30112017 - Libya: We'll move identified Nigerians back home —BUHARI

Policeman, pastor shot dead during shoot-out with kidnappers in Ondo

How we can work with Tinubu – Afenifere 44 6

20m Nigerian women’re victims of genital mutilation 34

Twist in PDP chairmanship race

•As state chairmen plot to block George, Secondus, Adeniran, others

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VOL. 25: NO. 63432

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017

Libya: We'll move identified Nigerians back home —BUHARI •5,000 evacuated in six months, says Dabiri-Erewa •Save Nigerians from Libyan slave traders — Senate •Reps probe auction of black migrants in Libya •11, 600 Nigerians face repatriation world wide —Refugees commission

2017 BUDGET:

FG denies only 15% was released for capital projects 10

BUJA —President Muhammadu Buhari has said the Federal Government was hoping to evacuate identified stranded Nigerians in Libya back to Nigeria and rehabilitate them.

This came on the heels of reports that hundreds of African refugees and migrants passing through Libya were being bought and sold into slavery.

Continues on page 5

Naira appreciates to N360.02/ $ in NAFEX 5

Pregnant woman, five others die in Ogun accident

COLUMNISTS

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Meanwhile, no fewer than 11,600 migrants of Nigerian origin are facing repatriation from different parts of the world, Hajia Sadia Umar Faruk, Chief Executive Officer of the National Commission for

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FG suspends SEC boss, 2 others 10

By Henry Umoru Johnbosco Agbakwuru

Mr & Mrs

RESCUED FROM BOKO HARAM...

Nigerian Army medical personnel administering Oral Polio Vaccine (OVC) to children who were among the 212 persons (below) rescued by the troops from the Boko Haram insurgents, yesterday, at Kala-Balge LGA of Borno State. Photos: NAN.

AMAECHI 40 NNANNA OCHEREOME 31 MOHAMMED ADAMU 17

2—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017—5

POCKET CARTOON

EDO BUDGET—Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki (right) presenting the 2018 Budget of Growth to the Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Kabiru Adjoto at the Anthony Enahoro Assembly Complex in Benin City, yesterday.

We'll move identified Nigerians back home — BUHARI Continues from page 1 Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, has said.

Speaking while interacting with the Nigerian community in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, on Tuesday night, Buhari, who is in Abidjan for the 5th European UnionAfrican Union (EU-AU) Summit, said those still there would be evacuated.

He assured Nigerians that his administration would do everything humanly possible to make the country conducive to discourage youths from embarking on the journey and risking their lives.

To make the country conducive, President Buhari promised that fixing security as well as providing other critical infrastructure would also reduce the chances of people taking the risk and ending up in the Mediterranean Sea, adding that efforts had been made in that direction which had started yielding positive results in agriculture.

He said: “Whenever Nigerians are identified, especially in Libya and so on, we hope to evacuate them back home and then rehabilitate them because the indoctrination is what is happening with the Boko Haram where girls, mainly from the ages of 15 downwards, will strap themselves and go to the market, blow themselves up and anybody around in motor parks, mosques, churches and so on.

“I am telling you all these because I know that those of you who are making it here I’m sure send contributions home for feeding and for school fees and healthcare.

“These are the basic things that the government should do and we are to make sure that the people challenging the Sahara Desert and the

Mediterranean to perish will be less of Nigerians.

Some Libya returnees joined Boko Haram

‘’It was announced that 26 Nigerians died but before they could prove that they were all Nigerians, they were buried. But the evidence I got from the Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora Affairs now is that only three were identified as Nigerians.

“But I won’t be surprised if majority of them were really Nigerians. And for people to cross the Sahara Desert to go into shanty boats across the Mediterranean Sea, I think we will try and keep them at home.

“But for anyone who dared the desert and the Mediterranean without documents to prove that he/ she is a Nigerian, there is nothing we can do, absolutely nothing.

“In the interview some of you saw, some of the Nigerians said they were being sold like goats for a few dollars for years in Libya. Now after 43 years of Gaddafi where he recruited so many people from the Sahel, including Nigeria and so on, all they learned was how to shoot and kill.

“They didn’t learn to become electricians, plumbers or any other trade. So, when the Libyans stood against their leader, those who are not their people, they chased out. ‘’A lot of them came back home with their workers, some of them became part of Boko Haram.

Security challenges

“So, I’m telling you that our major problem as we have identified, is still the security of the country. We

have done much better, everybody is saying it.

And then we are talking very regularly with the Niger Delta and the leadership because they know they are holding the throat of the country economically.”

Buhari, who stressed the need for Nigerians in Côte d’Ivoire to be good ambassadors by obeying the law of their host country, urged them to also report those portraying the image of the country in bad light to the embassy so that the bad eggs will be flushed out.

He said: “For you to be good ambassadors of our dear country, it is to live by the law of the country and as much as possible, the bad eggs here among you, you should report quietly to the embassy so that we can get them and repatriate them home as the ambassador has said.

“We, being the biggest country in Africa, at least 180 million people, the requirement for infrastructure is especially education because if you educate people, they can look after themselves and then, of course, healthcare.

“But I’m telling you there is a lot of work to be done back home. We are doing our best and the leadership at all levels are doing their best and the problem we are having is with those being indoctrinated and are hurting our people, blowing up people in mosques, churches, marketplaces, motor parks, which is absolute madness.

“No religion advocates violence; all religions advocate justice from your home, town, household to whatever you become, Justice is the basic thing all religions demand.’’

1.5m Nigerians in Cote D'Ivoire — Envoy Also speaking, the

Nigerian Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, Ibrahim Isah, noted that the largest number of Nigerians in Sub-Sahara Africa, second only to Sudan, were in Côte d’Ivoire, adding that they were as many as 1.5 million.

Ambassador Isah, who is just about three months old in his post, said the greatest challenge facing the embassy was the issue of child trafficking and prostitution, disclosing that 50 persons had been repatriated since he resumed.

He said: “We are facing the challenge of child trafficking and prostitution.

Over 50 persons have been repatriated since I came three months ago. We put them across to Lagos through the Young Shall Grow Motors and give them stipends.

“We have succeeded in getting three traffickers jailed here in Côte d’Ivoire but we need National Agency for the Prohibition Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, and the Nigerian Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to continue doing what they are doing until we stop this illicit trade.”

5,000 evacuated — Dabiri-Erewa

On her part, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Diaspora and Foreign Affairs, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said a total of 5,000 Nigerians stranded in Libya had been brought back to the country under the present administration.

She regretted, however, that some of them have sadly found their way back, despite warnings, expressing hope that with President Buhari’s directive on massive evacuation, all of them would be back to Nigeria.

Save Nigerians from Libyan slave traders — Senate

Meanwhile, the Senate, yesterday, charged the Federal Government to save Nigerians from slave auctions in Libya.

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, described the Libya slave trade reports as a slap in the face of Nigerians.

Saraki said this after Kaka Baba Bashir (Borno Central), had sponsored a motion on the urgent need to protect Nigerian citizens from being sold into slavery.

The Senate President wondered why the country had not done anything about the situation.

He said: “Libya slave trade is a slap on us all if a state like Cote D’Ivoire is taking step to address this act while we have not done so.’’

While moving the motion, Bashir had described the slave trade as a “sickening crime

against humanity,” wondering why Nigeria was “indifferent”, despite being one of the most affected countries.

He said: “This is a humiliation not just to Nigeria and Africa as a whole but also to human civilization and the fundamental principles of human rights under the United Nations Charter.

“Libyan government does not have the means nor the commitment to crack down on the perpetrators as their hands are full, hence these smuggling networks are killing, torturing, extorting and detaining migrants at will.

“Other African countries such as Ivory Coast, have taken active steps to protect their people from these despicable acts and bring them back to their home country.”

Reps probe auction of black migrants in Libya

The House of Representatives also urged the Federal Government to liaise with the Libyan Government for solution to the menace of migration and modern day slavery in the North African country.

The call followed a motion by Rep. Saheed Akinade-Fijabi (OyoAPC) on the “need to investigate the inhuman and barbaric act of slave trade involving the auctioning of black Africans in Libya.”

Moving the motion, Akinade-Fijabi said that

African migrants from nations, including Nigeria, Guinea and Senegal, were making dangerous crossing through the Sahara Desert to Libya.

He said that the journey was aimed at taking them through the Mediterranean Sea to Italy and other European countries in search of greener pastures.

The lawmaker also said that on Nov. 14, 2017, the US-based television network, CNN, broke the news of auctioning of human beings in Libya.

He added that auctioning was with footage of the process in which young men were being sold to North Africans.

He said that the victims were considered as potential farm hands and that one of the unidentified young men, sold for as little as 400 dollars was said to be a Nigerian in his twenties.

Akinade-Fijabi added that the footage of the auctioning of black Africans in the conflicttorn nation sparked outrage across the world with thousands of people taking to the streets of Paris to protest against “modern day slavery”.

In her contribution, Rep. Rita Orji (Lagos-PDP), who expressed concern about how Nigerians were being treated abroad, charged the Libyan Government to put a stop to the slave trade.

She accused the Libyan authorities of benefiting from the business.

NAIRA WATCH

Naira now N360.02/$ at NAFEX

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By Adaeze Okechukwu

HE Naira, yesterday, appreciated by 35 kobo to N360.02 per dollar in the Investor and Exporter (I&E) window prompted by 10 percent increase in the amount of dollars traded in the window.

Datafrom the Financial Market Dealers Quote (FMDQ) showed that indicative exchange rate for the I & E window, known as Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange, NAFEX, dropped to N360.02 per dollar, yesterday, from N360.37 per dollar on Tuesday.

FMDQ also reported that the amount of dollars traded rose by 10 percent to $218.66 million yesterday from $198.71 million on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Naira, stabilised at N364 per dollar for the sixth consecutive business day in the parallel market, yesterday.

6—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017 :Vanguard News

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Kebbi Ag CJ frees 23 inmates

By Kabir Dankatsina

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IRNIN KEBBI— ACTING Chief Judge of Kebbi State, Justice Asabe Karatu, yesterday, ordered the release of 23 prisoners serving various jail terms at old prison in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.

Justice Karatu gave the order when she visited the old prison and found out that most of the prisoners were kept for two, three and four years without trial or judgement.

Of the number, six were females and 15 have been put on bail.

Justice Karatu noted that the action was based on directives from the Federal Government to free some inmates, particularly those awaiting trail, to de-congest prisons.

Controller of Prison in the state, Sani Potiskum, thanked the Acting Chief Judge and called on state government and other wealthy individuals to emulate the action and upset the fines of some of the inmates.

Truck drivers arraigned over N15m goods

By Chisom Unachukwu

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AGOS—TWO Truck drivers of Laudable Haulage limited, Lagos, Lukman Isaq, 27 and Ibrahim Hassan, 42, who allegedly stole Procter and Gamble’s product worth N15million, were yesterday arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate’s court. The defendants, whose residential addresses were not given, are facing a two count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing preferred against them by the police.

The prosecutor, Sergeant Chinedu Njoku, told the court that the defendants and others still at large committed the alleged offences between August 1 and 25, 2017.

He said that the incident occurred at Mile 2 area of Lagos.

Njoku told the court that the defendants and others still at large loaded the truck with Procter and Gamble goods at APMT terminal to be delivered at Procter and Gamble’s plant, in Agbara, Ogun State for offloading, but diverted the goods.

Bad portions of Iyana-Itire Bus Stop, along Oshodi-Mile 2 Expressway, adding to the traffic chaos. PHOTOS: Lamidi Bamidele.

Policeman, pastor killed in shootout with Ondo kidnappers

By Dayo Johnson

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KURE—A policeman and a Pastor/businessman, Oluwafemi Akomolafe, have been shot dead during a shootout between police detectives and suspected kidnappers along Ore Expressway, Ondo State.

The pastor’s son, Timilehin, and two others, Michael Popoola and Henry Usifo, kidnapped after the shootout, have been rescued by Police detectives in the state in conjunction with village hunters.

Vanguard gathered that the late Akomolafe was taking his son Timilehin back to school in his car when he ran into the crossfire.

He reportedly died on the spot following the stray bullet that hit him, while the kidnappers took his son and the two other victims away.

Confirming this yesterday, the state Police Commissioner, Olugbenga Adeyanju, said the victims were rescued when detectives invaded the kidnappers’ hideout, adding that no ransom was paid.

Adeyanju pointed out that the three victims, who were travelling from Port Harcourt were kidnapped while on their way to Lagos.

Narrating how they were kidnapped, Adeyanju said: “On November 24 at 3:45p.m., one Mr. Akomolafe was travelling from Akure to Lagos to drop his son, Timilehin at the University of Lagos.

“Unfortunately his jeep was intercepted by kidnappers and in the process, he was killed and his son was kidnapped.

“The jeep right behind his vehicle was equally shot and the mobile policeman lost his life but the driver was fast enough to escape to safety when policemen came to the scene firing and the kidnappers ran away.

“They took Timilehin and two other travellers, Popoola and Usifo, who were coming from Port Harcourt to Lagos in a commercial vehicle, and this

happened almost simultaneously,” he said.

The commissioner said the kidnappers escaped with the gunshot wounds after a gun battle with policemen.

“The victims were, however,

rescued without any ransom paid after men of the Nigeria Police and local hunters combed the bush around Ore, where they intercepted the kidnappers, engaging in a gun battle with them, and

injuring one of them, who escaped in the process.

Adeyanju said no arrest was made but those rescued are volunteering useful information to help in the arrest of the kidnappers.

Physically-challenged kills, disposes of her newborn in Ughelli

By Perez Brisibe

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GHELLI—A physically challenged nursing mother was, Monday, arrested by policemen from the Ughelli ‘B’ Division for allegedly killing and discarding the remains of her newborn baby boy hours after giving birth at Ughelli, Delta State.

The nursing mother, simply identified as Elohor, who is in her mid-20s, resides with her mother and siblings at the Iwhrekpokpo axis of Ughelli.

Though Elohor’s mother was not at home when she gave birth, Vanguard gathered that two of her siblings were in the house with her when she went into labour.

One of her neighbours, Efemena Obakpo, told Vanguard during a visit to the scene of the incident yesterday that “she had actually put to birth at home unassisted the previous day and it was the cry of the baby that attracted neighbours, who helped her cut off the placenta.”

Giving details of how the incident occurred, Simon Ohwo, who witnessed the incident, said: “After the joy heralding the birth of the baby the previous day, well-wishers and neighbours had come to check on the newborn baby and mother only to discover that the baby was nowhere in sight.

“Upon interrogation, Elohor told them that the baby’s father had taken the child away in the middle of the night when it was discovered that the baby was having difficulty in breathing.”

Owho further explained that not comfortable with her story, one of the neighbours decided

to interrogate one of her siblings, who allegedly admitted that Elohor had forcefully given the baby hot water to drink after which she allegedly tied the nose and mouth of the baby in an attempt to suffocate the child.

“When she noticed that the child was dead, she put him in a sack, filled it up with refuse and plantain peels, then gave it to a mentallychallenged man roaming the area to help her discard it in the morning as refuse,” Owho stated.

He said: “Following this revelation, a search was carried out on all the dump sites in the area only to actually discover the remains of the baby in the sack as disclosed by her sibling.”

Confirming the incident, the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Andrew Aniamaka simply said: “There is a report to that effect at the ‘B’ Division Ughelli and it is subject of investigation.”

However, further investigation by Vanguard revealed that Elohor has since

Elohor been released by the Police owing to the inability of the police to keep her in custody as a result of her health condition.

A security source at the station, who confirmed her release to Vanguard, said: “She has not been totally let off the hook.

“One of the conditions for her release is that the family should take care of her and they should be reporting to the police station on weekly, while investigation lasts.”

Pregnant woman, 5

By Daud Olatunji

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BEOKUTA—A pregnant woman and five others were reportedly killed, while two others sustained severe injuries, Tuesday night, when a granite-laden Volvo truck and a Nissan Bluebird car collided along Ajebo Road, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, TRACE, Babatunde Akinbiyi, said the Nissan Bluebird had number plates FD 638 EKY, while the Volvo truck had KJA 731 XP. He said the casualties were all passengers in the Nissan Bluebird, including the driver.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017—7 :Vanguard News

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4 killed as arsonists wreak havoc on Delta community

By Festus Ahon

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SABA—APPREHENSION has enveloped OgwashiUku, headquarters of Aniocha South Local Government Area, Delta State, following successive incidents of attacks on residents by suspected arsonists.

It was learned that four children have lost their lives in separate attacks after their

apartments were set ablaze by unknown arsonists, who threw petrol into their home through the windows.

Two children of one Sidney Nwaiga, a warder at the Federal Prisons, Ogwashi-Uku, and Pastor with the Redeemed Christian Church of God, were among the latest victims.

It was gathered that the children were sleeping at their residence at Ubulunor Road,

when the arsonists struck.

The cleric sustained severe burnt while trying to rescue the children, who later died as they were being rushed to the Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital Nnewi, Anambra State.

Sources said a woman also lost her two children in Isah Road area of the community in a similar circumstance.

Meanwhile, a woman and her child reportedly died when a ceiling, burning from from a high voltage at their

residence, fell on them while asleep.

In a related development, a female student of the Delta State Polytechnic, OgwashiUku, also received severe burns when an unknown person threw petrol into her room.

But the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Andrew Aniamaka, said the cases were not reported, adding, “ we are, however, intensifying investigation to curb further occurrences.”

120 renounce cultism in Ikorodu, surrender weapons

By Esther Onyegbula

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AGOS—OVER 120 cult members of Aiye and Eiye confraternities, yesterday, surrendered their arms to the Lagos State Police, denouncing cultism in Imota, Ikorodu, Lagos.

Speaking at the event, the state Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal, said the boys will be reintegrated into the society after being empowered with various skill.

According to Edgal, the initiative was powered by the Oba of Imota alongside his chiefs and local government chairmen.

He said: “The importance of this denouncement is not those who are renouncing it. What is significant is that the process has started where youths indicate interest not only to renounce cultism willingly but to take up jobs.”

Edgal, however, added that he was expecting a situation where

more youths would renounce cultism and surrender their arms, adding that when this happens, it means less crime, fewer arms.

His words: “This shows clean and visible dividend of our community policing and that community safety partnership is achieving the result.

“There is a role for first class obas, chiefs and baales to summon citizens in their communities to ensure security and peace in the society.

“We urge them to renounce cultism, drugs and crimes. The major problems are cultism and drug abuse.

“I am happy that over 120 youths have come forth willingly.

After the traditional cleansing of the boys, they will be handed over to the Police.

“We will profile them and begin the reintegration programme where they will be empowered.”

Ex-cult leader regrets action

The leader of Eiye Cult, Joseph Fasasi, lamented the aftermath of

killings and wars.

He said: “I am an indigene of this town, Imota.

“I have realised that cultism does not pay. It doesn’t allow development of my town. So, I decided to make peace with other cult heads.”

He added swiftly that they no longer want war, noting “we don’t want killings. When we fight, non-indigenes run away. They have a place to

run to. But I don’t. My parents are from this land.”

Having visited other towns and seen the level of development, Fasasi craves for development for his town, saying “we go out and see other towns developed. Our youths are wasting. So I want my own town to develop.

The former cults members thanked Police, obas and the chiefs for the reintegration.

Bluebird.

He said: “The Volvo truck was coming into Abeokuta, while the Nissan Bluebird was travelling outside the capital city to Mile 6.

“The truck driver caused the accident by driving recklessly.

In the process, he lost control of the vehicle, and it crossed to the opposite lane and collided with the Nissan Bluebird, which was

By Joseph Erunke

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BUJA—TROOPS in Borno State, Tuesday, captured a Boko Haram terrorists leader.

They also killed four in a raid carried out at the northern fringes of Sambisa Forest and Kala Balge Local Government Area of the state.

During the operation that spanned several hours, the troops rescued 212 hostages, among who were women and children.

The troops, said to be of 3 Battalion, 22 Brigade of Nigerian Army, Sector 1, Operation Lafiya Dole, according to the Nigerian Army spokesman, Brigadier General Sani Usman, in a statement yesterday, carried out the raid in furtherance of the ongoing clearance operations in the NorthEast to rid the area of terrorists.

The statement added that the operation was effected by the troops in conjunction with 22 Mobile Strike Team and some Civilian JTF.

Group expresses concern over process abuse at NipeX

By Gabriel Olawale

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group, on the platform of Media Network on Anti-Corruption Practices in the Oil and Gas Industry, MNAPOGI, has alleged abuse of due process in the National Petroleum Investment Management Services, a Corporate Service Unit of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.

Speaking through their Director General, Mr. Frank Meke, the group said Nigerian Petroleum Exchange, NipeX, established by government for showcasing contract opportunities, is being manipulated.

Meke said some contracts are being awarded by NipeX without due process, adding “they select few names from the portal and use other names that do not exist on

5 others die in Ogun road accident Akinbiyi explained though the car was private, it was being used for commercial purposes, when the incident occurred.

On the cause of the accident, Akinbiyi said the driver of the truck drove recklessly and lost control in the process, forcing the vehicle to veer into the opposite lane before colliding with the oncoming Nissan

Troops capture Boko Haram commander, kill 4, rescue 212 hostages

on its lane.

“Six people died in the car, including the driver and a pregnant woman. The victms were three males and three females. There are two children among them.”

Truck driver escaped

He, however, said the driver of the truck took to his heels,

after the incident.

Meanwhile, Akinbiyi said the injured passengers were receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Idi Aba, Abeokuta, while corpses of the six victims had been deposited at the mortuary of the state General Hospital, Ijaiye, also in the capital city.

NipeX database to make it up.

“What the law says is that they should invite everybody on Nipex portal, and anybody that is not on Nipex portal should not be invited. But what happens now is that those that do not exist on data base gets the contract.

“People will win a bid, but it will take them so much time to award the contract to enable them run their stop-gap process.”

Meke noted that such illegalities are killing the system and need to be stop.

NipeX, a division of National Petroleum Investment Management Services, is an electronic one-stop transaction centre that improves on value procurement in the oil and gas industry and institutionalise world-class contracting processes.

At press time, efforts to get its General Manager, Mr. Kanayo Odoe, on the issues raised proved abortive.

8—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017 :Vanguard News

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ASUP suspends strike

By Suzan Edeh

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SOD TURNING CEREMONY: From left; Prof Juan Elegido, Vice Chancellor, Pan-Atlantic University, Mr Moyo Ajekigbe, Chairman, Gamaliel & Susan Onosode Foundation (GAMSU), Dr Christopher Kolade, Guest Speaker, Mr Eze Onosode, Member board of Trust, Gamaliel & Susan Onosode Foundation, [GAMSU], Dr Enase Okonedo, Dean, Lagos Business School, During the Gamaliel Onosode ManagementResearch Centre sod Turning Ceremony At Lagos Business School, by Gamaliel & Susan Onosode Foundation, (GAMSU), Held Wednesday 29-11-2017, At School Permises, Lekki, Lagos. Photo by Kehinde Gbadamosi.

2019: Buhari drops hint of contesting again Explains support for Adesina, AfDB President

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

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B U J A — PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday night in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire, dropped hint of his desire to seek reelection in 2019.

The President was explaining to the Nigerian community in Abidjan the reason he travelled with Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel and his Bauchi State counterpart, Mohammed Abubakar when he dropped the hint.

He said the presence of the two governors at the meeting would be another vote for him when the time comes.

President Buhari is in Abidjan for the 5th European Union-African Union (EU-AU) Summit, accompanied by the National Leader of All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, who was instrumental to his emergence in 2015 after three unsuccessful attempts at the Presidency.

While apologizing for keeping some members of the Nigerian community in Abidjan, who had come for the interactive session waiting, President Buhari explained that he insisted on having the two governors present so that Nigerians in Côte D’Ivoire from the two states will be happy that he was accompanied by their governors and that might earn him votes in future.

He said: “First, I want to apologise for keeping you too long, this is because I insisted on the governors attending this meeting.

This is why I came along with them so that when

we are going to meet you, when you are going to meet the rest of Nigerians, if you tell them that their governors were in the accompany of the President, I think that will be another vote for me in future. I’m very pleased that they were able to turn up.”

This subtle way of announcing his intentions to contest in the 2019 election attracted laughter and accolades.

His support for AfDB’s Adesina The President also said his support for the President of African Development Bank, AfDB, Akinwumi Adesina, despite serving as minister in a PDP-led government, was to further confirm his remarks at his inauguration on May 29, 2015, that he belonged to everybody and to nobody in particular.

The President was reacting to Adesina’s gratitude to his administration for supporting him to get the job, which made him the first Nigerian to head the continental bank since its creation in 1964.

For everybody, for nobody “The president of African Development Bank, AfDB, forgot to mention that he was serving in the PDP government as minister but all the same, I picked and recommended him for AfDB. I think it emphasized what I said during my swearing-in that I’m for everybody, I’m for nobody. ‘’As long as you are a Nigerian, be prepared to be given the opportunity to serve as long as you are qualified,’’ Buhari said.

President Buhari also thanked the national leader of All Progressive

Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for bringing him a beautiful piece of information which he was not aware of until now.

Buhari, however, did not disclose what piece of information it was but promised to discuss it in detail with Tinubu.

He said: “I also thank our leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He has brought me a very beautiful piece of information which I was not aware of until I sat down and read it this evening (Tuesday night). Thank you very much for your hard work and I will discuss that paper with you.”

Adesina in his remarks, noted that the economy picked up soon after the President’s health improved.

“So it seems there is a correlation between the President’s health and the improved economy,’’ Adesina said.

Maina’s request to see Buhari ridiculous —Sagay

By Dapo Akinrefon

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HAIRMAN, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Prof.

Itse Sagay, SAN, has described the request by embattled former Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Mr Abdulrasheed Maina, to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari as ridiculous and out of the question.

Prof. Sagay, in an exclusive chat with Vanguard yesterday, said: “The whole matter does

not justify such ridiculous request.”

He also described Maina’s request as insulting to the country.

He said: ‘’His request to meet with the President is out of the question. If every suspect has a whistle to blow and is therefore taken to the President, I don’t think the President will have any other job to do. ‘’Apart from the protocol and status, it is even insulting to the country.

He can talk to the EFCC, ICPC and Police and if he wants a higher authority, he can meet with the

Inspector-General of Police. So, he does not need to get to that level at all because nobody is going to allow that.”

On Maina’s claim that his life was in danger, Sagay said: “The police are going to protect him; he should go to the police or the EFCC. They are the best protectors, they have armed officers, and they can keep him in a safe room or safe house. ‘’I don’t think that is going to be a problem. He can easily call them and then negotiate how he would arrive there and be kept safe.”

AUCHI—THE Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, yesterday suspended its 15 days strike.

President of ASUP, Usman Yusuf Dutse, disclosed this yesterday at a briefing in Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, Bauchi.

The union is currently holding its 14th national delegates conference in Bauchi, co-hosted by the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi and the Tatari Ali Polytechnic, Bauchi.

Dutse said the decision to suspend the strike was informed by its impact on the society, including parents and students, as well as pleas by wellmeaning Nigerians and other stakeholders.

He recalled that on November 13, 2017, members of the union nationwide withdrew their services on the directive of the National Executive Council, NEC, of the union.

He listed the issues that led to their action to

include non- implementation of the report of the NEEDS ASSESSEMNT survey of polytechnics; sustained shortfall in personnel releases; withdrawal of their allowances since December, 2015, and non-payment of promotion arrears.

Dutse disclosed that other issues include nonimplementation of staff salaries in some stateowned polytechnics, infractions in the appointment process of rectors of polytechnics, non-release of CONTISS 15 migration arrears, nonpassage of amendment bill of the polytechnic act and continued victimization of officers of the union.

He said ASUP had been engaged in series of meetings with the Federal Government, represented by the Ministers of Education, Labour and Employment, National Salaries and Wages Commission, Budget Office of the federation, office of the Head of Service of the federation and the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Why I'm supporting Buhari for second term, by Ortom

By Peter Duru

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AKURDI— GOVERNOR Samuel Ortom of Benue State, said yesterday, that he was backing President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term in office because of the President's integrity, discipline and courage to fight corruption.

According to him, these qualities stand him out as the right man for the job till 2023.

