Crisis rocks APC over Kogi election impasse by Vanguard Media Limited

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62638

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015

Missing cash: Defence Hqtrs detains Generals, recalls others for questioning 9

How N65bn Abacha loot was spent — Okonjo-Iweala 37

Crisis rocks APC over Kogi election impasse •Party presents Faleke as running mate to Yahaya Bello •Faleke kicks, rejects offer; threatens to go to court •Youths protest, attack Ali, others at Audu's 8th Fidau; want son as gov COLUMNISTS: P.19

OWEI

LAKEMFA

Hope and hopelessness P.20

NNANNA

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Is CBN’S MPC stronger than Buhari?

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BUJA—THE All Progressives Congress, APC, was last night tethering towards a major crisis over the strong positions of major stakeholders on resolving the problems arising from the death of its candidate in the Kogi State governorship election, Prince Abubakar Audu. The crisis in the party, it was learnt, was also quietly seeping into the presidency with senior presidency officials

Mr & Mrs

FG's N5,000 SWP: Questions, questions

BOYO

Continues on Page 5

OCHEREOME

HENRY

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor, Charles Kumolu, Kingsley Fanwo & Omeiza Ajayi

JERRY GANA @ 70:— Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (left) congratulating Prof. Jerry Gana during the 70th birthday celebration of Prof. Gana at St. Matthew's Anglican Church, Maitama, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Power problem: Fashola meets with DISCOs

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POCKET CARTOON distanced himself from the party immediately he lost the party primaries. It was being said last night that he did not present himself at the two rallies attended by Vice-President Yemi Osinbanjo at Lokoja and Okene.

INEC gives APC tomorrow deadline

COMMISSIONING—From left: Head, Personal and Business Banking, Standard Bank West Africa, Lincoln Mali; Representative of Amuwo-Odofin Constituency 1, Lagos State House of Assembly, Dipo Olorunrinu; Executive Director, Personal and Business Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Obinnia Abajue; and Head, Customer Channels, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Abiodun Gbadamosi, at the commissioning of the Satellite Town, Lagos, branch of the bank.

Crisis rocks APC over Kogi election impasse Continues from Page 1 taking different positions on the issue. At the centre of the crisis, as exclusively reported by Vanguard last Friday, was the decision of the party acting in concert with associates of President Muhammadu Buhari to present Alhaji Yahaya Bello who came second in the APC governorship primaries as the new candidate of the party. The party had also pencilled James Faleke, who was Audu’s running mate in the penultimate weekend election, as also running mate to Bello. However, Faleke, who had earlier through his lawyer, Wole

Olanikpekun written the party to lay his claim to the mandate of the late Audu, at the weekend, further stoked tempers with his formal decision to reject his nomination as Bello’s running mate. In a letter to the party’s national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Faleke flatly rejected his nomination as running mate to Bello, who he accused of betraying the party in its time of need. Against the background of the death of Audu, party officials acting in concert with associates of President Buhari, it was learnt, had pencilled down Bello as the new candidate upon his second place finishing in the party primaries with Faleke as

IT'S UP TO YOU

BY AYO ADIO hat makes you special isn’t really what you do but who you are. Strive to become better each day and life will reward you tremendously. It's up to you.

TAKE HEART BY ELLA RANDLE

Gratitude is a powerful process for shifting your energy and bringing more of what you want into your life— The Secret

PERSON may understand the importance of being grateful, all too often when life throws us curve balls, this grateful mindset all but disappears. It certainly is easier to be grateful when you are on a winning team and things go in your favour. However, the true test of resiliency is those moments when one can’t seem to get over past regrets and disappointments. After all, we might wonder, when things go wrong what really do we have to be grateful about? Be grateful for what you already have and you will attract more good things.

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE It is only a foolish snail that thinks it can quench the fire with it's saliva.

running mate. Under the plans, Mohammed Audu, son of the late candidate was also being proposed as Secretary to the State Government to assuage the camp of the late Audu. However, the plans were seriously being undermined, last night, with reports that Faleke was set to go to court with three Senior Advocates of Nigeria, including one from Kogi State enlisted to push his case at a Federal High Court today. The party, last night was nonetheless, pushing ahead with Bello. Bello, who according to sources, had been told by party officials not to leave Abuja was, last night, invited to present himself at the party secretariat this morning for his unveiling as the new APC candidate in Kogi State. Reflective of his new status, security around Bello has been raised with military, police and Department of State Service operatives giving him all round security. Despite the antagonisms towards him, Bello has been reaching out by telephone to leading stakeholders. Among those he is believed to have reached were Faleke and Chief Clarence Olafemi, who is one of the staunch pillars behind Faleke. Vanguard could not confirm the details of their discussion. Bello has reached Prof. Isaiah Daniel, the director general of the Abubakar Audu Campaign Organisation seeking his support. His efforts nonetheless, those pushing for Faleke argued that Bello

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, meanwhile yesterday affirmed that the APC has until tomorrow to substitute the late Audu. The commission had earlier refuted claims that it gave a deadline to the party to forward the name of its new candidate. However, Deputy Director in charge of Publicity at the commission, Nick Dazang told Vanguard, last night, that the party has till December 1, to submit the name of its candidate. He was however, silent on whether INEC would retain the late Audu’s name on the ballot paper should the party fail to do the needful before the deadline. “APC has been requested to submit a candidate before or on December 1, 2015”, he said, directing further enquiries to the party. In his letter to OdigieOyegun rejecting his nomination as running mate to Bello, Faleke also asserted the fact that the APC lost in Bello’s polling unit and ward, points he projected to reflect his claim that Bello worked against the party during the elections.

Faleke rejects APC offer In the letter to the national chairman dated November 27, 2015 which was also copied to INEC and the APC national secretar y, Faleke said: RE: My purported nomination as Deputy Governor Information at my disposal from the National Secretariat of our party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, and my telephone conversation with your good self, confirmed to me that the party had issued INEC form and submitted my name as running mate to Alhaji Yahaya Bello in the forthcoming unusual and strange governorship elections scheduled for December 5, 2015, covering 91 polling units in Kogi State, to elect a "supplementary governor." Mr. Chair man, you may recall that an

election was conducted on November 21, 2015 in which I was running mate to the late Prince Audu Abubakar. I, therefore, remain fully committed to that joint ticket which received the blessings of the party leadership including your good self evident from your attendance at the campaign rallies to ensure total victory for our great party through which the people of Kogi State massively and overwhelmingly voted for us. Following the demise of my principal after the announcement of results from the polling units, wards, local government areas and the state, our party had the highest number of votes of 240,867 against PDP’s 199,514 thus creating a difference of 41,353 votes between the two leading parties. On the strength of this, I hereby state clearly that I remain the Governor-elect of Kogi State on the platform of our great party. Please take this letter as confirmation to disassociate myself from this unusual and strange supplementary nomination of my humble self as running mate to Alhaji Yahaya Bello. This also serves as a notice of rejection of the purported illegal nomination of myself as running mate to Alhaji Yahaya Bello. I wish to put it on record that I was neither consulted nor informed by anybody before my name was submitted as running mate to a man who has since the conduct of the primaries, abandoned the party, took the party to court, worked for PDP thereby causing our party to lose his polling units with 88 votes to his ally party, the PDP’s 116, repeating same feat at the ward level with APC scoring 1,146 to PDP’s 2,058. While it is true that the said Alhaji Yahaya Bello participated in our primaries, it is trite that party primaries are conducted to produce a candidate and once a candidate is produced, the congress being an ad hoc tool of the party for that purpose should a u t o m a t i c a l l y

extinguish. It is clear from this injustice, that our party is on the path of rewarding disloyalty and discouraging loyalty through this act of impunity for which we all fought the PDP. It may also interest you Mr. Chairman, that the said Alhaji Yahaya Bello since the conduct of the primaries had been aloof from the party activities as it is on record that he did not attend a single meeting or campaign rally of the party. Mr Chairman, I am sure that it is neither in your interest nor that of the party in particular and the public in general to lord an illegality on the people of Kogi State. Please take note that I am not interested in surrendering the mandate of the people of Kogi State bestowed on the Audu/Faleke joint ticket at the Nov 21 polls as I remain the Governor-elect. Sir, I believe in the leadership of our great party to resolve this in the shortest possible time, failure upon which I shall be forced to seek redress in the Court of law. In the same vein, APC youths from Kogi East continued their protest against Bello, yesterday. Some of the youths attacked dignitaries at the 8th day prayer for the late Prince Audu at Ogbonicha on Sunday. Senator Ahmadu Ali, a former National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party and Senator Nicholas Ugbane who represented the Kogi East Senatorial Zone between 2003 and 2011 were among the victims of the attack. Their vehicles were allegedly vandalized by the rampaging youths who were heard chanting songs in support of Mohammed Audu, son of the late Prince Abubakar Audu. The youths threatened to disrupt the December 5 supplementary poll unless Mohammed Audu is fielded by the All Progressives Congress as replacement for his father.

6—Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30 , 2015

Police nab 5 suspected fraudsters in Lagos

By Esther Onyegbula

AGOS—OPERATIVES of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, have arrested five members of a 15-man syndicate that specialized in defrauding innocent members of the public in Lagos and its environs of their hard-earned money. The suspects identified as Adeola Oladele, 42, Friday Philip, 33, Israel Ibe, 35, Oyewole Thompson, 30, and Onyebuchi Godwin, 20, were arrested by RRS operatives after a tip off. Vanguard gathered that the five suspects who were arrested in Oko -Baba- Sule, off Wilma Street, Olodi ,Apapa, were taken to the State Headquarters of the RRS, Alausa, Ikeja, for interrogation. They allegedly admitted being culpable and stated that it was greed and unemployment that lured them into crime. They also claimed to be 15 in number, with one Toronto, as the kingpin of the syndicate.

flyover where he asked me to pay some amount of money, but I told him I had nothing on me, that it was only my ATM card that was on me. I met two other men there. “That day, I gave him my ATM card and he went to the nearest GTBank and withdrew N40,000. The next day I went there, he collected my ATM card again and withdrew N70,000. The third time I went for the products to be given to me, he collected the N60,000 that was on me. When I asked about the products, he also asked me to come with another N40,000, a roll of white handkerchief, a walking stick and three fouls with which to do some rituals before the products could be given to me. He said the N40,000 was to be used to procure a week-old baby

to concoct the charm. I didn’t even know what was controlling me as I was obliging him for whatever he asked me to bring. It was like a divine rescue when I saw armed policemen who invaded the place and started shooting sporadically into the air to effect their arrest. "That was how we were all rounded up and brought down here to Alausa. I thank God for my life.”

Gang leader opens up

One of the leaders of the gang, Oyewole Thompson, said: “I was a clearing and forwarding agent before I joined this gang. I was introduced to this business by Sunny T. We wash money (print fake foreign currency), we lie to

people that we are foreigners. Our chairman is Toronto while some of the other members of the gang are; Emeka, Ifeanyi, Bobo and Onyinbo who is still at large.”

Recovered exhibits

Several denominations of fake US dollars and four mobile phones were recovered from the gang. Speaking on the incident, when contacted, Commander, RRS, Olatunji Disu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP, confirmed the arrests and said investigation had begun and as soon as the probe was concluded, the suspects would be charged to court.

Suspect's account

Oyewole Thompson, 30, said: “We are 15 in number and we divide ourselves into groups whenever we want to go on the prowl. We usually walk around Boundary Market and Marine Beach, all in Apapa, where we go after our preys. We introduce ourselves as foreigners that brought some imported gadgets for sale. We convince our victims and anybody that falls into such a booby trap, we will milk him or her dry. We will ask him or her to bring Naira, which we would either change into fake US dollars or British Pounds. Toronto is the head of our syndicate, while Ifeanyi, Emeka, Bobo and Onyibo head different groups.” Residents of the affected Wilma area, who also came and testified against the arrested men, claimed their base under the Wilma flyover was a dangerous and no-go area where cries of students and ladies were often heard.

Victim’s account

A 26-year-old victim, Chiamaka Anusim, narrated her story; “My travail began sometime in August, 2015, when I was accosted by a man who I later knew as Oyewole Thompson, at Mile 2 bus stop, on my way to Ago Pallace way. The man just walked up to me where I was waiting to board a tricycle that would take me to Ago and introduced himself as a foreigner who was looking for ladies who could assist him to market some used phone sets and laptops he just brought from abroad. I told him that I was in a hurry to go for a nanny job interview. The man kept on pestering me, that he was going to reward me handsomely if I could assist him market the products and I succumbed to the pressure. From there, he took me to a place under the Wilma C M Y K

Pastor's son, 17, allegedly rapes, murders girl, 14, in Delta By Emma Amaize SAPELE—A 17-yearold son of a pastor has allegedly killed a 14year-old girl after raping her, while her nine-year-old sister escaped with wounds inflicted on her by the suspect at Sapele, Sapele Local Government Area, Delta State. The incident occurred at Oduduru Road, Sapele, same street where a kidnap gang shot dead a young pastor, Great Oduduru, last week. The kidnappers were said to have trailed a businessperson to the area. A source said worshipers at the suspect’s father ’s church were shocked at the conduct of his son, which they described as unbecoming of cleric's son. .

The suspects

Boko Haram kills soldier, 6 others in fresh Borno attacks •Abducts teenage girls By Ndahi Marama

AIDUGURI—ABOUT seven persons including a soldier, were killed in both Bam and Gajigana villages of Biu and Magumeri Local Government Areas of Borno State. In the two attacks, while unspecified numbers of teenage girls were abducted in Bam Village, scores of people were injured in Gajigana village after insurgents set ablaze shops and houses without confrontation. Bam is about 7 kilometers away from Buratai village the home town of Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai. Buratai village has suffered series of Boko Haram attacks including the razing down of a mansion owned by the Army

General. A resident of the area who fled to Miringa town for safety, Mallam Ali Bam, told Vanguard on phone that the insurgents went to the village at about 3:30 am at the weekend and set ablaze the whole village, after killing four persons and fled unchallenged with unspecified number of unmarried teenage girls kidnapped. He said “the Boko Haram terrorists after separating a lot of teenage girls from married women in Bam, set ablaze the whole village and fled with the girls unchallenged, as the attack lasted for some hours before they fled. I called on General Buratai to do something as we have been telling the soldiers that the Boko Haram were so close to the village, but

they only went to Mangari village which is few kilometers away from Buratai and shot into the air and left. The soldiers don’t want to confront the terrorists, Buratai should better do something before they start attacking and sacking villages, as they were doing before.” Similarly, Boko Haram terrorists attacked and burnt down Gajiganna village killing three persons including a soldier before carting away a lot of foodstuff. Gajigana is north and about 50 kilometres drive from Maiduguri. A member of the Civilian JTF from the area, Mallam Aliyu Jibrin, told Vanguard that the insurgents who came at 8:30pm on Friday started shooting

sporadically into the air to scare people, where they killed one man, one woman and a soldier before they carted away a lot of foodstuff after setting ablaze all the shops in the village. “I believe it was a revenge mission, because recently, we arrested over 17 Boko Haram insurgents in the community and handed them over to the military. I am calling on the Federal government and the military authorities to do something about the pockets of insurgents in the bushes andvillagersbeforetheyregroupandstart attacking big towns and villages," he stated. He lamented that the attack on Gajigana could have been avoided if soldiersactedontheinformationathand, but when they came the soldiers took to their heels without facing the insurgents.

Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30 , 2015—7

Police arrest suspected pickpockets at funeral By Egufe Yafugborhi & Perez Brisibe

ARRI—TWO s u s p e c t e d pickpockets were weekend apprehended before getting away with an iPhone and an unspecified sum of money stolen from the pocket of a traditional ruler at a funeral service in Effurun, Delta State. The suspects in their early 30s, had invaded the venue of the funeral service of Chief Torch Oritseweyinmi Taire, and had strategically positioned themselves before luck ran out on them. One of the suspects was caught in the act by an undertaker at the grave side while the corpse was being lowered into the grave. Upon a body search by a combined team of police and military personnel present, the phone and a wad of cash was found in the pocket of the suspect who was immediately taken away with his accomplice.

Customs destroys N11.56m worth of frozen food in Benin

ENIN—THE Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, Federal Operation Unit, Zone C, weekend said it destroyed 1,365 cartons of imported frozen products valued at N11.56 million in Benin City, Edo State. In a statement by the Comptroller of Zone C, Mr Victor Dimka, in Benin, NCS said 1,205 cartons of the 1,365 cartons contained imported frozen poultry products, valued at N9.6 million. The remaining 160 cartons contained frozen fish estimated at about N1.9 million respectively. The statement said the items were destroyed on Saturday at the NSC office in Benin. It added that the items were seized on Thursday by officers and men of NCS in the Benin-Ekiadolor area at about 1.00 p.m. According to the statement, the Duty Paid Value, DPV, of the poultry products and frozen fish were N1.5 million and N2.2 million, respectively.

ACCIDENT: Scene of an accident at Ojuelegba Bridge, Surulare, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

Fraud suspect dies in EFCC's custody A

By Soni Daniel

BUJA—TRAGEDY has hit the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, after a suspect in its custody, suddenly developed chest pains, and died. Arowofela Olufemi, who was being investigated by the commission following allegations by the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, that he fraudulently converted over N100 million dividend warrants to himself, died in a military hospital, where he was rushed to by officials of the EFCC. A statement made available to Vanguard yesterday indicated that Olufemi had complained of chest pains early in the day and was rushed to an unnamed military hospital in Lagos, where he gave up the ghost before doctors could attend to him. The EFCC statement was signed by its spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, who said the cause of the suspect’s death was unknown as at the time of going to the press. Uwujaren said: “The cause of the sudden death is yet to be ascertained even as the corpse of the deceased has been deposited at the mortuary of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. The family of the deceased has already been notified of the incident while the matter has been reported to the Onikan Division of the Nigeria Police.” It will be recalled that the late Olufemi was arrested following a complaint by the SEC, alleging that he was

involved in fraudulent conversion of dividend warrants of over N100 million. Following the report by SEC, operatives of EFCC arrested

him at the premises of a bank while attempting to cash alleged stolen dividend warrants. After his arrest and

detention, he was offered administrative bail but could not produce a surety to perfect his bail thereby leading to extended incarceration.

Man, 54, in Police net over alleged fraud

By Esther Onyegbula

AGOS—POLICE in Lagos State have arrested a 54-yearold man alleged to be an expert in swindling unsuspecting members of the public by selling fake mobile phones as genuine ones to them. The suspect identified as Michael Bisa, was weekend arrested along Oshodi-Apapa Expressway at about 5: 50 pm, when the policemen attached to Rapid Response Squad, RRS, on patrol, suspected his movements on sighting him. Confessing to the crime, the suspect, who is a native of Delta State, said poverty led him into the act of duping innocent people. Explaining the tactics employed to swindle his victims under false pretense, Bisa said: “What I usually do is called exchange. My prospective victims will have the mind of buying handset from me but unknown to them, I would have changed the real handset to soap wrapped with cut-to-size carton put inside an envelope. I will engage them in discussion after showing them the real phone initially, and in the process of bargaining for the price, I will change it with the aid of white

handkerchief to fake phone. And I will tell them to keep the phone inside their pockets immediately, that people are watching us. As soon as they leave the spot, I will change my clothes to make it difficult for them to identify me in case the victim discovers that he has been duped.” The suspect who has four children from three different women, explained that his friend, Hakeem Tijani, now late, introduced him to the act of stealing. “I was a refrigerator technician in Uvwie Local Government Area, Effuru in Delta State before I came to Lagos to look for greener pastures about 15 years ago. But my expectations were dashed when situations got so hard for me in the center of excellence. I met one ypung man then, Hakeem Tijani, he is late now, and he was the one that introduced this act of stealing to me. Since that time, about four years ago, this act of stealing has been my only source of livelihood.” The suspect, who looked frail, said he was a drug addict, saying “my first wife taught me

how to smoke all sorts of hard drugs including cocaine. She later died from the complications she suffered due to much intake of hard drugs.” The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP, Joe Offor, confirmed the arrest. Items such as fake phones, key soap cut- to- size, shirts, money, packet of envelopes and cut-tosize cartons, were recovered from him.

The suspect., Michael Bisa.

8—Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30 , 2015

Gana at 70: Osinbajo, Gowon, Adeboye, Okoh, others harp on service to humanity By Caleb Ayansina

BUJA — THE Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and other eminent Nigerians, yesterday, urged Nigerians to live a life full of service to humanity as an elder statesman, Professor Jerry Gana, celebrated his 70th birthday in grand style. Speaking at the birthday thanksgiving service in honour of Prof. Gana, who clocked 70 years, at the St. Matthew’s (Anglican) Church, Maitama, Abuja, the Vice President said in any capacity people find themselves to serve, they should do it with all their heart and mind, knowing fully well that God is the rewarder of those who diligently served Him. Osinbajo said service to humanity is service to God, noting that “whatever it is that we have or we are doing, we must do it well. Whether it is important or not that is where God has placed us to play a role.” The vice president described Gana as “one of the few talented Nigerians, who has been able to get himself into the consciousness of Nigerians.” In his goodwill message, former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd) said Gana had lived a life worthy of emulation and demonstrated that the ultimate thing to do in life is service to the people. Also speaking, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye and General T. Y. Danjuma described Gana as a man of the people, who is recognised across all faiths in the country. Wishing him many peaceful years ahead, they urged Nigerians to always live a life that gives glory to God by affecting others positively. In his sermon, the Primate, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, the Most Revd Nicholas Okoh urged the celebrant to continue to speak the truth, as there is nothing else to be afraid of at 70. “You should continue to speak the truth at all times to glorify God. As a statesman, help us to build the country. The younger generation is entitled to good life and if they don’t get it, they will write off our generation,” Okoh said. Responding, the celebrant, Prof Jerry Gana gave glory to God for keeping him alive to witness his 70th birthday and promised to continue to contribute his quota to the development of the country. C M Y K

ICPC moves against sacked Perm Secs •N292m found in ex-perm sec’s account •Chukwu defends land allocation

By Omeizia Ajayi

BUJA— MORE facts emerged, weekend, as to the actual reason President Muhammadu Buhari sacked some permanent secretaries, among them, that of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Engr. John Obinna Chukwu. Chukwu, it was learnt, was among the eight permanent secretaries being investigated by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, over alleged illegal deals while in office. But the ICPC declined to give details of the financial transactions for which Chukwu was being probed.

The anti-graft agency opted to probe the permanent secretaries when its operatives discovered N292 million in the accounts of one of them just within six months of his appointment as a top government official. However, our correspondent learned that the former FCT permanent secretary might soon be summoned for questioning over his role in some questionable financial transactions under Senator Bala Mohammed as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration. However, a source in the commission said the probe of the former permanent secretary was in connection with some

financial transactions and questionable land allocations under him. “These are very weighty and serious allegations that the commission is currently working on. Do not forget that Engr. John Obinna Chukwu was the accounting officer of FCT Administration during Senator Bala Mohammed and it will be strange if he is not aware of alleged missing funds. "However, as soon as investigation is concluded on these issues, the commission will invite him to explain his role,” the source said. When asked whether President Buhari dropped

him as a result of corruption allegations, the source said: “I don’t know why he was dropped because I am not the president’s spokesman, but one thing is certain, we are carrying out serious investigations into the administration of the FCT in the last dispensation.” Contacted, Chukwu queried whether the people who got land allocations during his tenure were not Nigerians. He expressed readiness to cooperate with the anti-graft agencies anytime he would be called upon to defend his tenure. “Are they saying the people we gave land are not Nigerians? Well, when I am called upon for explanation, I will be available”, he said, declining further comments.

Fashola, NERC meet with DISCOs on tariff By Clara Nwachukwu

AGOS —MINISTER of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, is meeting with the management of distribution companies, DISCOs, today with a view to acquainting himself with them and also intimate them about his expectations from them on the way forward. The meeting, which will hold in the minister ’s office this afternoon comes ahead of a scheduled meeting between the power industry regulator, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC and the DISCOs, to discuss the contentious issue of tariff. This comes as NERC said it has already worked out some benchmarks for DISCOs to meet in order to approve tariff increases for them. Fashola had earlier met with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and later with the Chairman of NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, last week, to discuss development in the nation’s power sector, during which according to sources familiar with the meeting, stressed the need for DISCOs to recapitalise. The minister had noted that the DISCOs needed to perform better, adding that there were several options open to them including recapitalisation by floating their shares in the capital market to raise the necessary funds to retool and run their operations. He had also agreed that some deliverables be set for the DISCOs, as funding will no longer be accepted as an excuse for non-performance. But there were also speculations that the minister

CELEBRATION: From left, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Department of Finance and Adminstration, FHQ Abuja, Danazumi Job Doma; University of Lagos Bursar, Dr Lateef Odekunle; Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Rahamon Bello; Prof. Jerry Gana the celebrant and Editor-in-Chief, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr Gbenga Adefaye during the 70th birthday celebration of Prof. Jerry Gana at St. Matthew's Anglican Church, Abuja. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan may have given approval to NERC to revoke licences of distribution companies who are unable to meet their privatisation obligations. The speculations may have been given credence by the recent pronouncement by the Director General, Bureau of Public Enterprises, Mr. Benjamin Dikki, who warned that the Federal Government would reacquire the stakes of non-performing DISCOs for $1, and float their shares on the stock market. Some of the DISCOs, who were also allegedly penciled down for such licence revocations, denied knowledge of such a move, and told Vanguard that “If such is to happen, we will be

communicated formally in writing.” But denying this vehemently, Amadi told Vanguard on phone yesterday that Fashola could not have given such approvals, considering that he is yet to have the details of the DISCOs operations, and was still studying developments in his ministry. According to him, “the minister can’t approve for licences to be revoked when he doesn’t have any details on the operations of the DISCOs. Besides, revocation of licence is a last resort after every other measure may have failed. So it is not a decision that is taken lightly.”

New tariff

He, however, admitted that the Minister, NERC and the DISCOs will be meeting today for a formal introduction to Fashola, while NERC discusses the deliverables upon which tariff increases will be approved for the DISCOs. Amadi disclosed: “NERC is working on service level agreements with the DISCOs, which will be tied to deliverables that will go with new tariffs, going forward.” He further said: “The meeting with them (DISCOs) is strictly to talk about tariff. The minister also wants to meet with them to introduce himself to them and urge them to brace up to their responsibilities.”

Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30 , 2015—9

VISIT: From left: Executive Director, Dangote Foundation, Hajiya Halimat Dangote; Dangote Project Division, General Manager Civil, Auwalu Haliru; and Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State during a visit to Hajiya Mariya Sanusi Dantata Ultra Modern Medical Complex by Dangote Foundation under construction, in Kano, Saturday.

Missing cash: Defence Hqtrs detains Generals, recalls others •May use some detainees as witnesses against Dasuki By Soni Daniel, Northern Region Editor

BUJA — IN a bid to recover stolen defence cash running into trillions of Naira, the Defence Headquarters might have started recalling no fewer than 20 Generals said to have been involved in the purchase of arms and ammunition for the country. Competent military sources told Vanguard last night that the suspected top military officers were being detained at a military facility in Abuja and would soon be made to face the music for their roles in fleecing the nation. Similarly, the sources hinted that key military, naval and air force officers, who had retired within the last three months, were also being recalled to face an investigating panel probing the purchase of arms for the nation since 2009 with a view to ascertaining their roles in the missing defence funds. According to one of the sources, who spoke in confidence to our correspondent yesterday, the investigative panel, which was raised by the Chief of Army Staff, is headed by a Brigadier General, whose name was not also disclosed for security reasons. According to a source, “I can tell you that the current leadership of the Defence institution in Nigeria has zero tolerance for corruption given the need to give Nigeria a new lease of life. All those suspected to have diverted any money meant for the armed forces are being recalled to explain their roles in arms purchase. “As we speak, some Generals currently serving are under detention at a military facility in Abuja while some who had retired but held sensitive appointments relating to arms C M Y K

and logistics procurement have been recalled by an investigating panel.” It was learnt that some of the detained top military officers might have connived with some national security officers to divert huge sums of money set aside for the procurement of vital equipment and platforms for the armed forces by acknowledging receipt of such items when none had been supplied. The Presidency is said to have ordered the military authorities to take immediate steps to recover stolen funds allocated to them.

54,000.00 Euros, 53 were failed contracts amounting to $2,378,939,066.27 and N13,729,342,329.87 respectively. According to the statement, the committee also noted that the amount of foreign currency spent on failed contracts was more than double the one billion dollars loan that the National Assembly approved for borrowing to fight the insurgency in the North East.

Yuletide: Army advises Nigerians on security

Panel report

This followed the report of a panel raised by President Muhammadu Buhari on August 31 this year to look into defence budget and recommend the way forward for Nigeria. In turning in its interim report, the panel raised the alarm that certain individuals saddled with the task of arms procurement for Nigeria, made away with huge sums and left the army to fight with bare hands. The panel said that extra budgetary interventions collated by the committee was N643.8 billion while the foreign currency component was $2.2 billion. The report indicated that the amounts excluded grants from the state governments and funds collected by the Directorate of State Services and the Police. The statement said the committee observed that in spite of this huge financial intervention, very little was expended to support defence procurement.

Failed contracts

The committee also observed that of 513 contracts awarded at $8,356,525,184.32; N2,189,265,724,404.55 and

It stated that the committee also discovered that payments to the tune of N3.850 billion were made to a single company by the former NSA without documented evidence of contractual agreements or fulfilment of tax obligations to the Federal Government. The statement said: “Further findings revealed that between March 2012 and March 2015, the erstwhile NSA, Lt. Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd) awarded fictitious and phantom contracts to the tune of N2,219,188,609.50; $1,671,742,613.58 and 9,905,477.00 Euros. “The contracts, which were said to be for the purchase of four Alpha Jets, 12 helicopters, bombs and ammunition were not executed and the equipment were never supplied to the Nigerian Air Force, neither are they in its inventory. “Even more disturbing was the discovery that out of these figures, two companies, were awarded contracts to the tune of N350,000,000.00; $1,661,670,469.71 and 9,905,477.00 Euros alone. “This was without prejudice to the consistent nonperformance of the companies in the previous contracts awarded. “Additionally, it was discovered that the former NSA directed the Central Bank of Nigeria to transfer $132,050,486.97 and 9,905,473.55 Euros to the accounts of Societe D’equipmente Internationaux in West Africa, United Kingdom and United States of America for un-ascertained purposes, without any contract documents to explain the transactions.”

By Kingsley Omonob

BUJA — DAYS after the Department of State Services, DSS, warned Nigerians, particularly residents of the FCT, of plots by the Boko Haram terror group to carry out attacks and bombings in market places and religious centers, the Nigerian Army has urged citizens to be extra vigilant and security conscious in tackling insecurity in the country as the Xmas and New Year seasons approach. Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, made the call, weekend, at inaugural annual lecture of Class 1992 Alumni of Mass Communications Department of Bayero University Kano (BUK). In a paper he delivered entitled ‘Crisis Communication and Security Consciousness: A Case Study of Nigeria’ at the occasion, Colonel Usman, who is also an old student of the department insisted that Nigerian military and intelligence operatives are virtually in every local government council in the country trying to pre-empt the dastardly plots of enemies.

Usman said citizens should not only rely on security for protection but should be security conscious and provide useful information to relevant security agencies. He said: “With the kind of intelligence we receive regularly from the military and security operatives, the citizens need to be proactive and security conscious while the media intensify campaign on same. “Internal security challenge is not a problem unique to Nigeria. The US, UK, France and many other countries face similar challenges within their borders on daily basis. “The difference between these countries and ours is the management of threats by the government and the citizenry; how knowledgeable they are, how patriotic and united their citizens are against threats of insecurity and crisis. “The countries are never divided on political, ethical, religion or professional ground when the interest of the nation is the subject."

N7bn Kano hospital ready in 2016 —Dangote

ANO—Chief E x e c u t i v e of the Dangote Foundation, Ms Halima Dangote, has said that the ongoing construction of a multi-billion naira state-ofthe-art Operating Theatre and Diagnostic Centre at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano will be completed next year. Ms Dangote, who disclosed this when her team visited the Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, weekend, said the Operating Theatre and Diagnostic Centre will cost the Foundation N7 billion. She attributed the earlier delay to technical hitches and said the new contractor, Dantata and Sawoe, has returned to site. She also said the routine immunization programme of the Foundation has been extended to Bauchi, Yobe, Maiduguri and Katsina. She said the foundation’s Business School’s Project at the Bayero University Kano has gulped N524 million, even as it injected N500 million into Kano School of Technology. Ms Dangote also revealed that the Foundation was determined to build a 500MW of electricity station in Kano. She described some of the projects as “game changing projects” to be completed in the next two years. Responding, Governor Ganduje said the President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote has done a lot for the people of Kano who will remain grateful forever. He singled out the contribution of the Foundation to the fight against polio disease, adding that it was indeed a massive intervention. He said with the help of the Dangote Foundation, the state will soon be given its polio free certificate, adding: “We are ready to do anything to support your effort.” He further described Dangote’s intervention at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital as massive, saying the hospital is one of the oldest in West Africa. The Foundation has also completed the construction of seven out of the 11 primary health care centres it is building in the state.

