Pension fraudsterremanded in prison

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 61808

**

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013

LICENSING OF PREACHERS:

Sultan, CAN disagree •P.11

N150

Dutch court finds Shell guilty of oil pollution in Nigeria

•P.8

Pension fraudster remanded in prison •Group urges CJN to probe Justice Thalba •Yusufu to remain in Kuje Prison till March 1

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

A

BUJA—CON VICTED pension thief, Mr. John Yakubu Yusufu, was yesterday, remanded in Prison cus-

tody by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, following his alleged complicity in another N300 million fraud.

Trial Justice Adamu Bello ordered that

Continues on page 5

•P.24

COLUMNISTS:

•P.17

OCHEREOME NNANNA •P.19

THE HUB •P.19

Mr & Mrs PENSION SCAM— Former Director of Pension, Police Affairs Ministry, John Yakubu Yusufu heading to Kuje Prison over N300 million scam, yesterday. Inset: Protest against Justice Thalba's earlier judgement in Abuja. Photos: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Reps move to probe Gunmen abduct alleged mismanagement mother of Bayelsa of foreign reserves •P.12 House Leader —P.6

2 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013

C M Y K

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013— 3

C M Y K

4 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013—5

POCKET CARTOON

KEROSENE SCARCITY—Queue for kerosene at NNPC retail station in Dutse, Jigawa State,

yesterday. Photo: NAN

Pension fraudster remanded in prison Continues from Page 1 Yusufu, a former Director of Pension in the Police Affairs Ministry, be detained at Kuje Prison, shortly after he pleaded not-guilty to a fresh four-count criminal charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Yusufu had on Monday, confessed before an Abuja High Court pre-

sided over by Justice Abubakar Thalba that he connived with seven other civil servants to steal about N23 billion from Police Pension Fund.

Though he convicted the fraudster on a threecount charge, Justice Thalba, had relied on the statutory provision of section 309 of the Penal Code and sentenced him to two years imprisonment with an option of N750, 000 fine, a sum

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

Everyone needs help and could do with a helper, along the line in life you need an helper to arrive at your destiny, and along the line in life you will meet somebody that you can help.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

W

HENEVER you want to achieve something, keep your eyes open, concentrate and make sure you know exactly what it is you want. No one can hit their target with their eyes closed – Paulo Coelho There is familiar saying that “it’s not hard to decide what you want your life to be about. What’s hard, is figuring out what you’re willing to give up in order to do the things you really care about. I like what Jean Webster has to say on learning through life and setting goals. “I’m going to enjoy every second, and I’m going to know I’m enjoying it while I’m enjoying it. Most people don’t live; they just race. They are trying to reach some goal far away on the horizon, and in the heat of the going they get so breathless and panting that they lose sight of the beautiful life passing by, they are passing through; and then the first thing they know, they are old and tired, and it doesn’t make any difference whether they’ve reached the goal or not.”

Robert Schuller sums it beautifully! “What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?”

For me that will be everything that I am gifted and determined to do!

the accused quickly brought out from his breast pocket, paid and went home.

However, dissatisfied with the outcome of the trial, the EFCC promptly re-arrested him over fresh fraud allegations upon which the accused was docked yesterday.

In the new charge, Yusufu was said to have on or about February 14, 2012, knowingly failed to make full disclosure of his assets and liability in the Declaration of Assets Form he filled and submitted, and equally failed to declare that he owns a company known as AY-A Global Services Limited.

He was said to have used the name of the company to lodge in a fixed deposit account with the Zenith Bank, the sum of N250 million, N10 million in a fixed deposit account with the First Bank of Nigeria Plc, and another N29 million which he was said to have instructed one Danjuma Mele to lodge in his company account in the name of Jidag Technical Services Ltd with Diamond Bank.

The offence according to the EFCC, is punishable under section 27 (3) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment e.t.c) Act Cap E1 2004.

Yusufu begs for bail Meanwhile, immediately he was arraigned yesterday, Yusufu, through his lead coun-

sel, Mr Maiyaki Theodore Bala, begged the court to allow him to go home, saying he would be available to face his trial.

In his oral application for bail, Bala urged the court to exercise its discretion in favour of his client, an appeal that was vehemently opposed by counsel to the EFCC, Mr Rotimi Jacobs, SAN.

The fresh charge Consequently, trial Justice Bello, directed the defence counsel to go and file a formal bail application, just as he remanded the accused person in Kuje Prison.

The case was subsequently adjourned till March 1 for hearing.

Two of the fresh charge against him reads: “That you John Yakubu Yusufu on or about February 14, 2012 at Abuja, in the Abuja Judicial Division knowingly failed to make full disclosure of your assets and liability in the Declaration of Assets Form filled by you, by not declaring your interest in the N250 million you lodged in a fixed deposit account with the Zenith Bank in the name of SY-A Global Services Limited, a company in which you are the sole signatory to its account and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 27(3) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment, etc.) Act,

CAP E1 2004.

“That you John Yakubu Yusufu on or about February 14, 2012 at Abuja, in the Abuja Judicial Division knowingly failed to make full disclosure of your assets and liability in the Declaration of Assets Form filled by you, by not declaring your interest in the sum of N10 million you lodged in a fixed deposit account with the First Bank of Nigeria Plc in the name of SY-A Global Services Limited, a company in which you are the sole signatory to its account and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 27(3) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment, etc.) Act, CAP E1 2004.”

The Federal Government had already confiscated 32 choice properties that were traced to the accused person, as well as the sum of N325 million that was found in one of his accounts.

Yusufu’s property seized by FG Among the property included two units of 3 bedroom semi detached bungalow at R2, A and B, Sunnyvale homes, Dakwo District, Abuja; two units of 3 bedroom semi-detached bungalow at M24, A and B, Sunnyvale homes, Dakwo District Abuja; four units of a 3bedroom semi-detached bungalow, managed by Daniel at Sunnyvale homes, Dakwo District, Abuja; eight units of an estate of two bedroom flats, at Gombe, GRA. Others were: One unit Semi-detached Duplex at house 21, 4th Avenue, Gwarinpa, Abuja; four units of a 2 bedroom semi-detached duplex at Bricks city, Kubwa Road, Abuja and one unit of semi-detached Duplex,

at 14B Democracy Crescent, Gaduwa, Abuja.

Yusufu was hitherto facing trial alongside a Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Atiku Abubakar Kigo and six others, Esai Dangabar, Ahmed Inuwa Wada, Mrs. Veronica Ulonma Onyegbula, Sani Habila Zira and Christian Madubuike.

EFCC had alleged that the accused persons conspired and sequentially withdrew monies from Police Pension funds in an account domiciled at First Bank of Nigeria and shared it among themselves, adding that the 3rd accused person, Inuwa Wada, collected N18 million from Unity Bank Plc, as his reward for retaining the Police Pension Account with the bank.

The commission maintained that the fraud was committed between January 2009 and June 2011. Justice Thalba had slated February 25 to continue hearing on the substantive charge against the other accused persons.

Group urges FG to probe Justice Thalba Meantime, a civil society organization under the aegis of Anti-Corruption Network, yesterday, called for immediate probe of Justice Thalba, over the slap on the wrist sentence he handed to the convicted pension thief.

The group which was led by a former member of the House of Representatives, Mr Dino Melaye and members of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, stormed the Federal Ministry of Justice in Abuja yesterday, wearing black cloths with an inscription that read: “Justice Abubakar Thalba, SHAME!”

6—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

Racketeer kills female student seeking admission zAs 2 kidnappers get 113 yrs jail term in Delta

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

A

SABA —A 27-year-old staff of Delta State University, DELSU, Abraka, David Erhirhie, has been sentenced to death by hanging by a Delta High Court sitting in Orerokpe, for killing a female applicant, Princess Chinoso Ijezie, who was seeking admission into the university sometime in 2009.

The convict was a clerical officer.

Prosecution led by Mr. Theophilous Omenuwoma, had told the court that “David Wonder, until the ugly incident, a junior staff with DELSU, was an admission racketeer, who collected N155,000 from the deceased to assist her secure admission into the university.

“He, however, could not secure the admission for the deceased but in a bid to cover up the fraud, he lured the late Princes Ijezie to his house under the pretence that he wanted to refund the said amount but instead, he murdered and secretly buried her in a shallow grave close to his house before nemesis caught up with him.”

2 kidnappers get 113 yrs jail term Meanwhile, a Delta State High Court sitting in Asaba, yesterday, sentenced two kidnappers, David Erutere and Sunday Ukailkwo to a total of 113 years imprisonment with hard labour for kidnapping and armed robbery.

The court found them guilty on a five-count charge of conspiracy to commit a felony to wit, kidnapping, conspiracy to commit a felony and armed robbery contrary to section 6 (b) and punishable under section 1 (2) a of the Robbery and Fire Arms (Special Provisions) Act Cap R II Volume 14 Laws of the Federation, 2004.

Other offences include armed robbery and demanding property with menaces.

Prosecution had told the court that David Erutere and Sunday Omamuzo had conspired, kidnapped and robbed Irikefe Edafe and Egwu Johnbull of their valuables including a Pathfinder SUV, GSM phones, laptop, wedding rings and cash on two different dates in June 2011 at Delta Palace Road, Warri and Ubiaruku respectively and demanded a ransom of N50 million from their families before they could be released.

3 friends ‘impregnate’ 13-yr-old student through serial rape

BY EVELYN USMAN

L

AGOS — POLICEMEN at Makinde Division in Lagos, have arrested three men who allegedly raped a 13-yearold girl, last August in Mafoluku area of Oshodi.

The victim, a Junior Secondary School student (names withheld), was reportedly invited into one of the suspects apartment at 19, Majaro Street, Mafoluku.

Report said when she got inside, the owner of the apartment Emenuwa Achonam, a married man with five children, whose family was away, had carnal knowledge of her, alongside his two friends, Godwin Udoh, 22, and Emenike Orji, 20, She was, thereafter, instructed not to tell anyone and also threatened to kill her if she did.

But the bubble burst after the teenager fell ill and was taken to the hospital only to be confirmed that she was pregnant, a development that reportedly threw her parents off balance.

The teenager, who was apparently oblivious of her present state, told policemen that “brother Achonam called me to buy drinks for his visitors. But when I got inside to collect the money, he asked me to pull my clothes and they started dipping their hands inside my womanhood before they had carnal knowledge of me. At the end they said they would kill me if I tell my parents or anyone about it.

The prime suspect, Achonam, admitted to having committed the crime, blaming it on the handiwork of the devil. He disclosed that his wife travelled to the village to nurse their fifth child.

On the part of his alleged partners in crime, they claimed they acted on Achonam’s instruction.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013—7

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Pastor pulls out gun on church accountant in Benue

Y

ENAGOA — MADAM Esther Akpe, mother of the Leader of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Hon Peter Akpe, has been kidnapped by unknown gunmen.

The 59-year-old woman was said to have been seized on Tuesday at about 9pm by a gang of armed men who invaded her residence at the riverside Ebedebiri community in Sagbama local government area of the state and took her away.

The abduction, the latest in the series of high profile kidnapping in the state is coming on the heels of Governor Seriake Dickson's warning that he would not hesitate to sign the death warrant of convicted abductors.

Dickson’s position came a few hours after the abduction of Festus and Ebiye Ebegu, parents of Ogbia Local Government Area Chairman, Richard, from their Oloibiri country home.

The kidnappers of Mrs Akpe, numbering about five, were said to have stormed the community in a speedboat.

They were said to have fired sporadically into the air to scare away the natives.

Eyewitnesses told Vanguard that the woman was sitting outside and was about to go into her house on hearing the sound of gunshots when she was grabbed by her captors who dragged her into their waiting speedboat.

A source said: “The abductors

BY PETER DURU

M

Leader, Bayelsa House of Assembly, Hon Peter Akpe (left) during Dickson's 47th birthday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

and Governor Seriake Dickson of Beyelsa State (right)

Gunmen abduct Bayelsa Assembly Leader's mother zI'll not hesitate to sign death warrant of convicted abductors —Dickson were about five and heavily armed. The old woman was sitting outside. She was about going into the house on hearing the sound of gunshots when they seized her and took her into their speedboat and headed towards Bomadi in Delta State.

The troubled Leader of the House, Akpe, confirmed the incident but said no contact had been established with the kidnappers.

The atmosphere at the Assembly, Tuesday, was gloomy as the House sitting was

postponed while many sympathisers, including the lawmakers and staff, gathered to discuss the incident.

Contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Fidelis Odunna (DSP), confirmed the incident.

He said: “The mother of Hon Peter Akpe Leader, Bayelsa House of Assembly was kidnapped at Ebedebiri community. The kidnappers reportedly moved towards Bomadi and our men are on their trail.”

AKURDI — THE Benue State Police Command, yesterday, arrested the pastor of a new generation church in Katsina-Ala (names withheld) for illegal possession of fire arms and assault on the church’s accountant.

Vanguard gathered from sources that the pastor was apprehended with the firearm by men of the Benue State Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS, in Katsina-Ala where he allegedly tried to kill the accountant of the church, Mr. Philip Toryila, during a serious disagreement over money.

According to our source,”the incident occurred on Tuesday evening when the pastor ordered the church accountant to handover church monies to him for execution of a project and he refused.

“The refusal of the accountant angered

Court issues bench warrant against Vanguard ex-Circulation Officer

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH & ONOZURE DANIA

L

AGOS — Justice Lateefa Okunnu of an Ikeja High Court, yesterday, issued a bench warrant against a former Circulation Officer of Vanguard Media Ltd, Samuel Ogbole, for his failure to appear in court for his criminal trial bordering on stealing.

Ogbole who is answering a criminal offence of stealing N29.3 million belonging to the newspaper company alongside its former accountant, Mr Abiodun Badmus, for the second

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BY EVELYN USMAN & Oloruntimilehin Owalele. war against saboteurs of the coun- who allegedly used his Nissan 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 DAYO JOHNSON surveillance at about 7p.m state, Mr. Kayode Balogun, Balogun said in the statement try’s economy.

Primera car, marked EX 30 AAA 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 (Tuesday) till 1 a.m. yesterday. that all of them had since been to load stolen diesel suspected to He pleaded with the residents 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 yesterday.

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 AGOS — A GROUP of He said: “Following a tip-off, charged to court and were of the state to cooperate with have been siphoned from a 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 Balogun said the suspects 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 suspected pipeline vandals, our men laid ambush for the 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 currently being remanded at the security operatives by giving vandalized oil pipeline.

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Abraham according to him had them useful information which 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 number plate FD 848 LSR at 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 engaged men of the Nigerian vandalising NNPC pipeline at 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 He added that the NSCDC confessed during interrogation to could help to free the state of 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 Omotosho village on the Ore1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 Security and Civil Defence 7th Avenue FESTAC. While a 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 commandant in the state, Alhaji pipeline vandalism. have bought the product from Sagamu expressway.

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 Corps, NSCDC, in a gun duel team was at FESTAC, another 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 Waheed Popoola had vowed that Balogun said in a related bunkerers because he had no 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 According to him, the people 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 at 7th Avenue, FESTAC Town, laid ambush for the vandals at 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 his men would continue to wage development one Seun Abraham means of livelihood.

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 were carrying items suspected to 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 Lagos.

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 Ije-Ododo area.

On sighting my 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 be used in vandalizing oil 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 The vandals, numbering about men, they opened fire but we 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 pipelines which included, two 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 nine, were reportedly siphoning overpowered them and forced 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 petroleum product from a broken them to abandon their looted fuel pumping machines, one big 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 generator, one welding machine 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 pipeline when the operatives and fled.”

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 and other tools.

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 swooped on them.

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 The recovered product, he said, 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 Balogun added that the arrest 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 Sighting the operatives, the would be handed over to NNPC, 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 was made possible based on the 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 vandals, reportedly opened fire urging members of the public to 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 synergy among the security 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 and also attempted to set the continue to avail the Corps of 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 agencies in the state as the 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 pipeline on fire.

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 useful information that would suspects were arrested by men 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 However, at the end of the gun assist it in checkmating activities 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 of the 19 Battalion of the 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 duel said to have lasted 30 of vandals .

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 Nigerian Army.

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 minutes, the vandals managed 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 He said the military authorities 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 to escape.

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 thereafter handed over the 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 The operatives, according to the 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 people and the exhibits to the 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 Lagos State NSCDC 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 NSCDC commands 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 Commandant, Obafaiye Shem, 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 Meantime, five suspected oil headquarters in Alagbaka.

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 recovered 286 50 litres jerry cans pipeline vandals have been 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 The suspects according to him 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 filled with Premium Motor Spirit paraded by the Ondo State 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 include John Olivia; Damilola 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 (Petrol).

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 Command of the NSCDC. Ogunyemi; Olusegun 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 Shem explained that his men 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 This was contained in a Ogunduboye;Ayo Omoba 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 got wind of the vandals' operation statement by the Public Relations 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 NSCDC officials trailing pipeline vandals at Ije-Ododo, in Lagos 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 Omogbehinmi;and Alhaji 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 the previous day and 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567

Pipeline vandals, NSCDC officials in gun duel zAs Ondo NSCDC parades 5 alleged vandals

L

Ondo NSCDC parades 5 alleged vandals

the pastor who engaged him in a fracas and in the process pulled out a gun on the accountant.

“In the process, the accountant shouted for help which attracted the attention of another church official who alerted the police and they quickly drafted some armed men of the squad to the place and arrested the pastor.”

The source added that “the accountant sustained a major facial injury and other parts of his body and was quickly rushed to a private hospital in Katsina-Ala where is now receiving treatment.”

Confirming the story, Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Deputy Suprintendent of Police Daniel Ezeala, said: “The arrested pastor was brought to the state command and he will soon be charged to court for illegal possession of firearms but we are still conducting investigations into the matter.”

time, had refused to appear in court which compelled the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, handling

the case, to request a bench warrant to compel his appearance in court.

However, his co-defendant, Mr Badmus, was in court.

At the resumed hearing of the matter, the prosecution counsel, Mrs E.O Ayigboje, informed the court that she mentioned at the last sitting that they were unable to reach Ogbole, who is the second defendant in the suit, in spite their efforts to make him appear in court.

Not to delay the trial further, the counsel, therefore urged the court to issue bench warrant of arrest on the second defendant to compel him to answer the charges against him.

Before the case was adjourned, Justice Okunnu, ordered the police to arrest and produce him in court, while adjourning the matter till February 11, 2013 for continuation of trial.

Badmus and Ogbole are facing a 26-count charge, bordering on conspiracy, forgery and stealing.

Man arraigned for allegedly cheating car hire operator

A

BUJA — THE Police, yesterday, arraigned a middle-aged man, Adamu Ibrahim, of 13, Nasarawa St. Bauchi, before an Abuja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly cheating a car hire operator.

The Police Prosecutor, Mr Monday Akor, told the court that Cletus Ode of Karu, Nasarawa State, reported the matter to the Maitama police station on March 14, 2012.

Akor said on March 12, 2012, at the Transcorp Hotel, Abuja, Ibrahim engaged the services of Ode who operated a car hire service.

He said the accused made use of Ode’s service for four days with a promise to pay him N56,000.

Akor said that the accused allegedly absconded without payng the agreed amount after the complainant had rendered his services.

He said that, on January 25, the complainant sighted the accused person at the Sheraton Hotel, and raised an alarm.

The prosecutor said the accused was later arrested by the police and taken to the police station.

He said that the offence contravened the provision of Section 322 of the Penal Code.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The accused, in an outburst, said, “It is not true, I paid him all his money. I am not owing him anything.“ The Magistrate, Mrs Chinyere Nwachionwu, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N100,000 and a surety in like sum.

Nwachionwu ordered that the surety must have a reliable means of livlihood and be resident within the jurisdiction of the court.

8—Vanguard , THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013

Audit query: Jega to appear before Reps tomorrow

BY SONI DANIEL & OKEY NDIRIBE

A

BUJA—INDICATIONS emerged yesterday that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, might appear before members of Public Accounts Committee of the House of Representatives to clear the air on the query raised against the commission’s account by the Auditor-General of the Federation.

The decision by the INEC boss to visit the National Assembly and clear the air on the audit report, which had been laid before the House last year, followed threats by the PAC to order his arrest by the Inspector General of Police for repeatedly failing to appear before the committee.

The PAC committee chairman, Solomon Adeola, had warned that Jega risked being arrested and detained should he fail to hand over himself to the committee.

But a source close to the commission told Vanguard that Jega had been away from the country for over a month and had not seen the letter from the PAC inviting him to the House to respond to the audit query raised by the AGF with regards to the operations of the commission between 2003 and 2011.

The source said that Jega being a law-abiding public officer would not in any way decline any invitation from the lawmakers and would therefore appear before them tomorrow to respond to the audited report.

The Chairman of the National Population Commission, Chief Festus Odimegwu, who is also facing the same threat of arrest and detention by the PAC, is also said to be preparing to meet the lawmakers to respond to the queries raised by the AGF regarding the financial activities of the NPC between 2003 and 2009.

An aide of the NPC boss claimed that the man had been away for some time but would soon return to respond to the issue raised by the PAC. “Chief Odimewgu is a man of honour and has no reason whatsoever to disobey any invitation from the National Assembly and he will certainly meet them once he is around,” the aide, who pleaded anonymity, said.

Dutch court finds Shell guilty of oil pollution in Nigeria zAs Senate flays Shell, queries spill remediation measures

BY CLARA NWACHUKWU, HENRY UMORU & JOSEPH ERUNKE

A

Dutch court yesterday ruled that Royal Dutch Shell’s Nigerian subsidiary was responsible for a case of oil pollution in the Niger Delta and ordered it to pay damages in a decision that could open the door to further litigation.

The district court in The Hague (The Netherlands) said SPDC, a wholly-owned subsidiary, must compensate one farmer, Mr Friday Akpan, but dismissed four other claims filed against the Dutch parent company.

Four Nigerians and campaign group Friends of the Earth filed suits in 2008 in The Hague, where Shell has its global headquarters, seeking reparations for lost income from contaminated land and waterways in the Niger Delta region, the heart of the Nigerian oil industry.

The case was seen by environmental activists as a test for holding multinationals responsible for offences at foreign subsidiaries, and legal experts said other Nigerians affected by pollution might now be able to sue in the Netherlands.

Shell said the case would not set a precedent because its parent company was not held responsible.

The farmer who won compensation, 52-year-old father of 12 Friday Akpan, said he was very happy with the judgment because it would allow him to repay his debts.

“I am not surprised at the decision because there was divine intervention in the court. The spill damaged 47 fishing ponds, killed all the fish and rendered the ponds useless,” he told Reuters .

“Since then I have been living

by God’s grace and on the help of good Samaritans. I think this will be a lesson for Shell and they will know not to damage people’s livelihoods.”