The Benue governor spoke as his Kogi State counterpart, Yahaya Bello, expressed confidence that President Buhari would be

victorious in the 2019 presidential poll with higher votes than he recorded in 2015.

Governor Ortom, who spoke in Makurdi, condemned those calling on the President to desist from nursing a second term ambition on health grounds, saying those behind the call were enemies of the country.

He said: “If you recall, we in Benue were the first in the country to initiate prayers for President Muhammadu Buhari when he took ill early in the year.

“We thank God that he is back on his feet and getting better and stronger by the day."

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017 — 9

10 — VANGUARD, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017 :Vanguard News

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FG denies only 15% was released for capital $1bn from tax amnesty policy projects Targets Says N421m ready for whistleblowers

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor & Dirisu Yakubu

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BUJA—THE Federal Government yesterday dismissed National Assembly’s claim that only 15 percent of capital vote in the 2017 budget had been released so far.

This was one of the fallouts of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting, presided over by the Vice President, Prof.

Yemi Osinbajo.

The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, who briefed State House correspondents after the meeting, also said the federal government was expecting $1 million from its tax amnesty policy.

On the reason behind the abysmal release of only 15 percent of the capital vote in 2017 budget as alleged

by NASS, Adeosun said: “That figure cannot be correct because last year, we released N1.3 trillion.

So if you compute that as a representative of the total budget it’s definitely not 15 percent.

“It is not correct. So I don’t know where you got that figure but I have to look at the table, I haven’t seen the table to which you are referring.

“What we have released so far for capital since the budget was passed in June is N450 billion. We just raised as you know, another $2 billion to fund this budget and those releases will start going out as from next week.”

On tax targets

On the tax amnesty policy, Adeosun said the Federal Government had already got $110 million from two companies, while targeting $1 billion.

She said that the Federal Government Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme, VAIDS, was a platform designed to provide tax payers with the opportunity to regularise their tax payments in relation to their previous payments

Twist in PDP chairmanship race as state chairmen plot to block George, Secondus, Adeniran, others

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AU-EU SUMMIT: President Muhammadu Buhari with German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, President of Chad H.E. Idris Deby (left); President of Equatorial Guinea H.E. Teodoro Mbasogo (in suit); President of Niger, Muhammadou Issoufou and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama (right) as he participates at the opening ceremony of the 5th AU-EU Summit yesterday.

Adeosun, who was flanked by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, also explained how the government paid whistleblowers, saying payment were made only to informants directly after three months when there was no court issue on the matter.

She further denied allegations from the National Assembly that it was only 15 percent of the Capital Project budgetary allocation for the 2017 budget that was released.

She said that she briefed FEC, on the progress made by the government under the tax amnesty and that her memo was well received.

She said: “I presented a memo on Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme for approval for the sum of N1.501 billion to cover the National Advertising Campaign for nine months which is press, radio, online, television including center spreads.

“I also briefed Council on Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme, VAIDS on tax amnesty, it us very well

received.

“We have already started to get declarations from companies who are looking to regularise their tax status.

Specifically, so far we have two companies with $110 million dollars who are ready to declare and pay.

“We have people who are ready to declare and pay.

We sent out over 500 letters under the first batch, but there are thousand of Nigerians being targeted but the first 500 letters have gone out to those who we think based on our data are ready to declare their taxes, offering them a window to regularise.

“We have started to get responses back. We are interfacing with State Governors where people are asking for time to pay.''

On whistleblower

Commenting on the whistle-blower policy and the amount to be paid, the

Finance Minister said, “The whistle-blower policy as you know, the procedure is, once we have obtained final forfeiture, there is what we call a period of waiting and seeing just to make sure that there is no legal challenge to the forfeiture and then we begin to process the payment.

“So Ikoyi Whistleblower was part of November’s batch, the payment is due to be made, it is ready, it has been approved.

“The total batch, which includes the Osborn Road, Ikoyi is N421, 313,595 and this is for the November batch and is ready for payment. The only condition we now need to fulfil is that the money has to be paid to the personal account of the person that who gave us the information. We won’t pay a lawyer or a company, we have to pay the person who signed the agreement.''

Abdullahi launches book on Jonathan today

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OLAJI Abdullahi, a former Minister of Youths and Sports Development under the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, will launch his book: ‘On A Platter Of Gold: How Jonathan Won And Lost Nigeria’ today, November 30, 2017, at the Shehu Musa Yar’ Adua Centre in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja.

The book launch which is scheduled for 10am will attract frontline political actors, journalists, academia and a crosssection of Nigerians and the international community.

The Chief Host and Host of the book launch are the President of the Senate, H.E. Dr. Bukola Saraki,

CON and the Governor of Kwara State, H.E. Abdulfatah Ahmed respectively. Chairman of the occasion is the Governor of Borno State, H.E. Kashim Shettima. The Father of the day is the Emir of Ilorin, HRH. Dr. Ibrahim Gambari.

The Chief Presenter is CEO and publisher of Ovation International, Chief Dele Momodu while the book reviewers are Prof.

Adigun Agbaje and Mr. Azubuike Ishiekwene.

The book will go on sale nationwide after the launch.

Abdullahi, a former columnist and editor with Thisday Newspaper is currently the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

BUJA—A fresh twist in the contest for the office of national chairmanship of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP was last night unfolding, following a new initiative by state chairmen of the party to fence off all the contestants now in the race.

The state chairmen were last night meeting in a high profile hotel in the Wuse 2, area of Abuja where they were expected to take a consensus ahead of today’s National Executive Committee, NEC meeting.

Party sources said yesterday that the initiative of the state chairmen inevitably made it that today ’s NEC meeting would be a stormy affair.

Meanwhile, some candidates for the national offices have warned that the party risks losing the 2019 elections if the convention is not properly managed.

Among those that gave the warning were Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, a candidate for national chairman and former Minister of Finance, Mrs. Nenadi Usman, who is aspiring to be the first female national secretary of the party.

Last night’s meeting of the state chairmen followed a meeting by the Northern State chairmen in Kaduna on Tuesday night where a similar chord on fencing out the declared chairmanship gladiators was also struck.

That meeting, which according to a source dragged into the early morning of Wednesday reportedly expressed concern about the acrimony

that has shadowed the contest for the office of national chairman. The major highlight from that meeting, according to a source was on the need to draft a fellow state chapter chairman into the race as a way of stopping the acrimony brewing among the candidates for the office.

No name had been mentioned as at last night on who could be drafted.

However, the intervention of the state party chairmen and their decision to throw in one of their own as a candidate was last night described in some quarters as selfserving. The state chairmen were, however, not moved on that claim as a number of those spoken to affirmed that they were on a mission to salvage the party.

“We are resolved that we would support one of the serving state chairmen to save the party from imminent crisis as we observe with concern the growing agitations and divisive statements by some of the contenders for the position of National Chairman,” a state chairman from the South told Vanguard yesterday.

A state chairman from the North-Central who was present at the Kaduna meeting of Northern State chairmen said yesterday evening: “We are not happy at all with what is going on and we are resolved to avert a crisis in the party and will take steps to avert another major crisis. We believe that the party doesn’t need another crisis that is driven by selfish political ambition and interest.”

FG suspends SEC boss, two others

By Michael Eboh

A

BUJA—MINISTER of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, yesterday, suspended the DirectorGeneral of the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, Mr. Mounir Gwarzo, over allegations of financial misappropriation.

In a statement in Abuja, signed by Patricia Deworitshe, Deputy Director, Press, Federal Ministry of Finance, the suspension is to allow for unhindered investigation of several allegations of financial impropriety leveled against the Director-General of SEC. The Minister also suspended two management staff of SEC – Mr. Abdulsalam Naif Habu, Head of Media

Division and Mrs. Anastasia Omozele Braimoh, Head of Legal Department – who have also been alleged to engage in financial impropriety in the commission.

The Ministry of Finance said the suspension was in line with the Public Service Rules (PSR) 03405 and 03406.

According to the statement, the Minister has also set up an Administrative Panel of Inquiry, API, to investigate and determine the culpability of the DirectorGeneral.

“She has directed the suspended SEC DirectorGeneral to immediately handover to the most senior officer at the commission, pending the conclusion of investigation by the API,” the statement noted.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017 — 11 :Vanguard News

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Reps kick against new language policy by Nigerian Army

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

By Gabriel Olawale

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A

BUJA—THE House of Representatives, yesterday, kicked against the new local language policy proposed by the Nigerian Army.

The House also urged the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen Tukur Buratai to stop the implementation of the policy.

The new policy which the House said was announced recently by the Spokesman of the Nigerian Army, BrigGen. Sani Usman, mandated military personnel to learn and be proficient in the three major Nigerian languages of Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa by December, 2018.

But considering and adopting a motion cosponsored by Hon. Abiante Awaji-Inombek Dagomie and Hon. Douye Diri, titled “Need to Stop the Discriminatory Local Language Policy Proposed by the Nigerian Army”, members of the House, rejected the new policy.

Moving the motion, Dagomie reiterated the need for the Army to continue with the practice of communicating in English language in a multi-lingual Army.

Dagomie, who said the policy infringed on the fundamental rights of the minority languages in the country, contended that it would serve no purpose beyond fractionalisation and marginalisation in the Army.

He said, “Nigeria is home to languages, numbering about 400 and that language gives insight into the personality and culture of a people. Therefore, such a local language policy proposed by the Nigerian Army infringes on the fundamental rights of the minorities not to be foisted with the linguistic and cultural hegemonies of major languages. This situation, should it continue unabated, will lead to discrimination and exclusion from employment opportunities, promotion

$2.7bn invested in malaria control globally — WHO

PRESENTATION: From left; Bunmi Akinremi, MD, Investment Banking, United Capital Plc.; Tony O. Elumelu, CON, Chairman, Heirs Holdings; Toyin Sanni, Group CEO, United Capital, Plc.; Jude Chiemeka, MD, Securities, United Capital Plc.; Sunny Anene, MD, Asset Management, United Capital Plc, during the presentation of the PEARL awards won by United Capital Plc based on the company’s corporate governance & outstanding stock performances to Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Mr Tony Elumelu, at the Heirs Place in Lagos, yesterday. and ambush of the legitimate aspirations of overwhelming numbers of non-native speakers of Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa in the Army.

“Nigerian society is heterogeneous and as such, in contemplating policies, care must be taken to steer discourse to what is integrating, progressive and amenable. This is to

ensure mass involvement in the national development and democratic processes rather than pandering to primordial or tribal biases. The policy flies in the face of an increasingly globalising world where proficiency in an international language is the current inclination. When we all use the same language,

we have a common understanding of precisely what we mean and what is expected.”

The Deputy Speaker, Yusuf Lasun, who presided over the plenary, referred the motion to the Committee on Army to interface with the Chief of Army Staff on the policy with a view to stopping it.

The committee is to report back in four weeks'time.

Lagos launches code Lagos in primary schools, century opportunities as targets 1m students well as increase their

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

L

AGOS—THE Lagos State Government, yesterday, launched two Coding Centres for CodeLagos, an initiative of state Ministry of Education aimed at using technology to drive the economy and infrastructure development of the state.

While explaining that it is envisioned to make Lagos the technology frontier in Africa, the government urged the private sector to key into the new initiative with a view to making coding education framework accessible to every student in the state.

The Special Adviser to the State Governor on Education, Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh who launched the programme at Rabiatu Thompson Memorial Primary School, Surulere, reiterated the commitment of the State Government to training one million Lagos residence to code.

The Special Adviser who was represented by the Director General, Office of Education Quality Assurance, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo, explained that the CodeLagos was a firstof-its-kind initiative that would enable students in the state to harness, create and leverage on the 21st

employment and business opportunities in the technology sector, while enhancing the state’s global competitiveness and best practices.

According to him, “This new initiative is aimed at using technology to drive the economy and infrastructure development of the State as it is envisioned to make Lagos the technology frontier in Africa. CodeLagos will enable the State Government to equip students and pupils with the necessary digital skills to meet the growing demand for technology solutions and approach the world of work as problem solvers.''

ORLD Health Organisation, WHO yesterday said despite an estimated US$ 2.7 billion invested in malaria control and elimination efforts globally in 2016 the world were still well below the target of $6.5 billion annual investment required to meet the 2030 targets of the WHO global malaria strategy.

According to the World Malaria Report 2017, there were estimated five million more malaria cases in 2016 than in 2015 and malaria deaths stood at around 445 000, a similar number to the previous year.

The study revealed that Borno State in Nigeria benefited from WHO mass anti-malarial drug administration campaign this year that reached an estimated 1.2 million children below the age of five years.

The report noted that early results pointed to a reduction in malaria cases and deaths in Borno State.

Reacting to the development, DirectorGeneral of WHO, Dr Tedros

Adhanom Ghebreyesus said without urgent action the world risked going backwards, saying: “In recent years, we have made major gains in the fight against malaria. We are now at a turning point.

Without urgent action, we risk going backwards, and missing the global malaria targets for 2020 and beyond.

A major problem is insufficient funding at both domestic and international levels, resulting in major gaps in coverage of insecticidetreated nets, medicines, and other life-saving tools.

In 2016, governments of endemic countries provided US$ 800 million, representing 31 percent of total funding.

“The United States of America was the largest international funder of malaria control programmes in 2016, providing US$1 billion (38 percent of all malaria funding), followed by other major donors, including the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, France, Germany and Japan.''

Onosode Foundation donates management research centre to Lagos Business School

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AGOS—IT was a memorable event at the Lagos Business School, LBS, Ajah, Lagos State at the sod turning ceremony of Gamaliel and Susan Onosode foundation (GAMSU) as it donates a Management Research Centre to the School authority.

The event was well attended by prominent individuals and who is who in the corporate world.

Mrs Olamide Ibitoye, the Director Advancement at the LBS said: It was a thing of joy to be part of this grand breaking of the sod turning ceremony by the GAMSU foundation, because it will serve as a catalyst to improve the set activities and improved the set goal of the management.''

Also, Prof Juan Elegido, the Vice-Chancellor of Pan Atlantic University, said: ''There is no doubt that this project will surely speak volume of importance of management research in our education system, it will be an International standard of commitment to excellence.''

On his part, Mr Jacob Ajekigbe, the chairman of GAMSU said that he is happy because they ''Put God first in this projects that’s why it was able to come to existence and that

is one of the dream of Late Mr Gamaliel Onosode before his demise, the foundation has done so many projects but this sod turning is the greatest because of the amount of money involved, though is a partnership with Lagos Business School, because they are the landlord who accommodate the Gamaliel Onosode Management Research Centre.''

He also thank the family for their humble contribution financially and other donors in making today a memorable one.

Mr Ese’ Onosode, Member of the BOT, said: ''This school is a brand that the late Gamaliel Onosode was passionate for because his passion for education is incomparable even to his last breath. So, It is is a dream come true.''

Corrigendum

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E regret publishing allegations made by Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State against esteemed Human rights activist and lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, SAN, without hearing his side of the story. We hereby retract the publication and did not intend to malign Mr Falana.

12—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017 :Vanguard News

Delta LG polls: Itsekiri, Ijaw strengthen bond of unity  As Okowa tasks Deltans on voter registration

By Festus Ahon

I

TSEKIRI and Ijaw of Warri South West local government area, Delta State have resolved to strengthen the bond of love and unity between them and to remain in People’s Democratic Party, PDP to further advance their political relevance in the state.

The people, at a well attended rally held in O g b e - I j o h , headquarters of the local government council to flag off campaigns for PDP candidates in the forthcoming local government elections in the state, said Warri South West was one of the biggest local government areas in the state and had always given the PDP bloc votes that had catapulted the party to victory since the inception of the present political dispensation in 1999.

They spoke as Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who was at the event and other campaign rallies across the state, urged Deltans to register and collect their voters’ cards to enable them exercise their franchise.

In his welcome address, the local government party Chairman, Mr Johnbull Edema said “PDP in Warri South West is one big family”, stressing that Warri South West local

government area produced the highest number of votes in the last general elections in 2015 as a result of the people’s interest in the democratic growth of our dear state and the nation at large.

He thanked Governor Okowa for picking Barr Kingsley Otuaro, who is from the area as his deputy and stressed ‘’the need for us to see PDP as one big and indivisible family. It is also important for my people to see the need for all to shun all divisive tendencies as speaking with one voice and standing firmly behind one leader will give us more victory in any election in our dear local government area.’’

In their separate remarks, the State Deputy Governor, Mr Kingsley Otuaro, the member representing Warri Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr Daniel Renieyeju, the member representing Warri South West in the State House of Assembly, Mr Daniel Mayuku, the DirectorGeneral, Special Programs, Delta State, Chief Frank Omare and the member representing Itsekiri ethic nationality in DESOPADEC, Chief Thomos Eriyetomi among others, said the people were happy over the quality of leadership being provided by the PDP in the state.

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Obaseki presents N146bn 2018 Appropriation bill to Edo Assembly ...promises rapid growth

By Simon Ebegbulem

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O V E R N O R Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, yesterday, presented the 2018 Appropriation bill of N146 billion to the state House of Assembly for consideration.

The budget estimate christened The Budget of Growth, has the sum of N66,797,615,689 for Recurrent and N79,862,214,754 as Capital expenditure, as the governor vowed to consolidate on the infrastructural and socioeconomic gains of 2017.

Obaseki commended the Speaker and members of the Edo State House of Assembly for their unprecedented support through their timely responses to requests for legislations and other forms of support to the executive arm of government.

According to the governor, “ we have a budget size of N146, 659,830,444 billion, which is a 15% nominal increase over the 2017 budget. The 2018 budget is made up of N66,797,615,689 for Recurrent and N79,862,214,754 as Capital expenditure.

“The revenue estimates for the budget are based on a $45 bench mark for crude oil and average daily production of 2.3 million barrels per day as well as an increase in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), as a result of reforms in revenue collection.”

According to him, the 2018 budget will build on

the recovery witnessed in 2017, adding that “ we intend to revitalise the state economy by increasing capital spending, hence, we envisage a capital/ recurrent expenditure ratio of (54%:46%) which highlights our vision to grow, with cash receipts capped at N120,099,830,443.52 to be sourced from statutory allocation, IGR and grants.”

Analysing the budget estimates, the governor said “a larger part of the 2018 budget will be devoted to the development of physical and social infrastructure across the state to improve the standard of living of Edo people.

“Our government will consolidate on the gains we have made in wooing investors to the state.

Alaghodaro Investment Summit was a huge success and I must thank

you Mr Speaker and Honourable members for your support for the laudable initiative. We have been bombarded by enquiries from all over the world after the investment summit as investors have come to accept that Edo is indeed ready for business.

This budget is expected to drive growth and progress in all sectors of the state.”

Identifying the areas of priority in the 2018 budget, Obaseki said ¨social and physical infrastructure for which we have earmarked N51 billion. We will take advantage of the Dry Season to reconstruct several bad roads and construct new ones across the state to boost socioeconomic activities. We have already commenced the procurement process for the roads through advertisements in major national newspapers.”

To boost employment generation across the state, the governor disclosed that “N9.7billion will be spent on economic growth and employment enablers. Part of which will be targeted at the establishment of a Skills Development Agency responsible for coordinating all the State Government’s human capacity development initiatives targeted at youths, women and vulnerable groups.

“This will enhance the capacity of these individuals for direct employment and entrepreneurship. Our government will continue with the investment in the development of industrial parks across the state to turn around the fortunes of our economy as an industrial state, from the old narrative of a civil servants’ state.”

IJAW WOMEN DAY: Chief Awolowo’s daughter, Mrs Omotola Oyediran, Mother of the Day; receiving award from Comrade Joseph Evah, Coordinator of Ijaw Monitoring Group, IMG and Mrs Patricia Ngene-Okosi, during the celebration of Ijaw Women Day in Lagos.

Why we’ll continue to burn illegal refineries —OPDS

By Emem Idio DESPITE the attendant adverse environmental impacts associated with the burning of illegal crude oil by the military in the Niger Delta, Commander of Sector 2 of Operation Delta Safe, OPDS, in charge of Bayelsa State, Col. A. B. Mohammed, says the action will continue as the military lacks the logistics of considering alternative measures of disposing of them.

Mohammed, who stated that though the

military hierarchy was concerned about the environmental situation in the Niger Delta, however, said that the military was overwhelmed by the rampant of sabotage of oil installations and the daily proliferations of illegal refineries, hence the decision to burn them off.

The OPDS commander was reacting to issues of environmental degradation occasioned by the burning of crude oil in the Niger Delta, as raise by the leadership of

the Bayelsa State branch of the Civil Liberties Organization, CLO, during a courtesy visit to the OPDS Sector Command in Yenagoa, yesterday.

He said: “We do not have the resources to bring the illegal crude to Yenagoa to release them to Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, or the police, and again we are afraid of compromise which kills the morale of the military and it is one of the reasons we burn out the illegal crude."

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017—13 :Vanguard News

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Wike boosts education in rural communities

By Davies Iheamnachor

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O V E R N O R Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has received commendation for boosting education in rural communities of the state with renovation and construction of science laboratories, libraries and hostels.

To reposition education in the state, Wike has awarded

contracts for the construction of basic educational faculties, especially in Ogu, Ogu/ Bolo Local Government Area of the state.

Following the development, the students of Government Secondary School Ogu, in Ogu/Bolo LGA, commended the governor for the reconstruction of new classroom blocks in the school.

A student, Believe

Derifaka, said: “We appreciate the government for giving us these wonderful and conducive classrooms, laboratories and hostels. We promise that the governor's efforts will not be in vain, as we are going to do all we can to prove ourselves as students.’’

The principle of the school, Iniwori TammyLevi, while lauding Wike, recalled that the previous administration demolished

buildings in the school with a promise to reconstruct better classroom blocks but never did.

Tammy-Levi said: “Prior to this time, we had barely two blocks we were using because the former government destroyed everything that was in the school compound with the promise that they would give us a model secondary school, which never came."

Delta community demands compensation over acquired land

By Simon Adewale

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APELE Okpe community in Delta State has sent an SOS to the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Orhue I, over the N150 million that was allegedly paid by Proton Energy for a community's land it acquired to build its gasfired power generation plant in Ogorode, Sapele, in Sapele Local Government Area of the state.

At a press briefing in Sapele, affected families said it has been an agelong practice that whenever oil and gas companies intend to use swamp land for their operations, they compensate the affected

families though the community leader, who will now further distribute the funds to affected families.

Alleging that the funds have been diverted by some unnamed persons, they said the affected families have not been compensated.

They also reminded the royal father of his speech at the ground-breaking ceremony where the Orodje advised a couple of families, who had legal issues over the land where the plant is situated to withdraw such cases from court and give Proton Energy uninterrupted access to the site.

They said they accepted the Orodje's advice in the hope that the N150 million naira will resurface, lamenting that up till now nothing has happened.

Enogies, priests protest alleged Ijaw annexation of Benin communities

By Gabriel Enogholase

T CAMPAIGN: Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (middle); his Deputy, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro (right) and PDP Chairmanship candidate , Warri South Local Government Area, Taiye Tuoyo, during the flag-off of local government chairmen election campaign, in Warri South West, Delta State.

We're up to date with salary payment —Akwa Ibom, Delta A

KWA Ibom and Delta state governments have denied and faulted media reports that they are owing workers’ salaries, saying they are up to date with the payment of salaries.

Speaking through the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Charles Udoh, the Akwa Ibom State Government insisted that the government of Governor Udom Emmanuel could not have owed workers’ salaries because the welfare of workers and the generality of Akwa Ibom citizens were of great priority to the government.

“I wish to state categorically that Akwa Ibom does not owe workers’ salaries. Salaries of workers in Akwa Ibom State are promptly paid as at when due. The welfare of workers and the generality of Akwa Ibom citizens are of great

priority to the government of Governor Udom Emmanuel,” he said He argued that the listing of Akwa Ibom as one of the states owing workers salaries was erroneous and misleading, noting that “the information is capable of generating ill will and tension among wellmeaning citizens of Akwa Ibom State both at home

and in the Diaspora.”

Delta not owing workers salaries In like manner, Delta State Commissioner for Information, Patrick Ukah, said the state is not owing 8-14 months salary arrears. ‘’For the records, Delta State Government is not owing her workers salaries.

We have paid all our

workers to date and we have also augmented salaries for local government workers and primary school teachers under their purview.

Despite the economic downturn, we have consistently paid our workers salaries even as we have recorded giant strides in infrastructure development,’’ he said.

HE simmering crisis between the Bini and the Ijaw of Edo State over the alleged coronation of the Pere of Olodiama clan, Mr. Godwin Ogunyeibo, took another dimension, yesterday, as Enigie (Dukes) and prominent citizens from over 42 communities across Ovia North East and Ovia South West local government areas in Edo South senatorial zone of the state took to the streets in Benin yesterday, to protest what they called the annexation of Benin communities by the Ijaw.

The protesters, who were armed with several placards with the inscriptions such as “Egbema is Delta State.

Not Edo”, "Ijaw are tenants in Edoland”, "Ijaws stop abusing Benin hospitality” "Ijaw are settlers in Iko (Ikoro), Gelegele belongs to Oba of Benin," among others, also took their protest to

the Edo State House of Assembly and the Government House, Benin.

The protesters, led by Enogie of Iguogie HRH Festus Osagiede and High Priest Edokpagbe, the Ohen-Osa of Ughoton, alleged that the Ijaw settlers have severally attacked their people including women and children over the refusal of the Bini to allow the installation of Pere of Olodiama Kingdom at Gelegele in Ovia North East council area of the state.

Responding, the Speaker warned the Pere of Olodiama clan not to toy with Benin empire, insisting that the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II was perhaps one of the strongest monarchs in the world who deserves to be respected. He charged the protesters including the youths to remain law abiding and promised that the Parliament would look through the relevant laws with a view to rendering useful advice.

Court dismisses UNICEM's suit against NAFDAC

By Onozure Dania

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AGOS—JUSTICE E. A. Obile of a Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State, has dismissed a suit filed by UNICEM, a cement manufacturing company, challenging the powers of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, to regulate and control the

exportation, importation, m a n u f a c t u r e , advertisement, distribution, sale and use of chemicals in Nigeria.

Justice Obile, while delivering judgment, held that the agency has the powers to regulate and control the exportation, importation, manufacture, advertisement, distribution, sale and use of chemicals in Nigeria.

He said that in Section 5(a)

of the NAFDAC Act, it is clear and undisputable that NAFDAC has powers to regulate use of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, bottled water including chemicals.

UNICEM, a cement manufacturing company, had filed a suit against NAFDAC on September 22, 2011, claiming among other reliefs, that NAFDAC lacks the powers under the National Agency for Food

and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Act to regulate the importation or exportation of Portland cement ‘clinker’ as same is not a chemical for the purpose and intendment of the NAFDAC Act. However, while resolving the issue, the court considered the functions and powers of NAFDAC as enshrined in Section 5(a) of the NAFDAC Act which

provides that “NAFDAC shall have the following functions, that is, to regulate and control the importation, exportation, manufacture, advertisement, distribution, sale and use of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, bottled water and chemicals.”

In his judgment, Justice Obile held that cement clinker is a chemical.

He held that there is no ambiguity in Section 5(a) of the NAFDAC Act.

14 — VANGUARD, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017 :Vanguard News

PARIS CLUB REFUND: NUPENG seeks independent team to monitor disbursement

By Victor AhiumaYoung

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HE Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, yesterday pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari, to set up an independent team to monitor how the state governments will disburse the 50 percent Paris Club refund money to the 36 states Governors to enable them pay salary and pension arrears before Christmas.

The union which warned that Organised Labour would no longer tolerate any further diversion of funds meant for the payment of workers and pensioners’ entitlements, insisted that where cases of diversion were established, the affected governors should be sanctioned.

NUPENG in a statement by its President, Igwe Achese, said “We commend Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari for the release of the 50 percent Paris Club debt refund to the 36 state governors to enable them pay salary arrears before Christmas. It is a good policy direction to end the sufferings of workers and pensioners in 21 states where they are

owed out of the 36 states that make up the federation. ‘’But we want to warn that it will be unfair and unjustifiable for any of the governors to divert the funds to feather their nests in their 2019 re-election bid or for other political agenda.’’ ‘’We are disappointed at the State Governors outbursts that President Muhammadu Buhari did not tell them to clear all salaries arrears before Christmas.’ ‘’This shows the level of insincerity, and insensitivity on the plight of Nigerian Workers. We are also taken aback by the utterances of the governors that the 50 percent Paris Club balance will not be enough to offset salary arrears.”