10—Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015

Cylinder explosion: Lagos assures victims of adequate medical attention By Olasunkanmi Akoni

AGOS — THE Lagos State Government has assured victims of the Owode-Onirin scrap market, along Mile-12, Ikorodu Road, cylinder explosion receiving treatment at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, Ikeja of adequate medical attention and would not abandon them. Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter Governmental Relations, Dr. Ibironke Sodeinde gave the assurance at the weekend during her visit to the survivors in LASUTH. The victims who were 11 in number, including fire fighters as at the time of admission were rushed from the scene of the fire outbreak at Owode-Onirin area of Ikorodu as a result of direct exposure to suspected ammonia gas discharged from ruptured abandoned cylinder causing the fire fighters and the traders who became unconscious to be rushed to hospital.

Oil marketer denies subsidy theft allegations By Abdulwahab Abdulah

AGOS— An oil marketer, Adaoha Ugo-Ndagi, has told a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja that the N1.9 billion subsidy fraud charge preferred against her and three others were false. Ugo-Ndagi, Managing Director of Ontario Oil and Gas Limited, who was testifying before Justice Lateefa Okunnu, maintained that the allegations were an attempt to settle old scores between Ontario and two other key players in the industry. She urged the court to discharge and acquit herself, Ontario and Mr Walter Wagbatsoma, Executive Director of the firm, of the ninecount charge of conspiracy, obtaining property by false pretences, forgery and uttering. Led in evidence by the defence counsel, Mr Edoka Onyeke, Ugo-Ndagi, said she had never met the third defendant, Mr Fakuade Babafemi, a staff of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Authority (PPPRA), until they were arraigned in court. C M Y K

Synagogue: Lagos arraigns TB Joshua, others today By Abdulwahab Abdulah

AGOS — THE trustees of Synagogue Church of All Nations, SCOAN, will today be arraigned before a Lagos State High Court in Ikeja over the collapse of a six-storey building in the church on September 12, 2014, which led to the death of 116 persons. Senior Pastor of the church, Prophet T. B. Joshua is one of the trustees. The trustees will be arraigned before Justice Lawal Akapo alongside the engineers that constructed the collapsed building. A statement by the Deputy Director, Public Affairs of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Bola Akingbade, confirmed the

scheduled arraignment. Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court in Lagos had dismissed the fundamental human rights enforcement suits filed by the engineers who constructed the collapsed sixstorey building to stop their planned trial. The engineers— Mr. Oladele Ogundeji and Mr. Akinbela Fatiregun—had filed two separate suits before Justice Buba seeking an order restraining the police from inviting, arresting or prosecuting them over the victims’ death. The Lagos State Government had set up a Coroner Inquest to unravel what went wrong, and via a verdict delivered on August 7, 2015 by Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe, the Coroner had

indicted the engineers and recommended them for investigation and prosecution for criminal negligence. The engineers had filed the suits following the Coroner’s verdict, which attributed the building collapse to structural defect. The engineers had specifically rejected the Coroner’s verdict, describing it as “unreasonable, one-sided and biased.” But Justice Buba, in his ruling on the defendants’ preliminary objection, held that the engineers “had not made out a case of infringement on their fundamental rights even on the merit of the application,” and dismissed their applications.

FUN UNLIMITED: From left: Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde; General Manager, Lagos Television, Mr. Deji Balogun; wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode; Commissioner’s wife, Mrs. Bimbo Ayorinde; member, Lagos Television Management Board, Mrs. Toyin Ayanbadejo and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information & Strategy, Mr. Folarin Adeyemi, during the official opening of the LTV Christmas family funfair tagged "Fun Unlimited," at LTV, Agindingbi, Ikeja, on Saturday.

AIB faults Senate’s claim on air accident reports By Lawani Mikairu & Daniel Eteghe

AGOS— ACCIDENT Investigation Bureau, AIB, yesterday faulted the Senate claim that the agency is keeping the reports of investigation into air crashes in the country from the public, describing the claim as untrue. A senator had during plenary, last Tuesday, said the investigative reports on Sosoliso crash of 2005, Bellview crash of 2005, ADC crash of 2006 and Dana crash of 2012 were yet to be in the public domain. But AIB said that the reports in question, like many others, were on the AIBs website. According to Tunji Oketunbi, Head, Public Affairs, AIB, “the attention of Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has been drawn to a report that the Senate on Tuesday condemned the Accident Investigation Bureau for keeping the reports of

investigation into air crashes in the country from the public. “The upper chamber subsequently mandated its Committee on Aviation to thoroughly investigate the remote and immediate causes of the trend and report its findings to the Senate within two weeks. “The distinguished senator that raised the matter before the Senate alluded to the reports on Sosoliso crash of 2005, Bellview crash of 2005, ADC crash of 2006 and DANA crash of 2012 as major reports that were yet to be in the public domain. “Accident Investigation Bureau holds the Senate and the distinguished senators in high regard and would not want to join issue with the premier legislative arm. “However, the AIB is saddened by this unjustified vilification of the bureau on the floor of the Senate as the allegation was mostly incorrect. The Senate was

misinformed. As at the time the debate was going on in the Senate, the reports referred to were on the bureau’s web site (aib.gov.ng) and just a click away from any interested member of the public.” He revealed that “For record purpose, Sosoliso Accident report, which had been released since 2006 and published in the national newspapers has been on the bureau’s website for several years now. Bellview and ADC crash reports have been published and have been on our website since 2012 while DANA’s preliminary report has been published since July 2012. Other outstanding accident reports are being diligently pursued. “A little research, including a check on our website or the aviation committee of the Senate would have made this debate unnecessary.

N117m debt: Court freezes guarantor’s accounts in 17 banks By Innocent Anaba

LAGOS High Court a s granted a garnishee order nisi attaching any money in the accounts of the guarantors of Holyview Investment International Limited in about 17 commercial banks in the country, for allegedly refusing to pay a judgment debt estimated at N117 million. Trial judge, Justice Olusola Williams granted the garnishee order to ensure that money in the account of the guarantor, Pastor Samson Oluwamodede, in commercial banks and other agencies are attached for the payment of the judgment debt. The court gave the order following a motion ex-parte against Holyview Investment International Limited, Mr. Babatunde Francis Adebayo and Pastor Oluwamodede (judgement debtors). The court directed the banks to file on oath statements of accounts showing the judgment debtors’ financial status with them up to date immediately prior to the service of the garnishee order. The court also directed the commercial banks to attach all money in any account(s) in their custody to satisfy the sum of N117 million debts’ adjudged due to the judgement creditors. However, following the order of court, one the garnisheed banks, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, admitted on oath in an affidavit filed before the court, that the guarantor of the debtors, Pastor Oluwamodede, maintain accounts with GTB with available balances in the sums of N4,045,832.45, N 2 , 1 3 0 , 3 3 7 . 4 4 , N1,071,863.34, $3,027,50, £2,130,337,.44 and •110.00 However, at the resumed hearing of the suit, GTB in a motion on notice, sought leave of the court to vary the garnishee order nisi on the grounds that the figures earlier provided by GTB was wrong due to typographical error. The bank said in the application that the amount contained in all the accounts held by the 3rd judgement debtor, Olumodede with it, cannot make up the judgement sum and therefore, cannot satisfy the entire judgement debt. h

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Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015 — 11

Obasanjo raises alarm over unemployment By Daud Olatunji

BEOKUTA—FORMER President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has urged the federal, state and local governments to do more in the area of employment. The former president who spoke at the 10th anniversary and 6th and 7th convocation ceremonies of Tai Solarin University of Education, TASUED, Ijagun, Ijebu Ode, warned: “If there is no job for the unemployed to feed themselves and also to contribute to the development of the country, then, we will all be sitting on gun powder. “If university education was not for development then, it was not serving any useful purpose. It must be for development, personal, local, national and even global and that is very important.” He stated that education is a meal ticket for anybody that has it, adding that it is also a means of breaking the poverty cycle. Obasanjo advised: “I believe in lifelong education. Nobody should stop learning until he or she die.” He said that he accepted the award because of the personality the school was named after, saying that Tai Solarin was one of the greatest educationists the country has ever produced. He also told the audience that he was honoured to be honoured in conjunction with Chief Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, insisting, “Anywhere

Mama is being honoured, we must join hands to to honour her.” Obasanjo was honoured with an Honourary Doctorate of Education in Political Science while HID was honoured with Honourary Doctorate in Business Education while Aliko Dangote was conferred with Honorary Doctorate in Science and Business Education. HID Awolowo's daughter, Mrs Tola Adeniran, received the award on behalf of her mother's behalf. Ogun State governor,

Senator Ibikunle Amosun, in his speech at the occasion said: “This year’s convocation ceremony, which marks the successful completion of another academic session, is a continued demonstration of commitment to the production of qualified teaching personnel for our education system. “You are all expected to use your collective wisdom, knowledge, ability and exposure to sustain and promote the ideals of this great institution.” He disclosed that the 12

First Class students would be given automatic employment by the state government. The Vice -Chancellor of the University, Professor Oluyemisi Obilade, in her welcome address, said: “The university is a specialised university, uniquely positioned to respond to national and global educational needs for equipping graduands with the necessary and pedagogical skills as well as content knowledge for effective teaching and learning.”

BURIAL: From left, Deputy Governor, Osun State, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori; Member, Osun House of Assembly, Hon. Israel Aloba and Chairman, Osun House of Assembly Committee on Information and Strategy, Hon. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, during Oyintiloye's mother's burial in Ibokun, Osun State, weekend.

Era of economic hardship over in Osun —Aregbesola By Gbenga Olarinoye

SOGBO—AS the present administration in Osun State enters its 6th year in office, the governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has said that the economic hardship in the state has come to an end. The governor stated this during the commissioning of the new Ife/ Orile-Owu 33KV feeder line at Orile-Owu, Ayedaade Local Government Area of the state. Aregbesola noted that his administration is committed to making life meaningful and abundant to the people of Osun hence the infrastructural development in the nooks and crannies of the state. The governor commended the people of Orile-Owu and its environs for their patience over the years before electricity was restored to the communities at the cost of N225 million. Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, Rural Development and Community Affairs, Engr. Oriolowo, commended Aregbesola for his ingenuity in

creating the ministry in Osun. He noted that the age-long isolation of some settlements from the national electricity grid is now addressed with the construction of the new 33KV outdoor bay at 132/33KV transformer stations in Ajebandele in Ile-Ife.

Govt deserves no tax — CSCEO

Meantime, a group in the

state, under the auspices of Civil Society Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun State, CSCEO, has declared that the present administration in the state, under the watch of Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, did not deserve to collect any tax from indigenes of the state. He said this was because the governor allegedly failed to adhere strictly with the provision of the amended 1999

Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that stipulated the condition for collection of taxes. It also stated that Aregbesola's administration in the state did not provide any dividend of democracy to the people of the state since November 27, 2010 that would encourage the citizens to perform their obligation to the state government.

Ekiti First Lady rounds off tour today in Ado Ekiti

IFE of Ekiti State G o v e r n o r, M r s Feyisetan Fayose, will today round off her one week tour of all the 16 local government areas of the state in Ado Ekiti, the state capital. According to a statement in Ado Ekiti yesterday by her Special Assistant (Media), Gbenga Ariyibi, the first lady had used the opportunity of her tour to distribute Mama kits and specialised milks to

pregnant women in all the 15 local governments earlier visited Mrs Fayose, according to the statemen, equally distributed school bags and sandals to some indigent students in different parts of the state. Highlight of her excellency ’s programme during the tour was the sensitization of women on how to key into family

planning process, the need to discourage teenage pregnancy and the special lecture delivered by the officials of Ekiti State Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti to pregnant women. Mrs Fayose was received multitude of people, mostly market women and Iyalojas, women leaders and the Oloris in all the places already visited.

Ajimobi appoints media aides By Ola Ajayi

BADAN—SIX months after being sworn in as the governor of Oyo State for a second term, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, yesterday, announced the names of those that will form his communication team. Before the appointment, people in the state had expected that the governor would form his cabinet in September. According to a statement by the Head of Service, Mr. Soji Eniade, Mr. Yomi Layinka, a broadcaster, is the Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, while a former Punch Journalist, Mr. Akin Oyedele, is the Senior Special Assistant on Print and Broadcast. The governor appointed an Ibadan Polytechnic top official, Mr. Femi Ipadeola, as his Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs. Until his new appointment, Layinka was the Chief Operating Officer of the BCOS, as well as a Senior Special Assistant to Ajimobi during the governor ’s first tenure. Oyedele is a University of Lagos graduate of Mass Communication, where he emerged as overall best graduating student of his class. He was a Chief Correspondent with the Punch Newspaper until 2010 when a former governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, appointed him as Special Assistant on Media. Ipadeola, who has held top administrative and board management positions in public and private sectors was the Dean, Faculty of Business and Communication Studies, The Polytechnic, Ibadan, until his new position in the administration of Ajimobi.

12—Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015

Paramilitary pensioners seek review of 2004 Pension Scheme Act By Gabriel Enogholase

ENIN—PENSIONERS from the paramilitary forces in Nigeria have called on the Federal Government to review the 2004 Pension Act which captured those who were not eligible, with a view to returning them to the former pension scheme and their gratuity reimbursed. The pensioners, in a statement in Benin, Edo State, weekend, by Mr. P. Hiaghana, at the end of their meeting, accused the Fifth National Assembly of foisting on unsuspecting Nigerians, an allegedly reprehensive, oppressive and discriminative Pension Act devoid of fairness to all. Noting that the Contributing Pension Scheme was a laudable programme, it said that the 2004 Pension Act from inception was hinged on deceit and self serving motives rather than to address the problems it was meant to solve. They said: “The legislators of the 5th National Assembly, many of whom are the owners and shareholders of the various PFA’s in the country, enacted the law to suit their whims regardless of whose rights was trampled upon. Otherwise, how could they have plunged would be retirees who had attained 25 years and above of their services into the 2004 Pension Scheme knowing full well that they would not have contributed any substantial

amount to their pension?” They noted that the idea of exempting only those with two years and below of their services from the scheme had exposed their cryptic and nefarious intentions and wondered how feasible it was for anybody to use less than four years to contribute 7 ½ percent of his salary for his pension of 35 years. The pensioners said that while

that was not feasible, those of them who were not eligible by virtue of years served were roped into the scheme because of perceived avenue to make huge gains by the faceless owners of the PFAs. “The consequence of this was to delve into peoples’ gratuities having observed that the meagre sum contributed would not make up for their pensions and branded it lump sum. Prior

to 2004 Pension Act, letters of appointment specially stipulated that employees on retirement are entitled to three years annual salary as gratuity and pension for life. “This was not considered when enacting their self serving laws, nor did it bother them that the so-called lump sum is a far cry from reality when compared with three years annual salary of the old pension scheme," they said.

UNVEILING: From left: Mr Tolu Lawani, Marketing Manager, West, East & North Africa, Hewlett Packard, HP; Mrs Ifeyinwa Afe, Managing Director, HP, Nigeria and Mr Oladimeji Olaniyi, representing Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lagos State, at the unveiling of the New HP Incoporated in Lagos, at Civic Centre, Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau.

Forgive our father’s wrongs, late Olu’s children urge Itsekiri nation By Egufe Yafugborhi

ARRI—CHILDREN of the late Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II, have urged the Itsekiri nation to forgive their father of any wrong he might have done during his reign. The children, at a special gathering in honour of their late father at the Aghofen Palace ground in War ri, weekend, also drummed support for Prince Godfrey Emiko, the Atuwatse’s successor, who is to be crowned December 20. Speaking in the company of her siblings, Tsola, Toju, Ola, Neye and Olori-Atuwatse, widow of the departed monarch, Princess Nere Teriba said, “Forgive him if he had offended you. Find it in your hearts just to let it go. He blessed everyone. He never kept or harboured grudges against anyone. He kept us on our knees praying.” She commended the federal and state governments, including former Delta State governors, James Ibori and Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, C M Y K

incumbent Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa as well as Daniyel Reyenieju and the entire Iwere nation, for the honour accorded their

father while he was on the throne. “I thank Iwere nation for honouring my father when he ascended the throne at the age of 42. Growing up

as a young man, the elderly and chiefs honoured and crowned him even though he was not a conventional king. I thank the late Chief Owen and Chief Rewane.”

Students on our scholarship programme have received their payments —Amnesty Office By Emmanuel Elebeke

FFICE of the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme has dismissed reports in some quarters that some students abroad, have returned to the country due to lack of resources to meet their financial obligations. In a statement, the Media and Communication Consultant to the Amnesty Programme, Owei Lakemfa, described the claim as untrue and misleading, saying that the students abroad and in the country on the amnesty scholarship programme have since received their payments. “We wish to state that there is no iota of truth in the claims that some students abroad have returned to the country due to lack of resources to meet their financial obligation. The

students abroad and in the country on the Amnesty Scholarship Programme have received their payments,” the statement said. He explained that a few

students abroad were yet to be paid because the payments, which have foreign exchange components, have to pass through the new TSA Policy at the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Uvwie LG Treasurer disowns document before DTHA

By Festus Ahon

SABA—DELTA State House of Assembly Joint Committee on Public Accounts and Local Government Affairs was bemused when the Treasurer to Uvwie Local Government Area, Mr Emmanuel Afigo, disowned the document he submitted to the committee. The committee had invited the suspended chairman of the council, Mr Henry Baro, to clear some of the issues raised in the

document submitted by the council. The committee, at its last sitting invited the acting chairman of the council, Head of Personnel Management, Treasurer, and cashier to appear before it. The Treasurer, Mr Afigo, who armed himself with a document other than the one he had earlier submitted, told the committee that the copy he came with was different from what the committee had.

Alleged false information against ex-UNIBEN VC: EFCC prosecutes petitioner By Simon Ebegbulem

ENIN—AN Edo State High Court sitting in Benin, has granted bail to one Mr Kehinde Samuel who is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for giving the commission false information against the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, UNIBN, Prof. Osayuki Oshodin. Samuel had, on October 10, 2014, filed a petition against the former VC, alleging that he mismanaged and misappropriated funds accrued to the University while he was VC of the institution. The accused, who was the Head of the Information, Communication and Technology Department of the university, was among those who were retrenched by the former VC over alleged misconduct. Counsel to EFCC said the charge against the accused was “weighty considering the circumstances,” and urged the court to reject his bail application and remand him in prison for misleading the commission.

I'm committed to workers' welfare —Gov Emmanuel By Chioma Onuegbu

YO—AKWA Ibom State governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, has said that his administration was committed to the welfare of workers in the employment of the state government. Emmanuel, who stated this yesterday at the monthly prayer summit held at the Latter House Chapel, Government House, Uyo, also announced that modalities were being worked out for the payment of severance benefits to political office holders in the local governments across the state. He said that his administration would ensure prompt payment of salaries to workers despite the economic downturn while gratuities and other entitlements were being paid in batches. The governor directed the new Head of Service, Mrs Ekerebong Akpan, to ensure that civil servants due for promotion were promoted to their appropriate cadres.

Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015—13

Soldiers nab 15 Delta youths allegedly on protest By Emma Amaize & Perez Brisibe

GHELLI—SOLDIERS have intercepted about 15 youths of Ndokwa ethnic nationality in Delta State who were going for a peaceful protest against an oil company at Ase Omoku community in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of the state. They accused the youths accosted at Ashaka of planning to raze the Independent Power Plant, IPP, project in Okpai. A source, however, said that the soldiers found no dangerous weapons on the youths when they searched them. Among those arrested were Nnamdi Uwai, Onowoma Dickson, Nnamdi Community, Valentine Uyabeme, Ijeegbunem Obi, Kelvin Nwadele, Kanayo Kukagha, Agriga Ossai, Dinma Kukaya, Nelson Mabeme, Chidi and Uche Mabeme. Leader of the Coalition of Ndokwa Youth Leaders, Mr Alex Agha, who confirmed the arrest of the youths said, “They explained to the soldiers that they had no business with IPP and their mission was to Ase Omoku, where they were going for a peaceful protest, yet they were arrested.”

He said other members of the coalition who were earlier stopped by soldiers from going to Ase Omoku proceeded to Umuseti community, the headquarters of the oil firm, Sterling Global, to lodge their grievances and were received

by the Base Manager of the company, Mr Mohan. A source at the 222 Battalion, Agbarha-Otor, in Ughelli North Local Government Area, confirmed the arrest of the youths, but alleged that a youth leader sponsored them

to disrupt activities of oil companies in the area and extort money for personal benefit. He told one of our reporters that the military handed over the youths to the Police Area Command, Ughelli.

CONDOLENCE VISIT: From left: Dr Eruani Azibapu, President, Azikel Group; former President Goodluck Jonathan and wife, Patience, during a condolence visit to Dr. Azibapu on the death of his father, the late Chief Allwell Eruani, Aguda IX, the Obanema of Emadike, in Ogbia Kingdom, Bayelsa State.

Rivers assures NYSC members on security, welfare By Davies Iheamnachor

IVERS State Government has reassured National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, members serving in the state of its commitment to their security and welfare. The state government gave the assurance at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Nonwa Gbam-Tai, Tai Local Government Area of the state, during the swearing-in of over 2,591 2015 Batch B, (Stream II) corps members deployed to the state. Addressing the corps members, Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Mr. Kenneth Kobani, said the state government was ready to ensure the security of corps members serving in the state. Kobani added that the government would give more attention to the welfare of the corps members, to ameliorate their suffering. He urged them to ensure the successful completion of their service year, stressing that the state government would provide them all the needed support in that regard. Kobani also admonished the NYSC members to overcome

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every political challenge that they may be confronted with in the state. He said: “The Rivers State Government will help in every possible way to make

your service year a success. Your security and welfare are guaranteed. Try to overcome political and other challenges you may be confronted with in the state. Do not allow

anybody to use you and destroy you during your service year, rather use the service year as a mark of honour to our fatherland.”

Jonathan condoles with Eruani, Azikel Group boss

ORMER President Goodluck Jonathan and wife, Patience, along with delegations of chiefs of Ogbia Kingdom, Bayelsa State, have visited the group president of Azikel Group, Dr Eruani Azibapu, to condole with him and his family on the death of his father, the late Chief Allwell Eruani, Aguda the IX, the Obanema of Emadike. Jonathan said the late Chief Eruani would be greatly missed by Ogbia people and Bayelsa State. He described the late monarch as an accomplished person who died at the age of 82, noting that he had

raised a celebrated entrepreneur of Niger Delta extraction, who is the Group President of Azikel Group. Azikel Group is a conglomerate of companies with diverse interests in business and special focus in dredging, petroleum and power sector of the economy. The Group President, while

thanking the former President, his wife and the dignitaries, said he needed the wisdom and guidance of his father now, to help navigate the challenges of business and leadership, tap from his wealth of knowledge as a great old time enterprenuer, industrialist and a community leader.

Ndokwa youths flay brutalisation of newsmen By Ochuko Akuopha

LEH—THE youth wing of Ndokwa Neku Union, NNU, has described as barbaric and devilish, Thursday ’s brutalization of some journalists by youths of Okpai and Beneku communities in NdokwaEast Local Government Area, Delta State. NNU youth wing, in a statement by its Secretary General, Presley Idi, condemned the attack and called on the Deputy Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Friday Osanebi and the Chairman of the council, Mrs. Nkechi Chukura, to wade into the matter. The statement said: “The journalists who are correspondents from different media houses which include Vanguard, The Nation, Sun, New Telegraph, Pointer and DBS, amongst others, were headed for a village in Ndokwa East to carry out their lawful duties when the youths ambushed and descended on them at Okpai Junction. “The most annoying part is that, the journalists were not only mobbed and manhandled, but they were also robbed of valuables. To complicate matters, these people are the same people we run to, to help us bring the problems and disasters facing our region to the notice of the entire world. “It is in line with the above that we condemn in totality the actions of these hooligans, who are trying to rubbish the good name of our youths especially those of us from Ndokwa East. “While I may not speculate about the culprits being sponsored, I demand that the councilor representing those wards and the youth leaders of both communities, as a matter of urgency, issue an open apology and all stolen items returned, so that this show of shame may be wiped off our faces."

14 — Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015

Thanksgiving Service for late Chief Oritseweyinmi Torch Taire, in Lagos

From left, Mrs. Adefemi Abeke Taire, widow, and Professor Ben Ohumselu,during the Thanksgiving Service for late Chief Torch Oritseweyinmi Taire, at Yaba Baptish Church Yaba, and reception party at Anthony Sport Field, Adebayo Mokulu Street, Anthony, Lagos, yesterday. Photos: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor

From left, Emeritus Prof J.P. Clark, and Aremo Olusegun Osoba, former governor of Ogun State.

From left, Mrs. Jumoke Funmi-Adeshina, Chief Bengy "Apollo" Oseragbaje, and Dame Damola Akran. Mr. Sonny Aminaghan, and his wife, Chuko.

Glo's comedy, new dimension —Subscribers

LO SUBSCRIBERS, who attended the company’s Laffta Fest show in Awka, Anambra State, on Friday have described it as a new dimension to comedy shows in Nigeria. Speaking after the show in Awka, the customers commended the next generation network for bringing the comedy concert currently touring major cities in Nigeria to Awka. A member of Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Timothy Ifedioranma, who attended the show said the Glo Laffta Fest initiative is a very laudable idea. “Coming to watch these great comedians perform relaxes the nerves,” he said.

From left, Mrs. Evelyn Rewane Fabyan, Ms Yeye Rewane, and Mrs. Rita Amuka.

INFRACTION: SEC sets aside N5bn for investors’ compensation ...pegged at N200,000 By Nkiru Nnorom

HE SECURITIES and Exchange Commission, SEC, has set aside N5 billion as a seed capital to jump-start the National Investors Protection Fund, NIPF, to compensate investors who may suffer pecuniary losses in the course of their transaction in the capital market. The NIPF is a scheme being promoted by the SEC to compensate investors that suffer losses due to the insolvency, bankruptcy or negligence of a capital market operator, CMO. The NIPF, according to the set of rules approved by the SEC’s board earlier in the year, will apply only to defalcations by insolvent or bankrupt capital market operators that are not

dealing with members of any Securities Exchange or Capital Trade Points. Accordingly, the NIPF will be for the purpose of compensating investors whose losses are not covered under the NIPF administered by SEC and Capital Trade Points. Speaking at the post Capital Market Committee, CMC, press briefing in Lagos, the Director General, SEC, Mr. Mounir Gwarzo, said the Commission has also pegged compensation at N200,000. He explained that the NIPF covers the entire capital market and is broader in scope than a similar fund being promoted by the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, that seeks to provide respite to investors who suffer losses as a result of defalcation by dealing

member firms of the Exchange. He noted that the SEC taxed itself to provide the initial grant, saying that subsequently, operators in the market would make annual contribution to the fund. He stated that the first set of beneficiaries would be compensated before the end of the year. “The National Investors Protection Fund is not meant to pay an investor all he has lost in the market; it is just a temporary measure. So, if you have invested N1 million and for certain reason you are not able to get to N1 million in between the time before further investigations are done, before that operator is called to explain and the assets of the operator are sold and the proceeds used to pay the investor, the SEC will use the NIPF to pay

you the maximum amount of N200,000 before you get the final amount,” he stated. “So, the sum of N5 billion has been set aside for that purpose. This I think is an excellent feat that has been achieved by the SEC, even though we have very limited resources. "We have not been funded for quite a while by the government and everybody knows that the market has gone down. So, we have to even sacrifice some of our key initiatives. We sacrificed some of the trainings that our staff needed to attend just for us to be able to set aside this money, and this amount of money is solely set aside by SEC, but as we move forward, the National Investors Protection will be funded by the market,” Gwarzo added.

New Telegraph constitutes board, appoints editors

HE BOARD of Directors of Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited has constituted its board and effected changes in the management of the New Telegraph newspapers. The board in a statement issued on Sunday approved the appointment of Alhaji Idi Farouk, a former Director General, National Orientation Agency, C M Y K

NOA, as the Chairman of the Board of New Telegraph. Other board members include a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Chief Solo Akuma; Rev. Emeka Abone; Mr. Olakunle Gidado, Managing Director, BP West Africa, and Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of New Telegraph, Mrs. Funke Egbemode.

Also, as part of efforts to reposition the newspaper, new appointments have been made to the executive management of the paper. The Daily Editor, Mr. Yemi Ajayi is now the Managing Editor, Business and Strategy while the Deputy Editor, Daily, Mr. Emeka Obasi becomes the Managing Editor, Publications and

Operations. The Sunday Editor, Mr. Emeka Madunagu, has been appointed the Managing Editor (South) while the Saturday Editor, Mr. Lawrence Ani, is the Managing Editor, North and Abuja. Also, the board approved the appointments of new editors for New Telegraph titles. Mr. Ayodele Ojo is the Daily

Editor while Mr. Geoffrey Ekenna is the Deputy Editor, Daily/Group Head of Newsroom. Mrs. Juliet Bumah is the new Sunday Editor while Mr. Waheed Bakare takes charge of the Saturday Telegraph. Mr. Felix Nwaneri is the new Group Political Editor. All the appointments take effect from December 1, 2015.

Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015—15

BIAFRA: Ohanaeze seeks unconditional release of

Radio Biafra boss • As MASSOB, IPOB accuse Uwazuruike of hypocrisy, deceit •S-East govs to discuss with Buhari •Stop making infuriating comments —PSC Chairman By Emeka Mamah, Francis Igata, Peter Okutu, Chimaobi Nwaiwu & Chinonso Alozie

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HE apex Igbo organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, yesterday, rose from its Imeobi (highest decision organ) meeting in Enugu and called on the Federal Government to release Nnamdi Kanu, the detained Director of Radio Biafra and leader of IPOB, unconditionally. However, the meeting, which was billed to hold with representatives of MASSOB and IPOB was boycotted by the pro-Biafra groups. Ohanaeze's directive was contained in a communique jointly signed by the National President of Ohanaeze, Chief Gary Enwo-Igariwey and the Secretary General, Dr. Joe Nworgu. They said that agitations and public protests over Biafra had been exacerbated by the detention of Mr. Kanu, the director of Radio Biafra. At the meeting attended by representatives of both the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, and the Independent People of Biafra, IPOB, in Enugu yesterday, Ohanaeze further expressed displeasure over the continued incarceration of Kanu, saying that it was gravely concerned over current wide-spread public Biafra agitations in states of the South-East and some other states of Nigeria for the actualization of Biafra. The communique read in part: “Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex socio-cultural organization of Ndigbo in Nigeria and the Diaspora, is gravely concerned by current wide-spread and public Biafra agitations in states of the South-East and some other states of Nigeria. “These agitations and public protests have become exacerbated by the detention of Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, the promoter/proprietor/director of Radio Biafra by Department of State Services, DSS.” It further stated that “Ohanaeze Ndigbo fears that these developments may threaten the security and peaceful co-existence of Nigerians wherever they may be domiciled, and

consequently, decided to summon an emergency meeting of Imeobi Ohanaeze Ndigbo to discuss the situation. “This emergency meeting was held in Enugu at the National Secretariat of Ohanaeze Ndigbo on Sunday, (yesterday), November 29, 2015. Representatives of the various organizations and associations involved in the current public protest also attended the meeting. “The Imeobi Ohanaeze Ndigbo, after extensive candid discussions and analysis of the situation is of the view that the current agitations are the direct result of the excruciating pain of severe injustice, marginalization and exclusion of Ndigbo from decision making structures in Nigeria as currently configured. “The Imeobi Ohanaeze Ndigbo strongly avers that the exclusion of Ndigbo in decision making structure presents danger to the unity and well-being of the country, not only now, but also in future, and should be redressed urgently. Attacking Uwazuruike Meantime, the movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, and the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, also yesterday, lashed out on the leader of MASSOB, Chief Ralph Uwazurike, accusing him of hypocrisy and deceit over his call for the unconditional release of the incarcerated director of Radio Biafra, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu by the Federal Government. This came as the former Chairman of Police Service Commission, PSC, Chief Simon Okeke cautioned some Igbo elders to “stop making pronouncements that can be very infuriating and dishonourable to the agitating groups . He also urged them to speak out early when youths start derailing, instead of keeping what he called “criminal silence” and subsequently condemning them when things get out of hand. MASSOB and IPOB leaders after their joint meeting attended by other leaders of the two groups said: “Chief Uwazurike’s appeal was “an expression full of insincerity.” The groups' statement made available to newsmen by Mr. Uchenna Madu, and

INAUGURATION: Governor Ikpeazu (middle) flanked on the right by his deputy, Ude Okochukwu, on the left by Darl Uzu (Chairman of the Enyimba Industrial Development Company Ltd's board), and other members of the board, during the inauguration of the company, weekend.

spokesman of IPOB Mr. Emma Powerful on behalf of other leaders, also alleged that “Uwazurike has never liked Mr. Kanu because he (Kanu) is becoming more popular, consistent and trusted by Biafra agitators," adding that "in Uwazurike’s mind, he is happy with Kanu’s ordeal in the hands of the Federal Government .” Chief Uwazurike while addressing loyalists and friends of MASSOB who stormed Owerri for the third anniversary of the exit of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, which had Ojukwu’s wife, Chief Bianca Ojukwu, Dr. Fredrick Fasehun and Major Hamza Al- Mustapha in attendance had called for Nnamdi Kanu's release. “We do not believe in Uwazuruike’s call for Mr. Kanu’s release, just as we condemn the speech at Ojukwu Memorial ceremony where he also said that some people claiming to be champions in their little knowledge, forget that Igboland is landlocked and the five states of South East contribute less than eight per cent of the economy of Nigeria. That is the height of his deceit that he is actually fighting for the actualization of Biafra. It is a statement of somebody that has been compromised, and should not be taken serious. “That statement was indirectly encouraging the Nigeria government to continue their detention and persecution of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the current Biafra hero. If not, how can

somebody like Uwazurike be making such comments and he wants people to take him serious? We saw where he was going and we decided to leave him,” they said. Discrediting agitators Chief Simon Okeke, who was the former PSC chairman regretted that some Igbo leaders had been discrediting the youths agitating for the sovereign state of Biafra. He said: “The war is over, we have all integrated into Nigerian, there was the doctrine of 'no victor, no vanquished,' so the Nigerian experiment has been going on. I have served as PSC chairman and even after that, I have been in pursuit of progress of Nigeria, starting with peace and progress in Igbo land. I think we should stay together as a country, but issues of Igbo marginalization and victimization are real. They are there and very glaring and must be addressed, but not with violence and incessant protests. “Sometimes truth can be bitter, but it must be told. There are certain pronouncements from Igbo elders that can be very infuriating and dishonourable of someone that calls himself an elder. "I have always spoken aloud, I have always said that our Igbo elders should correct the youths early when they are going astray, but they seem to be keeping silent. Their silence is what I have always called 'criminal silence.' “If you see the young ones

going astray and fail to speak out, your silence is criminal.,” he said. Discussing with Buhari Meantime, Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State, weekend, revealed that the governors of the South East geo-political zone had taken a decision to discuss issues revolving around the recent agitation by IPOB in the country. Governor Umahi made this known when he received the leadership of the Abakpa Main Market Traders Association at the Government House in Abakaliki. According to Umahi, the South-East governors had listened to the complaints of the agitators and had decided to discuss the issues with the President. “We have listened to the complaints of the boys. There is no way anybody would say that what they are saying is completely outside the truth, but just like husband and wife, you must have a way of getting along through dialogue. “The governors of the SouthEast have taken up the matter with Mr. President and I believe that we don’t need another war in this country. I want to plead with you to encourage whoever is involved that we have taken up the matter and we will do everything possible to make sure that their feelings are addressed. “We should not support secession. We should not support demonstrations; we should not support the castigation of our leaders.”

16—Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015

Abia govt to introduce free meals in primary schools

MUAHIA—ABIA State government said it would soon commence serving free meals to primary schools pupils in the State. To this end, the government has set up a committee and mandated it to liaise with the Ministry of Women Affairs to work out details of the programme. The commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Bonie Iwuoha who announced this said it was the decision of the State Executive Council meeting held on Wednesday. According to Iwuoha, ten schools would be selected from each of the 17 Local Government Areas of the state for the pilot take-off of the programme. He said that a total of 3,000 pupils would be fed three times a week during this pilot stage, namely on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Umeh mourns dead CWO members of Awka diocese

ORMER NATIONAL Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, and Member of Board of Trustees, BoT, Chief Victor Umeh, has expressed shock and grief over the death of eight members of Catholic Women Organization, CWO, of the Awka Catholic Diocese in a ghastly auto crash. The women were confirmed dead, along with the driver of their bus on their way back from a condolence visit last Friday night when a lorry knocked their bus off the road, which led to a summersault. Ten other members of the organization were said to be in very critical conditions and admitted in hospital. In a condolence message to the Catholic Bishop of Awka, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, and his Auxilliary, Most Rev. Jonas Okoye, the Chaplain of CWO, Awka Diocese and the Diocesan Director of CWO, and all the members of the CWO Awka Diocese, released by his Senior Special Assistant (Media), Mr. Stan Okeke, Chief Umeh said that the death of these dedicated CWO women was a personal loss to him because he had closely associated with them in their activities. C M Y K

ENUGU COUNCIL POLL: Stakeholders approve

caretaker c'ttees for 17 LGAs vacuum, on 4th January, 2016, the local government caretaker committees will be constituted and this is in keeping with the extant N U G U — laws of Enugu state. STAKEHOLDERS “Whatever we are doing will be from across Enugu in consonance with the Local State,weekend,approved the Government Laws”, he told the setting up of Local Government political and opinion leaders Caretaker Committees for the 17 which included Deputy Senate local council areas in the state President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, immediate past governor of the state, Chief Sullivan Chime, former information minister, Chief Nnia Nwodo, former Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji, among others. Addressing the people, Governor Ugwuanyi offered two reasons the local council polls would not hold before the expiration of the tenure of the present councils, which includes ,”the on-going local government staff audit and other reforms” in that tier of government in which the state government wants to fish out ghost workers said to be prevalent in the system. The governor reminded the leaders that during the last meeting of the state caucus at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Enugu, it was agreed that, “all activities towards the local government elections be put on hold to enable the committee SHOW: From left, Hon. Hilary Udanoh, Executive Chairman, Anambra East Local Government; Miracle handling the exercise to conclude Okocha, Comedian Acapella, and Silvia, during the Glo Laffta Fest comedy show in Awka, Anambra State. its assignment."

By Francis Igata

pending the time adequate budgetary allocations would be provided in the 2016 state appropriation for the conduct of local government elections in the state. The stakeholders who gathered at the Old Government Lodge, Enugu gave the approval after Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi

briefed them on various programmes and projects of his administration, including the issue of the pending local government polls since the tenure of the local government councils will expire on January 4, 2016. Consequently, the governor announced at the expanded meeting that,”in order to avoid

Group protests in Abia, calls for change of Appeal Court Judges in Owerri By Anayo Okoli

MUAHIA—A group, Catholic Network of Nigeria [CNN] staged a protest weekend in Bende, Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, calling for the change of the Justices of the Court of Appeal Owerri, Imo State. According to the group which is sympathetic to the opposition All Progressive Grand Alliance [APGA], it has no confidence in Owerri Apeal Court Judges. The placards-carrying group comprising mainly of youths and women, alleged that some Judges at the Owerri Appeal Court are very close to the tribunal Judges that handled cases in Abia tribunals and therefore have no confidence that they would conscientiously review the cases from Abia. Displaying placards with inscriptions, “Catholics are against injustice, the Court is our hope, all we are saying is give us justice, Abia State must be

Ebonyi govt gives contractors ultimatum

BAKALIKI—EBONYI State government has given all the contractors hired to keep the capital city clean three months deadline to meet up to its contractual agreement or lose their contracts. State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Moses Ogodo-Ali who disclosed this in Abakaliki at the weekend after the monthly sanitation exercise said any contractor who fails to meet up the deadline will be shown the way out. He noted that the state had already laid off three contractors last September for non-performance and replaced them with new ones; and would not hesitate to take a similar action against other erring contractors. The Commissioner however, noted that 80 per cent of the contractors were very obedient and had been keeping to the terms of the contract.

free, Change the Appeal Court Judges for us, we voted for change, we want our votes to count, we want our mandate”, among others, the group said that the protest was being held simultaneously in the three senatorial zones of the state. According to the coordinator of the group, Catechist Ambrose Udensi, they have

already written to the President of Court of Appeal, the Chief Justice of Nigeria and National Judicial Council [NJC] as well on the issue, urging that the Justices at the Owerri Court of Appeal be redeployed “because the people of Abia do not have confidence and trust in them”.

Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015—17

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18 — Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015 IT came as cheering news that the two contractors engaged by the federal government to reconstruct the 167kilometre Lagos/Ibadan Expressway have moved their equipment back to site to resume work. The Federal Government under former President Goodluck Jonathan had hired Julius Berger PLC to reconstruct and widen the portion from the Shagamu Exchange in Ogun State to the Lagos metropolis. RCC was awarded the Shagamu to Ibadan section. A lot of progress was made, and hopes were high among the road users that the traffic nightmares and frequent accidents experienced on the nation’s busiest highway would soon be a thing of the past. Work, however, came to a screeching halt after the change of government in May this year, fuelling fears of another abandonment of work such as was experienced when the federal government handed the road over to a local private concessionaire,

As work resumes on Lagos/Ibadan Expressway Bi-Courtney. We are hoping that work on this road and others nationwide can now proceed without any further break. The completion of the Lagos – Ibadan Express must be seen as a national priority and pursued with single-minded commitment until it is completed on its due date, March 2017. The reason for this is obvious. Lagos is the economic melting pot of the nation. It houses the country ’s largest airport and busiest seaports. It is the primary port of entry for all manner of imported goods, particularly petroleum products. That is why

the expressway is overcrowded with trucks, trailers, tankers, lorries and other vehicles of all shapes and sizes from all over the country, all heading for Lagos to lift goods and human cargoes. It is, therefore, imperative that this road and others like it around the country (such as the Shagamu-BeninOnitsha, Benin-Warri, East-West Road, Enugu- Port Harcourt Express, Onitsha- Enugu –Abakaliki Express, Abuja-Okene Express, Abuja-KadunaKano Express, Ibadan-Jebba-Mokwa Express and others) must be kept well maintained to move the commercial life of the nation forward. Good maintenance of our national highways

is one of those avenues through which the federal government touches the lives of ordinary Nigerians and promotes their economic wellbeing, and therefore must no longer be toyed with. We call on the federal government to focus a critical portion of the proposed $25 billion infrastructure fund in the total upgrading of our national highways to modern day standards, ensuring that they are well lit and provided with facilities to cater for accident victims and the overall comfort of travellers. These make travelling by road safer and more comfortable. We commend the Buhari regime for nudging the contractors back to site on the Lagos-Ibadan Express way and hope that work will resume on all other temporarily abandoned federal highways as soon as possible.

OPINION

Politicians, leave the Federal High Court alone BY SAM EKPE

“The Judiciary is the last hope of the common man”, is a very popular maxim in the country. Every one, both the high and mighty and the downtrodden, places the Judiciary in very high pedestal. Even without any funds to prosecute their cases the poor have willing and available public spirited lawyers to handle cases on their behalf. Generality of Nigerians, therefore, have very high regard for the Judiciary and see it as a nogo-area in our everyday life of politics with bitterness, without remorse and restraint. The Judiciary is seen as a hallowed Chambers, with even handed dispensation of justice and equity to all. Through the ages from our Independence to the military rule years and now in our Third Republic, the Judiciary has been regarded as a neutral body that is not involved in the hustle and bustle of our everyday political life. Even in a few cases when some judicial officers were involved in malfeasance the National Judicial Council had stepped in to mete appropriate sanction, the most recent being their recommendation of the immediate retirement of Justice Madaki of the Port Harcourt Division of the Court of Appeal. When therefore the abhorrent and divisive issue of politics rears its ugly head in the Judiciary every patriotic Nigerian should feel concerned and worried. It is in this light that

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one views the news item in the Nation of Tuesday November 17, 2015 titled “Succession crisis hits federal high court over chief registrar’s post”. An analysis of the story gives the impression that it was intended to project and protect the interests of some sponsors. It is very unfortunate that these days the pages of reputed newspapers are used to serve particular interests. The news report gives the indication that the management of the Federal High Court are pushing for the appointment of the next Chief Registrar of the court, irrespective of the status on seniority cadre. “There were indications that some workers might take the plot to distort the succession system to Prof itse Sagay-led Presidential Advisory Committee on War Against Corruption. The workers including some Deputy Chief Registrars have vowed to resist the aberration of seniority list for pecuniary political gains, “ the story reads. What a tendentious claim? What do the sponsors of this kind of publication want to achieve? What does pecuniary political gain mean? Questions, questions and more questions. After listing the names of past Chief Registrars of the Federal High Court whose appointments were allegedly based on seniority, the author of the story then contradicted himself by stating that: “Although seniority has been the norm in appointing all the Chief Registrars, there is no regulation or law saying appointment must be made on seniority “. If this is the case why all the noise and unnecessary dust that is being raised?

Why raise this issue at all if seniority per se is not the only criterion that is considered in promotion in the public service. Even in the Armed Forces, Police and other paramilitary organisations, is seniority the only basis in promotion exercise? Even under the President Muhammadu Buhari administration many promotion exercises have been taking place without the promoted officers being necessarily the most senior. The present Service Chiefs were promoted over and above some officers that were senior in rank to them. Ogbonnaya Onovo a former Inspector General of Police served under his junior Mike Okiro before he was appointed Inspector General. The present Commandant General of National Security and Defence Corps (Civil Defence) was promoted above his senior. It is only arguably in the appointment of Chief Justices of the Federation that recourse is made strictly on seniority of Justices of the Court. The brains or ghosts behind the present agitation in the Federal High Court are also dis-

The present unease about the appointment of a new Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court is absolutely unnecessary

torting facts, engaging in outright falsehood and what students of logic will describe as fallacy of hasty generalisation. For instance, they allege that: “This is the first time we are experiencing this kind of thing. Once the administrative cadre is altered, favourism will set in and it will be bad for the Judiciary at this level”. But in truth and in fact this will not be the first time seniority was not considered in promotion to Registrars of Federal High Courts. The present Registrar of the Supreme Court was not the most senior when he was appointed. He was even number three in hierarchy. Similarly the Registrar of the Court of Appeal was even number six in order of seniority. The Registrar of FCT High Court was not even in the service cadre of Federal High Court but was picked from Sharia Court of Appeal. He was only just recently promoted to Chief Registrar of FCT High Court. The agitators also neglected/refused to inform whoever cares to listen that the three Senior Deputy Registrars of the Federal High Court were promoted on the same day. How do you now determine who is the most senior to be promoted Chief Registrar. In all organisations, including the Public Service and the private sector, the most important considerations for promotion of officers are versatility, competence and administrative capacity, trust and reliability, and general acceptability of the officer by the staff of the organization. The present unease about the appointment of a new Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court, apparently sponsored by vested interests is absolutely unnecessary.

*Mr Ekpe, a media and PR consultant, wrote from Abuja.

Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015—19 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com

Hope and hopelessness P RINCE Abubakar Audu stood on the verge of history. He had been twice governor of Kogi State, and the electoral results showed that he would be elected a third time. Everything seemed in his favour; poll results, the mood of the electorate, his party calling the shots at the centre and being in control of state apparatus. An enthusiastic Audu was waiting to be declared winner, instead he was declared dead. First, disbelief, then shock, despair and anger. People who believe in the inevitability of death would not accept that it could come calling a man in whose honour victory feasts were being cooked. So he must have been murdered. His supporters and some family members concluded that it was either witchcraft or poison. For good measure, they fingered an obviously innocent political leader as the culprit and asked for his arrest and trial. Despite this, there was still mass disbelief he could be dead. Then in the midst of despair, hope came galloping in the shape of a prophet and his followers who pronounced that they could resurrect Audu even as his funeral rites were going on. The family waved aside this band of obvious jokers. But the

hysterical crowds took them serious. So when the family prevented the prophet, the believing crowds broke the door to bring in the prophetic band of warriors. They wanted nothing more than Audu brought back to life to claim his mandate and govern. Meanwhile, the unbelievers were out in the compound, digging his grave. Soon, news filtered out that he had been resurrected. I got it on the internet, and wondered if there is any precedence in his ancestral lineage. The illusion went on until it was time to bury Audu. The crowd resisted; how do you bury a man that is alive? Hope gave way to hopelessness; illusion to reality. The believing crowds turned on their prophet, attempting to send him to where Audu had gone. The death has been followed by legal somersault appropriately led by the learned people from the bar. The constitution, Electoral Act, decided cases of the Supreme Court and simple logic dictates the way to follow; conclude the elections and swear in the winners. But this is not the politics of it. People crushed by anguish need to be pacified, especially where they believe that Audu’s death was designed to deprive them of the prized gubernatorial seat. So they were

given the fiat to democratically produce a new gubernatorial candidate, and leave the rest to history. As for the implications; let tomorrow, take care of itself. This type of crowd hysteria, control of the mind, hope and hopelessness, characterised the reaction to the death of populist politician Adelabu Adegoke, alias Penkelemes, on March 28, 1958. He had died in a motor accident, perhaps occasioned by overspeeding. To his fanatical supporters, it was bad enough that their hope of a better future was gone. But what made the death most suspicious was that the accident happened in the Remo Division, near Ikenne. Now, Adegoke’s main political rival, Obafemi Awolowo (Awo), was a Remo man from Ikenne. The coincidence was too much. The conclusion of the supporters was that Awo must have in some metaphysical way, killed their hero. So they took to the streets in search of Awo’s supporters,

Such crowds and fanatical supporters as those at Audu’s funeral are extremely dangerous to reason with; no human being should allow another control or toy with his mind

The President will always have his way By Eric Teniola

O date, of all ministerial screening by the Senate, the most controversial has been that of the former President of the Nigerian Bar Association,Chief Richard OsuolaleAbimbolaAkinjide, SAN. And that was as far back as 1979-about 36 years ago.I covered the proceedings in the Senate at that time. Chief Akinjide contested the gubernatorial election of Oyo State on NPN platform in 1979 but lost to Chief Bola Ige of the UPN. In a case instituted at the presidential election tribunal by Chief ObafemiAwolowo of the then UPN, Chief Akinjide was a counsel to the eventual winner in the tribunal, Alhaji Shehu Usman Shagari. On Thursday October 18, 1979, President Shagari included the name of Chief Akinjide along with the 33 ministerial nominees to be screened by the Senate. The President of the then Senate was Dr. Joseph Wayas from Ogoja. Twenty- four hours later, the Senate rejected the nomination of Chief Akinjide along with that of Chief Paul Unongo from Benue State. On November 17, 1979, the then Monday caucus of the NPN which was then the most powerful body in the country met at Dodan Barracks residence of the President and decided to fight back so as to ensure that Chief Akinjide’s candidacy as Minister was approved by the Senate. It was agreed at the meeting that for President Shagari to lose so early in a battle while his Presidency was still young would send a wrong signal. The Monday caucus was made up of President Shagari; the Vice-President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme; the Chairman of the ruling NPN, Chief August MeredithAdisaAkinloye; the Secretary of C M Y K

the party, Alhaji Suleiman Takuma; the Senate President Dr. Wayas and the Deputy Speaker of the then House of Representatives, Alhaji Idris Ibrahim from Minna, (since the Speaker, Chief Edwin UmehEzeoke, was from NPP). The NPN had no Board of Trustees.The Monday caucus was designed by Alhaji Shagari to carry his party along on National issues so as not to appear as if he was a sole administrator. On November 28, President Shagari, wrote a letter to Dr. Wayas re-presenting Chief Akinjide and Mr. Paul Unongo. For over 15 days, the Senate slept on the letter from President Shagari. At 4.10 p.m. on December 13 1979, the Senate constituted itself into a committee to decide on the fate of Chief Akinjide. The then Senate leader, Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki from Ilorin/ Assa, moved two motions that afternoon. The first, was for the Senate to rescind its decision of October 19 in rejecting Chief Akinjide as a Minister of the government of the federation. After much heated debate, the first motion was approved when Senator Victor Akan from Eket pressed for a division with 48 Senators approving the first motion and 39 Senators rejecting the motion. It was the second motion moved by Senator Saraki requesting the Senate to approve the nomination of Chief Akinjide as a Minister that brought the firestorm. The then leader of the UPN in the Senate, Senator Jonathan AkinremiOlawaleOdebiyi from Egbado, opposed the motion as well as the leader of the NPP in the Senate, Senator Jaja Anucha Wachukwu from Aba, even though there was an existing NPN/NPP accord. Senator Wachukwu and Chief Akinjide have been political rivals under the then Prime Minister AlhajiAbubakarTafawaBalewa when

burning their property and killing at least 20 of them. Sixty four Adegoke supporters were sentenced to death for those murders. When I was a teenager on Lagos Island, I heard a commotion. With other neigbours, I rushed out to find the streets clogged. Many were running or walking briskly while simultaneously looking at the moonlit sky. On enquiry, we were told that Awo, the most popular politician in Western Nigeria, had appeared in the moon! I stood, peered in the moon and saw nothing unfamiliar. My close friend, Albert Okopie also saw nothing unusual. We asked some believers what exactly they were seeing. They explained that the bust of Awo with his traditional cap and glasses was in the moon. All around attested to this and discussed animatedly how their godlike hero had decided to manifest himself and glory by appearing in the moon. He was their hope. In a moment of tactlessness, Albert said the description they were making of the claimed person appearing in the moon also fitted another politician, Aminu Kano. We were set upon; how dare we make such a blasphemous suggestion? After pleas by some elders around, we were let go. Such crowds and fanatical supporters as those at Audu’s funeral, reacting to Adegoke’s death or the claimed appearance of Awo in the moon, are extremely dangerous to reason with. Such moments are times when reason take flight. I recall such moment in the play, Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare. After Mark Anthony had roused the crowds with his oration at Caesar’s funeral, they went after the conspirators who assassinated him. In the streets, the mob came across a man who was asked to identify himself. His name was Cinna, which

they were both Ministers between 1960 and 1966. Senator Odebiyi argued that Chief Akinjide was not fit to be a Minister with reference to his past misdeeds.He alluded that it was against the rules of the Senate to reconsider a decision that has been taken earlier by the Senate. He was joined by Senator Cornelius Adebayo(Kwara Central), Senator SikiruAyodejiShitta Bay (Lagos), Senator Stephen AdebanjiAkintoye (Ondo Central), Senator F.O.M. Atake(Bendel/Delta),Senator EmmanuelKayodeOgunleye(Ondo) Senator Abrahim Aderibigbe Adesanya(Ijebu Igbo) and Senator Christopher LaogunAdeoye(Osun). Senator Uba Ahmed(Bauchi), Senator Cyrus NwidonaneNunieh(Bonny/Bori), Senator BitrusBziguKajal(Mubi), Senator Andrew Abogede(Benue Central), Senator Victor Akan(Eket), Senator JaloWaziri(Bauchi East) all of them NPN, pleaded on behalf of Chief Akinjide. In moving the motion for Chief Akinjide,Senator Saraki said that Chief Akinjide was well known throughout the country and that he is one of the best Nige-

As long that you have a President who carries his party along with him and with a majority so united in the National Assembly, so long will such a President have his way in the National Assembly no matter what

coincidentally was the name of one of the conspirators. The hapless man explained he was not Cinna the conspirator . He shouted: “ I am Cinna the poet, I am Cinna the poet”, to which the mob responded: “Tear him for his bad verses, tear him for his bad verses”. Germany was one of the best educated and civilized countries. It produced famous intellectual giants like the philosophers: Immanuel Kant and Georg Wilhelm Hegel, the fathers of world revolution; Karl Marx and Frederick Engels and writers like Walter Benjamin and Bertolt Brecht. Yet in post-First World War despair, hunger and anger, the German electorate not only voted for Adolf Hitler, but also followed him like a hypnotised herd. The Hitler administration gave the people food, reversed their economic fortunes, built a car, the Volkswagen, specifically for the lower classes, gave them hope, and pride in their country. With decisive leadership and effective propaganda, Hitler controlled the minds of the populace so much that they swore by his name and were ready to die defending him. With leading countries like Britain, United States and the then Soviet Union - for their strategic national interest - willing to tolerate or accommodate him, Hitler almost took control of the world. Even when he committed atrocities like carrying out genocide against Blacks and Jews, the German populace continued to support him. Those who believed Abubakar Audu would resurrect; killed in the name of Adegoke Adelabu; believed that Obafemi Awolowo appeared in the moon; followed Adolf Hitler or kill in God’s name, have the same problem: controlled minds. No human being should allow another, control or toy with his mind.

rian that could be a Minister. He said: “We should not allow any political vendetta. Chief Richard Akinjide should not be a victim of circumstances. I would like to appeal to each and everyone of us in this Senatethis afternoon that the right course for us to take is to rescind the decision and confirm the nomination of Chief Richard Akinjide to be a Member of Cabinet of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”. After a stormy debate during which some members staged a walk out, the Senate President ordered the clerk of the Senate, Mr. A.A. Coker to take a roll call of the Senators who stayed behind to ensure whether a quorum was formed.Chief Akinjide was eventually confirmed as a Minister by 48 votes all from NPN Senators and only one dissenting voice, Senator AdemolaAdegoke. Those who abstained were Senators Isaoah N. Ani, B.C. Okwu, U.L. Barma, L.Z. Zing, E.P. Echueruo, JajaWachukwu, GarbaMatta and Obi Wali- all of the NPP. Chief Akinjide later became the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation and served between 1979 and 1983. He was succeeded by Chief KehindeSofola(SAN) from Ikenne in Ogun state. As for Chief Paul Unongo, he too was confirmed by 28 votes with six abstentions. The Senate then adjourned at 8.00 p.m. The simple lesson to be learnt since 1979, is that as long that you have a President who carries his party along with him and with a majority so united in the National Assembly, so long will such a President have his way in the National Assembly no matter what. Such a President will always get what he wants. The opposition can bark but can never bite. The opposition can have their say but the President will have his way.

*Mr Teniola, a former Director at the Presidency, wrote from Lagos.

20—Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015

IGERIA waited impatiently for the All Progressives Congress, APC, Federal Government to come forward and tell the nation when it is going to implement one of its controversial campaign promises – payment of N5,000 monthly stipends to poor Nigerians. You will recall that the party, which dethroned the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at the 2015 general elections, had listed an unprecedented litany of 81 campaign pledges, of which this welfare stipend was number 15. It specifically states as follows: “Creation of a Social Welfare Programme, SWP, of at least five thousand naira (N5,000) that will cater for the 25 million poorest and most vulnerable Nigerians upon demonstration of their children’s enrolment in school and evidence of immunisation to help promote family stability ”. When the opposition PDP senators raised a motion some weeks ago, compelling the APC Federal Government to start implementing this campaign promise, their counterparts of the ruling party used their numerical majority to quash the motion, thus setting the public agitated as to whether the government was interested in carrying out its promise to Nigerians. People feared that the APC might have backed out of this, like it has attempted to disown some of its other campaign pledges. However, at another forum, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo reiterated the intention of the Federal Government to implement it. Wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, Hajiya Aisha, called on the APC Federal Government to pay the money as promised. The most recent indication that the SWP stipend is still very much on the cards was the announcement by the new Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalong, who, on a condolence visit to the National Chairman of the APC, Dr John Oyegun, disclosed that the N5,000 SWP stipend will be provided for in the 2016 federal budget, meaning that the payment will start next year. The imminence of this programme is now beyond question, so it seems. But the “how” and “ wherefore” of it are very hazy. Questions are waiting to be answered if this programme is going to work at this juncture of our queasy economic standing. Number one: WHO are the beneficiaries of this programme? Who are these “25 million poorest and most vulnerable Nigerians” and HOW do you determine it? This alone is going to cause a lot of trouble unless it is properly addressed.

FG’s N5,000 SWP: Questions, questions The World Bank, in 2014, put the number of “poor ” Nigerians (those living on about two US Dollars or below a day) conservatively at 58 million people. Vice President Osinbajo, however, paints a gloomier picture of the situation. When a delegation of the Alumni Association of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, paid him a courtesy visit in his office at the State House Abuja. Osinbajo who (like his party) likes to dramatise the “parlous” state of affairs that this administration inherited from the last regime, said that 110 million Nigerians are living below the poverty line. This was a rehash of the 2008/2009 figure published by the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, NBS, which the World Bank figures of 2014 had adjusted to 58 million. Whether it is the World Bank’s 58 million or Osinbajo’s 110 million, the truth is that the APC’s 25 million target for payment of the stipend is a far cry from the number of Nigerians waiting to collect it. If you give the stipend to some and leave out the others, that is a recipe for disaster. You will be creating a problem where none existed, all in the name of winning an election. Now, let us look more closely at APC’s 25 million people. Contrary to popular expectations that this “ windfall” is targeted at “the unemployed youth”, the APC says it will be paid to the poor who show evidence of enrolling their children in school and presenting them for vaccination. In other words, the beneficiaries must be parents (whether married or single, I presume). If you have no child to show evidence of school enrolment and vaccination you may not qualify, unless, of course, the government decides to waive the proviso.

Obviously, this campaign promise had the intention of encouraging the section of the country with high rates of out-ofschool children and reluctance to embrace vaccination in mind – the North East and North West. It is also in these areas that people get married and start having children even as unemployed youth, mendicant, disabled or destitute citizens. The noble intention of encouraging more people in these areas to send their children to school and get them vaccinated cannot be overlooked. The hallmark of a sound gov-

Whether it is the World Bank’s 58 million or Osinbajo’s 110 million, the truth is that the APC’s 25 million target for payment of the stipend is a far cry from the number of Nigerians waiting to collect it; if you give the stipend to some and leave out the others, that is a recipe for disaster

ernment policy is that they are used to solve problems in society. But where you pay this stipend only to married people ignoring the unmarried, unemployed youth struggling to cope with poverty, two unsavoury outcomes are inevitable. Number one is that those excluded because they are not married will be up in arms. Number two is that the youth who are living in unemployment and poverty might be encouraged to become parents in order to qualify for the stipend, thus perpetuating poverty. Now comes the next question: Will the APC Federal Government also provide free education to the children of these desperately poor parents? Or will they (the parents) be expected to pay for the children’s school bills from this paltry sum? More questions. Where will the government get this huge amount from at a time that governors are trying to back out of paying the minimum wage to their workers due to lack of funds? My layman’s math tells me the Federal Government will need a hefty N1.5 trillion annually to offset the bill. This is more than the amount that former President Goodluck Jonathan’s government paid as fuel subsidy in 2013. Some people will argue with sentiment and say why not? If trillions can be spent to enrich a few members of the petroleum “cabal”, why worry about a welfare programme for the poor? The difference is that while the subsidy actually enriches the “cabal” the stipend will merely tranquilise the poor while keeping them poor. Few will be able to ride on their N5,000 out of poverty. If this amount of money is available to be doled out, why not put it into policies that will multiply benefits and actually give the more enterprising jobless a chance to escape poverty? Why not invest it in agriculture and associated value chain, mining, real estate, capacity building, entrepreneurship training and entrenchment, infrastructure and such other areas that create gainful employment on a massive scale? Why give fish to the “poorest and most vulnerable” Nigerians rather than teach them how to fish? Why foist this form of undignifying dependency on our youth? The APC Federal Government is really confusing us with their conflicting signals. The President is shouting it on the rooftops of world capitals that the country is “broke” and unable to pay its ministers, but his VP and one of the ministers are telling us that implementation of this controversial and improperly chewed Social Welfare Programme that will gulp trillions annually is around the corner. I smell trouble.