Meanwhile, the Nigerian unit of Royal Dutch Shell is happy over the court ruling that all the contentious oil spill cases brought against it by some communities in the Niger Delta were caused by criminal activities.

Oil spill cases caused by criminal activity — Shell Managing Director of the Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu, was quoted in an email statement as saying: “We

A cross section of newly appointed members of Federal Character Commision during their swearing in by President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House, Abuja, yesterday.

welcome the court’s ruling that all spill cases were caused by criminal activity.”

ERA foresees more actions against oil coys The Environmental Rights Action, ERA, an affiliate of FoE, in a telephone interview with Vanguard, described the Dutch court judgment as “a mixed blessing.”

Spokesman for the group, Mr. Philip Jakpor, said: “The court ruling in favour of the farmer from Ikot Ada Udo, Akwa Ibom State has set a precedent on environmental activities because companies can be charged in their home countries for their actions in the host countries.”

He added that “there will be a ripple effect because a lot of aggrieved communities in the Niger Delta have been violated, and in the days and weeks ahead, communities will take on the companies in their home lands. This is because in Nigeria the oil companies have found ways to twist the judicial processes in their favour and they have continued to indulge in double standards in their style of operations, different from what they do in Europe or America.

“You see that the Dutch court blamed Shell for allowing the spill in Ikot Ada Udo to continue for months without stopping it on the claims that it was sabotage, whereas, they dare not try that in the Western countries under any circumstance.”

Shell declares victory on all counts Shell in its statement insisted that the Dutch court “ruled that the four oil spills at Oruma, Goi and Ikot Ada Udo between 2004

and 2007 which have been the subject of litigation, were caused by sabotage. Furthermore, the court ruled that Royal Dutch Shell Plc is not liable and dismissed all claims of Friends of the Earth.

“Only in the case of Ikot Ada Udo the court ruled that Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd, SPDC, could have prevented the sabotage by plugging the well at an earlier stage. In this particular case saboteurs opened the valve (above surface) with a wrench.

"In 2010, SPDC took the necessary measures to contain the well.

This was also acknowledged by the court. For Ikot Ada Udo the proceedings will continue between SPDC and Mr. Akpan to establish damages, if any.

Friends of the Earth also argued that SPDC did not clean-up the spill sites properly. This allegation was dismissed by the court.

Sunmonu also argued that “For SPDC, no oil spill is acceptable and we are working hard to improve our performance on operational spills. In the past years, we have seen a decline in operational spill volumes. These spills, however, were caused by sabotage and the court has, quite rightly, largely dismissed the claims.”

But ERA maintained that oil companies operating in Nigeria are not honest in reporting the spill cases. Jakpor said; “We don’t trust their figures because the companies normally under-report the volume of spill.

“Take for instance, the volume reported by Vanguard on Tuesday that Shell spilled over 26,000 barrels last year, I can bet you that the figure could have been more than 100,000 barrels, and because of the nature of our environment, in terms of regulation and control, the companies continue to get

away with such malpractices". .

“The fact that a subsidiary has been held responsible by a Dutch court is new and opens new avenues,” said Menno Kamminga, professor of international law at Maastricht University.

The court did not just examine the role of the parent company, but also looked “at abuses committed by Shell Nigeria, where the link with the Netherlands is extremely limited,” he said.

Meanwhile,the Senate has said Shell must within the next two weeks submit a detailed report of its activities with regard to remediation, where it has access to and where as a company, it has not been able to go and carry out its work.

The Senate also picked holes with the quality of remediation done on oil spills in their host communities and the method in which the remediation contracts were awarded. The legislators argued that the jobs were awarded to local contractors that had little or no professional competence in handling such assignments, noting that this further compounded the problems rather than solved them.

These were revealed when the Senator Bukola Saraki-led Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, met with the management of Shell to brainstorm on issues relating to oil spills in the Niger Delta.

Senator Saraki who noted that the committee discovered during their visits to the areas that there were no signs of remediation as claimed by Shell, said: “The method of remediation is of concern to us. We saw a contractor just exporting the contaminated soul, and imports fresh soil to fill the area. That is not the way it should be done.”

Vanguard , THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012—9

Lagos assures residents of flood control

FG records $8.9bn FDI

BY BEN AGANDE

A

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

LAGOS — LAGOS State Government, yesterday, asked residents not to panic as it had put adequate measures in place to reduce cases of flooding to the barest minimum in the state this year.

Commissioner of Environment, Tunji Bello, at a briefing on the work plan and activities of the ministry for the year 2013, noted that drainages and road construction projects contributed to the flood recorded last year.

According to him, at the end of year 2012, the government dredged 70 primary channels across 20 local government areas totaling about 32.3 killometres.

He said 330 secondary collectors’ drains were cleared to complement the free flow of storm water into the primary channels, stressing that the constructions of new channels at Awori/Moricas, Elere, Arigbanla, Gbagada, among others, would help tackle flood when the heavy rainfall commences.

Bello said; “Over 25 projects are expected to be constructed to further de-flood some major areas of the state,” noting that over 50 primary channels had also been programmed for maintenance.

Bello listed some of the projects for construction to include construction of Coconut Drain Reach 11, Ajegunle, channelisation of storm water at Ajegunle, construction of Shogbesan/Raypower collector drain Alimosho, construction of Mumuni Adio collector drain Ijegun, among others.

From left: Alhaji Nurudeen Fagbenro, the WEMA Bank Executive Director; Dr. Rotimi Oladele, Managing Director/CEO, MEGAVON West Africa and Mr. Segun Oloketuyi, MD/ CEO, during the visit of WEMA Bank Executives to MEGAVON West Africa, at Watch Tower Avenue, Shomolu, Lagos.

Okada: Lagos goes tough on unrestricted routes .Accuses FERMA of interfering on Ikorodu Rd project

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI AND MONMSUR OLOWOOPEJO

LAGOS —LAGOS State Government, yesterday, advised commercial motorcycle operators, popularly called ‘’Okada,” in the state to obey to the letter the Road Traffic Law 2012 on all unrestricted routes or face severe sanction This came as the government accused the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, FERMA, of obstructing ongoing reconstruction of the Ikorodu Road, on the mere excuse that it is a ‘Federal Road’ Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, noted that it was highly important for motorcycle operators to obey the Road Traffic Law to ensure the safety and security of residents.

Opeifa lamented the flagrant disobedience of traffic law by motorcycle operators and argued that in spite of stakeholders’ engagements, public enlightenment and advocacy embarked upon by the government to educate motorcycle associations both legal and otherwise, on the provisions of the law and the need for voluntary compliance, some motorcycle operators still plied restricted

Madam Bedwell passes on Madam Annah Bedwell is dead. She passed on December 10, 2012 at the age of 88.

She was survived by children and grand children, among whom, are: Mr. Rowland Bedwell, Mrs. Catherine Woods, Pastor Dele Bedwell, Maureen Bedwell, CEO, Maureen's Kitchen, Lagos and others.

Funeral service and interment, according to M a u r e e n Bedwell, will take place on Thursday, February 7, 2013.

Madam Annah Bedwell

routes with impunity.

According to him, “Section 3 sub sections 3 and 4 stipulate that no person shall operate a motorcycle either as a rider or a passenger without wearing a standard protective crash helmet and that no motorcycle operator shall carry more than one passenger at a time or a pregnant woman, a child below the age of 12 years or an adult with a baby on her back.”

Opeifa, warned motorcycle operators who ply unrestricted routes without the proper registration of the motorcycles, to desist from such unlawful act as both rider and passenger would be made to face the law.

He appealed to Nigeria Police, Military and other Law Enforcement Agents to carry out their duties diligently while enforcing the

Road Traffic Law, adding that “Lagosians rely on them for their safety, security and enforcement of the Law.” On Ikorodu Road, the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure claimed the planned rehabilitation could only be done without interference from FERMA and urged FERMA to concentrate its rehabilitation programmes on Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Lagos-Sagamu Road, Apapa – Osodi Expressway and a host of others begging for serious attention.

SEC: Activist seeks halt of Appropriation Bill 2013

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

A Lagos lawyer, Mr Leon Mbakwe, has asked a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, to restrain President Goodluck Jonathan from assenting to the Appropriation Bill 2013 as passed by the National Assembly, until Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC budget was included in the budget.

Mbakwe is contending in the suit that the non-approval of SEC’s appropriation by the House of Representatives, which had demanded the sack of the commission’s Director General, Ms Aruma Oteh, would cause hardship to workers of the commission.

BUJA — THE F e d e r a l G o v e r n m e n t ’ s investment drive appears to be making headway as foreign Direct Investment from reputable organisations reached $8.9 billion in 2012.

Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, who briefed State House correspondents after yesterday ’s Federal Executive Council meeting, noted that government was expecting an investment profile of N8.5trillion in the next five years.

According to Aganga: “Our foreign investment drive is bringing results with foreign investment commitments hitting 8.5 trillion naira and this is going to be for the next five years.

“According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and D e v e l o p m e n t , UNCTAD, we attracted 8.9 billion dollars worth of foreign investments last year, the largest in Africa and this also makes us one of the best investment destinations in the world.

“We now have an integrated trade and investment policy which was lacking for a long time,” he added.

He said about N6 billion investments were attracted into the free trade zone in the last one year while the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has been able to institute a 24-hour business registration schedule to fastrack the flow of investmment and creation of jobs in the country.

In the automobile sector, the minister said “We are one among two countries that do not have a clear national automobile policy. We are working with National Automotive Council (NAC) on this.

We need to boost our local content and make the industry competitive.

We are in discussion with two or three auto giants who will bring massive investments into Nigeria.”

He added: “Since we came on board, substandard goods have been reduced to 60 per cent from 85 per cent.

10—Vanguard , THURSDAY, JANUARY 31,

2013

Fadama projects benefit 8,000 farmers

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

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SOGBO — NO fewer than 8,000 farmers in 20 of the 30 Local Government Areas of Osun state have benefited from the third national Fadama Development projects.

Similarly10 persons living with HIV/AIDS in the state have been empowered through the Fadama 111 project supported by the World Bank and the three tiers of government.

The Project Coordinator, Mr. Adebowale Adediji, at a briefing in Osogbo yesterday, said other disadvantaged people including widows and handicapped individuals had been empowered through the project.

He said the disadvantaged people were provided with computer systems, motorcycles and other equipment to facilitate their operations in the rural areas.

Adediji, who explained that the project was a partnership between the World Bank, Federal and the state governments, noted that the project had empowered artisans and other professionals in the state since it commenced in March, 2009.

Career exploration workshop begins today

BY IYABO AINA

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A G O S — A N e d u c a t i o n management company, International Learning Network, ILN, based in Lekki, Lagos, has commenced its much talked about career exploration workshop tagged: “Educating for Global Competence :Career Exploration Workshop for Teenagers” The event commences today.

Speaking, the Executive Director of ILN, Mrs. Abiola Anyakwo said: “In many developed countries, guidance and career education is a mandatory component of secondary education.

Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (centre), Osun State Governor; his Special Adviser on Security Matters, Barrister Amos Adekunle (4th right); Brigadier General Johnson Oladehinde, Commander, Staff College, Jaji, (4th left); Col. Gbenga Adeyemi, Commander, Nigerian Army Engineering Regiment, Ede, (5th right); Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, Secretary to the State Government, (3rd left); Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, Chief of Staff to the Governor, (2nd left) and others, during the Jaji's Senior Course 35's visit to the Governor in his office, at Abere, Osogbo, Osun State.

Islamic cleric’s death: Masquerade vanishes … Police parade 16 others for various offences

By DAUD OLATUNJI

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BEOKUTA—THERE were strong indications yesterday, that the masquerade that allegedly shot dead an Islamic cleric, Lateef Amusa , in Ijaye area of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital during Egungun festival had vanished into thin air.

State Commissioner of Police, Ikemefuna Okoye, told newsmen at the Command Headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta, that contrary to media report that the masquerade was part of those arrested, the Command did not have the masquerade, known as ‘Leyin Aponle,’ in its custody.

It would be recalled that Amusa was reportedly killed by a masquerade during Egungun festival, which led to the burning down of the masquerade’s family house.

The Police Command had said it had arrested four suspects, including a masquerade over the death of Amusa .

However, while parading 16 suspects for various offences,

the Commissioner said only three persons had been arrested.

He said: “As an African, no one can arrest Egungun, only human beings that commit offences that are arrested. We don’t have masquerade in our custody. We have arrested human beings and they would be charged to court after investigation.”

But, when Vanguard interviewed Ajani Olabimtan, one of the suspects paraded by the police for the alleged murder, he claimed the masquerade was a Lagos based bus conductor and had run away after the incident.

According to him, “the masquerade was my boy. I am a transporter in Lagos and I followed Kazeem to Abeokuta to celebrate the

Polio immunisation not enough —Experts

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

"Routine immunisation is more practical and standard. It is necessary for children to be AGOS — MEDICAL experts have said immunised as at when due without waiting periodic immunisation is not enough to for periodic exercise and that is why we have eradicate polio and other preventable child immunisation schedule on our leaflets.”

Idris noted that to maintain a polio free state, killer diseases, even as the next round of efforts were on to strengthen “ routine National Immunisation Plus Days, NIPDs, is immunisation which is more sustainable and scheduled to begin nationwide in February.

Speaking, Lagos State Commissioner for cost effective than the periodic campaigns."

Meantime, no fewer than 4,376,609 children Health, Dr. Jide Idris, said routine under the ages of 0 - five years, are to be immunisation was more sustainable in the immunised in Lagos during the NIDs exercise fight against polio.

According to him: “This periodic exercise is billed to hold February 2-5, 2013.

Idris explained that the exercise was aimed not the best and that is why our target is at reducing and eliminating vaccine routine immunisation, because you don’t necessarily have to wait for periodic exercise preventable diseases, including polio.

He said already the state had sourced about before you take your children for immunisafive million doses of oral polio vaccine through tion. the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency.

The commissioner urged parents and care-givers to officials of banks. were seen scampering for ensure that their children Ikirun, the headquarters of safety when the rumour were taken to primary health Ifelodun Local Government filtered in that armed robbers care centres, PHCs, to receive Area, was also affected by the had alerted the management all scheduled immunisations robbery scare. of the bank of their intention before they were one year old.

The apprehension came He said polio “is a viral to rob the bank. few weeks after armed This prompted heavy disease and it is transmitted robbers stormed Ikirun and presence of policemen in and through contaminated food raided two commercial banks and water. Many infected around the bank. in the town killing six The bank, which began persons have no symptoms, persons. operation last week after the but they excrete the virus in Residents of the town, robbery incident that claimed their faeces which other especially those who live six lives, hurriedly closed for people can be contract close to the bank at new the day at about 11.00a.m. to through contamination.”

Inisha Road area of the town, avoid being attacked.

L

Panic grips Osun over armed robbery scare

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

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SOGBO — THERE was panic in Osogbo, the Osun State capital and other major commercial towns yesterday, after armed robbery alert, which paralysed industrial and commercial activities.

It was learnt that armed robbers operated in some neighbouring towns, sending apprehension to residents and

festival. He has run away.

In fact, I came to tell the police about the incident before I was arrested. It was not the masquerade that killed the man. It was done by some cultists who rammed into our procession." ”Meanwhile, the police paraded six alleged kidnappers, three armed robbers, five suspected murders and two burglars.

Vanguard, THURSDAY THURSDAY,, JANUARY 31, 2013—11

Edo LG polls: ACN denies allegation of candidates’ imposition

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ENIN—AHEAD the April 20, 2013 local government elections in Edo State, the leadership of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in the state, yesterday, denied allegations that chairmanship candidates were being imposed on the people.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the party in Uhumnwonde Local Government Area has passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of Charles Idahosa, the leader of the party in the council.

The state chairman of ACN, Mr. Thomas Okosun, said contrary to allegations that candidates had been adopted, the party was yet to conduct its primaries, adding, “all the leaders are now holding meetings and where the leaders agree on a consensus candidate, the easier it becomes for them.”

Some stakeholders in Uhumwonde, led by Chief Sam Iredia, had on Tuesday, accused the Political Adviser to the governor, Mr Idahosa and leader of the party

in Uhumwonde, of imposing one Roland Alari as chairmanship candidate without primaries.

However, at a meeting of the leadership of the party in the council, including the 10 council ward chairmen and Minority Whip in the House of Representatives,

Mr. Samson Osagie, the leaders expressed satisfaction with Idahosa’s leadership and reiterated their adoption of Alari as the chairmanship candidate of the party for the election.

In a statement read by Chief Josef Omorotionmwan, the leaders recalled that “on January 28, 2013, there was a meet-

ing of the 40-man leaders’ forum together with the 10 ward chairmen and ward women leaders, where it was decided, in line with ACN party extant rule, to unanimously endorse Alari as a consensus candidate of the party in the forthcoming elections.”

GRADUATION: From left: Capt T. A. Osoba, Commanding Officer, Under Water Warfare School, Ojo; Mr. Pondi Kestin, Managing Director, Mieka Dive Limited and Mr. Okunbo Atapoboloukemi, a graduand, at the graduation of the first batch of Amnesty trainees in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

Ex-militants charged to eschew arms struggle

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GHELLI—AN exmilitants’ group of Urhobo extraction, under the aegis of “Third Phase,” yesterday, urged former militants in the Niger Delta region to refrain from the use of arms in their quest to draw government’s attention to the dearth of human and infrastructural development plaguing the region.

The group, in a statement by its National Chairman, Mr. Wise Onobruchere, stressed the need for former militants of the Third Phase to always engage government in peaceful dialogue in times of dispute.

Commending Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, for donating relief materials to their members who were affected by the recent flood, the group appealed to the state government to create job opportunities for their members.

Sultan, CAN President differ on licensing of preachers

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI, SAM EYOBOKA & ABDALLAH EL-KUREBE

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OKOTO—SULTAN of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has called on the Federal Government to commence the process of licensing preachers in the country to reduce the incidence of wrong indoctrination of youths.

He aslo appealed to the government to dialogue with Boko Haram sect to ensure the return of peace and security in the country.

Meanwhile, National President of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, yesterday said that licensing preachers was not the right approach to curtail wrong indoctrination of youths in the country, arguing that the moment government was involved in the censorship of religion then it would no longer be religion.

Abubakar spoke at two separate functions in Sokoto and Abuja, yesterday. He was represented at the Abuja event by Alhaji Isa Mohammed.

Goodwill message In his goodwill message at the opening ceremony of a two-day peace and security summit organised by the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, the Sultan said it was necessary for preachers to be licensed because, “it is in the process of preaching that people are indoctrinated.”

He pointed out that in view of the security challenges confronting the nation, it had become imperative for anyone intending to become a preacher to secure a licence from the government.

Urges dialogue with Boko Haram Speaking when he received the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, in his palace in Sokoto, the Sultan urged the Federal Government to engage in talks with the Boko Haram sect, which recently declared ceasefire, saying, “the dialogue would serve as a means of getting across to the other splinter groups within the sect.”

He described the cease-fire as a welcomed development, saying that this was an opportunity the government should not throw away.

He said: “That is why, when a few days ago we heard a purported ceasefire by a faction within the Boko Haram sect, we welcomed it and I believe it is an issue we have to open up to.”

Former Head of State and Presidential candidate of Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), also said in Abuja that “unless the country is mobilized to secure the nation, the black man will be a disappointment to man. We have all the human and material resources, we ought to be better.”

But maintaining that licensing of preachers would ensure regulation, the Sultan said: “We are not saying that anybody should be stopped from preaching their religion. It is, however, a fact that violent preaching leads to destruction of lives and property.

“Nigeria has lots of challenges, but these challenges can be overcome by constant cooperation of eminent people.

We need to recognise the fact

that if there is any problem in this country, it is not only going to affect the perpetrators of such problem alone but all of us. We must therefore stand and preach peace. Our youths should be told the truth that taking arms against their brothers is criminal. The excuse that they do not have jobs is not enough.”

Receiving the COAS in his palace, he said that Nigeria would not break up as being predicted by some people.

He said: ”Nigeria will remain one entity. Those clamouring for the division of the country are just making noise to seek for relevance.”

Don’t subject religion to govt interference—CAN Reacting, Pastor Oritsejafor said religion was a very sensitive issue that dealt with the conscience of people which should not be subject to the interference of government.

Similarly, Director of Social Communication at the Catholic Archdiocese, Lagos, Rev, Monsignor Gabriel Osu, opposed the move, saying that such would be the easiest way of gravitating towards totalitarianism in the country.

Ortisejafor said: “What must happen, if you ask me, is that preachers generally belong to organizations and such organizations must sum up the courage to monitor the activity and content of the messages of every preacher with a view to disciplining them when they derail.”

He said that umbrella organisations were in a better position to monitor the contents of the messages of their members and are in a better position to also discipline such members whenever they go astray.

“Governments do not have the wherewithal to monitor activities of preachers across the length and breadth of the country. It is only the organizations that oversee the activities of their members that will be able to curtail their excesses.” He, added that there are some preachers who do not belong to any group, noting that in such cases the relevant organisations should be bold to come out to say so.

The CAN president was emphatic in his recommendation that any preacher who runs foul of the law should be dealt with in accordance with the laws of the land.

12—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013

N-Assembly to reconsider NNPC's $1.5bn loan probe

Disputed oil wells: Rivers pulls out of peace talk with Bayelsa ...accuses FG of bias

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

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ENAGOA—RIVERS State Government, yesterday, pulled out of the peace talk with Bayelsa State Government aimed at resolving the disputed oil wells on the border towns of Oluasiri and Kula communities of the two states.

Rivers State Deputy Governor, Engr. Tele Ikuru, who led the state delegation, accused Federal Government agencies, including National Boundary Commission, NBC, of bias and gave three conditions for acceptable resolution of the conflict.

Engr. Ikuru, who spoke, yesterday, in Yenagoa at the joint meeting of officials of the Bayelsa/Rivers Interstate Boundary, said though the state had approached a court of law and procured reasonable judgment, the decision of NBC and AccountantGeneral of the Federation to release the revenue proceeds from the oil wells to Bayelsa, was a clear case of injustice.

Ikuru argued that to continue to allow Bayelsa State take full benefit of the revenue proceeds from the disputed wells while NBC was in the middle of the delineation exercise, was unjust and unacceptable to the state.

BY SONI DANIEL, Regional Editor, North

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HERE were indica tions last night that the National Assembly might back down on its tough stance to deal with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, for allegedly obtaining a loan of $1.5 billion from various banks to pay its debts without the approval of the legislature.

Findings by Vanguard revealed that the committee raised by the House of Representatives to probe the matter and report back to the lower chambers within two weeks had decided to soft pedal on the matter following uncertainty over whether the oil corporation had actually drawn down the funds, which were meant to offset the debts owed major suppliers of refined products to the country.

According to unverified reports, the money was paid by NNPC to the oil suppliers towards the end of the last year to avoid serious repercussions but the National Assembly members said they have found out that the money was yet to be spent.

