of pilots trained under a special scheme in South Africa by the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs.

This is exclusive of another batch of 10 pilots that will be sent to the CAE Aviation Academy at Oxford, United Kingdom.

Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, who spoke at the pre-departure orientation ceremony for the

pilots, said that over 200 professionals will be trained in the aviation sector to meet the needs of the critical sector.

Kuku, who noted that his office was already collaborating with relevant aviation agencies to also train air traffic controllers, aeronautical engineers and other professionals critical in promoting air safety, said: “The training in Germany will be for 14 months, as the pilots will be trained to fly the modern Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft used by most countries in the world.”

Delta demolishes illegal structures in Agbor, Owa

BY FESTUS AHON

A

S A B A — D E LTA State Government, weekend, embarked on the demolition of illegal structures in Agbor metropolis, in Ika South and Ika NorthEast Local Government Areas of the state.

In a chat with newsmen, the state Commissioner for Environment, Chief Frank Omare, said: “The state government will not spare any illegal structure in the state. As government, we are determined to remove all illegal structures in the state. Today, we are in Agbor and we are working on Secretariat Road and College of Education Road. Tomorrow, we will move to other parts of the town.

“We had warned residents of the area to remove all illegal structures but some of them failed to comply, hence we are here. The exercise is part of government’s effort to beautify the state and clear all blocked water channels.”

NDPCVL tasks Jonathan on N-Delta devt

BY EMMA AMAIZE ARRI—NIGER Delta for Peace, Credible and Visionary Leadership, NDPCVL, has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to put in place a presidential monitoring team to supervise and speed up development in the Niger Delta region.

NDPCVL, at its meeting in Warri, Delta State, said: “We are aware of the shortfalls in terms of development in the region, which is not President Jonathan’s fault, but the appointees in government.”

In a statement by the National President, King-Jerry Prebor, the group, said: “Some governors, ministers and political aides are not helping matters. They are actually responsible for the backwardness of the region.”

W

14—Vanguard , MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

Nigerians have failed Nigeria —Obi

BY VINCENT UJU-

A

MADU

WKA—ANAMBRA State governor, Mr. Peter Obi, has charged Nigerians to seek divine intervention to tackle the various challenges confronting the country.

Speaking at an interdenominational church service to mark the 53rd Independence anniversary of the country at Women Development Centre, Awka, Governor Obi regretted that Nigerians had failed the country in the way they attended to issues concerning their country.

According to him, in spite of the huge resources that abound in the country, majority of Nigerians are still living in abject poverty, while the privileged few have been exploiting and amassing wealth.

He also lamented that some of the people in positions of authority had not shown commitment in seeking the face of God because of their unbridled and blind quest for money.

The governor said the Independence anniversary celebration was an opportunity for sober reflection to identify the short-comings and chart a new course for a brighter future.

Anambra SSG seeks review of revenue allocation formula

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

A

W KA—SECRE TARY to Anambra State Government, SSG, Mr. Oseloka Obaze, has advocated a review of the country’s revenue allocation formula to adequately meet the aspirations of the generality of Nigerians.

In a statement in Awka, weekend, Obaze argued that the review had become necessary so that development could follow a bottom up approach and not the present top-to-bottom set up that was skewed in favour of the Federal Government.

He said: “It may seem pedestrian, but the fact is that the Federal Government has responsibility for far less population and territory, that being Abuja Federal Capital Territory.

Nigerians ‘ll determine 2015 Presidency, say S-East, S-South govs zAsk ASUU to call off strike

BY TONY EDIKE

E

NUGU—GOVERNORS of the South East and South South states, yesterday, in Enugu, declared that the determination of who will be the President of the country in 2015 would be made by the Nigerian electorate, in line with democratic tenets, warning that the power of the people should not be usurped by any group or individuals.

The governors, who met at the Government House, Enugu, in a communique issued at the end of the meeting, also thanked Nigerians for their continued support of President Jonathan’s administration and urged the President to remain focussed on governance and not to allow himself to be distracted.

Call for continued dialogue They further called for continued dialogue at resolving national issues and management of the security situation in the country to guarantee the continued corporate existence of the nation.

They also commended the security agencies for their efforts in managing the challenges, while lauding the federal government for the massive reduction in crude oil theft.

On ASUU The governors called on the leadership of ASUU and other players to be sensitive to the plight of students and call off the strike while resolving issues through dialogue.

The governors further resolved to continue to strengthen economic ties among their states and to continue to pursue the development of the zones as well as prosecute the various infrastructure projects earlier identified.

The communique read: “The SouthSouth/South East Governors met in Enugu on the 29th day of September to deliberate over issues affecting the Zones and the nation in general.

“After extensive cordial deliberations, the governors of

Why we‘re supporting Jonathan —Gov Orji

U

M U A H I A — G O V ERNOR Theodore Orji of Abia State in Umuahia, weekend, said the continued support for President Goodluck Jonathan by the people of the South East geo political zone was borne out of their belief in the indivisibility of Nigeria and the survival of democracy.

According to the governor, President Jonathan’s emergence is a ground breaking turn-around in Nigerian political landscape because it has become the bastion of hope for equity.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Public Communication, Mr. Ben Onyechere, the governor said: “The open door policy of Mr. President, in conjuction with his even distribution of resources and amenities, has opened a new vista in the operationalization of our democratic culture which will stand the test of time as it will also serve to promote unity.

“I am convined beyond reasonable doubt that the socio-economic trends in the polity o could not have been better due to his deliberate method of amenability and flexibility, not withstanding skirmishes and agitation of some members in the ruling party for more regonition. It is on record that the style of governace by Mr President has gained popularity internally and internationally because of his application of intellectual sensibility were patience is allowed to thrive over tribulation.”

the South South/South East zones resolved to continue to pursue the development of the zones as well as prosecute the various infrastructure projects identified.

“We thank Nigerians for their continued support for the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan who they elected overwhelmingly.

“We urge Mr. President to remain focused on governance and not to allow himself to be distracted.

2015 “We note that the determination of who will be President of this country in 2015 will be made by the Nigerian electorate in line with democratic tenets and the power of the people should not be usurped by any group or individuals.

“We call for continued dialogue at resolving national issues and the management of the security situation in the country to guarantee the continued corporate existence of our great nation.

“We commend the security

agencies for their efforts in managing these challenges and commend the federal government for the massive reduction in crude oil theft.

“We call on the leadership of ASUU and other players to be sensitive to the plight of our children and call off the strike while resolving issues through dialogue.

“Finally, as we celebrate our 53rd Independence anniversary, we felicitate with Mr. President and all Nigerians as we resolve to work for the peace and continuous stability of our great nation.”

Attendance Governors in attendance at the meeting were Sullivan Chime (Enugu), Peter Obi (Anambra), Liyel Imoke (Cross River) Theodore Orji (Abia), Martin Elechi (Ebonyi) Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Godswill Akapbio (Akwa Ibom) and Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd), Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State.

Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2013 — 15

Resumption letter: Former Taraba Speaker faults Suntai's aide JALINGO—FORMER Speaker of Taraba State

House of Assembly, Isa Ajiya, has described as false and reprehensible allegations that the acting governor of the state, bribed lawmakers to get letter of resumption of his boss rejected, threatening legal action if the allegation was not withdrawn.

Reacting to a statement credited to a media aide of the governor, Mr Sylvester Giwa in a chat with newsmen in Abuja, Ajiya said Giwa should produce evidence to support his allegations that the acting governor bribed the lawmakers or he and others would face court action.