OPINION

The limits of body language BY JUDE OPARA

IGERIANS have been groaning under the heavy burden of acute fuel scarcity which has hit the country for the third week running. Also the issue of power which many thought was beginning to improve for the better has gone bad again, thereby leaving behind anguish and lamentations across the nation. Interestingly, these vital components of a nation on the path of recovery were witnessed as soon as Muhammadu Buhari was sworn in as president last May. Then what was on the lips of many people was that the body language of the new President was beginning to work. The moribund refineries, we were also told, started to operate to a certain level and there was a ‘promise’ that with just few months, the issue of fuel scarcity and the attendant hardship experienced by Nigerians will be things of the past. The argument in many quarters then was that since there was a new sheriff in town, the people who hitherto used to sit on the progress of the generality of Nigerians for their selfish interest were afraid of being hounded into jail, hence the decision to allow the system work again like what is experienced in many other climes. The masses who have always been at the receiving end of C M Y K

the usual drama and power play between the Federal Government and the all powerful oil marketers heaved a sigh of relief that the days of hurray were here at last. They thought that the fuel importation which has made even the government to lose count of how much it spends will be a thing of the past. But surprisingly, just six months down the line it seems that we are returning to Egypt which we thought we had left for good. The scenario has not been anything different from what it used to be in the past as the two vital indices: fuel and power, have once more become the most elusive commodities one can get. In fact, the issue has become so complicated that all what we here in the media is that there is enough fuel to serve everybody and that people should stop panic buying; however, the reality on ground does not support the argument that people are creating the scarcity due to panic buying. In parts of the country, petrol now sells for as much as N150 naira at filling stations, while at the ever ready black market it goes for as much as N300 per litre. This has forced many car owners to park their vehicles while hoards of commuters are daily seen stranded at bus-stops. However, while this scenario plays out, the Federal

Nigeria must begin to put in place strong institutions instead of the usual celebration of a perceived strong personality

Government seems not to know what to do to quickly end the sufferings of the people. We have heard that the oil marketers are demanding for a payment of their outstanding arrears which the government owes them and that the government is planning to make a payment of N413 billion but till date that is yet to happen. The recent events have forced many analysts to ask if the socalled body language of President Buhari which led to the marginal improvement witnessed in the distribution of petroleum resources and power supply has waned. If that is the case, it then means that truly there is a limit to what mere body language can achieve; this also suggests that if Nigeria must truly solve most of these perennial problems, then efforts must be put in place to build sustainable institutional programmes that will automatically make things work instead of the perceived personal disposition of the man on the saddle. In fact, one real danger with the body language syndrome is that it only works for a few weeks or months because initially the civil servants who usually make or mar every system will try to understudy the new man with the aim of finding out how to circumvent the system to their own benefit, and once they find that way they will continue to manipulate it from time to time. The country must not continue to rely on the socalled body language because when its effects wanes like it appears to be happening in Nigeria, the consequences are usually more devastating. Therefore, Nigeria must begin to put in place strong institutions instead of the usual celebration of a perceived strong personality. *Mr Opara, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Lagos

NOVEMBER 30, 2015

ECOWAS businessmen seek court on trade disputes By OMOH GABRIEL

usinessmen and traders of member states of the Economic Community of West Africa States worried by lack of sanctity of contract and respect for the protocol of the community are seeking legal option to settle trade and related dispute among members. They are in agreement that an ECOWAS Court of Justice is a potential forum for the adjudication of trade related regional instruments and are of the view that there is need for

advocacy towards the expansion of the jurisdiction of the ECOWAS Court of Justice hitherto limited to human rights to cover trade related issues as part of economic rights. At a two day public-private sector dialogue on Nigeria/ECOWAS trade litigation group organized by the Association of Nigerian Traders in collaboration with the EU and German International Cooperation meeting, it was agreed that stakeholders should advocate the amendment of the ECOWAS Treaty to allow for suprantionality of the body as obtained in the UEMOA system.

According to a communiqué issued after the meeting and signed by Ken UKAOHA, Esq, Secretariat President, National Association of Nigerian Traders, the body agreed that similarly, advocacy should be geared towards persuading member states to domesticate ECOWAS instruments in countries where domestication applies. Ukaoh said: “This Public-Private Sector dialogue was organised by NANTS with support from the European Union and the German International Cooperation (GIZ) under the Strengthening Nigeria’s Trade

COMMISSIONING — From left: Dr. (Mrs) Lami Amodu, Principal, Queens College, Head Girl, Miss Angel TonyAtidie & Bukky Latunji, at the commissioning of a 500 KVA Generator donated to the college by Zenith Bank recently.

Support Institutions (SNTSi) Programme. The dialogue was convened to examine avenues towards promoting redress for traders and other business actors in cases of violation of ECOWAS Treaty and Protocols relating to freedom of movement, rights of residence and establishment within the region. “Specifically, the event focused on identifying possible strategies towards the expansion of the jurisdiction of the ECOWAS Court of Justice to cover issues relating to infraction of regional instruments regarding trade and other forms of business activities, especially the possibility of using strategic litigation in this regard. The event also explored strategies towards advocating for political action on the part of member States with a view to amending the Protocol setting up the ECOWAS Court of Justice. "Participants were drawn from various stakeholder groups cutting across the relevant MDAs, regional institutions, private sector, cross border traders, legal profession, law students, media, etc. "The two-day event had presentations from various experts which focused on the practical experiences and issues that call for litigation along the ECOWAS border routes, the possible legal avenues for cross border business operators to obtain legal redress in cases of infraction of regional instruments and the limitations of these avenues, proposals for addressing the challenges, etc. Presentations were followed by lively debates among participants which brought to the fore, some experiences and frustrations from the field, intricacies of the jurisdiction of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, legal postulations on

Continues on page 22 C M Y K

22 — Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015

Cover

The Basic Guide to Starting Your Business (4)

MEETING - From left: Thiery Mbimi, Head Financial Risk Management, KPMG; Olumide Olayinka, Partner and Head, Risk Consulting; Tokunbo Martins, Director, Banking Supervision, Central bank of Nigeria and Kabir Okunlola, Partmer. Financial Services Practice, KPMG at the KPMG breakfast meeting on Implementing IFRS 9 in Nigeria held in Lagos.

ECOWAS businessmen seek Court on trade disputes Continued from page 21 the applicability/enforceability of ECOWAS legal instruments in the Nigerian courts, etc.” At the end of the two-day event, participants arrived at some conclusions and resolved as follows: “That the free movement of persons, goods, services and capital within the region is fundamental to the realisation of collective prosperity within the region, therefore, national governments must take all necessary actions towards complying with the regional instruments aimed at achieving a common economic space within the region. That the current lack of enforcement of regional instruments by the member States occasion untold hardship for the community citizens who derive their livelihood from cross border business activities, hence the need for alternative strategies of enforcement.” The communiqué said: “Since the domestic courts of member states are incompetent to adjudicate on contraventions of regional instruments, there is need to have an effective regional platform for the adjudication of those infractions/ infringements.” It further said “that Non-State Actors should explore the option of Strategic Litigation by bringing cases before the ECOWAS Court of Justice that seek to test the extent of the human rights jurisdiction of the Court, especially since some of the trade related infractions have human rights undertone”. Nigeria, the traders' body C M Y K

said, “needs to play a more proactive role in shaping the regional integration agenda especially by complying with regional instruments and using its political and economic weight to ensure that other countries do the same. Stakeholders, they argued “should liaise with and seek collaboration of public interest lawyers to initiate cases at the ECOWAS Court of Justice on possible pro bono basis and that they should also explore advocacy towards the establishment of specialised courts with trade law competence to adjudicate over trade related issues (such as customs valuation, certification, etc) at the national levels. That there is need to widen the conversation to include all those working on the rule of law and regional integration, as well as members of the judiciary and political leaders at the national and regional levels. That the identified gaps in trade litigation should be brought to the notice of the relevant Community

The current lack of enforcement of regional instruments by the member States occasion untold hardship for the community citizens who derive their livelihood from cross border business activities

Institutions and member States as a way of advocating for the necessary legal changes. They also said that “business actors and law enforcement agencies who ply their trade across the borders should be continuously sensitised through workshops, seminars, publications and road shows about ECOWAS as well as the rules and procedures for transacting business within the region, including products that are contraband”. More over they said “there is need to establish a mechanism to collate complaints from the business community on the infractions of regional instruments as it concerns them. This could be done through the various market traders associations. Also Nigerian traders in other countries should form or register with National Association of Nigerian Traders in those countries as a platform for obtaining information and seeking redress where the need arises. They said: “Government should develop a conscious policy towards integrating international trade law into the curriculum of Nigerian Universities as a way of developing more domestic capacity in trade law, while also recognizing the role of trade lawyers in government institutions”. On the CET, they said that “the national authority responsible (Federal Ministry of Finance) should enact the CET into a national tariff regulation to allow for smooth implementation as this may contribute to reducing debates and entanglements associated with the ratification or otherwise of the CET”.

Daring successful business man has a mindset that is willing to take risks and tread on places people would not ordinarily want to tread. He would not chicken out at the slightest threat, so if you intend to start and own your business, you must have a die-hard mentality, otherwise you would quit before you even get started. It is also very important to consider the risks involved and your ability to handle them properly, since every business involves risks. Most business people are very comfortable with modest risk but quite uncomfortable with big risks. Although they are unwilling to gamble on long shots, they are more willing to take chances if their individual skills can affect the probability of success. Then will they have the courage to step out into the unknown and pursue their personal dreams. Goal getter A successful business man has the mindset of not just setting goals but also achieving the desired result. He does not settle for less but always has his eyes on the prize. To him there are no impossibilities and failure is just part of the game. He does not believe in half measures but believes that he can go all the way and this mentality inspires a lot of confidence in clients and customers and will keep them coming. A high level of energy also keeps the businessman trudging through road blocks because he has his eyes fixed on long term goals. It is important you are very energetic and vibrant as it will ensure that your business is up and running. You need to have a motivation from within and from those around you. The man who invented electricity, tried ninety-nine times and failed; he th got it right the 100 time! I dare say, that is the spirit you must possess, no matter how many times you fail, you keep trying it out until you get it right….bottom line you must delete the word IMPOSSIBLE from your dictionary. Period! It’s very important you move with the right people and read books and materials that will prepare your mind and reposition your mindset towards positivity, because “if you can think it then you can be it”. Never forget “you are a product of your thoughts.” This reminds me of a Nigerian drama series that aired on the Nigerian national television network (NTA) in the early 90s, BASSEY& COMPANY. The lead act was fond of saying “if you want to be a millionaire, think like a millionaire”! As funny as it sounded then, it is still very true and applies to business. So permit me to say if you want to be a successful business man, then think like one! If you are going to run a business of your own, you should find something that makes you really happy. This should be at the core of why you are even looking at going into business of your own, because if you try and make something work and you have no passion for it, it probably won’t work out. If you have passion for the industry that you are working in, you will have a good chance of making it work out. What make a business great are the people that run it and the passion that they have for it. Keep this in mind when you are thinking of starting a business of your own. From experience, many just jump into business because they are excited about an idea and haven’t really thought about the ‘ whys and wherefores’. Taking a moment to reflect on your motivations and defining your purpose will be time well spent. A lot of people go into business for the sole reason of making money; this is not a good idea. It’s not a good idea because the main ingredient for success is missing. The main ingredient for success is passion, and it’s virtually impossible to maintain high-levels of energy when you’re doing something you don’t love. There will always be challenges in owning a business. Your love and passion is what takes you through those challenges. Without that passion, you probably won’t make it.

Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015 — 23

ast week I talked about the technological opportunity the so-called illegal refineries is offering the nation that is being thrown away. There were many Nigerians who felt the same way. But one particular reader suggested a part 2 that should focus on the danger the destruction of tons of illegally refined products is having on the coastal, as well as the entire NigerDelta region. Federal government law enforcement agents have engaged in an endless battle with crude oil thieves. The joint military task force set up by government in this regard is to arrest and prosecute these thieves. I am not so sure that considering the impact oil spill has on the environment, the task force was empowered to destroy crude oil and products recovered from these so-called illegal refiners. But regular reports have it that such recovered products are usually destroyed. The most recent report by the Central Naval Command said its operatives have destroyed eight illegal refineries and about 300 metric tons of products suspected to be Automated Gas Oil and Crude Oil at Akassa in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. The spokesman of the command, Lieutenant Commander E.D Yeibo said the raid was led by the Commanding Officer, Forward Operating Base (FOB) FORMOSO, Captain Musa Katagum following intelligence report on the activities of suspected oil thieves in the area. The team, he said, was made up of personnel from Naval Base Brass and soldiers attached to Nigerian Agip Oil Company. Yeibo said: “A total of eight refineries and about 300 metric tons of products suspected to be Automated Gas Oil and Crude Oil were destroyed during the raid. “The destruction was in accordance with extant regulations of destroying in-situ when arrest was not effected. The question being asked is: how were these products destroyed? Were they buried? Where they burnt? Three hundred metric tons of oil spilled in a region will permanently deface the surface on which it is poured. If burnt, it will send a lot of carbonmonoxide into the

Is there nothing good about the so called illegal refineries? (2)

atmosphere. Vegetation, fish and other aquatic lives in that area are thus destroyed. This inflicts permanent damage to the means of livelihood of those living in that area. It is doubtful if the Nigerian military task force is aware of the global campaign on climate change. It is equally doubtful if the Federal Government of Nigeria is really concerned about the environment and ready to go along with the global trend. Global warming resulting from emission of carbon into the atmosphere has caused climate change that the entire world is worried that if nothing is done to change the situation, lives on planet earth will be seriously endangered. Nigeria today is experiencing unusual rainfall and uncontrollable flooding. Flooding has sacked many villages and towns in various parts of the country, yet the

military boasts of open destruction of tons of illegally refined products. It is important to draw the attention of the military to the ongoing preparation for climate change meeting starting today in Paris. Preparatory to the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris between Nov. 30 and Dec. 11, 2015, UN SecretaryGeneral, Ban Ki-moon has reiterated the need for an urgent global response to climate change. He said: “Why do I care so much about this issue? First, like any grandfather, I want my grandchildren to enjoy the beauty and bounty of a healthy planet. And, like any human being, it grieves me to see that floods, droughts and fires are getting worse, that island nations will disappear, and uncounted species will become extinct. Second, as the head of the United Nations, I

have prioritised climate change because no country can meet this challenge alone. Climate change carries no passport; emissions released anywhere contribute to the problem everywhere. “It is a threat to lives and livelihoods everywhere. Economic stability and the security of nations are under threat. Only through the UN can we respond collectively to this quintessentially global issue. “The negotiation process has been slow and cumbersome. But we are seeing results. In response to the UN’s call, more than 166 countries, which collectively account for more than 90 per cent of emissions, have now submitted national climate plans with targets. “If successfully implemented, these national plans bend the emissions curve down to a projected global temperature rise of approximately three

degrees Celsius by the end of the century.” Is the Nigerian military authority aware of the disaster caused by uncontrolled fire and carbon emission on the environment and the lives of Nigerians? Are these gallant armed men aware that climate change is a threat to lives and livelihoods everywhere in Nigeria and beyond? Are they not grieved to see that floods, droughts and fires are getting worse within Nigeria? Even if they are not affected directly by flood, are they not concerned that their fellow countrymen are internally displaced as a result of floods? Are these men not aware that some coastal towns in the country will be submerged one day and lots of lives and property will be lost as a result of global warming? This administration prides itself as a government whose economic policy is to elevate Nigerians and alleviate poverty. Nigeria has the habit of missing out on great opportunities. Nations are working hard with others to reduce green house gas emission, Nigeria is here announcing to the world how many illegal refineries its military has destroyed and the volume of crude oil as well as refined products its has destroyed through no other means than setting them ablaze. They are not asking what the environmental implications of setting such amount of products on fire are. Nigerian leaders need to put on a thinking cap and think out of the box to save the nation the pains of flooding, drought, desert encroachment and fire disasters.

Business & Economy Why Nigeria ranks poorly in ease of paying taxes By JONAH NWOKPOKU

igeria’s high cost of tax compliance has been identified as one of the reasons for its poor ranking in ease of paying taxes when compared to other economies around the world. Recall that Nigeria ranked 181 out of 189 economies covered by the ‘2016 Paying Taxes Survey’ conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers and the World Bank Group. This was a decline from its 179th ranking in 2014. According to the report,

electronic tax filing and payments were the most common tax reforms undertaken by countries worldwide during the past year. As a result, paying taxes became easier for medium sized companies globally, and the focus has moved from reducing tax rates for companies to embracing technology and relieving their compliance burden. The report also shows that low income economies continue to face the biggest reform

challenges. The report said: “Paying taxes 2016 finds that on average, the model company has a Total Tax Rate of 40.8 per cent of commercial profits, down by just 0.1 percentage point from last year. It makes 25.6 tax payments per year and takes 261 hours to comply with its tax requirements, a drop or two hours compared to last year.” It said: “Nigeria ranks 181 out of 189 economies covered by the survey. By contrast, the Total Tax Rate for the model

company in Nigeria is 33.3 per cent up by 0.9 percentage point from last year’s 32.4 per cent. It makes 59 tax payments per year and takes 908 hours to comply with its tax requirements.” Speaking on the report at a forum organised by PwC for stakeholders and tax administrators in Lagos recently, West Africa Market Tax Leader, PwC, Taiwo Oyedele said: “The tax burden in terms of cost of compliance in Nigeria is very high. In some cases, the cost in terms

of time and money is more than the tax payable. Nigeria is not doing well by ranking 181 out of 189. This means we have a long way to go especially because our tax to GDP ratio is very low at about 8 per cent. Worldwide and looking at countries in Africa, we are looking at 25 per cent. So, if we are looking at say, moving from 8 to 25 per cent, that is 300 per cent increase, we should not make the process of paying taxes very complicated.

C M Y K

24— Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015

Business & Economy

NBC’s graduate trainee scheme produces 4,500 engineers By PRINCE OKAFOR

igerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited has so far produced over 4,500 competent engineers under its graduate trainee scheme, and thus stimulating economic growth, youth development and empowerment This was disclosed by the company’s Managing Director, Ben Langat on the occasion of graduation ceremony for 39 trainee graduates from its Technical Training Centre in Ikeja, Lagos. Langat stated that the objective of the Technical Training Centre is to consistently provide a pool of resourceful competent engineers and technicians who are in tune with the highly demanding technology and operating environment in the beverage industry. He added that graduates from the Technical Training Centre have remarkably demonstrated high technical and leadership competencies over the years and have been rewarded with accelerated career progression. Also speaking at the event, Acting Head, Public Affairs and Communications, NBC Limited, Sade Morgan said, “The Technical Training Centre is one of the key pillars of NBC’s commitment to stimulate human performance, improve productivity and induce value-added production capacity.” She added that the place of technicians is very vital in securing the already existing standard heritage of our organization, as well as safeguarding and upholding our world class manufacturing models and processes. NBC Technical Training Centre was established in 1996 to continually train and empower technical personnel in the company. However, the Training Centre is open to young Nigerians from other institutions with an aspiration to build a sound career in the beverage bottling industry. Till date, the Technical Training Centre has concluded distinctive technical programs for over 4,500 participants, staying committed to producing competent and enterprising engineers, as well as equipping technicians with the required skills necessary for the operating and technological requirements in a challenging industry environment. C M Y K

VISIT: From left, Acting Head, Public Affairs & Communication, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited, Mrs. Sade Morgan; Director, NBC, Alhaji Ahmed Mantey; Managing Director, NBC, Ben Langqat; Director, NBC, Laolu Akinkugbe and Executive Governor of Kwara State, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed during a courtesy visit to the Kwara State Government House by the NBC delegation.

Recapitalisation: Acorn to raise N5bn via private placement By PROVIDENCE OBUH

significant milestone in its recapitalization process and

corn Petroleum Plc is set to raise N5 billion through private placement following an approval of the basis of allotment of its Rights Issue by the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC. The company has during its last AGM obtained approval from its shareholders to raise additional equity by way of Rights to existing shareholders and placement with new investors. In a statement, the company said that capital raising exercise represents a

As part of its strategic plans to give liquidity and exit options to shareholders, the company has commenced the process of listing its existing shares with NASD

that it has commenced the second phase of the capital raising exercise which will be a combination of Special/ Private Placement to selected investors during which the company hopes to raise additional N5billion in new equity. The company hinted that approval was obtained at its last AGM from shareholders to raise additional equity by way of Rights to existing shareholders and placement with new investors. Accordingly, the company said, “we will focus on the core downstream activities of

distribution of petroleum products hence capital raised will be deployed towards corporate restructuring, working capital and investment in critical infrastructures like construction of storage depots at Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja airports, construction of a lubricants blending plant, expansion of its retail outlets chain, LPG Plants and the development of an ultramodern oil terminal.” As part of its strategic plans to give liquidity and exit options to shareholders, the company has commenced the process of listing its existing shares with NASD via listing by introduction and this is expected to be concluded in December 2015. Meanwhile, the company also debunked rumors about the reported sale of its assets by AMCON, “we do not have any assets encumbered by AMCON. During 2013, we entered into an agreement with AMCON wherein one of our assets was sold to AMCON in full and final payment of indebtedness. “This asset was in turn leased back to the company for a period of time with an option to buy back if the company desires. So it is erroneous to report that the company asset was put up for sale when in actual fact the asset in question does not belong to the company and not carried in its books. The company is not in dispute with AMCON and the company has the right of first refusal to buy back the facility which the company may decide to exercise if it so desires,” the company said.

Liquidity: BDC chairman lauds CBN for cuts in lending rate

he Chairman, Sokoto State Chapter of the Association of Bureau De Change Operators, Alhaji Aliyu Yar-abba, has commended the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for reducing the banks’ lending rates from 13 to 11 per cent. he said: “This singular, highly commendable act would certainly boost liquidity in Nigeria’s economy, boost domestic commerce and trade." Yar-Abba told newsmen in Sokoto last week that the gesture by the apex bank was capable of enabling local manufacturers to bolster their activities across the nation. According to him, "The domestic manufacturers would now be able to draw more facilities from the banks, resuscitate ailing and

collapsed industries and establish new ones. They will also be able to get more funds at reduced interest rates to establish new factories,as well as small-scale enterprises across the country. "Consequently, the nation’s hard-earned foreign reserves would be saved; create more employment locally and curb poverty and its attendant negative consequences." The Bureau De Change Operators further praised the CBN for directives to BDC operators across the country to collate the details of all those seeking to buy the U.S. Dollars. Yar-Abba explained that the measure had helped to drastically reduce the incidences of money laundering. He said: "It has also reduced the nefarious acts by some

Nigerians using Automated Teller Machines ( ATMs) abroad to launder money, as well as engage in illicit transactions in foreign currencies. I am, however, appealing to the apex bank to relax the requirements that all BDC operators were directed to receive from their prospective customers. These include photocopies of international passports with valid visas, Bank Verification Number( BVN) and air tickets." He appealed to the CBN to increase the ceiling on the amount of dollars the BDCs were allowed to sell to a single customer from $5,000 to $10,000. Similarly, he called for the relaxation of the requirements for purchasing foreign currencies for customers seeking below

$10,000, urging the Federal Government to initiate policies to force Nigerians and other nationals and multinational corporations to transact their businesses only in the Naira as "This is also capable of boosting the strength of the Nigerian legal tender, facilitate trade and investments. I am also calling on all Nigerians to patronise more Made-InNigeria goods, to encourage more local production of goods. "In the same vein, I am appealing to the Federal Government to sustain the current commendable reforms of the power sector. This would also help in the revamping of the collapsed industries, as well as facilitate the springing up of new ones across Nigeria,’’ Yar-Abba, explained.

Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015 — 25

Corporate Report

Flour Mills Nigeria: One step away from loss By MIKE UZOR

lour Mills Nigeria showed an exceptional rise in profit at the end of its second quarter trading yet it is facing operating pressure that leaves it just one step away from a loss. The company’s 450% rise in after tax profit in the second quarter is an exceptional earnings record in a year of a general corporate earnings lull. With an after tax profit of N24.02 billion at half year, the company has already made about three times the full year profit figure it posted at the end of the preceding financial year. The company’s impressive profit show however came almost exclusively from profit realised from disposal of investment in associates. Without the windfall, Flour Mills would have reported a meager profit of N287 million in the second quarter. That is the only contribution from the company ’s nor mal operations to the otherwise robust bottom line picture displayed at the end of the second quarter. That was all the company saved for shareholders out of sales revenue of N177.58 billion generated at the end of the second quarter. The company faces intense operating pressure from rising cost of sales and huge interest charges that have undermined profit capacity considerably. Last financial year, sale of investment equally yielded a windfall of N14.28 billion, which enabled the company to escape a loss that could have resulted from huge interest expenses of N18.70 billion. Two major cost elements have eroded profit margin in the core business of the company and the structure for profitable operations appears to be missing presently. One is cost of sales, which accounts for 90% of sales revenue. The other is interest expenses, which rose by 21.1% at the end of the second quarter to N12.33 billion - close to three times as fast as sales revenue. The company’s operating profit was insufficient to meet finance cost in the second quarter. The company’s operations run on huge balance sheet debts. Despite a significant reduction, the company still has term loans of N63.74 billion and a bank overdraft of N39.42 billion. There are also short-term loans of N46.58 billion and unsecured fixed rate bond of N9.23 billion. The company will need to free itself of much of these borrowings for it to regain the capacity to convert revenue into profit. The company generated sales revenue of N177.58 billion in the second quarter, which is an increase of 7.3% year- on-year. Full year turnover is projected at N359 billion for Flour Mills Nigeria in the 2015/ 16 financial year. That would be a growth of 16.6% against a decline of 5.2% last financial year. Without the gain from disposal of investment, the company stood only a thin line

MASTERCLASS -From left: Sola Adepetu, Non-Executive Director, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria; Yemi Owolabi, Executive Director, Finance, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria; Bismarck Rewane, CEO, Financial Derivatives Co. Ltd; and Leke Ogunlewe, CEO, Standard Chartered Capital and Advisory Nigeria, at Finance MasterClass 2015 event organised by Standard Chartered Bank at the bank's Head Office, Victoria Island, Lagos. between profit and loss at the end of the second quarter. Profit capacity was further constrained by major drops of 32.7% in other income and 76.4% in investment income during the review period. Given the costincome structure the company is operating, no reasonable addition to the profit figure is anticipated from Flour Mills Nigeria for the rest of the financial year. After tax profit is is therefore expected to amount to N24.31 billion at full year - only marginally higher than the second quarter closing figure. This will nevertheless be an outstanding growth of 187% over the preceding year ’s closing net profit figure of

N8.47 billion. The company remains under cash flow pressure, as net cash generated from operating activities could not cover debt repayments and interest expenses. Cash generated from sale of investment enabled the company to meet substantially a net cash utilisation of over N27 billion from financing activities. Without it, the company would have piled more debts to meet serious cash flow pressure. Despite the windfall, the company still carries a cash deficit in excess of N23 billion. In the midst of the cash flow difficulties facing the company, it is not certain if shareholders can hope

to share from the big harvest by way of a decent dividend. The company’s directors declared a dividend holiday last financial year but whether the bigger windfall from sale of investment this year may end the holiday isn’t foreseeable for now. Nestle Nigeria: profit flat on slow sales, rising costs Nestle Nigeria is unable to push sales volume so far this year and rising operating cost have encroached on margins and kept profit flat. The food and beverages company suffered a slight decline in profit last year with an increase of 7.7% in turnover. This year, sales revenue isn’t likely to grow as fast as happened last year but a moderate improvement in profit may be possible at full year. Some cost saving is helping the company to defend profit margin and that is the key operating strength for the company this year. Sales revenue amounted to N108 billion at the end of the third quarter, which is an improvement of 5.2% year-on-year. Full year projection indicates sales revenue of over N145 billion for Nestle Nigeria at the end of 2015. This will be a marginal increase of 1.4% - the slowest revenue improvement in many years. The growth rate in the third quarter is therefore expected to slow down at full year. The ability to grow sales revenue is bound to be constrained as long as the company is unable to appeal to consumers’ low cost sentiments. A low price response is needed to stimulate the consumer market at a time of low spending capacity. The company said increased cost of input induced by the devaluation of the naira is the problem. The

Continues on page 26

26 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015

Corporate Report

Flour Mills Nigeria: One step away from loss Continues from page 25 inability to transfer the cost increase to the market is hurting sales as well as profit. The company ended third quarter operations with after tax profit of N17.24 billion, which is a flat growth of 2.2% year-on-year. After tax profit is projected at N23.8 billion for Nestle Nigeria in 2015. The flat growth in the third quarter is expected to step up to an increase of 7% at the end of the year. Nestle Nigeria implemented efficiency and cost saving initiatives that enabled it to contain rising cost of sales and therefore improve gross profit ahead of sales. Cost of sales increased by 2.8% against the 5.2% increase in sales revenue. That improved gross profit margin from 43.2% in the same period last year to 44.5% at the end of the third quarter. Further cost management success happened in respect of administrative expenses and marketing cost. This enabled the company to raise operating profit by 11.6% more than twice as fast as sales revenue. However most of the cost saved was claimed by finance charges, which nearly doubled at the end of the third quarter. Finance charges amounted to N3.86 billion, which claimed 15.6% of operating profit against 8.8% in the same period last year. The ability to defend profit margin is the key strength of the company this year. Net profit margin is slightly up from 15.5% at the end of last year to 16% at the end of the third quarter. That informs an expectation of a moderate improvement in after tax profit at the end of 2015. Nestle Nigeria has not achieved a reasonable growth in profit over the past three years. Management needs to recharge the company â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growth momentum by focusing on low cost high margin products, which will be an appropriate response to the present conditions of the consumer market in Nigeria. The company has declared an interim cash dividend of N10 per share. The register of shareholders closed on 20th November and payment th is scheduled for 7 December 2015.

â&#x20AC;˘Mike Uzor is a financial analyst based in Lagos. C M Y K

Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015— 27

Banking & Finance

MPC measures not sufficient for economic growth — Analysts •To reduce FG’s debt service burden •Inject N771bn liquidity into interbank market •Trigger capital flight, increased inflation authorities to de-risk the sector. However, with the restriction on all cheap income lines, we expect a significant medium term expansion in Credit to the private sector (currently at N19.1tn in October 2015 and up 6.8 percent Y-o-Y) by DMBs. This will necessitate banks to improve on their risk management framework to identify opportunities and earn a relatively higher margin (compared to the cheap rates in the fixed income market) and buoy assets turnover and shareholders’ return.”

By BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

HE decisions of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to reduce the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) to 11 percent and cut the Cash Reserve Requirement of banks to 20 percent will not automatically translate to economic growth, said economic analysts. Faced with the slow economic growth in the three quarters of the year, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) at the end of its meeting on Tuesday decided to relax monetary policy in a bid to boost growth. Consequently the MPC reduced the MPR from 13.0 percent to 11.0 percent; reduced the Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) from 25.0 percent to 20.0 percent; and fixed the Asymmetric corridor of +2.0 percent and 7.0 percent around the MPR. Commenting on this development, Razi Khan of Standard Chartered said, “The easing measures are aimed at boosting Nigeria’s real economy. How successful they are will depend on how much other bottlenecks, currently constraining realsector activity, can be overcome”. Kunle Ezun of Ecobank Treasury Research team expressed similar views. He said, “While this effort from the monetary authority to boost growth is commendable, it is not automatic and might require complementary efforts and strategic policy decision from the fiscal authority in the area of infrastructural renewal and security to transform the economy”. Similarly, Financial Derivative Company (FDC) in its reaction stated, “Though the new changes made to the policy rate and CRR indicate the apex bank’s concern with the slowing economic growth, the exchange rate and its policy implications is still an issue that the CBN will need to answer. All eyes will now move to the January meeting and the 2016 budget of the FGN to see what the economic direction of Nigeria is likely to be.”

*CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele To reduce FG’s debt service burden According to the FDC, the decision of the MPC will lead to 50 percent reduction in the debt service burden of the federal government. The company noted, “But more importantly is the adjustment of the corridor around the MPR to an asymmetric corridor of +2 percent and -7 percent. What this effectively means is that the CBN will borrow at 4 percent p.a and lend at 13 percent p.a. By this significant move, the CBN will be reducing the FGN debt service burden by about a half. The Federal government debt service burden in 2014 was in excess of N1 trillion.” N771bn liquidity injection Meanwhile, Afrinvest Plc in its comment stated that the decision to reduce the CRR to 20 percent will inject N771.4 billion additional liquidity into the interbank market. Commenting on how the MPC decision will impact interbank liquidity and interest rates, the company stated, “The 200 basis points (bps) cut in MPR and introduction of an asymmetric corridor around the MPR at +200bps and 700bps is the most significant of the policy decisions reached today as this brings the Standing Lending Facility (SLF) and Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) rates to 13.0 percent and 4.0 percent from 15.0 percent and 11.0 percent respectively. Prior to the MPC decision, there has been a

regulatory maximum on the remunerable SDF placement by each bank at N7.5 billion. The MPC’s decision to complement this by a further 5.0 percent cut in CRR will add approximately N771.4 billion to liquidity level based on October data from the CBN. ” Afrinvest however noted that the increased liquidity will not immediately translate to increased lending by banks. It stated,” In the short term, we do not expect the ease in monetary policy to immediately translate to increase lending to the real sector, especially given the high risk retail/SME loans segment. Structural bottlenecks, weak quality of infrastructure and the current slowdown in economic activities constitute high risk to real sector lending, which would require more adjustments by the fiscal

In the short term, we do not expect the ease in monetary policy to immediately translate to increased lending to the real sector

Capital flight & Increased Inflation Analysts at Afrinvest and FDC believe that the MPC measures could lead to capital flight from Nigeria’s fixed income markets and also increased inflationary pressures. FDC analysts stated, “Already Nigerian Treasury bills are yielding less than 4 percent p.a, much lower than the inflation rate. As interest rates have been reduced, there may be capital flight from the Nigerian fixed income market, especially in light of the anticipated rate hike by the US Fed in December. The growth in M2, which is -5 percent (annualised), gives some room for increasing money supply without stoking inflation. However, the refund of CRR and the lower MPR will definitely lead to increase in anticipated inflation.” According to Afrinvest, “The relaxed monetary stance of the MPC after its last meeting for the year, though positive for stimulating short-term economic growth, may not come without negative implications for the economy in the medium term. With the reduction in interest rate, Nigeria is likely to face increased capital flight consequences in the medium to long term, more so if the Fed raises its benchmark interest rate at its next meeting in December. “Equally, the spike in financial market liquidity resulting from the reduction in CRR to 20.0 percent as well as the expansionary 2016 fiscal year is expected to further trigger inflationary pressure.”