It was gathered that as a result of the discovery that the funds had not yet been drawn down, the House of Representatives Committee on Loans and Debts, Justice, Petroleum Downstream and Upstream, which was mandated to probe the matter, had to call off its public hearing slated for Tuesday.

The hearing, which was to enable members of the public and top officials of NNPC to speak up on what they knew about the controversial loan package, was surreptitiously cancelled when it dawned on members that the investigation would amount to a wild goose chase.

A member of the House of Representatives, who spoke to Vanguard in confidence, pointed out that the members might have been misled into assuming that the oil corporation committed an infraction by taking the loan without the consent of the National Assembly.

He said: “Under the circumstances, the commitment to speedy and transparent resolution of this potentially volatile and protracted boundary issue cannot be guaranteed.

“Rivers State has strongly argued that the most effective and transparent way to make all parties genuinely focused on the settlement bid was the immediate intervention of the Federal Government by directing the payment of all revenue proceeds from the disputed oil wells into an Escrow Account under the Accountant General of the Fed-

eration.

“To direct that all withdrawals hitherto made from and given to Bayelsa from the erstwhile Escrow Account maintained by the two state governments be returned; to direct the return to status quo with regard to the 11th Edition of the Administrative Map of Nigeria, as reiterated by the National Boundary Commission vide its letter no.

NBC SEC.4/s/75 July 3, 2002 addressed by the Governor of Rivers State.”

Ikuru accused the Bayelsa

PROTEST: Disengaged staff of Exxon Mobil’s Qua Ibo terminal protesting shortfalls in their terminal benefits in Eket yesterday.

Reps probe alleged misappropriation of $67bn foreign reserve

BY OKEY NDIRIBE & EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

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HE House of Rep resentatives has resolved to investigate the Federal Government’s alleged squandering of $67 billion in the last six years.

The alleged squandered sum comprised Nigeria’s foreign reserves which stood at $45 billion as well as the excess crude fund which stood at $22 billion as at 2007.

The allegation was made by Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, a former Special Adviser on Public Procurement to former President Olusegun Obasanjo and one time Vice President of the World Bank.

Allegation She had alleged that the government of late President Umaru

State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Mr. Richard Egele, of alleged secret meetings with indigenes of Kula community in Rivers State to lay claim to being indigenes of Bayelsa State.

The meeting could not continue as Ikuru announced the withdrawal of Rivers delegation from further deliberation and participation in any joint delimitation and demarcation exercise in respect of the boundary until their demands were met.

Yar ’Adua and the current administration mismanaged the huge sum which was left behind by Obasanjo's administration.

The House, in adopting a motion sponsored by Umar Bature (PDP, Sokoto), directed its Committees in charge of Finance and Appropriation to jointly investigate the allegation and report back within six weeks.

Throwing more light on his motion, Bature urged the House to conduct the investigation because of the background of Ezekwesili as Special Adviser to the President on Public Procurement who later became a Minister of Education.

The former minister who had spoken at the 44th convocation lecture of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, held last week had alleged that the squandered sum was made up of direct savings from increased

earnings that arose from oil sales which the Obasanjo administration handed over to the successor government in 2007.

She had lamented that six years after the administration she served handed over such a huge amount of cash to another one, most Nigerians, especially the poor, continue to suffer the effects of failing public health and education systems as well as decrepit infrastructure and battered institutions.

She had asked: “One cannot but ask what exactly does this level of brazen misappropriation of public resources symbolize? Where did all that money go? Where is the accountability for the use of these resources and the additional funds realised from oil sale by the two administrations that have governed our nation in the last six years?"

Vanguard , THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013 —13

NBA sets up panel to probe Ezzu River bodies

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

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BUJA—THE Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, yesterday, expressed its determination to get to the root of the mystery surrounding the 18 dead bodies that were on January 19 discovered at River Ezzu which runs through Enugu and Anambra States.

National President of the legal body, Chief Okey Wali, SAN, who made the disclosure in Abuja, yesterday, said the association had already constituted a committee with a mandate to closely monitor investigations currently being conducted into the matter by security agencies.

Wali said: “Whenever we remember our yesteryears, we lament our fate. We must move away, and very quickly, from lamenting our fate and find durable and lasting solutions. We cannot continue in this state of affairs, with daily loss of lives and properties. Just recently, on January 19, 2013, there was an attack on the life of the Emir of Kano which led to the death of five of his aides. May their souls rest in peace. This is how bad the situation is.

“On Saturday, January 19, 2013, the people of Amansea Community in Anambra State, reportedly

woke up to find 18 bodies floating on River Ezzu, a River that runs through many Enugu and Anambra States Communities and empties into the River Niger.

I understand that 4 more bodies were later found on the River.

“Nobody, I repeat, nobody to date, has accounted for who they

are and how they came floating on the river. This is happening in 2013 Nigeria, what a shame!

“The Nigerian Bar Association is determined to get to the root of this ugly incident and so, I have set-up a committee, headed by the 1st Vice President of Nigerian Bar Association and Chairman of

Nigerian Bar Association Human Rights Committee, Mr O.J. Irahbor, with former Chairman of Abakaliki branch of Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Tony Okah, as secretary, to very closely follow up the investigations by the security agencies.”

VISIT: Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku; Branch Controller, Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Ebonyi State, Mrs. Anthonia Obiekwe; Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Martin Elechi and others, inspecting CBN project at the New Ochudo City Complex by members of Good Governance Tour to the state.

....As CLO accuses Police of complicity

BY EMEKA MAMAH

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WKA—SOUTH EAST Zone of the Civil Liberties Organisation, CLO, has accused the police in Anambra State of alleged complicity in the killing and dumping of about 30 corpses in Ezzu river in the state.

In a petition to President Goodluck Jonathan, the CLO also asked the Federal Government to investigate the matter, pointing out that the discovery of corpses in the river at Amansea had been causing anxiety in the area.

The petition entitled, ‘’Re: Killing and dumping of 20 human corpses in Ezzu River Amansea, Anambra State, by men of Anambra State Special Anti- Robbery Squad, SARS, Awkuzu, portends danger to the im-

age and security of the country,’’ and dated January 28, 2013, was signed by the Zonal Director of CLO in the area, Mr Olu Omotayo said.

It noted that although the police in the state claimed there were no gun shot wounds or other forms of injuries on the dead bodies, a report posted on internet revealed that the corpses were riddled with bullet wounds, just as there were blood drops and stains on the bridge and the path to the Ezzu river.

According to the CLO, ‘’this clearly contradicts the claim by the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State, that there was no mark of violence on the bodies.” ‘’When the incident was

Anambra govt moves against tax evaders

BY ENYIM ENYIM

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NITSHA—TAX evaders in Anambra State are to face hard times as government has concluded plans to arrest and prosecute defaulters with effect from the first week of February.

Chairman of the Board of Internal Revenue, BIR, Mr Ejikeme Nwanne, yester-

day stated this while addressing newsmen on the revenue profile of the state.

He said government’s decision followed the age long culture of the people of the state to evade tax, thereby stalling certain developmental projects that could be executed with the state internal generated revenue.

Former Anambra Dep gov passes on

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

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WKA—FORMER deputy governor of old Anambra State during the second republic, Igwe Austin Ezenwa, has passed on, aged 86 years.

Ezenwa was deputy to the late Chief Christian Onoh and they were in office for only three months in 1983 before the military sacked politicians.

He had earlier vied for the office of governor in 1979 but was unsuccessful.

His son, Mr. Osita Ezenwa, who was a former secretary to the government of Anambra State, SSG, who announced the death of his father, said he would be buried next month.

The late Ezenwa, who was the traditional ruler of Abagana in Njikoka local government area of Anambra State, was at various times, during his teaching career that spanned several decades, the principal of many secondary schools, including Christ the King College, CKC, and Dennis Memorial Grammar School, DMGS, both in Onitsha.

NDDC Rep lauds Jonathan

BY FRANKLIN ALLI

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M UA H I A — M R .

Aloysius Nwagboso, Abia State Representative on the Governing Board of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has commended President Goodluck Jonathan for his special interest in NDDC projects in the state.

Nwagboso, who made the commendation during the commissioning of several projects executed by the commission in Ukwa West Local Government Area of the State, said President Jonathan had taken special interest in NDDC projects not only in Abia but also in the entire Niger Delta.

Novena

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HE VINCENTIAN Retreat Centre, OjoduIkeja, comenced its New Year Novena today and will end on Friday, February 8.

The nine-day event with the theme: My Year of Exploits, will feature Confession, Stations of the Cross, Adoration, Vigil and Holy Mass.

The Novena will be hosted by the Vincentian fathers with Rev Fr. Innocent Iheanacho as guest Minister.

14—Vanguard , THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013

BPE issue BFI ALSCON’s bid letter

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BY EMMA UJAH

BUJA—AFTER al most nine years of legal battle for the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria, ALSCON, Ikot Abasi, Akwa IBom State, by the BFI Group Corporation, the Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE, has finally issued the original winners of the bid a letter, offering them the much coveted company.

A statement by BPE’s spokesman, Mr. Chukwuma Nwoko, in Abuja, yesterday, explained that the action followed the decision of the National Council on Privatisation, NCP, in compliance with the Supreme Court order of July last year, that ALSCON be given to BFI Group, an Americanbased company, promoted by a NigerianAmerican, Dr. Reuben Jaja, as the true winners of the privatization process.

The BPE said, however, that the BFI Group was expected to execute the Share Purchase agreement and pay the 10 per cent of the $410 million offer price within 15 days of the execution of the SPA. The 90 per cent balance is to be paid within 90 calendar days.

NTA, VIMN Africa sign pact

BY EMMANUEL ELEBEKE & BENSON DAVID BUJA—THE Nige rian Television Authority, NTA yesterday signed a landmark partnership and training agreement with Viacom International Media Networks, VIMN, Africa in Abuja.

With this partnership, NTA will from February 2013, broadcast a daily dose of VIMN programming content, including youth-focused editorial, under its MTV Base brand, while kids and family oriented content will appear under the Nickelodeon banner.

According to the acting Director General of NTA, Alhaji Musa Mayaki, Nickeledeon programming will air seven days a week, while MTV Base content will air five days a week in the early afternoon, with an additional late night slot on Fridays and Saturdays.

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Reps query FG over N302bn ecology fund

BY OKEY NDIRIBE BUJA—THE House of Representatives has queried the Federal Government over a whopping shortfall of N302 billion of Ecological Funds.

The House further accused the Federal Government of violating the Financial Act 2006 by using Decree 36 of 1984 as the guideline for the distribution of the fund.

This directive was given yesterday by Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, Uche Ekwunife, during an investigative hearing to determine the effectiveness and efficiency in the management of the Fund.

She said the committee was mindful of the use of the fund for the provision of loans to some states and federal agencies for projects not related to ecological matters.

The committee further directed that the Accountant General’s Office and the Budget Office should separate the Ecological Funds from the Federation Account in other to give way for transparency and judicious usage of the funds.

She also ordered that the allocation of funds to the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, which is on first line charge of the Federation Account, should be released on a monthly basis as opposed to the present system of quarterly payments.

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The chairman in her speech, noted that the one percent allocated for the use of the Accountant General for the computation of inflows from January 2004 to June 2012 was contrary to the two percent specified in the Federation Accounts Act 2004.

“This, therefore, resulted to understatement of the figure which accrued to the tune of N302, 358, 388,317.81,” she said.

She also queried the illegal, transfers of N93.7 billion in 2009

from the Ecological Funds to Consolidated Revenue Fund to finance the acceleration of capital budget advances to states and local government to meet revenue shortfalls and third quarter Developmental Fund Warrant.

She further said only N50 billion was refunded, leaving a balance of N43.7 billion unpaid.

Ekwunife further revealed that another loan of N60.7 billion was taken from the fund by the

VISIT: From left: General Manager, Osun State Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Oyetunde Oyesiji; Deputy Director, News, Osun State Broadcasting Corporation, OSBC, Mrs.Jolaade Igbaroola; Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori, and Director, Finance & Accounts, OSBC, Mr. Sanjo Owoade, during the visit to OSBC in Osogbo.

PDP denies re-admitting Kalu

BY ANAYO OKOLI/GBENGA

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OKE

MUAHIA—THE South East zonal leadership of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday said it has rejected attempt by former governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, to rejoin the party, insisting that he had not been readmitted into the party.

This came as Chairman of the party in Abia State, Sen. Emma Nwaka, accused the former governor of using fake membership card to re-enter the party, saying his return would add no value to party in the 2015 elections.

A statement by the National Vice Chairman of the party, South East zone, Col. Austin Akobundu(Rtd), said the zonal leadership of the party had written to the national leadership to intimate it that Kalu had not been readmitted.

Akobundu also said the zone leadership had no intention of admitting the former governor.

According him, the zonal leadership of the party “has reason to believe that Chief Kalu is a paid agent of presidential aspirant whose mandate is to destabilize the party in the South East zone. “it is for that reason that Chief Kalu’s attempt to rejoin the party has been roundly rejected by his ward, local government and state chapters of the party.”

federal and state governments “for purposes not related to ecological problems, adding that a balance of N30 billion was left unpaid.

According to the lawmaker, another illegal deduction of N20.1billion was made between January 2003 to December 2011 for debt servicing. She added that all the deductions were made without approval of the National Assembly.

He denied categorically that Kalu was admitted in his ward, saying the purported readmission was in contravention of Article 8, section 8 of the Constitution of the party as (amended) and, therefore.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the

Peoples Democratic Party in Abia State, Sen. Emma Nwaka, has accused former governor of the state, Orji Uzor Kalu, of using fake membership card to reenter the party, saying his return would add no value to party in the 2015 elections.

Okorocha calls for military discipline in politics

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

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WERRI—IMO State gov ernor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, has called for strict military discipline in the nation’s democratic system to enable the country move forward.

Okorocha, who made the call when he played host to officers of the Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna State, at Government House, Owerri, also noted that lack of discipline had hindered progress and development in the country.

He said discipline should be introduced a s a subject in the primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in the country, adding that it will go a long way in introducing sanity in the polity.

Speaking earlier, leader of the delegation and Director, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Major General John

Kwabe, explained the the purpose of their visit was to look into some critical issues, such as national economy, integration, food security and youth development.

Orubebe tasked on N-Delta devt

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HE Managing Direc tor of OCI Plan Global Nigeria Limited, Mr. Iyekoroghawei Ojowuro, has called on Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, to urgently complete the East West road, and other projects being executed by his ministry.

Ojowuro, in a statement in Warri, urged Orubebe to emulate the performance of Kingsley Kuku, chairman of Presidential Amnesty Committee in alleviating the plight of Niger Delta indigenes.

He maintained that Kuku has made the people of region proud for managing the Amnesty programme effectively to the benefit of the people, the region and Nigeria.

Vanguard , THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013—15

Police pension scam: Reps ask EFCC, AGF to appeal judgment ...demand stiffer punishment for Yusuf, others

BY OKEY NDIRIBE & EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

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BUJA—IRKED by public condemnation of the judgment on Mr John Yakubu Yusuf and others undergoing trial for the over N38 billion Police Pension scam at the FCT High Court, Abuja, the House of Representatives, yesterday, asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, to review the ruling.

The House declared that the monumental fraud in the Police Pension Fund had resulted in untold hardship for police pensioners who had their pensions unpaid for many months.

Members of the House in adopting a motion on the urgent need to revisit the case brought by House Minority Whip, Samson Osagie, and nine others, also called on the National Assembly to review provisions of the penal and criminal codes to provide stricter punishment for such matters.

"The EFCC and AGF should appeal the judgement of Justice Abubakar Talba of the FCT High Court in the case of the State Vs Mr John Yusuf and others, with a view to seeking stricter punishment for the offence under Section 309, of the Penal Code Act Cap 532 Laws of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, 2007,” it said.

Osagie, who led the debate, faulted the decision of FCT High Court and urged the parliament to intervene, adding that pension was a matter that ought to be treated with utmost respect.

"As the peoples’ representatives, we cannot keep quiet over the matter. This is not good for our criminal justice system, especially as it bothers on the fight against corruption.

"It is repugnant and unacceptable to good conscience. Stiffer punishment should be meted out else others will tow the same line. It is not good for our democracy.

"This sort of judgement of a court can only serve as an incentive for public officers entrusted with man-

agement of public fund to commit more acts of corruption as the judgement in this case did not meet the justice of the matter, given the huge amount of fraud

committed by Mr John Yusuf in the Police Pension Fund.

"This judgement which has been widely criticised by both lawyers and civil

society groups, has been a slap on the wrist as the sentence ought to be stricter to deter other public officers from meddling with public funds,” the lawmaker said.

PDP: No division among us

BY HENRY UMORU

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BUJA—THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, raised alarm that some persons were plotting to destroy it, denying having any rift with governors elected on its platform.

National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, said in a statement that some of the party’s perceived enemies claimed disunity within its leadership, stressing, however, that members of the National Working Committee, NWC, were united and working in close relations with the National Chair-

man, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur. Metuh, also said the party was in good working relationship with President Goodluck Jonathan.

He said: “The PDP has reiterated that there is no division in its leadership even as members of the NWC have stressed that they are solidly behind the National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

"In the same vein, the party said it totally supports the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan, adding that it has no problem with PDP State governors contrary to speculations in some national dailies".

Jonathan tasks civil servants

BY BEN AGANDE

A LECTURE—From left: Guest Lecturer and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN; former Minister of Information and National Orientation, Prof. Jerry Gana; and Vice Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Mr. Muhammed Bello, during NERC annual lecture at the Nicon Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

CAN blasts El-Rufai over alleged comment on Jesus Christ ...urges FG, JNI to call him to order

BY JOSEPH ERUNKE

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BUJA—THE Chris tian Association of Nigeria, CAN, yesterday, described recent statement linked to former Federal Capital Territory Minister, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, on Jesus Christ, as not only reckless but also indicative of deep-seated moral bankcruptcy.

El-Rufai had tweeted on January 28, that “if Jesus criticises Jonathan’s government, Maku, Abati or Okupe will say that he slept with Mary Magdalene”.

Addressing newsmen on the issue, CAN warned ElRufai that “if he persists in such matters and making such divisive commentaries, he must prepare himself for a very forceful and vigorous reaction from the Church and the Christian community in Nigeria”.

Speaking through its General Secretary, Rev.

Musa Asake, CAN warned that the “maturity and dignified restraint of the Christian populace, in the face of inflammatory and provocative statements, should not be taken as licence for unbridled assault.

"We urge his religious leaders and political associates to advise him to be far more sobre and circumspect and put a padlock on his mouth before he lights the candle that sets our country on fire.

"On our part, we urge the Christian community and our Christian youths to continue to be restrained and always seek peace, love and harmony, in spite of the provocations that they are facing from the likes of Nasir El-Rufai and those he represents.

"We must not allow him to turn Nigeria into a cauldron of fire by his reckless, bigoted and twisted commentaries about our Lord or our faith and we must view him for exactly what he is,

a failed, desperate, hatefilled and drowning politician, who is now stoking embers of religious division to create a political base for himself amongst his people.

"Nigeria has no place for a religious bigots who delight in insulting the Christian faith.

"We urged the Federal Government to call Nasir El-Rufai to order and not to overlook the possibility that his joke was not only contrived but was actually calculated to create an even greater wedge between Christians and Muslims with the attendant consequences.

"Had it not been for the maturity, fortitude, patience, decency, forgiving nature and deep sense of restraint that the majority of Christians have in our country, El-Rufai would not have been safe anywhere in Nigeria today after cracking such an expensive joke.”

BUJA—PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has charged civil servants to ensure a harmonious working relationship that will enhance effective service delivery.

Swearing in two permanent secretaries and commissioners of the Federal Character Commission and Federal Civil Service, President Jonathan enjoined them to treat every Nigerian the same while discharging their duties.

He said: “Learn how to relate with your colleagues because one of the greatest problems we have in the service is that people fight over nothing, the relationship between one officer and the other. You must see this country as one. You must treat everybody the same way.”

He told the commissioners of the Federal Character Commission that their commission was critical to the success of governance and commended the calibre of persons selected in the various responsibilities.

16—Vanguard , THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013

KWARA STATE GOVT AND VANGUARD AGRIC SUMMIT IN PIX

From left: Alhaji Adamu Othman, MD, Kafam Agro Allied Nigeria Ltd and Mr Emeka Nkwocha Vanguard Advert Manager.

Some of the agric machinery on exhibition being inspected by participants during an international agric summit organised by the Kwara State government and Vanguard Newspaper in Ilorin, yesterday. Pix: Dare Fasube.

From left: Chief Joseph Ayo Akinola, representing Oloffa of Offa and Dr Muideen Akorede, SSA Media to Kwara State Governor.

From left: Chief Joseph Ayo Akinola, representing Oloffa of Offa, Mr Bode Olayemi, Commissioner for Agriculture Kwara State representing the Governor and Alhaji Adamu Othman, MD, Kafam Agro Allied Nigeria Ltd, inspecting the agric machinery.

From left: Mr Buhari Adebisi, Director Federal Ministry of Agric, Mr Daniel Ajiboye, Acting Chairman AFAN and Dr. Bamidele Ololade of SASATT Associates.

We 'll continue to promote agric — Kwara govt zAs Vanguard hails initiatives

BY DEMOLA AKINYEMI Mrs Yemisi Olufowote (right) going through a copy of Vanguard Newspaper and other participants.

From left: Prof. Abiodun Afolayan of University of Ilorin and Mr Ezekiel Ayodeji, an Agric Engineer.

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LORIN—GOVERNOR Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State yesterday said that the state government will continue to promote agriculture through public private partnership for better economic prosperity in the state and the country in general.

Governor Ahmed said this at a one-day International Agro Summit with the theme: “Financing Agriculture in Nigeria”, organised

by Vanguard Media Ltd, in conjunction with Kwara state government and Courtly Communications Ltd, Lagos The governor who was

represented by the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Bode Olayemi, noted that agriculture is the only sector that can assist the people, adding that the state has blazed the trail in large scale commercial agriculture in the country.

He recalled that the Shonga farm experimented by the state government in the state is now yielding unprecedented benefits as many states are already replicating same.

Olayemi also explained that agriculture will move Nigeria from being a mono-economy to a better place for more businesses, adding that the present administration is interested in ensuring high mechanized

farming for better yield.