He said: “The allegation is unfounded and we challenge Giwa to provide proof. If not, we will exposé them in a manner we have never done before. We will reveal to the World why this cabal was desperate to rule, even when it is clear Governor Suntai is médically unfit to rule the state."

FG to repair runways facilities

BY LAWANI MIKAIRU &

L

DANIELETEGHE

AGOS—FEDERAL Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, has said the federal government will repair runway facilities at all the remodeled airports to enable them handle 24-hour operations.

FAAN’ spokesman Mr. Yakubu Dati said weekend in Adamawa State during inspection of the remodeled terminal at Yola International Airport.

He said FAAN was aware of complaints that the airport should run a 24-hour service but pointed out it would be difficult to provide all the facilities at the same time.

He said: “The aviation sector was comatose before the coming on of the present administration.

We are doing the intervention one after the other. We are doing terminal modernization now."

Alleged looting of Federal coffers: Lawmakers differ on new probe

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

A

BUJA—MEMBERS of the House of Representatives, yesterday, differed on whether the House should constitute an investigative enquiry into allegations levelled against the Federal Government by the Alhaji Kawu Baraje-led Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that due to massive looting of the treasury, government was unable to allocate funds to states.

Some of the lawmakers who spoke to Vanguard had argued that it was appropriate to summon the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to shed more light on the allegations.

Others pointed accusing fingers at Baraje for being diversionary as he had in the past held various positions in PDP and never raised an eyebrow then, wondering why now?

Chairman House Committee on Finance, Abdulmunin Jibrin, representing Kano PDP, told Vanguard: “We will formally invite her to explain all she knows about the weighty allegations. Our committee would like to hear from her directly, then after that all other necessary actions that require immediate legislative duties would follow.“ Also, Chairman House Committee on Corruption and Ethics, Abiodun Faleke, APC, representing Ikeja Federal Constituency in Lagos said: “I strongly believe the House should address and condemn the way our economy has been mismanaged. ” I think this is the first time we hear of inability to meet monthly allocations not due to low crude oil prices but due to massive stealing of oil and money and the lack of government’s ability to manage the ituation.“ Speaking also in the same vein,

Minority Whip of the House, Samson Osagie, APC representing Orhionwhon/Ohuede Federal Constituency in Edo State, said: “For us in the House of Representatives, this act of illegality can be a source for the impeachment of the President.

“I am saying that it is only in this administration that state governments are being owed up to three months of their statutory allocations, thereby leading to the collapse of the economy of most of these states. ” We consider this as an aberration by the Presidency in order to make these governors ply to their whims and caprices ahead of the 2015 elections and to weaken the states structures.

“We in the National Assembly

would not accept that because other than that, there is no other reason that can be adduced for the non-release of funds because revenue targets have been met and overshot in both oil and nonoil generating sectors of our economy. ”The Minister of Finance has also assured recently that the economy is strong and buoyant.

So one, therefore, wonders why state governments should not get their allocations as at when due.

“As at July, about N1.05 trillion was generated and we know this as a fact from available field reports from our committees on oversight.

So why should there be any reason for states that are and le-

gally entitled to these monies from the federation account not get their dues?

“For me, in the absence of any other valid reason, that is a political tool to weaken states governors to make them pliable for the Presidency's ambition for 2015.

When asked whether it made sense for President Jonathan to withhold monies due to states in the South-East and South-South geo-political zones that are predisposed to supporting his reelection bid. Osagie said: “Well, I told you that this is a PDP government and anything can happen; it can choose to support those government through the back door and it is not beyond them because they have been doing it."

INSTALLATION: From left: Rotn Chuks Okonkwo, immediate past President, Rotn Kunle Oyatomi, new President, his wife, Mrs. Jumoke Oyatomi, and Rotn Segun Odubela, representative of Ogun State governor, during the intsallation of Rotn Kunle Oyatomi as the 11th President (2013-2014) Rotary Club of Egbeda, District 9110 Nigeria, at the Lagos Country Club in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

NCAA clarifies new aviation charges

BY KENNETH EHIGIATOR

L

AGOS—THE Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, said, weekend, that the recent $3,000 and $4,000 general charges introduced for non-scheduled commercial operators take the place of landing, parking, en route navigational charges and passenger service charge, PSC. Co-ordinating General Manager, Corporate Communications for Aviation Agencies, Mr. Yakubu Dati,

who gave the clarification in Lagos, said the charges were not for scheduled operators.

The NCAA had stated that Nigerian registered aircraft in this category would pay $3,000 (N480,000), per flight, while aircraft with foreign registeration would pay $4,000 (N640,000) per flight.

The regulatory agency listed 26 airlines as those registered with Nigeria’s Airline Operator Certificate, AOC, and these in-

clude Aero Contractors Company Nigeria Limited, Allied Air Limited, Arik Air Limited, Associated Aviation Limited and Atlantic Aviation Limited.

Others are Bristow Helicopters Nigeria Limited, Caverton Helicopters, Chanchangi Airlines Limited, Dana Airlines, Dornier Aviation Nigeria AIEP Limited, First Nation Airways (SS) Limited and Hak Air Limited.

It also listed IRS Airlines Limited, Jed Air, Kabo Airlines Limited, King Airlines and Travel Limited, Max Air Limited, Med View Airlines Nigeria Limited and Odengene Air Shuttle Services Limited, Overland Airways Limited, Pan African Airlines Nigeria, Skybird Air, Skyjet Aviation Services Limited, Skypower Express Airways Nigeria Limited, Topbrass Aviation Limited and West Link Airways as airlines with Nigerian AOC. C M Y K

16 — Vanguard, MONDAY,SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

HE easiest way to get away with T anything is to claim you are acting against a terrorist. Once the charge is pressed, with the attendant publicity, the onus is on the suspect to extricate himself from the allegation.

Suspects tagged terrorists are guilty until they prove their innocence. We have entered a more dangerous loop in the war against terror. We hope the authorities realise the new applications of official violence against suspects can cause further challenges in the fight against terrorists.

Who were the occupants of the uncompleted building which security agencies stormed in Apo, Abuja? Who made the report that they were terrorists? Motor cycle riders are raising a strong voice that eight of those killed were their members?

Again, that is not a proof that they were not terrorists!

Any proof that they were terrorists?

“Considering the ammunition recovered, in addition to arms and weapons from suspects and from the fact that on approach to the area, the personnel were fired at, there is no doubt that those people were

Ever err oris Everyyone’s a tterr erroris oristt terrorists,” Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika told newsmen.

If armed robbers had arms, ammunition, weapons and fired at security agencies on approach, would that make them terrorists?

Our concern is that the loss of lives, like other incidents where security agencies felt they had nothing to explain to anyone, should worry anyone, who believes the law still has a place in guiding our society.

What would replace the lost lives? What type of fire power should the security agencies use when they come under attack?

As usual, government is moving on, using the incident as excuse to unleash its own terror on people. The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed said 100,000 illegal buildings

and 435 uncompleted houses had been identified for demolition. How did construction of such number of building begin without FCT approval?

Mohammed told a House of Representatives Committee of FCT’s determination to take down the buildings, possibly its contribution to taking out terrorists, who reside in those places. He should also consider how the uncompleted buildings had been accommodation for hundreds of thousands, who Abuja treats as mere statistics — it never plans for them.

This incident, within firing shots of residences of most federal legislators, is grabbing attention but it ranks low in the long list of security operations that question concerns for lives.