CeBIH retreat examines mobile payments for financial inclusion

he Deputy Governor, Operations, Central Bank of Nigeria, Alhaji Suleiman Barau will lead banking and electronic payment experts and service providers to examine the prospects and challenges of using mobile payments to drive financial inclusion at the 5thannual retreat of the Committee of e-Banking Industry Heads (CeBIH). The theme of the two day retreat is “Mobile Payments for Financial Inclusion in Nigeria - Prospects & Challenges” and is scheduled to hold from Thursday 2nd to Friday 3rd December 2015 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The retreat which will be declared open by the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency Udom Emmanuel will feature keynote addresses by the Deputy Governor and the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Wema Bank Plc, Mr Segun Oloketuyi. Technical sessions would be anchored by renown experts in the electronic and mobile payments space such as Mr Valentine Obi, Managing Director, eTranzact International Plc, Mr Eric Muriuki Njagi from the Commercial Bank of Africa, Kenya and Mr. Frederik Eijkman, Chief Executive Officer, PEP Intermedius, Kenya. Commenting on the retreat, CeBIH Chairman, Mr. Tunde Kuponiyi said, “The theme of the retreat was informed by the recognition of the increasing role of mobile payments in removing traditional barriers to financial inclusion, which is also one of the aims of the cashless policy introduced three years ago. According to available statistics over 36million Nigerians are financially excluded i.e. they have no access to formal financial or banking services. The CBN and all the banks however seek to ensure that this figure is reduced to the barest minimum by the year 2020. He said further, “Having deployed various channels of payments – PoS, Web, ATM and Mobile, it very obvious that the most suitable channel for targeting and penetrating the massive unbanked population is the mobile and this is easy to understand considering the rate of adoption of mobile.

28— Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015 — 29

30— Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015

Corporate Finance

Guinness shareholders approve N5bn dividends By NKIRUKA NNOROM

dividend of N4.8 billion has been approved by shareholders of Guinness Nigeria Plc for the period ended June 30, 2015 with a pledge by the board and management to maintain sustainable growth for the business through good business strategies and quality products. The dividends approved translated N3.20 per 50 kobo ordinary share. The Chairman of the company, Babatunde Savage, speaking at the 65th Annual General Meeting, said although the operating environment remained daunting during the period under review, the company recorded a credible performance in its full year results and is now poised for better performance in the 2016 financial year and beyond. “Going into the 2016 financial year, the board and management are resolute in their commitment to improve the performance of the company and deliver greater value and return on investments to shareholders,” he stated. Guinness Nigeria and its parent company, Diageo, Savage said, remain strongly committed to supporting Nigeria’s developmental aspirations through strengthening the country’s manufacturing base, employment creation, manpower development and fuelling overall economic growth. In the area of corporate social responsibility, the Chairman stated that the company has continued to maintain a strong focus on impactful projects across its host communities, be it in the area of health, water provision, environmental protection or road safety. Responding to questions on the issue of sanctions on the company announced by the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) over alleged infractions, Savage emphasized that Guinness would continue to explore every path for a fair resolution of the matter. “We have had very robust relationship with NAFDAC for as long as I can remember. We intend to maintain that relationship.

Africa needs innovation to bridge unemployment gap – SIYA XUSA The 2015 Stanbic IBTC Business Leadership Series was a unique one. It featured two renowned innovators and guest speakers. And one of these speakers was an internationally acclaimed rocket scientist, Siyabulela Xusa. Driven by an uncommon mission and strong belief in self-actualization, he set out very early in life to make a difference in his chosen area of interest. At only 26, Xusa, has a planet named after him in recognition of his technological exploits. He spoke to newsmen at the sideline of the event on what Africa must do to achieve sustainable development. NKIRUKA NNOROM was entrepreneurs to do business there and captured the in Africa. For instance, the interview for Vanguard. movement of goods and services in Africa is hindered Success in building a new by the visa regulations we generation of leaders in have in place. Americans are business depends to a large more welcomed in Africa than extent on the existence of an our African brothers. We could effective system, defined by change that to make it easy appropriate policy direction for Africans to move and and existence of an enabling innovate across Africa. More environment. Have you seen importantly, we should shift any signs that we are on the our mindsets as Africans on path of creating that kind of what is possible. History has model in Africa? not being in our favour. So, The bottom line is that Africa, we need to project our right now, is faced with two achievements, the positives fundamental forces. Firstly, is about Africa. the fact that we can’t over-rely You have been at the on resources. If you take a vanguard of transformation look at the economy, we have in Africa. During your lower commodity prices and presentation, you mentioned that is very fundamental. The the next revolution, which second fundamental point I could be economic as well as have seen is that Africa is a innovation. What factors very young population. About underscore your line of 625 million Africans are thought? between the ages of 16 and 25. So, there is a huge Most Africans population that is young and are tired of the will be entering the labour force. aid; we don’t Those two fundamental want to be forces have now made seen as governments and businesses to be more conscious of the accepting aid, fact that the future of Africa and we want to would have to be based on innovations because we need be seen as to be independent of standing resources and we need to competitively have young people innovating because the and with companies we have in veracity when existence today won’t be enough to give the jobs that it comes to are needed. Those two forces trade. have now shaped governments to take entrepreneurship more The line of thought comes seriously. from looking at history and Governments are taking the analyzing history. The biggest young generation more constraint to Africa in the past seriously because the young 50 years was that there was a generation is in the majority. lot of discrimination, our The average age of an African colonial past stunted growth president is in the high 60s, and a big part of Africa so we are being taken more clamoured for liberation. The seriously and innovation is second point is that now that being taken more seriously. we have the liberation, now But having said that, there is that we have stable still a long way to go and the governments in place, we path to follow is education. have the rule of law that has We should focus more on somewhat been established in engineering, science and most part of Africa, we need technology to ensure that we to create jobs, we need to can be globally competitive to create employment embrace the opportunities in opportunities. Most Africans the world and have the right are tired of the aid; we don’t policies that make it easy for want to be seen as accepting

•Siyabulela Xusa aid, and we want to be seen as standing competitively and with veracity when it comes to trade. Talking about trade and not aid, it is very clear that we need an economic revolution. Transforming the levels of inequality across the continent has to be through economic revolution. We have to innovate. We have to come up with new ways of doing things. We need to be able to take resources and come up with things that have never been done before. Africa is growing because we have abundant mineral resources. But it is important we take the abundant resources and create high value added goods. Innovation is important and young people must be at the forefront. Leadership is obviously very critical to this process. You just talked about the huge gap between the leaders (average age of 60) and the governed (average age of 25), which is obviously a challenge. What other challenges do you see affecting the economic as well as innovation revolution? I think the generational gap is already a challenge. But I think the bigger challenge is between the generations. There is nothing wrong with age. Age brings maturity, it brings experience but there has to be that clear line of communication. Leaders of today must be in touch with the reality of young people and young people of today must be conscious of the challenges been faced by the leaders. It is about the increase in communication. Access to education and opportunities are even bigger challenges. A story like mine could happen in Enugu, Kano or anywhere in Africa if young people have that access to opportunity. How do they bring more access to opportunity? It is through investing: investing in healthcare, investing in an environment that enables people to thrive. However, every challenge is an opportunity and what we have seen from African and Nigerian entrepreneurs are

people being rewarded for rising from those challenges. I will answer your question by saying that I don’t see it as a challenge. I see the generational gap as an opportunity for young people to take the lead. As you are aware, institutions don’t create leaders; circumstances in the situations create leaders. Mandela became a great leader because of the situation that South Africa was in. Challenges and opportunities will be the situation that will create the next level of entrepreneurial African leaders. Looking at the geo-political balance, Africa is still trying to leverage technology to drive growth and development, unlike the West where the thought is newer ways through strategy. How can we achieve a fine balance between deploying technology and achieving business objectives? Technology is simply part and parcel of an overall business. We cannot say that technology would solve all the problems because sometimes the problem is not necessarily technology, it could be human factors. It is important for us to shift that narrative to say that technology is not the magic bullet to solve all the problems but it should be part of the solutions. We must first solve the basics like road infrastructure, rail networks (which is where industrialists come in), power lines, power plants, etcetera. We can’t just think that they have technology that works in the West; we must make it work in Africa. Technology is a tool; it’s not the overlying philosophy. But we must embrace it and apply it where it is relevant. What about the fixation with business objectives and how businesses grow? How do we achieve sustainable growth? The aim of being in business is to make profit, both today and in the future. The rapid rate at which the world is changing requires everyone to be aware of innovation and to embrace it because industries are going to change faster in the next 20 years than they have in the past 100-200 years. We have seen the confluence of multiple things; we have seen what information technology has brought, what renewable energy will do, we have seen the increase in access and ease of travel, people have been more connected, we have seen what social media has changed. All these trends happening in the world have caused the world to change at a rate that it never has. We have what we call the network economy, where Uber, AB&B, Facebook don’t have physical structures. I am not saying companies should invest all their money in innovation but they have to be aware of it, otherwise, they will be caught off guard. Too often, you see big companies become complacent.

Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015 — 31

Insurance

Wake up to your responsibility, Adeosun charges NAICOM T

he Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, on Friday advised the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to rise up to its responsibilities and explore untapped potential. Adeosun made the call at a retreat marking the five years of NAICOM’s existence in Abuja. The minister, who was represented by the Director, Home Finance in the Ministry, Alhaji Kari Zakji, said: “The insurance industry needs to be positioned to contribute positively to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and creation of employment.” “NAICOM can help achieve this by cleansing itself of the bad eggs within itself and by improving its services to its consumers. NAICOM as an organisation will be expected to make efficient use of the financial and non-financial resources available to it. In this regard, my ministry will be looking to see a strategic, efficient and effective allocation and use of public resources.” Adeosun urged NAICOM to use the retreat to come up with a strategic

PARTNERSHIP - From left: Mr Simeon Eyisi, Chairman, SIMS Nigeria Ltd; Mr Shinichi Wakita, Managing Director, Marketing, Middle East and Africa, Panasonic and Mr Hisao Yamane, Divisional Managing Director, Appliances company, india during during the partnership announcement between Panasonic and SIMS at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos. master plan to strengthen and restructure the insurance industry. The NAICOM’s Chief Executive Officer, Alhaji Mohammed Kari, said the retreat was an avenue for the commission to review what it had achieved in the last five

years. We have reasons to believe we can do more to ensure that insurance continues to be robust in the country. “We plan to critically review our achievements and decide the strategies to push forward

and those to drop. Also, we recognise the need for further deepening of the insurance market so we will brainstorm on strengthening the players and encouraging consumers to utilise the services being provided,” he said.

...as NAICOM moves to improve service delivery By FAVOUR NNABUGWU

n a bid to give its employee a voice in the regulatory body and a sense of belonging, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) assembled all cadres of its staff to chat ways of improving efficiency, increase revenues and reduce expenses in the coming year. The Commission last weekend gathered its entire rank and file staff from across the nation to Abuja for a twoday retreat in order to put the ideas from the cadres of staff into use ahead of 2016 operation. Commissioner for Insurance, Alhaji Mohammed Kari while welcoming the staff to Abuja, encouraged them to speak out on how best the Commission can function better in the coming years. Kari who expressed confidence that NAICOM will benefit the most from the retreat said, “We believe that sitting together everybody will have the confidence to speak openly because ideas should come from the bottom to the top, in most cases if you want to have a fair opinion of an organisation. “This is an opportunity to

Zurich group to stop general business in Middle East

really hear from everybody first hand. Previously we have had retreats where we have directorates retreat; each directorate will sit on their own and then come back and collect directorate resolution.” The CFI was optimistic that the Commission will not only review its past operations but will, most importantly, chat new courses for the supervisory body to boost its efficiency and service in the year ahead. “We will take the opportunity to review the last five years, what we have done, see how much we have achieved and what we need to do more. Whatever we feel is to be carried forward, will be carried forward. Some of the issues we are looking at has to do with

We believe we are making progress and this will give us an opportunity to have a forensic look at what we have done so far

developing the market, strengthening the players, encouraging the stakeholders, that is, the consumers to principally benefit from the services we have been providing.” He also informed that the Commission is tinkling with the idea of organising a directorate retreat where directorates can learn from one another in the best interest of the government institution. “We are hoping to have director’s breakout, an open forum and a common plenary

section where all issues will be discussed together thereby members of one directorate can contribute to the issues of another directorate.” “We believe we are making progress and this will give us an opportunity to have a forensic look at what we have done so far.” Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun who declared the 2015 NAICOM Staff retreat opened, said government expectation of the Commission is to make efficient use of its financial and non-financial

Premium Pension makes changes in executive management cadre

remium Pension Limited has made some changes in the executive management cadre of the company. In a statement, the company said that the Executive Director, Operations and Services, Mr. Kayode Akande has moved to the Business Development and Investment Directorate to replace Mr. Adamu Musa Mele who in turn takes over from him at the Operations and Services Directorate. Adamu Musa Mele, now the Executive Director, Operations and Services is a pioneer staff of

the company who played a major role in shaping and stabilising its investment department before 2013 when he was elevated to the position of Executive Director in charge of the Business Development and Investment Directorate which comprises the Investment, Business Development, Contribution Collection and Customer Care Departments. He is a seasoned investment banker with over two decades cognate industry experience. He holds an LLB (Hons) BL, and MBA amongst several other local and international qualifications.

urich Insurance Group Plc said it will stop writing general insurance business in the Middle East at the end of the month because of the “limited potential” for profitable growth. The decision to exit general insurance in the region follows a company-wide strategic review. Zurich remains “committed” to its life insurance unit in the Middle East, which won’t be affected by the decision, the company said in a statement. Zurich said it’s unclear how many jobs will be cut. The strategic change reflects “the challenges of building a strong and profitable franchise across multiple markets in the region,” said Brian Reilly, chief executive officer of Zurich’s general insurance business in the Middle East. Switzerland’s largest insurer earlier this month announced plans to cut jobs and exit some businesses in a reorganisation of its global general insurance unit after the non-life business reported a third-quarter loss. Zurich also intends to eliminate more than 400 jobs in the U.K. The company will stop writing new general insurance policies for retail and small business customers in the Middle East by the end of the month and plans to completely exit by the end of 2016, the statement showed.

Golden chance rewards hardwork

olden Chance Lotto, a lottery company in the country, has rewarded at least 30 of its sub-agents who worked extremely hard in the last three months. The lucky winners were given awards in three categories of which the highest category was awarded with ten tricycles and cash sum of N30,000 each. The other categories are those that won double door deep freezers and television sets, they were also given cash sums of N20,000 and N12,000 respectively. Speaking at the award ceremony, Managing Director of Golden Chance Lotto, Mr. Charles Arthur said that the award that was given to the winners is as a result of their hard work . He said that without the subagents, the rewards wouldn’t have been possible because there is no time you don’t see them working. Even when it’s raining, they are there working hard and encouraging people to come and play the game.

32 — Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015

“

t is unthinkable that wisdom should ever be popular”, Johann Goethe, 17491832, (VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS, VBQ, p 275.) “The Chairman Fiscal Responsibility Commission, Chief Victor Murako, has warned of a possible shutdown by some states of the federation in the next six months unless they find creative ways of handling their dwindling allocations from the federation account.” PUNCH, November 24, 2015. You bet they can; and at least two are technically bankrupt now. Those offering them credit do so at considerable risk. One of the saddest things for an economist deeply loyal to his country is to observe as calamities foretold to his countrymen unfold. Chief Murako’s wake up call comes in the nick of time as the Nigerian Labour Congress is once again getting ready for a show-down with governments. Unfortunately, Murako’s warning will fall on the usually deaf ears of officials. Below, I reproduce excerpts from two warnings issued in 2011 and 2014 respectively to public officials and those aspiring to public office. The most pathetic are those who recently got elected – they have, individually and collectively landed in political hell. Read on. MW: WHY GOVERNMENTS CAN’T AND SHOULDN’T PAY “We have no problem with labour; everything is clear, but we cannot go against the law. The only way we can raise money is through budgeting. Another budget season is around the corner, so that we can commence the implementation of the law from 2011”. Anyim Pius Anyim, Secretary to the Government of the Federation on Minimum Wage. Preamble If anyone had told me I would be defending President Jonathan and all the 36 Governors as well as the Local Government Chairpersons a few weeks ago, it would have appeared to me as total lunacy. Yet, here we are, at a national cross road on the controversial issue of Minimum Wage

Can Nigerian states go bankrupt? (1) implementation and each of us is called upon to take a patriotic stand. Let me start by stating that President Jonathan and the National Assembly, NASS, should not have signed the bill under duress as they did in March of this year. The Nigeria Labour Congress had threatened “No Minimum Wage; No Elections”. And government had caved in without conducting due diligence on the financial implications of the bill. That was weak leadership; especially, when the 2011 Appropriation Bill itself had not been sorted out by the two branches of government at the time of signing. If the President had taken time out of his busy campaign schedule to take a look at the budget before the NASS, he would have noticed that the estimates for wages and entitlements were based on the wages existing in 2010 with a minimum of N7,500. No provisions have been made for the 150% increase which N18,000 represented. The same is true of the state and local

governments. And, let me again exonerate the President and Governors for not “proactively” including the increase through a “Contingency provision” in their budgets. Nobody provides for 75% increase in expenditure during the coming year. So, they are totally blameless in that respect. The question can fairly be raised: Is the government not morally obligated to pay once the President had signed the bill? This, it must be confessed

Jonathan was blackmailed! And he did what any sensible leader would do under the same set of circumstances

presents an ethical dilemma. This writer had carpeted the President several times for not upholding agreements. So, why is it difficult to ask him to redeem this one? For me, the dilemma is resolved by pointing to the threat by labour to disrupt an election on which the government had invested over N100 billion. Jonathan was blackmailed! And he did what any sensible leader would do under the same set of circumstances. He signed a contentious bill. Now the controversy confronts us. And, for once, we should stand by the President. Back to basics “Nor should we listen to those who say, ‘The voice of the people is the voice of God’, for the turbulence of the mob is always close to insanity’. — Alcuin, 735-804. We have tried everything else, in our discussions on the Minimum Wage Act of 2011, we might as well try the truth. Senator Anyim finally admitted what, to highly discernible individuals, was known to be the truth but which sentiments

and the noise of the ignorant minority, the only beneficiaries of the Minimum wage Act will not allow to be said or heard. The Secretary to the Federal Government has not only told all of us why government can’t pay. But, he had also, perhaps deliberately and diplomatically, confirmed some of the reasons why they should not pay. And this applies to governments at all levels – Federal, States and Local Governments. The Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, and their supporters, including most of my colleagues in the media, would be well advised to look forward to the wage increase starting 2012. Right now, there is no money to pay as the SGF has rightly said. Permit me to briefly explain, even at the known risk that this is not going to be a popular view. That is fine by me. Not all decisions can be made by simple majority – especially when the majority is largely ignorant about the subject. It is fact that few Nigerians have studied economics, public finance and budgeting. Yet these are the crucial issues at stake. That was in 2011. This was followed in 2014 by another article pointing to the dangers ahead – the dangers which now stare all the state governors in the face. I know at least two which are now on the brink. Read on.

Business & Economy

Courteville grooms next generation leadership S eventeen young managers have completed the gruelling Middle Management Training (MMT) Level 1 program organized by Courteville Business Solutions Plc. The 9-month long intensive program, the first in a tiered series, was conceived to identify and nurture budding in-house talent to fill leadership positions at the fast-growing e-business solutions and business process outsourcing company. At a convocation ceremony held recently, Adebola Akindele, Courteville’s Group Managing Director, expressed his satisfaction with the progress made by the graduates. In his commencement address, Akindele harped on the need for companies to develop a deep management bench by identifying and investing in future leaders early. He cited Sir Richard Branson of the Virgin Group’s employee retention mantra as the company ’s guiding principle. To train people well enough so they can leave, and treat them well enough so they do not want to.

He told guests at the event that Courteville’s ambition is to become one of the two best places to work in West Africa. In line with this aspiration, a Trust Index (TI) survey recently carried out by Great Place to Work Nigeria attested to Courteville’s prime ranking among global and local IT solutions companies.

Courteville, which turns 11 in January, is facing increasing demands for premium grade personnel as it embarks on an international expansion program and introduction of new suites in its diversified services portfolio. The company ’s AutoReg motor vehicle and administration (MVAD) platform handles the

TRAINING - Courteville’s executive management with best graduates of its recently concluded Middle Management Training program. From left, Femi Niyi, Executive Director Projects & Strategy, Oye Ogundele, Executive Director, Africa Expansion, Rotimi Olaoye, Deputy Managing Director, Finance and Admin, Mariam Adebimpe, MMT graduate, Adebola Akindele, group managing director, Joanna Ogini, MMT graduate, Adewale Sonaike, Deputy Managing Director, AutoReg Franchise, Olutosin Kalejaiye, MMT graduate, and Olayiwola Adedayo, head, Risk Management.

registration of eight out of every ten vehicles on Nigerian roads. Early this year, an independent HR audit commissioned by the company, commended Courteville for putting in place innovative staff engagement activities, mentoring practices and a transparent employee evaluation policy. The audit also revealed a dumbbell in the staffing structure. The discovery of a thin middle management cadre and the board’s desire for a robust succession plan served as the inspiration for the MMT. The basic idea behind Courteville’s MMT is to offer a fast-track leadership development training internally to promising young employees that would enable them transition to roles of greater responsibility at an accelerated rate. The decision to run the program in-house, a path less taken by most companies, was taken to maintain Courteville’s cultural DNA, save costs, and strengthen a sense of stakeownership among promising young employees. In total, the curriculum

consisted 14 rigorous courses. It covered areas as diverse as Emotional Intelligence, Presentation Skills, Performance Management, Financial Investment, Operations Management, Team Building, and, of course, Human Capital Management. In addition to the courses, the program incorporated a number of unique elements. GMD-fora-Day exposed the course participants to the work of the group managing director. A participant would be selected to fill in the role of the GMD for a day, sit at his desk, answer his calls, respond to his emails, attend his meetings, and deal with issues that arise on that day. It was a pressure-filled eye opener on the demands of leadership for all 17 participants. An Entrepreneurship Series invited distinguished business leaders to share their experiences with the participants. Some notable speakers include Chidi Anyaegbu, founder of Chisco Group of Companies, Akinsowon Dawodu, chief executive officer of Citibank Nigeria, and Yetunde Allen, chief executive officer of Clean Business Practice Initiative.

Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015 — 33

E-Commerce

Taxation: Why digital economy remains elusive — OYEDELE Stories by JONAH NWOKPOKU

a r t n e r , Pricewaterhouse Coopers, PwC West Africa Tax Leader, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele has identified taxation of electronic related businesses as one of the greatest challenges confronting the global economy. Oyedele stated this during a press briefing at the sideline of a forum organised by PwC for tax administrators and other

stakeholders on the ease of paying tax in Nigeria. He said: “It is difficult to deal with the digital economy. Lets’ take Amazon for instance. If you want to order anything, you can just open your laptop or mobile phone, connect to the internet and you can order. Assuming you have ordered a mobile phone, the mobile phone in Nigeria is liable to Value Added Tax, VAT but Amazon is not a Nigerian company. They are supposed to charge VAT but do not even know that there is VAT in

Nigeria and they are not even interested. So the phone is $50 for instance and they ask you to pay just $50. They cannot put VAT on it. So even if you look at origination and destination principles of tax compliance, which means the VAT, should be collected at destination which is Nigeria but who should collect it? The Nigerian tax authorities said Amazon should have charged it and they say go and collect from Amazon. But if you are lucky to even go to where Amazon is, you will be lucky if

you come back. This is because; you have crossed your jurisdiction. What power do the Nigerian tax authorities have over an American company in America? No one can ever enforce that law. “The other option is charging the person who ordered the phone to collect the VAT. Imagine the millions of Nigerians who make purchases from Amazon. The cost of attempting to collect VAT from

them alone will be more than the tax you want to collect. This is because, one tax officer must be aware of the phone, where the buyer lives, how much it cost - maybe trying to get information from MasterCard, which is another challenge because they will argue that they have a confidential agreement with their customers and cannot release their information.

Skye Bank launches online shop, YesMall

kye Bank Plc has unveiled an online store which is specifically dedicated to the sale of made in Nigeria products and services. Speaking during the unveiling of the online mall in Lagos, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo, said the bank came up with the platform after noticing that some SME operators find it difficult to

C M Y K

sell their goods as most of the finished goods end up as inventory in the warehouses. He said: “Available statistics show that the e-commerce sector in Nigeria currently boasts of about 300, 000 online orders daily. Our desire at Skye Bank is to substantially grow these figures and make e-commerce the new trade highway in Nigeria. The introduction of YesMall is therefore a deliberate strategy to live the spirit of our mission

statement which is using technology to drive innovation and enable consumer lifestyle.” He described the YesMall as an e-commerce platform which offers Nigerians costeffective opportunities to buy and sell online from the comfort of their homes. The Mall will also provide opportunities for many Indigenous Entrepreneurs to showcase their products to a borderless market

PRESS CONFERENCE - From left: Global Head of Cybersecurity, KPMG, Uk, Mr Malcolm Marshall; Partner & Head, Risk consulting KPMG Nigeria, Olumide Olayinka and Partner, Information protection & Business Resilience (II),KPMG UK, George Quigley at the Cybersecurity press conference by KPMG Nigeria in Lagos.

34 — Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015

Economy

Rise in tax revenue missmatches expenditure growth By EMEKA ANAETO, Economy Editor

here is indication that tax revenue may not significantly cushion Federal Government’s impending huge deficit projected for 2016 budget as expected tax revenue in 2016 fiscal year is about N4.5 trillion. According to the projections of the Federal Inland Revenue Services, FIRS, tax revenue growth is around 10 per cent as against expected expenditure growth of over 100 per cent in 2016 fiscal year. FIRS Executive Chairman, Babatunde William Fowler, during his screening for confirmation as the substantive tax master gave a hint to this. Federal Government has planned to spend about N8.1 trillion in next year ’s budget, almost double the N4.3 trillion slated for 2015 which was about 10 per lower than N3.9 trillion in 2014. When the news of the impending huge expenditure profile of the new government at the centre filtered out through the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, many analysts expected an equally huge tax measures and inflow. But not only did Fowler indicate marginal increase in tax revenue he also indicated that the proposed 100 per cent increase in Value Added Tax, VAT, will not take effect immediately, adding that he would not employ tax driving agents to shore up revenue as he did in Lagos State from where he recently moved to FIRS. FIRS had missed its

•Babatunde Fowler revenue target in the third quarter of the year when actual collection was N980 billion against N1.143 trillion target. Tax revenue had taken a bashing recently when the Petroleum Profits Tax, a major component of FIRS inflow, underperformed by massively missing its target of N1.48 trillion to settle at N1.1 trillion. Fowler had said that over 200 oil and gas companies operating in the country have not filed their tax returns for the year. Also he said that due to the significant drop in oil prices, he said that a huge gap existed between the revenue generated by the FIRS and the total revenue by other government agencies like the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Department of Petroleum Resources and the Nigeria Customs Service between July and September this year. He pointed out that the

Tax revenue had taken a bashing recently when the Petroleum Profits Tax, a major component of FIRS inflow, underperformed by massively missing its target of N1.48 trillion to settle at N1.1 trillion

decline in oil revenue had made it necessary for the Federal Government to focus on non-oil taxes. As a result, he explained that compliance was expected by all organisations and that the agency was prepared to remove bottlenecks associated with tax collection, adding that one such way was joint tax audits of companies by the FIRS and the states’ Boards of Internal Revenue. Other interventions, according to him, are “ nationwide tax registration drive, with focus on VAT, which commenced on October 12, 2015, to bring in all unregistered taxpayers into the tax net”. The concern of many fiscal policy analysts is that the widened gap between tax revenue and the federal expenditure plan at a time oil revenue was on the downside would me extensive borrowings which will drive up the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio. The ratio of a country’s national debt to its GDP compares what a country owes to what it produces, indicating the country’s ability to pay. Nigeria’s Debt-to-GDP ratio averaged 34.26 per cent from 2000 until 2014, reaching an all time high of 88 per cent in 2001 and a record low of 10.50 per cent in 2014. Fowler said the proposed N8.1 trillion budget for 2016 is realisable, adding that Osinbajo was not aware of the FIRS projection before disclosing the proposed budget figures.

Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015 — 35

Media & Advertising

Sponsorship: MTN and manner of giving back Stories by PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

ponsorship is the fastest growing form of marketing globally. Therefore the primary reason companies include sponsorship as part of their marketing plans is to increase brand awareness, whether it’s establishing or strengthening the brand, or to change their brand image that subsists. However, by associating a brand with an event or entity that the target audience views positively is by way of shaping attitudes and helping to generate a positive reaction to the brand. Ultimately, the goal is to improve how a brand is perceived by its target audience. This happens in a variety of ways. For this reason a brand needs to build relevant memory structures that make it easier to notice, recognise, recall and hence.... of course...buy. This is the brand’s mental availability. several other brands have keyed into this phrase to strengthen and build top- ofthe- mind- brand. MTN Nigeria recently sponsored 12 of its loyal and committed customers to this year ’s hajj to fulfil their religious obligations afore the

AWARDS - From Left Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria, AAAN, Executive Director, Mr. Lekan Fadolapo, Mr. Kayode Oluwasona, Vice president, AAAN, Mr. Enyi Enyi Odigbo, Past President, Mr. Kelechi Nwosu, AAAN President and other at the AAAN –LAIF Awards in Lagos. disheartening occurrence of the stampede in Saudi Arabia. Like every other years the ICT Company sponsors 12 lucky winners to participate in this yearly pilgrimage, before the unpleasant incident of the stampede in Saudi Arabia. The incident brought the total number of casualty to 700, with the Nigerian pilgrims sharing in the scores of those that died while observing and fulfilling their Islamic rite, which is a commandment in the Holy Quran. Speaking during the arrival of the winners, the General Manager, Consumer Marketing; Richard Iweanoge condoled with the families of the departed saying it is a great loss not just for their

immediate families but also for the entire country. ‘’ We

sympathize with the families of those who lost their life while fulfilling the Islamic rite of hajj, and also welcome back other pilgrims who made it back into the country with their spiritual experience from the holy land” he said . He further stated that MTN Nigeria has made it a yearly commitment to connect and reward Muslims customers who have subscribed to various Islamic contents. ‘’ The rationale behind this is to educate and broaden the knowledge of our Muslim customers especially during the season of umrah and hajj”. The leading ICT operator

organized a seminar for all the 12 winners before their departure to Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage. The convener of the seminar; Usthaz Suleiman Felani explained in details all that the winners need to know and do when they arrive Saudi Arabia. In his presentation, he advised the pilgrims on what to wear, as there won’t be any need to dress gorgeously but rather focus on the pilgrim to the holy land. This according to him is to explain the simplicity of life. He preceded his over two hour lecture with visuals for better understanding of the hajj pilgrimage.

SERAs 2015: Lafarge wins three awards

afarge Africa Plc, a leading Sub-Saharan Africa building materials company has been bestowed with three awards at the 2015 edition of the Social Enterprise Report Awards, SERAs, which aimed at encourage organization to do more in area of impacting positively in the environment where they operate and society at large. The prestigious event which was held at the Muson Centre, Onikan Lagos, under the theme ‘Building Partnership for a Sustainable Future,’ saw the giant cement building solutions

provider company shined in area of Best Company in Environmental Sustainability, Best Company in Sustainability Reporting, and Overall second runner-up at the 2015 edition of the annual Awards ceremony. The company opened the flow by winning the first award category as the Best Company in Environmental Sustainability, which had three other nominees including GTBank, FCMB and Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). Lafarge subsequently won the Best Company in Sustainability Reporting with nominations into eleven different

award categories. Speaking on the awards conferred on the company, Group MD/CEO, Lafarge Africa Plc, Peter Hoddinott said adding value to its host communities and the lives of Nigerians remain the core of the company’s CSR interventions, while assuring that “the awards will spur Lafarge Africa Plc to remain committed to sustainable social investments across the country, particularly in the areas of health and safety, environment, youth empowerment and provision of infrastructure”.