According to the statement, “the union believes that the governors are selfish, parochial and don’t have the interest of the masses at heart by owing workers salaries for about 6 - 10 months.

The union warns that the attitude of the governors portends danger that can cause revolt and prolonged industrial crisis, if they refuse to obey President Buhari’s order to use the money to pay backlog of salaries owed.’’

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Buhari writes Senate, seeks confirmation of 10 members of CCB A BUJA—PRESI DENT Muhammadu Buhari has written the Senate to seek confirmation of 10 nominees as members of the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, with one of them as chairman.

In a letter read by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Mr. Buhari sought the expeditious confirmation of the nominees.

The letter reads, “In compliance with section 541 of the 1999 constitution as amended and in pursuant to sections 1(2) and 1(3) of the code of conduct bureau act LFN 2004, I write to request for the confirmation of the following nominees

for appointment as chairman and members of the bureau.”

The appointees are: Muhammed Isa – Chairman Jigawa, North West, Murtala Kankia – member, Katsina North West, Emmanuel Attah – member, Cross River, South- South Danjuma Sado, member, Edo South, Obolo Opanachi, member, Kogi North Central, Ken Madaki Alkali, member Nasarawa, North Central, S.F. Ogundare, member, Oyo, South West, Ganiyu Hamzat, member, Ogun South West, Sahad Abubakar, member, Gombe North East, Vincent Nwanne,

EIE-EL-MAULUD: FG declares Dec

1 holiday

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BUJA—THE Federal Government has declared Friday, December 1, 2017 as public holiday to mark the Eid-El-Maulud celebration.

This was contained in a statement issued , yesterday in Abuja by the Ministry of Interior and signed by one Abubakar Magaji.

“The Minister of Inte-

rior, Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, enjoined all Muslim faithful and Nigerians to use the Eid-ElMaulud celebration to pray for peace, progress and unity of the nation”, the statement noted.

He further urged all Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration towards building the nation.

member, Ebonyi South East.

The letter added: “The curriculum vitae of the nominees are attached herewith. It is my hope that this Senate of the Federal

Republic of Nigeria will in their usual expeditious manner consider and confirm the nominees. Please accept Mr. Senate President, my assurances of my highest consideration.”

PDP CONVENTION: Aspirants back call for micro zoning

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HE call for micro zon ing of various positions being contested for at the December 9 convention of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday got a boost as two aspirants from the northern part of the country maintained that micro zoning had helped the party to stabilize over the years and that it should not be jettisoned for any reason.

A National Treasurer Aspirant, Aminu Bala, while speaking on the issue of zoning, said micro zoning of political positions was introduced by the founding fathers of the party to ensure stability and sense of belonging by every part of the country.

According to him: “Micro zoning have stabilized the party since inception. It was created by the founding fathers to allow people from all parts of the country to have access to political power. Macro zoning will only allow major tribes to dominates the rest people.

“So, the practice over the years is that major positions are shared by the six geo political zones. Even within the zones positions are micro zoned among states.”

Similarly, a Deputy National Chairmanship aspirant, A. Y. Gombe, said zoning had helped PDP to stabilize and had helped the party to be truly national.

“Micro zoning is also important. Like I am from the North East and in our zone, Adamawa/Taraba will produce National vice chairman, Borno / Yobe go for National Auditor while Gombe / Bauchi will go for Deputy National Chairman.

“Since the party’s NEC said presidency is zoned to the North and the National Chairman is zoned to the South. The leaders in the South have to meet and zoned the position to a particular zone if that has not been done, it should be done before the convention”, he said.

GRAND RECEPTION & CULTURAL DISPLAY IN HONOUR OF OBA OF BENIN IN ABUJA

Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewurare II, Oba of Benin KingFrom left, Ex-Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomole; DIG, Dept of ICT, Folusho dom at the grand reception and cultural display in honour of His Royal Majesty Adebanjo; Capt. Hosa Okunbor and former Edo Gov , Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor.

Oba of Benin Kingdom held in Abuja. Photos by Gbemiga Olamikan.

(LEFT): From left — The Osamoba of Benin, Chief Sunny Aguebor, Aiweroghene of Benin, Chief Baguaye, The Osuma of Benin, Chief OzigboEsere and The Obasogu of Benin, Chief Eduwu Ekhator Obasogie .

Oba of Benin Kingdom discussing with The Okavbiore of Benin Kingdom Chief Oseni Elamah.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017 — 15 :Vanguard News

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UN lauds Ohanaeze for fostering peace in S’East region ...As apex Igbo group calls for synergy to reinvigorate Igbo language

By Chioma Gabriel, Editor Special Features & Dennis Agbo

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NUGU—IN the wake of the recent visit to the Ohanaeze Ndigbo national leadership by the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General in West Africa Ibn Chambas, the Representative of the United nations Secretary General has lauded Ohanaeze Ndigbo for its fatherly role in attenuating the almost explosive situation that would have recently gone out of hand in Nigeria.

Ibn Chambas in particular congratulated the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo for his extremely mature and statesmanly approach to the issues involved . He thanked Ndigbo for their role in the development of not only Nigeria, but West Africa and Africa.

He expressed appreciation for the deep hospitality given him by the Ohanaeze leadership and called for continuous jaw jaw , rather than war war.

The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Barr Nnia Nwodo had ealier made it clear that Ohanaeze Ndigbo was officially communicated by the Secretary General of the world body before the visit, condemning any insinuation to the contrary.

He noted that Ndigbo would continue to insist on the restructuring of Nigeria to ensure justice and equity in the polity.

Ohanaeze calls for synergy to reinvigorate Igbo language

STREET LIGHTS: Ugwuanyi procures 25-unit 60 KVA generating sets

OUTREACH: From left: Mr Niyi Falade, MD Crusader Sterling Pension Ltd; Mrs Titi Okuneye, Principal Lagos City College Sabo Lagos; Mrs Christabel Onyejekwe, Executive Director,Technology & Operations,Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System plc (NIBSS) and Mr Ade Ajayi, Director, Marketing & Operations Microsoft Nigeria,during the NIBSS and Microsoft Digital Literacy Schools Outreach in Lagos.

Meantime, the parent organisation of Ohanaeze has urged Ndigbo to synergize efforts aimed at increasing speech and use of Igbo language accross the globe.

Ohanaeze expressed worry that Igbo language was not recieving desired use, adding that it may also lead to gradual erosion of Igbo values and culture.

The apex body therefore called on Igbo Language experts, governors of Igbo-speaking states and other concerned groups and individuals to establish a mechanism for translation of more English and scientific words into Igbo language and to establish generally

acceptable Igbo vocabulary.

National vice chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and former Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Prof. Chigozie Ogbu, expressed the concern when an Igbo interest group, Igboekulie, organised a public lecture and presentation of awards to students, teachers, schools and individuals for promotion of Igbo language and culture in Enugu.

Prof. Ogbu, who was the chairman of the occasion said: “Language is a living thing which must grow, otherwise it will die.

There must be new words in Igbo language.

I appeal for translation of

more English and scientific words into Igbo language,” President of Igboekulie, Prince Ben C. Onuora stated that the group, a non profit organisation formed in 2015, was poised to among other things advocate for the promotion and protection of the economic, social, political and cultural values of Ndigbo as well as the revival of the Igbo language.

Onuora said the group was worried by the recent postulation of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO, that Igbo language faces prospect of extinction by 2025 if preservative actions were not taken.

NUGU—THE Enugu State Government , yesterday, took delivery of 25 units of 60KVA generating sets procured to replace the aged ones in Enugu metropolis as well as install new ones in the University town of Nsukka.

It would be recalled that the state government had, last year, procured 10 units of 200KVA generators, which were used to replace the ones that had been in use for over 7 years.

Addressing newsmen after receiving the items at the State Secretariat, Enugu, the state’s Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr.

Greg Nnaji said the procurement was in line with the determined efforts of Governor Ifeanyi

Ugwuanyi to ensure that there are functional street lights in Enugu metropolis and Nsukka town.

Engr. Nnaji noted that Enugu as the historical capital of the South East region deserves more effective street lights to maintain its pride of place, appreciating the passion and desire of the governor “to always position Enugu State as the first among equals in the country”.

He disclosed that the installation of the generating sets will commence immediately, adding that adequate measures have been put in place to protect them from vandals and ensure that they are operational to serve the public, in keeping with the administration’s urban renewal agenda.

IMSU Registrar suspended

By Chidi Nkwopara

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WERRI—THE Governing Council of Imo State University, Owerri, has announced the suspension of the institution’s Registrar, Dr. Emeka Ejinkonye.

The Registrar, according to the university’s Public Relations Officer, PRO, Mr. Ralph Njoku-Obi, was suspended for what the Governing Council alleged to be “lack of respect for constituted authority”.

Njoku-Obi explained that the decision to suspend the Registrar was taken November 24, 2017 at the

61st Regular Meeting of the Governing Council.

The PRO further disclosed that Mrs. Rose Kate Ogbu has been appointed as Acting Registrar for a period of six months.

“The Registrar was suspended, for alleged various offences, including insubordination, treachery, intransigence and lack of respect for constituted authority ”, Njoku-Obi explained.

Explaining why an Acting Registrar was appointed, the PRO said Mrs. Ogbu would act while Ejinkonye’s suspension lasts, so as not to create administrative vacuum.

Ekwueme’s death, a colossal loss, ‘We want women to be more “He was not a secret active in leadership drive’ says Rochas Foundation admirer. He openly

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HE Rochas Foundation has described the late former

Vice President Alex Ekwueme, as a colossal loss to the Igbo, Nigeria and the African continent.

Director General Mrs Uloma Rochas Nwosu, in a statement in Owerri, described Ekwueme as “a father to the founder of the group Owelle Rochas Okorocha and an icon greatly admired by all.

“Dr Ekwueme was an inspiration to the Rochas Foundation.

His contributions and strategic partnership with us were invaluable. he was a father to our founder, Owelle Rochas Okorocha and led exemplary life worthy of emulation/ he was an icon to the Igbo nation, Nigeria and the African continent.”

Mrs Nwosu recalled with fond memories Dr Ekwueme’s visits to the foundation offices in Abuja and Owerri, noting that the late Vice President completely associated with the vision and aspirations of the foundation.

identified with the vision and aspirations of the Rochas Foundation. When time permitted, he paid us several courtesy visits and was particularly willing to help, however little that may be. we were always challenged by his empathy and humanity”, she added.

The DG in the condolence statement further prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest, while hoping that his family, Anambra State, Igbo nation, Nigeria and the African continent would have the fortitude to bear the loss.

“Our prayers are with his immediate family, Anambra State, Igbo nation, Nigeria and the African continent. we ask god to grant them fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. we also pray for eternal rest for the late Vice President. We share in the pain of those affected by this unexpected death. may god lightup our hearts and give us joy,” she concluded.

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HE convener and founder, Savvy Women’s Circle (SWC), Aji R. Michael, has said that the Women in Leadership Conference in Nigeria was put together to further mobilise and propel women to become more active in leadership drives in all human endeavours.

Michael added that the event, which was held at Golden Gate Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos, was organized by SWC, Altadecca Retail Consulting and Crystal Options, saying: “It demonstrates our commitment to support the next generation of women leaders.”

She stated that: ‘’This initiative represents our formal adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — the UN’s agenda for people, planet and prosperity.

“Our theme this year which is: Revolutionary thinking: Shaping the future for Nigeria, is to

remind us that today’s great leaders are not just thinkers, but revolutionary thinkers.

They are not prepared to settle for the status quo, but rather, are daring in their thinking and are prepared to challenge how things have always been done.”

Meanwhile, women in Nigeria have been called upon to do away with the wrong belief in many quarters that they cannot aspire to leadership positions because of their sex.

Former Minister of Education, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, and Executive Vice Vice Chairman, Verdant Zeal, Dr Tunji Olugbodi made the call at the conference.

Ezekwesili, who was a guest speaker spoke on: Challenging traditional leadership paths and behaviours, said that from creation, God created man and woman with the same level of endowments, talents and potential.

16—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017

CIPM inducts 400 members, calls for effective service delivery

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BUSINESS DINNER: From left— Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Dr. Demola Sogunle; MD/CEO, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Peter Ndegwa, and Chief Operating Officer, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Mr. Madhukar Khetan, during a business dinner in Lagos.

By Providence Emmanuel

AGOS—THE C h a r t e r e d Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, CIPM, has inducted over 400 new associate members, calling for professional development skills for effective service delivery.

In a statement corroborating the institutes 28th Induction Ceremony in Lagos, President, CIPM, Mr. Udom Inoyo, advised the new members to leverage technology so as to make the CIPM attractive to HR practitioners.

“Don’t ever underestimate the value you have made in yourselves. There is a stronger demand from us as HR professionals to respond to what has become an

unpredictable sense of environment in which we operate and indeed deliver value to all stakeholders. It means HR business is constraints to begin to support the business we are into,” he said.

Head, Human Capital, Stanbic IBTC, Mrs. Oluwafunke Amobi said that as organisations are restrategizing to meet up with demands of the economy, HR managers should also tilt to do differently to support organisations Amobi who spoke on the theme: “Future Ready HR: Equipping your HR Management Tool Box” stated: “As a HR professional, you have to wear the business cap before the business throws you off balance.

Build a business case and also ensure the business can see a return."

Kreston team visits Nigeria, reviews operations

By Elizabeth Uwandu

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AGOS—THE quality

VISIT: From left— Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Biola Liadi; new Head of Service, Lagos State, Mrs Folashade Adesoye; wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode; Permanent Secretary, Public Service Office, Mrs. Fiyinfunoluwa Ogunbanke, and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth & Social Development, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, during Mrs Adesoye's visit to Mrs Ambode at Lagos House, Ikeja.

assurance team of Kreston, (a global network of independent account firms) earlier in the week visited its Nigerian operation, KrestonOUC, with a view to ensuring accounting standards are adhered to in providing quality service.

Speaking to newsmen in Lagos, yesterday, Mr. Robert Holland, the maging partner in Kreston James Cowper, UK said that they undertook the visit to carryout quality reviews on behalf of the global Kreston Network.

Holland said that such

reviews ensure all Kreston accounting firms in about 110 countries operate with the highest level of quality and ensuring consistency in the course of their work.

He explained that the visit was also to assist its Nigerian operations, headed by Mr. Andrew Uvaise, the managing partner of KrestonOUC, with the latest availability tools and techniques which will help its Nigerian arm compete at a high level in service delivery.

He said: “It is always a pleasure to visit our friends and colleagues around the world and to help ensure that all Kreston firms operate at the highest possible level.”

Group charges Christians on nation's devt

By Olayinka Latona

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AGOS—PRESIDENT

NIGERIA-SOUTH AFRICA BREAKFAST FORUM: From left— Chairman, Mr. Foluso Phillips; Mr. Osayaba Giwa-Osagie, both of Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce; Corporate Relations Executive, Mr. Tobechukwu Okigbo, and Chief Transformation Officer, Bayo Adekambi, both of MTN Nigeria, during the presentation of appreciation plaque to Mr. Adekambi at the November 2017 Nigeria-South Africa Breakfast Forum sponsored by MTN Nigeria.

of Men’s Missionary Union of New Heritage Baptist Church, Lagos, Mr. Oladayo Orolu has charged Nigerian Christians, regardless of denomination, discipline or tribe, to work for the nation’s progress and development in all its ramifications.

Orolu made the charge while addressing journalists ahead of the group’s annual Men of Power, Purity & Praise conference slated for Saturday, December 2, 2017 at the church auditorium in Shomolu, Lagos with the theme: ‘Nigeria, One nation under God: Fostering unity through Christianity’.

He maintained that it is high time Christian bodies used various economic tools at their disposal to better the lives of the less privileged in the country and that instead of Christians dwelling on the issue of government islamising the country, they should likewise come forth with programmes and activities that will bring development and growth to the nation’s economy.

In his words: “There has been a lot lately about the perceived ‘Islamisation’ agenda due to the patronage of Islamic finance instruments in government finance which appears to be a cheaper source of capital for business or infrastructure development against commercial instruments."

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017 —17

“If I can conceive it, and believe it, I can achieve it. It’s not my aptitude but my attitude that will determine my altitude –with a little intestinal fortitude”. –Jesse Jackson Ambition as plague

failed, Atiku had still angled to throw his hat in the ring to contest his boss’ ‘right of first refusal’ – the chance of a second term. Atiku is a conniving son-of-a-b**ch, they said. But I say no! Atiku is

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HE English playwright John Webster, in ‘The Duchess of Malfi’, said “Ambition… is a great man's madness”; suggesting that it is not the common man’s disease. But if ‘ambition’ is still to the ‘great’ and not to seekers of greatness, the question then arises, ‘why should ‘greatness’ already secured, allow itself to be troubled by the ‘ambition’ in order to be ‘greater’. What higher station in life must a ‘great man’ seek to attain after having risen to ‘greatness’ already?’ America’s Donald Trump has an answer that can acquit the Atikus: “I wasn’t satisfied just to earn a good living. I was looking to make a statement”. And what can be wrong with that?

Nonetheless, ‘ambition’, if it should be anyone’s ‘patent’, I think it makes better sense to suggest that it should be the hallucination only of the poor -or the delirium of the disinherited.

And although Shakespeare has said that “lowliness is young ambition’s ladder”, the tragedy of the lowly ones, as one British labour leader once said, has always been ‘the poverty of their desires’. And so as the great ones are despised for being troubled by vaulting ambition, (seeking always to multiply their superfluous possessions), the 'small ones' cannot be praised for being content with meager provisions.

But I do not believe that any ‘great man’ has enough measure of ‘greatness’ not to be troubled by the ‘ambition’ to be even greater. Nothing despairs more than to have no further station in life to aspire. The Macedonian monarch, Alexander the Great’s must have learnt this the hard way. At the end of all his conquest he was to lament: “No more world to conquer”. But 'great men’ will still have to do what ‘great men’ will have to do: be ambitious and seek to conquer more. “It is no sin”, Shakespeare said “to labour in thy vocation”. The symptom must match the disease.

And as those who are hemorrhaged must bleed, those who are already ‘great’ will have to manifest the symptom of their preoccupation, -ambition. It is what Shylock, in ‘Merchant of Venice’, said to a Christian Venice while justifying his ‘pound of flesh’: “I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions? Fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer, as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?

Deafness of ambition And just as Shakespeare also describes ‘love’ as ‘blind’ because C M Y K

not the ‘son’ of a ‘five letter’. He is only a scheming and counterscheming true son of his mother –with an ‘ambition’ –you should know- that is made of the sternest stuff.

Feedback

Re-Teachers or cheaters?

On Atiku's ambition “lovers cannot see the pretty follies that they themselves commit”, so is ‘ambition’ itself ‘deaf ’ because the ambitious cannot hear the call of moderation -the way that the falcon cannot hear the falconer. And maybe it is the reason that oratorical Mark Antony in the play ‘Julius Caesar’ says that “ambition (is) made of sterner stuff”. And as it is no sin to labour in one’s vocation”, it is in order that the ambitious are tenacious; never yielding to odds, but rising always, to redress odds.

Said the English playwright Philip Massinger, “Ambition, in a private man a vice, is in a prince the virtue”. And as with ‘prince’, so with ‘politician’; ambitious always to the hilt; either as partisans as aspirants. Says Ralph

Atiku is not the ‘son’ of a ‘five letter’. He is only a scheming and counter-scheming true son of his mother –with an ‘ambition’ –you should knowthat is made of the sternest stuff

than the rest because he has also been ‘serially’ unsteady in choosing a platform from which to ‘hitch his wagon’ to his chosen star. PDP, AC, APC are merely names of vessels. And as Shakespeare would ask, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose will smell as good if we call it by another name”. Unless the law expressly forbids change of vessel, every politician is entitled to a choice of party platform as often as the need arises for them to do so.

Hitching his wagon to a star It is sufficient to me that Atiku has never made any pretence about his ‘motive’ for joining politics after a rewarding career in Customs. His goal has always been to climb up on the tree to ‘the ripest peach’ -even in a country where it’s been made virtuous to aim low when you can aim higher. Atiku’s political motive has always been to ‘hitch his wagon’ right to the farthest star, -even in a society that makes a fetish of ennobling ‘high hopes’ always for ‘low heavens’.

They say that no sooner had Atiku ‘schemed’ to become Governor than he ‘connived’ to become Vice President. And that no sooner was he number two than he set out bribing the legislature to dethrone his principal. And that when that

Postscript Waldo Emerson, ambitious politicians, just like ambitious princes, “hitch their wagon (always) to a star”. And like Angus Grossart, the Scottish banker said of them, they would rather “die of exhaustion” aiming to ‘hitch their wagon to a star’ “than (die of) boredom”, because they can no longer ‘hitch their wagon to a star’. What should Atiku do if you say he should no longer ‘hitch his wagon to a star’? Stay bored and die?

Everyone is entitled either to be implacably ambitious, or to be unstirring bums! And it is to that extent that I think Atiku is more sinned against by those who accused him of ‘ambition’, than he has sinned himself only because he has ‘serially’ hitched his wagon to our farthest star. Said the British poet Robert Browning “a man's reach should exceed his grasp.” Because, as the American poet, James Whitcomb Riley said, “The ripest peach is highest on the tree.” And if we have no reason to reproach bums who settle lower for the ‘greens’, we have no justification to reprimand those who climb high up for the ‘ripest’.

Nor is Atiku any more sinning

When a trembling, daggerwielding Macbeth, in Shakespeare’s tragic play ‘Macbeth’, says to his avidly ruthless wife “If we should fail”, the villain of implacable ambition, Lady Macbeth, only charges forward: “screw your courage to the sticking place” she says, “and we’ll not fail!”.

Screwing his ‘courage to the sticking place’ is what Atiku has, consistently been doing. It is a mettle which even Macbeth has to be nudged by a woman to evoke. But it has always come in handy with an Atiku; -the courage to mount his gilded horse of ambition, and to soldier on; never cowardly asking, like Macbeth, “If we should fail”; because he knows always that as much as a chivalry charge can fail, it can also succeed.

Atiku is ambitious, yes, but he makes our democracy tick. Said the English poet, Edmund Spenser, “he that strives to touch the stars, oft stumbles at a straw”. But in the spirit of good sportsmanship let us pray that even if Atiku does not “touch the stars”, -for the reason that he enlivens our democracy and he enriches our jurisprudence- he does not ever “stumble”.

+2348062887535:- “Kaduna State Governor’s action over teachers’ failure to pass common elementary four questions is a welcome one. Then what are the teachers teaching, since they cannot pass elementary four questions. Who is fooling who? –in this 21st century! The Governor should send these failed teachers to the farm. I believe they will do better in Agriculture since we are diversifying the economy from oil to agriculture” –Gordon Chika Nnorom Online:- “I have taken time to understand the basis of the Kiambu County Social Studies book that not only contains toxic negative ethnicity content passing off as common knowledge. While the book requires a complete cover to cover analysis and review, it got me thinking perhaps it is time we introduce annual tests for teachers just like they do in Nigeria. Following the dismal performance of teachers in the recent tests, some elite have emerged in their defense ; but even this support doesn’t exonerate teachers who fail because they have an enormous responsibility in shaping future leaders and the quality of national conversation.

Mohammed Adamu took one head on”. –Edward Wanyonyi, Kenya Online: -“Sincerely speaking there is nothing to add to prove the wickedness or the hypocrisy of the dastardly and unpatriotic act of desperate politicians , the union and all those against the patriotic action of El-Rifai. All their children are in private schools.

We now know the real enemies of progress, the masses and by extension the country. Thanks to our southern compatriots that join us here in the defense of the positive and patriotic action taken by the governor. May Allah grace you with more wisdom, health and ability to continue to add value to your chosen profession (ameeen)”. –Nasir Rabiu Online:- “Prof. who writes from text books that are written by non-professors. Leave matter joo.” –Gani Muhammed Ajowa Online:- “The truth must be said. Mohammed Adamu thank you for exposing the truth. Professor Abubakar Aliyu’s analysis on the yardstick of assessment of teachers is faulty and politically motivated. How did he become a Prof? Ooh! I am highly disappointed, from this northern man that is supposed to support El-Rufai for exposing the illiterate teachers – he is here saying otherwise using all the grammar that has no meaning to the parents’ dilemma in the north. And maybe these are some of the people who are always crying that northerners are backward in education. What a shame!” –Viictoria Tabak.

Online:- “Mohammed Adamu more ink to your pen… It is quite educative”. –Ibrahim Dalha Gidan Dukawa Online:- “Mallam, this El-Rufai is so special, you know. With politicians like him there will be no professors like the bloke here.

El-Rufai’s sin and crime is his resolve to fight a fraudulently condoned reality of our existence. Indeed the reward for this man’s seemingly solo crusade is more, not in the next election, but in the hereafter”. -Muh’d Rabiu Barde.

Online:- “The Kaduna teachers scenario may just be a random sample of abysmal state of public primary schools in northern Nigeria; and probably the country at large. Truth be told, poor wages accruing to teachers in states-run public schools do not only make teaching uninteresting, but also stigmatised it to an extent that even parents see their prospective in-laws who are teachers as still unemployed. Stigmatisation of the teaching profession has however, shied away troops of potential/qualified teachers from the noble profession; and that in effect makes teaching an easy do for quacks. It is a common sight to see a trained teacher persistently seeking for another job outside the teaching circle. This is as a result of ‘neglect’ the ‘teaching class’ has suffered in the hands of successive governments. I was raised in a teaching family, but what I can’t just understand is that primary school teachers here in my State receive their monthly salaries only after all other workers have forgotten when they received theirs; leaving them sometimes with salary shortfalls. Putting all these together, the negative effect can be seen in continuous brain drain and consequent invasion of the teaching profession by quacks and ghost teachers. Mark it, by the time similar tests are conducted for school teachers in other states, Kaduna teachers may even come above average”. –Tauheed Ibrahim.

Online:- “You have nailed it. May your ink never go dry”.

–Sa’id Danna Ali

18 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017

T

HE Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has been acclaimed for the seemingly seamless conduct of the November 18, 2007, governorship election in Anambra State.

Perhaps reflective of that approval, majority of the candidates resolved not to contest its outcome and have grudgingly congratulated the winner of the election, Governor Willie Obiano.

However, beyond the general acclaim, the level of commercialisation of the vote was an eyesore to our democracy. The Transition Monitoring Group, TMG, in its assessment of the election condemned the widespread vote-buying by agents of the candidates. Mr. Clement Nwankwo, the Convener of Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, NCSSR, in his interim report, flayed the commercialisation of the process.

“This emerging impunity of vote-

Anambra poll and the evil of vote - buying buying appears to be a dangerous trend in our elections and needs to be addressed urgently,” Nwankwo’s group deposed as it portrayed the Anambra governorship election as one of the worst electoral bazaars since our return to democracy in 1999.

Dr. Chima Amadi, the executive director of the Independent Service Delivery Group, ISDMG, while presenting the group’s interim report on the election, spoke in the same tone saying: “Reports from our observers in the field on the widespread open selling of votes by citizens cast a major slur on the integrity of the votes. The trend of

vote-buying which has become a major feature of recent elections sadly repeated itself in Anambra.”

Inducements are as old as elections in Nigeria. Sadly, rather than outgrowing it, the Anambra poll signposted the fact that it appears to be getting worse. This does not augur well for our democracy. It shows that efforts to reduce malfeasance in our electoral process have always been neutralised by the onslaught of political desperados.

Indeed, what happened in Anambra was a depressing commentary on the desperation of politicians to capture power by hook or crook. It was also a

sad annotation to the willingness of the electorate to mortgage their future to filthy lucre. Voters who sell their votes do not have any moral right to expect good stewardship from those who purchase their mandates.

Even more lamentable was the fact that the buying and selling of votes took place in the full glare of security men and election officials. It was simply a bazaar in which the election officials and security agencies were undoubtedly incorporated complicit.

As we look forward to other impending elections in Ekiti and Osun states as well as the general election of 2019, Nigerians must desist from further mortgaging their consciences and mandates to politicians. Buying and selling of votes is a major factor in the brazen refusal of political leaders to pay the salaries of workers and pensions of retirees.