Our legislators place their comfort and safety above others’. Assurances that the operation in Apo was for their safety are enough for them to lose interest on how many died and why they were killed.

An independent enquiry is needed on the Apo killings; it could at least set standards for security operations.

OPINION

BY OSAZE SUNNY

W

HILE President Goodluck Jonathan was calling for a stronger global consensus and determination to end the scourge of terrorism in faraway New York an unfortunate event had just occurred in Apo area of Abuja, over an alleged exchange of gun shots between security officers and Boko Haram members.

In his meeting with President Barack Obama of the United States of America, President Jonathan said Nigeria is doing its best to contain the insurgency and therefore added that unless the international community unites and deploys its enormous resources to eradicate terrorism, it will continue to be embarrassed by terrorist outrages such as the heinous attack on defenceless shoppers in Nairobi which both leaders strongly condemned.

While Jonathan urges more supports and encouragement from international community over the fight against domestic terrorism, the home-front was in a state of flux over the labelling of alleged miscreants as Boko Haram suspects.

The Department of State Services, DSS, reported that it had arrested 12 members of the Boko Haram, while various other reports indicated that at least seven persons were also killed when security operatives stormed an uncompleted building near Apo Legislative area in the early hours of the day.

Circumstances of the deaths remained

C M Y K

Insurgency: Taming inter-agency rivalry hazy. While security agencies alleged those killed were Boko Haram members, survivors of the incident insist they were homeless artisans squatting in the building. Human rights activists and politicians are demanding a thorough investigation into the killing just as the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has commenced an investigation into the killing of the squatters in the uncompleted building.

Although the debate and arguments continue, what could be glimpsed from the controversy is the seeming lack of coordination and of collaboration of response agencies during that sensitive operation.

As the spokesperson of the Directorate of State Security insists the victims are Boko Haram suspects, other security agencies have distanced themselves from the incident. The Nigerian public too are becoming suspicious of the whole situation.

Before this unfortunate development, there have been noticeable improvement in the war against insurgency in various states, Abuja inclusive, where there had not been any serious attacks from the terrorists since last year. Most of their attacks have been confined to very few states in North Eastern Nigeria. The success of some of the operations even in Borno and Yobe states are due to colloboration with civilian populace through the establish-

ment of a volunteer group known as Civilian JTF. The obvious missing link in the Abuja operation, which is causing unnecessesary panics in the mind of the average Nigerian, is the fear that some of the security agencies are not relating or cooperating among themselves.

It is therefore not surprising the recent observation of top security officers at an inter-agency peace-building conference organised by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Abuja that lack of collaboration amongst the country’s security agencies was one of the factors responsible for the growth of Boko Haram.

The National Security Adviser, NSA, to the President, Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd), who also addressed the session pointed out that unless security agencies cooperated and collaborated, they would not succeed in fighting insecurity.

T

he NSA, who was represented by Major General Sarki Y. Bello said: “It is pertinent to note that this lack of collaboration among our security agencies was one of the factors that permitted the growth and, until recently, the success of Boko Haram terrorist attacks.”

While declaring the programme open, the Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba

Moro, commended the Nigerian Army for the successes recorded in battling terrorism so far, adding that it would be a total turnaround if other security agencies could come together regardless of their uniforms as a team to combat the security challenges facing the nation.

He said: “The achievements of Nigeria military today are concomitant of the unity of training, orientation and accommodation that exist in Nigerian military formation. In the same manner, we want all agencies, in addition to securing their mandate, work and relate well with others, bearing in mind the security of the country rather than shameless street fights.”

The Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Dr. Ade Abolurin, described the programme as an “interactive one” based on a field of experiences where they expect the security officers to establish and sustain their mutual relationship. He deplored the situation where security agencies engaged themselves in unnecessary quarrels over superiority contention.

As an observer, the infighting and lack of collaboration among security agencies can only create room for criminal activities and terrorism to foster. The life of an average Nigerian as it is now, depends on the Almighty God and on the security officers.

*Mr Sunny, a political analyst, wrote from Abuja

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Parties roll out campaign teams STORIES BY VINCENT UJUMADU

Ezenwa as the director general, with a former deputy speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Chief Kelue Molokwu; and a legal practitioner, Mr. Clems Ezike, among others, as members of the team.

Though the development that saw the INEC’s removal of Nwoye’s name from the list as the PDP candidate jolted most members of the party, Ezenwa is optimistic that the issue would

T

HE candidates of the various political parties for the November 16 election have rolled out their campaign teams which are now working hard to sell their governorship hopefuls.

Shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) published the list of candidates and their deputies, the campaign teams began to emerge and from the teams so far named, it is obvious that the parties have selected gurus in marketing to put their candidates in good shape before the election.

Indeed, the feeling in Anbambra State is that some of the candidates may actually throw in the towel before the date and ask their supporters to vote for their preferred candidates.

Political analysts have narrowed the contest to be among five parties namely, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA; All Progressives Congress, APC; Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; Progressive Peoples Alliance, PPA and Labour Party, LP. Pat Orjiakor leads PPA’s onslaught: PPA’s Mr. Godwin Ezeemo has since named a formidable team with Chief Pat Orjiakor, the former Anambra State chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, as his campaign manager.

Ojiakor, who was at one point, the interim chairman of APC in the state, was also a former deputy chairman of Awka South Local Council.

Also in the campaign team is Dr. Nnamdi Godwin Nwakaozor, a former chairman of Idemili North Local Council, who is the director of administration.

Individual track records Chief Okey Nwoke, a former secretary of the FCT chapter of ANPP is in charge of information and publicity. Nwoke was also the director of youth affairs for Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau presidential organization in 2011. Others in the Ezeemo campaign team are Dr. Peter Ejikeme (director, planning and strategy), Comrade Elochukwu Ofili (director, protocol and general duties) and Mr. Bernard Okonkwo (director of finance and supplies).

Ezeemo, while inaugurating the committee in Awka, said they were appointed based on their individual track records in mobilizing the people at the grassroots and urged them to ensure that every member of the party was carried along during

•Obiano

•Ngige

Okorocha engineered manipulation in APC primaries — Ezeemo

M

•Nwoye the campaign.

Uzodike anchors the race for Obiano: For the ruling APGA, Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Chief Joe Martins Uzodike is the director general for the candidate, Chief Willy Obiano. Both Uzodike and Obiano have something in common.

First, they both attended the famous Christ the King College, CKC, Onitsha in the 1970s.

Secondly, they won the then popular J.F.Kennedy Essay Competition as students of CKC at different times.

Uzodike was a practicing advertising practitioner before he was appointed a commissioner in the state. The appointment has been approved by Governor Peter Obi, APGA National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh and Obiano.

Muoghalu returns to the trenches for Ngige: APC has appointed Chief George Muoghalu, the former national secretary of All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, and former governorship candidate of the party in Anambra State as Senator Chris Ngige’s campaign committee’s chairman.

Muoghalu has a formidable

•Ubah

soon be resolved. To him, it is a temporary set back that will soon be resolved in Nwoye’s favour.

Ubah enlists ace columnist, Nkemjika: The LP candidate, Ifeanyi Ubah, has assembled a powerful team made up of media practitioners and marketers.

One of the men dictating the pace at the campaign directorate is Nkemjika, a well known columnist who has since relocated to Nnewi, Ubah’s hometown from where he is calling the shots.