Micro-Finance

Skill acquisition: Bettering youths with disabilities via FOTD initiative Stories by PROVIDENCE OBUH

riends of Special People (FOSP) also known as Friends of the Disabled (FOTD), Vocational Centre, weekend, send forth about 11 youths with disabilities who have made up their minds to survive by accepting and learning skills that includes them into the main stream of the Society. Some of the graduates acquired various skills from vocations in shoe and leather works, Tailoring, Fish farming and Help services. Founder of the vocational centre, Mrs. Aku Christy Orduh, said that the attitude and discrimination linked to disability make it much more difficult for them to go to school, to find work or participate in social activities, stressing that in many communities, both rural and urban, the environment is challenging

with physical and communication barriers that make it hard for them to participate in social life. Orduh who is a retired teacher said, “here in FOSP, our environment is disability friendly and offers opportunity for talent development and we are looking forward to replicate this beyond states and regions. There have been awareness campaigns and enlightenment programmes on their special needs that is necessary for their inclusion in the community. ninety five percent of those in disability projects are into awareness and enlightenment campaigns leaving the implementation to a few. Our Awareness and enlightenment is enshrined in our implementation programs which has resulted in the graduation.” On how the centre receives sponsors she said, “we don’t have sponsorship, the Federal Government sometimes help or buy equipment for some but for the day to day training and

maintenance of the instructors no body helps us, we do it alone with a few others who care to show support. Example is Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) who helped in sponsoring three graduands; present and past Partners include: MTN Foundation, Fed Ministry of Women Affairs, National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Universal Basic

GRADUATION - From left: Mrs. Aku Orduh, Executive Director, graduating members, Mrs. Akah, Board of Trustee member and Mrs. Sussy Ationu, Advisory Board Member of FOTD Vocational Centre. Education Commission (UBEC), NYSC Lagos State, SNEPCO, St

Vincent D Paul ldumagbo and a host of others.

N5,000 unemployed allowance: Do we have accurate statistics? — ICA

he Institute of credit administration, ICA, has said that there are no accurate statistics to pay Federal Government’s N5,000 monthly allowance to unemployed youths in the country. Registrar/CEO, ICA, Prof. Chris Onalo, made the position in a chart at the Credit Management Honours Award in Lagos, where he said that politicians would want to stand

by their promises so that they can win future elections. To this end he said, “but this has a very far reaching implication on the economy of the country. You don’t just wake up and say I want to pay jobless people N5, 000 on a monthly basis, how is that sustainable in an economy that is not in its full swing and the industrial sector is still in comatose. “The economy is import driven, we

have not diversified the economy, the strength of the economy is shrinking, which is the oil, sustainability now becomes the big question and how many are the jobless people. “Do we have accurate statistics, what guarantee have been put in place to avoid infiltration, if you multiply the number of jobless people by N5000.

36— Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015

(0805 220 1997)

uhamadu Buhari’s ouster from power in 1985 clearly attracted jubilations in several quarters, particularly from those who decried the iron fisted enforcement of social discipline; but three decades later, he was, inexplicably, swept back to power, in an infectious carnival-mode campaign, as the arrow head of the change, Nigeria urgently requires to rechart its trajectory and restore hope for a better life for its citizens. Despite his advanced age, there is clearly no doubt about his passion and commitment to the unfinished business of building a country that we can all proudly call our own. President Mohamadu Buhari is, expectedly, constitutionally empowered to manage our economy for the greater good of more Nigerians by adopting best practice fiscal and monetary strategies to achieve this purpose. Instructively, best practice management of fiscal and monetary instruments will transform a ‘ resourceless’ landscape like SINGAPORE and JAPAN into stupendously prosperous communities, while misalignment of the same strategic instruments could degrade the owners of a naturally well endowed, resource rich country like Nigeria, into impoverished and disadvantaged specie of human kind. Curiously, there appears to be a discomforting inverse correlation of deepening poverty, existing simultaneously with reserves which are consistently in excess of $30bn in an economy that remains eternally awash with embarrassingly surplus spending values. So, what would Buhari do to radically reinvent his administration’s fiscal and monetary strategies, so as to turn around and boost the efficacy and yield of positive economic and social dividends. Recently, Vice President Osinbajo

counterproductive in a money market which is perennially burdened by excess liquidity, which has to be constantly mopped up by CBN by borrowing and farcically keeping idle the proceeds of such loans, despite the attendant high interest rates which are not consonant with sovereign risk free borrowings. Additionally, appropriate management of Naira supply vis-a-vis other foreign currencies, would also inevitably guarantee a stronger Naira market value; which will make the local currency, to remain attractive as a store of value, rather than suffer rejection like a street urchin. Instructively, our recent history of unrestrained Naira liquidity has continued to pummel the Naira exchange rate, paradoxically, even when CBN’s reserves steadily climbed as high as $60bn. Thus, Buhari must feel helpless, like earlier Presidents before him, that the enshrined autonomy of the CBN and its Monetary Policy Committee for ensuring price stability, clearly restricts him from breaching CBN’s territory on monetary policy management. In recognition of the enormous powers and pervasive influence of a Central Bank in every economy, one of the illustrious Pioneers of the template for modern banking, a certain Mayer Rothschild, insightfully observed as follows in 1790: “Give me control of a nation’s money supply, and I care not who makes it’s laws.” Thus, inspite of Buhari’s undenied passion for positive economic and social change, not even his best efforts and commitments nor the additional capacity of an eminent cabinet will unseal the failure of this administration, if the CBN and MPC continue to fumble with the management of money supply. •SAVE THE NAIRA! SAVE NIGERIANS

Is CBN’S MPC stronger than Buhari? suggested, at a retreat for ministers-designate in Abuja that allocation for capital expenditure will be increased to about N2Tn in the proposed N7-8Trillion 2016 budget. Clearly, even if the projected $10bn capital vote is judiciously applied, the impact will still be insignificant, when compared with the speculated immediate infrastructural deficit of well over $100bn! Furthermore, Vice President Osinbajo has also suggested that with depleting oil revenue, the over 70% projected increase in the 2016 budget, would be funded with additional borrowing while the National debt will require increased debt service charges of almost N1Tn ($5bn) or 12.5% of total budget. It is nonetheless, inexplicable, and worrisome that Nigeria’s total debt is currently in excess of $60bn, in place of the earlier widely condemned $30bn that elicited so much public consternation when $18bn was controversially fleeced from our pockets by overseas creditors, ten years ago. Consequently, this experience, advises that we should be wary of external loans denominated in foreign exchange, especially, when the Nigerian money market still remains interminably awash with hundreds of billions of ironically idle funds that can be marshalled for investment in agriculture, infrastructure and human capacity building to drive inclusive growth. It is also becoming increasingly clear that the present Administration’s selective sectoral support may not be too different from the standard process of offloading hundreds of billions of intervention funds into a money

market that is perennially suffocated by a burden of surplus cash. It is instructive, for example, that despite several special provisions to the Textiles and Aviation sub-sectors and the special allocations for the enhancement of Agricultural value chain by previous administrations, remarkable success has so far remained elusive. In the event of these serial failures of fiscal management, Buhari may have to rely primarily on the efficacy of monetary strategies to successfully turn around the economy. Curiously, however, the responsibility for designing and implementing sensible and appropriate monetary policies, constitutionally resides with the Central Bank of Nigeria and its Monetary Policy Committee rather than the President. Thus, ‘If the CBN and the MPC successfully manage Money supply effectively, inflation rate will fall to best practice levels below 2%; with such outcome, purchasing power of all income values will become preserved to sustain healthy consumer

In the event of these serial failures of fiscal management, Buhari may have to rely primarily on the efficacy of monetary strategies to successfully turn around the economy

demand which will inturn stimulate further investment and increase job opportunities. Conversely, consistently faulty management of money supply will trigger unrestrained inflation which will distort governments’ budget projections, impoverish our people, particularly pensioners, and make the realisation of forward plans a major challenge. Additionally, best practice management of money supply will similarly facilitate single digit interest rates that would be less oppressive and less restraining to investments in all sectors of the economy; indeed, critical sectors, such as agriculture, food processing and education could attract 02% interest rates, as applicable, for example, in Japan, to encourage active private sector participation. Incidentally, the CBN’s MPC decided at its 104th meeting in Abuja last week to reduce its Benchmark interest rate (which sets the pace for domestic bank lending rates) from 13 to 11%. Regrettably, if the erstwhile 13% policy rate induced commercial lending rates between 23-27%, then the new 11% benchmark may only marginally bring down market rates to about 20%, instead of the more appropriate and supportive single digit rates required to truly encourage new investments, economic diversification and job creation. Furthermore, in its attempt to inject liquidity into the banking system, CBN’s MPC lately also decided to reduce the cash reserve commercial banks must hold to 20% from 25%. Evidently, even though this decision may appear progressive, it is clearly misguided and

Business & Economy IPMAN partners PAN, Access Bank on car acquisition

he Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) yesterday partnered Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN) and Access Banl in the Peugeot Car acquisition scheme for its members nationwide Speaking at the event in Abuja, the National President of IPMAN, Elder Chinedu Okoronkwo said the scheme is to help members acquire brand new cars in order to ease their mobility and improve their welfare. He said, the scheme will in no doubt, create a level ground

for the promotion and actualisation of made in Nigeria product thereby creating jobs for the youths. “These patronages for made in Nigeria product will create more jobs for the youths in Nigeria which will help reduce unemployment in the country,” he said. Also speaking, the Managing Director Peugeot Automobile Nigeria, PAN, Alhaji Ibrahim Boyi said, Pan has been leading automobile plant in Nigeria for the past 45years. According to him, most of the auto technicians and mechanics we have, are

either product of PAN or made by PAN, adding that PAN is very conscious of that provision in market. “We are very proud of our products in terms of quality, performance, real efficiency and the operation cost of running. Our products are lower and the ownership cost is exceptional,” he said. He further added that with more patronage, PAN is going to create more jobs opportunities for employment, investment which he said will help develop the Nigeria economy.

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Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30 , 2015—37

How N65bn Abacha loot was spent —Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala •Says it was spent on roads, electricity, others L

AGOS—FORMER Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala told the World Bank that about $500 million (N65bn) recovered from the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha in Switzerland was spent in the 2004 and 2005 budgets on roads, electricity, education, water and health across all six geo-political zones of Nigeria.

pages on information on the spending of recovered assets stolen by the late General Abacha, with some of the documents suggesting that the Abacha loot was spent on roads, electricity, education, health and water.” The organisation said: “SERAP can confirm that last week we received several documents from Ann May of the Access to Information Team of the World Bank following our Access to Information Request to the Bank. We also received a letter dated 24 November 2015 from Mr R a c h i d Benmessaoud, Director of the World Bank in Africa.” “In total, SERAP has received over 700 pages of documents, CONFERENCE: From left: Mr. Oyinkro Olobio, NGO Stakeholder Relations which we are Adviser, SPDC; Ms Bekeme Masade, Executive Director, CSR-in-Action and now closely Amos Gagar, Director, PwC, at the sustainability in the extractive industry studying and conference organised by CSR-in-Action in Abuja. scrutinising This was contained in the documents the World Bank sent to Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, following enquiries made by SERAP on how the money, tagged Abacha loot was spent. A statement issued yesterday by SERAP executive director Adetokunbo Mumuni, said the organization has “ received several documents from the World Bank totalling over 700

with a view to discovering whether the documents contain details that Nigerians would like to see and whether the information correspond to the facts on the ground. After this analysis, we will respond to the Bank and consider our options, including filing an appeal before the Bank’s Access to Information Appeals Board and taking other appropriate legal actions nationally and internationally to discover what exactly happened to Abacha recovered loot,” the organisation said. The organisation said that “In the meantime our preliminary review of some of the documents and the letter from Mr Rachid Benmessaoud have revealed certain facts which raise more questions about what exactly happened to Abacha loot: First, that Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as Minister of Finance in a letter dated 9 January 2005 explained to the Bank that around $500m (N65bn) of Abacha loot received from Switzerland was programmed into and spent in the 2004 and 2005 budgets on

roads, electricity, education, water and health across all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.” “Second, Mrs Iweala explained to the Bank that N18.60bn was spent on roads; N10.83bn spent on health; N7bn spent on education; N6.20bn spent on water; and N21.70bn spent on electricity. She also said that part of the funds were spent on new and ongoinginvestmentprojects.MrsIweala said that relevant federal ministries have the full details on the spending of repatriated Abacha loot. The Bank noted that there was no funds monitoring and tracking mechanism in place to trace the spending of Abacha loot,” the organisation also disclosed. “Third, Mr Rachid Benmessaoud confirmed that the World Bank played a monitoring role in a return of assets by Switzerland but that the Bank is not currently involved in the monitoring of spending of Abacha loot that have been returned to Nigeria in recent years. He said that the Bank would be prepared to set up a mechanism to monitor the use ofAbachalootiftheNigeriangovernment request the Bank’s assistance in this respect.” SERAP then argued that “given Mrs Okonjo-Iweala’s involvement in the spending of Abacha loot, President Muhammadu Buhari should urgently probe the role of the Ministry of Finance andrelevantfederalministriesatthetime inthespendingofAbachalootparticularly given the strong allegations of mismanagement that characterised the use of the funds”

38—Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015

I don’t want to talk on the defeat of PDP. In all elections, somebody has to win somebody has to lose. Nobody should talk of defeat as if it is a disease

•Akinjide:Pro-biafra agitators should be called to order

Biafra is dead and buried — Akinjide •Says PDP will bounce back soon LEGAL icon, Chief Richard Akinjide, SAN is one of Nigeria’s leading politicians who firmly set himself as a reference point in legalese with his successful defence of President Shehu Shagari’s fulfilment of the constitutional requirement of twothird of the then 19 states in the 1979 election. Akinjide served as minister of education in the Tafawa Balewa’s cabinet in the First Republic and as minister of Justice and Attorney General in the Second Republic government of President Shagari. Akinjide was a frontline member of the defunct National Party of Nigeria, NPN and served as the party’s legal adviser prior to his appointment as attorney general. He is presently, a member of the Board of Trustees, BoT of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. In this interview, he reviews the actions and inactions of the Buhari government, the prospects of the PDP following its recent electoral loss among other national issues. By Ola Ajayi

OU have not been so visible in politics in recent times. Is it age or you are just playing it cool? I am a prominent member of the Board of Trustees of the PDP and I play very active role in Ibadan, Oyo State and in other parts of the country. So I am very active in the PDP. Apart from the former Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, is there any of your other children who is also in politics? C M Y K

All of them. Abayomi who also is a lawyer is very active in

I don’t believe we should break up the country. We should be objective; we should be nationalistic. We should warn those people and if they don’t stop they should be called to order

politics, Mobola, my daughter is very active in politics and if you count Jumoke that makes them three, so my family is very active in politics. What is your assessment of the assignment of portfolios to the ministers? He nominated very good people, I have no doubt about that. But my concern is with Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. When we were in Lagos as Federal Capital, Yar Adua was a Minister for Lagos and he came from

the North. When Obasanjo was in office before the Capital Territory was created, a Yoruba person was in charge. But since the Capital Territory has been created, Northerners have been ministers throughout. I don’t think that is the best for the country. I will like to see an Igbo, Yoruba, MiddleBelt man be a minister in charge of the Capital Territory. To consistently pick someone from the North as Minister for the Capital Territory is not in our national interest and is not good. I am not saying the

people that have been picked are bad but I am talking about geographical spread. We should not give the impression that the capital territory belongs to a particular part of the country. It should be something that belongs to the whole country. That is the objection I have and I hope that will be corrected very soon. Since President Buhari assumed office six months ago, how can you rate his performance in the fight against terrorism? He has been trying his best. I mean there are areas in which I might have done things differently but overall, I will give him a good pass mark as president of the country. So Nigerians did not make mistake voting him as the President? I would not say Nigerians have made mistake although I would have preferred Goodluck Jonathan to win the election. But since he has been elected, I accept the election and all of us will support him to succeed. In your wealth of wisdom, what do you

think the president should do to make this country better? Economically, Nigeria is the greatest in Africa. There is no doubt about that. But, we have a committee of 20 of which South Africa is a member and Nigeria is not, I don’t think that can be supported at all. Nigeria should be one of the people in the committee of 20, why Nigeria is excluded, I don’t understand at all. It cannot be defended, it cannot be justified. We should not be looked upon as if we are the colony of Europe or somebody who should be playing third or fourth role in that regard. Europe and America, Japan are wrong. What is your candid advice to both the Federal Government and the Pro Biafran protesters on the Biafran agitation? Anybody supporting Biafra must be very, very wrong. I don’t know their reason but whatever their reason, they are wrong. We fought a war for three years over Biafra and Biafra was defeated and the whole country united with the belief that Nigeria should remain one country and the Igbo joined the country and since then they have been governors in the country, they have been ministers both at the state and federal levels. They have been ambassadors abroad. I don’t see why anybody should now be asking for Biafra again, I think it should be rejected. I think they should call them to a meeting and talk to them as father to son and ask them to stop

Continues on page 39

VANGUARD, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015—39

I don’t know their reason but whatever their reason, they are wrong. We fought a war for three years over Biafra and Biafra was defeated and the whole country united with the belief that Nigeria should remain one

Biafra is dead and buried Continues from page 38

because there is no reason for them to do what they are doing. In the last government, we had an Igbo as Minister of Finance (Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala) and also, we had an Igbo as Secretary to the government, we also had Igbo as ambassadors in many parts of the world. So, there is no excuse for anybody to say he wants to break up the country again after we fought a bloody war of about three years. We don’t want to go back to that. We want peace everywhere and we want a fair share whether you are from the North, East, West, South, MiddleBelt everything should be evenly and fairly distributed. While you say you are still active in politics but the likes of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and Edwin Clark have chosen to opt out of politics. Do you think it is good for the polity when men of your stature are opting out one by one? Those people you have mentioned have positions and are statesmen. There is no way they can get out of politics. It is in our blood; it is part of our life and it is in the national interest for us to be actively involved in politics and in governance. I will forever be in politics throughout my life, I will not opt out of it at all either as an adviser or as a statesman. In whatever form that is appropriate, I will definitely play some role in the national interest. What do you think actually led to the defeat of PDP in the last general election? I don’t want to talk on the defeat of PDP. In all elections, somebody has to win somebody has to lose. Nobody should talk of defeat as if it is a disease. When they do elections in America, one has to win one has to lose. The same in England, even in Germany, Israel, Australia and Japan. Defeat in election is not a disease; it is a normal C M Y K

process. One party cannot be in power forever and one party cannot be in opposition forever. I don’t see defeat as a disease; I see it as a normal political process. But the fact is that with the reputed numerical superiority and influence that PDP wielded years back, nobody thought it could lose election quickly? I don’t use the word quick. What happened was normal; sometimes, a party rules the country and in another election it is defeated and after another election that party finds its way back. Don’t look at winning or defeat as a disease it is a normal process. It happened recently in Canada whereby the son of a former prime minister is now a prime minister in Canada. Looking at our electoral system, what do you think should be done to make it more attractive to people outside to stop complaints of rigging? It is culture. This type of election is not in our blood. We copied it from Europe and America and other countries, and over in the generations and years to come it will become part and parcel of our culture. Look at India. India is the second largest country in the world following China and yet in my view the greatest democracy in the world is India. I will rate India better than America and that is very good and that is what Nigeria should copy. So, do you see any role for the BOT of the PDP to return the party to winning ways? Leadership is very important, leadership of the party with the right person. Then, two, we should nominate the right candidate, once we have the right leadership and candidates who have credibility. I am sure the country will vote for PDP again. The issue of internal democracy was very loud in the PDP in Oyo State and some other states prior to the last

•Akinjide:We must support Buhari to succeed

general elections. So, what is really the way out? That is subjective whether there is internal democracy or not. What I know is that in any election, one will win one will lose. Whether this is the reason for winning or losing is a different matter. But I have no problem that what happened has happened and I have no doubt that

I think they should call them to a meeting and talk to them as father to son and ask them to stop because there is no reason for them to do what they are doing

PDP will come back to power again, PDP will win elections. In 2019? As soon as possible. Can you say precisely that PDP did well in the last 16years? Very well in many respects. Very well? That comment is subjective. It is not objective and other people may hold opposite views. Politics is argument and I listen to anybody whether it is right or wrong. But in my view, PDP has done well. Once we pick the right leadership to run the party and we pick the right candidates to contest elections for us at all levels we will be winning. Do you agree with Raymond Dokpesi when he said that the party made a mistake on the issue of zoning? He said the party ought to have allowed the North to complete its term and also to allow the North to go for a 2nd term instead of choosing the former President Goodluck Jonathan. You may be right you may be wrong. I respect his opinion that is what is called democracy. You may see something as white, I may see it as black and you may see it as green.

Ok sir, do you believe in Zoning? Oh yes. Certainly, we cannot be monolithic. One country cannot be run by a set of people all the time. We can have a Yoruba running it this time next time it could be Igbo after that it may be Kanuri, Hausa or Fulani. I believe that we should be moving the offices from place to place. Given the recent kidnap of Chief Olu Falae by some Fulani herdsmen and the agitation of some Yoruba leaders on the issue, what suggestions would you proffer to solve the issue of Fulani herdsmen in the Southwest? What they did to Falae was very bad and we all support Falae. But, I don’t believe we should break up the country. We should be objective; we should be nationalistic. We should warn those people and if they don’t stop they should be called to order. What is your advice to the APC government, at least on how it can do things better? We should offer very strong opposition at the federal level and make sure the government is run properly and in those states where we

won elections, we should provide good government and run the government properly. In those areas where we are opposition, we should be good opposition, we should not make it as a matter of life and death. How has the judicial system fared in the last 55 years after independence? Oh Nigeria we’ve got the best democracy and judiciary in the whole of Africa. I have no doubt about that at all. If you look at our judgments and law reports it is as good as anything in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, England and we will continue to do better. I am proud of this country. I am a member of the English Bar, Nigeria Bar and African Bar. I practise in three jurisdictions and I enjoy it very much. Is there any of your children practising law? Oh yes. I have about nine or ten of my children who read law and wife and grandchildren who are studying law and I have about three of my grandchildren who are in banking and I also have in business and I am very proud of my children and grandchildren. I have been lucky the boys have married very well likewise the girls and we will do our best to continue to contribute to the well being of this country.

40—VANGUARD, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015

BAYELSA DECIDES

*Former President Goodluck Jonathan (2nd left) supported by the Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriake Dickson (3rd left) his wife, Rachael (left), the Governor of Delta State, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa (right) and the Acting PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus (2nd right) cutting the tape to commission the Restoration Fly Over Bridge in Yenagoa.

Dickson’s day in Yenagoa By Samuel Oyadongha & Emem Idio

AST Saturday's mega rally and the flag presentation to the Peoples Democratic Party PDP governorship candidate in Bayelsa State, Governor Seriake Dickson was the culmination of his nearly one month community to community, meet the people tour in which he traversed the length and breadth of state reaching out to all the communities and also passing the night in some of these communities with the message, “vote for PDP for peace and stability.” The epoch making event, which took place at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa witnessed yet another unprecedented crowd of supporters of the PDP who besieged the venue as early as 7am for an event billed for 10 am. In spite of the sweltering sun, the thousands of supporters waited patiently for the commencement of the event dubbed mother of all rallies, which did not start until about 1.55pm when former President Goodluck Jonathan arrived the venue in company of Governor Dickson. The former President took time to go round the venue to acknowledged cheers from the teeming supporters. Security operatives had a hectic time controlling the crowd as the various support groups of the party and its candidate battled to outdo one another with their dance steps and giant banners echoing their support for the re-election of Governor Dickson. Though the All Progressive Congress APC is expected to hold its mega rally, today at the same venue, political observers in the predominantly riverine state are unanimous in their view that the presence of the former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, the National C M Y K

Working Committee of PDP, some PDP governors, an array of National Assembly members from the state and the South South among others was symbolic of the preparedness of the party to maintain its control of the state and ensure the region remains a PDP stronghold. The former president, who graced the occasion, in his solidarity message restated his unapologetic support for Dickson amongst other contenders, insisting that he (Dickson) will take Bayelsa to a greater height. Describing Bayelsa State as a PDP stronghold, Jonathan declared that Dickson by all conceivable standards has performed creditably well and is qualified to do a second term in office. He called on Bayelsans

particularly the youths to secure their future by voting for the PDP in the Saturday election noting that Dickson is the only candidate that can secure their future. Dr. Jonathan described

Describing Bayelsa State as a PDP stronghold, Jonathan declared that Dickson by all conceivable standards has performed creditably well

Dickson as a visionary leader and stressed the need for Bayelsans to reciprocate his good deeds in terms of provision of infrastructure and laying of the foundation for investment and entrepreneurship to thrive in the state. His words, “for the past 16 years, being a pioneer deputy governor and an Acting governor at the state level, a vice president and president of our country, I am in a pposition to say that Dickson has tried and is still trying." The former President who also commissioned the first flyover in Yenagoa and the newly dualised Azikoro Road also in Yenagoa shortly after the rally added, “We should all be concerned about what Bayelsa will be in the 25 years and beyond and not what we want to gain today. You can only see that from the kind of policies, projects and programmes that a governor brings." Performing the flag handing over ceremony, the Acting National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus lampooned the Buhari led federal government for running the nation’s economy aground six months into office and urged Bayelsans to totally reject the All Progressive Congress APC in Saturday's election. Prince Secondus who noted that the PDP was aware of clandestine moves being made to rig the election, called on the electorate to

come out en mass to vote for the PDP and stand firm to defend their electoral rights. Also, the chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko described the APC government as clueless and without direction in managing the national economy. In his speech, Dickson said the flag presentation was the climax of his community to community meet the people tour stressing that from his interaction with the people, he was convinced that PDP would emerge victorious. He reiterated his commitment to a peaceful poll and stressed the need for the federal government to do everything within its reach to ensure a free and fair election in state. He expressed appreciation to the National Working Committee of the PDP and his teeming supporters within and outside the state, noting that the turnout has further confirmed that the people of the state have rejected the leading opposition party APC. Among dignitaries at the flag presentation are the Acting Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Haliru Bello, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, Vice Chairman, PDP, South South Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, Chief Olisa Metuh, serving and former National Assembly members including Senator Adolphus Wabara, Ibrahim Mantu, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, Hon Leo Ogor among others.

N50bn expenditure: Sylva accusses Dickson of lying By Samuel Oyadongha

HE leadership of the All Progressive Congress (APC),weekend dismissed as unfortunate and misleading the claim by the former Deputy Governor, Hon. Peremobowei Ebebi that the former Governor and flag bearer of the party, Chief Timipre Sylva engaged in illegal financial and wasteful spending of over N50billion in two weeks during his tenure as governor of the state. Ebebi, two time Speaker of the state House of Assembly was Sylva’s deputy for three years before he was impeached in a controversial manner and replaced with Chief Werinipre Seibarugu. The former deputy governor had during the PDP mega rally last Saturday claimed that the people of the state should reject the APC candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva because of financial recklessness and wasteful spending of N50 billion while in office as governor of the state. But the APC through the Director of

Media and Publicity of the SylvaIgiri Campaign Organisation, Chief Nathan Egba, in a statement in Yenagoa, described the allegation of the former Deputy Governor as misleading and unfortunate. He said, “it is unfortunate that Ebebi choose such platform to make this allegation many years after leaving office. It only shows his shallow grasp of the processes of government. He spent all his time as a Deputy Governor under Chief Timipre Sylva in pursuit of pecuniary gains and never paid attention to what was happening in government. “It is not surprising that after failing to achieve his target in office as a Deputy Governor, Ebebi has resorted to peddling lies and mischief for selfish gains with a drowning administration in the state.” Chief Egba also mocked the PDP over the alleged anti APC comments made during the last Saturday rally saying it was an indication of panic over its looming

•Sylva defeat at the weekend election. He said, “virtually all the speakers at the rally were exhibiting signs of panic at the realization of an impending defeat as they all kept making unfounded allegation against Sylva and the APC in a bid to whip up voters’ sentiments against the party.”

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Northern govs vow to defeat Boko Haram, poverty By Peter Duru

A K U R D I — GOVERNORS of the Northern states have vowed to join forces to defeat Boko Haram insurgents and the attendant poverty unleashed on that part of the country. The governors also pledged to deepen the relationship among the people of different sections of the region to foster greater unity. Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum and Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, spoke yesterday in Wannune, Tarka local Government Area of Benue State when he led two other governors of the forum to pay a condolence visit to Senator George Akume, who recently lost his elder brother and paramount ruler of Tarka, the late Chief Gabriel Indyer Akume. Governor Shettima said: “The leaders of the north would not relent until peace is fully restored in the troubled spots of the north just like our joint resolve to overcome poverty in the north will

continue to enjoy top priority.” The governor, who pleaded for patience and understanding among the populace, said everything was being done by the governments of the northern region to ensure sustainable economic growth in the area.

He said their visit to commiserate with the people of Benue State and the Akume family in particular was a further demonstration of the oneness and unity of purpose of the people of the region. In his response, Senator Akume said the visit brought comfort to him on account of the assurance that he had

friends who could stand by him in his hour of grief and need. The Northern Governors’ Forum chairman was accompanied on the visit by his Jigawa State counterpart, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State and several federal lawmakers from the north.

WORKSHOP: From left: Speaker, Borno State House of Assembly and Chairman, Conference of Speakers Forum, Hon. Abdulkareem Lawan; Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State ; and Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Dr. Ali Ahmad at a workshop on Administration of Criminal Justice Act in Ilorin.

Agric workers threaten strike over allowance By Oboh Agbonkhese

AGOS — Workers in the agricultural sector, on the platform of Nigerian Council of the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurants, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Association, IUF, have threatened industrial unrest if efforts at making the Federal Government extend the benefits of hazard allowance to them failed. They lamented that while their counterparts in the livestock and veterinary sub-sector, categorised as health workers, had been enjoying the allowance, the Agricultural and Allied Employees’ Union of Nigeria, AAEUN, had been negotiating for same benefit for the past 15 years without success. At a briefing in Lagos, Chairman of Nigerian Council of IUF, Mr. Leke Success, said if President Muhammadu Buhari was really interested in diversifying the economy and making agriculture the pillar of national growth and development as he promised, there was need to implement hazard allowance for agricultural workers to motivate the

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workforce and drive policy implementation. According to him: “Although it has been argued that technology has reduced the stress associated with agricultural activities, the changes come with new risks related to the operation of sophisticated machinery and exposure to intensive use of pesticides and a variety of agrochemicals.” He added that a memorandum on the acknowledgement and recommendation for hazard allowance in the salary structure of workers was in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation for onward presentation to Federal Executive Council, FEC, before the new administration took over on May 29. On his part, President of AAEUN, Mr. Simon Anchaver, said a reminder had been written to the Federal Government and that Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, was ready for industrial action if the government pushed agricultural workers to the wall.

Don't reject NYSC members, DG appeals to corporate bodies By Caleb Ayansina

BUJA— DIRECTORGENERAL of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Brigadier-General Johnson Olawumi, weekend, Abuja, appealed to corporate bodies not to reject corps members posted to them for the one year mandatory service. NYSC DG said instead of rejecting those posted to their companies, they should create avenue for the corps members to add value to their organizations, while developing their professional skills. Olawumi, who spoke at the swearing-in ceremony of stream two of the NYSC Batch ‘B’ 2015, at the Kubwa Orientation Camp in Abuja, noted that each corps member would be equipped with entrepreneurship skill for self reliance during their stay in camp. “For the private sector, we can only continue to appeal to them that they should take advantage of the potentials in these young men and women, their companies are going to be better for it,” he said.

FirstPost News magazine awards for Dec 19

IRSTPOSt Media E n t e r p r i s e , publishers of FirstPost News magazine has said it will be holding its 2015 award with the theme, “ S u s t a i n a b l e Development,” on December 19, 2015, in Lagos. Being the maiden edition, the Publisher, FirstPost News magazine, Clementina Olomu, said the essence is to reward people who have come up with sustainable programmes which has imparted immensely into the lives of people. According to Olomu, “we at FirstPost Media Enterprise firmly believe that for any country to have sustainable programmes for the future generations, all hands must be on deck. The individuals, the families, the society and government must live up to its responsibilities."