We must see our votes as our passport to good governance.

OPINION

By Hamilton Odunze

A

T a recent seminar sponsored by Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., once again, the issue of Africa’s economic and technological development was on the front burner.

Most speakers blamed corruption and irresponsible leadership for Africa’s continued underdevelopment. Many of the speakers cited Nigeria as a good example of a country with abundant natural and human resources that should have spurred innovation and development. Instead, years of mismanagement and corruption have plunged Nigeria into a downward economic spiral. There are myriad examples of African countries on a downward economic spiral despite being blessed with natural and human resources.

It was a daylong seminar. But when it was finally my turn to say something, I asked questions that set the whole discussion in a different direction: What if the problem with Africa is not leadership? What if the real problem with Africa’s development is that Africans have been engaged in perpetual survival mode because of its history? These questions did not come at the spur of the moment. I had just finished reading the book Survivor Café. In this book, the writer explores the impact of the Holocaust on Jewish psychology. She argued that the Holocaust modified survivors’ genetic makeup. Her argument was based on the recent scientific theory that trauma can modify people’s genetic makeup, affecting

Development and leadership challenges and Africa’s survival mode mindset behaviours passed down from generation to generation.?

In the case of the Holocaust, studies of the impact started as soon as concentration camps ended in 1945.

Many survivors of the Holocaust suppressed their trauma because they wanted to embrace new lives with business and family. These survivors braved it all to move on with life, yet, they exhibited a variety of symptoms.

Eventually, psychiatrists started to diagnose these survivors with mental

Another prevalent symptom of survivalmode, the bane of Africa’s development, is the ambition to get power and hold onto it, even at the expense of human lives illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorder,PTSD, “concentration camp disorder,” and survivor syndrome.

Psychologists and psychiatrists did not stop there. They argued that the Holocaust might be responsible for some character traits in the descendants of survivors.

But the impact of major traumatic events in Africa’s history has not been studied as much. Take slavery, for instance: It was just as life-altering as the Holocaust.

Yet, a detailed analysis of its impact and

how it altered the thinking of Africans has not been conducted. There may be a few reasons why. First, consider that the perpetrators of slavery are America and Europe, who have remained the most prominent powers in the world. Second, consider also that the victims of slavery are Africans with little-to-no global influence to push for analysis. If you plug these two scenarios into the equation, it makes sense why a study on the impact of slavery is not a global priority. Lastly, if it is proven that the impact of slavery is lingering and is responsible for creating a survival mentality in Africa; it makes the claim of reparation attainable.

The point I am trying to make is that Africa has witnessed its fair share of traumatic experiences. The foremost of these experiences is slavery. When studied extensively, just as the Holocaust has been, it might be that these events created a heritage of survival-mode mindset. This assertion brings me to the reason I used my time at the seminar to ask controversial questions about the African mindset. Clearly, people in survival mode lack the fundamental ability to innovate, be proactive, or use good judgment, both as leaders and followers.

To support my argument, a few weeks ago, the scientific world came up with a list of symptoms of survival-oriented behaviour. After reading the list, I could not wait to share it in this column. At the top of the list is strong egoism. Strong

egoism puts one’s own needs above those of everybody else, including, of course, people who are close to you.

Other symptoms include greed, irresponsibility, ruthlessness, low morale, lack of integrity, scrawny judgment, insecurity and intolerance.

In the context of Africa, one of the prevalent symptoms of survival mode is lack of empathy and compassion. For example, in Nigeria leaders are insensitive to the suffering of the poor and sick. This is a manifestation of survival-oriented behaviour motivated by the overpowering need for personal survival at the expense of others. Another prevalent symptom of survival-mode, the bane of Africa’s development, is the ambition to get power and hold onto it, even at the expense of human lives. In this instance, power becomes a security blanket for its holders. Hence, they do not let go of it, even when it is obvious they have no ideas that will move their people’s collective aspirations forward.

I chose to ask the questions I asked at the seminar, but not because I want to blame the rest of the world for Africa’s problems. It was not even to use the past as an excuse. I raised the questions because they might provide insight into how we can solve Africa’s problems.

When Suzy Kassem wrote in The Maxims of Medicine that “before you diagnose any sickness, make sure there is sickness in the mind or heart. The emotion in a man’s moon or sun can point to the sickness in any part of his other parts,” she captured my state of mind. *Mr. Odunze, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Lagos.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017

From Left: Supply Chain & Operations Director, Suntory Beverage and Food (Nig) Ltd, Cephas Afebuameh; Human Resource & Corporate Affairs Director, Suntory Beverage and Foods (Nig) Ltd, Ola Ehinmoro; Director General, Consumer Protection Council, Babatunde Irukera and Managing Director, Suntory Beverage and Foods (Nig) Ltd, Chinedum Okereke during a factory visit by Consumer Protection Council to Suntory’s factory in Agbara

Eurobond: FG to reduce debt servicing by N90bn in 2018 —Adeosun

By Babajide Komolafe

M

INISTER of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, yesterday, said that the federal government’s debt service obligation would be reduced by N90 billion in 2018 through the Eurobond issuance programme.

In a statement titled, ‘Response to Frequently Asked Questions on Nigeria’s Eurobond’, Adeosun explained that the federal government decided to restructure the nation’s debt profile away from local to foreign component through cheaper cost Eurobond in order to reduce the debt service payments which accounted for 45 percent of the

total revenue as at third quarter of this year.

According to her the plan is to increase the percentage of foreign borrowing to 40 percent of total debt from 18 percent.

She stated: “Over the last 5 years, Nigeria has been overly focused on domestic debt, which is short term and high

cost. This means that we pay too much, and have to regularly refinance existing debt rather than having the security of longer term instruments. You can see this clearly reflected in our debt service to revenue ratio, which at 45 percent as of Third Quarter (Q3) 2017, is higher than we would like.

“Having returned the economy to growth in 2017 and secured a stable and liquid exchange rate regime, we are focused on addressing this issue by diversifying our sources of debt to achieve an optimal balance. So far, we have moved our domestic/international debt ratio from 18:82 to 23:77 and we expect this to improve to circa 27:73 by year end, with an ultimate target of 40:60. This will deliver significant savings in our debt service costs, with provisional estimates demonstrating savings of up to N91 billion in 2018 alone.”

Adeosun explained that out of the $3 billion raised through the recently concluded Eurobond, $2.5 billion will be used to finance capital projects in the 2017 budget while the remaining $500 million will be used for debt service.

She added: “Nigeria has raised a total of $3 billion. The Notes comprise a $1.5 billion 10-year series and a $1.5 billion 30-year series. The 10year series will bear interest at a rate of 6.5 percent, while the 30-year series will bear interest at a rate of 7.625 percent.

“The proceeds will be split between 2017 budget capital projects ($2.5 billion) and refinancing some of our short term domestic debt ($500 million). Capital projects under the 2017 budget include road, rail, power and housing projects which are crucial to the delivery of the economic recovery and growth plan.”

Nigeria remains key investment destination—Oxford group A

global research and consultancy firm, Oxford Business Group, OBG, has said that despite many adverse developments in the country, Nigeria remains a key investment destination in Africa.

Speaking during the launch of its new report titled: “The Report: Nigeria $128.65 +1. 20 2017”, Editor-in-Chief, OBG, Mr. Oliver $2,099.00 +52.00 Cornock, stated: “Nigeria remains an appeal$15.13 +0.09 ing destination for investors and the fact that $14. 71 growth has begun to pick up following a $63.06 -0.55 slower period for the economy will provide 57.38 -0.61 the country with a welcome boost, as its efforts CURRENCY BUYING SELLING to develop and diversify the economy gains US DOLLAR 304.8 305.3 305.8 pace.”

405.2621 405. 9269 406.5917 POUNDS 362. 2243 362. 8185 363. 4127 EURO According to him, the 310.229 310.7379 311. 2468 FRANC report explored 2. 7368 2.7413 2.7458 YEN planned moves to in0.5269 0.5369 0.5469 CFA crease the emphasis on 429. 3942 430.0986 430.803 WAUA industrialisation and 46.1774 46. 2536 46. 3298 RENMINBI diversification while 81. 2713 81.4047 81.538 RIYAL 430. 0118 430. 7172 431.4226 SDR boosting capital inflow, 22.1653 22. 2017 22.2381 RAND which is helping to steer the country toCBN Exchange rate as at 29/11/2017 wards economic revival.

The report further explored some areas of the economy that have remained resilient in difficult times, such as agriculture, which has become a major employer and is benefiting from the relaxing of lending constraints, as well as developments in the ICT industry.

The report also examined the key part that a regulatory overhaul should play in helping to tackle the challenges that the

sectors face ahead of the implementation of new infrastructure program, while analyzing the government’s farreaching plans to modernise the country’s long-neglected public transport system.

It considered both the opportunities that the project pipeline will signal for investors and the difficulties in bringing the private sector on board for ventures.

— 19

FMBN disburses over N7bn loan to 800 beneficiaries in 2017

T

HE Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) on Wednesday said it disbursed more than N7 billion to 800 beneficiaries so far in 2017.

Managing Director of FMBN, Ahmed Dangiwa, disclosed this at the FMBN 2017 Management Retreat in Abuja, with the theme “Towards Improving FMBN Transaction Turnaround Time”.

Dangiwa noted that the focus of the bank’s loan was to ensure completion of ongoing projects and recovery of FMBN financial outlay presently tied down.

He said that the bank recovered N2.4 billion in 2017 against a cumulative figure of N8.3 billion as at 2016.

According to him, the retreat will underscore the intention of the new management for a quick positive turn-around in all facets of the bank’s operations.

Dangiwa said that the bank was micro-managing some of the housing estates to forestall diversion of funds and ensure recovery of loans.

He stated: “The new management has also made a total refund payment of N6.6 billion to 44,370 beneficiaries in 2017 against a cumulative figure of N7.4 billion as at 2016.

Our backlog of unaudited accounts is expected to be cleared before the end of the year.”

The FMBN boss said the bank’s effort to implementing risk management framework was ongoing, while it was being assisted by the Institute of Directors to make the bank an institute of sound cooperate governance culture.

He said the mortgage market was subject to myriad of legislative requirements including the requirement for governor’s consent before a mortgage transaction could be legal.

In order to address this, he said, the bank created the Internal Records Office as an interim measure to secure its loans and provide some form of equity to cover loan facilities.

Currency stabilization will attract FDI— Donald Duke

By Naomi Uzor

T

HE Former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, has said that for Nigeria to attract Foreign Direct Investment, FDI, there is urgent need to stabilize its currency.

Duke, who was the guest speaker at the November breakfast meeting of the NigerianAmerican Chamber of Commerce, (NACC) tagged, “Foreign Direct Investment as a Catalyst for Development,” stated: “Beyond oil, our major interest should be the territory of Nigeria. To attract investments, we must stabilize our currency. With an interest rate of 30-25 per cent, it is hardly achievable. There is need for a single digit interest rate to attract FDI into

the country. Nigerians has to think outside the box and grow at least by 15 per cent. Sooner or later, if we don’t grow the country as a whole, we will crowd Lagos out because it is going to be over populated.”

He said that the so much talked about ease of doing business can only be achievable if sufficient energy can get to the people.

Duke further stated: “We have gas in Nigeria and it is being flared. We need the gas. It is not just enough to say we are now re-injecting the gas; we have to do a lot more because it is important to make Nigeria attractive for investors to invest. 90 per cent of investors will require power, so we really need to look into energy.

20 — VANGUARD,

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017

FG approves movable assets as collateral for lending to SMEs

By Franklin Alli

T

HE Federal Government has said that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) can now use their movable assets to secure bank loans instead of landed property.

Jumoke Oduwole, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Industry, Trade and Investment, disclosed this while addressing

operators in the sector at a public event in Lagos.

Oduwole said that the National Collateral Registry Bill which was recently signed into law by the government is designed to stimulate access to finance by Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

“85 percent of SMEs in Nigeria contributes 50 percent to Gross Domestic Product, GDP. The

government wants to encourage you to flourish, to produce more and add value to non-oil exports,” she said.

Earlier, CBN Governor, GodwinEmefiele,inan NCR News Letter, stated: “There is empirical evidence, that the establishment of collateral registries has increased lending to MSMEs in other jurisdictions.

“In China, for example, the adoption of the collateral

registry resulted in 84 percent of SMEs securing their loans using movable assets. The use of the registry in Mexico also grew loans secured with movables by 4 times while 45 percent of total loans went to the agricultural sector.

Similarly, In Afghanistan, withtheoperationsofthenew centralised collateral registry, 90 percent of loans by financial institutions were granted to SMEs.

“I am hopeful that the commencementofoperations of the NCR will have a tremendous impact on MSME lending in Nigeria, as we strive to increase lending by banks to the subsector to about 10 percent from 0.067 percent in the next few years.

“I am happy to note that the strategy is yielding positive results. As at August

24, 2017, 136 financial institutions, 22 commercial banks, 106 microfinance banks, one non-bank financial institution, three merchant banks, three development finance institutions and one noninterest bank have registered 16,236 financing statements for 20,684 movable assets on the NCR platform, valued at N392 billion, particularly the microenterprises, which are about 99 percent of the 37.1 million MSMEs in the country.”

Getting business loans from the banks (1) Stanbic IBTC

F

From left: George Lakis, Founding Partner, Morpphosis; Jumoke Oduwole, SSA to the President on Industry, Trade and Investment; Aisha Abubakar, Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment; Dikko Umar Radda, Director-General SMEDAN; Osita Oparaugo, MD.CEO Footprint to Africa, and Chris Oshaifis, MD, PanAfrica Capital Ltd; during the Nigeria SME CONNECT 2017 held in Lagos.

SMEs fault banks’ claims on financing

By Franklin Alli

O

PERATOR in the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector has faulted claims by some local banks to have hugely financed many businesses in the sector.

Some of the operators voiced out their frustrations during the just ended Nigeria SME CONNECT 2017, organised by Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) in collaboration with Footprint to Africa.

In an interview with Vanguard at the event, Dr.Teju Bolujoko, Managing Director/ CEO, Ruchim Investment & Manufacturing Ltd, manufacturers of Master brands of herbal tea, said: “ Banks have a lot

of challenges. They see small-scale businesses as very risky; if any bank tells you that ‘ we are great supporters of small businesses’, they are lying; they are telling lies. They have a huge amount of money in reserve but they are never using it for the small industries.

“You cannot be talking about funding small business at an exchange rate of 19 to 30 percent.

Every nation invests in small businesses. In China, 80 percent of businesses that are employing people are small businesses; we have to grow them, we have to invest in them, support them and with the desire of the government that non-oil exports grow.”

Corroborating to this, another operator who doesn’t want his name in

print, lamented that all his efforts to borrow N3 to N5 million from a development finance institution failed.

Chris Oshiafi, Managing Director/ CEO, PanAf r i c a n Capital Ltd, however, encouraged the operators to look beyond seeking banks funding to grow their operations.

He urged SMEs to embrace ‘Receivable financing,’ stressing: “Hotels and all the major corporations’ worldwide deals with SMEs. If you improve the quality of your products you can sell to them and make millions. A Nigerian lady that invested in paw-paw farming is selling to nine hotels in Abuja, and she is smiling at her bank.”

Osita Oparaugo, Managing Director, Footprint to Africa, said that another driver of

success for successful SMEs is collaboration.

According to him, there are lots of things SMEs operators can achieve through collaboration rather than continuously crying to the government to provide everything.

“SMEs need collaboration to grow; you shouldn’t rely on the government to provide everything 100 percent, the government can’t do everything; they will do their best, and as SMEs, no finance house will give you money without your business having a structure.

“The Nigeria SME Connect seeks to connect small and medium scale business owners with viable partners to enable them further their business goals and expand their operations and reach beyond the shores of Nigeria,” he said.

OLLOWING our concluded series on basic requirements for accessing a loan at the Bank of Industry, BoI, we now turn to commercial banks to look into their funding services for the Small & Medium Enterprises, SMEs. Again, as stated when we began the BoI series the information contained in this series would not represent all that each bank requires for you to be successful in getting a business loan. You still require seeking more detailed information, which may be specific to your type of business or your specific business case.

We are starting this series with one of the banks prominent in SME banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc. We shall be discussing other banks, a total of eight, in the weeks ahead under the same template being used for Stanbic IBTC. One of the key offers to SMEs in Stanbic IBTC is what they called, SME Overdraft.

The bank says its business overdraft helps you make payments from your business current account even when the amount exceeds the available cash balance. This means that you can utilise amount more than you have in your bank account for the purpose of your business transactions only.

It covers short-term financing requirements only and the bank says it is easy to arrange.

The overdraft would be structured such that you pay interest only on the money you use, not on the full amount which you requested and was approved as your limit.

The value of this offer is that it is a convenient way to deal with unexpected spending and bills in the day-to-day running of your business.

It is also a flexible form of credit where you can use the money at any time during your agreed overdraft term.

You only pay interest on the amount you used and not on the whole loan approved.

Next week we conclude this with basic requirements for Stanbic IBTC SME Overdraft, and also delve into some other offers from the bank.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017—21

•Buhari

•Osinbajo

Hope rises for MSMEs as FG rolls out growth plan

By Emeka Anaeto, Business Editor & Michael Eboh

T

HE Office of the Vice President is stepping up interventions in the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) sector with a view to bringing real change in the fortune of the operators.

Consequently, after many years of neglect, hopes appears to be rising for sector as a number of measures are already being rolled out both in the 2017 and in the 2018

fiscal plan.

The initiatives of the Federal Government is expected to address traditional headaches such as improving access to finance, tackling the issues of multiple taxations and addressing the challenges of infrastructure deficit.

However, the Office of the Vice President which is spearheading the measures, have also planned to step-up its key activities of involving the MSME operators in the measures through its MSME Clinics.

The Clinic was designed and launched this year as a grass-roots parliament where the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, himself meets and parleys with the MSME business owners in a bid to hear from them directly, understand the challenges confronting them, and take decisions on the spot. This strategy is made possible with Osinbajo bringing all government agencies responsible for providing support services and other regulatory requirements into the on-the-spot parliament. This year, about

four of the parliaments have held across four states of the federation. But the Special Assistant to the Vice President on MSMEs, Mr Tola Adeniyi-Johnson, said last week that in months ahead into through 2018, this engagement would be intensified covering other states of the federation, indicating that all general and local issues militating against MSME growth would have been addressed through the grass-roots parliament.

The International Finance Corporation, IFC, a subsidiary of the World Bank Group, disclosed that about 96 per cent of Nigerian businesses, from manufacturing to services, are MSMEs, compared to 53 per cent in the United States and 65 per cent in Europe.

Of this number, the IFC declared that about 99.87 per cent of MSMEs in Nigeria are micro-enterprises, adding that with a total number of about 17.4 million MSMEs contribute about 48 per cent of Nigeria’s GDP. However, in one of its latest studies, the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, disclosed that Nigeria has about 37 million MSMEs. Speaking at the just concluded Fourth Presidential Economic Communications Workshop in Abuja, Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Vice President, Mr. Laolu Akande, said the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration is

aware of the critical role of MSMEs in the economic development of any country.

This, he said, had driven the Federal Government to adopt a pro-small business approach in its economic growth plan.

He said, “This government recognized the significance of small and medium scale businesses; that is why the advisers come up with the idea of these SME clinics.

The truth of the matter is that we are in a clear direction that is pro-small business. That is what we intend to continue to do.”

In an effort to boost their internally generated revenue, the Federal, states and local governments had increased the number of taxes to be paid by businesses, while in most cases, small businesses are confronted with double and multiple taxations.

Also, the notion that most businesses in Nigeria do not pay tax has made governments at all levels to introduce obnoxious means of tax collection, with some agencies resorting to the use of touts and other unwholesome practices in tax collection.

To address the issue of multiple taxation and harassment of small business owners by touts and tax officials, the Federal Government had stepped up its collaboration with states and local governments to curb unfair tax practices and also ensure that small businesses are not suffocated.

SMEs repay Fidelity Bank N1.8bn out of N2.5bn — MD

By Franklin Alli THE Managing Director, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr Nnamdi Okonkwo, has confirmed that small businesses owners that accessed Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN’s) Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund (MSMEDF) being managed by the bank, have so far repaid N1.8 billion out of the N2.5 billion they borrowed.

Okonkwo stated this during a press conference to herald its partnership with Africa’s Youth Empowerment (AYE) to drive youth empowerment in Nigeria. “ Today we have disbursed about N2.5 billion and out of that N2.5 billion, it is important to state that the creditors have repaid up to N1.8 billion.

None of these funds has gone bad. They have not gone bad because we are deliberate in building capacities of the SMEs in the country,” he said.

Experts see opportunities in brand building for SMEs

By Princewill Ekwujuru

A

DVERTISING and M a r k e t i n g Communication experts say brand building is of utmost importance to Small and Medium Enterprises’ (SMEs) competitiveness and sustainability.

Speaking at SMEs Conference and Expo 2017 organised by Agile Communications Limited and Purple Pearl Consulting in Lagos, Bolajoko Bayo-Ayayi, Managing Director, Purple Pearl Consulting, said that brand building delivers many benefits to SMEs in the short and long term and should be the focus of any business irrespective of the size.

“Building a brand is not a game of chance, but it takes a deliberate effort on the part of owners of the businesses,” she stated.

According to her, one of the challenges facing SMEs is the paucity of funds which often limits their ability to give attention to every aspect of their business. As such, they tend to prioritize what is thought to be of utmost importance to the business viability, thereby relegating other important areas, one of which is brand building.

22 — VANGUARD, THURSDAY, November 30, 2017

GRAFT: Special Courts must still follow rules of evidence — UCHE, SAN

By Innocent Anaba

GORDY Uche, SAN, comes from a rich law background. His mother retired as acting Chief Judge of the Abia State High Court, his elder brother, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, is an Abuja-based lawyer. He is a lawyer who has cut his teeth in the law profession.

He is a fellow of Chartered Institute of Arbitrators of Nigeria.

In this interview, Gordy Uche called on investigative agencies, particularly, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to ensure proper and conclusive investigation of graft cases before arresting suspects to avoid being put under pressure to charge the suspects to court when investigations had not been concluded, which in turn will lead to poor prosecution of such cases. He also spoke on the political and constitutional development in Zimbabwe among other issues.

Excerpts: President Muhammadu Buhari said he was determined to fight corruption to a logical conclusion, but no major conviction has been secured on high profile cases. Can we say that the President’s fear over the role of the judiciary is justified?

I will say that the President’s fears are not totally justified. First of all, the trial of cases including corruption, must still follow the due process of the law.

That a case is labelled as a corruption case does not make it special or that the rules of fair hearing and natural justice must therefore be thrown overboard.

On the other hand, the investigative agencies appear not to properly investigate these alleged corruption cases before arraigning the suspects in Court in the full array of their television camera crews.

After the “television arraignment” with photos of the alleged offender in handcuffs in the media, no serious evidence is presented thereafter in Court to substantiate the case of the prosecution of the alleged fraud running into billions of Naira.

Faced with such dearth of credible evidence against the accused person, the trial Judge is usually left with no option than to discharge and acquit such alleged offender.

How can they secure conviction without credible evidence?

As a trial defense lawyer, I have seen cases where an accused person is arraigned on a charge of more than 100 counts and thereafter, the charges are gradually amended and reduced, that in the end, the prosecution is left with only about five counts which are still repetitions of the same offence, merely being charged under different laws.

A look at some of the Proofs of Evidence of these so called high profile corruption cases show about more than 500 pages containing nothing more than

mere bank opening forms/ documents and statements of bank accounts with no witnesses to speak to these documents, no witnesses to relate the facts to the actual offences charged. In the end, the seemingly big cases are lost and the innocent Judges and SANs are blamed.

Even the recent calls for Special Courts to deal with corruption cases will still not make the fight against corruption to be won overnight as these “Special Courts” must still follow the Rules of Evidence.

However, without holding brief for the Judiciary, the constant blame on the Judiciary as not aiding the fight against corruption is baseless and untrue.

There was public outcry recently that the EFCC lost some high profile cases in the anti-corruption war. How do you think we can strengthen the war to ensure victory over corruption?

My advice to the EFCC and indeed all investigative bodies is to first, properly investigate a case before even arresting the suspect.

Once the suspect is arrested, especially a high profile suspect, the investigative body is put under much pressure to release the suspect or charge him to Court and may then hurriedly charge an uncompleted and improperly investigated case to Court.

In civilized climes, an investigation may go on undercover for more than one or two years before the suspect is picked up, at which time the investigative body has obtained a prima facie evidence against the suspect, which evidence they have to first run through the office of the Attorney-General or the District Attorney.

One can easily observe that there is clearly a disconnect between the office of the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation and the EFCC. Both organs of Government must therefore work in synergy, if any meaningful

conviction can be secured.

Again, instead of the EFCC complaining that SANs are frustrating the trial of high profile corruption cases, the EFCC can brief and retain SANs to prosecute these cases for them, some us may even prosecute these cases pro bono for the State.

Secondly, the Government must show clearly that it is really sincere in this fight against corruption. There should indeed be no sacred cows.

•Gordy Uche, SAN

How do we strengthen the whistle-blowing policy to make it more efficient and effective?

The whistle-blowing policy is good enough and ought to be

coming near the whistle, knowing that in the process that they are risking their lives for a reward that may well turn out to be a mirage. There should also be adequate protection of the identity of the whistle blower, to encourage others.

Even the recent calls for Special Courts to deal with corruption cases will still not make the fight against corruption to be won overnight as these “Special Courts” must still follow the Rules of Evidence

Many lawyers and politicians alike have demanded that we revisit the 1963 Constitution to address imbalances in Nigeria.

How do you view the call?

I think the recent call for restructuring is appropriate and ought to be sustained. There should be devolution of more of the powers of the Federal Government to the states.

In some states, you find the federal roads in very deplorable conditions and the states are not able to maintain these roads, which are labelled federal roads, while the Federal Government itself is not ready to maintain these roads and it is the masses that inevitably suffer.

With devolution of more powers to the states, the states like the former Regions of Nigeria will become self-sustaining than merely waiting for allocations from the Federal Government, which are reducing day by day.

I think it is a right step in the right direction.

encouraged as it has recently yielded quite some good results.

The Government, however, has to be serious in keeping faith with its own side of the bargain. But a situation where after blowing your whistle, you are denied the fruit of the whistle is really not good enough and may deter other would-be blowers from

As a senior member of the Bar, how do you think the Nigerian judiciary can be truly made independent?

The independence of the Judiciary can only come, if the

Judiciary is financially independent. As they say, he who pays the piper dictates the tune. Let the provisions of Nigerian Constitution be properly followed and the Judiciary be allowed to function financially as an autonomous organ independent of the Executive and the Legislature.

Then and only then can the Judiciary be truly independent.

For me, the Nigerian Judiciary is one of the best in the world, having been forced to work under very excruciating financial circumstances and still remain focused and committed as the last hope of the Nigerian common man.

If you go to some Courts in South-Eastern Nigeria, you will see Judges sitting in very dilapidated Courts, using their personal money to buy stationery and even the Record Books with which they are supposed to record the Court proceedings.

In fact, in one High Court, there was no electricity and the senior lawyers in Court had to contribute money to buy diesel to run the Court’s generator to enable the Court sit and for matters to go on that day. Such a Judge operating under such horrific conditions and having been owed up to three months salary is susceptible to manipulations by the Executive and corrupt litigants.

Will you say the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Continues on page 23

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017 — 23

24 — VANGUARD, THURSDAY, November 30, 2017

ACJA as key to modern criminal justice

By Chino Obiagwu n the next 12 series, I will discuss the innovations in the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, and will demonstrate how, if well implemented,they will reduce delays, modernise criminal justice administration and protect the rights of citizens in conflict with the law.

The first is the provisions to deal with protracted pre-trial detention.

In the past under ACJA, remand proceedings were used to buy time in order to allow the Police conclude investigation or receive legal advice from the office of the Attorney-General on whether or not the evidence in the case file raise prima facie case to arraign the suspect.

The suspect is charged before the magistrate's court that, because it has no jurisdiction to try the offence would remand the suspect and remit the case for legal advice.