Vanguard Advert manager, Mr Emeka Nkwocha, who led the company’s team of Messrs David Baro Thomas, Deputy Manager Special Project and Mr Jim Rex Lawson, commended the state for its exploits, particularly in commercial agriculture which was pioneered in the state by the immediate past administration of Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

Nkwocha also praised Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed for improving on the legacies of his predecessor, urging the state government to forge ahead and pointed out that countless opportunities still abound in the sector to better the lot of Nigerians.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013— 17 “The Governors Forum is now acting as an opposition to the federal government. It deliberately breaches the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the constitution of the PDP without any challenges. The forum has now become a threat to the peace and stability of Nigeria”- Chief E.K. Clark HE struggle for factional hegemony within the PDP got messier last week, when Chief E.K. Clark, the grand Mandarin of Ijaw nationalism and “honorary godfather” to President Goodluck Jonathan, frontally took on the president’s most formidable ‘inhouse’ opponents: The PDP governors and former president, Olusegun Obasanjo. We must thank the venerable old man, for revealing in its naked nastiness, the internecine fight for supremacy within the party. 2015 is really the name of the game and the president has not won the battle against his foes in a war of attrition, where no one can afford to take prisoners. It is a fight to the finish, which explains the entrance of the “bunker-busting bomb (BBB)” that Chief E.K. Clark represents on the

Chief E.K. Clark: The oldman, governors and the PDP

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The old man should have given himself the pause to note the evolution of the party system under contemporary capitalist democracy.

Parties are no longer what they used to be.

In the 21st Century they evolved into opportunistic levers of power

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Chief E.K.Clark: Accuses governors of acting as oppostion to FG. presidential side.

Chief Clark openly told the nation

that PDP governors and the old despot, Olusegun Obasanjo are conspiring against President Jonathan; but “they will fail”, he assured. The redoubt from which the governors are cooking up

Rivers State gover nor, Rotimi Amaechi, chair, Governors forum. their conspiracy is the Nigerian Governors Forum. Clark traced the history of the body, saying that “Nigerians hardly took notice of their existence”, but “a change came when Dr. Bukola Saraki used the platform to achieve his presidential ambition”.

Today, the PDP has lost control of its various organs and “the over-bearing influence of the Governors Forum in the polity has become a matter of

serious concern”. For Chief Clark, it is the “conspiracy” against Jonathan, which led to the outcry. The old man should have given himself the pause to note the evolution of the party system under contemporary capitalist democracy. Parties are no longer what they used to be. In the 21st Century they evolved into opportunistic levers of power, because the central assumption today, is that this is the age of Francis Fukuyama’s “end of history”. Parties have no ideological positions that members subscribe to.

The Nigerian experience since 1999, has thrown up the worst expression of this international trend.

The old man might also remind himself how the party was manipulated by President Jonathan to reach the height he now occupies.

There were no principles involved; nor fidelity to purposes beyond securing power. And with that access, Nigerians have seen the worst of prebendalism!

It was a context of systematic heist at the highest levels of the Nigerian state, which explained ObyEzekwesili’s accusation last weekend, that over $60Billion was frittered away by the administration in power. Chief E.K. Clark is not exactly worried for Nigeria; he is not even thinking about the health of the “vote capturing” contraption called the PDP. Chief Clark is stridently condemning adversaries on the other side, from his place in the battle for hegemony. If President Jonathan achieves victory over adversaries: the governors and Obasanjo, the old man will go back to the status quo ante: A PDP that is a vehicle of raw power and heist. The boat is listing dangerously at the moment and there are not many life jackets to go around, while pretty few of the passengers have swimming skills. The next few weeks will see fiercer exchanges of missiles on all sides of this PDP family war.

Kano’s Achaba ban

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N the wake of the assassination attempt on the Emir of Kano, last week the Kano state government banned the operations of motorcycle taxis, known as ACHABA, in Kano. It was a ban that was long coming; in fact, there was story that government had been set to effect the ban but was worried about a backlash. And given the central place of those motorcycles in movement in Kano, a very violent backlash was very likely! Kano has the highest number of motorcycles in Nigeria, numbered at over two million.

Jibrin Ibrahim’s instructive article for DAILY TRUST this week, located the phenomenon of motorcycle taxis in the collapse of an organised urban transportation system in much of West Africa, from the 1980s.

The crisis of urban transportation coincided with the increased population of people in our urban cities; and in the case of Kano, was related to the crisis of rural life and the pull of thousands of people into the bourgeoning city. In 1994, I did a package for the BBC’s NETWORK AFRICA about the ACHABA phenomenon. I rode on the back of one these motorcycles; interviewed operators as well as their union’s leadership; I went into the Murtala Muhammed Hospital’s “ACHABA Ward”, which was receiving about 35 ACHABA accidents’ victims each day of the week. Many of those who operated these motorcycles were urban lumpens in the main, while others came from rural areas around Kano.

They were often on drugs; had a nihilistic outlook to life and seemed unfazed about the danger they faced each day or the danger they constituted to their passengers and other road users. They had certain cryptic descriptions of their attitudes to life: “Mutuwa dole kokafarkatako (death or a broken limb)” and “Shekara da lafiya, kauyanci ne (an accidentfree existence is a sign of backwardness)”!

The ACHABA phenomenon was to spread like veldt fire with the return to civil rule in 1999, when governors in many states turned motorcycle taxis into “poverty alleviation” projects and a direct effort at building a base of thugs and toughies used for political purposes. The more entrenched they

became, the more lawless in practically every city. A minor tiff with the ACHABA rider guarantees the convergence of dozens of their colleagues with a consequent disruption of traffic. This went with heavy urban pollution especially in Kano, which became increasingly dysfunctional in the past decade. All around Northern Nigeria, the dysfunctional existence was reflected in the dominance of ACHABA in transportation. In truth, there were few real jobs for the young people who turned to ACHABA for livelihood.

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istorical events often have unforeseen outcomes and so it was with ACHABA. The marginal groups left out of our peculiar form of

Nigerian ruling class justice: Steal N23bn, pay N750,000 fine and enjoy the loot

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OHN YakubuYusufu is a thief; confirmed! He was one of the eight civil servants who stole N40billion from the Nigeria Police Pension Funds. His share of the loot was “a mere N23Billion”. He was taken to court and was sentenced to two years imprisonment with an option of N750, 000 fine. The thief paid up the ridiculous “change” and was let off, well…to enjoy the loot!

Scandalised Nigerians forgot the nature of Nigerian ruling class “justice”.

Those given custody of national resources are bandits, worse than common criminals; but there is a protective racket for this clan of thieves. Didn’t Lucky Igbinedion get a tap on the wrist for looting Edo state? What about thebandits caught up in the fuel subsidy scandal? Forgotten the Power sector scam? There are those who looted states and are now re-opening banks they initially looted to win states they re-looted? The “fight against corruption” is a joke! The anticorruption bodies are a burlesque. Our bandit ruling class rule a bandit state!

neo-colonial, neoliberal, corrupt and uncaring capitalism, began to fight back, employing terrorist methods in the insurgency in the North. The motorcycle taxi became a choice weapon of the terrorism of the past four years. From Borno through to Bauchi, Kaduna and Kano, the motorcycle has been used to carry out all kinds of crime, including assassinations. It reached a head two weeks ago, with the attack on the Emir of Kano. The ban was therefore an effort to solve many problems in one fell swoop: Curtail the use of motorcycles for terror and sundry crimes; control traffic chaos and hopefully reduce the frightening levels of pollution. But how will the Kano state government deal with the sudden loss of two million jobs? What are the alternatives? How does the state bridge the transportation deficit opening up with the removal of ACHABA? The questions are legion, but as we have seen in the FCT during El-Rufai’s administration and in Lagos under Fashola and now in Kano, we must address the crisis of urban transportation; find more civilised ways to transport people around our expanding cities and embrace economic policies that create jobs for the millions of young people drawn to ACHABA and in the extreme, use these motorcycles for terrorism and other crimes. What worries me is that for as long as our ruling class remains wedded to the unproductive neoliberal capitalism, there won’t be light out of our tunnel!

18 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013 NIGERIA will be 100 by January 1, 2014, a date that marks the British amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates, some say for administrative convenience, to form the country called Nigeria.

Activities are lined up to celebrate the centenary. They would stretch from next month to October 1, 2014. Some would be wondering what we are celebrating. Others remain strident about what they call “the mistake of 1914” which lumped parts that were never in union together. Calls for different ends of Nigeria to go their separate ways have not ceased.

These are different ways of expressing the same frustrations about the poor progress Nigeria has made in critical indices of human development. Away from politics and the tendencies of the opposition, Nigeria at 100 should be a celebration of enduring achievements that have improved lives and firmed the sustenance of Nigerians in an overwhelmingly competitive world.

Blames on leadership and docility of Nigerians to challenge their leaders have been listed as factors in the Nigeria’s

Possibilities Of Nigeria @ 100 deteriorating state. None of the positions provides answers to the more disturbing question of what to do with the country and its peoples.

Individualism shows in all we do. Those who lead, use the instruments of their offices to enrich themselves and constrain others with such astuteness - from attaining power - that power becomes all there is to their leadership.

Barely a year to the centenary, our people still doubt the bases of our nationhood, a legitimate inquest with the rashes of polices that do not mobilise our people for the greater good of the country. The crippling poverty that has found affinity with diseases,

hunger, unemployment, injustices and illiteracy do not call for celebration.

Education and health are key factors in the improvement of the human development indices of any country. They deserve more importance, no matter what else governments intend to do. They are also about our future, which appear to be of little consequence as we wobble towards 100 years.

A country with dim consideration of its future is doomed just as a future hardly exists where leadership is about access to the common wealth for individual use. We must act in ways that can sustain the country on keen awareness of the importance of being Nigerian rather than sectional in our decisions.

In addition to the planned elaborate celebrations, the centenary provides vast platforms to examine ways of making Nigeria work better. We should explore them for their relevance to our struggles to attain stable nationhood. When the fireworks of the centenary die, we should have commenced the construction of a nation bound in freedom, peace, unity, and abundances they bestow.

OPINION

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BY ADAEZE ONUOHA

HE current state of the country ’s healthcare system can be said to be quite worrisome, judging by the health indicators and statistics that are abysmal. In fact, Nigeria’s health indicators have stagnated or even deteriorated during the past decade.

It is in effort to address these problems that President Goodluck Jonathan Transformation agenda in the health sector was packaged. National Transformation is holistic overhaul of segment of the national life that is political, economic and social life. Transformation itself is a development strategy aimed at complete or radical change in the life of an individual, organisation, community or even the nation at large.

Transformation or reform, particularly in the health institution is a process that seeks changes in the health sector policies, financing and organisation of services as well as in the role of government to reach national health objectives.

Health is wealth and as such the Agenda is expected to invest greatly on health to reduce infant and maternal mortality. It is based on this that the health policy is to achieve human capital development goal of the vision 20:2020 strategy which is captured in the National Strategic Health Development Plan (NSHDP). The NSHDP is the vehicle for actions at all levels of the health care delivery system which seeks to foster the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and other

Transformation agenda at FMC Umuahia national and international targets and declaration commitments.

It is therefore heartening that one health institution that is working hard to realise this transformation agenda is the Federal medical Centre Umuahia, Abia State. The Chief Medical Director Dr.Abali Chuku on assumption of office came up with several innovations to transform the foremost medical institution to a centre of excellence.

One of the innovations to serve as the driver of this transformation agenda is the SAFE initiative. SAFE is an acronym for Seek an Area for Excellence. It is an integrated and painstakingly designed programme on which platform the arduous objective of making FMC Umuahia the foremost medical centre by 2015 rests. It encapsulates the following. Procurement of state-of-the-art medical equipment in varied fields of medicine where FMC Umuahia is developing core competences.

Building of first-class infrastructure to support the world-class equipment and provide the enablement to deliver efficient and timely health care services. First-class training for different categories of health workers and administrators. The objective is to fast-track specialisation in various fields for doctors and nurses.

and

SAFE

When Dr. Chuku assumed office as the CMD of FMC Umuahia in May 2011, he came in with a wealth of experience, exposure and academic qualification that no doubt meet the requirements of transforming the hospital into a medical tourist centre. He had a clear vision of what he would want to accomplish in a hospital whose past but proud heritage is inextricably linked to its royal antecedent. Surprisingly and contrary to expectations, he was not interested in the state of the hospital before, rather what he did was to determine what he needed to do to achieve his vision which is to nurture FMC, Umuahia, to become the foremost FMC in the country. For the hospital to achieve this goal, the CMD set a target for 2015, to provide the most comprehensive and diverse tertiary health services in Nigeria. Some of the essentials components of SAFE initiative include Capacity Development and Specialisation

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sing the platform of the SAFE Project, the CMD is deepening medical practices at FMC, Umuahia, in the following areas: Obstetrics and Gynecological Care, Cardiothoracic Medicine, Surgery, Assisted Fertilisation, Intensive Care and Internal Medicine

initiative

The FMC, Umuahia, has one of the best Intensive Care Units, ICU, in the country.

This is the conclusion of both the West African College of Surgeons and the National College of Medicine. In fact, the ICU has been equipped to handle any emergency or exigencies that may arise in any aspect of health care. A measure of the efficacy of the services of the ICU was the quality service rendered after the attempted assassination of the CMD on October 31, 2011. The ICU successfully managed what was obviously a very serious case which kept him alive before his eventual evacuation to a hospital abroad.

Dr. Chuku’s vision for cardiothoracic medicine has started to manifest. He has put together a team of staff members comprising two doctors, two cardiac surgeons, one anesthesiologist, a perfusionist and an ICU nurse. They are at present in India undergoing intensive training so as to form on their return a formidable cardiothoracic team in June.

Investment in the training of these professionals, which is in collaboration with an Indian health institution, has been massive.

Continues tomorrow on pg 18 *Mr. Onuoha, a social critic, wrote from Umuahia, Abia State.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013—19

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OU know the story of the Greek gift? I’ll give you a brief summary. It is the story of how the ancient Greeks were able to destroy their enemies through the gift of a wooden horse filled with soldiers. Written by Homer in a 15,693-line epic poem about 800 years BCE, it tells of how the Greek/ Trojan war had gone into a ten-year stalemate with both sides totally exhausted. The great generals of the Greeks and Trojans respectively – Achilles and Hector – had been killed, yet the Greeks were unable to invade the city of Troy because of its extraordinary defences.

The Greeks suddenly offered to lift the siege and go home. They withdrew their soldiers to the ships and placed a large wooden horse at the gates of the city of Troy. The gullible Trojans took the wooden horse into their city. At night the soldiers disembarked from the horse and sacked the city. What they could not get through sheer military subjugation alone they

got through the use of wiles and wits. If you read the story of how Genghis Khan, the great Mongolian emperor, was able to breach the Great Wall of China in 1215 through (as some accounts have it) the bribery of some of the gatekeepers on its northern border, you will understand the need to tread with caution when a sworn enemy makes a sudden peace offering.

I am pleased with the initial cautious response of the Presidency when it was announced on Monday, January 28th 2013 that a faction of the terror outfit, Boko Haram, had offered a ceasefire, with demands attached.

According to the story, following a series of meetings between the Borno State Governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, and alleged officials of the group, its “commander ” in Borno, Abu Mohammad Abdulazeez, briefed the media. He reportedly disclosed his group’s decision to lay down their arms following “intervention and pleadings from respected

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individuals and groups in the state”.

However, he tabled two demands: (a) that the sect’s members who are in government custody for their roles in the unprovoked and heartless murder of about 3,000 Nigerians, especially Christians in their places of worship during the past 42 months of the upsurge in the group’s violent campaigns, “must” be released; and (b) the mosque of the slain founder of the group, Mohammed Yusuf, “must” be rebuilt.

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uriously, they did not demand any financial compensation or rehabilitation of their members. This was an item contrived by their supporters in the media who obviously were eyeing the post-amnesty deal offered the ex-militants of the Niger Delta. I have always maintained that those noisy Boko Haram apologists putting spurious pressure on the federal

Agenda for presidential action

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ES, the more things change, the more they remain the same. Nigeria has moved, sometimes, forward and sometimes backward. The children of today may have an ugly experience with the pit latrine but they can never imagine that a few decades ago, our cities thrived on the pail system where the night soil men carried buckets of human excrement on their heads to designated centres for onward transportation for disposal at nearby rivers.

When the bucket leaked, it leaked on them.

Once upon a time, many public buildings in Benin City had elevators and escalators.

Over time, they all packed up. Children born in Benin City who may eventually spend their entire lives here may never know about the elevator or escalator.

Like President Goodluck Jonathan, our hearts bleed for Nigeria for this lack of maintenance culture. We have picked up a lot of the President’s sentiments from his recent actions. Our fuel depots nationwide are beginning to wear new looks. The airports are getting brighter and better.

Undoubtedly, refurbishment of existing structures is a good idea but it is hardly the stuff of which great Presidents are made.

Yes, maintenance culture is good but a President cannot hinge his total transformation agenda on it.

If the President were to go about repairing all existing airports and fuel depots, it would not be quite the same as a bold attempt to initiate his own structures, which will provide lasting legacies.

Every existing airport already has a name.

For instance, no amount of refurbishment and consequent commissioning and recommissioning of the Abuja airport will change its name from NNAMDI AZIKIWE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. What is really delaying the East-West highway? Has a curse been placed on it?

This would be a good legacy to leave behind

for the people. Of what use would a thousand years in power be if not spent in furtherance of the cause of humanity? From biblical times, it has been established that it is not the number of years one spends on earth that matters but the good things he does.

The book of Ecclesiastes 6:3 clearly sets out conditions under which even a still- birth would be better than living up to 120 years.

In the end, no one will be judged by his struggle for naked power. In fact, if you perform in office, power will seek you out.

History remains our best guide.

We remember Franklin D. Roosevelt FDR (1882-1945). The rule in America had always been a maximum of two four-year tenures but FDR remains the only President who was re-elected three times. He came to power at a time when the nation was faced with the Great Depression. He pulled America out of it by bringing about sweeping economic reforms – The New Deal: reliefs, loans, social security, social welfare and jobs through a variety of Federal Government programmes. The Americans were not going to bother themselves if a performer remained in power for life. Despite his declining health, FDR was already enjoying a fourth term before he died on 12 April 1945.

Hon Farouk Muhammad Lawan (Bagwai/Shanono Federal Constituency, Kano State) was making history until he became history. It was not by accident that people in the remotest part of Southern Nigeria wept profusely when he was “accidented” over the fuel subsidy probe.

He had endeared himself to everyone. He did not achieve his feat by being a seat warmer. He performed his legislative functions to perfection, so much that his people were not going to concern themselves with how many times he returned to the House of Representatives. He has remained in that House since 1999.

government to commit funds to the “ rehabilitation” of Boko Haram felons after an offer of amnesty were not speaking for the group, as their known objectives are far more revolutionary and ideological than a quest for financial gratification.

This unfolding scenario comes with several matters arising. What exactly is the nature of this “ceasefire”? For instance, I did not notice any tone of regret for the actions taken against the Nigerian state, its security personnel, government and private property (particularly schools) and ordinary Nigerians killed or disabled through their bombings and gun attacks. Laying down arms is not the same as renouncing violence. The use of “must” speaks volumes. And the gleeful declaration of unilateral ceasefire after listening to “interventions and pleadings” of local leaders shows the group intends to be seen to be doing the nation a favour; a “magnanimous” gesture that will be withdrawn when their “demands” are not met.

Governor Shettima, his officials and leaders in Borno state may be tempted to go on a selfcongratulatory binge following this “breakthrough”. After all, they are the ones wearing the pinching shoe. Anything that restores normalcy and permits government to perform its duties will be welcome. But the manner in which this “offer” was made leaves me unconvinced of a “happily ever after” ending to this story.

If the federal government swallows this “offer ” it will amount to drinking a poisoned chalice. I want to join Virgil in cautioning the government and people of Nigeria to “beware of

T h e President occupies a peculiar position. When Lawan was consumed by history, he drew the President along. How the President

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Ceasefire or Greek gift?

We cannot declare people wanted for terrorism, place prices on their heads only to turn around and rejoice when they declare conditional and threatening ceasefire, like victors!

For good or evil, Obasanjo knew when to grind Odi and Mubi like a quid of tobacco; none of these came without criticism.

What will Jonathan be remembered for?

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clears the Lawan mess and what he does about the Lawan scandal and the oil subsidy reports, all will enter into the equation when finally judging the President.

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ee what Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is doing in Edo State. Any wonder that at the gubernatorial election, he won in all the 192 Wards and virtually in all the polling booths throughout the State? People are already developing headaches over what becomes of Edo State when Oshiomhole leaves in 2016.

Before now, Ondo State probably had a silent understanding that no Governor goes back for a second tenure. With Gov. Olusegun Mimiko’s excellent performance, Ondo people were just too happy to break the jinx.

These heights were not attained by commissioning and re-commissioning

Greeks bearing gifts”. Boko Haram may have settled for the “ceasefire” because of a broken backbone and the depletion in its membership. The demand for the release of members waiting for a date with the laws of the land might be a ploy to enable them to regroup and rearm for a bigger bounce-back.

How are we going to live side by side with individuals who have killed thousands of innocent Nigerians without bringing them to justice? The blood of those killed is calling for justice. Their families are waiting for the state to give them justice. The laws of this land, which bind us all together as citizens, expect those who trample upon it and levy terror on other law-abiding citizens to face justice.

If this justice is not done it means this nation has, for the first time in its violent history, surrendered its legitimacy to terrorists.

We must stay the course with the original policy of bringing all anarchists to heel and dealing with all terrorists on our own terms, not theirs. It is the only way to send the signal that Nigeria is not a failed state and would always guarantee its own sovereignty and territorial integrity.

We cannot declare people wanted for terrorism, place prices on their heads only to turn around and rejoice when they declare conditional and threatening ceasefire, like victors! We have to study very carefully all steps taken by the Borno State Government in its dealings with this murderous group and see whether they conform to the laws of the land.

Where they are not consistent with our law, we must reject them to the extent of their inconsistency.

Borno State is still under the laws and sovereignty of Nigeria.

repainted buildings but by concrete achievements.

The Federal Government must do less of politicking, in-fighting and witch hunting; and do more of quality governance. With so many policy issues begging for attention, the Federal Government must lift itself above these menial renovation jobs.

No one has ever thought of looking into the whole area of our vagrancy laws. These vagrants who come from a particular part of the country have effectively taken over our cities. It is worrisome that on worship days, whether in churches or mosques, these beggars and their children outside far outnumber the worshippers inside! There must be a way of saving ourselves the embarrassment!

We could be afraid to deport them to their places of origin for fear of losing their people’s votes. But how about establishing colonies for them in our major cities? In this way, we can attempt to harvest at least their children while milking thousands of voters out of their parents.

Past leaders realized the importance of leaving their foot prints in the sands of time.

The Shagari administration provided houses for the people, some in the middle of nowhere. Buhari brought about the queue culture and discipline. Babangida provided a secretariat for each of the two political parties of his time in every Local Government Headquarter. For good or evil, Obasanjo knew when to grind Odi and Mubi like a quid of tobacco. None of these came without criticism. What will Jonathan be remembered for?