44—VANGUARD, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30 , 2015

FAAN, union reach truce over strike action By Lawani Mikairu

CONFERENCE: From left, Mrs Nwamaka Chidi-Aroh, National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN) awardee; Mr Nnanyelugo Chidi Aroh receiving the award from NIMN President,Mr Ganiyu Koledoye and Commissioner for Commerce and Industry,Mr Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo during the Pre-AGM event at NIMN 2015 annual marketing conference, in Enugu.

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AGOS — THE Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria , FAAN, and the Air Transport Service Senior Staff Association, ATSSSAN, have agreed to begin negotiation over the ultimatum the union served the agency concerning industrial action. The union had, weekend, given the agency 48 hours ultimatum to address their grievances. The union had demanded that FAAN immediately reverse the approval granted Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), the operator of the Murtala Muhammed Airport domestic terminal, known as MMA2, to commence regional operation. Union’s reason for the reversal was that BASL has allegedly refused to pay for services rendered to it by FAAN, noting that it is from such accruing revenues that the workers are paid their emoluments. Reacting, the G e n e r a l Manager, Public Affairs of FAAN, Yakubu Dati said the FAAN management was aware of these issues and has started initiating processes to handle them as they are.

He said: “Whatever issues the unions have expressed, we will deal with as a family. Their grievances will be looked into and as I said we have already started a process to get to an amicable solution that will not lead to any unrest. So we appeal for calm and urge the union to partner us as we all want one and the same thing, the growth of this industry.” Dati also said these issues were ones that would be solved as a family and that FAAN management was concerned about all the outstanding debts and doing all in its power to ameliorate the situation and maintain the normalcy that has been on for a long time now. The union had earlier given the agency 48 hours ultimatum to address these issues, but with the readiness of FAAN to attend to all these issues, the union agreed to a truce. In a letter dated November 26, 2015 signed by Rotimi Kehinde on behalf of the general secretary of ATSSSAN addressed to the Managing Director of FAAN, the union said, “We hereby place before you and your management the under listed demands to be met within 48 hours or face withdrawal of service in all FAAN formations. “ATSSSAN is seeking, among other things, the immediate reversal of the approval granted Bi-Courtney (MMA2) to commence regional flights when we all know that Bi-Courtney is not paying for services rendered by FAAN.”

Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015—45

‘Our core responsibility is to combat schistosomiasis disease in Nigeria, others’ By Chioma Obinna

S part of its commitment to improving access to healthcare in developing countries, Merck, a leading science and technology company is supporting the World Health Organisation, WHO, in the fight against schistosomiasis in Africa including Nigeria. Nigeria is currently the largest recipient of the Merck Praziquantel donation programme. Praziquantel is the most effective treatment for the parasitic worm disease schistosomiasis. Merck has donated nearly 71,000,000 tablets to WHO for Nigeria and another 34 million will follow by the end of this year. Just recently, the company opened an office in Lagos, HealthFeatures however spoke to the Vice Chairman, Executive Board & Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Merck, Stefan Oschmann on the company’s plans for the country’s health sector. He said their core plan is to ensure that medicines are available at lower prices in public health institutions,assist Nigeria combat Schistosomiasis disease and drug counterfeits. Excerpts:

Stefan Oschmann, Vice Chairman, Executive Board & Deputy CEO of Merck

Our plans for Nigeria We have developed what we call Africa Strategy Development Parameters such as demographics, economic growth and we have come to a conclusion that Africa is the most vibrant growth area in the world, and the agregates of all African economies might be equivalent to China and we want to be part of this. We have opened our office in Lagos and we have had sessions with different political stakeholders in Abuja last week on Universal Health Coverage and how Nigeria can make progress in the area of healthcare and also we are working on our core responsibility project and the most important one that we have is to combat Schistosomiasis, a disease that is very prevalent in Nigeria. Only this year, we donated 35 million tablets to Nigeria’s healthcare system so that most school children can be treated. It is a terrible disease many children have died, many cannot go to school, and have retarded development and this can be solved. Nigeria is one of the countries that

have made rapid progress in treating this disease. Nigeria health sector We are trying to be partners in solving the problems. We have just presented a new technology system that can make a big impact on HIV diagnosis and treatment. It can also be applied to other diseases. We will also contribute in the fight against counterfeit medicine which is a big problem in Nigeria and many other countries. We are also doing capacity advanced programmes in the so called Non Communicable Diseases, NCDs, in Nigeria and other African countries. Healthcare systems in Nigeria and other African countries have been focused on infectious diseases such as HIV, malaria, tuberculosis among others, neglecting other tropical diseases. The NCDs such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory disease and mental health is becoming more important. We have been working with academic institutions so that medical students can train better in areas such as diabetes.We are also getting involved in local communities so that they

Foundation acquires cancer, cardiac management equipment

ORRIED about the gap in cancer treatment in Nigeria, Niger Foundation has procured the Roche Cobas e411 machine for better diagnosis and treatment of cancer and heart diseases even as it organised Continuing Medical Education, CME, for medical practitioners in Enugu on the importance of effective diagnostic testing for cancer and heart disease. The training with the theme “Use of Biomarkers in Clinical Practice and Patient Care” was organised in collaboration with ISN Products Limited. In his lecture, a Surgical Oncologist and Director of the Oncology Centre, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, UNTH, Prof. E. Ezeome, explained that testing for tumour markers with such machines will ensure easy and accurate diagnosis and better treatment for cancer patients. Ezeome said tumour markers have

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become increasingly important in cancer management as almost all cancers have biomarkers associated with them. He further emphasised that tests for tumour markers should be highly sensitive and specific and that it is important that the testing laboratory uses high quality equipment and standardised kits to perform the tests in order to minimise variation in test results by testing for these tumour markers on equipment such as the Cobas e411 acquired by Niger Foundation Hospital. Also, a Consultant Physician and Cardiologist, UNTH, Dr. B. Anisuba who spoke on the use of cardiac markers in early diagnosis and management of patients with heart diseases listed ideal characteristics of effective cardiac marker test to include; accuracy, reproducibility, ease of interpretation by the doctor, high specificity and sensitivity, and availability of point of care testing.

can do better in early detection of such diseases and to also work on lifestyle changes because many of these diseases

Only this year, we donated 35 million tablets to Nigeria healthcare system so that most school children can be treated

can be prevented without drugs. It can be tackled with simple lifestyle changes. And if detected early it can be treated very well. The issue of drug distribution is another challenge. For medicine, supply chain is very important; some problems with theft need to be addressed. We believe Nigeria is making progress in the area of counterfeiting and we are optimistic about the future. Currently, Nigeria is struggling with pollution, inequality, crime and corruption but a company that is active on a global scale must be able to deal with these. We have been working on a compliant scheme. It is very important that our employees understand compliance in today’s world. Access to quality medicine Our industry needs to make sure that we adapt our business model so that we can make medicines available at prices that can guarantee access. We need to do public private partnerships. We need to join forces with Nigerian players to make medicines more affordable. We need to work on supply chain, security and reliability. We need to make sure that medicines are being safely distributed to the people that need them. In some areas like neglected tropical diseases, we need to work with social responsibility programmes and donate medicines because the very poor cannot afford every cheap medicine. We are thinking of making drugs available at much lower prices in public health systems and charge regular prices in private institutions for those that can afford it. Such a programme is already on in countries like Ghana. We are working on malaria, we are developing technology for important diagnostic parameters in malaria. We have also developed insect repellent that can be used on insect and combat malaria. But we are mostly active in the field of diabetes, hypertension, typhoid disorders as well as cancer.

LUTH graduates 18 biomedical engineers By Sola Ogundipe

N realisation of the national medium and long term plans of the Federal government to establish a functional Biomedical Engineering Training Programme in the country, 18 students, representing nine Federal and state teaching hospitals, and private hospitals, have passed out of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, School of Biomedical Engineering. At the graduating ceremony last week, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Amina Shamani, said the development was the culmination of an extended Memorandum of Understanding signed a year ago between the Ministry of Health, GE Foundation, Engineering World Health, EWH, and the LUTH for a three-year period (2014-2017). Shamani said components of the agreement were to create a nationally accredited and sustainable Biomedical Engineering Technician, BMET, training school and Centre of Excellence at the LUTH. "The main objective is to strengthen human capital development, specifically for the healthcare technical workforce responsible of management of medical equipment in the various health facilities in Nigeria.

"There is no doubt there is a gap at present and we need to develop policies and plans to strengthen in-country towards ensuring that Nigerians are equipped with requisite technical skills and administrative know-how to effectively manage medical equipment in contemporary health systems in the country," she observed. The Chief Medical Director, CMD, LUTH, Prof Chris Bode, said each of the graduating students successfully completed a thorough on-the-job professional training under auspices of the GEF/EWH. Describing the development as another good thing to happen to the health sector, Bode said the Federal Government is encouraging participation of public and private institutions, because good health is not the exclusive preserve of any hospital. "No one knows where they would get taken in the event of an accident, so all hospitals should have good equipment that is well maintained at all times." In a statement, the Head of the LUTH Biomedical Training Centre, Prof. Carmen Walker, said the programme takes its curriculum from Duke University in North Carolina, in the United States, and on Industry Standards for Biomedical Engineering Training. Walker said the goal is in saving equipment because by saving equipment, lives are being saved.

46 — VANGUARD, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015

Global rallies demand climate change action H

UNDREDS of thousands of people are marching worldwide to demand action to stop climate change, but one protest in Paris was marred by violence. More than 2,000 events are happening globally on the eve of a UN summit in the French capital. In Paris, police fired tear gas at a large group of demonstrators gathered in the Place de la Republique. Our correspondent says the group was apparently protesting against France’s state of emergency. The order, banning public gatherings, was put into place after the 13 November attacks in the city, in which 130 people died. Many of those involved in the clashes wore masks or covered their faces. Images showed protesters and police walking over candles and tributes left for the attack victims at a makeshift memorial. Prime Minister Manuel Valls tweeted (in French) that the clashes were “undignified” and showed a lack respect to the memorial. Nicholas Haeringer, of the campaign group

A memorial to Lt Col Peshkov and the marine who died in the rescue of his co-pilot outside the Russian defence ministry.

350.org, said protests should still be allowed to continue, adding that campaigners would “stand against any attempts by the French authorities to use the incidents this afternoon to unnecessarily clamp down

Turkey to hand over Russian pilot’s body Turkish authorities at the

URKEY is preparing to send back to Moscow the body of the Russian pilot who was killed after his plane was shot down on the Syrian border. Lt Col Oleg Peshkov’s body was received by

Iran seeks $30bn of new oil contracts

RAN has overhauled the way in which it offers contracts to foreign energy companies in a bid to attract up to $30bn of new investment. The terms of the new oil contracts will be more favourable to foreign investors, who will be allowed a greater stake in long-term profits. Iran is gearing up for the lifting of sanctions following the nuclear deal with six world powers in July. The country has some of the biggest oil and gas reserves in the world. The new contracts were announced at a conference in Tehran attended by many of the world’s major energy companies, including BP, Shell, Total, Statoil and Sinopec. There were, however, no US companies present. The new contracts put an end to the so-called buyback model, which has historically deterred foreign investors, where overseas contractors developed and operated an oil field before handing it over to Iran. Now, more lucrative longer-term contracts will C M Y K

on civil liberties.” Earlier in Paris, a human chain was formed by hundreds linking arms along the 3km (1.9 miles) route of a march that was called off after the 13 November attacks.

be offered, where foreign companies can retain a stake in the field. About 50 oil and gas projects are expected to be unveiled during the Tehran conference, taking place on Saturday and Sunday. “The contract models introduced today are not perfect or ideal, but an effective and responsive model for both sides,” Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh said.

Syrian border earlier in the day. Turkish forces shot down the plane saying it had violated Turkish airspace, which Russia denies. The incident has sparked a furious row between the two countries, with Russia announcing sanctions against Turkey. Rebels from Syria’s ethnic Turkmen community opened fire on Lt Col Peshkov and his copilot as they tried to parachute into government-held territory on Tuesday. The rebels said he had died by the time he reached the ground. His body was flown from the border to the Turkish capital Ankara on Saturday afternoon, from where it will be taken to Russia.

Israeli Defence minister says Russian plane violated airspace

RUSSIAN Jet recently penetrated Israeli airspace but was not shot down, thanks to an open communication system between the two countries, Israel’s defense minister said Sunday as tensions continued to flare between Ankara and Moscow after Turkish troops downed a Russian warplane. Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon said the plane entered about a mile (1.5 kilometers) into Israeli airspace by “mistake” and immediately turned around back to Syria when the Russians were notified. For two months, Russia has been carrying out airstrikes

to support Syrian President Bashar Assad. Yaalon told Israel Radio that after Russia announced its air campaign in Syria, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with his military chief of staff and other officials, met with Russian President VladimirPutin.HesaidIsrael later opened a channel for coordination with Russia “to prevent misunderstandings.” Hesaidtherehasbeenone incident so far of a Russian plane entering Israeli airspace and it was “immediatelycorrectedinthe communications channel.” He didn’t say when it occurred.

Pope brings unity message to Central African Republic

OPE Francis has called for unity in the Central African Republic (CAR), a country torn by strife between Christians and Muslims, urging its citizens to “avoid the temptation of fear of others”. The 78-year-old Argentine pontiff arrived on Sunday morning in the capital Bangui, in the last leg of a six-day African tour taking him also to Kenya and Uganda. Unity “is to be lived and built up on the basis of the marvellous diversity of our environment, avoiding the temptation of fear of others, of the unfamiliar, of what is not part of our ethnic group, our political views or our religious confession,” he said in a speech before interim President Catherine Samba-Panza and other dignitaries. The acting president asked for “forgiveness” from Pope Francis over the sectarian violence that has gripped the country over the past two years and praised the pope for his visit despite security fears. “Central Africans have inflicted unspeakable suffering on other Central Africans. And for that, the

sons and daughters of this country must recognise their faults and ask for forgiveness... that your blessing will transform into a catalyst for the reconstruction of this country,” she said. Muslim as well as Catholic representatives came to the airport to welcome Francis. “The Holy Father has not come to Central Africa for the Catholics, but for Central Africans. It is a good sign of a reconciliation between

Muslims and Central Africans,” said El Adji Tchakpabrede, a representative of the country’s Islamic community. Describing himself as a “pilgrim of peace,” the pontiff said the local Catholic Church would work for reconciliation. Francis was expected to use the Popemobile during his visit, despite concern that the local authorities would not be able to guarantee his safety.

•••CAR leader asks for forgiveness for sectarian violence

ENTRAL African Republic’s interim president Catherine Samba-Panza on Sunday asked for “forgiveness” from Pope Francis for two years of “evil” sectarian violence she dubbed “a descent into hell”. “Central Africans have inflicted unspeakable suffering on other Central Africans,” she said on meeting the pope in the capital, Bangui, where the situation remains volatile. “On behalf of the ruling class of this country but

also in the name of everyone who has played any part in this descent into hell, I confess all the evil that has been done here throughout the course of history and ask for forgiveness from the bottom of my heart.” CAR descended into bloodshed more than two years ago after longtime leader Francois Bozize, a Christian, was ousted by mainly Muslim rebels, triggering the worst crisis since independence in 1960.

Burkina Faso votes after year of political turmoil

URKINA Faso holds elections on Sunday, the first since a popular uprising toppled the West African nation’s longtime leader and launched a turbulent period of transition. Hundreds of thousands of citizens took to the streets in October 2014, furious over then-President Blaise Compaore’s bid to scrap constitutional term limits and stay in office. Compaore resigned and fled the country, ending his 27-year rule of one of the poorest countries in the world. But the transitional government soon found itself at odds with his elite presidential guard. With no incumbent on the ballot and the presidential guard now dissolved, candidates and analysts say the vote will be the most open and democratic in Burkina Faso’s history. “We have a real chance for democracy here,” said Tahirou Barry, one of 14 presidential candidates. “For the first time, the incumbent president is not a candidate. This leaves the voters free of pressure, and there is fair play in the process.”

•Pope Francis with interim president of the Central African Republic, Catherine Samba Panza as he arrives in Bangui on November 29, 2015.

Attackers injure senior army officer in Burundi

SENIOR army officer was wounded in an attack by unidentified gunmen in Burundi at the weekend on his way to the capital, witnesses said on Sunday, the latest in a series of shootings targeting top officials. Violence has racked the African nation for months since President Pierre Nkurunziza said he would run for a third term in office and then went on to win a disputed election in July. The capital Bujumbura and surrounding area has been the focus for a spate of shootings and assassination attempts. Western powers and African neighbors worry Burundi, which emerged from a civil war in 2005,

could slide back into ethnic conflict. In the latest incident late on Saturday, Colonel Serges Kabanyura, the military commander for one of five regions of Burundi who previously served in a brigade protecting the president, was injured with five soldiers, a soldier who witnessed the attack told Reuters. “About five persons armed with rifles and dressed in military uniforms stopped us while heading to Bujumbura city. When they saw that we were soldiers they shot at us injuring five of us and, as we shot back, they fled,” said the soldier, speaking from hospital in Bujumbura.

Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015 — 47

LEISURE

YOUR LUCK TODAY

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 LEO; Entrance of romantic Venus into your Star Sign will enhance your prospects. Both financial and love related success are possible. VIRGO; This is not the right time to rely on promises made by others. Continue to take matters-of-the-heart seriously. Reason with your reliable associates LIBRA; Tension within the domestic scene will start to ease off. Yet you will need to watch what you do within your base till after 10.15pm tonight. SCORPIO; Both yourself and other important personalities to you are beginning to see things from same point of view making it easy for you to eliminate unnecessary rift. SAGITTARIUS; Venus moves into a positive angle to your Star and encourages peaceful settlement. Exhibition of maturity on your part will favour you better.

By Richard Eromosele

MBITION is what you want to achieve. It could be long term,it could be medium, it could also be for the

No Future Ambition? short term.It is a good thing for every human to be ambitious. A man(woman) without ambition is like a car

TERROR MUDA

without driver. Such a car cannot move forward.It is ambition that propels the man to strive,to stress and to challenge

in “Scavenger Elite”

himself to attain s e e m i n g l y unattainable goals. A man without ambition is a man without future. What is your ambition?

By Lanre Kehinde

CAPRICORN; Gradually you are dropping aggressive approach you have adopted in the last few days to the betterment of your cause. Remain practical till after 10.15pm. AQUARIUS; Better than yesterday; however that is not to say you should throw caution to the wind. Improvement on your love life indicated. Try to comport yourself. PISCES; After a few days of fun you may need to settle down to serious business. Those of you working till very late evening will need to be more careful till after 10.15pm. Reason with your tried and trusted old hands(friends). ARIES; Venus moves into a positive angle and boost your sparkling personality to the betterment of your cause. Could be a nice day for the-young-at-heart. TAURUS; It is important you don’t allow your mind to wander unnecessarily so that minor but costly mistakes would be averted. Avoid late evening confusion.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in “HEY’

By Andy Akman

GEMINI; Recent tension generated by controversy over money will start to ease off. Be more vigilant if you are working late in the evening. CANCER;. Other people will continue to have their says and if you try to indoctrinate them tensed atmosphere will be aggravated. Be patient.

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

What should I expect ? Dear Joshua, I want to know about my future, especially what I should expect from my love life both in the immediate and far future. However that is not to say I am not interested in good financial standing. Frank, Onitsha. Dear Frank, Although there will be a particular time you will need to be more careful so that you will not gamble with love as predicted under your love life. What I wrote for you under career can equally go for your finance. The difference here is inability to hold on to your gains (profits) partially by the contact made between your natal Saturn and Venus as stated under your career and some other times by your love of LUXORY (easy life). Although the Saturn influence can be mitigated as I said under your career, the love of luxury comes from your stelliu-Taurus which must not be totally discouraged but should not be allowed to go beyond your control. Yes envy and jealousy can creep in as indicated by the oppositions between your natal Venus/Saturn in Taurus and Jupiter in Scorpio, but that is not enough excuse for either failure or manipulation of occult powers against you. Whatever anybody says and/or does GREAT FINANCIAL SUCCESS is your portion. The most influential planet during your birth hour is Venus-the planet of MONEY and LOVE. You are the romantic type whose magnetic personality and open handedness are sources of big trap to his members of opposite sex. As handsome as you are you truly crave stability in your love life/ home and the happiness you desired will be yours. You will need to watch carefully around and during your 42th year on earth as you may be tempted to gamble with matters-ofthe-heart.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

48 —Vanguard, MONDAY MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015

Tommy Anaduaka never told me he was leaving soon —Widow By Ikenna Asomba

T was an emotional moment of discovery for Mrs. Dorothy Anaduaka, widow of the late Editorial Coordinator of Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Thomas Anyaegbuna Anaduaka, when members of Vanguard chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, visited the No. 13/19 Araromi, Alafia-Orile, Lagos residence of their late colleague, fondly called Pa Anaduaka, to pay him their last respects. Led by the chapel chairman, Mr Innocent Anaba, the Vanguard members had taken turns to pay glowing tributes to the veteran and consummate journalist who died on October 7, 2015, aged 77 years. Moved by the tributes, the grieving widow said that even though her husband’s death came as a rude shock to her because he never told her or any of the children that he was leaving, she was comforted by all that were said about him which she said represent a confirmation of what he was to her: a simple, innocent and good man, who was altruistic and ready to assist people not minding the age differences. “When it comes to assisting people, he could even help a little kid without minding his age. He was loving, kind. I lived with him all these years without any dent. Even when we had misunderstanding, before you know it, it’s all over. “I can’t recall any record of us having any grievance passing on to another day. We both lived our lives to what God has said, that we mustn’t as Christians,not to allow the anger that we have to last till the next day. That’s how we have lived our lives,” she recalled. Asked to share her last moments with her late husband, she said in an emotion-laddened voice: “There was no last moment. I had no last moment with TA. His death came as a rude shock. He didn’t tell me that he was leaving. It all happened on October 6, 2015, that when he became so sick, we had to take him to the hospital very early on October 7. “The previous night before he passed on, I kept on praying and believing God, that he would recover from his illness. I kept C M Y K

on praying, but he was shivering and frightened. He wasn’t even responding to the prayers. I prayed all through the night, but all I observed was that my husband was only some mutterings things I didn’t understand. But I kept on praying that at a stage I called the son, who came and joined us. “The following morning, we rushed him to the hospital. The doctor had to administer drip on him; so, I was in the hospital and kept on praying. After sometime, my son and I slept off because we were so worn out having not slept the previous night. “When we woke up, we noticed that the drip administered on him had stopped running. We shook Daddy, but he became still like a stick. The nurses came in to confirm that he was dead, but I didn’t believe them. The doctor came in and said same, I didn’t believe him. It was when my inlaw and our Pastor friend came in, to confirm same, that was when it dawned on me that Daddy had actually passed on,” she said. While paying tributes to Pa Anaduaka, his colleagues at the Vanguard Newspapers, who expressed shock over his departure barely a week after he was retired from active journalism, described him as very humble, respectful, hardworking, a firm believer in justice, equity, fairness and a complete professional journalist to the core, who did his jobs passionately. Vanguard’s Senior Assistant Editor, Mrs Judith Ufford said: “Pa Anaduaka’s passing came as a shock to me, because I saw him a couple of days back sitting at his table. I went to inform him

Pa Anaduaka, even for his age, was a very competent old man; he was the kind of man who will spot an error and immediately draw your attention to it

From left: Mrs. Dorothy Anaduaka [widow] Mrs. Esther Ojo and Mrs. Ifeoma Nwankwo, during the Christian wake-keeping for Late Pa. Thomas Anyaegbuna Anaduaka former staff of Vanguard Newspapers, at his residence in Orile-Iganmu, Lagos on 28 th November, 2015. Photo: Bunmi Azeez that the page 18 (Editorial page) for a particular day was ready. So, when I got to the office the following Monday and was told that he had passed on, I was shocked. “Pa Anaduaka, even for his age, was a very competent old man. He was the kind of man who will spot an error and immediately draw your attention to it. I will always remember him as one who did his job to the very last. He was a very humble, hardworking elderly man.” On his part, Anaba said: “Pa Anaduaka despite his age treated people who worked with him and far more younger than him as contemporaries. He wasn’t a person who cared about age. All that mattered to him was getting the work done. He had so many people that in age they were younger, but they were senior to him on the job. But he never bothered. He was a complete professional journalist that did his work passionately. With no

apologies, Pa Anaduaka was a good man, who was very good at his works. We, his colleagues at Vanguard will miss him dearly.” Also speaking, Vanguard Group Sport Editor, Tony Ubani said: “Pa Anaduaka has left a monumental legacy for practitioners of journalism and Mass Communication students. Pa Anaduaka is one who should be remembered; he’s one that we are very proud of. He was a very humble and respectful man. “He loved God till he died. He was a man who loved his wife till his death. He was a man who was always talking of about his family. He was compassionate till his death. He was a man that never grumbled at anything. He never grumbled at work, not even when people younger than his first son, gave him an assignment. Pa Anaduaka at work, understood that it was all about professionalism and he practiced it to the end. For us still

living, I think we should take positives from the death of Pa Anaduaka,”. Similarly, Vanguard Assistant Labour Editor, Victor AhiumaYoung described Pa Anaduaka as a man that firmly believed in justice till he breathed his last. Ahiuma-Young recalled that “There was a story Pa Anaduaka gave to me which involved some union leaders that were disengaged in AfriBank. When he brought the story, I told him that I needed to speak to the other side and he said go ahead. It pained me that before I spoke to the other side, Pa Anaduaka had passed on. My concern was how would the people who gave Pa Anaduaka the story know that it has been published. “Pa Anaduaka was a man who firmly believed in justice. He will always fight and ensure that you get justice. That was why he brought that story to my attention. Our hope is that he has gone to enjoy eternal rest with his creator,” he said.

Foundation to make largest bag in the world By Christopher Njoku

IGHTUP Foundation has con cluded plans to make the largest Canvas bag in the world, to break a Guinness World Record. Speaking at the event which took place recently at Anglican Girls Grammer School Surulere, the Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Olasubomi Iginla said that the foundation got directives from Guinness World Records on how to break the current record, which was achieved by Manisha Ogale in India at the Korum mall on 21st of April 2013, with its measurement as 8.68m long, 6.62 m tall and 0.71m dept. She said the bag which will be termed ‘Bag of hope’ will be

9.36m high, 10.32m width and 2.64m depth. Iginla said: “The bag will be designed by children from different parts of the world. We planned to start the sewing in Nigeria, divide the bag into different parts, send it to selected countries and then finally assemble the parts in the United Kingdom. ‘’I was doing a course in Oxford when this idea came up, that we can actually raise funds for children in need with this bag of hope, if we make the biggest bag in the world, call it the bag of hope and get as many young people involved in putting a sequence on the bag,” she said She urged Nigerians to show care to children in need, prom-

ising that the bag of hope will be used to raise funds to help the less privileged in the society with the aim to alleviate the suffering of the masses. “We really need people to help us in Nigeria, the bag will be used to raise funds to support the less privileged children in identified places in the world through donation of funds raised to notable organisations that care for the less privileged children and young people, as well as funding various African projects.” She also encouraged young people to express interest by involving themselves in the project, saying that every child will get an award sticker from Lightup Foundation to show that they were among those who broke the record.

Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015 — 49

Buhari batters Dasuki while we watch! Sheikh Amin

ASUKI may be the first but will never be the last. Those who feel that they are free will soon know that they are involved than Dasuki. DSS is destroying Nigeria by total disregard for the rule of law, Since President Buhari and DSS have no regard for the law that created them, very soon we Nigerians will also disregard the law that protects their office. Anunobiba In all these why only Dasuki? What of the Service Chiefs and Ministers of Defence? I smell a rat. Dasuki I believe is ready to appear in court . Please collect all evidence and witnesses and take him to court where I am sure he will eventually be granted bail. If found guilty he should be given maximum sentence. Otherwise it looks suspicious. People will think there is plan to eliminate him because of some information he may have in his possession as former NSA. Opamkaa I don’t know why you guys are expressing so much surprise at the GMB’s highhandedness. Call him out for his dictatorship and spare us the surprise. We saw it coming; the only question should be why he is masquerading as a democrat. From the those-who-voted-for-me-andthose-who voted-against-me statement in Washington, DC, his ultra selective war on corruption, his cronyism, to his personal vendetta, the dictator is simply being himself. Those that have questions to answer are those who should have known better and still went ahead to endorse and, actually, tilted the elections in his favour. We are only months into his presidency. It will be a long, long, rough ride. Sooner than later, the economy will bite even more with the price of oil not ready to creep out of the $40s per barrel. One would have expected him and his team to see the crunch time coming and be ready with creative ideas to chart a course that would diversify the economy. What they feed us, instead, are excuses and blame game. Obama did not dwell on George

Bush on whose watch the US economy nose-dived. He rolled up his sleeves and came up with a set of policies that took the US economy out of recession in record time. The worst part of Buhari’s case is his intolerance of criticism and his utter lack of humility. Add this sorry persona to the present economic woes vis-à-vis his robust campaign promises and you have a recipe for Mark Anthony’s soliloquy “Now let it work! Mischief, thou art afoot, Take thou what course thou wilt.” Buhari is making a difficult situation more difficult, and he is making the likes of Soyinka and other big shots, who stuck out their necks for him very awkward. With Boko Haram, the South East youths agitation, and the fresh demand for resource control, the General is facing a near perfect storm. He will do himself a world of good to sober up and be a leader rather rather than a ruler.

Six months after, Obasanjo lauds Jonathan for successful handover to Buhari Chike Obidigbo

EEP it to yourself , GEJ doesn’t need it from a person like you

Slumberry Ugwueke OBJ you can’t see a president like GEJ in your life time again whom you can push up and down during his tenure and he will still call you Baba. If u don’t want go back to prison, keep your mouth shut in this GMB administration because this one na Hausa not Igbo, Georgecolligon On a parting note, old age is good and everybody prays to live to attain old age. But old age should not be used to cause confusion or division. It is better to keep quiet rather than make statements that will make us look ridiculous and childish. Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent. Proverbs 17:28

BIAFRA: MASSOB faction accuses South East Govs, Ohanaeze, others of betrayal Inuen Ekom

OT only betrayal, they make themselves too cheap for northerners who controls our oil block to buy them off.

Oko Henry Obidima Biafra forever come rain come sun, Biafra must stand.

Olifire Sanity prevailed at their meeting and they arrived at a reasonable conclusion that Biafra is dead and buried. The momentum is gone. That’s smart on their part.

Senate gives Buhari 2week ultimatum to end fuel scarcity

But hear Iwuanyanwu “Ndigbo are the major shareholders in Nigeria. If Nigeria is a corporate enterprise, Ndigbo own over 70 per cent equity and deserve to be given their due. The Igbo man is the only Nigerian who believes in one united Nigeria’ Really? Is this man joking or not in Nigeria or has not heard of Nnamdi Kanu and his bunch of miscreants agitating for Biafra? Or maybe he doesn’t see Kanu as a Nigerian. I want to ask if Igbos hold 70 percent meaning others share 30 percent according to their gogoro. Humn, interesting. Ire o

Ezeugo Anslem Iriri EYE senators mtcheew.....toothless bulldogs.... They can only make noise....senators who have no power over ministers.....talkative Peter Shola Olorunyomi How about the senators having many filling stations accros the nation? Let the senate president talk to those senators in the house first. Ngozi Okorie From where will he end fuel scarcity. From Teharan, Mali or France?

Inflation in Nigeria

RESIDENT Buhari should come to our rescue because the current hike in fuel price has skyrocketed the price of commodities in the country. People cannot afford two meals a day due to high prices of food stuffs. Soon people will start stealing just to feed. Anonymous 07057006736

On TTaraba araba S tat e go Stat tate govv election tribunal judgment It is unfortunate that a court or tribunal will rely on matters considered as internal affairs of a political party to nullify an election. It is a travesty of justice and an apparent manifestation of the partiality of the judicial process. No court of law has the powers to delve into the internal affairs of a political party unless a member challenges the decision of the party in a pre-election court. Tribunal erred in holding that a candidate dully sponsored by a political party whose name was forwarded to INEC was never so sponsored. That is an aberration. The question is who sponsored the candidate or where did INEC get the name of the candidate who was returned as duely elected and issued with a certificate of return as duely elected? Barr Anthony O. Obi ( Onitsha) +2347062902368

Politicians economy

and

our

Nigeria is a country endowned with human and natural resources yet nothing seems to be working well. Since the fuel subsidy there has not been any improvement? What are Nigerian leaders doing with our resources? The Federal Government should explain because the hardship on Nigerians is increasing . Fidelis 08037235403

NASS’s leadership and Saraki’s purposeful direction

Without Saraki’s strategy of mobilising PDP’s NASS rebel members to join APC, the party would not have won the elections in the first place. If APC dares to do something stupid against Saraki, he might make them regret their actions. . Ochiks, O.S. +2347081369442

Electricity distribution

The Federal Government should as a matter of urgency take back electricity distribution and set up a functional body to handle the industry. EEDC is guilty of lack of response , cheating and stealing from the people.