EANWHILE, the PPA Candidate, Mr. Godwin Ezemo, has accused Governor Okorocha of masterminding the manipulation of the APC’s primaries that saw Senator Ngige winning the ticket of the party.

Addressing reporters in Awka, Ezeemo, who spoke through the director of media and publicity of his campaign organization, Chief Okey Nwoke, said that but for the external influence, which he said came mainly from those who believe they own APC he would have won the primaries convincingly.

He said: “Initially, Ezemo wanted to serve the people of Anambra State on the platform of ACN which later became APC,

but unfortunately the primaries of the party was highly manipulated because the people were afraid of Ezemo who, it was obvious, was going to win.

“It was unfortunate that people from outside the state came here to dictate to our people who will govern them. They stayed in a hotel and came up with mindboggling figures and that was why Ezeemo decided to pursue his governorship ambition in PPA. “APC is substantially controlled by people from outside the state without recourse to the party’s constitution. In PPA, the situation is different because nobody will shortchange us, in addition to the fact that the party has good programmes for Nigerians.”

…Okorocha’s relocation'll not save Ngige — Obiano

T

•Ezeemo team that includes Governors Rochas Okorocha, Adams Oshionmole and Rauf Aregbeshola, among others, as well as the Asiwaju himself, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Like Uzodike, Muoghalu is an advertising practitioner of note.

Nwoye assembles a crack team The Tony Nwoye Campaign Organization already has former secretary to the Anambra State Government, Prince Okey

HE Willie Obiano Campaign Forum has dismissed Governor Okorocha’s relocation to Anambra State to campaign for Ngige as an exercise in futility, assuring the Imo State governor that Anambra, an APGA stronghold, would be a clean sweep for the APGA flag bearer.

The National Co-ordinator of the Campaign Forum, Owelle Onyeka Mbaso, who recently stormed Awka, the Anambra State capital with a large crowd of party faithful, mobilized by the 21 co-ordinators of the forum from all the local government areas of the state dismissed Okorocha as a political lightweight whose threats do not amount to more than an empty rhetoric.

He assured Ndi Anambra not to lose sleep over Okorocha’s comment because Anambra State is too enlightened to be led by the nose by anybody including Okorocha.

“Governor Rochas Okorocha is

well known for his unguarded statements that almost got himself into trouble when he once addressed former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, as though there were mates.

Besides, we cannot support a party that encourages the deportation of Ndigbo from Lagos.

Also speaking at the wellattended event, the Chairman of the group, Engr. Henry Onyekumnaru, vowed that after eight glorious years of Governor Peter Obi’s transformational leadership, Anambra State would not be allowed to return to political undertakers again.

According to him, “Chief Willie Obiano is the most qualified candidate in the race. He has the professional competence to run Anambra.

He is educationally sound and his years as an executive director in the banking sector have exposed him to the highest levels

Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2013—55

D

R Junaidu Mohammed is a Mallam Aminu Kano disciple gone bad. The revered leader of the Northern Elements’ Progressive Union, NEPU, and Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, espoused nationalist ideals in his lifetime. He shared the same vision of a united country with the doyen of Nigerian independence, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, and frequently contested elections as an ally of Zik’s National Council of Nigerian Citizens, NCNC, sparing no contempt at the regional fundamentalism of the leadership of the Northern Peoples Congress, NPC, led by Sardauna Ahmadu Bello.

Mohammed has always been an articulate, firebrand politician even way back in the Second Republic when he and colleagues like Alhaji Sule Lamido were the younger elements that portrayed a bright future for the legacies of the fighter for the interests of the downtrodden, the Talakawa. Military rule did much to put Mohammed and most of the Aminu Kano boys in the political doldrums.

But in recent years, Mohammed has bounced back to the public arena, not as a true product of his political progenitor, but as an archconservative regionalist with a lot of illconcealed grudges against an intolerable political dispensation that has kept the presidency out of the North.

The medical doctor is one of those who want to snatch power back from the South at all costs in 2015 (or earlier if possible). As a regional bashibazouk, he is rapidly outperforming the older, now frustrated reactionaries such as Dr Umaru Dikko, Alhaji Lawal Kaita and Professor Ango Abdullahi in his newly self-assigned role of defending what he and his cohorts see as “Northern

Junaidu’s empty sound and fury When Senate President, David Mark made a surprising call for “a conference of ethnic nationalities” at the opening of this year’s legislative year, and many commentators took it as a sign that the ruling establishment might be softening its hard line stance on the need to restructure Nigeria, Junaidu burst out of his lair and started chanting war songs. The way he went about it, Professor Jibril Aminu, the intellectual ideologue of the Northern political establishment, could not have done better.

Junaidu teased those who are calling for a sovereign national conference to come out with their real intention, which he said, was to disintegrate Nigeria. He boasted that Nigeria was indivisible and indissoluble, and that the North would descend with war on anyone who tried to divide the country. He bragged the North had proved its capacity to clobber secessionists by the way it handled the Igbos when they plotted “their coup” and tried to secede over 40 years ago.

My reason for writing this piece is to point

,

Contrary to Junaidu’s assumptions, it is the South, not the North, that is the guardian and guarantor of Nigeria’s continued existence; the moment the South finally decide they have had enough of Nigeria, this country will cease to exist

,

interests”. It is the reactionaries in the North that posit that Nigeria is the booty of Arewa; the North is born to rule Nigeria; the North must maintain all the undeserved advantages heaped upon it by the British colonial masters and fortified by the North-controlled military political class between 1960 and 1999. Any section of the country that calls for a peaceful resolution of the crisis arising from the inequities in the system is threatened with war.

out a few misconceptions which Dr Junaidu Mohammed and his deluded cohorts who obviously live 40 years behind the current realities of Nigeria need to take note of. The first is the assumption of the continued existence of united Northern Nigeria. The second is the presumption that the North is the guardian and guarantor of Nigeria’s existence as an indivisible entity.

Contrary to Junaidu’s assumptions, it is the

South, not the North, that is the guardian and guarantor of Nigeria’s continued existence.

The moment the South finally decide they have had enough of Nigeria, this country will cease to exist. It is because the South has never achieved a consensus to break up that Nigeria

•Dr Junaidu Mohammed

has remained a single entity.

Since the British colonialists created Nigeria in 1914, it is the wealth of the South that has sustained the country. The South made all the concessions that led to Nigeria’s independence in 1960. If the leaders of the South had been as unbending in their demands as those of the North, the latter would have gone it alone or delay independence till heaven knows when.

Even when Biafra seceded, it was the involvement of foreign powers, the Minorities and the rest of the South against Biafra that led to the victory by the federal side. Take note: It was the federal side that won the Nigerian civil war, not Arewa Northern Nigeria! In fact, it was the Minorities of North and South and the Yoruba that did much of the fighting for the federals. Arewa merely

led the effort and grabbed the spoils of victory.

It is also the people of the South as well and the Minorities that have always made it possible for Northerners to emerge as president of Nigeria, both under civilian and military dispensations. Even in these days of Islamic terrorism, it is the stoical and patriotic patience of the Southern peoples that allowed Nigeria to survive Boko Haram attacks across the North before it became localised in the North East. If the Southern people had responded with reprisal to Sharia and Boko Haram attacks, no army could have controlled the anarchy that would follow it its wake. It is the wealth of the South and the patriotism and avuncular fortitude of its peoples that enabled Nigeria to survive the many crises that the North foisted on the nation in its failed quests to wrest power back by hook or crook.