In practice, this process creates bottleneck because if the case file is not moved to the AG's office on time, it may get lost, and the suspect will be on remand detention indefinitely.

This results in unduly protracted and long pre-trial detention.

The ACJA has not created time

I

•Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, flanked by Ope Olugasa and Debola Adewale of Law Pavilion while presenting Words in Gold, A Special Compilation of His Cases and Arguments at the Courts, to the Ondo State Governor in Akure recently

protocols to ensure that criminal proceedings are handled with minimal delays. Under section 264 ACJL Lagos or sections 293 and 294 ACJ Act, where a suspect is arrested for an offence for which the magistrate has no jurisdiction to try, he shall ‘within a reasonable time,’ be brought before a magistrate's court for remand using the ‘Request for Remand Form’ prescribed in the Appendix. A remand order may be made by the magistrate detaining the person in prison custody pending the time the prosecution files the proper charge or information at the court with jurisdiction to try him.

A remand order

may be made by the magistrate detaining the person in prison custody pending the time the prosecution files the proper charge or information at the court with jurisdiction to try him

Special Courts must still follow rules of evidence Continues from page 23 Committee, LPDC, is doing enough to sanitise the Bar, considering the number of senior advocates answering criminal charges in court?

I believe sincerely that the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee is doing a commendable job in sanitizing the Bar. If you go through our Law Reports, you will find reported decided cases of the LPDC, wherein they have disbarred lawyers for professional misconducts and had their names struck off the Roll of Legal Practitioners. There have been instances where even Senior Advocates of Nigeria have been professionally disciplined. For me, I believe that until a competent Court of Law finds a person guilty, administrative sanctions by

EDITORIAL Innocent Anaba ( Head) Wahab Abdulah Ikechukwu Nnochiri Dayo Benson (Supervising Editor)

08056180119 dayobenson@yahoo.com

professional bodies ought not to be commenced, as all persons, including the SANs now standing trial, are deemed innocent unless found guilty by a competent Court of Law. It will indeed be premature for the LPDC to discipline a SAN standing trial for a mere allegation that is yet to be proved and of which he is yet to be found guilty.

How will what happened in Zimbabwe affect politics in the continent and what does it portend for Nigeria and other countries of the world, more so as the West appeared to approve it?

Law

I think that what recently happened in Zimbabwe is commendable, even though the procedure used is somewhat unconstitutional as it is indirectly a coup d’état, though the Zimbabwean Army has denied this.

However, I say it is commendable, as our African leaders are used to turning themselves into despots and dictators and deliberately manipulating the Constitution and the electoral process to perpetuate themselves in office.

The ouster of Mugabe has once again shown that political power actually belongs to the people.

page

Such remand order will be made if the information supporting the request for remand disclosed ‘probable cause’ to suggest that an offence might have been committed. In other words, the ACJA has given the magistrate the power to examine the ground for remand request, thus giving him jurisdiction over remand proceedings of such offence even if he does not have the jurisdiction to try the offence.

The remand order must be made returnable within specified period of time, and if the person is not arraigned before the appropriate court

within the set time limit, the magistrate is under obligation to grant bail to the person or discharge him u n c o n d i t i o n a l l y, after serving hearing notices on the Police and Attor neyGeneral.

The time frames for this remand protocol differ from one ACJ to another. Under ACJA, it is a total period of 28 days and under ACJL Lagos, a total of 90 days.

The innovative implication of this provision is to separate the interlocutory remand proceeding from the proceeding for the substantive trial of the charge.

To be continued

Law Pavilion boosts Judges’ feedback system

By Onozure Dania

T

he administration of justice has received another boost with the introduction of an innovation aimed at assisting the Judiciary to effectively monitor judgments on appeal from the court of first instance, usually High Courts to the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.

The innovation was launched by a leading legal technology company, LawPavilion.

Speaking at a media briefing, Managing Director of Law Pavilion, Mr Ope Olugasa, pointed out that while working closely with the Court of Appeal, the Appellate Feedback System for Judges (AFSJ) was conceptualised and developed by the organisation. According to him, the initiative was a response to the obvious need

by Judges of courts of first instance to be promptly notified whenever matters they pronounced upon which went on appeal were decided by appellate courts.

He stated that the innovation was unveiled at the Biennial Judges’ Conference

organised by the National Judicial Institute (NJI), in Abuja.

The AFSJ is an unprecedented innovative solution that proposes to celebrate the skill and sagacity of high court judges who adjudicate and pronounce on millions of cases across the federation, to have their decisions upheld all the way to the Supreme Court.

The AFSJ is also an attempt to give Judges an impartial feedback on their performance such that they are personally motivated to consider all facts and the law before making pronouncements on matters before them.

Speaking further, Olugasa stated that a solution like the AFSJ was the needed incentive to facilitate massive improvement and support for the judiciary, especially from the Executive, as AFSJ could serve as a testament to the quality of judges on the Bench in a particular state.

Olugasa was optimistic that having demonstrated the rich possibilities of the AFSJ, the administrators of the judiciary at both the state and federal levels would be at the forefront of procuring this new innovation.

Cartoon

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017 — 25

By Chris Onuoha

V

iolence against women and girls according to the United Nations is not confined to any particular political or economic system, but is prevalent in every society in the world. Domestic violence in general terms cuts across all genders both male and female and the crime also cuts across boundaries of wealth, race and culture.

In an attempt to address the problem of Violence against Women in particular, the United Nations declared November 25 every year as International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

Be that as it may, it now seems the baton of battering has changed from men to women using the current violence cases in homes involving 2 Nigerian women whose altercations led to extreme use of weapons that resulted in death.

Yewande Oyediran, a lawyer, was sentenced to seven years in jail for killing her husband, Oyelowo Oyediran, at their residence in Ibadan, Oyo state. The convict was a counsel in the Oyo state Department of Public Prosecutions at the time she stabbed her husband in the neck on February 2, 2016, resulting in his death. She was convicted of manslaughter.

In another love gone sour, Maryam Sanda reportedly

New trend in

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

… Regardless of situation on ground, women are not more violent than men says Efe Anaughe

stabbed her husband, Bilyamin Bello, to death while the latter was asleep. Sanda is the daughter of Maimuna

Aliyu, the former Executive Director of Aso Savings and Loans Limited, while Bello was the son of Haliru Bello,

former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

From these two recent inci-

Addressing fundamental gaps against gender based violence by leaving no-one behind

By Elizabeth Uwandu

Participants at the event to commemorate the 2017 International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls

In commemoration of 2017 International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls, marked with 16 days activism against gender based violence by the United Nations from 25th November to 10th December, Jabez House and AlphaZulu held a roundtable last weekend on fundamental gaps which continue to increase the spade of physical, sexual and psychological violence.

The discourse premised on 2017 theme tagged,” Leave no-one behind centered on global violence against women

dents, domestic violence involving women on the opposing side, now seems on the rise. However, the continued Continues on page 26 and girls, VAWG and on feasibility of achieving Goal 5 of Agenda 2030 for sustainable development had participants such as Adesola Alamutu, Executive Director, Jabez House; Elizabeth Molles-Mullard, Principal Advocate, AlphaZuku foundation; Bisi Akande Aka-Bashorun of Fiona Johnson Limited; Oluwaseun Idowu , Project Manager, Lizzy Adams foundation; Miss Maladires among others.

The forum noted that culture, policies gap, weak institutions such as families, religious organizations, mental health issues and ignorance, including poverty etc. were machineries that continued to fuel the three forms of gender abuse, physical, sexual and psychological prevalent in the society.

Alamutu, said that the desire to involve everyone especially the male gender in the fight against all forms of abuse aligned made the two Jabez

Continues on page 27

26 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017

New trend in DOMESTIC

VIOLENCE

… Regardless of situation on ground, women are not more violent than men says Efe Anaughe Continues from page 25

prevalence of violence in homes demonstrates that this global pandemic of alarming proportions is yet to be tackled with all the necessary political commitment, actions from nongovernmental bodies, and even family interventions.

Efe Anaughe, president/CEO Warren Rose Foundation, motivational speaker, and on-air personality in a chat with Woman’s Own differs a bit as to why women should not be termed more violent than men.

“Domestic violence has always been an issue of men against women because we live in a society where men are expected to be physically stronger in fights than women. It is culturally regarded as shameful to see a woman beat a man, for a man would never be bold to say, ‘my wife is beating me’. In the African setting, men are known to hide their feelings no matter what they are going through.

They will be strong and silent about it. A lot of men today have not been free to express themselves when an issue is going on in their homes. Whereas women can shout it out, men will find it difficult to talk. But with the issues coming out, women are taking it a little bit far from normal.

One case, too many I wouldn’t say that women are getting more violent in general terms because there are interests in such cases with the people involved and that’s why it kept on like that. On a percentage level, you could say that for the women, it is on the higher percentage because males are stronger and females are physically weak. If you have noticed, on the two attacks, the men were taken unawares. The one in the case of Maryam Sanda, the man had slept. If he was fully conscious, it would not be possible for her to attack him. From what we read, she had made such attempts in the past. This particular time, he was off-guard. In most cases, there are usually distractions somewhere that allow women to succeed in such attempts. But men in the actual sense are stronger than women. You could say right now, the percentage is about 7 but the threats from men are still higher.

Men are still physically stronger and it must not be seen as if women are having the upper hand in domestic violence.

Men hide violence Men who are troubled can keep silent but a woman can

cry out and louder. A lot of men hide and cry and pretend that all is well when their women are violating their rights at home. They may not even tell their closest friend what they are going through.

But it has been said that it is a womanly thing to cry. But of course, in the past, it was difficult to tell because our parents would say when you visit a home where a mother would drag a father or say he

A lot of men today have not been free to express themselves when an issue is going on in their homes.

Whereas women can shout it out, men will find it difficult to talk. But with the issues coming out, women are taking it a little bit far from normal.

is not going anywhere,that is some sort of abuse. Women can be pushed to the wall.

When a person is angry, he or she is blinded by rage. And when that occurs, they can go to any lengths. The bible says that anger rests in the bosom of a fool. That’s why it is advisable that when a person is angry, the best option is to walk away.

Speak out The situation has actually been turned. There has been a massive cover up from the men folk. They have been taught to hide their feelings and learn to manage them. For me, it is not macho to hide your feelings to the point that somebody has to kill you. You can see what happened to Bilyamin Bello. If he had spoken out or taken the right step, it wouldn’t have been so. But often times, there is the pressure of image. Everybody wants to protect the image of a person. And of course, there’s the cultural and religious aspect to it. When a man has divorced the first time, second time, and in the process, you reneged in the relationship. Other factors including the spiritual and moral can also be part of it. People want to be seen as perfect couples and in the process of keeping quiet, they become victims.

I think for now, men are beginning to open up. In my social media programmes ‘MenHurtToo’ and another one, ‘MAD-V’ (Movement Against Domestic Violence), we have a lot of things in there

where men are asked to speak out about what they are going through in their relationships.

In a nutshell, we have to be our brother’s keeper. We don’t have to turn a blind eye to what is happening. We should learn to be less judgmental in such situations.

There’s no perfect person or marriage anywhere. We only strive to live right. There will be challenges. Marriage is not a bed of roses.

Marriage and counselling roles

marriage and problems, a lot of girls tend to expect that to happen in their lives. But the reality on the ground is not so. When you look at what is happening around us now, you would agree it is not working out anymore.

I usually advise couples to marry as friends before they become lovers.

Friends can help each other no matter what the challenges are, as long as they are friends. But believers in love at first sight will be too emotional to admit mistakes and carry on. Everybody tries to portray an image of a saint when they are dating. It is always good to marry someone you know and not a stranger.

A lot of people prepare for weddings and do not prepare for marriage. There’s a big difference between being prepared for marriage and weddings. When a woman is being carried away with material things and does not consider the sustainability of marriage, she can give into anything. That’s why many marriages collapse shortly after big society weddings, especially when they notice the incompatibility of the union regardless of the financial capacity. .

I think a lot of people bury their heads in the sand and bring some sort value into marriage, while others have wrong notions about marriage. This may be due to their background, but sometimes it does work.

When we read some of the books that speak about

* Efe Anaughe,

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017 — 27

Addressing fundamental gaps against gender based violence Continues from page 25 House and AlphaZulu foundations aligned their discussions with the United Nations UNiTE Campaign’s commitment for a world free from violence for all women and girls around the world via”Orange the world,” using the colour designated by the UNiTE campaign to symbolize a brighter future without violence. Organize events to orange streets, schools and landmarks.

Alamutu, who is the Chief Executive Officer, Children And The Environment, CATE foundation noted that violence rooted in cultural norms and values needed to be tackled for men to accord respect to the female folks. Her words, “Some men believe that every woman needs to be raped once in her life time. But, it is never okay to rape or touch me as a

female,” voiced the activists.

Continuing, the Green Queen added that men and boys were needed in the struggle of gender advocacy to correct psychological abuse which was worse than other abuses.

“Many girls and women’s esteem has been smashed by patriarchal norms that most times place the male over the female. This has to be corrected by getting everyone involved,” added Alamutu.

On her part, Moses-Mullard opined that the forum was to draw stakeholders to take an active role in putting the menace of gender abuse to stop at all levels.

She also added that environment, the protection of people, especially the perceived voiceless in the society and making the citizens prosperous were keys in taming women and child abuses.

Listing ways to address gender based violence issues, AlphaZulu founder said that, “It is imperative that we take this campaign to schools, because children are primarily our focus in changing the culture of violence in the society. When our children are properly educated on the dangers of abuses, the chances of them being abusers will reduce. “ added Moses-Mullard.

The human rights advocate also vowed to take the campaign and sensitization of gender issues to the Lagos House of Assembly for proper policy formulations. “We will take this campaign against gender abuse to Lagos state house Assembly, because the Parliament needs to make policies with people and not for the people,” noted the UK based activist.

Ice Cream entrepreneur, Ehime Akindele, to meet Donald Trump at Global Entrepreneurship Summit

Plateau Politics: Energising women from the other room Civil society organisations and other concerned stakeholders concerned with the dismal participation of women in politics are moving to get more of the female flock engaged in the public space.

By Marie-Therese Nanlong.

J

os – Women at different fora in Plateau State have regularly lamented their non-inclusion not only in politics but other sectors of life and consistently demanded equity in available opportunities with the claim that they can do better if given the chance.

It is in a bid to project women in the critical electoral space that political parties have at different times offered forms freely to women to contest for their parties tickets to several positions.

However, despite this gesture, few women seem to have taken the bait. In Plateau State as political parties conclude their primary elections for the Chairmanship and Councillorship seats, Vanguard checks reveals that despite the incentives that women still do not account for any measurable proportion of those contesting the local government elections due in February, 2018.

The State Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, John Akans whose party offered free forms to women and physically challenged aspirants, lamenting the poor response told Vanguard: ‘’With what we have done, only three women came out for the forms, one from Langtang North, one from Jos South and the other from Jos East. At the end of the day, we have only one female candidate that is from Jos East who won in her ward.

“Jos South had a hot contest but at the end of the day, a man won. That of Langtang North, a man also won. We didn’t promise that we will give women an automatic ticket; in areas where there were not

many aspirants, women should be considered but where there are many aspirants, we had to conduct a free and fair primary election.”

Also, the State Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bashir Sati was even more blunt. “No female candidate won the primary election for chairman though 20 women collected forms for both Chairmanship and Councillorship positions.”

He said he was yet to confirm claims that three women won tickets for councillorship positions.

The State Chairman of Action Democratic Party, ADP, Andrew Daman on his part noted, “We have 12 Chairmanship and 100 Councillorship candidates in all and four of the Councillorship candidates are female, two from Langtang North, one from Kanke and one Qua’an Pan.” However, this outcome has not deterred the Community Action for Popular Participation, CAPP, a non-governmental organization which has been strengthening citizens especially women, youths and the physically challenged as well as the security agencies on the need to get positively engaged in electoral processes from engaging more citizens in the project.

To correct the abnormality of the absence of women in the political space, the organization in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency, Manna Resources Development Centre and Action Aid organized a women forum on political party manifestoes to sensitise women and prepare them to get actively involved in subsequent elections.

The organization also sensitised security personnel from the Nigeria Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps on the need to be professional in their roles before, during and after the election.

Addressing the personnel, the Acting Executive Director, CAPP, Nelson Ananze said the programme is targeted at creating harmony between security agencies and citizens especially women, youths and the physically challenged so that none is deprived of exercising his/her civic right.

His words, “Security agencies have more coverage during the elections. Nigeria Police is recognized by law and this training is to acquaint them with the election laws. They need to know how to handle people, especially those with disability and how to handle situation during the exercise.”

Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC; Chinyere Okorie and Planji Cishak took the participants through the various roles they need to play to safeguard the electoral process and the participants promised to step-down the training in their respective offices to create a positive impact during the election period.

At the women’s forum, Ananze stressed, “A lot has been happening in the political sphere but the outcome is not encouraging. Despite their number, women, youths and the physically challenged did not get a good representation in the recently concluded party primaries. We are still working to equip the women to stand up and get engaged in the electoral processes.”

*Ehime Akindele.

By Destiny Eseaga

F

emale entrepreneur and owner of Sweet Kiwi Frozen Yogurt, Ehime Akindele has been invited as a Delegate Entrepreneur to the eighth annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit taking place in Hyderabad in India between the 28th - 30th of November, 2017.

Global Entrepreneurship Submit is a preeminent annual entrepreneurship gathering that convenes emerging entrepreneurs, investors and supporters from around the world. The theme for this

The State Director of NOA, Bulus Dabit, Professor Rahila Gowon of the University of Jos and Mrs. Helen Dabup who all spoke at the event called on women politicians to mentor young ones and tasked them to rise up and get political parties to talk about their manifestoes and actively involve women in their activities.

Dabup particularly kicked against intimidation of women politicians by their male counterparts while Professor Gowon lamented lack of clear manifestoes and party ideologies saying, “What is termed as manifestoes are mere statements not tied to any ideologies” and called for a change.

Similarly, the Centre for the Advocacy of Justice and Rights,

year ’s Summit is, “Women First, Prosperity for All” and the President of America; Donald Trump would be around to inspire participants including Ehime Akindele.

The summit seeks to support women entrepreneurs and foster economic growth globally through two and a half days of networking, mentoring, and workshops.

The summit also seeks to empower entrepreneurs, encourage them to pitch their ideas, build partnerships, secure funding, innovate, and find their target customers and most importantly creating new goods and services that will transform societies.

CAJR in partnership with International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA with support from Women for Women International –Nigeria, WFWI are not tired of training women not just on economic empowerment but advocacy and leadership skills.

The Project Officer of CAJR, Mafeng Fred, at a training tagged: “Central training on Advocacy and Effective Communication” held at Dadin Kowa, Jos South local government area for women from Riyom, Jos East and Pankshin local government areas said the women are trained to be change agents in their communities and promote positive norms by raising awareness and facilitating community dialogue.

28—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017 — 29

30—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017

Labour to African leaders: No industry, no sustainable jobs Stories by Victor Ahiuma-Young

F

EW days ago affiliates of IndustriALL Global Union, African region, gathered in Abuja, Nigeria, to mark the 2017 Africa industrialization Day, AID. AID is an annual event declared by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, UNIDO, for governments, businesses and organized labour linked to industrial development to examine ways and means to stimulate African industrialization process.

The theme of this year’s event was “African Industrial Development: A Pre-condition for Effective and Sustainable Continental Free Trade Area.”

Ahead of the AID, and on November 17, as part of labour’s activities to mark the day, Nigerian Council of IndustriALL organized 6th Policy Dialogue focusing on the 4th Industrial Revolution: Implication for Africa.

Opportunities for economic diversification The Policy Dialogue which attracted stakeholders and participants across the globe, including Brian Kohler, Director, Health, Safety and Sustainability, IndustriALL Global Union, Geneva, Switzerland, critically examined the opportunities for Africa to diversify its economy, promote mass decent employment with respect to workers’ rights within the context of digital/smart manufacturing.

However, addressing the gathering during the AID, Vice President, IndustriALL Global Union, African Region, Issa Aremu, noted that in Africa, promoting sustainable industrial policy assumed a special importance, because “Industry is a key driver of sustainable jobs and development for national economies and the foundation of good living standards.

“It does not matter whether it is the first industrial revolution, (Industry 1.0), Second Industrial Revolution (2.0) Third In-

L-R Achese Igwe, Chairman, Nigerian Chapter, IndustriALL Global Union and Issa Aremu, Vice President, Africa Region (both in white T-shirt) leading other affiliates in a rally, during the African Industrialisation Day, AID, in Abuja dustrial Revolution (Industry 3.0) or the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0), we as Africans must make what we wear (gold, rings and necklaces, clothes and textile), what we ride, (automobiles), what fuels our cars (petroleum products) what we build with (iron and steel), soaps we bathe with (chemicals and allied products) and generate energy we consume.

“We must stop exporting raw cottons, crude oil, mineral resources, gold and

Africa must make what it consumes; otherwise it will be consumed by the rest of the world

diamonds only to be importing finished goods from China, Europe and America. It does not matter whether it is small or medium scale enterprises, Africa must consume products it produces not imported or smuggled as is the case in Nigeria.”

According to him: “In 2015 Africa has as many as 1.2 billion populations. Millions of youths join the labour market annually. Only industry can provide sustainable jobs and living wages and necessary

revenues for government to provide the needed infrastructure for development.

“For Africa to meet the Sustainable Development Goal 2030, especially SDG 9 dealing with industry and innovation our continent must innovate and industrialize. Africa should stop being romantic and applauding China by the uncritical importation of goods and services. Rather Africa must copy China’s industrialization drive which has within 20 years moved over 250 million people out of poverty through manufacturing and industrialization.

Africa must make what it consumes; otherwise it will be consumed by the rest of the world.

Economic growth plan

recovery/

“Many African countries have robust documents and policies on industrialization and diversification, yet few existing industries are closing with mass job losses. It is time South Africa, Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana, Zimbabwe; Sudan and others to walk/work the policies and add value to the continent's abundant raw materials.

“Today we acknowledge and commend the Federal Government of Nigeria for launching the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.

Together with the existing National Industrial Revolution Plan, it can promote the revival of industries and the creation of mass decent jobs."

Continuing, Aremu said: “There are scores of commendable initiates by African governments on promoting wealth generation and reviving the industry; such as BuyAfrica campaign in South Africa and Buy Made-inNigeria campaign.

Buy made in Nigeria Vice President of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, has also signed three unprecedented Executive Orders mandating Government agencies to spend more of their budgets on locally produced goods and services.

These orders would help in the recovery of many factories in Nigeria. Of special importance to the textile industry is the order mandating Government agencies to spend more of their budgets on locally produced goods.

This singular order would help in the recovery of the textile and garment industry. Our current budget is N7.3 trillion.

The question is, are we to link this relatively high budget geared towards making people patronize made in Nigeria or refueling Chinese or Indian economies as we have been unacceptably doing? I think we can use this budget to turn the economy around. I am happy that a factory in Umuahia is now producing Military boots for soldiers and that alone has provided over 3000 jobs for Nigerians.”

Train, retrain to save jobs, IndustriALL urges Unions

“

WHATEVER forms of Industrialization, 1st or fourth industrial revolution there must be decent sustainable jobs for the workers with job security, living wages and living pensions.”

These were the words of African Region of IndustriALL Global Union, while commenting on the Labour dimension to Industrialisation.

Speaking through the Vice President, IndustriALL Global Union, African Region, Issa Aremu, the body implored all unions to audit the effects of the 4th Industrial revolution, of all workers.

According to him, “ whatever forms of Industrialization, 1st or fourth industrial revolution there must be decent sustainable jobs for the workers with job security, living wages and living pensions.

Businesses and owners of capital are employing robots, Machines and computers to replace workers in order to maximize profits and lower wages or even deny pay all together. Yes technology makes work easier, but they also could lead to job losses. All unions should have an audit of effects of the 4th industrial revolu-tion, of all workers.”

While emphasizing on the need to train and retrain workers, he said

“there should be education and re-training for the workers. Employers and governments should not criminalize skill gaps as a result of digitalisations of production. The Fourth Industrial Revolution calls for the need to develop skills and know-how by workers to work with digital technologies, because they will be increasingly presented in our life and work.

Otherwise the majority of African workers will be relegated to the bottom of the technology and education chain.”

Challenges for future

“Workers should not be left behind because of a lack of education and training. They should be educated for the jobs of the future, re-skilling and upskilling of workers. We should defend collective agreements that are in place, develop a list of future skills for future work, and we need to know and do things that machines cannot do well.

“We have to define how we can work with these machines - Human machine partnership, defending and improving workers’ remuneration, benefits and working conditions, job security and other workers’ rights, preserve and expand the number of jobs, strengthen the union capacity and engagement with Government on new areas of job creation.”

ILO decries weak recovery in youth labour markets

Y

OUNG people are estimated to account for over 35 per cent of the unemployed population worldwide in 2017.

While the global youth unemployment rate stabilized at 13.0 per cent in 2016, it is expected to rise slightly to 13.1 per cent this year, according to the ILO’s Global Employment Trends for Youth 2017 report.

The estimated figure of 70.9 million unemployed youth in 2017 is an important improvement from the crisis peak of 76.7 million in 2009, but the number is expected to rise by a further 200,000 in 2018, reaching a total of 71.1 million.

Globally, the sizeable increases in youth

unemployment rates observed between 2010 and 2016 in Northern Africa, the Arab States, and Latin America and the Caribbean have been offset by improvements in youth labour markets in Europe, Northern America and sub-Saharan Africa.

Overall economic growth continues to be disconnected from employment growth, and economic instability threatens to reverse observed gains in youth employment. The youthto-adult unemployment ratio has barely changed over the past decade, illustrating the ingrained and extensive disadvantages of young people in the labour market.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017- 31 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com is that one came to serve regional interests and stupendously enriched himself (each of these Nigerian Generals became billionaires in any currency), while their Zimbabwean counterparts came to save their country from utter ruin at the hands of a sit-tight

Lessons from Mugabe’s pampered exit th N 17 November 1993, General Sani Abacha, the Secretary for Defence in Chief Ernest Shonekan’s Interim National Government, had a golden opportunity to do what General Constantino Chiwenga of Zimbabwe has just accomplished to the applause of his countrymen and the rest of an admiring international community.

Abacha had calmly told Shonekan that his regime, which had been declared illegitimate by a court, had ended. He gave Shonekan a speech to read to the nation, and after that, gave him a military escort to accompany him by road from Abuja to Lagos that night. Some naïve supporters of Alhaji Moshood Abiola, the winner of the June 12 1993 presidential election which Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida had annulled on June 23 1993, eagerly awaited Abacha to invite Abiola to take the reins of power, having discharged his “patriotic” duty of removing Babangida’s contraption. If their expectation had come true, what happened recently in Zimbabwe would have

O

been a mere mimicry of a good example earlier set in Nigeria.

But, or course, Nigeria was no Zimbabwe, and Abacha was no Chiwenga. Abacha later quipped: “how can I risk my life and stage a coup only to hand it over to another person”?

Abacha had merely taken upon himself the task of further sealing the coffin of June 12, which was a regional plot of which he was the main proponent. Removing Shonekan was the completion of a power pact between him and his friend and boss, Babangida. One would, after enjoying the spoils of coup plotting, hand it over to the other. After all, they (Yakubu Gowon, Murtala Muhammad, Olusegun Obasanjo, Muhammadu Buhari, Babangida, Abacha and later on, Abdulsalami Abubakar, all full Army Generals) were determined to treat themselves to the buffet of ruling Nigeria after defeating Biafra during the civil war.

The difference between officers of the Nigerian Army and those of Zimbabwe as exemplified by Generals Abacha and Chiwenga,

How much is too much to pay for peace? Any rash deposing of Mugabe could easily have plunged the country into chaos and wars, like Muammar Gaddafi’s Libya dictator, Robert Mugabe.

The outlines of the Zimbabwe military intervention were unique in many ways. By the way, I do not classify what happened as a coup.

The government and the constitutional order were not changed, and the military did not assume power. It was merely a purge of undesirable elements, especially President Mugabe and his wife, Grace, from the corridor of power.