20—Vanguard , THURSDAY THURSDAY,, JANUARY 31 , 2013

Horror in Ebonyi over land dispute: 8 persons abducted, 45 houses torched

BY PETER OKUTU, Abakaliki

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Relics of one of the damaged buildings to avoid further attacks.

Similarly, security operatives sent to protect lives and properties in the area were seen several kilometres away

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HE recent outbreak of crisis between the people of Adadama Community in Abi Local government area of Cross River State and Ndiagu Amagu Community in Ikwo LGA of Ebonyi State over unclear issues relating to land acquisition and usage, weekend, took another dimension as eight persons were reportedly abducted while 45 houses belonging to Amegu community were allegedly destroyed by hoodlums from Adadama community.

Vanguard Metro learnt that the two communities in Ebonyi and Cross River states have been embroiled in a land dispute for more than 100 years.

Since the recent hostilities in the area broke out, lives have been lost while several properties worth billions of Naira.

Addressing newsmen at the government house, Abakaliki, the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State and Chairman, Interstate Boundary Committee, Mr. Dave Umahi, an Engineer, alleged that eight persons from Ndiagu Amegu Ikwo in Ikwo LGA of Ebonyi State have been abducted between January, 2013 and now.

“I have continued to make reports to the Deputy Governor of Cross River State. The corpse of one of the abducted persons Mr. Omoti Ogbonnaya was found recently. His body is still in the mortuary, while no trace of the remaining seven persons have been made even as I speak to you. At the moment, a total of 45 houses belonging to Amegu people were razed down by the people of Adadama,” he claimed. The Deputy governor urged the people of Amegu Ikwo to remain calm and law abiding as the state government had taken necessary steps to ensure peaceful resolution of the crisis.

“The security agencies have been mandated to deal severely with anybody who attempts to breach the peace in any part of the state. We assure Amegu people that the state government will not abandon them as long as they do not take laws into their own hands. The State Emergency Management Agency is further directed to step up its relief efforts to the displaced persons in the affected communities of Ebonyi state,” he said.

When Vanguard Metro visited the troubled area, it was gathered that women, children, youths and elderly persons from both communities had deserted their homes. Youths from the area were seen keeping watch

Though there have been skirmishes between the two communities, it has never taken this dimension

,

from the buffer zone, instead of pitching their tenths in the heart of the area to forestall further crisis.

Recounting their ordeals, Mrs. Caroline Uguru, 67 and Mr. Ukwa Nwankwo, the Chairman Ndiche Umuomara community described the incident as unfortunate.

“It is unfortunate that this is happening; we have been living with the Adadama people for more than 100 years now.

Though there have been skirmishes between the two communities, it has never taken this dimension. Our children are being abducted every year

and killed and houses burnt.

Our youths could no longer fold their hands and watch while their parents, relations and siblings are abducted and never seen again. We no longer sleep with our two eyes closed.

The same thing applies to the people of Adadama because the communities are suspicious of each other. The question on the lips of many people today is “will this war ever end? We can no longer fish in our ponds. Our women can no longer go to the farm without being abducted and our youths who are supposed to be useful now keep vigil at the border area for fear of being attacked by Adadama people.”

Continuing, the duo said: “They claimed we killed their people; let them show pictures of those that were killed. They claimed we attacked them; it is unfortunate that the people who have chased us out of our land and occupied it would turn around to accuse us. Why are they crying more than the bereaved? All we are asking is that they should stop abducting and killing our people, we are peace loving people and we want peace”.

Ebonyi accuses C-River

Meanwhile, the Ebonyi State Deputy Governor has accused Cross River State of showing lackadaisical attitude toward the resolution of the crisis. . He called on the National

Boundary Commission, NBC, to urgently initiate a meeting of the two states, so that the issue could be holistically discussed and solution quickly reached to avoid escalation of the dispute.

According to Umahi: “It is necessary to point out that Ebonyi state and Cross River State are not at war. Rather, there has been a long standing land dispute between Amegu Ikwo in Ebonyi state and Adadama in cross river which dates back to 1927. While the Amegu people insist that Adadama people are the aggressors as they have consistently encroached on Amegu land well outside the boundary mutually fixed by the two sides as late as 1912 which is the “Ugoli. We are however told that Adadama people are claiming a different boundary location far from the Ugoli, which was established by the two communities.

“However, I wish to categorically state that Ebonyi state government has continued to make concerted efforts toward a peaceful resolution of the land dispute in spite of the provocations, attacks, harassment, abductions and killing of Ebonyi people by hoodlums from Adadama. It is regrettable however that in spite the numerous letters I have written to the Deputy Governor of Cross River for the two states to meet and discuss the issues affecting their border communities, there has been no response from them.

Apart from the letter of 11th

December, 2011 to the National Boundary Commission to constitute a joint team of officials of both states and NBC to do ethnographic study of both states to avoid mistrust and hostilities, we have done several reports on the problem without results.

“It would seem that the NBC has abandoned its earlier attempt to do ethnographic study of the area following threats from Cross River state indigenes to the Commission not to step feet into the disputed area. We hereby call on the National Boundary Commission to expedite action to permanently resolve the boundary dispute. Given the current situation, we urge the National Boundary Commission to urgently call a meeting of the two states so that the issues can be discussed.

It’s unfortunate —C-River

Reacting, the Cross River State government said it was unfortunate that Ebonyi State was joining issues instead of proffering solution to the crisis affected both communities.“It is unfortunate that Ebonyi state government should be joining issues on this matter. As it stands, who are the people that have been displaced as a result of the crisis? The Hon. Member representing that area in Cross River state was on a peace mission when they were ambushed.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013 — 21

Touts take over rail ticketing

By JONAH NWOKPOKU & WILLIAM JIMOH NCREASED patronage of rail services by Nigerians Icoupled with limited and poor

service delivery by railway attendants and the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC officials, have led to touting at the Iddo railway terminus, Vanguard investigation revealed.

Following the taking off of the sixth trip of the Lagos to Kano train, a huge crowd was recorded at the terminus, giving opportunity for touts to do brisk business As a result of the huge crowd, the ticket queue stretched past the ticketing office and those who could not wait or struggle in the line had to patronise the touts, paying additional N50 or N100 on the original cost to get a ticket for the ride.

Investigations revealed that the Lagos to Kano ticket that cost N1,950 became N2,000 in the hands of the touts who had smooth access to the ticketing office. The touts did not have to get into the ticket line.

When confronted, an official of the station who preferred anonymity admitted that there were touts before but that they had been dealt with and no

longer operate.

According to him, the station management had used the security operatives to scare them away.

“We used to have people come in here to do such business but we have used the police to stop them.”

When he was presented with

From left: Marie -Therese Phido, Director of Sales & Marketing, KPMG Nigeria; Yomi Sanni, Partner & Chief Operating Officer, KPMG Nigeria; Sabin Yazbeck, Associate Director for Middle East & African International Development; Peter Bryant, Professor of Entrepreneurship, IE Business School and Anthony Sarpong, Partner , Audit Services , KPMG during the KPMG Alumni Breakfast Seminar with IE Business School, in Lagos.

Exper Expertt cautions entrepreneur entrepreneurss on mis es leading ttoo business collapse mistt ak akes

BY MICHAEL EBOH

A

PROFESSOR of entre preneurship at IE Business School, Spain, Mr. Peter Bryant, has cautioned entrepreneurs in Nigeria on the need to focus on customer acquisition and proper manage-

ment of cash if they intend to avoid pitfalls that will lead to the collapse of their businesses.

Bryant, in a presentation titled: “Entrepreneurial mistakes and how to avoid them,”, delivered at the KPMG Alumni seminar with

GradExchange partners NDE, NECA on E-Recruiting

BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG

D

RAGNET Solutions, owners of GradExchange, Nigeria’s first electronic-based recruitment product, is partnering with the National Directorate of Employment, NDE, and the National Employers’ Consultative Association, NECA, towards simplifying the job-seeking and recruitment process in the country.

The three parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, at the Corporate Headquarters of the NDE in Abuja.

The event had in attendance, the Director General of NDE, Mallam Abubakar Mohammed, and his counterpart from NECA, Mr. Olusegun Oshinowo, while GradExchange was represented by the Managing Director of

evidences of those who got the touts’ tickets, the official said he was not aware of that and that the management will look for a new way to deal with

Dragnet Solutions, Mr. Robert Ikazoboh.

The tripartite agreement will see the NDE opening up its vocation and skills acquisition centres located all over the country, to be used as centralized screening and assessment centers for graduates to sit for standardised psychometrically reliable employment aptitude tests administered and supervised by Dragnet Solutions’ GradExchange.

According to Ikazoboh, the tests will be administered using Dragnet Solution’s computer based testing technology.

The results of the tests and screenings will be collated into a central portal which will be easily accessible by organizations looking for suitable graduates to recruit.

the IE Business School in Lagos, said one of the mistakes entrepreneurs make is that they squander cash too fast without understanding their runway to revenues, while others raise money, then think of ways to spend the money.

According to him, to avoid this mistake, entrepreneurs should be able to understand how long their cash will last to achieve revenues, while urging them not to seek too much cash as it will make them complacent and careless.

Another mistake, Bryant said, is the situation where entrepreneurs seek investors rather than customers. This, he said is due to the fact that most entrepreneurs pursue capital and not revenue.

He advised entrepreneurs to make customers’ acquisition a part of their funding strategy, while focusing on strong revenues, as it helps improve valuation and reduce financial pressures.

He listed the mistakes entrepreneurs make to include: ignoring competition; having the notion that customers will always come, believing that winning one per cent of $1 billion is easy; deferring decision due to uncertainty and

them.

“You see, this is a railway station. A lot of things go on here unnoticed. We are not aware of any activities of the racketeers, but I can assure you that the authority would fashion out a new way to handle them.” He said.

However, some of the passengers who expressed dissatisfaction with the disorderly arrangement at the ticketing office also complained about the disrespectful manner with which passengers are treated.

According to Utman Sanusi, a senior civil servant, who was making her second trip on the inter city train route, “I was there to buy my ticket and when I asked the attendants how much they were selling the ticket, the man there told me I should go to the board, whereas, it is not written bold enough to let a first time passenger see. They should not think that it is only the low class persons that are there. Let them treat the passengers with respect regardless of their status.”

Government’s effort to rehabilitate the railway has produced an alternative means of transportation for millions of Nigerians who hitherto relied on road transport.

However, with limited infrastructure, the Nigeria railway corporation has been battling to deal with the surge in human traffic.

engaging in unethical conBryant said, “some entrepreduct with the belief that no one neurs refuse to admit miswill find out. takes. They see it as a sign of Others are: putting invesweakness or shame. However, tors before customers; believto avoid this mistake, entreing in the ability of the busipreneurs are advised to take ness’ ‘ website to draw cusresponsibility for mistakes and tomers to the business; poor acknowledge errors. cash management; delay in “They should also establish adaptation to changing times processes that allow for misand failure to learn from mistakes to be diagnosed without takes. blame or punishment, acceptIn the area of ignoring coming and welcoming good mispetition, Bryant noted that takes while avoiding stupid some entrepreneurs claim not ones.” to have competition or that incumbents do not pose a threat to their business, while others 0.35 149.35 analyse the competition once, ignoring fu2,195.00 +34.00 ture threats until its too late.

He said these entre18.39 -0.34 preneurs fail to see a new competitive player coming ahead until it is 114.23 +0.75 too late.

To tackle this, he ad97.60 +1.16 vised entrepreneurs to search widely to identify current and poten- CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL SELLING tial imitators, and also urged them check of- DOLLAR 154.73 155.23 155.73 ten, as competitors’ ini- POUNDS 244.0092 244.7977 245.5862 207.8952 208.567 209.2388 tiatives and startups EURO 167.4024 167.9433 168.4843 may be difficult to see. FRANC 1.7003 1.7058 1.7113 “ E n t r e p r e n e u r s YEN CFA 0.2959 0.3059 0.3159 should ask themselves WAUA 236.6431 237.4078 238.1725 if the market really ex- RENMINBI 24.8725 24.9533 25.0342 ist if there is no com- RIYA 41.2569 41.3903 41.5236 petition,” he stated.

KRONA 27.8537 27.9437 28.0337 On the failure of en- SDR 237.4022 238.1694 238.9365 trepreneurs to learn from past mistakes, CBN Exchange rate as at 30/01/2013

22—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013

Market makers: NSE seeks banks’ support for liquidity

BY BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE & NKIRUKA NNOROM

T

HE NSE said it will be engaging the commercial banks’ on the need to provide liquidity support to the recently appointed Fixed Income Market Makers, FIMMs, to help optimise their operation.

This came ahead of the take off of retail bonds trading on the secondary market on February 1 this year.

The NSE’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Oscar Onyema, made the disclosure at a training organised by the Exchange to acquaint stockbrokers and financial journalists on structure of retail bond trading.

His disclosure followed the concern that the major inhibiting factor to the success of the market makers both in the equity sector and bond market will be that of access to banks loan to assist market makers execute their mandate of ensuring equilibrium in the market.

He allayed fears that trading bonds on retail basis will

create unnecessary competition with OTC bond market, saying that the retail market is not just there to complement OTC market, but to in-

troduce greater efficiency in the system.

Onyema explained that unlike the equity market where the market makers have

basket of equities in their portfolio, all the appointed fixed income market makers will have the opportunity of trading on all eligible bonds, in-

From left: Ade Bajomo, Executive Director, Market Operations & Technology, Nigerian Stock Exchange; Oscar Onyema, CEO, and Haruna Jalo-Waziri, Executive Director, Business Development, at the NSE workshop on Retail Bonds Trading & Fixed Income Market Practicum, in Lagos. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye.

Int’l Breweries share price overvalued —Analysts

BY NKIRUKA NNOROM

D

ESPITE impressive financial performance where International Breweries recorded 31.3 percent growth in revenue for nine month period ended 30th September, 2012, coupled with key expansion by the new core investors, SAB Miller, analysts at BGL Securities & Investment Limited said the shares of the company are currently over-valued.

The share presently trades at N21.72 per share Consequently, they assigned the shares a target price of N13.56 per share, saying that the price was arrived at after due examination of the pricing of peers in the breweries sectors of other comparative emerging economies.

They said, “In arriving at our target price for International Breweries, we have examined the pricing of peers in the Breweries sector of other comparative emerging economies. While the average PE ratio for brewers in SubSaharan Africa is 19.82, it is 20.14 in Nigeria.

Peers of International Breweries Plc which include small and medium-sized brewers like “Tanzania Breweries limited is 5.34, Ivorien Soc Del Limonaderies Et Brass (5.36) and Guinea Gha-

na Breweries (21.05) have an average PE ratio of 17.09 while SAB Miller and Carlberg, the core investors in International Breweries have PE ratio of 17.22 and 14.00 respectively, International Breweries has a PE ratio of 88.56, which we consider expensive when compared to peers.

“Using the Nigeria industry ratio of 30.14, we arrived at a target price of N13.56, which reflects 37.56 percent downside potential on current

price.”

They however, argued that the company has huge potential of increasing its revenue in the near term due to turn-around activities it is undergoing.

A peep into the nine months result showed a 31.3 percent increase in gross revenue to N9.06 billion from N6.90 billion in comparable period of 2011. Cost of sales grew by 7.3 percent to N4.75 billion in 2012 from N4.43 billion in the

same period of 2011.

Pre-tax profits grew by 169.33 percent from N653.29 million in 2011 to N1.71 billion in 2012, while net earnings also increased by 102.7 percent to N1.28 billion from N653.29 million over the period.

The analysts observed, however, that better performance in the fourth quarter of the financial year could see the company grossing more than N12.00 billion in 2012.

Dangote Cement: Analysts predict higher share price growth BYPETER EGWUATU

A

NALYSTS at FutureView Financial Services Limited, an investment banking company in Nigeria, have projected that the share price of Dangote Cement Plc will soon hit a high of N237. They have, therefore, recommended the shares to investors for purchase, saying it has significant upside potential considering its current market value.

The shares of the cement manufacturing giant closed at N140.20 per share on the Nigerian bourse on Monday, and given the price projection of FutureView analysts, investors buying now stand the chance of reaping capital gain of about 69 percent at the end of the year.

According to the analysts, they arrived at the N237 price using Dividend Discount Model (DDM) valuation metric.

Making an investment case for Dangote Cement shares, they said “With the high lev-

el of expansion and increasing capacity, Dangote Cement is poised to be the largest cement producer in Africa.

Moreover, the use of gas to power most of its plants will yield economies of scale in terms of reduced operating costs and increased profitability.”

Analysing the operations of the company, they said Dangote Cement shipped about 2.4 metric tones (mt) of cement in Q3’12, which is an increase of 7.7 per cent compared with 2.3mt shipped in Q3’11.

“The production level represents utilisation rate of 51 per cent based on the current capacity of 19mtpa. Obajana Cement factory is Dangote’s largest cement plant with production capacity of 10.25mt.

The cement industry was affected by the flooding mid-year though the effect of the disaster is now abated,” they said.

cluding Sovereign, Non-Sovereign and Corporate bonds.

On possibility of foreign investors hijacking the newly introduced window of bonds trading, Onyema said, “Nigeria operates a free economy that allows free entry and exit for foreign investors; we believe that it is good market structure and we have keyed into it by structuring the stock market in like manner.

What we will do is to ensure that we operate the system in fair and transparent manner to ensure a level playing field for all participants, and if local investors want to participate, we will not stop them.”

He further stated that with inclusion of FGN bonds by Morgan Stanley in its emerging market index, and planned inclusion by Barclays, it would be unfair for the Exchange to deny foreign investors access to fixed income market via the trading on the floors of the NSE. He disclosed that the capitalisation of the bonds market in Nigeria increased by significant 55.6 percent in one year, rising from N3.74 trillion in 2011 to N5.82 trillion in 2012.

He affirmed that bonds market still possesses potential for further growth, owing to the infrastructural needs of the country which the government is trying to address.

“The fixed income market making will increase accessibility of the bonds market to the investing public.

Until now, the bond market was mainly accessible to the institutional, Corporate and other High Networth individuals through Over-theCounter, OTC, market. With the introduction of the FIMM programme, all investors will now have easy access to the bond market through their broker/dealers via the NSE’s Automated Trading System,” he further stated.

He listed the benefits of the system to include flexibility and ease of trading, transparency which will make it easy for investors to have access to real-time prices and volumes, just like shares. This will make it easy for investors to monitor their investments and receive up-to-date information.

Others include provision of opportunity for investors to diversify their portfolio to bonds in order to complement their investments in other asset classes, as well as improve liquidity on retail scale.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013 — 23

Canada reduces visa processing to 10 days for Nigerian businessmen

BY FRANKLIN ALLI

C

ANADIAN Minister for International Trade, Edward Fast, says the Embassy is reviewing downward its visa processing time to 10 days for business travelers from Nigeria.

This is being done to facilitate trade and investment between the two countries.

Speaking during the Nigeria-Canada Bi-National Commission meeting in Abuja, co-chaired by the Nigerian Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, Edward Fast said: “We are working hard to get visa processing time to global standards of

10 working days. It is important that Canada and Nigeria work together to create a climate where businesses can thrive to build a brighter future for Canadians and Nigerians alike.”

Edward Fast, said that Nigeria remained Canada’s trade and investment priority in Africa, adding: “Trade and Investment are the twin engines of economic growth and Nigeria represents Canada’s number one trade and investment interest in Africa.

“In this period of global economic uncertainty, Canada is committed to building strong economic partnerships with emerging economic powers like Nigeria. In order to achieve

this, we are taking steps to enhance business ties between Canada and Nigeria.

“We are looking at ways of increasing mutually beneficial and prosperity generating investments between Canada and Nigeria through Foreign Investment and Protection Agreement, which we are considering now with our Nigerian counterpart.”

A joint communiqué issued at the end of the meeting said: “The two ministers noted the rapidly growing volumes of trade between the two countries and welcomed the commitment by the Canada-Nigeria Business Association to double the volume of trade by 2015 to

$6billion.”

Speaking during the meeting, Aganga said that Nigeria and Canada would significantly enhance their socio-economic ties through the BiNational Commission by working on mutually beneficial growth projects along areas of competitive and comparative advantages.

“Nigeria is one of Canada’s largest trading partners in Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2011, Nigeria’s value of merchandise trade with Canada stood at $2.7billion; consisting of $2.5billion in Nigeria’s exports to Canada and $199 million import.

Innovation: Panacea for economic prosperity — Minister

BY NAOMI UZOR

T

HE Minister of Sci ence and Technology, Prof. Ita Okon Bassey, has described innovation as the solution to economic growth and national competitiveness in this 21st century.

Speaking during stakeholders’ workshop/ exhibition on the national system of innovation, Tuesday, in Lagos, he said, it is important and expedient to craft an indigenous model of development suited to Nigerian needs and challenges. “ We have engaged stakeholders in the last one week in Kaduna and Aba in our stream of activities to drive the imple-

mentation of the recently launched national policy on science, technology and innovation. This policy is a clear commitment of the transformation agenda of Mr. President to use Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) as inevitable tools for the transformation of our economic fortunes as a nation” According to him, the objective of the workshop was to facilitate public private partnership interaction in Research and Development (R&D and commercialisation of R&D products, putting in place a robust arrangement for developing local and international partnership between knowledge-based institutions and the private sector.

24—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013

learning@vanguardngr.com

UTME CBT: What students should know before exams —Prof Ojerinde

From left: Deputy Bursar, Caleb University, Imota, Lagos State, Mr. Adeshina Abubakre; Ag Registrar, Mrs. Folake Okor; Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ayodeji Olukoju; Accountant-General of the Federation and Guest Lecturer, Mr. Jonah Otunla; and former Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Olukunle Lawal, at the 3rd Founders’ Day Lecture of the institution.

BY DAYO ADESULU

J

OINT Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB executive registrar, Professor Dibu Ojerinde has disclosed all that candidates need to know about their examination slated for 27th April, 2013. Ojerinde who disclosed this to the media at the weekend in Lagos said;”Between November last year and January 2013, one million and one hundred students have registered for the UTME. Out of these numbers, he noted, only 4,000 candidates have registered for the Computer-Based Test, thereby dismissing insinuations that students cannot register online because of conjectures.

According to him, “students should only register at cyber-

MDGs: FG trains 40,000 teachers -— Page 25

cafes that are accredited by JAMB. We did this because of the cheating tendency of some of these cybercafe operators who collect money from students and never register them appropriately, especially those who drop their data with them and go home to collect

confirmation slips the next day. If you go to any cybercafe for registration, please ask if the cybercafe is accredited

by JAMB. If they say yes, ask them their code. Students who have problems with their registration may be because the cybercafes they patronised are

not accredited by JAMB because if they do not have our code, they can’t access our website.

Secondly, it depends on the band the cybercafes are using.