Coming to the issue of the North as a united entity moving against any group calling for conference, it is just an empty boasting. The most the North will do is to refuse to participate in a conference, or if they do participate, to vote against any attempt to change anything that is to its advantage. That is the weapon they have always wielded, and that is why there have been so many conferences and constitutional tinkering that gave way to more calls for genuine conferences.

The North is not what it used to be. It is the most internally divided of the three former regions. From its earlier fractured history, the former Eastern Region (which is now called South East and South-South) has discovered a new partnership based on mutual respect and binding common interests. The result showed in the 2011 presidential election.

The Igbos have settled with their Minorities.

The North cannot boast of this. If anything, the region is torn asunder along religious lines, and the Christians/Minorities will no longer join the Arewa group in any future military adventure outside the region because their leading roles in Biafra is being rewarded with Janjaweed-like killings on the Plateau and Boko Haram terror in their villages and churches.

The North is also unhinged because the ruling class has so alienated the downtrodden that the latter has taken up arms and, supported by foreign allies (Al Qaeda), are seeking to overthrow the ruling class rooted in the Sokoto Caliphate.

Junaidu's sabre rattling and war drums ring hollow and sterile. There is no alternative to mutual respect if we must build a great, united nation. The days when foreign powers built up a regional monster and armed it to terrorise the rest of Nigeria for their (foreigners’) interests are over, dead and buried.

OPINION

BY STELLA AMUWA YBER crime does not respect geographical location; C it knows no boundaries, religion or nationality. Cyber criminals attack and spread across the whole world in

a matter of minutes, sparing no one.

Against the backdrop of the widening and fast-growing cyber crime across the globe, a World Cyber Security Conference was held in Abuja on September 17, 2013, with the theme, “Cyber Insecurity: A Latent Threat To National Security and Economic Development.”

Africa, particularly Nigeria, is growing at a faster rate in technology adoption and consumption than countries in Europe. Nigeria, is one of the top five countries on Facebook, and other social media. The flip side of this development is that this has also created room for widespread perpetuation of cyber crimes. Quite recently, for instance, Nigeria was rated as number 59 on the list of cyber crimes locations in the world by the Symantec Quarterly rating for 2013. Needless to say, this is NOT good news for a country that daily struggles to reconfigure world perceptions about her.

This alarming spate of cyber insecurity had prompted the Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau of the International Telecommunication Union, ITU, Brahima Sanou, during their meeting in Costa Rica, to discuss cyber threats and cyber security in the African region. The essence of these discussions was to address ways and means of stemming this malaise. At this event also, the First Lady of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan was appointed, as ITU’s Child Online Protection, COP, Champion.

On her return to Nigeria, the First Lady and her Office, instituted and facilitated the World Cyber Security Confer-

2013 world cyber-security conference ence to further emphasise that global collaboration is imperative in addressing the threatening effects on the moral and physical safety of our children as a result of online misuse. She seized the opportunity of this event to appeal passionately to the National Assembly to enact a law that will carry a stiff punishment for all cyber criminals.

She noted that as many more people join the growing list of Internet users, the advantages and vast benefits that the Internet presents, becomes more apparent. Indeed, the Internet daily commands increased global audience, bringing the world closer and closer together than before. She described the Internet as one of the “greatest inventions of mankind which has changed the way we communicate, conduct business and socialise.”

This campaign for cyber-security is timely, according to the National Coordinator of the I-Nigerian Initiative, Ada Stella Apiafi. The cyber world, and its application, should be for education, entertainment, and commerce, to harness the great potential we have in Nigeria. Parents, she affirms, have a pivotal role to play in supervising how, and what sites their children visit, bearing in mind that the average Nigerian child is quite intelligent, smart and eager to explore new frontiers.

According to the former Israeli Prime Minister, Mr. Ehud Barak who spoke at the conference, governments the world over should join hands to fight this endemic. He said in times past, ‘bows and arrows’ were used to fight wars, killing just a target at a time, but today, technology has advanced so much that just a timebomb could destroy thousands of people within a short time. The same thing could be said about cyber crimes - the menace spreads like wild

fire, with individuals, corporate bodies and even government mails being hacked practically every second. He concluded by saying that online crime has worse consequences than war crimes, because of the colossal damage it causes.

The Minister of Communications and Technology, Mobolaji Johnson, cited the case of a Nigerian youth, Ms. Cynthia Osokogu, who was lured and killed in Lagos, through cyber crime. She called on the National Assembly members to pass a law, as a matter of urgency, with punishment ranging from 50 years jail term to life in imprisonment. Ordinarily it is expected that parents should teach their children the use of technology, especially telephone usage, but most parents are not as versatile or dynamic in the use of their phones as their children. Which begs the question: who supervises who?! For adults it is difficult to balance what we do; with children it is even more difficult.

This observation was made by Dr. Salma Abbasi, a member of the International Telecommunication Union’s, ITU, high level experts group for cyber crime. Dr. Tunde Lemo, Deputy Director in charge of Operations at the Central Bank of Nigeria, said cyber crime is also very strongly perpetuated with banking, and electronic funds transfers. He urged the conveners of the forum to take steps and position themselves such that the financial institutions will not be so terribly hit by these unrepentant cyber criminals. He said hackers continue to attack accounts of customers. There is an ominous possibility of huge losses if not stopped now, particularly with the introduction of the cashless economy which itself has its own pains and gains. *Ms Amuwa, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Abuja

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Vanguard, MONDAY,SEPTEMBER 30, 2013 — 57

58—Vanguard,MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

•Vessels discharging at Port Harcourt port

Why eastern ports are lying fallow (2)

By JUDE NJOKU, (who was in Port Harcourt)

H

E finds it very convenient to clear the cargo in Lagos and spends about N300,000 or more to bring it to this part of the country and still makes profits. This is the question we keep asking everyday. The reasons are not far-fetched. The first is the difference in freight charges. The government should look into creating a level playground that will encourage other ports.

We have Port Harcourt Port 1, we have Onne, we have Calabar and Warri. The only port that is functional is Onne. The other ports have been lying fallow and yet some people will go to the media and tell us that activities in the ports are causing congestion in Lagos. I see the whole thing as political by those who dominate the maritime industry.

For instance, there are so many ships out there in Lagos waiting port call to berth. Most of the stakeholders in the maritime industry use Lagos as a hub to perpetrate their political manipula-

tion to favour the western ports.

If the government is serious about creating a level playing ground, they would have done something about the difference in freight charges.”

He alleged that the difference in freight charges between using the eastern ports and the ports in Lagos oscillates between US$2,000 and US$3,000. “The importer gains about $2,000$3,000. But if it is a uniform thing, you make a choice based on nearness to your warehouse or your market Because of this freight differential, most importers find it very convenient and some of them are forced to market their goods in Lagos because already, the incentives are there because of government’s policies.

Uniform freight "We have tried, we have made representations to the government but they fell on deaf ears. It has created a lot of unemploy-

•Mrs. Lizzie Ovbude, MD, PTON Ltd ment because if the ports are busy, the youths in this area will be busy. They are making us to believe that they are doing something, whereas they are doing nothing. If the freight is uniform, it will go a long way to allow importers to decide where to ship their goods to.”