Mugabe, who had dominated the political landscape of Zimbabwe for 37 years was moving dangerously from the ridiculous to the preposterous when he sacked his Vice President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, preparatory to appointing his wife as his successor as the Leader of the ruling Zimbabwe African

The Obaseki Administration: Wake and See what?

I

N local parlance, the view is widely held that anyone who wants the tortoise to bleed must slaughter it in the morning. This is one way of seeing the first one year in a four-year tenure as crucial in many ways.

First, as morning shows the day, any government that is still waiting to hit the ground running after one year will eventually find itself running the government aground.

In Edo State, for instance, with 2017 virtually out, 2018 remains the only year left for real governance because politicking and electioneering campaigns for the 2020 gubernatorial election begin, in earnest, early 2019.

The Governor Godwin Obaseki Administration showed early signs of seriousness when it cleaned up the city centre and major markets in Benin Metropolis. At the city centre, he also fixed a few short streets, which were hitherto virtually impassable.

In this clime, it does not take much to impress the electorate who are largely uneducated. The microscopic performance of the Obaseki Administration in his early days also earned the Governor the appellation, “Wake and see Governor”, in apparent reference to the speed with which the actions came.

Come to think of it, what is so special about a State Administration that has confined itself to the exclusive purview of the Local Governments? In all ages, market regulation and control have been the functions of the Local Governments.

Again, this was the time when Obaseki’s case was yet at the Tribunal; but as soon as he got judgment in his favour, he went to sleep. In scoring Obaseki’s Administration abysmally low, we are not unmindful of the fact that all the feats recorded in its favour C M Y K

are easily achievable by any of the 18 Local Government Councils in Edo State.

We are reminded that prior to the total emasculation of the Local Governments in the State, the peer review mechanism among the Councils made them perform

Osadebey Avenue is today a trade outpost for Obaseki’s foreign friends from Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, having ousted the politicos “for their nuisance value” wonders. At the present rate, Obaseki cannot achieve in his entire four years, what the Pally Iriase-led Administration achieved in Owan East in its first 100 days! We also remember the likes of Henry Idahagbon who took Egor Local Government to the zenith in the first 100 days, with achievements that far outweight what Obaseki now parades for an entire year. May the time fly faster for the return of Local Government autonomy!

Nigeria is still possible. We wake and see the Akinwuni Ambode Revolution in all parts of Lagos State, particularly at the IkoroduEpe Axis; we wake and see the Ibikunle Amosu Revolution that is currently delivering thousands of decent and affordable housing stock to the people of Ogun State; in the immediate-past Administration in Edo State, we woke and saw the Storm Water Project that was designed to cure the State Capital of the perennial flooding menace; and we saw the Red Roof Revolution that swept across the entire State.

With limited resources available, nobody expects Obaseki to perform the Ambode wonders; but nobody also expects him to

National Union-Patriotic Front, ZANU-PF. If he had succeeded, only goodness knows what feisty Grace Mugabe could have turned that embattled country into.

General Constantino Chiwenga had every reason and opportunity to not only remove Mugabe with ignominy but also even kill him.

He also had every opportunity to assume power, even for a brief number of years ostensibly to organise a transition to a new democratic order. The world would have kicked. But then, the world kicked at Abacha and he ignored them for five whole years until “angels of death”, Yassir Arafat, the Palestinian leader, and American diplomats, Susan Rice and Thomas Pickering, paid their mystery visits to Nigeria, and ended the Abiola versus Abacha fight for power.

Chiwenga, instead, chose to negotiate with Mugabe without compromising on the need to send Grace Mugabe away from the country and cause the President to quit. Compared to what happened to other ousted dictators, Mugabe virtually inherited “paradise” from General Chiwenga. He is to get a $10 million severance pay, plus salary for life. When he dies, his wife will continue to collect half his salary, also for life. They are both immunised from prosecution.

What is more, a national holiday st will be observed every 21 February, which is Mugabe’s birthday. Mugabe has been happily retired, and he will live off the public treasury till he goes.

Some people are angry, even livid, that Mugabe has been rewarded for his “crimes” as one of Africa’s most notorious dictators. This is the cleanest gate-

abandon bold measures like the Storm Water Project and the Red Roof Revolution – projects that remain close to the people’s hearts. Edos want to see real projects, not sodturning the street corners around Ring Road.

You can fool some of the people some of the time but you cannot fool all the people all the time. Knowing what he had in mind, Obaseki first ostracised everybody who would point him to order, including the Party that brought him to power. He moved into Government House, leaving the Party behind. He plans to “buy” them at the appropriate time, perhaps oblivious of recent history in Edo State where elections have consistently gone against the run of spending.

Osadebey Avenue is today a trade outpost for Obaseki’s foreign friends from Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, having ousted the politicos “for their nuisance value”.

Obaseki’s Administration is on a merchandising expedition to plunder every viable asset on ground. First, it has sold (or bought?) that magnificent edifice at the Central Hospital in Benin City reputed as the best in its class in Africa. It was provided by the immediate-past administration of Adams Oshiomhole. God knows how bad Oshiomhole must be feeling to see his pet project go down the drains.

Secondly, the Edo Development and Property Authority, EDPA, the organ of government responsible for the provision of housing to the citizenry has fallen under Obaseki’s harmer. All those professionals – Engineers, Land and Estate Surveyors, Architects, Town Planners, etc., have been consigned into total uselessness and dubious underemployment, roaming around some unrelated Ministries while

away any deposed dictator in Africa has achieved. But for me, this is the most artful way of removing a rampaging bull from the china shop. The bull left the shop without breaking a thing. The Zimbabwe revolution did not cause a drop of anyone’s blood, yet it proceeded as the Army had patiently but firmly manoeuvred it. Zimbabweans are hugging their military boys and girls on the streets. Wow! Chiwenga must have learned from the experiences of other countries held in thrall for decades by autocrats. In most cases, when such people are dethroned, they are killed, sent to jail, impoverished or exiled. The country, often, is plunged into intractable, ethnic or religious wars. Mugabe had probably held on to power because of what happened to other dictators after office. To solve that anxiety, Chiwenga retired him nicely. Having done that, the General brought back Mnangagwa to complete Mugabe’s tenure of which he is a part. The country can now move on with its life.

How much is too much to pay for peace? Any rash deposing of Mugabe could easily have plunged the country into chaos and wars, like Muammar Gaddafi’s Libya. I am very happy for Zimbabweans, and I applaud all of them, particularly Chiwenga. But I hope Chiwenga does not push matters by unduly breathing down the neck of Mnangagwa. Also, I hope Mnangagwa, who does not have the rosiest of records, will respect the spirit of the revolution the constitution and govern well, democratically.

Congratulations, Zimbabwe!

Obaseki’s foreign army of occupation has taken over.

We hear that the next on line will be the information sector of the State – the Bendel Newspaper Company Limited, publishers of the Observer titles; the Edo Broadcasting Service, EBS, and the State libraries.

They are buying and selling these assets without recourse to the enabling laws – the laws that set them up, which also set out their functions and organograms – all without any recourse to the House of Assembly or anybody, for that matter. One thing is clear – our founding fathers did not establish these things as articles of trade.

Rather, they were intended for the good life of the people.

With the Edo people, though, there is a constant caveat emptor – led the buyer beware. History is replete with the fact that Edo people know what to do to get back what collectively belong to them. The Church-Gate Group was once here. After the mindless acquisition of Bendel Brewery and the Asaba Textile Mills, where are they today?

In due season, we shall see a floodgate of litigations trailing the illegal transfers of our legitimate assets. If all else fail, brute force will never fail Edo people! Time will tell.

T.S. Eliot is relevant here: “Between the idea and the reality; between the motion and the act, falls the shadow”. Every leader has to define his place in history. Obaseki still has a full year to re-invent himself and show that change can truly begin with him.

32 –Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017

LEISURE

YOUR LUCK TODAY

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139

PISCES: Your creativity quotient is enhanced today and if you demonstrate this within your working arena, you’ll earn success and consolidate on your recent progress.

ARIES: As mercury prepares to go on backward motion it is important you don’t take things for granted. Watch carefully what you agree to do.

TAURUS: Better than yesterday. Others will be willing to give you the needed co-operation both at home and within your working arena. This is a good day for lovers.

GEMINI: Those of you who are more enterprising will have much to show for your efforts. The more cooperative you. Don’t neglect love.

CANCER: You will need to re-examine both your personal ideas and advice given to you by other people. Be family minded.

It is often not the words but the message behind the words that makes a quote so meaningful. Even the shortest of quotations can convey the most powerful of messages, provide meaningful perspective, and impart hard-won wisdom.

Paul Ayoub, Inspire Me! - Inspirational Messages Problem solving skills have nothing to do with luck. Too often people who view the success of an individual or organization from outside looking in do not see the work that went into moving the yardsticks forward or in designing a new approach to a business model or in persevering when thousands of others would have given in and quit.

Byron Pulsifer, Problem Solving Skills - Luck

TERROR MUDA

in “Never say goodbye”

By Kola Fayemi

LEO: Avoided you don’t allow others to mislead you, things will not go wrong. The more willing you are to take the initiative the better for you. Take your love life more seriously.

VIRGO: Although you will need to be as secretive as you can, your success will attract others’ attention to you to the betterment of your cause. Be ambitious.

LIBRA: People who more influential than you will be willing to support your cause but you will need to make the necessary move. The more self assertive you are the better.

SCORPIO: Challenges of yesterday will today bring you good opportunities along your career/business lines to the betterment of your finances seek supporters of powerful ones.

SAGITTARIUS: Think of the best way to improve on your working pattern in order to enhance your career prospects if you listen to your creative self, things will work out fine for you. Be more loving.

CAPRICORN: Success is boldly printed on your cards today.

Think of both immediate and far future while you are savouring goodies offered you but mother nature.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

AQUARIUS: You should not have it tough while trying to win the needed supports of others. Take good advice from some of your friends who are creatively gifted.

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

What does future have for me ?

Dear Joshua, I don’t want you to publish my data. However, I want to know how the planets lined up when I was born. And which day of the week was I born, would I record success in life ? When would my success come?

Richard, Ogun Dear Richard, You were born on a Jupiter ruled day - Thursday.

You’ll succeeded earlier than you think.

Your Horoscope Data DAY OF BIRTH: THURSDAY SUN SIGN = PISCES: SUN IN 25TH DEGREE OF PISCES MOON SIGN: PISCES: MOON IN 21ST DEGREE OF PISCES MERCURY IN 28TH DEGREE OF AQUARIUS VENUS IN 28TH DEGREE OF ARIES MARS IN 7TH DEGREE OF CANCER JUPITER IN ZERO DEGREE OF AQUARIUS SATURN IN 27TH DEGREE OF CAPRICORN URANUS IN 22ND DEGREE OF LEO NEPTUNE IN 11TH DECREE OF SCORPIO PLUTO IN 6TH DEGREE OF VIRGO NORTH NODE IN 6TH DEGREE OF PISCES CARDINAL AND MUTABLE STAR SIGN HOSTED THREE PLANETS EACH, FIXED AND WATER FOUR EACH, FIRE EARTH AND AIR HOSTED TWO EACH. PUSHFUL INFLUENCE = 40% NON-PUSHFUL INFLUENCE = 60% HIGHLY HIGHLIGHTED STAR SIGN = AQUARIUS FINAL DISPOSITOR = SATURN ANALYSIS OF THE HOROSCOPE DATA Saturn as the final depositor-the most influential planet at home when you were born, pointed to you as an ambitious person who must have a well developed career. You are a disciplined person with higher degree of leadership quality in yourself.

Although, you can be emotional, you are stable and reliable.

Less than 50 per cent of push-full influence in you is an indication of your being an amiable person. Both your natal sun/moon in Pisces and Aquarius are indications of characteristic of star signs are highly pronounced in your inner-self Having your hands on public pulse will always bring you unexpected success and fulfilment.

Around your 30th birthday an endless cycle of great success and achievements will start for you. Oil-petrol chemicals will feature in your life when the predicted great cycle starts for you.

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

HOME & ABROAD

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017—33 :Vanguard News

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‘Why NDDC board’s tenure can’t expire in Dec’

By Oboh Agbonkhese

A

legal practitioner, Mr. Jesutega Onokpasa, has described calls for termination of the tenure of the present board of Niger Delta D e v e l o p m e n t Commission, NDDC, as “a most perplexing trend” by “ rabblerousers” who want “to unilaterally rewrite the enabling law for the National Assembly.”

In an open letter to Dr.

Bukola Saraki, the Senate President, Mr. Onokpasa said: “The present NDDC Board as led by Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba and Nsima Ekere, Chairman and Managing Director, respectively, did not meet any board member on ground when it took over; did not join up with any other members from the board it succeeded, has no reference point whatsoever, from the point of view of tenure

with the erstwhile board.

“Therefore, this board cannot possibly be envisaged under any legal parameters as liable to exit their offices with persons no longer on the board.”

In the letter copied Speaker of the House of Representatives, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Attorney General of the Federation, Onokpasa argued that “contrary to

what the rather rascally elements who are already arrogantly accusing the Presidency of corruption if the board is not dissolved in December are calling for, is actually dissolving the board in December. That would constitute a monumental illegality since there is simply no mechanism in the enabling law of the NDDC vide which the tenure of a fresh board could be so abridged.”

Firm to boost LPG market with 5,000 metric tons facility

By Egufe Yafugborhi

W

A R R I — M A J O R downstream player, Matrix Energy, has promised steady supply of affordable Liquified Petroleum Gas, LPG, when its 5,000 metric tons storage facility opens in December at Ifiekporo, Warri South Local Government Area, Delta State.

Chief Operation Officer of the major fuel importer, Luqman Salam-Alada, gave the assurance yesterday while hosting members of

the Nigerian Association of LPG Marketers, NALPGAM, who visited the company’s tank farm.

“Each of the 2,500 storage tanks is equivalent to five million litres.

"We have done the first test run. By weekend, we will do the second test run and hopefully by December we will commence operation.

“The idea is to make the product readily available, accessible and affordable to consumers. We have also made arrangement with four companies for the product so that we do not run out of supply,” SalamAlada stated.

Fight against payroll fraud evidence-based —Bayelsa govt

By Samuel Oyadongha

T

VISIT: From left: Marketing Director, Reckitt Benckiser, West Africa, Ms Aliza Leferink; Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of the Environment, Mr Abiodun Bamgboye; Marketing Manager, Reckitt Benckiser, West Africa, Mrs Bamigbaiye-Elatuyi Omotola and Director, Environmental Services, Lagos State Ministry of the Environment, Dr. Iyabo Phillips, at the RB West Africa Team courtesy visit to the Ministry in Lagos.

New NDDC Bill: Gas firms'll remit 3 percent to N-Delta Companies will no longer have any excuse not to pay —Saraki

By Henry Umoru

A

BUJA—THE S e n a t e , yesterday, finally reviewed and amended the Niger Delta D e v e l o p m e n t Commission, NDDC, Establishment Act of 2000, to make it mandatory for International Oil and Gas Companies to set aside three percent of their budget for the development of the Niger Delta region.

The Bill for an Act to amend Niger Delta D e v e l o p m e n t C o m m i s s i o n (Establishment, etc) Act, 2000, and for other matters connected therewith, was yesterday read the third time and passed.

The Bill, which was sponsored by Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, PDP, Delta North, was read for the first time on July 26, 2017, read the second time and referred to the Senate Committee on Niger Delta for further legislative action.

The Bill is intended to augment and strengthen the Principal Act so as to clarify certain provisions of the Act, obliterate obvious lacuna and propel the Commission towards excellent service delivery, which will in turn impact positively on the Niger Delta Region and the nation in general.

The bill will also clarify certain provisions of the Act and to provide for prompt remittance of funds due to the

Commission and penalties for delay or default.

Meanwhile, Senate President Bukola Saraki, who presided, said that with the passage of the bill, these oil companies and other stakeholders in the gas sector will now be mandated by law to remit the three per cent to the Niger Delta region, just as he said that this would help to boost the revenue base of the NDDC to carry out some projects as well as arrest youth restiveness in the region.

Earlier in his presentation, sponsor of the Bill, Senator Nwaoboshi, said that gas processing companies have not paid the 3% statutory fund to the NDDC, adding:

“However, Section 14 of the Act which provides for fund for the Commission has been strengthened to ensure prompt release of statutory funds to the Commission.

“There are adequate statutes to ensure proper utilisation of the funds, more so, the National Assembly will definitely carry out its oversight function over the Commission, to ensure accountability in the utilisation of the fund.

“Accordingly, it is imperative to amend the Niger Delta D e v e l o p m e n t C o m m i s s i o n (Establishment, etc) Act, 2000, so as to pave the way for more efficient running of the commission."

HE Chief of Staff to Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Talford Ongolo, has dismissed as untrue, the claims by some politicians in the state that the ongoing crusade against pay roll fraud and reforms in the state and Local Government service are selective, saying the ongoing reforms are evidence -based.

Ongolo said the state government is unperturbed by failed attempts to blackmail its

officials and propaganda against the Governor Seriake Dickson Administration, adding that the ongoing reforms have saved the Local Government and state services millions of naira through discoveries and blockage of leakages.

He made this known in Yenagoa at the two day capacity building training and workshop programme for Media Practitioners in Bayelsa State with the theme: “Modern Information Management: The role of Media Organisations, changing the narrative of Bayelsa State.”

Ekimogun Day festival holds Dec 2

By Tare Youdeowei

E

KIMOGUN Day Festival, an annual socio-cultural

Garden of Life Assembly holds Festival of Seed

G

ARDEN of Life Assembly will on December 3, hold its annual Adult Festival of Seed 2017, at the church premises, All Saints Lane, opposite Izisco Obus Marine School, Ugborikoko, Effurun, Delta State.

The guest speaker, Apostle Peculiar Akpata and Chief Host, Archbishop Edward Orovwuje and other anointed men of God will be in attendance.

event of the indigenous people of Ondo Kingdom comes up December 2.

A statement by Mr. Abiodun Akinjayeju, Chairman of Ekimogun Day Festival National Planning Committee, said this year's edition marks the 30th anniversary of the festival.

The festival will feature folk songs, story-telling and traditional games competition (‘ayo olopon’, draught, etc.) as well as primary school debates.

A major highlight of this year’s celebration is the festival’s 30th Anniversary Lecture titled: Forging Yoruba Unity and Cohesion through Cultural Renaissance, to be delivered by His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife.

34—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017 :Vanguard News

Abia Police release 100 residents detained over revenue

By Ugochukwu Alaribe

A

BA—POLICE Area Commander in Aba, Abia State, Peter Opara, has ordered the release of over 100 residents arrested by a revenue agent and detained at the premises of the command.

The revenue agent, who claimed to be an ad hoc staff of the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency, ASEPA, Aba office, was alleged to have engaged some Policemen and thugs to arrest residents of Ngwa and Obohia roads over alleged nonpayment of revenue.

ACP Opara told Vanguard that he came to office to see over 100 residents, including children, at the

command.

He made inquiries and discovered that they were arrested over revenue matters and ordered for their immediate release as well as the detention of the revenue agent.

The Area Commander said he had contacted some government officials in the city, who denied sending anyone to arrest residents over revenue.

He asked: “Why would anybody arrest residents and dump them at the premises of the Police Area Command without my knowledge?

“Some of these revenue agents are dropping my name, saying the Area Commander signed for the arrest and detention.

Am I a revenue collector?”

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‘20m Nigerian women are victims of genital mutilation’

By Dennis Agbo

E

NUGU—ABOUT 20 million girls and women have been victims of Female Genital Mutilation, FGM, in Nigeria out of 200 million women and girls that have been cut worldwide, making it the highest in any single country.

This was revealed by health, religious and media development experts, who also solicited the cooperation of media

practitioners in the campaign to end Female Genital mutilation, FGM, in the country.

The experts spoke in Enugu during a one-week workshop to sensitise electronics media practitioners on the gravity of FGM as a social and health challenge.

The workshop, organised by Global Media Campaign to End FGM, Onelife Initiative for Human Development and Human Dignity

Foundation, was designed to train radio journalists on how to reach listeners in the rural and urban communities on the need to abandon FGM. The experts include Dr. Christopher Ugboko from the Federal Ministry of Health, Gashe Division, Abuja; Reverend Chinedu Nwoye, Senior Special Adviser to the Enugu State Governor; Sola Fagorusi, Programmes and Media Manager of Onelife

Initiative for Human Development.

Others were Dr. Wilberforce Oti, activist, clergy and lecturer at the Ebonyi State University; Professor Sunday Adeoye of the National Obstetric Fistula Centre, NOFIC, Ebonyi and Stephen Kwetey, multiple awardwinning radio journalist from Joy FM, Ghana.

They urged radio journalists in Nigeria to be vanguard of the campaign against FMG.

IRG faults NJC on appointment of justices

By Emeka Mamah the Court of Appeal,

E

NUGU—THE Igbo Renaissance has faulted the claim by the Nigeria Judicial Council, NJC, that Ndigbo were not shortchanged in the recent appointment of Appeal Court justices, saying the South-East zone was actually sidelined in the process.

The National Secretary of the group, Chief Roland Eze, said by convention, each of the states in the country were supposed to have three serving justices of

adding that while Kwara State for example will have four by the new arrangement, Enugu and Abia States will have two each, as no candidate was interviewed from the east by the NJC, despite the short-listing of qualified candidates from the area.

He told Vanguard, “it is difficult to know what magic the NJC used in arriving at this awkward arrangement, whereby the South-East will have 13 serving justices in the Court of Appeal, while all other zones had 15 or 16.”

Speed limiter has reduced accidents in Enugu—FRSC

By Dennis Agbo

T

HE Federal Roads Safety Commission, FRSC, has disclosed that with increased usage of the speed limiting device, particularly by commercial motorists, road crashes have reduced drastically in Enugu State.

FRSC said the device reduced crashes with about 50 percent, noting that from recorded incidences of 212 road traffic crashes in 2016, the speed limiter reduced it to 159 in 2017 in Enugu State.

It also disclosed that with the use of the device, deaths record from the crashes in the outgoing years fell to 79 as against 107 recorded last year.

The state Sector Commander of FRSC, Mr. Edward Zamber, made the disclosures at the flag off of 2017 Ember Months campaign mega rally in Enugu.

Speaking, Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries, Mr. Johan Doyer, said the objective of the Don’t Drink and Drive campaign was to discourage drunk-driving and improve safety on Nigeria roads.

Doyer, who was represented by his company’s Sustainability and Regulatory Relations Manager, Mr. Edem Vinda, stated that the company has since inception engaged over 16,000 drivers and other road users in 40 cities and towns across the country.

LECTURE: From left—Publisher & Editor-in-Chief, Global Patriot Newspapers, Mr. Ibe Simon; CSR Lead, Airtel Nigeria, Ms. Chioma Okolie, and former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, during the presentation of Patriot Award for Excellence in CSR to Airtel Nigeria at the newspaper' s second anniversary lecture and awards in Lagos.

Defection drama: Ojukwu’s son, political balloon— Anambra govt A

NAMBRA State government has described Chukwuemeka Ojukwu Jnr., son of late Ikemba of Nnewi, as an inflated political balloon that has no electoral value or consequence in Igboland, the South-East and the entire country and as such, is politically inconsequential, without any base.

Senior Special Assistant on Media and Strategic Communications to the Governor of Anambra State, Prince Oliver Okpala, made the assertion in response to Ojukwu Junior ’s statement and defection to All Progressives Congress, APC. He said: “It is now very clear from his action that Ojukwu junior cannot claim to have the same sound intellectual background or pedigree with the late Ikemba ,even though he is a direct son of the Ikemba.

“It is a matter of pure pathetic fallacy for the Junior Ikemba to say that Governor Obiano is lobbying him to come back to APGA, which he claimed

he won’t accept.

“One wonders on what ground anybody would ever lobby him to return to APGA, while he never held any important position to warrant being described as a stakeholder or a leader of the party when he was in APGA. “In fact, nobody knew that he was a member of the party, so on what grounds was he relevant to the fold?

“Though too many people have linked their paternity to the late Ikemba because of his greatness, only the late leader can say who is who.

“In his lifetime, the Great Ikemba was the champion of the struggle for the rights and emancipation of his people, standing firm with his Igbo brothers and sisters, never betraying their cause.

“But for anybody associated with the great Ikemba to work against the political interest of his people is to say the least an act of monumental betrayal and grand treachery."

“I wonder what the Great Ikemba would be thinking when his supposed son openly denied the only political entity which he left for us the Igbo as a unifying political umbrella.”

Reactions trail Imo 2018 budget saga

By Chinonso Alozie

O

W E R R I — GOVERNOR Rochas Okorocha of Imo State’s failed presentation of 2018 budget has continued to generate reactions.

It will be recalled that Okorocha planned to present the state budget on Tuesday. But it turned out to be a drama, when lawmakers did not show up for the budget presentation.

Following this development, a cross section of stakeholders, who spoke to Vanguard in Owerri, said the

lawmakers should not be taken serious and that they woke up from their slumber very late, while some were of the view that it was never late to correct their mistakes.

Others argued that the lawmakers should not shift from their demands of a formal report from the governor on the performance of the three years budget since the inception of his administration.

First to react was a coalition of civil society organisations on the platform of Citizens Accountability Assembly,

CAA, led by Mr. Chidi Igwe, who described the drama as a huge embarrassment and not in tune with the required practice.

Speaking also, the Director General of New Media, Imo State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Aic Akwarandu, said: “Nothing will make me take the present House of Assembly serious. They have woken up very late, which to me is because of their 2019 ambition.

“As for Okorocha and his administration, nothing impresses me about them anymore."

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017—35 :Vanguard News

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Taraba teachers protest LG autonomy

By John Mkom

J

A L I N G O — TEACHERS, on the platform of Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT, Taraba State chapter, stormed the state House of Assembly yesterday, protesting the proposed local government autonomy.

Speaking during the protest, state Chairman of NUT, Mr. Peter Julius, said: “We want management, funding and payment of primary school teachers’ salaries to

SWEARING IN:

From left—Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State (left) congratulating Chairman, Offa Local Government Area, Mr. Lateef Gbadamosi, after swearing in of 16 elected local government chairmen in the state at Government House, Ilorin.

Gov Bello kicks against grazing bill

By Boluwaji Obahopo

L

O K O J A — GOVERNOR Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has kicked against the antigrazing laws enacted by some of his colleagues in Benue and Taraba states, saying herdsmen were welcome to graze in any part of the state.

Governor Bello stated this during an emergency state security stakeholders’ meeting attended by traditional rulers, Fulani settlers, political administration and security personnel over incessant clash between Fulani herdsmen and farmers.

Bello added that the herdsmen can call their kinsmen displaced in other states to Kogi State.

The traditional ruler of Elete, Chief Ahmed Aku, who was kidnapped last year by herdsmen, had advised the governor to follow the example of Benue and Ekiti governors.

Herders to get rep in traditional, state councils However, Bello responded passionately, saying, “I will not enact any law to stop Fulani herdsmen from coming to Kogi State. I will not be part of any law that will forbid them from carrying out their normal business in Kogi State.

“Why don’t we develope a law that will make us live together harmoniously and tap from our different economic values?

“The next ‘oil’ this country is rediscovering now is agriculture. So if you don’t want anybody to disrupt the farms, I beseech you to also allow the Fulani carry out their businesses.”

... reads riot act to monarchs, LG bosses

The governor also threatened to dethrone any traditional ruler whose domain was used as a battle ground between farmers and herdsmen.

His words: “We will

Adamawa budgets N162.7bn for 2018

By Umar Yusuf

Y

OLA—GOVERNOR Muhammadu Jibrilla of Adamawa State has presented a budget estimate of N162.7 billion for 2018 service year to the state House of Assembly.

While presenting the budget proposal christened Budget of Hope and Empowerment, to the Assembly yesterday, Governor Jibrilla explained that massive infrastructure development, education, health agriculture, housing and urban development

were top priority of the budget proposal.

Receiving the proposal, Speaker of the House, Kabiru Mijinyawa, stated that the timely presentation of the budget estimate will hasten its early passage .

Mijinyawa appreciated the level of progress made on the 2017 budget and promised that 2018 budget will be passed before end of year.

Recall that the governor presented a budget of N105,459,016,000 to the House of Assembly for the outgoing year.

dethrone any traditional ruler of the land where such occurred; including removing any administrator of such local government—appointed or elected.”