If a cybercafe is using a band with other people, it may experience difficulty in access-

ing some websites. That is why such cybercafe’s speed increases at night when their narrow band is decongested.

Cybercafes are part of our problems as they have in time past given female name to male and also misspelled people’s names. However, JAMB band width expands on demand as we have catered for this.”

The registrar disclosed that while those who registered for paper-pencil test will sit for their examinations on 27 th April, those who registered for computer-based test will have theirs on 23rd, 24th and 25th adding “If any student does not sit for the examination in any of these days, he will have himself to blame.”

He hinted that some students who do not register on time might be forced to take their examinations through CBT when all centres for PPT are occupied, noting, “Among the one million and one hundred candidates that have registered so far, about 999,000 have registered for PPT, while the rest registered for CBT.” He said, the provision JAMB made for CBT this is year is 150,000 stressing that by the time those spaces are exhausted, other candidates will be forced to go for PPT and by time we exhaust the spaces in PPT, others will be

Continues on page 25

Nigeria partners IBE on regional development

BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU

N

IGERIA has declared its intention to partner with the International Bureau of Education, IBE, to ensure national and regional development of the basic education sub-sector for the

We want a situation whereby we can industrialise Nigeria – IKE OKEKE -— Page 32

overall development of Nigerian.

This was declared by the Minister of State for Education, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, who led Nigeria’s delegation to the 62nd session of the council of the International Bureau of Education, IBE, in Switzerland, said that the

Federal Government will also make financial commitments to the IBE to ensure that the group achieves her objectives.

Wike added that Nigeria has implemented programmes aimed at developing relevant curricula in the basic education sub-sector with the Nigerian Educational Research Development

Make best use of this golden opportunity — Rector tells freshmen -— Page 26

Council, NERDC, taking the driving seat.

He noted that Nigeria dedicated her commitment to regional educational advancement by hosting the West African regional workshop on curriculum innovation and teacher capacity building.

Also speaking at the council meeting, the Executive Secretary, NERDC, Professor Godswill Obioma, noted that the nation’s basic education curriculum has been developed in line with international best practices.

Nigeria’s permanent delegate to UNESCO, Mrs. Mariam Katagum, said the nation’s investments in the education sector have been recognised by international development partners as they are now willing to partner with Nigeria.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013—25

MDGs: FG trains 40,000 teachers

BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU

T

HE Federal Government, through the National Teachers’ Institute, Kaduna, has trained well over 40,000 primary and secondary teachers across the nation in the last 12 months under the 2012 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) teacher-training programme as part of this commitment.

Minister of Education, Professor Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i, disclosed that the training programme was conducted by the NTI in 109 designated training centres across the country, even as government expressed concern over the poor quality of education both in terms of delivery and outcome and has pledged to give more priority to teachers’ training and retraining in 2013.

Speaking at the posttraining review meeting organized by NTI, Rufa’I commended NTI for having successfully conducted the retraining exercise despite initial challenges, adding that government is more determined to equip teachers with basic skills and knowledge that would enable them improve on their professional practices. it would be recalled that the leadership of Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) had opposed the training programme and ordered its

members to boycott the exercise over unpaid allowances to teachers who participated in 2011 edition of the programme to the tune of N1.44bn.

The training programme was, however, carried out in December, 2012 after series of mediatory meetings by both Ministers of Education and the commitment of the government to pay the outstanding allowance this year.

Minister of State for Education, Barrister Nyesom Wike, stressed that the Federal Government was seriously concerned about improving the quality of teaching and learning in schools in Nigeria.

He urged NTI to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to scale up the teacher-training programme so as to accommodate more teachers during the 2013 edition.

In his remarks, the DirectorGeneral of NTI, Dr. Aminu Ladan Sharehu, noted that the exercise recorded huge success despite challenges posed by the short notice and other logistics.

He expressed the commitment of the Institute to continue to provide requisite training programmes for Nigerian teachers for enhanced quality of education in the country.

*Private schools' safety management conference

Ex-A-G charges students on good conduct, excellence

BY BASHIR ADEFAKA

S

TUDENTS of Crescent Uni-versity, Abeokuta have been charged to make excellence their watchword.

The charge was made by former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Bola Ajibola, at the 8th matriculation ceremony of the institution, held at the Bola Ajibola Auditorium of the university, in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Ajibola, who is Proprietor of the university, was corroborated by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Hassan Kehinde Okeleye, who also charged the newly admitted students on good conduct and commitment to academic excellence.

A total of 420 students were matriculated into the College of Social and Management Sciences; Natural and Applied Sciences; Information and Communication Technology; Environmental Sciences and Bola Ajibola College of Law. In his address, Prof.

Okeleye said it was the university ’s resolve to train and produce men and women of strong character and integrity who could stand the test of time in building a virile society.

UTME CBT: What students should know before exams...

Continued from page 24 forced to go for CBT. Ojerinde who pointed out that a total of 77 centres have been secured for the examinations, disclosed that these are higher institutions that have the facilities for the UTME Computer-Based Test.

For the PPT, he said; “It is dual. We will give you the question on the screen and you answer it on the paper and the paper-pencil test which is the traditional one that in the developed world, some students snap questions on the screen, but a device has been employed to counter this. We are using the principle of Item Response Theory (IRT). The IRT guards against guessing tendencies. When two students sit for chemistry, question one of candidate ‘A’ is not the same question one for candidate ‘B’. In a centre where we have 350 candidates, we shall not have less than five invigilators mostly from our office.”

In case of electricity failure, Ojerinde maintained that Uninterrupted Power Supply, C M Y K

generators and back-ups have been put in place saying that within three and half hours of the examinations, it is not likely that all of the plan ‘ B’ will fail.

The professor who said that the quest to bring back the reading culture of our youths, spurred him to introduce two compulsory novels to be read

by UTME candidates, insisting that the two novels (Successor and the Potters Wheel) introduced last year, is a must for every candidate this April examination irrespective of their disciplines, reiterating that 20 questions will be drawn from the novels. Asked why questions were not set from the novels last JAMB, he explained that there was a mix up somewhere along the line that made JAMB postpone it to the April examinations.

His words; “Some people argued that the people in the village will not be able to do CBT saying that they have not used a computer before. But I said to myself that if they can use the handset, they can also

do the computer-based test. If they can send text messages via handset, they can use the CBT. The earlier they start getting used to it as they cannot escape it in their post-

UTME, the better. During the examinations, we give ten minutes to each student to read through the piece of information before attempting the questions. Whether we

like it or not, the world is changing, and technology is the answer. Students are advised to visit JAMBwebsite;www.jamb.org.ng to practise past questions free of charge.”

Ogun organises quiz competition on road safety

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

T

HE Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Segun Odubela and the Corps Commander of the state’s Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), Commander Ayodele Sangofadeji have called on stakeholders in Education sector to encourage quiz competition among school children across the country.

They said quiz competition was the best thing that could happen to school children, as a means of broadening their horizon and as well challenging them to adapt or better still, bring their intellectuality to bear on traffic-related issues.

Speaking in Abeokuta at the second annual TRACE Club quiz

competition organised for students in all public schools in the state, Odubela enjoined schools to see the formation of TRACE clubs as an important tool that could impact the children positively.

He expressed optimism that parents’ driving attitude would be affected positively when the children were made to be safetyconscious.

“One would hope that TRACE clubs will be one of the very important organisations in schools, going by the importance of trafficrelated issues to everyone,” Odubela remarked.

In his welcome speech, Sangofadeji said inculcating road safety culture into the younger generation particularly, school children, is one sure way of addressing the high rate of accidents and carnages on the roads in the country and ensure safety of all categories of users.

26—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013

quadlife@vanguardngr.com

Make best use of this golden opportunity, Rector tells freshmen

BY IKENNA ASOMBA

T

HE Rector, Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos, Dr. (Mrs.) Margaret KudiratLadipo, recently appealed to the newly admitted students to make best use of the golden opportunity presented to them to attend the institution.

Speaking at the 2012/2013 matriculation of the college, Ladipo stated that it is expedient for the students to utilise the golden opportunity given them by making good grades after their two-year stay in school.

While congratulating them for making it through the school’s keenly competitive and merit-driven admission processes, she said; “I congratulate you the newly matriculated students, you are indeed privileged to have been selected after keen competition through the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and the rigorous post-UTME screening by the college. It’s undoubtedly a thing of joy and pride to be enrolled as a student of Yaba-the-Great, the cradle of higher education in Nigeria,” adding, “I urge you to make the best use of the golden opportunity presented by your admission into the college, because the oath of

*Cross section of matriculating students allegiance, which you have just sworn, commits you to be of exemplary behaviour throughout your stay in this college. You must shun all forms of anti-social behaviour such as examination misconduct, cult activities and other unruly behaviour.”

As the college had matriculating, a total of 1,500 and 3,000 National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) students respectively, the don averred that this is a far cry from the 110, 000 candidates who applied to the college as their preferred institution at the 2012 UTME.

EXERCISE Instruction: Choose the appropriate option from the alternatives in the parenthesis.

1. I have three girls: Dayo, Seun and Bisola, aged 23, 19 and 14 (respectively/ respectfully).

2. He listened to the elders (respectively /respectfully).

3. The first question was difficult but the (rest/ remnants) were easy.

4. We saw a few (rest /remnants) of furniture and household goods in the building.

5. My mother is getting (old/ elder)..

6. My grandfather is going (senile/ ancient).

7. I lived in the (senile /ancient) city of Ile Ife for many years.

8. Follow the (thin /narrow) way because the broad way C M Y K

Saddened by this development, she said; “In

line with the Federal Government’s directive and our resolve to improve access to education, we have made concerted effort to improve our carrying capacity through the construction of more structures that will provide additional sitting space for our students.

One of such structures is a lecture auditorium with a seating capacity of 1,300 through Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Special Intervention. There is also the 500-seater lecture theatre project which is being upgraded to a three-storey building.

“By the time these projects are completed, we will be able to further provide comfortable classroom, studio and

laboratory accommodation for our students.”

The rector confirmed that the college has been given an approval for additional streams of 18 programmes, which will see the college’s carrying capacity being increased by 1,150.

While also harping on important issues bordering on academic discipline, discipline in appearance and behaviour, 75 per cent compulsory class attendance, entrepreneurial orientation, which the college has made a compulsory course, cultism, ban on sale and use of alcohol on campus, amongst others, she appealed to the students to remain focused and make a success of their stay in the college.

Faculty of Education celebrates golden jubilee

BY HAMMED HAMZAT, UI

I

T was jubilation galore at the Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan (UI), as management, staff, students and other eminent personalities recently gathered to celebrate its 50 years of educational advancement. The faculty has eight departments, with Department of Social Work admitting postgraduate students alone.

The faculty remains the oldest Faculty of

Education in Nigeria. The faculty had earlier begun its golden jubilee celebration last year but concluded recently with a lecture entitled; Education and National Development in Nigeria, delivered by Senator Oluremi Tinubu (OON).

In her interactive lecture, Tinubu noted that the role of education in national development is inestimable. She said; “If Nigeria must develop in all facets of life, she must take as priority the funding of its educational system.”

leads to destruction.

9. He had a (narrow/ thin) escape when his car ran into a stationary vehicle.

10. He looked pale and (narrow /thin) after her long illness.

11. He was struck by (lightning/ lighting) and was rushed to the hospital.

12. We have poorly designed street (lightning /lighting) in some cities.

13. The play I watched last Saturday had excellent (lighten /lighting) effects.

14. Government should implement policies that will (lighten/ lighting) the economic burden of the ordinary citizen.

15. The violent storm was accompanied by thunder and (lightning/ lighting).

16. Demonstrations are suppressed under (marital /martial) regimes.

17. Every couple should work towards (marital/ martial) happiness.

CORRECTION 1. I have three girls: Dayo, Seun and Bisola, aged 23, 19 and 14 respectively.

2.

He listened to the elders respectfully.

3.

The first question was difficult but the rest were easy.

4.

We saw a few remnants of furniture and household goods in the building.

5. My mother is getting old.

6. My grandfather is going senile.

7. I lived in the ancient city of Ile Ife for many years.

8.

Follow the narrow way because the broad way leads to

destruction.

9. He had a narrow escape when his car ran into a stationary vehicle.

10. He looked pale and thin after her long illness.

11. He was struck by lightning and was rushed to the hospital.

12. We have poorly designed street lighting in some cities..

13. The play I watched last Saturday had excellent lighting effects.

14. Government should implement policies that will lighten the economic burden of the ordinary citizen.

15. The violent storm was accompanied by thunder and lightning.

16. Demonstrations are suppressed under martial regimes.

17. Every couple should work towards marital happiness.

zCONTINUES NEXT WEEK. Send requests/problems to Gabriel Osoba, Ph.D, Department of English, Lagos State University, Ojo, through Editor, Teach Yourself English, Vanguard Newspapers, PMB. 1007, Apapa, Lagos, or email: editor@vanguardngr.com & gabosoba002@yahoo.co

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013—27

BY LAJU ARENYEKA

Y

What manner of maxi?

OU would have to be born in the 16th Century to assume that Maxi dresses are the exclusive preserve of pregnant women. On campuses across the country, this fashion item speaks of class, style and comfort…a very difficult combination for modern fashion. Maxi dresses have hundreds of different designs; they can come in tartan, stripes, polka dots, floral patterns, and solid colours. They also come in a variety of styles that are easier to describe than to name. Anybody can maximize the maxi, no matter your stature, but it’s important to know what works for you.

Petite: For a petite frame, choose a longer dress that skims the floor over the shorter version that cuts the leg off at mid-calf. Pick solid colours and stripes over very busy material so you look bigger, not overwhelmed. Also, if and when you can, wear heels.

Tall and slim: Lucky you, nearly every maxi will suit you just fine. One thing to consider though is the shape of your legs. If you’ve something to hide, go ahead. No one will notice!

Plump and busty: You too can wear a maxi dress, and look sizzling hot.

One hurdle to cross is the upper body.

Wearing strapless or tiny straps could focus a lot of attention on your arms and you might not appreciate that.

But a cool jeans jacket can keep a lot of secrets!

This fashion item has a rare quality. It makes wearing slippers or sandals look very classy. So find a good leather pair, get a good pedicure and step out in style.

Student floats e-magazine

BY AMAKA ABAYOMI

S

TRUCK by a need for a reliable networking facility among students, alumni and staff of the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) for free flow of information across the school’s multicampuses, a 400 level medical student of the school, Ayeni Ayodeji, has floated an e-magazine and social network platform.

The online magazine, www.oouchannel.com provides campus updates, latest events, general news, jokes, campus faces, student articles and photos, while the social network allows members to add friends, meet other students, share status updates, join/start forum discussions, upload pictures, etc.

Giving reasons for founding oouchannel, Ayodeji said it was aimed at making students interact better with one another, where the alumni can easily connect with the school and updates about the C M Y K

school’s activities are reached as quickly as possible.

“After spending some time as a pre-degree student in OOU in 2008, I became disturbed as there was an urgent need to build a campus network to enable students interact better with one another, especially as the school runs a multi-campus system.

“I started developing www.oouchannel.com i n March 2009, improving on features and building a mobile version for the site. Also, many people had a very wrong impression about OOU and I knew the website would be a window for the world to see what a great citadel OOU is - like the numerous gold medals won by the medical school in 201112.

It became live about a year later, though development continued. In 2011, a mobile edition was launched while the social network on the site became accessible in 2012 and students across facul-

ties and many alumni are currently registered on the site.”

On challenges faced in the

course of the project, Ayodeji said the major challenge was funding. To ensure the completion of the project, he

said “I had to save a large chunk of allowance and change to a cheaper apartment to keep up with cost.”

Kwarapoly holds matriculation

BY ADEKUNLE OLADUNNI, Kwara Poly

I

T was a joyful day for thousands of fresh students of Kwara State Polytechnic as they were last Friday matriculated into the school.

Earlier, each department had organized orientation for the fresh students, where they were told what they need to know to excel on campus.

Addressing the students at the matriculation, the Rector, Alhaji Mas’ud Elelu advised them not to join bad groups/ societies in the school but to focus on their studies in order to graduate with good grades. He also assured the students that the development of the school E-library already in progress will soon be made available to them, as according to him, “the management is working assiduously to get it readily available for students’ use in no distant time.”

Meanwhile, after the matriculation, the students proceeded to the school’s motion

ground with their friends, kith and kin for photographs. The school was indeed heralded with the celebration, even as some of the clubs in school like the Kegite club (palm wine club) had their fun near the Institute of Basic and Applied Student Complex (IBAS Complex) with the drinking of palm wine and gyration songs that rented the air.

Like never before, this year ’s matriculation was adjudged as fun-filled and interesting by many students.

However, unconfirmed reports say that the students’ joy was however cut short, when some suspected gunmen shot about twice into the air at about 4.05pm around the IBAS COMPLEX, leaving students scampering for safety.

Despite the heavy stop and searches carried out by the school’s security operatives before gaining entrance into the matriculation venue, the suspected gunmen defied all odds to scuttle the matriculation ceremony.

28— Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013 — 29

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30—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013

BREI

Forgotten aspects of education (2)

FS

Expert calls for teachers’ training

BY LAJU ARENYEKA

N

Off-key in Music Education Although the Nigerian music industry is now a name to be reckoned with all over the world, it owes the education sector very little kudos. At the primary and secondary level, apart from high priced private schools, music education is largely untaught, or limited to theory.

Dr. Babatunde Sosan, the Acting Director, MUSON School of Music Lagos shared his concern about this aspect of education. He said; “One major concern I have about general music education is that teachers pay more attention to theoretical music education than to the practical aspect. Theory and practical should go hand in hand. But most times, teachers bombard students with a lot of information, and when the students come out, they are more or less half baked.”

A lecturer at the Department of the Performing Arts, University of Ilorin, Dr. Austin Emielu, argued that Music education has not been given its proper place in the Nigerian educational system.

He said; “Music is an endangered subject in the school system: not compulsory at the primary and secondary levels; very few music teachers, poor facilities, few music departments and low students’ enrollment due mostly to poor social perception of music as a discipline and life-time career. Another issue is the fact that music taught in the school system does not significantly appeal to the youths who are more drawn to popuC M Y K

BY AMAKA ABAYOMI

T

From left; Administrator, Grace Schools, Mrs Tokunbo Edun; Olaoye Daniel, Kevin Ifeanyinchukwu, Oluwade Abimbola and Mr. Ronald Cilliers, Principal, Grace Schools, at the presentation of annual indigent students scholarship award in the school premises.

lar music.

According to Emielu, “Music education in Nigeria like in many parts of Africa, has Christian roots because early schools were natural extensions of Christian missions. The Colonial government did not in any significant way, encourage music education in government schools.

Consequently, only few schools offer music as a curricula subject and these schools are concentrated in the South were Christian Missionary activities had the greatest impact. There are hardly any music departments in the North possibly for this reason.”

There is also a vertical dislocation between the various tiers of education; for example, while some liberal secondary schools may allow music as a curricula subject at the JSS level, very few schools offer it at the SSE level and consequently, credit pass in music at the SSE level cannot be emphasized as a must-be condition for admission to the Colleges of education or even to the universities.

C

onfusion over language education The recent squabble in the Lagos State House of Assembly concerning the proposed introduction of Chinese language in the state’s school curriculum was just a tip of the iceberg as per foreign language education. If the global student is expected to speak French, Spanish or Chinese, then the Nigerian

student can barely be put in that category. Even teaching of the local languages is not given much priority in mainstream schools.

In a recent report, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji said; “Most of the countries I have visited, you see a child of less than 15 years speaking about three or

,

O doubt, mainstream education in Nigeria grapples with many challenges. In some areas, even basic subjects as arithmetic, English language and the sciences lack qualified teachers, comprehensive funds, and complementary infrastructure.

Be that as it may, the average student in a developed country is exposed to quality sports and computer education. Even the less than average student stands a chance with a standard support system for children with special needs. Not so in Nigeria. Not so. The boom in the music industry is as a result of individual contributions, and when it comes to language education, charity begins and ends at home. These are other forgotten aspects of education the sector can no longer afford to overlook.

Music education in Nigeria like in many parts of Africa, has Christian roots because early schools were natural extensions of Christian missions

,

more languages and this has not prevented them from learning their local languages as well.” In most cases however, proper teaching of Nigerian languages can only be trusted in its most archaic form - interpersonal communication at the oral level.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) recently approved Nigeria’s membership of the Interna-

tional Organisation of French-Speaking Countries on observer status. Though government is of the view that being an observer would promote the teaching and learning of French Language, stakeholders doubt this will, in any measure, improve the standard of French education in Nigeria as French has been Nigeria’s official second language since 1991. Mr. Lukman Adebayo, a lecturer at Lead City University, with a background in French Education said; “There are very limited French language teachers. There is practically no teacher training in that regard from the state Colleges of Education. Even the Federal Government College of Education in 2010 graduated only 10 students from the Department of French Education. In 2003, when I graduated, we were 120 in the department.”

Lamenting the effect of this gulf in French Language education, Adebayo said; “If there is no change, Nigeria will not have much of a reputation on the foreign scene. I teach courses in Mass Communication and International Relations, and many of these students don’t really know the importance of French education.

Many Nigerian students who study such courses can’t speak French.”

This should come as no surprise as English, the country’s official language is still hard work for quite a number of Nigerian graduates.

HE Administrator, St. Gregory ’s College, Obalende, Lagos, Rev. Msgr.

Edmond Akpala, has called for the continuous training and retraining of teachers so as to uplift the standard of education in the country.

Speaking to Vanguard Learning, Rev. Akpala also called on parents to ensure that they go through their children’s school work to ensure that they are on the right track.

“We keep complaining of the falling standard of education in the country, little steps like the continuous training and retraining of teachers would go a long way in repositioning the education sector.

“Aside the training programmes, teachers should be paid as at when due to keep them motivated. There is also the need to decongest the classrooms by building more so that there would not be more than 30 students in a class, while the laboratories need to be equipped to make practical studies easier.

“This school has gone through three phases, the first being the first 60 years of establishing the college, setting up the buildings and facilities. The second phase was the government era which was characterized by irresponsibility and indiscipline. The third phase was the return of the school to missionaries in 2001 by the former state governor, Bola Tinubu.

“But despite going through these turbulent times, one thing that has remained constant is the quality of education, which has not dropped since I was a student here from 1962 to 1969.”

Meanwhile, the school also held its 72 nd inter-house sports competition which featured 1500m, 100m junior and senior races, 4x400m relay junior and senior, 4x100m junior and senior, 400m junior and senior, 200m junior and senior races, sack race, triple jump, long jump, high jump, invitation relay junior and senior girls and boys, among others.