Eluagu alleged that the duty inspection agent in the eastern port, Messrs SGS is only interested in hiking the duty paid to enhance the value of its one percent commission. He notes, “Another area we need to look at is the scanning agents, that is SGS. SGS has contributed to capital flight to Lagos. SGS is only interested in their one percent. We have Cotecna in Lagos, we have Global Scan and SGS. But I tell you, importer A and importer B go to one manufacturer. Let's assume that importer A is in Port Harcourt while importer B is in Lagos. They buy from one manufacturer at the same exchange rate. Importer B that is in Lagos already has an unfair advantage because of the freight difference.

Importer A that is Port Harcourt is being affected because of the freight difference, yet the duty importer B pays in Lagos is by far lower than what importer A will pay in Port Harcourt. They don’t have the synergy to try to balance the duty.

"Cotecna might give you a duty of $100,000 while SGS will give you a duty of $300,000. If you are

,

This is the concluding part of the special report on the abandonment of the eastern ports. The first part was published Friday.

Because of these factors, we have lost almost 60 percent of our customers to Lagos ports. That is a major problem we are facing here. The volume has dropped.

Sometime ago, the Federal. Ministry of Finance announced that they would swap the inspection agents but SGS was retained.

What is their reason for retaining SGS? I don’t know but I see it as political."

Internet providers: The alleged poor services provided by the internet service providers was also highlighted by Mr. Eluagu as a major factor affecting their activities. He said, “When you look at the internet service provider called Web Fountain, it operates at its lowest ebb. Their server is always off.

What is their reason for retaining SGS? I don’t know but I see it as political

an importer, what will you do?

You would want to use where you can make more profit. It has made a lot of Customs agents to lose their customers. They would tell you, look, I don’t know what you people are doing here in Port Harcourt. If SGS meant well, they would have listened to us because we have made representations to them using both the print and electronic media, yet those who are behind SGS make sure that SGS is doing what they want to do.

,

"As I speak with you now, their server has been out of service for the past four days. But we were meant to understand that their server works 24 hours in Abuja.

They don’t keep to the concession agreement with the Federal Government and yet nobody cares. The ultimate loser is the importer. So when you look at all these issues, you will discover that the government is not helping us. There are a lot of issues that sometimes, I begin to ask Continues on page 59

Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2013—59

Why eastern ports are lying fallow (2) Continues from page 58

myself whether we are in the same country.

"Why is it that Lagos enjoys all these incentives more than any other port; why is everything in Lagos while other ports are lying fallow? If you go to Calabar, it is lying fallow, go to Warri ports, it is lying fallow, Area 1 here is lying fallow. Who are those behind this strangulation of the Eastern ports? If you go to Lagos now, there are many ships queuing to berth but here is empty. Roro vessels cannot come to the eastern ports; they only came twice in the past 10 years. Are they now saying that we cannot have Roro vessels here? The same thing applies to vehicles; prices of vehicles here are higher because of the freight difference.”

Conspiracy to cripple terminal operator Corroborating the views canvassed by the ANLCA image maker, the Senior Special Assistant to the National President of ANLCA on Customs affairs, Chief Obi Chima, told Vanguard that the last time a container vessel called at the Port Harcourt seaport was in 2003. Chima who is the immediate past Chairman of ANLCA Port Harcourt Port 1 alleged that there there is a conspiracy to cripple the indigenous terminal operator.

He said, “Right now, the indigenous company, Ports and Terminal Operations (Nigeria) Limited is suffering from the conspiracy of the multinationals in the sense that no container vessel comes to that terminal operated by an indigenous company. If you go there, what you will see are fish vessels, cement, wheat and at times, you see oil vessels, whereas the full container vessels come to Onne.

"For Port Harcourt Port 1, since the take over by PTOL, every effort has been made to bring containerized cargo there but the conspiracy of the whites who are involved, have not allowed that to be. Apart from that, the Federal government is not paying attention to that side of the ports.

Dredging of the channels to the Port Harcourt harbour has been a very big problem because the port is not very deep. The draught in that port cannot take bigger vessels like the one at Onne because of the dredging.

The harbour itself is okay, the harbour there is about 11.5 but the channels are very shallow that big vesC M Y K

sels cannot operate there.”

We are not to blame— Customs Reacting to the poor utilisation of eastern ports, their image maker in PortHarcourt Area 1, Mr. Harry Samuel, explained that the agency was working in tandem with the mandate given to them by their comptroller-general. According to him, the Command does not place an extra burden on the importers or their clearing agents. He agreed that the ports are not adequately utilized but was quick to exonerate the Customs from complicity in the whole matter. “We work with the tariff already given and known to them, (importers)", he said.

NPA, INTELS keep mum: Efforts to speak to both the Ports Manager and officials of INTELS at Onne, after a tortuous journey to the port were rebuffed by staff of the two organisations. At the NPA office located at the Federal Lighter Terminal, FLT, Vanguard was asked to bring a letter from the company before any interview could be granted. An officer in the Public Affairs department, Mrs E. Umegbolu explained that it was a normal procedure and cannot be waived.

The ports The Onne Port Complex is situated along Bonny Estuary on Ogu Creek which is about 25 kilometres south of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The geographical area of the port spans between NAFCON (now NOTORE) Jetty and Bonny Island. It criss-crosses three local government areas of Rivers State, namely: Eleme, Ogu-Bolo and Bonny. The land area of approximately 2,500 hectres is situated on the soil of Eleme Local Government Area while the channel to the Port along Bonny River and Ogu Creek within Bonny and Ogu-Bolo Local Government Areas.

There are two major Terminal facilities at Onne Port Complex. These are the Federal Ocean Terminal, FOT and the Federal Lighter Terminal, FLT. FOT has a total quay length of 750 meters, that is three berths out of the original design of six berths while construction work is ongoing on the remaining three berths to bring the total quay length to 1,500 meter.

On the other hand, FLT has a total quay length quay length of 1,670 meters.

Vanguard CLASSIFIED C H U K W U — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Theresa Njideka Nkemjika Chukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Theresa Njideka Orji. All documents remain valid. General public please take note.

U Z O M A H — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Florence Ifeanyi Uzomah, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Florence Ifeanyi Osakwe. All former documents remain valid.

National Directorate of Employment and general public please take note.

ORHORHORO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss.

Orhorhoro Josephine, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Josephine Olawale Ileyemi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ORUMGBE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Orumgbe Mabel Anthonia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Agborma Mabel Anthonia. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ADEBAYO—I, formerly known and addressed as Adebayo Toluwase Rebecca, now wish to be known and addressed as Adedeji Toluwase Rebecca. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

SALAMI —I, formerly known and addressed as Salami Kayode Nurudeen, now wish to be known and addressed as Olasupo Kayode Olatunji Michael. All former documents remain valid. The Polytechnic, Ibadan and general public please take note.

NWOGU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwogu Jane Urunna, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chimezie Jane Urunna. All former documents remain valid. SEMB and general public please take note.

ERI —I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Rachel Lami Eri, now which to be known and addressed as Mrs. Rachel Lami Kakpo -Togan. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ILOAJASIRIEKE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Iloajasirieke Ihuoma Chiamaka, now which to be known and addressed as Mrs. EkeIwe Ihuoma Chiamaka.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EMMAXCO—I, formerly known and addressed as Emmaxco Chukwudi Anthony, now which to be known and addressed as N l e m c h u k w u Emmanuel Chukwudi Anthony. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ETSEMIJU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Etsemiju Eduvie, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Eruesegbefe Eduvie.

All former documents remain valid. Okene Mixed Secondary School, Okuokoko and general public please take note.