Anthony O. Obi Esq... Onitsha +2348056009586

Flour Mills security men and Nigerian Railway Commisssion Apapa

The main reason the many beautiful parks dotting Lagos are abandoned is not far-fetched. It is to avoid embarrassment from overzealous persons who behave as if these places are meant for ghosts. There is this well maintained park laid with a pavement for pedestrian traffic leading to Apapa Railway Station. Unfortunately, the security men of Flour Mills of Nigeria in their usual authoritarian posturing forbid the public from taking this shortcut.This calls for the intervention of the Nigerian Railway Commission, NRC and the Apapa Local Government on the matter. Comrade Akido Agenro 2348055410516

FG and alleged dialogue with the Boko Haram sect

Those calling for roundtable talks with Boko Haram should understand that members of the sect are not normal people, and whoever wants to dine with them needs a long spoon. Apart from this, what the sect’s members are asking for are unrealistic, so negotiating with them is out of the question. Anonymous 08056278553

Corrupt cases against former governors

Imagine that some former governors and politicians with pending corruption cases in court are today Senators and House of Representatives members when they should be in jail. It is unfortunate that in Nigeria, people get elected to public office while in detention or having criminal cases pending against them. It goes to show Nigerians are good at celebrating corruption. Nigeria’s constitution should be amended to bar people with questionable characters from vying for elective posts until they are cleared. Charles 080381070933

Fuel subsidy pr obe probe

What is happening to those found guilty in the fuel subsidy probe? It is very apparent that Nigerians have no trust in reports by committees set up by the Federal Government. President Buhari should take a bold step in this matter to probe and prosecute those found guilty. Steadfast foundation 08158086822

SAYINGS OF OUR ELDERS I have sown a riga without a neck. Let him who cuts a neck for it put it on. - Hausa proverb

Send us your Sayings of Our Elders. They must be African sayings or proverbs. Biblical or English proverbs are unacceptable. Address your sayings to: editor@vanguardngr.com

50— Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015

Vanguard CLASSIFIED DIBOR—I, formerly known and addressed as John Samuel Ozo, now wish to be known and addressed as Dibor Samuel Ozoemene. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ITEZE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Iteze Betty Oghenefego, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Utomakili Betty Oghenefego. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AKPEH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ifeoma Joy Akpeh, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ifeoma Joy Joel-Olayiwola. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OLORUNTOBA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Olukemi Halima Oloruntoba, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olukemi Halima Ogunkoya. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IGWE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ifeoma Prisca Igwe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ifeoma Prisca Ewuzie. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IDRIS—I, formerly known and addressed as Akanmu Abdulmajeed Idris, now wish to be known and addressed as Akanmu Abdulmajeed Oladipupo. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OJEAH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ogorchukwu Jennifer Ojeah, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ogorchukwu Jennifer Imman-Ikhaobomeh. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ANIDOKWE—I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Perpetual Ifeoma Anidokwe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Perpetual Ifeoma Chidokwe. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

U K A N D U — I , formerly known and addressed as Ukandu Ikechukwu Kelechi, now wish to be known and addressed as Samuels Isaac Ikechukwu Kelechi. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public take note.

FASHOLA — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Agatha Olushola Fashola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Agatha Olushola Onianwa. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

SAIDU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ramatu Saidu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ramatu Mohammed. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OHIMO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ohimo Edith Achenedu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Esiri Ohimo Edith. All former documents remain valid. DESOPADEC and general public please take note.

A Z U O M A — I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Azuoma Cynthia Chialuka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Okocha Cynthia Chialuka. All former documents remain valid. UBA Bank, GTB Bank and general public to take note.

UVWRORO—I, Formerly known and addressed as Miss Uvwroro Mercy, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Aphrake Mercy. All former documents remain valid,any authority it may concern and the general public to take note.

Correction of Name My name was wrongly spelt as Dike Grace as against Dick Grace, but now I wish to be known and addressed as Dick Grace. All former documents remain valid, First Bank, any authority it may concern and general public to take note.

ENAROSEHA—I, formerly known and addressed as Enaroseha Elo Sofia, now wish to be known and addressed as Eti Elo Sofia. All former documents remain valid, any authority it may concern and general public to take note.

Confirmation of Names These names Esikere Henry and Egbedi Henry belong to the same person, but now I wish to be known and addressed as Egbedi Henry. All former documents remain valid, Ecobank, UBA Bank. Any authority it may concern and general public to take note.

Confirmation of Names These name Orosoyibo Edesiri Goodday and Omatagiren Edesiri Goodday belongs the same person but now wish to be known and addressed as Omatagiren Edesiri Goodday. All former documents remain valid, First Bank, Zenith Bank and general public to take note.

MUOJEKWU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nonye Veronica Muojekwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Anudu Veronica Nonye. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKU—I, formerly known and addressed as Oku Medeyonmi Leah, now wish to be known and addressed as Esenabhalu Leah Medeyonmi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name

AGBORI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Patience Nitorni Goodnews Agbori, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Patience Nitorni Timothy Okiakpe. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name

The name Abah Gloria King and Abah King Gloria Chinyere is one and the same person. I now wish to be known and addressed as Abah King Gloria Chinyere. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EGESIE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Egesie Urenna Sarah, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Alozie Urenna Sarah. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name

Confirmation of Name I, Etekpe, Yeaweikumo Gabriel Ambily do hereby confirm that the names Etekpe, Yeaweikumo Gabriel refer to one and same me. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Addition of Name I, formerly known and addressed as Beata Daisy, now wish to be known and addressed as Beata Daisy Obebani. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OSIFO—I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Osifo Edith Nkem, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Edith Nkem Omo-Ogboi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AGBOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Helen Njong Agbor, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Helen Njong Nwuzi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NWEKE—I, formerly known and addressed as Nweke Mercy Ngozi, now wish to be known and addressed as Nweke Theresa Ngozi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ANYICHIE—I, formerly known and addressed as Anyichie Chinonye, now wish to be known and addressed as Okekeanyichie Chinonye Angela. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. NWANKWO —I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwankwo Cynthia Chinwendu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Goddey-Moses Cynthia Chinwendu, All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OLAJUMOKE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Omolara Olamide Olajumoke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Lara Ire-Balogun. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ARIKPO—I, formerly known and addressed as Philomena Nnenna Arikpo, now wish to be known and addressed as Essien Philomena Nnenna. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OHWOBEVUGHE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ohwobevughe Okiemute Joyce, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nanna Joyce Okiemute. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name The names Ayisso Jean Claude Comlan and Ayisso John refer to one and the same person. I now wish to be known and addressed as Ayisso Jean Claude Comlan. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ABDULMUMUNI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Abdulmumuni Salamat Isoyiza, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Gift Isoyiza Beida. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ONOSAKPORNOME— I, formerly known and addressed as Johnny Onosakpornome, now wish to be known and addressed as Johnny Festus. All former documents remain valid. Ecobank Plc and general public please take note.

ALLISON-KULO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Elizabeth Allison-Kulo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Elizabeth Nlewedim. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

VICTOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Harriet Ijeoma Victor, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Harriet Ijeoma Egbuta. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Eteba

Perkins

Tarimobowei do hereby confirm that the names Eteba Perkins Tari refer to one and same me. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. IDANKPO— I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Mary Idankpo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Mary Ogbodo. All former documents remain valid. National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and general public please take note. O L AY I N K A — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Olayinka Salawat Funmilola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Mark-Charles Salawat Funmilola. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I, Jessy Diepreye Samuel do hereby confirm that the names Jessy Diepreye refer to one and same me. All former

documents

remain valid. General public please take note.

Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015 — 51

Vanguard CLASSIFIED ONIGBANJO—I, formerly known and addressed as Onigbanjo Aminat Ajibike, now wish to be known and addressed as Adejoye Aminat Ajibike. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AGBRO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Agbro Eloho Faith, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okpeterhe Eloho Faith. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ODUNOLA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Odunola Folakemi Omolabake Margret, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adewumi Folake Omolabake Margret. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IYEKEKPOLO—I, formerly known and addressed as John Onoriode Iyekekpolo, now wish to be known and addressed as Emmanuel Jacob Onoriode. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IMARAH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Regina Elohor Imarah, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Regina Elohor Okpobrisi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EJOMAFUVWE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ejomafuvwe Hope, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Toka Hope. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

A Z U O M A — I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Azuoma Cynthia Chialuka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okocha Cynthia Chialuka. All former documents remain valid. UBA, GTB and the general public please take note.

UVWRORO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Uvwroro Mercy, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Aphrake Mercy. All former documents remain valid. Any authority it may concern and the general public please take note.

Correction of Name My name was wrongly spelt as Dike Grace as against Dick Grace but now wish to be known and addressed as Dick Grace. All former documents remain valid. First Bank, any authority it may concern and the general public please take note.

ENAROSEHA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Enaroseha Elo Sofia, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Eti Elo Sofia. All former documents remain valid. Any authority it may concern and the general public please take note.

Confirmation of Name

ELEBE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okiemute Elebe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Okiemute Joy Richard. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

UKIRI— I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ukiri Eguono Blessing, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ogortanure Eguono Blessing. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKHALE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Anna Edujie Okhale, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nomiye Anna Edujie. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NDUKWE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Achama Nkole Ndukwe, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Achama Jacob. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AYELA-UWANGUE— I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Mercy Iguodeyala Ayela-Uwangue, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Mercy Iguodeyala Iboi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

O S AW E TA — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Violet Chinedu Ossai Osaweta, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Violet Chinedu Dibie. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OYO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oyo Tonia Ufuoma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onwudiwe-Otoakhia Tonia Ufuoma. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OSAGADA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Osagada Elohor Anita, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ogbon Elohor Anita. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

MUSA— I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Fatima Binta Musa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Fatima Binta Yesin. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IDIKE— I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Idike Vivian, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Yokiri Vivian. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Confirmation of Name

This to confirm that Ogortanure Happy Ighojanimo and Osiokpo Happy Ighojanimo is one and the same person but now wish to be known and addressed as Ogortanure Happy Ighojanimo. All former documents remain valid. Fidelity Bank, Prodeco Nig. Ltd. and the general public please take note.

COUSIN—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Igho Benedicta Cousin, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Igho Benedicta Onosiwe. All former documents remain valid. First Bank, DESOPADEC, NBA and the general public please take note.

Confirmation of Name

KUNLE— I, formerly known and addressed as Kunle Daniels, now wish to be known and addressed as Galley Olakunle Daniels. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NNADOZIE—I, formerly known and addressed as Nnadozie Nweje, now wish to be known and addressed as Theophilus Nweje. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

HUNVIO— I, formerly known and addressed as Esther Mausoni Hunvio, now wish to be known and addressed as Esther Mausoni Adekoya. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and the general public please take note.

This is to confirm that Miss Ekpuyama Terence Ufuoma and Ekpuyama Terence A. is one and the same person but now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oghenerume Terence Ufuoma. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

These names, Esikere Henry and Egbedi Henry belong to the same person but now wish to be known and addressed as Egbedi Henry. All former documents remain valid. Ecobank, UBA, any authority it may concern and the general public please take note.

These names, Orosoyibo Edesiri Goodday and Omatagiren Edesiri Goodday belong to the same person but now wish to be known and addressed as Omatagiren Edesiri Goodday. All former documents remain valid. First Bank, Zenith Bank and the general public please take note.

CAF U-23 AFCON: Egypt, Algeria settle for draw

GYPT and Algeria played out a 1-1 draw in their group B opener of the CAF Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations yesterday in M’bour Senegal. The first half ended goalless in a match both sides missed scoring chances. But it was Egypt’s Mahmoud Kahraba who opened scoring in the 54th minute. However, the Algerians fought back and Zeinedine Ferhat levelled up in the 68th minute. “It was a difficult match. There is always a tradi-

•Kahraba tion in matches between the two sides, at any level. A very difficult match to start a competition with, said Egypt coach Hossam Al Badri. Egypt will play Nigeria next on December 2.

All is not lost, says SA coach

A men’s U-23 coach Owen da Gama believes all is not lost after his side went down 3-1 to Senegal in the opening match of the CAF Under23 Africa Cup of Nations tournament. “There is no excuse, we all have to shoulder the blame. At the end of the day we should have taken our chances. People are saying we played well but then again you don’t get points for playing good football. Unfortunately on the day some players did

not pitch up. It had a massive influence on the game and impacted on the rest of the team,” said Da Gama. “We take the loss as a team, just like we have taken wins as a team. What we don’t need now is the blame game or finger pointing. We have to go back and see what mistakes we did and rectify them. It just wasn’t our day.” South Africa’s next opponent in the tournament is Zambia who lost 2-1 to Tunisia.

Rivaldo Coetzee (left) had a tough time in dealing with the Senegalese attack in Dakar.

Iwu: We'll not let Nigeria down

•Iwu, Nigeria's U23 keeper

IGERIA under-23 and Heartland goalkeeper Emmanuel Iwu said the team will not let Nigeria down at the CAF under-23 AFCON. Iwu, who helped Heartland to a respectable finish in the concluded NPFL season made the cut for the tournament despite not being part of the qualifying series for Senegal 2015. “I’m happy to have made the team for the

tournament and I’m also grateful for the opportunity to serve my country,” Iwu. “We are in Senegal for business and we want to put smiles on the faces of Nigerians. “My message to our fans is we will not let them down, we are going to make them proud.” Nigeria are in Group B of the Caf Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Mali, Algeria and Egypt. Also coach Samson Siasia assured that the task of qualifying Nigeria for the Olympics will be achieved. Adding that the boys are determined to work hard. “We are here to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. We have to train hard and make sure the players play to instructions. All teams deserve to be here. For us (Nigeria), we are tactically sound and know the kind of opposition to expect.”

52 — Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015

INNICK disclosed that the tenure of the Boards of the Leagues, under which umbrella Kawu became Member of the NFF Executive Committee, has expired. “The tenure of the Boards of the Nigeria National League, Nigeria Women Football League and the Nigeria Nationwide League has come to an end. Alhaji Kawu is no longer a Member of the NFF Executive Committee.” I am not always very comfortable with “hear say”. I came back from a CAF assignment in Egypt two weeks ago to hear that a board member of the NFF was querried. Dili Onyedinma’s sin was that she had gone to the media to vent her anger as regards the reported poor state of the women game in Nigeria. My story teller said in an effort to sign off for the season the women Super Six was taken to Umuahia and the clubs came out with complaints galore, bemoaning lack of sponsorship and the dismal quality of organization etc. For Mrs Onyedinma, this was a campaign against her, one that is coming on the eve of the elections and she decided to fight back. The story goes further to say that she admitted the women game had suffered but that she should not be held responsible. She pointed accusing fingers at her colleagues in the board who she said contributed in her failure. Off camera, she mentioned names. On camera she said she was ready for a fight. On the basis of the above, she was queried. The day our girls were knocked out of the All Africa Games, the Sports Editor of the Sun, George Aluo called for my comments and I told him without mincing words that our women lifted us when the men let us down. That we have never had problems in Africa, winning with wide margins of 10-0, 7-0 etc, but that to see us now been beaten black and blue, thrown out of the Olympics by Equatorial Guinea ( We even drew in Abuja-Abomination- could not win the All Africa Games …….then there was cause for concern. Today, on the FIFA ranking we are on the all time low of 38 in the world! The domestic league is another story entirely. Poor organization, no sponsors or partners, walk overs galore…..so many regrets, only for the Chair person of the Women League to come out FIVE YEARS AFTER to lay blame on the doorsteps of her colleagues. That is my quarrel, why NOW? Why did she not shout out before now? How did the NFF Board stop her and her colleagues from elevating the standard of the women game especially in the area of spon-

NFF elections, Akwa United and other stories sorship? Is her reaction also political, coming on the heels of a belated and over due election? Is the NFF query a function of her washing the dirty linen of the soccer ruling body in public? Women football in Nigeria is comatose and yearns for a new breadth of life. What took me back to this was a news piece released last week by the hard working media chief of the NFF Mr Demola Olajire, where the President of the NFF Mr Amaju Pinnick came out fuming, pummeling Alhaji Kawu, Chairman of the Amateur league board. In the course of his response he revealed that Alhaji Kawu’s tenure of board of the NFF had expired and that he could not speak for the board. Re-

The election of those three boards are overdue; other believed minor occurrences are gathering moss. ally? True? Interesting, very interesting. That took me on a research assignment and I was shocked to discover that the elections into the boards of the Women League, the Amateur league and the National league was last held in 2011. Specifically on January 29 2011. In other words elections into these boards should have been held over a year ago. Question. What, is stopping these elections? Why was Alhaji Kawu not stopped from attending board meetings? How come the NFF President just real-

ized that Alhaji Kawu “…is not a member of the board?” The election of those three boards are overdue. Other believed minor occurrences are gathering moss. In 2016, President Pinnick will need to punctuate his international and national advancement by looking back at the domestic scene, both on and off the field. He cannot afford to neglect his back. I wish I could say more. UYO IS WHERE TO BE…… This evening at the impressive banquet hall of the Government House Uyo, the red carpet will be laid out as Governor Udom Emmanuel officially receives the victorious Akwa United team, the History Makers A month ago, a phone call by the permanent secretary in the Governors office Mr Umoh Bassey ( Ex Rovers of Calabar) saw me receiving an “order” from the secretary to Government Mr Etekamba Umoren, on the need to do everything possible “…….to make sure that Governor Udom Emmanuel lifts that cup in Lagos and brings it back to Uyo” Today belongs to the players, the technical crew, management and board led by the favoured and pragmatic Akparawa Nse Ubeh who less than eight months on the saddle as Chairman has written the state’s name in the history books of Nigerian football and given Akwa Ibomites cause to rejoice. Today belongs to the state sports commissioner, Sir Monday Uko, the Permanent secretary in the ministry and the director of sports , the stakeholders, the supporters……..History makers all. Today belongs to Governor Udom Emmanuel who sees this victory as a manifestation of God’s approval and acceptance of the leadership bestowed on the state, and predicts greater glory in the future in all spheres of governance. Today belongs to Akwa Ibom………Akwa Ibom Adakkada. Ubong enyene Abasi ( Akwa Ibom is on its feet. All glory to God almighty So much has been written about the nature of the reward that will be handed out to the team and their handlers. Some have suggested cars, others land, while some still will go for cash incentives. Whatever happens today the Governor will there after order for the punctuation of celebrations in order to “prepare for Africa”. He wants a blue print on his table by the first week of January at the latest. He wants the best players recruited to beef up the team, the technically crew strenghthened and the management fortified. He wants the CAF Confederation cup on his table. Your Excellency, your wish is our command. See you next week.

Mikel laughs as Costa throws bib at Mourinho

HE bad blood between Diego Costa and Jose Mourinho seems to have continued as the striker threw a bib at his manager in Chelsea Costa was not named in Chelsea’s starting 11 and was left on the bench all through their goalless Premier League draw withTottenham yesterday. After warming up, Costa was not called up to enter the game and he was not happy about it. As he made his way to the bench, the striker pulled his bib and threw it backwards towards his coach, Mourinho. Nigerian midfielder, John Obi Mikel who was sitting behind Mourinho saw it all and laughed. Mourinho who was focused on the game did not see the bib. When pressed on the incident after the game, Chelsea manager Mourinho said he didn’t expect Costa to be happy to

be on the bench. “I was not expecting a player to be on the bench jumping and singing... a top player on the bench is

not happy. If he wants to hurt me, it’s not with a bib,” Mourinho said. “I don’t like my subs to warm up. I just want them

to be mentally ready to play for when we need them. There’s no issue between me and Diego, it was just a decision.”

Plateau Utd’ve returned to where they belong—Bewarang play well and win matchBy Jude Opara, Abuja Apparently basking in the euphoria of the promotion of Plateau United FC to the elite Nigeria Premier League, General Manager of the club, Bitrus Bewarang says the Jos based side have returned to the rightful place they belong. Bewarang who is also the President of the Nigerian Football Coaches Association told journalists in Abuja yesterday that the team have what it takes to compete at the highest level of club football in the country. He further stated that his

magic of getting quality result from the players and their coaches is by ensuring that they were well paid and as at when due. “We have what it takes to retain our place in the premier league because the state government is very interested in supporting us and most importantly as a management we always ensure that our players and their coaches are paid very well and that also means that if you don’t do well you leave the system, I will sack you and that really put pressure on them to perform. I train my coaches and pay my players well so they know they have to

es for me or you leave. “Plateau Utd is not a novice in Nigerian football and that means that we will definitely survive the heat of the NPL because even in the federations cup matches, we defeated premier league teams like; Giwa FC, 3SC as well as Kano Pillars the league defending champions in this year.” The former assistant coach of the Super Eagles also hinted that while he intends to retain most of players that helped in securing the promotion, he will recruit some other experienced players to beef up the team for the task ahead.

HANDS OF FELLOWSHIP . . . President FROT GROUP,Leading sponsor of The Nigerian Football Federation Four day leadership training programme in the United Kingdom, Mr Frank Momoh (left) in handshake with NFF president Amaju Pinnick at Eko Hotel, VI during the week.

Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015—53

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Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015 — 54

Fury shocks Klitschko to become Heavyweight champion T

HE Gypsy King of En gland is amazingly, wonderfully, sensationally – and tearfully – the new heavyweight champion of the world. Tyson Fury ended the decade-long reign of the great Wladimir Klitschko with a display of astonishing nerve and virtuosity – just as he said he would. It was the biggest shock in boxing since James Buster Douglas beat Mike Tyson 25 years ago as he inflicted Kitschko’s first defeat since 2004 to win the IBF, WBO and WBA heavyweight titles. The 27-year-old Mancunian giant made the near40-year-old Klitschko look slow and old with elusive daring, his impudent taunting and, above all, with his quickness of hand and foot. But it wasn’t simply the Ukrainian hitting the age barrier which has opened a rich world of opportunity to the man who would be happier living in a traveller’s caravan than a mansion. As is custom, Fury burst into song in the ring after winning. What preceded that was a phenomenal effort and a richly deserved triumph against heavy betting odds. Fury had talked the talk for months and he didn’t just walk the walk, he danced the dance. Klitschko struggled all night to catch up with him and although there were rounds which Fury let slip by failing to throw enough punches, his triumph was for unorthodox valiance. Both men were generous to the other at the end. Fury may have to do it all again as it is believe there is a re-match clause in the contract. Perhaps back in Germany if that proves to be the best commercial prospect. Although Wembley Stadium would fill for this one.

Whether Kitschko would want to go through all the frustration again is another matter. He could retire. For Fury, who now holds all those treasured belts, there is the prospect of a huge unification bout with American holder of the WBC title, Deontay Wilder. Fury thanked Jesus. Klitschko admitted: ‘I couldn’t land by jab or my big right.’ That says it all. It was just above freezing in Dusseldorf but the roof firmly closed over the Esprit Arena and the carpet covering the football turf ensured a hot night, at least so far as the temperature within was concerned. This was a welcome change from Hamburg three years ago when Klitschko beat David Haye as icy winds swirled teeming rain around the canopy covering the ring, soaking the rest of us. Generating a fight to match the heat of the great indoors was up to Fury and Klitschko but they had a comfortable environment in which to work. A second threat by Fury to pull out of the biggest night of his life had also given him the foothold he wanted in the ring. A protest, supported by the British Boxing Board of Control, secured the removal of a thick layer of foam from under the canvas which gave the floor of the ring the impression of a bouncy castle, which would have put a man of Fury’s vast size at risk of a twisted ankle. Fury said he had ‘never been in a ring so spongy’. He won that appeal, as he had already prevailed with his demand to wear his preferred gloves. So the big fight went ahead, with Fury having just been told by his wife, Paris, that she is expecting their third child. Despite being pregnant she was at

•Klitschko slams a right hook into Fury’s facea ringside wearing a jacket emblazoned with silver dollar motifs, among a crowd of more than 50,000. The rich and famous wined and dined sumptu-

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involved. “We are looking at a way of having a self-sustaining system and when our staff is sorted they can play well,” Ssekatawa said. URA FC are one of the most popular Uganda Premier League sides and have represented the East African country in the Caf Champions League and Confederation Cup competitions - Africa’s biggest continental club competitions. The numbers of boda bodas have recently ballooned in Kampala, but so have the number of accidents - rising eight-fold

discovered that Klitschko’s hands had been wrapped without their observer present. The champion duly unwrapped and re-wrapped his hands.

LMC takes reform campaign to World Leagues Forum in Paris •Dikko to firm up discussion with La Liga

HE Nigeria Professional Football League, (NPFL) will tomorrow in Paris, France join other world football leagues at the World Leagues Forum to

Uganda continued from B/P club’s players to buy motorbikes, commonly known as boda bodas, which are widely used by businesses in Uganda to transport people and luggage. With the cost of living continuing to rise in the Ugandan capital Kampala, club chairman Ali Ssekatawa told BBC Sport they no longer want their players to strictly rely on the income they get from playing football. The club’s management has, however, asked the players to hire riders and not to ride the motorbikes themselves, due to the risk

ously on one end of the pitch, in the manner to which they have become accustomed at these lavish Klitschko occasions. There was another complaint when Team Fury

in the past eight years, with businesses looking at safer ways of operating the bikes. Earlier this year URA FC’s commissioner Doris Akol promised they would help the players with an alternative money-making venture and club chairman Ssekatawa delivered 17 motorbikes to the players at the club’s training ground on Thursday. Long-serving defender and Uganda international Simeon Masaba said he favoured the initiative, as it will help the players to earn extra income for their families.

discuss the future of the league in the scheme of the emerging FIFA structure. It is the second edition of the World Leagues Forum (WLF) and Nigeria will be represented by the Chairman of the League Management Company, Mallam Shehu Dikko who said it will be another opportunity to seek global partnership and support for the internal reforms in NPFL and also the ongoing campaign to arrest capital flight from domestic sports industry to Europe which has denied the League the right kind of funding. “We will use the platform to further drive the message of on-going internal reforms in the NPFL and also the case for better funding of the league and clubs for improved players’s welfare”, Dikko said to npfl.ng shortly before

departing for the congress. Organizers of the congress disclosed that all the four candidates for the next elections for the FIFA President’s office have confirmed their participation at the meeting at which they are expected to unveil their plans for world football with emphasis on the football leagues. “We will have the opportunity to discuss the future of football and the role of the leagues in the governance landscape with Prince Ali Ben Hussein, Cheik Salman ben Ibrahim Al-Khalifa, Mr. Tokyo Sexwale and Mr. Jerome Champagne”, wrote the organizer to the LMC. Dikko said that the forum will also avail the LMC the opportunity to further discuss developmental partnership with the leadership of the Spanish League as a follow-up to earlier correspondences already exchanged between the La Liga and the LMC.

Nigeria continued from B/P secod half and almsot allowing Mali to claw their way back into the game. Parading what seemed a dream strking pair of Liverpool’s Taiwo Awoniyi and CF Sfaxien Junior Ajayi in attack, Nigeria made a dream start when Ajayi netted the opener in the 15th minute. Ajayi;s goal could not have come at a better time, scoring against the run of play, tipping in the ball with the back of his right foot.. He was a regular scorer during the qualifying matches for this tournament and fully deserved to get the ball rolling for Nigeria. The goal seemed to fire Mali on with the likes of Salomon Diarra, Adaa Traore and captain Boubacar Diarra attacking the Nigerian defence, manned by Ndifreke Effiong, Sincere Seth, Segun Oduduwa and Zaharadeen Bello. Even though they had the majority possession, Mali found Emmanuel Daniel in goal for Nigeria impregnable. The festive atmosphere in the stadium made the match all the more interesting as both west Africans went for each other’s jugulars. In the 30th minute, Diame Traore’s free kick was blocked by the Nigerian defence line. Mali continued probing for their own goal but Nigeria stood firm and took the lead in the 35th minute, when midfielder Usman Mohammed unleashed a fiercesome strike into the back of Mali’s net. And in injury time of first half, Ajayi scored his second of the night, tapping in captain Azubuike Okechukwu’s initial shot, looking like a predator. But in the second half, Mali gave Nigeria a scare when two goals, the first a penalty by Adana Niane in the 54th minute and and the second ten minutes later by.Sisoko beat three ball watching Nigerians to score second goal for Mali. Nigeria will be back to action on Wednesday against Egypt. A win for Nigeria will qualify them for the semi final.

•Siasia

Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015—55

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Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30 , 2015

Fury shocks Klitschko to Page 54 become Heavyweight champion

AFCON U-23:

Nigeria survive Mali’s late blitz, shoot to top By John Egbokhan

IGERIA got their cam paign at the CAF U23 Championship off to a shaky but winning start yesterday, edging Mali 32 in their Group B clash at the Stade Caroline Faye in Mbour. A game of two halves, saw the Nigerians scoring three goals in the first half, while Mali got the second half, netting twice but falling short of nicking the equaliser, which they truly deserved on the evidence of their performance and second half display. This is a match that

•Ajayi

RESULTS EPL Tottenham West Ham Liverpool Norwich

0 Chelsea 1 W/Brom 1 Swansea 1 Arsenal

0 1 0 1

LA LIGA Getafe 2 Villarreal Eibar 0 R/Madrid Vallecano 0 A/Bilbao

0 2 3

CAF U23 Egypt 1 Mali 2

1 3

Algeria Nigeria

Coach Samson Siasia would quickly want to forget as he attempts to qualify Nigeria for next summer Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro. Siasia like most Nigerians would not be happy with the second half display of his Dream Team, who largely went to sleep in the continues on page 54

Mikel laughs as Costa throws bib at Mourinho —Page 52

•Klitschko slams a right hook into Fury’s face •Mikel

—Page 52

Uganda’s club buys taxis for players U

GANDA Revenue Authority (URA) FC -one of the country’s biggest clubs - have encour-

T OD AY'S PUZZLE ODA

aged their players to earn extra cash, by helping them to get into the lucrative motorcycle taxi

FRI DAY'S ANS WERS FRID ANSWERS

business. URA are helping the continues on page 54

•Klitschko bled profusely from his face after being cut on his top right eyelid

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS: 2 Clothing (5) 7 Twenty (5) 8 Little (5) 10 Heron (5) 12 Fitting (3) 13 Javelin (5) 15 Advance (7) 17 Called (6) 19 Sea-bird (3) 20 Enticed (7) 23 Pour (4) 25 Expensive (4) 26 Ordained (7) 30 Prosecute (3) 31 Determine (6) 34 Own (7) 37 Claw (5) 38 Beverage (3) 39 Instrument (5) 40 Platform (5) 41 Ice-house (5) 42 Greeting (5)

DOWN: 1 Range (5) 2 Vision (5) 3 Rue (6) 4 Ooze (4) 5 Slapped (7) 6 Change (5) 9 Imitate (3) 11 Caught (7) 13 Condition (5) 14 Strayed (5) 16 Abroad (3) 18 Dishearten (7) 21 Satan (5) 22 Verdant (5) 24 Missive (7) 27 Hint (3) 28 Item (6) 29 Saying (5) 32 Freight (5) 33 Giver (5) 35 Ocean (3) 36 Location (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 2, Eject 7, Bear 8, Occult 9, React 11, Sod 13, Cad 15, Ewer 16, His 18, Code 19, Section 20, Used 22, Diva 23, Tingled 25, Eden 27, Eel 28, Mere 30, Dud 31, Rod 33, Stern 36, Scarce 37, Abut 38, Troop.

DOWN: 1, Below 2, Err 3, Era 4, Tot 5, Act 6, Plead 10, Chic 11, Secured 12, Deleted 13, Conifer 14, Delayed 16, Hedge 17, Steel 18, Cod 21, Din 24, Left 26, Dunce 29, Rogue 32, Pry 33, Set 34, Ego 35, Nap.

How to Play Sudoku

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number). Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row. No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination. Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Phone: Newsroom: 018773962. Deputy Editor: 01-4548355. Advert Dept Hotline: 014544821. Abuja Advert Hotline: 09-2921024. E-mail: editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, letters@vanguardngr.com. Advert:advertproduction@yahoo.com Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Editor: MIDENO BAYAGBON. Phone: 01-7742861, All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.

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