Welcoming parents and old boys to the competition, Rev. Msgr. Edmond Akpala, said this year ’s celebration is unique as the school is celebrating its 85th year anniversary.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013—31

FG urged to train more Guidance and Counselling professionals

BY DAYO ADESULU

A

N Assistant Director of Education in Lagos State, Mrs Theresa Odunukwe, has asked the Federal Government to intensify efforts in training more Guidance and Counselling professionals.

Odunukwe said this in an interview at the opening of a two-day seminar on Effects of peer pressure on youths , organised by the King’s Col-

C M Y K

lege Parents Teachers Association (KCPTA).

According to her, there is an urgent need to have more guidance and counselling professionals in schools across the country, especially at the basic educational level, to check erosion of educational values. She urged the government to encourage teachers to impact morals in the students through training and re-training, as well as by providing some in-

centives.

“If you look at what is happening today in our society, especially among our youths, you will see the need for us to intensify efforts in training more professionals in guidance and counselling.

When you go round schools today, you will find some of these professionals, but what we are saying now is that these professionals are grossly inadequate to cater for the

needs of our students, especially at the basic education level.

The incidents we are witnessing today in our society as a result of peer pressure, is on the rise by the day and this is becoming worrisome.

"This is basically because there is no measure in place to counsel, supervise and monitor the activities of these children.

I think we should have more of the professionals

that would be there to complement the efforts of the subject teachers in moulding the characters of these children before our value system collapses totally,” she said.”

Odunukwe said that some of the vices threatening the peace and stability of the country presently would have been checked if most of the youths with criminal tendency were exposed to guidance and counselling at school. She explained

that peer pressure had over the years been a recurring decimal, adding that it was necessary for all stakeholders to join hands in finding a lasting solution to the ugly trend.

“There is no way we can realise the much-desired Vision 20:2020, without first building the right values at the basic level. The curriculum, through which education is provided, is meant to equip learners with knowledge, skills, attitudes and values. We must focus on human capital development and this we must do by ensuring that we catch them young and correct them early."

So that, as they are exiting from school, they are already equipped with the knowledge and skills, attitudes and values they require, to be what they want to be.

There must be an aggressive re-orientation on the dangers of peer group pressures in our schools and this we can only achieve by continuous sensitisation, by way of seminars, conferences and workshops for the teachers,” she said.

Odunukwe said that the youths must also strive to be focused by setting some goals for themselves, whether in the short term or long term. The Public Relations Officer, KCPTA, Mrs Abimbola Olumegbon said that concerted efforts must be made by parents to assume their roles and responsibilities in the up-bringing of their children and wards.

She said that a lot of parents were becoming increasingly too busy to relate with their families, adding that this had contributed largely to the steady erosion of values across every strata of the society.

According to her, lack of commitment to family values, as well as communication gap, was responsible for most of the social vices among the youths.

Her words: “When parents no longer pay attention to what is happening at the home front and focus more on material things, then the result is what we are getting today in the society.

"We must all play our roles as parents in bringing the children up in a righteous manner, in order to complement the works of the teachers."

32—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

BY EBELE ORAKPO

A

popular Pidgin En glish adage says; ‘Na condition make crayfish bend’ literally, the shape of the crayfish is a result of the conditions it found itself in, (the difficulties of life make people do what they do). This best describes the case of Mr. Ikechukwu Okeke, the Managing Director, Bonachuks Chemical Industries Nigeria Limited. The Nnewi, Anambra State-based company is into household cleaning products and chemicals. In this chat with Vanguard Learning in Nnewi, Okeke speaks on how he went from Peugeot spare parts trading to a manufacturer of note. The company which can be described as a child of circumstance, is into manufacturing, research and innovation. Excerpts.

The beginning: ccording to Okeke, on completing his secondary education at Okongwu Memorial Grammar School in 1983, he went to learn Peugeot spare parts trade also in Nnewi between 1984 and 1985 after which he started his own business in 1986, dealing on only Peugeot rings and slick gasket.

“In 1990, I started going overseas to import Peugeot rings. I went to Argentina and then to Hong Kong for used motor spare parts. It was in the process I encountered a Chinese chemical engineer who is into cosmetics, we later became friends. It was from there that the idea of going into production started,” Okeke said.

Although he learnt a lot from his friend, he was not interested in going into manufacturing but life had other plans for him as he soon found out.

“In 1993/94, I had financial problem so could not continue my importation business. This made me to go into soap production.

We were producing in Nnewi and selling in Kano. We later graduated from soap to motor grease but since we did not have enough funds to package the motor grease in cups, we were selling in drums until 2001 when I registered Bonachuks International Company as an enterprise. It was then we started production of insect killer, air freshener, toilet cleaner and detergent. Today, four of our products are registered with NAFDAC,” he said.

We want a situation whereby we can industrialise Nigeria — IKE OKEKE

• Some products from Bonachuks Chemical Industries Nigeria Ltd.

A

PRODUCTS: Carbon remover: “This protects your engine by removing carbon deposits from the engine. Just pour it into the fuel tank, it mixes instantly with the fuel, and cleans all C M Y K

• Mr Ikechukwu Okeke....We are here to help the GDP of the country to grow.

carbon deposits in your engine system, the top cylinder, valves, carburetor, plugs, injector etc. Most of the problems people encounter with their generator (diesel or petrol), have to do with carbon deposit. It also saves fuel.

Example, if your Tiger generator, popularly called I better pass my neighbour, takes four litres of fuel and lasts four hours, it will last for five hours with carbon remover, same applies to other engines. Your exhaust can never be blocked because every carbon deposit is removed. The raw materials for the product are all sourced locally.”

Fabric conditioner: “The secret behind second-hand clothes popularly called Okrika or Bend-downboutique,(imported used clothes), most of which have been worn for 2 – 10 years but still look new, is fabric conditioner. Our people wash clothes without fabric

conditioner but overseas, they apply fabric conditioner which neutralises excess alkaline in the soap that causes dullness in clothes.

What makes your clothes look old or dull is the detergent used for washing. Any deter-

gent that does not have excess alkaline cannot remove an atom of dirt. If you take any soap to the laboratory, analyse it and the soap is neutral, it cannot remove an atom of dirt from your fabric. But when it has excess alkaline, that excess alkaline is what removes dirt from clothes.

Whatever soap you use, as long as that soap can remove dirt, it contains excess alkaline and as long as excess alkaline is in that soap, after washing your clothe, even if you rinse it 1000 times with ordinary water, the excess alkaline will still be there.

When you spread it to dry and it comes in contact with the sun, it reacts with the excess alkaline causing dullness.

But just a small amount of fabric conditioner in the final rinse water neutralises the excess alkaline. As a result, your clothes will continually look new.”

Car polish: “This helps to hide all those ugly marks usually made by children on vehicles. This liquid auto polish hide those marks per-

fectly.”

Sweat-free liquid: This product helps drivers to see clearly while driving in the rain as it prevents the formation of mist on the windscreen and glasses which affects visibility. Some drivers wind up the glasses to prevent rain from drenching the occupants.

As a result, the glasses become misty because of the carbon dioxide given off by the occupants, this has caused accidents in some cases. But a little amount of this liquid used to wipe the glasses will clear the mist and keep them mist-free all day.”

Okeke said they also have rust remover which works by oxidation process, mildew remover, ink stain remover etc.

He said research has been completed on puncture seal and production will begin soon. “If you inject the required quantity of the product into a tyre, once the tyre gets a puncture, the puncture seal in the tyre seals it immediately.”

Our dream: “We want a situation whereby we can industrialise Nigeria. We want to have foundries, metal works, cosmetics and paint industries. I want government to come to our aid. The truth is that if the entrepreneur is not settled, there is no way the country can get the best out of him, but if he is settled, then he will be able to raise people. We are here to help the country and help the GDP of the country to grow.

I must confess that President Goodluck Jonathan is really trying because with the You Win programme, I have seen so many lives changed.”

Stakeholders urged to stop exam malpractice

BY BOSE ADELAJA

O

GUN State Commissioner for Edu cation, Science and Technology, Barrister Segun Odubela has urged stakeholders in the education industry to stop the evil of examination malpractice and the perpetrators in the industry.

Speaking during the 60th anniversary Diamond Jubilee celebration of Lagos City College, Yaba, Lagos, Odubela said examination is a potent instrument for judgment of knowledge and competence, adding that for an examination to be credible, it must possess key elements of validity and reliability and must be devoid

of any form of malpractice.

In a lecture titled; Mad-rush for certificates: a current trend in Nigeria’s education system, he said “The issue of examination malpractice has become a serious problem, like the emergence of secret cults in all sectors of learning - primary, secondary and tertiary institutions. It has become a disturbing trend not only to examination bodies but also to the government and national development.”

The commissioner further said that in the nation today, the increasing rate, scope and ruthlessness of the perpetrators of examination malpractice has become a serious concern, he, therefore called on all stakeholders to join the race of fighting the scourge at all cost.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013— 33

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34—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013

JABU VC urges NUC to make SIFE mandatory

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

ICE-CHANCELLOR, V Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji-Arakeji,

Professor Sola Fajana, has called on the National Universities Commission, NUC, and other educational supervisory agencies to make entrepreneurial activism and Students in Free Enterprise, SIFE, membership mandatory for all Nigerian students at the tertiary education level.

He gave the advice in his welcome address during the SIFE Annual Team Leaders/ Faculty Advisors Training Programme held in JABU. Themed Top 10 Leadership Training Programme 2013: Building Leaders, Inspiring Change, the programme had in attendance no fewer than 400 student leaders from over 30

universities who were accompanied by their Faculty Advisers (FAs).

Fajana also stressed the need for courageous, intelligent and dedicated leaders who were receptive, saying the training programme engaged in open discourses with diverse topics, and that it would challenge other participants and develop group dynamics.

He reiterated JABU’s commitment to the development of entrepreneurship in Nigeria by empowering the youths with the necessary skills and values which would enable them become concerned citizens, forward thinkers, and persons of integrity.

The Country Director of SIFE, which was rebranded in October 2012 as Enactus, Mrs. Adesuwa Ifedi, noted that SIFE did not comprise only students, but also academics, business leaders and other people with passion for entrepreneurship and youth

empowerment.

She described how great leaders such as Folu Ayeni of Tantalizers brought about a change in the fast food area by introducing African dishes to the public; also Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerbarg, founder of Apple International and the founder of Facebook respectively, who changed the world through their exceptional ideas and were so celebrated.

She encouraged the participants to take up leadership skills, create ideas and make their lives and Nigeria better.

SIFE (ENACTUS) is an international non-profit organisation which works with leaders in the corporate world and academics to organise tertiary institutions students to make an impact and a difference in their environment.

*From left: PTA chairman, Dansol High School, Mrs Adepeju Dinyo; Chairman, 9th Inter-House Sports Competition, Dansol High School, Mr Feyi Dinjo; Mr. Akintunde Akinyemiju, chairman and Guest of Honour and Mrs Susan Onwudinjo at the 9th inter-house sports competition of the school at Agege Stadium, Lagos. Photo: Diran Oshe.

Lagos, Pan-African varsity sign MoU on devt

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

HE Lagos State Government, has T signed a Memorandum of

Understanding,MoU, with the Pan-African University aimed at improving the development of the state.

Under the agreement, the institution will consistently carry out studies on the challenges and successes of the key sectors of the state‘s economy and provide implementable recommendations.

Governor Babatunde Fashola, at the signing of the agreement at State House, Alausa, said the step was an indication of readiness of his administration to subject its processes to the scrutiny of experts and share knowledge and experiences with them for the benefit of the state.

Fashola said; “Our willingness to be open is to

C M Y K

prove voodoo economists,who have always raised unnecessary concerns about the state‘s economy wrong.

“The scope of the cooperation,is one that will clearly show that any issue that is a matter of debate can actually be put under a microscope and

analysed in conformity with the practice in other parts of the world.

“The relationships that great cities like London and New York have with their business schools and universities are of common knowledge, so this MoU should have

come much earlier in view of its importance.“ The governor stressed the need for universities and governments at all levels to constantly interact to develop the country‘s human capital and bring more developments to the country.

Firm pioneers electronic/biometric scholarship mgt service

BY DAYO ADESULU

N line with its promise to deliver Ibased top class innovative computersolutions across board, Dragnet Solutions, Nigeria’s foremost Computer-Based Testing and Talent Management firm, has added the Scholarship and Bursary Management Service (SBMS), Nigeria’s first electronic and biometric-based scholarship and bursary management solution, to its bouquet of services.

According to Mr. Robert Ikazoboh, the Managing Director of Dragnet Solutions, SBMS will change the

face of scholarship and bursary management in the country. “The SBMS was created to address the frustrating problems that both private and public institutions face when awarding scholarships and bursaries.

Issues like multiple scholarships and bursaries awarded to the same individual, scholarships and bursaries awarded to non-existing persons, delays arising from the processing of applications from applicants and other bottlenecks, combine to make scholarship and bursary management a problematic affair in Nigeria,” he said.

The starting point of all achievement

I

magine two men doing the same kind of work in an establishment. One was more competent than the other on the job. However, in less than thirty years, the other man with less competence became the world’s richest man while the other man with a higher competence was still doing the same kind of work; barely making ends meet, still striving to survive financially.

What is the distinguishing factor between those who succeed and those who fail? Why do multitudes struggle to earn a living while a few others seem to have a Midas touch? What makes a life extraordinary and the other ordinary? The answers to these questions lie in the concluding part of the story about the two men stated above. The man with less competence on the job was drawing a wage of $11 a week, working 10 hours a day on his job but he added something “little” that made him extraordinary. At the end of each day after returning from his job, he dedicated the evening hours for three years to create his first car. Henry Ford’s extraordinary quality was Definiteness of Purpose. He discovered himself; his gifts, talents and potential. He had a vision of where he was going; he developed a definite and sound plan for getting there and he acted upon that plan. And he reaped the rewards of his organised efforts and became the richest and most powerful man in his generation. On the other hand, his former colleague who had a higher competence but still remained on the lower rung of the ladder lacked a definite aim. I believe the man’s vision was about holding on to his job; he set up self imposed limitations on his mind that hindered him from thinking high and invariably from rising high in life.

Multitudes, perhaps millions of people drift aimlessly through life; going to jobs they don’t like; living a half-hearted life yet they do nothing about it but complain and make excuses. Yes! Everyone wants to be successful. But being interested to succeed is quite different from being committed to succeed. Being committed to succeed entails applying yourself to principles or laws governing success.

To succeed you must look inwards and discover your area of uniqueness; gifts and talents. You must sit down and think out your definite purpose in life and develop a sound plan to attain it. You must make your chief aim a burning desire; whip it up until it becomes a driving obsession. Let your purpose drive you day and night. I hasten to add, your definite purpose must be constructive, it should never bring misery to another but rather, you and everyone else should benefit from it. It is also needful to engage in a job that utilizes your God-given talent, if not you make plans to eventually be engaged in doing something that utilizes your area of uniqueness as Henry Ford did. Do what you love and love what you do. Throw yourself into your life’s work; give it your best.

The key to becoming outstanding in your life’s work is concentration of effort. As the saying goes, “jack of all trades master of none”, doing many things indifferently will only lead to failure. Be known for something. Bill Gates is known for Microsoft, Larry Izamoje is known for “Talking Sports”. Practice, develop, and improve on your gifts and talents until you become a master in it. Put your heart and soul into what you do. Give your work quality; a stamp of royalty rendered with a positive mental attitude.

To be at the top in your calling, you must work hard and intelligently. This requires that you assume great responsibility and discipline to work for longer hours in order to deliver great quantity and quality of product or service that are widespread in nature in order to excel.

Ponder on the words of Napoleon Hill, “If your aim in life is vague, your achievement will also be vague, and very meagre. Know what you want, when you want it, why you want it and how you intend to get it.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013—35

BATTLE FOR LAGOS Days after part of his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State was recently engulfed in flames, a delegation of the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP visited to empathise with former President Olusegun Obasanjo. But beneath the veneer of the consolation was Obasanjo’s own admonition to the chieftains of the Lagos PDP to put their house in order, for according to him, winning Lagos State was doable. But the condition, President Obasanjo said was for the different tendencies in the state to put aside their historic infighting and fight as a united team. The chairmen of the PDP in Lagos and the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN responded to Obasanjo's tune in different interviews with Vanguard. Excerpts:

Obasanjo is joking — Ajomale, ACN Chairman

ACN is jittery over Lagos — Shelle, PDP Chairman

different? Are we not telling the world that we are crude in our system?

STORIES BY DAPO AKINREFON

P

What are the things you feel the ruling party is not doing that PDP would like to address if it takes over power?

There are many areas that the ruling party has failed the people of Lagos.

The fact is ACN has succeeded in destroying the legacy of Alhaji Lateef Jakande who built the Lekki-Epe Road without collecting toll or concession and without obtaining loan. ACN simply improved on the road and tolled it.

If ACN had constructed the coastal road and tolled it, people would not have complained. The coastal road has been an ACN plan but they did not construct it. If they had done that, the Lekki/Epe Expressway would have

Why? In our case, two systems are allowed.

You can conduct your primaries by consensus and you can do open primaries. In some cases, when you do open primaries, you have maiming and death trailing the way because of our people who want to win at all costs.Can we afford to lose the lives of our members because we want to conduct elections?

The leaders in each of the areas know the candidate that they feel can do the

*Shelle:

*Ajomale

,

Are you inferring that the PDP house is now in order after Obasanjo’s advise?

I want to thank Obasanjo for telling us the need to close ranks, which we have already done. In response to his advice, most of our members are now in talking terms. For instance, people like Dr. Oluyomi Finnih, Senators Adeseye Ogunlewe, Musliu Obanikoro, Chief Bode George and others are now on talking terms and they have all agreed to work as a team for the interest of the party and for the benefit of the people of Lagos.

How do you intend to change the perception that there is no internal democracy in your party and that the ACN is a one man show.

I don’t think so.

We are working seriously to ensure that we bring back all our members together under one umbrella, Obasanjo’s advice was important and that has been the reason the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has been jittery

,

been an alternative to the coastal road.

It is exploitation on the part of government to give a private company the leeway to toll the road for 30 years.

They have turned the road into private business. How much did they construct the road in the first instance and if they toll it for 30 years how much are they going to make from it? It cannot take more than two years to recoup the cost of the construction.

They believe people along the Lekki/ Epe axis are very rich but forget that there are also villages and hamlets along the same axis. The toll gate is also congested because it was not well planned.

Continues on page 36

W

HAT is your reaction to President Olusegun Obasanjo’s assertion that a united PDP could win Lagos State?

I have said it several times, that the former president is a joker for dreaming of getting Lagos from the ACN. When he was a sitting president, he tried twice to wrestle Lagos state from the ACN. It was an uphill task which was practically impossible.

He condescended so low as to go and campaign in a local government area in Lagos State just because he wanted to capture Lagos as he said then. It was a woeful disgrace.

For now, being a non-sitting president, claiming to achieve what he was unable to achieve during his presidency, I think is tantamount to a dream that can never come true.

Do you have the perception that the government in Lagos is now unpopular because of the ban on commercial motorcyclists popularly known as okada…

(Cuts in) Let me tell you something about okada or no okada. There is no responsible government that will tolerate the carnage that was going on our roads for so long.

They must protect lives and property and I think that is what the government is doing. You don’t play politics with peoples’ lives.

There is no civilized country in the world that allows okada as a means of transportation. Can we say we are

,

RESIDENT Olusegun Obasanjo recently advised members of the PDP in Lagos to unify for them to win the state. Are you heeding the advise?

We are working seriously to ensure that we bring back all our members together under one umbrella.

Obasanjo’s advice was important and that has been the reason the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has been jittery.

ACN has realised that if someone like Obasanjo can throw his support behind us ahead of the 2015 governorship election in Lagos, then their chances of retaining power is slim. Obasanjo did not only advice us but he also prayed with us.

ACN believed it has worked but we are going to outwit them. If we take over power in Lagos, we are definitely going to turn the state around for better.

I believe Obasanjo has done nothing wrong to warrant insult form ACN. I don’t think it makes sense to insult an old man the way ACN did, but by the time we finish mending fences, we shall be well positioned to wrestle power form the ACN in 2015.

I have said it several times, that the former president is a joker for dreaming of getting Lagos from the ACN. When he was a sitting president, he tried twice to wrestle Lagos state from the ACN, it was an uphill task which was practically impossible

,

job well. It also has a cultural innovation, in that you allow the people in each community to decide who will be their representative.

It is allowed by law. So, that is the most internal democracy that I think we are practicing, allowing the people to choose who they want. They know themselves in that area. Which one is the best form democracy?

The one you allow the people to choose their representatives or the one hijacked by the money bags? Which one is more important? The system will use the two methods but many people will not know.

That is the best form of internal democracy that I understand and where you allow the people in the community to decide who represents them and not money bag that throw their weight around who will not be answerable to the community. That is we avoid.

We are still going to use both methods.

If the community decides that this is the

Continues on page 36

36—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013

BATTLE FOR LAGOS Days after part of his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State was recently engulfed in flames, a delegation of the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP visited to empathise with former President Olusegun Obasanjo. But beneath the veneer of the consolation was Obasanjo’s own admonition to the chieftains of the Lagos PDP to put their house in order, for according to him, winning Lagos State was doable. But the condition, President Obasanjo said was for the different tendencies in the state to put aside their historic infighting and fight as a united team. The chairmen of the PDP in Lagos and the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN responded to Obasanjo's tune in different interviews with Vanguard. Excerpts:

Obasanjo is joking — Ajomale, ACN Chairman

ACN is jittery over Lagos — Shelle, PDP Chairman

different? Are we not telling the world that we are crude in our system?

STORIES BY DAPO AKINREFON

P

What are the things you feel the ruling party is not doing that PDP would like to address if it takes over power?

There are many areas that the ruling party has failed the people of Lagos.

The fact is ACN has succeeded in destroying the legacy of Alhaji Lateef Jakande who built the Lekki-Epe Road without collecting toll or concession and without obtaining loan. ACN simply improved on the road and tolled it.

If ACN had constructed the coastal road and tolled it, people would not have complained. The coastal road has been an ACN plan but they did not construct it. If they had done that, the Lekki/Epe Expressway would have

Why? In our case, two systems are allowed.

You can conduct your primaries by consensus and you can do open primaries. In some cases, when you do open primaries, you have maiming and death trailing the way because of our people who want to win at all costs.Can we afford to lose the lives of our members because we want to conduct elections?

The leaders in each of the areas know the candidate that they feel can do the

*Shelle:

*Ajomale

,

Are you inferring that the PDP house is now in order after Obasanjo’s advise?

I want to thank Obasanjo for telling us the need to close ranks, which we have already done. In response to his advice, most of our members are now in talking terms. For instance, people like Dr. Oluyomi Finnih, Senators Adeseye Ogunlewe, Musliu Obanikoro, Chief Bode George and others are now on talking terms and they have all agreed to work as a team for the interest of the party and for the benefit of the people of Lagos.