CHIDI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Chidi Deborah, now which to be known and addressed as Mrs. Deborah Etinosa Eruogun. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OFOMUDORO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Blessing Ofomudoro, now which to be known and addressed as Mrs. Blessing Itandon. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AKPUNONU—I, formerly known and addressed as Akpunonu Maryrose Nneka, now which to be known and addressed as Ogenyi Maryrose Nneka. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NWONWU—I, formerly known and addressed as Nwonwu Vivian Chioma, now which to be known and addressed as Nwosu Vivian Chioma. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ADISA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Tomisin Akorede Adisa, now wish to known and addressed as Mrs. Tomisin Akorede Matuluko. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ADEPOJU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Aderemi Oluwatoyin Adepoju, now wish to known and addressed as Mrs. Aderemi Oluwatoyin Awoyemi. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please note.

EZE—I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Eze Omobolanle Oyiza Rukayat, now wish to be known and addressed as Ms Lawal Omobolanle Oyiza Rukayat. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Immigration Service and general public please take note.

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OLUEH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Alero Alice Olueh, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Alero Alice Ejegi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OBINWUNE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Obinwune Chinenye Assumpta, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onuegbu Chinenye Assumpta. All former documents remain valid.

Federal University of Technology, Owerri and general public please take note.

UMUKORO—I, formerly known and addressed as Umukoro Sunday, now wish to be known and addressed as Umukoro Sunday Esiri. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name This is to confirm that the name Igbere Alfred. O., refers to one and the same person as Igbre Alfred.O., now wish to be known and addressed as Igbre Alfred .O. All former documents remain valid. WAEC, PHCN and general public please take note.

TAIRE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Taire Ejiro Jane, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ighomrore Ejiro. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Reconciliation of Name I am Mrs. Anna Noah, whereas some of my documents bear Anna Otete. Both names; Anna Otete and Anna Noah belong to one and the same me. All former documents bearing either of the names remain valid. First Bank of Nigeria Plc and general public please take note.

VANGUARD'S LAGOS OFFICE YOU CAN B O O K Y O U R A D V E R T S AT OU R L A G O S I S L A N D O F FI C E — VA N G U A R D MEDIA LIMITED (LAGOS OFFICE) K I O S K 4 8 E A S T PAV I L I O N T B S , L A G O S .

60 — Vanguard, MONDAY,SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

Vanguard, MONDAY,SEPTEMBER 30, 2013 — 61

62 —

Vanguard, MONDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

Ronaldo blames players for Madrid defeat O

N Saturday, the home crowd at the Bernabéu vented their frustration by whistling at the players throughout the match against Athletico Madrid. The visitors won 1-0. But the loudest blast came when manager Ancelotti decided to substitute midfielder Isco for striker Morata in the second half.

The Madrid fans let rip at the coach for the poor play and technical decisions. After a spending spree of almost €175 million on signings, Ancelotti’s project just isn’t pulling the punches for the fans. It’s just over a month and a half since the season started and the white congregation is al-

ready voicing its doubts.

Cristiano Ronaldo faced the facts after the match: “It wasn’t our day.

We weren’t on. The manager has nothing to do with it. He is doing a great job. The fault is on the players, we are the ones that have to improve”.

“We have to keep our heads up because the league is complicated.

The good thing is that this loss has come early.

I have a lot of hope for winning something important this year. I played poorly and so did my teammates”, he said.

“Personally I am happy with Ancelotti, he is one of the best coaches I have ever had”, he concluded.

and nod. Like schoolboys in front of the teacher”.

The striker makes it clear he rates the Catalan below his other coaches: “Mourinho doesn’t need to act out a role. Not like Guardiola, who wants to be perfect. Tiger Woods wanted to be perfect too, and look what happened. The same goes for Guardiola. Everyone has a dark side”.

While confessing he was

EPL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

G 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 5 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 5 6 6 6 6

W 5 4 4 3 3 3 3 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 0

D 0 1 1 2 2 1 1 3 0 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 0 1

L 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 0 3 2 2 3 3 3 3 2 3 4 5 5

F 13 8 6 7 5 14 6 6 9 6 6 8 8 4 4 5 4 4 4 4

A Pts 7 15 4 13 2 13 3 11 2 11 7 10 7 10 4 9 8 9 5 8 7 8 8 7 9 7 6 7 6 7 8 7 5 5 9 4 10 3 14 1

7 7 7 6 6 7 6 7 7 7 6 7 7 7 7 6 6 7 7 7

7 7 5 4 4 4 3 2 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1

0 0 1 2 0 0 2 4 3 4 1 3 3 3 3 2 2 3 0 0

0 0 1 0 2 3 1 1 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 6 6

24 19 14 12 12 10 10 6 11 6 7 6 6 11 7 6 3 10 5 5

5 5 7 6 10 10 7 11 6 8 10 10 9 13 10 7 5 17 13 21

21 21 16 14 12 12 11 10 9 7 7 6 6 6 6 5 5 3 3 3

Dortmund 7 Bayern Munich 7 Bayer 7 Hannover 7 Hertha 7 Mönchengladbach7 Werder 7 Augsburg 7 Hoffenheim 7 Wolfsburg 7 Mainz 7 Eintracht 7 Schalke 7 Stuttgart 6 Nürnberg 7 Hamburger 7 Freiburg 7 Braunschweig 6

6 6 6 4 3 3 3 3 2 3 3 2 2 2 0 1 0 0

1 1 0 0 2 1 1 1 3 0 0 2 2 1 5 2 3 1

0 0 1 3 2 3 3 3 2 4 4 3 3 3 2 4 4 5

21 14 17 10 13 17 8 8 18 9 10 10 10 11 9 12 8 3

5 2 7 10 8 13 11 11 18 9 15 12 16 9 12 19 17 14

19 19 18 12 11 10 10 10 9 9 9 8 8 7 5 5 3 1

5 5 5 4 3 3 3 2 2 2 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 0 0 0

1 1 0 2 1 1 1 2 2 2 4 1 0 2 1 1 1 3 2 2

0 0 0 0 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 3 4 2 4 4 4 2 4 4

14 11 12 16 11 11 9 8 11 8 8 7 8 6 5 4 5 7 4 4

4 4 1 3 6 10 9 6 10 8 9 8 10 9 10 10 12 11 11 18

16 16 15 14 10 10 10 8 8 8 7 7 6 5 4 4 4 3 2 2

Arsenal Liverpool Tottenham Chelsea Southampton Man City Hull Everton Aston Villa West Brom Cardiff Man United Swansea Norwich Stoke Newcastle West Ham Fulham Crystal Palace Sunderland

LA LIGA

•Ronaldo

Ibrahimovic: Guardiola is a “coward” Z

LATAN Ibrahimovic has launched another stinging attack on Pep Guardiola following the pair’s falling-out at Barcelona: “He’s a fantastic coach, but he’s a coward.

He’s not a man”, the Swede told German weekly ‘Der Spiegel’.

“He sacrificed me for Messi and didn’t have the guts to tell me”.

“When Guardiola spoke they would just sit there

Tables

“willing to die” for Mou, praising the Portuguese tactician’s intelligence and his motivational ability, Ibrahimovic rails against Guardiola’s “philosophical mumbojumbo”. “Mourinho”, he continues, “can deal with different types of personalities and has always taken on tough challenges, like now at Chelsea, whereas Guardiola avoids them”.

“Why did Guardiola choose Bayern Munich?