Bello directed the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to ensure the Fulani were integrated into the traditional council area of all the local government areas of the state.

He ruled: “There must, henceforth, be a representative of Fulani in

the local traditional council.

This must also be replicated at the area traditional council, while the Secretary to the State Government must see that a Fulani representative is present at the state council.

“This will ensure that the Fulani are aware of, and are part of decision making in the state.”

He also directed his Special Adviser on Security Matters, Jerry Moodart, to commence the process of taking census of Fulani resident in all the 21 councils in the state.

FIRS shuts firms in Onne, P-Harcourt, Lagos

T

HE Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, yesterday, shut the premises of tax-defaulting firms in Port Harcourt and Onne, Rivers State.

An FIRS enforcement team, led by Mr. Bukar Gana, shut down operations at West Atlantic Shipyard in Federal Ocean Terminal, Onne, which has tax debts of $1.4 million and £800,580.

The team also shut down Delmar Petroleum Company Limited at 24B Rumuola Road, Port Harcourt, which owes N198,153,033.60 in Company Income Tax, from 2013.

J

OS—PLATEAU State government has sealed over 50 illegally-operated private schools in the state.

It also realised about N15 million as fine paid by some of the penalised schools.

The Commissioner for Secondary Education, Mr. Joseph Mairiga, who disclosed this yesterday while speaking with Vanguard in his office in Jos, said the aim of the monitoring exercise was not about raising revenue, but ensuring that school children got the best as private schools adhere to laid down rules for their establishment.

He said: “We are trying to sanitise and revamp the education sector and make sure we create a status for education, because we want the best for the Plateau child. We want their future to be good.

“We do not want schools

operating in someone’s house or church in a mushroom manner. We have sealed over 50 schools so far across the state. The closure is not a permanent one, but informing them to come and formalise their existence.

“We will still serve the schools with letters, giving them specific time to come and rectify whatever issues they have and after the time elapses, if they refuse, total closure will follow.

“We have generated a reasonable amount of money from the exercise: over N15 million. When others that were penalised for the illegality pay their fines, it will be more than that amount.”

Mairiga called on parents to have background checks on schools before registering their children, adding that “besides academic, children need space for physical exercise, which is also part of learning.”

On Tuesday, an FIRS team in Lagos sealed the premises of Prestige Assurance Plc, located at 28 Ligali Ayorinde Street, Victoria Island, over unpaid taxes amounting to N225.7 million. It also sealed Courtville Business Solutions at Yaba area of the metropolis over an aggregate debt of N92.8 million.

Equally affected was Vetiva Fund Management Limited, which owes N25.9 million, Lhannel Oil and Gas Petroleum Limited with a liability of N12.9 million and Lad Group Limited, located at 24 Abimbola Road, Isolo, N11.7 million.

Kebbi Fire Service gets 7 vehicles

By Kabir Dankatsina

Plateau seals 50 schools

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

remain with the state government, if autonomy is to be granted to local government in the country.

“As a second option, salaries of primary school teachers can be drawn through first line charge from the federal account.”

Responding, the Speaker, Abel Diah, said the House will not compromise the future of the state, adding “I want to assure you that by the time we go through your complains, we will ensure that teachers’ salaries are kept in a safe place.”

B

IRNIN KEBBI— KEBBI State government has bought seven fire-fighting vehicles for the state fire service to tackle fire disaster re-occurrence in the state.

The Chairman, State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Alhaji Sani Dododo, disclosed this in a stakeholders meeting in Birnin Kebbi, yesterday.

According to him, SEMA summoned the stakeholders— electricity firms, Fire Service, FRSC, VIO, NOA, traditional rulers, vigilante, the Police, NUJ and NCSDC officials— to a meeting and discussed on how to minimise the occurrence of fire disaster in the state.

Dododo said: “The vehicles will be stationed at fire service offices, while extinguishers will be provided all ministries, departments, boards and commissions.”

Book launch

T

HE much-awaited book, “Views from America: A Sojourner’s Memoirs- A Repertoire of Action for Nigeria’s Development,” by Dr. Acho Orabuchi, a Nigerian in the Diaspora, will be officially unveiled on December 28 in Owerri, Imo State by 11a.m.

The foreword to the book is written by Ike Ekweremadu, Deputy

Senate President and Femi Adeshina, Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, while its preface was penned by a former Governor of Imo State, Dr. Ikedi Ohakim.

The 253-page book of 11 chapters was edited by Edwin Nwachukwu, a Senior Editor with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017—36

INSTANT APARTMENT'S WEB: From left— General Manager, Instant Apartment, Mr. Ferdinand Agwueye; Managing Director, ReHob Energy, Mr. Rere Obiasi; Managing Director/CEO, Instant Apartment, Mr. Ubi Franklin, and Head, Legal/Quality Control, Instant Apartment, Mr. Franklin Agbor, during the launch of Instant Apartment www.instantapartment.com, a new web-based apartment rental platform, in Lagos.

EXHIBITION: From left— Vice President/Chairman, Nigeria Agribusiness Group/Best Foods Limited Farms Ltd., Mr. Emmanuel Ijewere; Business Manager, Southern & Western Africa, CASE IH, Mr. William Murengami, and CEO/Country Manager, Dizengoff Nigeria, Mr. Antti Ritvonen, during the annual Agro Innovate Exhibition & Conference in Lagos.

EMPOWERMENT: From left— Regional Sales Director, West & Central Africa, Robert Bosch Ltd., Ghana, Benjy Ofori; Country Sales Director, Robert Bosch Ltd, Nigeria, Frank Diermann; President, Professional Carpenter & Furniture Makers Association of Nigeria, PCFA, Anthony Aluko, and Zonal Chairman, Nigerian Welders Association, Alhaji Ola Balogun, during the Bosch Empowerment Programme at the National Stadium, Lagos.

EBUTE-OJO FERRY TERMINAL: From left— Staff, Lagos State Waterways Authority, Toyese Adewopo; General Manager, Business Development, SIFAX Group, Saheed Lasisi; Executive Secretary, Lagos State Waterways Authority, Falase Pekun; Legal Manager, SIFAX Group, Lara Bello, and Maritime Consultant, Captain Ibraheem Olugbade, during the formal handover ceremony of the Ebute-Ojo Ferry Terminal to SIFAX Group by Lagos State Government.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017 — 37

38 — VANGUARD, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017 — 39

40—Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017

08070524223

How to tackle smuggling by a Customs Officer in print

By Prisca Sam-Duru

T

hough Nigeria is West Africa’s biggest economy and one of the economic powerhouses on the continent, it continues to limp in terms of economic performances and as to how its potentials translate to the welfare of its citizens.

One of the culprits is smuggling of goods and services.

It is common knowledge that goods worth billions of Naira are smuggled into and outside the country annually without the requisite revenues getting into government coffers. This stems from outright violation of laid down customs laws by smugglers exploiting our porous borders to corruption in the system.

As a way of proffering solution to the leakages in the system, a Customs officer, Dr. Musa Omale (an Assistant Comptroller of Customs, AC) and a lawyer has published the book detailing how the hydra-headed monster can be tackled.

The book which is due for launch in Abuja on November 30, is a highly commended effort of Dr.Omale, a celebrated Customs officer and lawyer.

In the 388-page book titled Appraisals of the Crime of Smuggling in Nigeria, Omale, a Ph.D graduate of Law from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka gave insight into the primary purpose of the establishment of the Nigerian Customs and Excise, the various initiatives to

combat smuggling and maximise government revenues/earnings from imported and exported goods among other insightful details.

The author uses the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA), the legal instrument for enforcing operations, to establish his facts, observations and recommendations.

According to the book:The Act which was established in 1958 under the Queen of En-

Appraisal of the Crime of Smuggling in Nigeria; Dr. Musa Omale ; DeAdroit Innovation, Enugu ;PP: 388; 2017

gland, Elizabeth II (when Sir James Wilson Robertson was the Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief of the country), was enacted to regulate the management and collection of |Customs and Excise Duties, and other purposes ancillary therefore, including prescriptions of penalties for any infringements of the law.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is therefore the Federal Agency and custodian, and administrator of the

CEMA which spells out various responsibilities and the formation of sub-bodies and agencies through which it would carry out its work effectively.

The author, who described the book as ‘the contribution of a serving customs officer, lawyer and scholar to alleviate the dearth of books in this area of law in Nigeria’, attempted to marshal his points via nine chapters. They include General Introduction, Origin and Nature of the Crime of Smuggling, Legal Framework for Combating the Crime of Smuggling, Causes of Smuggling, Effects of Smuggling, PreventiveMeasures Against Smuggling, Enforcement Measures Against Smuggling, Institution of Proceedings Under the Customs and Excise Management Act and Conclusion.

The book utilises simple language to buttress its points though, the author is a lawyer that could as well resort to legal jargons.

The current Comptroller-General of Customs (C-G-C), Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd) in his foreword to the book, described it as “an indispensable tool in the hands of Customs and other relevant regulatory bodies.” The book is also recommended for not only undergraduates and graduate students, but for legal practitioners and members of the public most of whom are scarcely aware of the peculiar features of the crime of smuggling’

RecCyclart: Emerging art pieces from waste... as four finalists win N1m each

By Elizabeth Uwandu

I

n order to correct the erroneous notion that Nigerians are poor in waste management, Sterling Bank Plc recently organised the maiden edition of ReCyclArt to empower young artists and emerging talents to use recycled and discarded waste materials for art in public spaces.

So, it was overwhelming that the call for the competition saw about 630 entries nationwide where 16 finalists were selected by judges led by renowned sculpture, Mr. Olu Amoda.

However, after the 16 finalists submitted their created miniatures versions of their proposed works for exhibition during the recently held African Culture and Design Festival (ACDF) that had architects, designers and art connoisseurs from about 100 countries in attendance, where the savvy audience and the panel of judges appraised

these works; only four emerged winners at the grand finale held at the British Council in Lagos.

The finalists who won N1m each, selected by zones saw Ifedilichukwu Chibuike from Abuja zone with its entry- Devolution of power made from recycled wine bottles of different sizes critically examined the Nigerian political system and the agitation for restructuring. While Samson Ogundeji from Ogun zone with its entry, Egungun which depict the rich cultural festival in honour of great personalities of Egbas, Egbada, Awori Otta people of Ogun state Yoruba.

Others winners were Udeh Charles from Rivers zone with its entry-Soiled soil and Dudu Emmanuel from Lagos zone with its entry: Undressed Identity.

Expressing delight as one of the winners, Chibuike, an indigene of Enugu state said, “This is the first time I am winning an

award in art work. I am happy and overwhelmed.

My name as an artist is being defined today by the award.”

The Fine and Applied Art graduate further said that he would use part of the money to scale up the gigantic part of the winning art work, open a studio and a gallery and be involved in the production of art works and also promote art in schools.

Chief Marketing Officer, Sterling Bank, Mr. Henry Bassey said ReCyclArt was initiated by the bank to inspire a new generation of Nigerian artists and the art genre. “It is about using the power of the arts to awaken the citizenry to the need for a change of attitude in how they relate to the environment and rethink how items that should be recycled can be disposed in a creative manner,” Bassey said.

The event attended by senior officials of the bank.

Anambra: Why all hands must be on deck

By Ikechukwu Amaechi HILE election observers, civil W society organisations and, indeed, many Nigerians were applauding the

conduct of the November 18, Anambra governorship poll and the roles played by the stakeholders including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, political parties, their candidates and the electorate, I came across an advertorial in the Vanguard newspaper of Thursday, November 23, 2017, titled, "Anambra election: Let truth be told," which was a counter-narrative.

Signed by Evangelist Elliot UgochukwuUko, founder of Igbo Youth Movement and Deputy Secretary of the Professor Ben Nwabueze-led Igbo Leaders of Thought, the opening paragraph painted the picture of Armageddon – a battle between the forces of good and evil where demonic forces prevailed.

"A very dangerous precedent is being set by government agents, apologists and all sorts of hypocrites and sycophants, who are applauding the Saturday November 18, 2017, governorship election in Anambra," was the opening salvo.

Why? The advertorial gave two reasons – alleged abysmally low voter turnout and brazen monetary inducement of voters.

"Whereas INEC officially acknowledged that more than 75 per cent of the 2.2 million voters who collected their PVCs stayed away, observers on ground believe that more than 90 per cent stayed away.

"But for the inflated figures and the induced "multiple" voters, the grand total of votes cast would have been less than 100,000 instead of the over 400,000 votes bandied about by master riggers.

"The repulsive cash payments made openly by two political parties at the polling booths are enough to cancel the election and a re-run ordered. The sickening applause by praise singers and other cheer leaders who are actually celebrating the false narrative that the November 18, election was free and fair, is the beginning of the death of Nigeria."

What followed next was a most egregious

For the sake of the Southeast, it is important that Anambra gets it right. But the state can only get it right when the people, no matter their political or religious persuasion, come together allegation: “The central government refuses to investigate, prosecute those behind it and even nullify such dubious elections, probably because the party that was awarded victory does not represent a threat to the ruling party.”

And then the apocalyptic prediction! “As we accept this horrifying anomaly as valid and commendable elections, we are only preparing the death of Nigeria.”

No doubt, this is the kind of narrative that nobody wants after the relatively free and fair poll because it is not only patently false and beyond the pale but also because it is hard to fathom the purpose other than once again to muddy Anambra political waters.

Most Nigerians expected the worst on November 18, given what is known of the state’s political temperament and antecedents of the gladiators but what transpired pleasantly surprised everyone.

To claim that APGA was awarded victory for whatever reason is an insult to the electorate who queued despite the odds to elect their governor.

For an election that produced many firsts – record number of candidates (37), a fascinating pre-election debate and historic win (the incumbent governor won in all the 21 local government areas, defeating the other 36 candidates, some in their wards), it will be uncharitable to call it a sham.

To dismiss such an epochal election, where most of the political heavyweights

in the state were active participants as an unmitigated charade is to stretch the limits of falsehood and that is not what the state needs right now.

This is a time to come together and build Anambra. And the task of building a state is a collective effort. The government only drives the initiative and gives the momentum the required push. Obiano is the catalyst but those who contested against him also have something to bring to the table. Now that Anambrarians have spoken and loudly too, it behoves all to rally behind him for the sake of the state.

It is heartwarming that none of the aspirants is threatening to challenge the outcome of the poll in court. That will be a waste of everybody’s time unless there are proven cases of electoral malfeasance because in a country where there is little or no difference between private and public purse, the incumbent will use the people’s patrimony which would have been expended on public cause(s) to defend himself in court.

For the sake of the Southeast, it is important that Anambra gets it right. But the state can only get it right when the people, no matter their political or religious persuasion, come together. The fundamentals that will spur development in Alaigbo resonate in Anambra. The state harbours the growth drivers – human resources, putative industries, blossoming markets – which knock-on effect will lift Alaigbo from economic doldrums.

And the reason is simple. While Enugu remains the de facto political capital of the region just as Ibadan is the political capital of the Southwest, Anambra State should be, and indeed, has become to the region what Lagos State is to the Southwest – the economic and financial hub.

APGA as the political vehicle that conveyed Obiano to power is also important in this renaissance journey. The party must ensure that the state lives true to the tenets of its motto – Light of the nation. But since charity, to borrow a cliché, begins at home, Anambra must be the light of Alaigbo first.

To make this dream come true, all hands must be on the axiomatic deck. Obiano must, in deference to the will of the people, extend a hand of friendship and fellowship to all the stakeholders. That is the import of his resounding mandate. His should be an inclusive government. To do otherwise is to claim the status of an emperor. That was not and can never be the intent of those who gave him the clear and emphatic victory.

Obiano must avoid the temptation of triumphalism. The victory, as grand and audacious as it is should not be an opportunity to look down on the other contestants. Rather, it should be a wakeup call. He should be magnanimous in victory because the ultimate goal is the good of Ndi Anambra.

There is, strictly speaking, no victor, no vanquished. The only winners are Anambrarians whose democratic credentials have been burnished by the outcome of the poll.

Therefore, the 36 other contestants must join hands with the governor in building Anambra and making it a model state.

Patriotism should trump partisan politics right now. This is the time to deliver the much talked about “democracy dividends” to the people through good governance.

That is the least they deserve for their tenacity and vote of confidence in him.

Democracy must begin to deliver on its promises through the people who have been mandated to make authoritative allocation of collective values on behalf of the others.

Grabbing Obiano’s hand of fellowship by his rivals is the surest proof that in seeking the state’s political diadem, his competitors were also motivated by the common good. The election is over. Now is the time to build.

Such cooperation will not only place Anambra in an enviable place in the country’s comity of states but also portend good for the Southeast.

Ikechukwu Amaechi is the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, TheNiche on Sunday newspaper, Ikeja, Lagos.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017 --- 41

*From left: Mr. Ekuma Eze, Public Affairs Manager (East/Central), Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC); Dr. Bala Mohammed, Lecturer, Bayero University; Mrs. Sade Morgan, Legal, Public Affairs and Communication Director, NBC and Mr. Aminu Mohammed, Public Affairs Manager, Abuja and Northern region, NBC during the NBC/Coca-Cola Hellenic Youth Empowered Workshop held in Kano.

437 foreign medical students fail Medical Dental Council of Nigeria exam

By Elizabeth Uwandu No fewer than 437 Nigerian foreign-traind doctors, failed the Medical & Dental Council of Nigeria, MDCN examination at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, UITH. According to some doctors who exclusively spoke to Vanguard, they alleged that a top source in UITH initially hinted that about 500 doctors passed the assessment examination, only for the MDCN through its Registrar, Dr Tajudeen Sanusi to release a statement that only 243 actually passed. One of the students, describing the result as a ploy to undermine foreign trained doctors, said that the irregularities that characterised the entire process of the examination from registration to the writing of the examination, were questionable. Some of the irregularities listed included: lack of coherent preparation for the students ; no cohesive curriculum and baseless marking scheme; high cost of verification and registration fees; including an alleged last minute change of questions by the MDCN and the stress they went through in the course of three months preparations for the exam among others. Recall that Vanguard published a scoop where the foreign medical students complained of victimization by Dr Tajudeen Sanusi, Registrar of MDCN ahead of the assessment examination slated for early November this year. The foreign trained medical doctors also complained that since the day they heard about the results, they have been exposed to emotional and physical trauma. "Sanusi not only insulted us for studying

abroad, but allegedly brought another question on the morning of the exam. Obi Chukwubuike, one of the students alleged that "from what I heard, Ilorin submitted questions for us but Sanusi came that morning and put his own questions and that was why there was delay and mix up of names but I am surprised to see that Sanusi only released 243.” Another doctor who craved anonymity said the results were manipulated.

“I just confirmed again from a reliable source that over 500 names were given to MDCN to upload. But, I am surprised the story from UITH contradicts the one from MDCN,” added the doctor. He continued: “In Multiple Choice Questions, MCQ, Dr Adedoyin, Chairman of the examination committee confirmed that 91% of us passed and he said that we have residual

knowledge. So in other words, if at all we failed, we failed picture test that we were not taught properly, and Objective Structured Clinical Examination, OSCE because we were not taught properly. This means that the three months remedial was baseless?" questioned the doctor.

Call for scrap of remedial programme For a doctor who gave his name as Dr Nuhu, "since Dr Sanusi saw foreign-trained doctors as incompetent, what was the need for remedial?" Dr Nuhu said that when the Registrar, Dr Sanusi paid them a visit on November 6th, 2017 at the UITH, his response to their complaints about a proper structure for the programme was that most of the doctors were unqualified for the MDCN assessment examination.

Dr Nuhu quoted Dr Sanusi as

saying,”We train you in clinical medicine and dentistry to use your medulla not diagnostic medicine that is automated, which you were taught. I am sure based on your SSCE, most of you are not qualified to be seated here.” Calling for the scrap of MDCN assessment, Dr Blessing Edet noted that despite the rigour of getting verification from the United States of America through Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials, EPIC,they were being looked down on.

“Beginning with our registration, what were the criteria of uploading our documents to a body based in the US? According to what I read on the MDCN site, EPIC was to verify our diploma right? And also verify that the schools we got our degrees from are legit by US/ MDCN/Nigerian standard. So if we had to go through all that stress and spend so much for all that verification, how come these foreign schools recognised the “verification body? Yet, according to Sanusi, foreign medical schools are still churning out incompetent Nigerian doctors?" asked the aggrieved doctor.

Continuing Edet said: “ We need to know what a standard curriculum of MDCN is like, just like they have in other countries.

Let us know what is expected of the foreign trained doctors coming home to practice. Let us have a scope, no matter how wide it is.

"You can’t come during introduction and tell us to concentrate on malaria, snake bite, systemic hypertension, hemoglobinopathies, maternal mortality, hemodialysis, etc and then in the exam bring propofol and ketamine. How many HOs practising in Nigeria have come in contact with ropivacaine?

“MDCN needs to answer these questions. What are the criteria for pass/fail? I do not think we put our names up for lottery, so they cannot just release names

saying pass. What are we being judged by? Is it by our spoken English? Is it by MCQs? What are the criteria for pass/fail?" asked Edet.

Corroborating Edet's claims of lack of structured curriculum for the assessment, Chinyere, who got depressed to the extent of causing bodily harm on herself but for the timely intervention of her colleagues, called for the immediate scrap of MDCN programme. She said: “We paid excessive money for verification.

My point is, why the verification if Sanusi will still come out to say the schools verified by EPIC are sending substandard doctors to Nigeria? That is my point. Why the verification then when it has nothing to do with this exam?"

Dr Ifeoma Ikenna equally supported her colleagues's call for scrapping of MDCN as she described her experience while writing the first set of MDCN examination last April in Lagos.

“They should scrap remedial as the hospitals involved do not care.

All they tell you is ask MDCN whenever there is a problem. And like Ilorin, whatever you demand or ask the hospital for, they tell you that MDCN has not given them a dime for this programme.

“How can we pass when we had lectures as if we were starting medical school anew, especially with the doctors telling us to read the slides, a move that made us starved and study just to pass?

But on the exam day, we had to wait for two hours after we signed in only for no question from the lectures to come out. Imagine waiting from 7:30 am till 12 noon to start exam because Sanusi and his group came with new students exams cards from Abuja. How do you expect us to pass?" cried Dr Ikenna.

Meanwhile, efforts to get the response of Dr Sanusi proved abortive as several calls, text messages and emails sent to the contact on MDNC website were unanswered as at the time of filing this report.

WAEC Forms: Ekiti Foundation raises fund for students

By Happy Ekeyede

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he Ekiti Foundation has said that it will hold its maiden International Festival of Arts and Culture on December 26 to raise fund for the less privileged students in the state to enable them purchase the West African Examinations Council, (WAEC) forms.

President of the Foundation, Professor Anthony Kila who announced the readiness of the Foundation to host the world at the AB Foundation Civic Centre, Ado Ekiti said: ‘’Apart from raising vouchers for WAEC forms, the main objective of the

festival is to foster friendly and productive relationships between businesses and professionals in Ekiti State with others across the world.’’

He said: “ This year’s Christmas festival has been conceived to be a day of linking the world to Ekiti through moments of fun, taste, discovery and encounters.

“It will also be moments and events of reunion for friends and families of Ekiti across the world.”

Kila who disclosed that professionals and businessmen and women will be supporting and participating at the Ekiti Xmas Fest, added that they would be

giving away items like vouchers for WAEC forms, air tickets and hotel vouchers that winners can transfer to anyone of their choice in Nigeria and across the world.

According to him, beyond people, businesses and professionals globally who have origin or interest in Ekiti, participants at the Ekiti Xmas Fest will also be people who just want to have a special and different boxing day experience.

On his part, the Xmas Fest Coordinator, Mr. Rotimi Olarewaju confirmed that the festival is planned to promote the Ekiti spirit and bring together all

sons and daughters of the state under one canopy to network and cross-market with one another.

He said the festival will include musical concerts, fashion show, display of books, arts and craft, food and drinks and a lot of giveaways for participants.

Meanwhile,the Foundation's legal secretary, Mrs. Bukola Odutola, urged members to dispel the rumours that Ekiti Foundation is only for some elites or people who studied abroad as the foundation is open to anyone who has tangible business or a clear profession.

42--- VANGUARD, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017

Healthy eating boosts knowledge in children — Deputy Gov

By Oghenefego Obaebor

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From left: Dr. Folake Samuel, Head, Scientific Committee, Nutrition Society of Nigeria; Dr. Batholomew Brai, National President, Nutrition Society of Nigeria; Mrs. Ore Famurewa, Corporate Affairs Director, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc.; Mrs. Adebunmi Adekanye, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, representing Dr. Oluranti Adebule, Deputy Governor of Lagos State; Zatur Hassim, Marketing Manager, IFT, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc. and Mr. Ganiu Okanlawon, Special Adviser on Food Security to the Governor of Lagos State at the launch of the Peak 456 Drink, Move, Be Strong Pre-school programme held in Lagos.

Edo State wins Lafarge literacy contest

By Dayo Adesulu

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leven-year-old Yussuf Hassan and 10-year-old Faith Toun-Agbai from Edo State emerged winners in the keenly contested Lafarge National Literacy Competition finals.

Other finalists were Plateau, Anambra, Ondo, Kano and Gombe. Ondo State took the second prize while Kano and Gombe emerged 3rd and 4th respectively.

Delivering a keynote address at the event, former Minister of Education, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, commended Lafarge for focusing the initiative on public primary schools across the country.

She decried the neglect of public schools and called on private and public sectors, as well as religious organisations to team up in addressing the crisis in the sector.

Ezekwesili maintained that human is our greatest asset in Nigeria but could also become a liability if our population is

poorly educated.

The Chairman, Lafarge Africa Plc, Mr Mobolaji Balogun, lamented the fact that Nigeria’s literacy level is 59.6% (for people aged 15 and above) which is significantly below the global average of 86.3% and the sub-Saharan Africa average of 64%.

He said interventions like the competition would help improve the situation if all stakeholders devoted more time and resources to improving the quality of education in Nigeria.

On his part, the CEO of Lafarge Africa Plc, Mr. Michel Puchercos, commended the finalists for putting up a spirited performance throughout the stages of the competition.

“For an initiative that started as a reading project across the five locations where Lafarge Africa is present, the competition has grown into a national event.

The impact achieved is beyond the children you see here today.

Our overall target is to lay a solid

foundation for improving the literacy level across the country,” said Puchercos.

Mrs. Folashade AmbroseMedebem, Director of Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainable Development at Lafarge said “The competition seeks to touch lives of our diverse people in a sustainable way and Lafarge Africa Plc is pleased with the positive impact we have made in the past four years."

Over 2,700 public primary school students took part in the competition while over 300,000 primary school pupils across 244 local government areas (LGAs) have been impacted since the competition began in 2014.

National Literacy Competition is one of the initiatives of Lafarge Africa Plc to support government efforts in raising the standard of English Language in public primary schools. It is in line with the company’s sustainability strategy – The 2030 Plan – with the ambition to enhance the quality of life for all.

He posited that the positive effect of the financial sector in deepening economic growth appears to be greater for developing countries than for developed ones. He said: "Using data for 65 countries over 1960 to 1999 and based on various instrument variable estimators, it is found that the magnitude of the positive impact of financial sector development on economic growth varies, depending inter alia on the level of development. ‘’The estimation results confirm that the effect of financial sector development in developing countries is more persistent and larger than those in developed countries."

Explaining the issues that exist regarding the influence of

financial intermediaries, Ajibola pointed to growth of savings, financialisation of savings and their ability to ensure most efficient transformation of mobilised funds into real capital as pivotal.

According to him, the economic importance of banks, lies not in their monetary role but in their capacity as financial intermediaries, adding that lenders are matched to borrowers.

He said: ‘’It is clear that intermediation is a crucial economic process. Economies devoid of financial intermediation, like those of colonial America, grow slowly because firms with profitable ideas find it difficult to locate financial backers.

he future of every nation lies with her children and no nation can achieve economic or political greatness without the children. Hence the need to ensure that children, especially at their early stage in life, are well nourished, healthy and educated, said Dr. Oluranti Adebule, Deputy Governor, Lagos State.