Because it’s a team that worked perfectly well without him. It was already the complete package. He’s brought in new players, but they weren’t needed”. Finally, when asked whether he saw himself playing in the Bundesliga one day, the Swedish goalscorer admitted it would be great to play for Bayern, “but when Guardiola has left, obviously”.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Barcelona Atlético Madrid Real Madrid Villarreal Athletic Valencia Espanyol Levante Málaga Real Sociedad Getafe Elche Valladolid Sevilla Celta Vigo Real Betis Granada Almería Osasuna Rayo

BUNDESLIGA

Kipsang Continues from BP day.

The 31-year-old Kipsang clocked a time of 2hr 3min 22sec to better the previous mark set by his compatriot Patrick Makau in the same race two years ago.

Makau’s time of 2hr 3min 42sec had been in Kipsang’s sights heading into the 40th staging of the marathon around the German capital and the 31-year-old delivered

in style, coming home well ahead of his fellow Kenyans Eliud Kipchoge (2:04.05) and Geoffrey Kipsang (2:06.26).

“I was feeling strong so I decided to push,” Wilson Kipsang told Eurosport. “I’m very happy that I’ve won and at breaking the world record.”

Wilson Kipsang’s achievement was the ninth time the Berlin race has been the setting for

Ethiopia

Continues from BP play against Spain and Argentina.

“Nigeria are a good side. We played them at the Nations Cup in Africa and they defeated us. But we fought on that day. We know them and are confident that we are going to defeat them to qualify for our first World Cup. “We are counting on our fans to help us achieve this objective.

In fact, we are already C M Y K

seeing beyond Nigeria.

It is the World Cup we are preparing for, where we hope to play against Spain and Argentina on the field. We believe that our dream will be realised”, said Teshome, who plays for Dedebit, in the Ethiopian league.

Ironically, Teshome was the player caught in the web of ineligibility clause, which made FIFA to deduct three points from them during a

a new world record, and the London 2012 bronze medallist sees no reason why he cannot set further records in the future.

“If I prepare very well, and with the same shape [I can go faster]. Today there was a lot of wind, I was really fighting,” he said.

The elite runners made the most of dry and sunny conditions to set a fast pace from the outset, and from early on it became apparent that Makau’s record was under threat. previous match against Botswana.

But he returned to score the winner in their 2-1 victory over the Central Africa Republic on September 7 in Brazzaville. Even with the points deduction, they still finished with 13 points to finish top of Group A, comprising favourites South Africa, Botswana and Central Africa Republic.

They play Nigeria on October 13 in Addis Ababa.

Suarez Continues from BP per arm before bouncing over the line.

Sunderland’s defenders did not appeal, however, and eight minutes later Sturridge’s teasing low cross from the right allowed Suarez to slide home his first goal since completing his suspension. The Uruguayan celebrated by lifting his jersey to reveal a T-shirt bearing a picture of his family with his new-born son Benjamin, who was born on Thursday.

The hosts were quick to react though, and after former Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet had saved with his feet from Craig Gardner and Adam Johnson had shot narrowly over, they drew level in the 52nd minute.

There were chances for both teams, Mignolet denying Gardner again, while Westwood saved from Victor Moses and Kolo Toure, before Suarez tucked in his second goal from another Sturridge cross in the 89th minute.

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SERIE A 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Napoli Juventus Roma Inter Milan Fiorentina Lazio Verona Livorno Milan Torino Cagliari Udinese Atalanta Parma Genoa Catania Chievo Bologna Sampdoria Sassuolo

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Vanguard, MONDAY,SEPTEMBER 30, 2013 — 63

C M Y K

VANGUARD, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 , 2013

Moyes: We can’t win Champions League M

Ethiopia sees beyond Eagles

We ‘ll play Spain, Argentina in Brazil 2014

BY JOHN EGBOKHAN

Continues on Page 62

L

UIS Suarez crowned his English Premier League return with a brace as Liverpool won 3-1 at bottom club Sunderland yesterday to climb to second place in the table.

A left-wing corner found Sturridge unmarked at the back post and although he shaped to head the ball, it appeared to strike his up

Continues on Page 62

Kipsang breaks marathon the men’s marathon world record world record by 15 sec-

T

HE Kenyan long distance runner Wilson Kipsang claimed

GRITTY . . .Eagles attacker, Ikechukwu Uche (R ) overcomes Ethiopia’s Alula Girma tackle during their Africa Cup of Nations match at the Royal Bafokeng stadium in Rustenburg. Photo: AP

PUZZLE

Everton St Mirren Granada Fiorentina

v v v v

onds as he stormed to the Berlin title on Sun Continues on Page 62

Today’s matches Newcastle Utd Aberdeen Athletic Bilbao Parma

8:00pm 7:45pm 9:00pm 9:00pm

QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

Donetsk, Moyes admits they are way off the pace.

“To win the Champions League you have to have five or six worldclass players,” he says.

“If you look at Bayern Munich, they have five or six really world-class players and, to win it, you might have to have that in your squad. Look at Barcelona, who had it in the past, and Real Madrid have maybe got it now.

“That’s the level you have to get at to win it.

We’ve not got that yet."

Suarez sends Liverpool second

D

ESPITE being pitted to play African champions, the Super Eagles in the final play-offs for the World Cup, Ethiopia are so sure of qualifying for the Brazil showpiece that they are already thinking of their wouldbe opponents in the tournament.

One of their star players, Menyahil Teshome, told Addis Guday, an Amharic magazine, that Eagles cannot stand on their way of playing for the first time at the World Cup, where they hope to

ANCHESTER United boss David Moyes has conceded that his team has very little chance of success in the UEFA Champions League this season.

The Red Devils have endured a difficult start to life under the Scot, who replaced Sir Alex Ferguson at the start of the season, and suffered an embarrassing 2-1 home defeat to West Brom on Saturday.

And with a tough trip to Ukraine on Wednesday to face Shakhtar

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Faith (6) 5 Bet (6) 8 Demote (8) 9 Off (4) 10 Consumed (3) 12 Felony (5) 15 Fixed (3) 17 Every (3) 18 Pinch (3) 19 Stray (3) 20 Choose (5) 21 Sheep (3) 22 Beverage (3) 23 Manage (3) 24 Tree (3) 26 Pass on (5) 29 Defective (3) 33 Slight (4) 34 Loneliness (8) 35 Ebb (6) 36 Meretricious (6)

DOWN 2 Happening (5) 3 Detail (4) 4 Aptitude (5) 5 Glimmer (5) 6 Imply (4) 7 Depart (5) 10 Stadium (5) 11 Ground (5) 12 Transparent (5) 13 Perfect (5) 14 Access (5) 15 Exhaust (5) 16 Tendency (5) 25 Scorch (5) 27 Follow (5) 28 Apportion (5) 30 Beneath (5) 31 Competent (4) 32 Store (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Find 4, Wit 6, Wail 8, Badger 9, Astute 10, Dam 12, Medal 14, Proud 15, Defer 18, Delete 20, Opened 24, Deter 26, Spear 28, Tramp 30, Shy 32, Intent 33, Attack 34, Tend 35, Wan 36, Cowl.

How to Play Sudoku

P

DOWN: 2, Inane 3, Degrade 4, Word 5, Team 6, Water 7, Intrude 11, Ape 12, Mad 13, Let 16, Fed 17, Rot 19, Expense 21, Pet 22, Erratic 23, Dip 25, Eel 27, Amend 29, Macaw 30, Stow 31, Yarn.

TWO WEEKS TO LIVE

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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