Adebule, who lauded FrieslandCampina WAMCO for Peak 456 healthy eating and lifestyle initiative, said it would have a far-reaching effect on both the physical and mental development of Nigerian children.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs. Adebunmi Adekanye at the media launch in Lagos, Adebule posited that children should be well nourished.

FrieslandCampina WAMCO launched the Peak 456 initiative in partnership with the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, NSN, to promote healthy eating and exercise among children aged four to six years.

The partnership is in line with the FrieslandCampina WAMCO global project tagged Drink, Move and Be Strong preschool programme that will engage and educate school children on healthy eating and active living.

Speaking during a media briefing on the project, the Corporate Affairs Director, FrieslandCampina WAMCO, Ore Famurewa, disclosed the Nigerian version of the programme is themed Eating Healthy and Staying Active.

She noted that eating and lifestyle habits are formed

during childhood and do last a lifetime, hence, the need to educate and support children right from their formative years in order to inculcate in them, healthy lifestyle and behaviour.

“Our goal is to drive healthy eating and active lifestyle habits by educating children from young age because it is important for children to learn the benefits of good nutrition and to develop healthy eating habits.

"Schools are ideal for bringing nutrition education to children at an early age through qualified staff. It is key to note that the sooner children start making healthy choices, the easier it becomes to keep up good eating habits later in life,” Famurewa said.

In recognition of the roles teachers play in the development of children, the Marketing Manager, IFT, Zatur Hassim, said: “Teachers need to be empowered with knowledge and tools to pass on good healthy eating and active lifestyle habits to their pupils.

FrieslandCampina WAMCO implemented a teachers’ workshop to equip pre-school and nursery teachers with the right knowledge on child nutrition.”

In line with this, the company gave out Peak 456 toolkits to aid teachers in their classrooms.

Teachers were taught the Peak 456 Exercise Moves – a simple exercise routine to the Peak 456 song.

Also, the President, NSN, Dr. Bartholomew Brai, stated that nutrition, especially in young children, must be taken as a very key component of their overall development, adding that parents should ensure children ingest all the five basic food groups.

“We must ensure our children have an adequate diet by including all the five food groups in their diet everyday.''

LASG to create more disability schools Caleb varsity enlightens students on saving, finance

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rofessor of Economics

and Dean, College of Postgraduate Studies, Caleb University, Imota, Lagos, Professor Ajibola Joseph Olusegun has said that mobilisation of savings for investment is key to accelerated economic growth and development.

While delivering the institution’s 3rd inaugural lecture on Rhythms of Riddles of Bank Credit: Synergies and Dislocations in Nigeria’s Economic Growth, he said: "While investment generates savings, it is impossible to sustain a sound investment effort without adequate savings mobilisation.’’

By Kelechukwu Iruoma

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hildren living with disabilities in Lagos State and its environs may now heave a sigh of relief as the state government has said it will create more disability schools to accommodate children living with disabilities in the state.

Governor of the state, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Adebule, said this at the first Stakeholders' Summit on Disability organised by the office of the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Government on Social Development. The Summit, whose theme was Ability in Disability: A Stitch in Time Saves Nine, was held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

According to him, “As part of the state's efforts to promote awareness of early intervention on children living with disability, more disability schools will be created and it will be part of the 2018 budget of the state.”

The state government, some parents and medical experts also agreed to take concerted efforts against disabilities in children. The government has decided that every category of people must, henceforth, align forces to make life more meaningful for children living with disabilities.

The governor said early intervention in the affected children would help a lot in giving hope of a meaningful life to those children.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017 --- 43

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

*CU's Mini bus car. Satanding beside it (right) is Engr.

Ocheja Joseph.

We source 75% of the raw materials locally – Engr. Ocheja Despite the topsy-turvy nature of things in Nigeria today, especially in the Education sector, some people are still determined to make Nigerians proud. Engr. Ocheja Joseph, a senior technologist at Covenant University (CU) Ota, Ogun State and his colleagues are among such people. In this chat with Vanguard, Joseph speaks on their latest innovation, saying the inspiration for the mini bus car ‘is actually a gift from God.’ Excerpts area of research around the world.”

By Ebele Orakpo Not yet satisfied “Although the product won ccordingtoJosephwho is into automobile an award, we are still not research and serves as satisfied. We want to take it a technical instructor in step further for global workshops, instructing recognition and that is why students on their projects, he we have to meet up with the is presently making impact in required standards to give it Nigeria "by the help of God, world class recognition. That is what we are working on through CU. now,” he said.

Inspiration Impact on economy “Theinspirationforthemini “We are looking at stopping bus car is actually a gift from God and for the fact that I am importation; 75 per cent of tied to the mission and vision what we have in that vehicle of CU, God gave me that is sourced locally. A situation inspiration. I know that if not where the tricycle, popularly for God, it would not have called Keke Marwa, with 95 been possible. The product per cent input imported into came as an inspiration and I the country, is unacceptable.

What we are trying to do here ran the design.” is to stop the importation of Design "I ran the design initially; I Keke Marwa so that we can never knew it was going to have our own Nigerian mini come out as beautiful as it is bus car that has everything today. By the time we started Keke Marwa has, in fact, a doing the work, one step after step further than Keke another,thedesignfully came Marwa because it is a fouroutandpresently,thisproduct wheeler and well balanced.

Advantage over Keke is making a mark in this “We are not copying their country. We have taken it to Abuja for an exhibition technology but we are trying organised by the Federal to produce something for Ministry of Science and Nigerians who love to hop Technology where it won an in and hop out. They don’t award. Kudos to CU which is like opening doors anymore; presently making mark in the they like to hop into a vehicle

A

and hop out, just the fast way. So we want to design something like that and they will see it and see the advantage it has over Keke Marwa. When we took it to Abuja, people were saying Nigerians don’t need Keke Marwa anymore with the mini bus car. We were instructed to take it a step further. With the help of the university, we are really working hard towards that, to give it a global status,” Joseph said excitedly.

Create jobs, save forex “It will save us foreign exchange and also create jobs. If the Federal Government can buy this idea and we can collaborate with them, of course, we should be able to set up a factory to produce the 75 per cent of raw materials. We have steel, all we might require may just be engine because we may not be able to go into production of engine for now as that will take a long time, but at least, for the fact that we can produce every other part, all we need is just moulds.

Once we have the necessary moulds, we begin to produce en masse and that will save this country foreign exchange. Not only that, it will create jobs. By the time we have three plants to produce this type of vehicle, Nigeria is going somewhere.”

Start somewhere We must start from somewhere. The idea of technology dropping from heaven is not there; because even the cars we see today, didn’t start just like that; they started from somewhere.

The Bible says ‘despise not the days of little beginning.’

They had a little beginning but from there, they began to grow. The car of today cannot compare with the car of 25 years ago; it has grown over the years. What we have now are fine electronic cars. The veryfirsttimethisbuscarcame on the road, it started moving and the fact that it started moving immediately was what someone needed to see.

A researcher came here and said he just wanted to see it move; ‘the moment we see it move,wetakeitupfromthere.’

We are now working on what is needed to keep it running.

Itismoving,workingverywell and presently, we are trying to reduce the weight because it is a bit on the high side. We want to make it lighter so that therewillbeincreaseinspeed.

Sinceweproducedit,wehave notreallydoneanyrenovation on it.

This is the very first time we are working on it to give it a standard.

Every year, car companies bring out new products so this onehasbeenhereforsixyears and we are coming out with the second edition.”

44 — VANGUARD, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017 :Vanguard News

:@vanguardnews

:@vanguardnews

NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058

How we can work with Tinubu — AFENIFERE

By Abdulwahab Abdulah

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

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HE pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere has said that its rapprochement with a leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Aswiaju Bola Tinubu, would be structured on an irreducible minimum that he would adopt the call for restructuring as adopted by the body.

Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Yinka Odumakin, in an interview with Vanguard, affirmed that Tinubu was not a stranger to Afenifere saying that he only departed at a time.

Odumakin spoke against the background of the celebrated rapprochement between Tinubu and the body last Wednesday when he paid a courtesy call on Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti.

Tinubu parted ways with

VISIT: From left: Dr Ayodele Ogunsan, Chairman Executive Group, Mrs Funke Egbemode, MD/CEO New Telegraph Newspapers, Her Excellency Dr Mrs Ipalibo Banigo, Deputy Governor Rivers State and His Excellency Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, Former Governor of Abia State during the the New Telegraph newspapers Award night at the Federal Palace Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Afenifere shortly before the 2003 general elections partly because of his refusal to go with the group’s decision to back a pact to return President Olusegun Obasanjo to power in that year’s election. The breach

subsequently extended to the formation of the Afenifere Renewal Group, supposedly backed by Tinubu which constituted itself as a rival to Afenifere.

Responding to the

PDP CHAIR: South West may present consensus candidate — PROF ADENIRAN

By Dayo Johnson

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K U R E — A chairmanship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prof Tunde Adeniran has disclosed that the South West may present a consensus candidate to represent the zone at the December 9 Convention of the party.

Prof Adeniran gave the indication during his visit to canvass votes from the

59 delegates of the party in Ondo State.

Asked why it was becoming difficult for all the aspirants from the zone to agree on a consensus candidate, Adeniran said: “We are talking among ourselves.”

He said: “l am sure we will get it right before the convention. God does not make mistakes I am sure he will step in.”

Adeniran, however, denied insinuations of

LASG flags off e-business guide for ease of doing business

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

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AGOS—AS part of effort to ease the process of shopping on Lagos Island markets, the Lagos State Government through the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Central Business Districts has launched a web base electronic business guide.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Central Business Districts, CBD, Mr. Agboola Dabiri at a public display and launching of the electronic business directory, said the present administration is exploring the advantage of technology to ease the process of doing business in the populated Lagos Island markets.

He said with the launch of the electronic business

SLAVE AUCTION: SERAP tasks Buhari over inquiry commission

guide, shoppers do not have to drive from one shop to another searching for their goods or services on the island any longer as they can easily log on to the website and contact dealers of their desired goods from their phones, laptops or desktops.

The Special Adviser disclosed that the launch of the electronic business guide is one of the requirements of being a member of the International Downtown Association which Lagos Central Business District belong to.

According to Dabiri ‘The Lagos CBD is a member of the International Downtown Association and as a member you are required to develop an electronic business guide to ease doing business in the Districts”

being sponsored by any politician or political group saying it is a deliberate attempt to provoke his aspiration.

He said: “This is just propaganda to pull me down and provoke me because they all know I possess the potential to turn around the fortune of PDP. “To me, this is a wicked insult and the greatest insult.

Nobody is sponsoring my aspiration and I want to tell you that I stand for the truth, equity and fairness. This should not be used to further destabilize the party.

“I am not being sponsored by Buruji Kashamu, Atiku Abubakar or Ibrahim Babangida or anybody. I know this is the handiwork of mischief makers and it will not work.

“The sponsors of the allegation are those afraid of defeat at the December 9 convention”, he said.

The former Education Minister said that if the PDP gets it right in December by electing him, the party will regain the power at the center and send the ruling APC packing.

He said: "the party is like a vehicle which developed fault before getting to its destination. What we need now is both a driver and a mechanic who can fix the vehicle as it moves on." “l am both a driver and a mechanic because l know this party from onset and can fix the problems for it to have a smooth drive."

development in an interview, Odumakin said: “It was a courtesy call, he (Tinubu) is not a stranger to Afenifere, Afenifere made him governor in 1999, so he is a member to the family.

He moved at a time, and we hope that the visit will bring a better understanding in terms of the irreducible minimums of areas of cooperation in the interest of the Yoruba outside of party politics.

“So, even if there are disagreements, you must not hire small children to abuse your fathers.”

O C I O ECONOMIC Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to push for a joint EU-AU international commission of inquiry to investigate allegations of slave auction in Libya.

In a statement by the organisation, signed by its executive director, Tokunbo Mumuni, stated this became necessary, given the appalling plight of several Nigerians who are among those trapped in Libya.

SERAP’s statement comes ahead of the meeting between the EU and the AU in Abidjan, , Côte d’Ivoire.

The organization said: “Nigerian and other African victims of abuses in Libya are crying out for leadership. They urgently need African leaders to act.

Given Nigeria’s leadership role in the region, Buhari can and should provide greater leadership to push

Gani Adams wants Yoruba culture promoted, preserved

By Dapo Akinrefon

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AGOS—THE Aare Ona Kakanfo designate of Yorubaland, Gani Adams said his involvement in various

Amaechi to unveil 2017 Nigeria logistic, supply chain industry report

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HE Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi will be unveiling the 2017 edition of Nigeria Logistics and Supply Chain industry report and award for excellence in Lagos.

The report serves as an illuminating search light for monitoring the growth, development and performance of the logistic, supply chain systems and provides detailed information and credible

data to showcase the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

According to Director General of the centre, Mr. Obiora Madu, “The highlight of the unveiling ceremony is the presentation of award for excellency to deserving individuals and organisations that have been in the vanguard of accelerating business promotion in Nigeria in particular and Africa in general.”

IE gets international certification

By Nkenta Oluchukwu

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AGOS—IKEJA Electric Plc, Nigeria’s distribution company has been conferred with the ISO 9001 and OHSAS 18001 I n t e r n a t i o n a l Certification.

Speaking during the company’s celebration of the ISO 9001 and OHSAS 18001 International Certificate in Lagos, the Chief Executive Officer Ikeja

European and African leaders to go beyond merely condemning the atrocities and act swiftly to end the shocking abuses, remove Nigerians and other African women, men and children still trapped in Libya from harm’s way, and guarantee their safety and well-being.

“The international community has so far failed to heed the call for action to end the on-going abuses in Libya, and Nigerians and other African women, men and children are paying for this failure with their lives. Africa now needs strong and principled leadership to address the situation, and we believe Nigeria can and should lead the way.”

It added that it is critical if Nigeria wants to remain relevant in regional and international affairs.

“Any such commission of inquiry should be given the mandate to establish the facts and circumstances surrounding the slave auction and other atrocities being perpetrated in Libya against Nigerians.''

Electric, Anthony Youdeowei, noted that Ikeja Electric Plc was the first and only company in the power sector to receive the OHSAS 18001 Certification.

He stated that with the ISO 9001 certification, the company was also the first Electricity Distribution Company to set up business improvement models with customer focus in Nigeria, in line with international best practices.

cultural festivals was to preserve and celebrate Yoruba heritage.

He said this at the annual Ajagunmale Festival held at Lekki Guest House, Lekki Lagos.

He called on Yoruba people to be involved in the promotion of their culture saying “celebrating our heritage is the same way we celebrate the Christian and Islamic festivals.”

Adams said: “The involvement of the Olokun Festival Foundation in the celebration of Ajagunmale Festival, is part of the means to propagate the Yoruba culture as well as preserve our heritage and celebrate them.”

He said: “The challenge before all of us present here, those at home and in the diaspora, is to ensure that we take our culture to the point where other clans would respect us for who we are and not what we have been made to become. We need to purge ourselves of the belief that celebrating our heritage through various festivals is idolatry.”

“Nothing can be farther from the truth. Celebrating our heritage is the same way we celebrate the Christian and Islamic festivals. There are enormous benefits in the celebration of these festivals and they can be felt in the development, enjoyed by host communities of the festival aside from other benefits that are personal to individuals’ beneficiaries.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017 — 45

46 — VANGUARD, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017

End smuggling, slavery, create legal migration chances for Africans — Merkel

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ERMAN Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday stressed the importance of ending smuggling and slavery while creating a legal route for Africans to come to Europe as she faces pressure at home to tackle a migrant influx.

Speaking at an EU-Africa summit in Abidjan, Merkel, is seeking to show Germany can take foreign policy action despite still being under a caretaker government two months after an election.

The influx of more than a million migrants since mid2015, many of them fleeing the Middle East and Africa, was largely to blame for the rise of the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) in a Sept. 24 election.

By taking votes from Merkel’s conservative bloc and others, they surged into parliament for the first time, leaving Merkel facing complicated coalition arithmetic.

She is grappling to form a new government with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) after discussions on forming a three-way tie-up with the liberals and Greens failed.

On the issue of illegal immigration, Merkel said: “This plays a role all over the African continent now because there are reports that young African men are being sold like slaves in Libya.”

Libya is now the main departure point for mostly African migrants trying to cross to Europe. Smugglers usually pack them into flimsy inflatable boats that often break down or sink.

Merkel, who in 2015 decided to open Germany’s borders to migrants, said legal options needed to be created for Africans to be able to get training or study in an EU country.

The summit is due to focus on education, investment in youth and economic development to prevent refugees and economic migrants from attempting the treacherous journey across the Mediterranean.

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ATT Lauer, one of the most famous TV news anchors in the US, has been fired by NBC over an allegation of sexual misconduct.

NBC said: “On Monday night, we received a detailed complaint from a colleague about inappropriate sexual behaviour in the workplace by Matt Lauer.

“As a result, we’ve decided to terminate his employment.”

Lauer co-hosts The Today Show. NBC said it had “reason to believe this may not have been an isolated incident”.

Bosnian war criminal dies after taking poison in court

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BOSNIAN Croat war criminal has died in hospital after drinking poison during an appeal hearing in The Hague.

Slobodan Praljak, 72, died in hospital, with the UN court announcing that the courtroom was now “a crime scene”.

On hearing that his 20year jail term had been upheld, the ex-commander of Bosnian Croat forces said he was not a criminal and then drank from a bottle.

In 2013, he was sentenced for crimes in the city of Mostar during the Bosnian

war in 1992-95.

Praljak was one of six former Bosnian Croat political and military leaders up before the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).

They were attending the final appeals judgment to be handed down by the court.

Though allies against the Bosnian Serbs in the war, Bosnian Croats and Muslims also fought each other for a period of 11 months, with Mostar seeing some of the fiercest fighting.

After hearing the

verdict, General Praljak stood and raised his hand to his mouth, tipped his head back and appeared to swallow a glass of liquid.

“I have taken poison,” he said.

Presiding judge Carmel Agius immediately suspended the proceedings and an ambulance was called.

“Okay,” the judge said.

“We suspend the... We suspend... Please, the curtains. Don’t take away the glass that he used when he drank something.”

US TV host sacked over sex claim In another bombshell, one of the most beloved voices on US public radio, Garrison Keillor, was fired.

Minnesota Public Radio said an individual who worked with Keillor on his variety show, A Prairie Home Companion, had accused him of inappropriate behaviour.

There was no immediate statement from Minnesota Public Radio about The

Writer’s Almanac host’s statement to AP news agency.

Of the Matt Lauer allegations, NBC News chairman Andy Lack said it was the first complaint about their star anchorman’s behaviour in his time there, more than 20 years.

But Mr Lack added it represented a “clear violation of our company’s standards”.

Zimbabwe: Court acquits Mugabe critic, Mawarire

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E A D I N G Zimbabwean opposition activist Pastor Evan Mawarire has been acquitted on charges of trying to overthrow Robert Mugabe’s former government.

The organiser of last year’s #ThisFlag protests faced 20 years in prison had he been convicted.

A Harare high court judge ruled there was no evidence that he had “urged a violent removal of government”.

The case was seen as a test of judicial independence after the forced resignation of Mr

Mugabe last week.

The former president, who stepped down after soldiers placed him under house arrest, was long accused of using the courts to hound his political opponents.

Tweeting a selfie taken in the courtroom, the smiling pastor called on his fellow citizens to join in “building a better Zimbabwe” Pastor Mawarire galvanised people outside and inside Zimbabwe, encouraging them to protest about perceived corruption and economic mismanagement under President Mugabe.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017 — 47

Tough or easy World Cup draw, Eagles will be ready assures Pinnick

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head of the 2018 World Cup draw in Moscow tomorrow, NFF president Amaju Pinnick has maintained he is open to any group the Super Eagles will be drawn in.

Nigeria will know their World Cup first round opponents on Friday when the draw is conducted in Moscow, Russia.

The Eagles are likely to be drawn in a tough first round group in Russia 2018 after they were seeded in Pot 4 made up of the eight weakest teams in the 32-team championship

•Neymar

•Ronaldo

•Messi

World Cup Draw: Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar speak A

s excitement grows in anticipation of the Final Draw for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia holds tomorrow, FIFA.com asked the three of world football’s biggest stars, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar how they feel about the upcoming draw in a video chat and these are their reactions..

Ronaldo: “I’m relaxed because, although some teams are stronger than others, all the groups will be balanced. I’m calm because I know that, when the time comes, the team will be ready. Whoever we’re drawn against, we have to win, no matter what”.

Messi: “I’ll be following it, so

long as we don’t have training or a match,” as he also confessed that he was already imagining who Argentina’s potential opponents might be.

Neymar: ”I believe that we’re

Gov Wike Wrestling Tourney: Bayelsa, Ondo, Lagos show class

By Solomon Nwoke, Port Harcourt

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tatus quo was maintained in the female wrestling event which ended yesterday as the champions in their various weight categories retained their places at the Governor Nyesom Wike

Real Madrid to ‘sell Bale, Rodriguez, Benzema, Varane’ to fund sensational move for Neymar

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eal Madrid president Florentino Perez will sell four of his star players to fund a sensational move to bring Neymar to the Bernabeu, it has been claimed.

According to Diario, Perez sees Neymar as the club’s longterm successor to Cristiano Ronaldo, who turns 33 next February the same day the Brazilian turns 26.

Neymar’s buyout clause at PSG in his first season is £177million, it rises to £195m in his second year before settling at £221m thereafter.

Perez started the savings fund with the £70.6m sale of Alvaro Morata to Chelsea this summer, but will look to ship on Gareth Bale, James Rodriguez, Karim Benzema and Raphael Varane to further bankroll a potential deal.

Los Blancos, in the best-case scenario, reportedly hope for a return of £71m for Bale, £53m for Benzema, £44m for Rodriguez — currently on loan at Bayern Munich — and the same for Varane.

Should the La Liga giants receive their top estimations, they would have £212m at their disposal — almost enough to

ready to take on anyone. We’re going to put some popcorn in the microwave, and call family and friends. Everyone will have a keen eye on the television.”

buyout Neymar’s second-year clause.

Bale is a target for Manchester United while Rodriguez could opt to make his stay in Munich permanent.

United boss Jose Mourinho publicly declared an interest in the Welshman before the two clubs met in the European Super Cup in August and could revisit the option again next summer.

Wrestling Challenge holding at the indoor Sports Hall of the Alfred Diete Spiff Civic Centre, Port Harcourt.

The known wrestlers, world Silver medalist, in the 57kg weight class, Odunayo Adekuoroye, Commonwealth Games and African gold medalist, Blessing Oborodudu in the 68kg class, Mercy Genesis in the 50kg class, Hannah Reuben representing the Nigerian Army, Blessing Onyebuchi of Bayelsa all proved why they are rated in Africa as they brushed aside their opponents with ease.

Bayelsa state, arguably, the home of wrestling in the country still maintained their lead after the conclusion of four events, cadet, junior, Greco Roman and Female Wrestling with 12 gold, 16 silver and 16 bronze just as Ondo state hauled a total of 12 gold, four silver and four bronze to occupy the second place. Lagos is trailing in the third place with six gold, a silver and three bronze medals ahead of Delta state with Five gold, six silver and eight bronze medals in the fourth place.

Obafemi can play for Eagles at Russia 2018, says Rohr

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uper Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr said the door could be opened for former striker, Obafemi Martins to be part of Eagles’ squad to the Russia 2018 World Cup tournament.

Obafemi has been in an excellent form for his Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua, scoring 16 goals in 39 appearances. At the weekend he also scored to help his club win the Chinese FA Cup with a 3-2 score over SIPG. The much traveled striker last played for the Super Eagles in 2015 boasting a total of 42 appearances and scoring 18 goals.

“Yes, the door is open to all our best players, including Martins. He is scoring a lot of

s the Federation of International A Basketball Association deadline for the resolution of the crisis rocking the Nigeria Basketball Federation expires today, the Musa Kida-led board of the NBBF has told Nigerians that it has done everything possible to ensure the country averts FIBA sanctions.

The board however, absolved itself of blame should the FIBA hammer fall on the country.

Speaking in Lagos yesterday, Vice President of the Kida-led NBBF, Babs Ogunade said “ we, as a board, have bent backwards, severally, to ensure

peace returns to Nigeria basketball but the Tijani Umar group has remained obstinate.

Several times, Kida has called on Tijani Umar for meetings but he wouldn’t yield.

“They have asked us to embrace peace and we have done that in any way one can think of. We have called several meetings with the Tijjani Umar group, regardless of the drawbacks but Umar has refused to attend.

“Our interest is basketball.

The ministry was going to shut down the league but we intervened with an undertaking, advising that the league be allowed to continue to the end of the regular season. Both the

goals and we need to get competition for all the positions, especially centre-forward,” said Rohr “For now, we have Kelechi [Iheanacho] who is playing not all the time. [But ] we played with Kelechi against Argentina and he did well.

“Then Anthony [Nwakaeme] also did well against Algeria and [Odion] Ighalo, who is injured now, did very well against Cameroon. But we have also other players, like the young boy [Victor] Osimhen, and we have to look everywhere.

“We have a lot of opportunities for the strikers, and so Martins, if he is scoring goals, will be welcome.”

Lineker, Blanc, Cafu, Maradona to conduct World Cup Draw

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ormer England forward Gary Lineker, an adidas Golden Boot winner at Mexico 1986, will conduct the Final Draw with the support of Russian sports journalist Maria Komandnaya. They will be assisted by eight giants of the game: France’s Laurent Blanc, England’s Gordon Banks, Brazil’s Cafu, Italy’s Fabio Cannavaro, Uruguay ’s Diego Forlan, Argentina’s Diego Maradona, Spain’s Carles Puyol and Russia’s Nikita Simonyan.

Everton sign Allardyce for survival battle

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mbattled EPL side Everton have turned to ‘survival specialist’ Sam Allardyce as they face relegation battle.

As FIBA hammer dangles: Rival NBBF boards trade blame

By Jacob Ajom

Pinnick, who will lead a nineman delegation from Nigeria to the draw, said “Any team that qualifies for the World Cup is potentially capable of winning the World Cup. “To me we would just pray and work hard and keep our face off the people in our group. There is no weak team among the teams that qualified.

“If countries like the United States, Holland, Chile, Italy did not qualify, then we must understand that the dynamics of football has changed.”

men and women leagues had few matches left. Zenith has been sponsoring the women’s league for 12 years and we had to respect them as long term partners,”Ogunade said.

Continuing, he recalled, “thereafter, we asked teams not to attend the Final 8 but they went. But they were still not punished and were allowed to participate in the African club championships that ended in Lagos last week.”

Reacting, media adviser of the Tijjani Umar-led board, Patrick Omorodion feared Nigeria Basketball could be plunged into further crisis, should the lingering crisis be allowed to continue.

The club and the veteran coach finalised a deal yesterday.

The 63-year-old ex-England boss will become the permanent successor to Ronald Koeman, who was sacked in October with the club 18th in the Premier League. Allardyce has been out of work since resigning from Crystal Palace in May. Everton will be his seventh EPL club. Palace chairman Steve Parish agreed to his departure and it is believed the south London club would receive a compensation package of around £2m if Allardyce takes a new job before next summer.

Sammy Lee will join as assistant manager, Sky Sports News understands, while former Leicester boss Craig Shakespeare - who was Allardyce’s right-hand man during the ill-fated four-month spell with England - will also join the backroom team.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017

Sudoku TODAY’S PUZZLE

QUICK CROSSWORD YESTERDAY’S ANSWER

TODAY’S CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1 Shed ears (4) 3 Branch of mathematics (8) 9 Petty (7) 10 Room a the Top? (5) 11 Come in (5) 12 Precious metal (6) 14 Dairy product (6) 16 Lots and lots (6) 19 Movement (6)

YESTERDAY’SOLUTION

21 Correct (5) 24 Heavenly being (5 25 Conciliate (7) 26 Able to read and write (8) 27 Border (4) DOWN 1 Yorkshire racecourse (8) 2 “The Waste Land” poet (5) 4 Finally (2,4) 5 Swimming stroke (5)

6 Correspondence (7) 7 Religious faction (4) 8 Ferocious (6) 13 So to speak (2,2,4) 15 Idea (7) 17 Brusque (6) 18 Very young child (6) 20 Loafer (5) 22 Magnificent (5) 23 go by boat (4)

How to Play Sudoku Place a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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