How do you intend to change the perception that there is no internal democracy in your party and that the ACN is a one man show.

I don’t think so.

We are working seriously to ensure that we bring back all our members together under one umbrella, Obasanjo’s advice was important and that has been the reason the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has been jittery

,

been an alternative to the coastal road.

It is exploitation on the part of government to give a private company the leeway to toll the road for 30 years.

They have turned the road into private business. How much did they construct the road in the first instance and if they toll it for 30 years how much are they going to make from it? It cannot take more than two years to recoup the cost of the construction.

They believe people along the Lekki/ Epe axis are very rich but forget that there are also villages and hamlets along the same axis. The toll gate is also congested because it was not well planned.

Continues on page 38

W

HAT is your reaction to President Olusegun Obasanjo’s assertion that a united PDP could win Lagos State?

I have said it several times, that the former president is a joker for dreaming of getting Lagos from the ACN. When he was a sitting president, he tried twice to wrestle Lagos state from the ACN. It was an uphill task which was practically impossible.

He condescended so low as to go and campaign in a local government area in Lagos State just because he wanted to capture Lagos as he said then. It was a woeful disgrace.

For now, being a non-sitting president, claiming to achieve what he was unable to achieve during his presidency, I think is tantamount to a dream that can never come true.

Do you have the perception that the government in Lagos is now unpopular because of the ban on commercial motorcyclists popularly known as okada…

(Cuts in) Let me tell you something about okada or no okada. There is no responsible government that will tolerate the carnage that was going on our roads for so long.

They must protect lives and property and I think that is what the government is doing. You don’t play politics with peoples’ lives.

There is no civilized country in the world that allows okada as a means of transportation. Can we say we are

,

RESIDENT Olusegun Obasanjo recently advised members of the PDP in Lagos to unify for them to win the state. Are you heeding the advise?

We are working seriously to ensure that we bring back all our members together under one umbrella.

Obasanjo’s advice was important and that has been the reason the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has been jittery.

ACN has realised that if someone like Obasanjo can throw his support behind us ahead of the 2015 governorship election in Lagos, then their chances of retaining power is slim. Obasanjo did not only advice us but he also prayed with us.

ACN believed it has worked but we are going to outwit them. If we take over power in Lagos, we are definitely going to turn the state around for better.

I believe Obasanjo has done nothing wrong to warrant insult form ACN. I don’t think it makes sense to insult an old man the way ACN did, but by the time we finish mending fences, we shall be well positioned to wrestle power form the ACN in 2015.

I have said it several times, that the former president is a joker for dreaming of getting Lagos from the ACN. When he was a sitting president, he tried twice to wrestle Lagos state from the ACN, it was an uphill task which was practically impossible

,

job well. It also has a cultural innovation, in that you allow the people in each community to decide who will be their representative.

It is allowed by law. So, that is the most internal democracy that I think we are practicing, allowing the people to choose who they want. They know themselves in that area. Which one is the best form democracy?

The one you allow the people to choose their representatives or the one hijacked by the money bags? Which one is more important? The system will use the two methods but many people will not know.

That is the best form of internal democracy that I understand and where you allow the people in the community to decide who represents them and not money bag that throw their weight around who will not be answerable to the community. That is we avoid.

We are still going to use both methods.

If the community decides that this is the

Continues on page 38

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013— 37

C M Y K

38 — VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013

WADA'S 365 DAYS IN OFFICE:

So far, so turbulent

CAPTAIN Idris Wada’s one year in office no doubt has been very turbulent, given the series of challenges he was faced with within the past 365 days.

BY BOLUWAJI OBAHOPO

W

ADA'S first acid tests were the numerous court cases that are even yet to abate. And when he thought of breathing some air of relief from the legal battles, the deadly flood which ravaged nine local government areas of the state, came. The government had to suspend many programmes in a bid to rehabilitate those displaced by the flood.

Within the year, Wada’s administration had many other bitter pills to swallow. One pill was the face-off between Wada and some members of his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under the aegis of PDP Elders led by Senators Alex Kadiri and Muhammed Ohiare, who are insisting that the governor should have done better given the resources accruing to the state.

Litigations

The governor began to face litigation from September 22, 2011, when he was elected as PDP flag bearer at the party’s gubernatorial primary. When it was clear that he had an edge over other aspirants through the support he enjoyed from the then governor, Ibrahim Idris, one of the aggrieved members, Chief Oyebode Makinde, went to court to seek an injunction to stop the primary. The bid was, however, not successful.

But as soon as he got the PDP ticket to run for the December 3, 2011 governorship election, Jibrin Isah (Echocho), who was the former ticket holder, went to court to challenge Wada’s candidacy. Echocho was initially elected as PDP governorship candidate at the January 2011 primary before the Court of Appeal extended the tenure of former Governor Ibrahim Idris and four others.

Echocho, particularly, wanted the court to invalidate the election that brought in Wada on the grounds that he was the winner of the first primary and that his name was submitted to the INEC, which was not withdrawn before another primary was conducted.

This was in addition to the tribunal cases instituted by the former governor of the state, Prince Abubakar Audu and his estranged wife, Aisha Audu (Nee Emeje), CPC, and ANPP asking the court to declare that Wada was not validly elected. Though Aisha later withdrew her case from the tribunal, Prince Audu pursued it to the Apex court before he backed down.

The heat created by the removal of Speaker Abdullahi Bello, believed to have been sponsored

said it was misleading for the governor to say that his administration had spent over N158 million on reconstruction and modernization of the Confluence Beach Hotel, saying that the hotel was still in a sorry and dilapidated condition.

Wada seeks more support

*Wada: Mixed fortunes by the governor generated a lot of crisis too. The governor has since denied any involvement but the period was another serious setback for the state, as all attentions was focused on the crisis.

Critics flay One year of Wada

However, divergent views have continued to trail the one year in office of the present administration. While some said that the numerous challenges had hampered governance, others said that the administration had failed to live up to expectation irrespective of the challenges.

The opposition party, especially the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) said there was no difference between Ibrahim Idris and Wada in terms of poor

performance. According to them, the only meaningful and tangible achievement seen in the state was done by Prince Abubakar Audu’s four years in office.

Also, a Human Right Activists, who is the Executive Director, Centre for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution, (CHRCR), Idris Miliki, described Wada’s one year in office as a monumental failure saying, “it is worrisome and disappointing that a government of one year old cannot boast of any meaningful achievement.

Miliki particularly faulted the state government’s claim that it expended over N248 million and N21 million on rural electrification and street lighting respectively, which according to him were not in existence. He

During his one year in office broadcast, Wada admitted that the last 365 days had been challenging and promised better outing in the months and urged the citizenry to continue to support the government.

His words: “My dear people of Kogi State, we have tried, in the face of these challenges and limited financial resources, to record some modest achievements within this one year through the programmes that we have initiated or inherited and executed. The judgment of our performance belongs to you. We have concentrated our efforts on meeting the most essential needs of our people alongside the completion of on-going projects started by the immediate past Administration.

“The lean resources accruing to the State demands the highest level of prudence to enable us make meaningful impact on the development of the State. At the time of this report we have completed a record of 169 projects, which spread across Agriculture, Education, Health, Tourism, Security, Human Capital development, Road construction and water supply.

A number of these projects will be commissioned within the next few weeks.

“All that I require of you is your continued support, cooperation, patience and understanding. We will not let you down. We will

remain resolute and focused on our vision and mission while ensuring accountability, transparency, equity, justice and fairness. ”I would like to seize this opportunity to thank all the segment of our people for the cooperation and support we have enjoyed from you from the inception of this administration.

Let me conclude by calling for greater unity, cooperation, support and understanding in the period ahead so that together, we can move Kogi State to greater heights, reap the dividends of democracy and bequeath a worthy legacy to the coming generation”.

The State Deputy Governor, Mr. Yomi Awoniyi, was however quick to deny the opinion that the administration has done nothing.

He said the Capt Idris Wada led administration had made noticeable strides in the areas of health, works, infrastructures, education and agriculture.

The Deputy Governor, who described the free Rural Medical service offered across the 21 LGA of the state as an investment that has met the yearning and aspirations of rural dwellers. He also cited the free distribution of mosquito nets and free eye glasses, new cottage hospitals constructed among others as examples of the administration's bold efforts in the health sector.

The present administration, he explained, has done so much in the area of security to prevent spillover of the security challenges experienced in some parts of the country. The Deputy Governor described the first year of the administration as a period of planning and laying the solid foundation for the sustainable development of the state

ACN is jittery over Lagos — Shelle Continued frompage 36 Are you not afraid the crisis in the Southwest zone of your party could affect your chances in 2015?

PDP is a very big party and politics is dynamic with people having various interests. What is happening now is interest.

PDP is so big and large, it is controlling about 26 states and dominates the National Assembly you will realize that most of us have different backgrounds.

All these put together will one-way or the other affect the dynamics of the party.

All that is taking place now is just politics of 2015; and between now and May, these problems would have been resolved and taken the same

direction to face the rival parties. CPC, ACN, APGA, ANPP and others put together are like ants before the PDP. So many things will work against them. Their leaders cannot form a common front because

none will want to step down for another. PDP has been able to manage its difference in the last 15 years.

ACN is a regional party, CPC is a regional party and ANPP does not have focus, so how can

they work together? We will take advantage of this. The National Secretary of PDP, Olagunsoye Oyinlola only went on a short holiday he will soon come back.

Obasanjo is joking — Ajomale man they want, we cannot over rule them.

For us, it is not a question of zoning; it is a question of getting the best material anywhere we can get it.

The former governor of Lagos state, Bola Tinubu is from Lagos west, while incumbent, Mr Raji Fashola is from Lagos Central. Are we looking at a power shift in 2015?

Not minding the zone?

Yes, not minding the zone. We want the best and only the best is good for Lagos.

We want someone who will improve on the achievements done so far.

Continued from page 36

I don’t believe in zoning, I believe we must get the best material that can carry on with the legacies that has been established by the two giants (Tinubu and Fashola).

The legacies they are leaving behind must be improved upon and not getting someone who will spoil it by zoning.

We must get the best hand from anywhere in Lagos state.

Vanguard , THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013 —39

From right: Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Delta State Governor; Rev. Gideon Oyibo, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Chairman and Rev. Fr. Mario Dibie, during 'A Time With Jesus' programme in Asaba.

Senator Bukola Saraki and other Kwara State indigenes, during a courtesy call on the Minister of Works, Engr. Arc. Mike Onolememen, in Abuja.

From right: Chief Jaiyeola Olanrewaju, DG, Nigeria Textile Manufacturers'Association; Brigadier General George Emdin (rtd) Chairman, Crown Natures Nigeria Ltd) and Ms Evelyn Oputu, MD, Bank of Industry, at the unveiling of Nigeria Innovative Caps and Hats by Crown Natures Nigeria Limited, a beneficiary of Cotton Textile Garment Fund by BOI, in Lagos. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele

From left: Engr. Hakeem Liadi, Deputy Director, Lagos State Safety Commission; Mrs. Ronke Odeneye, Assistant Director and Mrs. Felicia Okota, representing Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary, Education District 1, during a seminar on Safety Management in Private Schools in Lagos State, held at Grailland, Iju, Lagos State. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele

From left: Capt T.A Osoba, Commanding Officer, UnderWater Warfare School, Ojo; Commodore K.O Nwokenna, Cast, Naval Training Command, Apapa and Mr. Pondi Kestin, Managing Director, Mieka Dive Limited, during the graduation ceremony of the first batch of the Amnesty Trainee programme anchored by the Mieka Dive Training Institute in partnership with Nigerian Navy, at Ojo, Navy Town, Lagos. Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

From left: Mrs. Tokunbo Edun, Administrator, Grace Schools; Olaoye Daniel, Kevin Ifeanyichukwu, Oluwade Abimbola and Mr. Ronald Cilliers Principal, Grace School, at the presentation of Annual Indigent Students Scholarship Award to students, in the school premises.

From left: Mr. John Ugbe, MD, Multichoice Nigeria; Mrs. Biola Alabi, MD, M-Net and Mr. Adodo Tokunbo, Marketing Manager, Non-Alcoholic Drinks, Nigerian Breweries Plc, unveiling a plaque, at the Africa Magic Viewer's Choice Awards, in Lagos. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele

From left: Chief. Harry Ayoade Akande, President/CEO, AIC Group; Mr. Kayode Oladele Legal Adviser, and Mr. Olatunji Caulcrick, Commissioner of Police, Airport Command, during a settlement of a dispute between AIC Group and Federal AirOgbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Osun State Governor, inspecting a parade of Cadets of Osun ports Authority (FAAN) over land proposed for building a world Youth Empowerment Scheme (O-Yes), during their passing out ceremony, at the NYSC class hotel by AIC at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

Orientation Camp, Ede, Osun State.

C M Y K

40—Vanguard, THURSDAY THURSDAY,, JANUARY 31, 2013

Kano to close 2,000 illegal private schools

BY ABDULSALAM

MUHAMMAD ANO—KANO State Task Force on Private Schools, yesterday, said it has concluded plans to close down over 2,000 illegal private schools and colleges operating across the state.

Chairman of the Task Force, Alhaji Baba Umar, told reporters that the step became imperative following the failure of proprietors of such schools to conform with laid down rules and regulations in the state.

Umar said: “Majority of the 3,500 private schools and colleges operating across the state are illegal; no formal registration with government and over 2,000 of the affected schools operate below the benchmark set by government.”

He further noted that this was happening in spite of substantial investments by Governor Musa Kwankwaso’s administration in the education sector, describing the situation as unacceptable.

K

United Way Nigeria gets US Consulate support

L

AGOS—UNITED Way Nigeria, a nongovernmental organization, has been endorsed by the US Consulate at its re-launch in Lagos, for their contribution to the nation’s human capital development and fight against social vices.

United Way Nigeria is the Nigerian chapter of United Way Worldwide, an organisation with presence in over 45 countries and 1,800 communities across the globe.

The movement ranks number one on Forbes list of the largest charities in the US, having raised over $5 billion in donations in 2010.

Speaking at the event, US Consul General in Nigeria, Jeffrey Hawkins said: “I think United Way is well positioned to do a lot of good in this country. Its plans for Nigeria are very significant to the US, so I want to urge, encourage and thank United Way Nigeria.”

C M Y K

Newly appointed members of the Federal Character Commission taking their oath of office, during the Federal Executive Council Meeting in Abuja, yesterday.

From right: Mr. Tunji Bello, Lagos State Comissioner for Environment; Mr. Miyideen Akinsanya, Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services, , and Mrs. Adeola Afun, Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, at the briefing on the workplan programme for environment and flood in Lagos. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

Fulani herdsmen, Idoma clash displaces 550 in Benue M

BY PETER DURU

AKURDI—NO fewer than 550 persons were reportedly displaced by the bloody conflict that broke out between Fulani herdsmen and Idoma farmers at Amla Village in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Dr. Innocent Onuh, made this known, yesterday, while conducting news-

men round the affected areas and the displaced persons’ camps in Otukpo.

Onuh said: “The total number of persons displaced by the crisis is a little over 550, and out of this number, children are over 150, while women are about 50. We have provided them a makeshift camp here in Otukpo, and we have been able to provide them with relief materials to ease their problems pending further assistance. ”We have also ensured that se-

curity was beefed up in the entire community consequent upon the decisions we reached at the council’s security meeting on Monday. Aside that, we have also directed security personnel to embark on a man hunt of all those behind the crisis in order to ensure that they were made to face justice.”

Appealing to public spirited individuals, non-governmental organisations, as well as the federal and Benue State governments for assistance, Onuh how-

PDP threatens to sanction 3 Bayelsa refused to work with the done in consultation with the LG chairmen chairmen leadership of the party and their leadership and stakeholders of

BY SAMUELOYADONGHA

B

AYELSA—THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has threatened to sanction the Chairmen of three local government areas of Bayelsa State for allegedly undermining the authority of the party.

The local government chairmen are those of Ekeremor, Sagbama and Kolokuma/ Opokuma local government areas of the state.

Alleging that the affected

respective councilors, the state PDP Chairman, Col. Sam Inokoba, while briefing newsmen in Yenagoa, said the party would invoke its constitution if they failed to retrace their steps.

He said: “Democracy at all levels of governance depended on regular consultations among the various arms of government and the major stakeholders. As we address you here today, the issue of appointment of vice chairmen which is supposed to be

the party has remained unattended to or unaddressed.

“This is because the chairmen have arrogated such powers to themselves and jettisoned democratic principles in their respective councils.”

Inokoba, however, appealed to the three chairmen to retrace their steps, by doing the right thing and allow the hard earned peace being enjoyed as a partyc in the state to reign.

....As Delta LG chieftains allege extortion

by House proposals to organise workshops of that last payment when an-

A

SABA—SOME local government chieftains in Delta State, yesterday, threatened to petition the Delta State Government and the National Assembly over alleged extortion by committees of the state Assembly.

The LG chieftains who spoke to Vanguard, alleged that in the last two months various committees of the assembly had sent

costing N5 million for each LG. One of the chieftains said: “Before now the committee on local government affairs organised one and all the LGs paid N5 million each. ”Barely one month after, the committee on public accounts organised another workshop and we were made to pay another round of N 5million each. We were still recuperating from the effect

other committee sent N5 million workshop proposal to us.”

Another LG top official also said: “Where will we raise such amount of money from in less than two months when we are still battling to pay our workers salaries.

The truth is that we are even tired of these workshops because we do have other essential services to render to the grassroots.”

Bauchi suspends payment of allowance to workers

B

BY SUZAN EDEH

AUCHI—FOUR months after the Bauchi State

Government started the deduction of 10 per cent of workers’ salaries following alleged ‘’dwindling state resources,’’ the government has now completely stopped payment of any form of allowance to the civil servants and local government work-

ers.

The state government, however, approved the stoppage of the 10 per cent deductions commenced from September 2012 up to December 2012.

This means that salaries would return to status-quo with effect from January 2013.”

The government, while stopping payment of any form

of entitlements to its workers, blamed it on dwindling revenue, noting that the treasury staff will be paid 50 per cent of their special allowances.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Bauchi State Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, Mr. Ali Ahmed said labour unions have nothing to do with the suspension of special allow-

ever, urged the belligerent communities to maintain peace as the government was on top of the situation.

PDP group laments nonperfomance of Govs

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN CITY—A group in Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, under the aegis of Save PDP Group, has lamented that majority of the governors elected on the platform of the party failed to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of their respective states due to their over concentration on the internal politics of PDP. The group which threatened to adopt the Arab Spring protest against non-performing PDP governors, said: “We are irrevocably committed to ensure that PDP governors, who are not doing enough in their states but had made the Governor’s Forum a body to confront the party on whose platform they emerged must be identified and sanctioned by the party.”

In a statement by its National Chairman, Mr. Augustine Adebayo, in Benin City, Edo State, the group posited that members of the party in most of PDP states were sidelined by their governors, rather than administering their various states with a view to give the dividends of democracy to the people.

Anyim lauds NCPC

BY JIMOH BABATUNDE

A

BUJA—THE Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission, NCPC, has been commended for the zero mortality level recorded during the 2012 Christian Pilgrimage exercise to Israel and Rome.

Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, gave the commendation in Abuja, during the submission of the 2012 Christian Pilgrimage report by the NCPC, board and management.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013—41

I N S I D E

Why a new code may not improve Police in Nigeria — 34

Economy, Politics and Human Rights: Whither Nigeria? (3)

— 35

Pro Bono help in promoting justice ——Ekwunoh

Judiciary can’t be independent without financial autonomy —Agbakoba, SAN

BY INNOCENT ANABA

Mr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, former President of Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, in this interview, called for the independence of the Judiciary, in terms of its yearly appropriation, as against the current case, where the judiciary as the third arm of government, goes to the executive cap in hand begging for money it ordinarily should have, being on the first line charge to the Federation Account.

Excerpts:

N

* Mr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN four or five governors dying and they don’t want to go.

If a man is sick, is it his fault? It is certainly not. You have served your state effectively and loyally for about six or seven years, if you are terminally ill? Resign. But because they know that you and I don’t care, so you can have dying governors actually governing states, enough is enough. The time for us to turn around Nigeria has come.

,

BA Anti-corruption Commis sion has promised to deal with reported cases of corruption in Bar and the judiciary. What are your expectations from the commission in respect to this task?

There are many people who need to be sent to jail, and I am happy that Festus Keyamo had taken the gauntlet in respect of the case involving Farouk Lawan, because if we all begin to play this role, take it upon ourselves like the late Chief Gani Fewahinmi did, we will get results. It is now that I appreciate what Gani did, every time anything wrong happened, Gani would go to court. People called him busy body, but I never called him busy body. But if the NBA would, despite the late action on the part of government not to do anything, if the NBA would use this their Anti- Corruption Commission to launch cases, then it will be supported. What I am saying is that it is time for active and aggressive action to turn around Nigeria because we cant keep asking, what can we do for things to change?

If the president could be affected by the Channels Television expose, it shows you what will happen if civil societies, rather than abandon their functions, try more. It is time for Nigerians to say enough is enough.

My next law suit is going to be against state governors, who have failed to hold democratically organised elections at the Local Governments level and my question would be whether the constitution by virtue of section 7 of the 1999 constitution, envisages non democratic governments and whether it is lawful and valid for the Minister of Finance to pay out revenue to non democratic governments, because they are about 19 of them across the country now.

And by the time this type of case begins to go round, it will encourage accountable behaviour, that is what we want to see. We want to see accountable behaviour. If you are a governor, behave yourself, don’t take what is not yours, look at how the governors have come to a point where they have no respect for Nigerians, we have about

What is envisaged is that all three heads of government send their appropriations to the National Assembly for harmonization. But what goes on now is that NJC sends its budget to the executive, which on its own, capriciously undermine the budget

,

What do you make of the state of Nigerian federation?

All facets of Nigeria’s life are in comatose and I am happy that finally, the media, in respect of Channels television has now performed its triple function of education, entertainment and information.

The media had been in comatose when it comes to the other aspect of its work, so, the attempt by the television

station to expose the failed Police institutions had provoked the most controversial reaction I have seen in Nigeria in recent times. The President was upset, the police hierarchy was upset, but I think commendation must go to the Inspector- General of Police, for granting permission for the interview to be conducted, because I don’t believe Channels Television would have been able to do that kind of incisive interview without permission.

Clearly from the President’s reaction, everybody’s attention is now on the police, everybody has seen that the police are in a deep rot.

What is the lesson in this?

As a lawyer, I will challenge Judicial Correspondents, Newspaper houses to take up this issue about the decay in the judiciary. It is fundamental and I was touched by the interview granted

by Justice O. Adekeye (rtd). She said that after 36 years in the service of the judiciary, she can’t look at a house she can go to as her own. This is because she was an honest and patriotic woman. The judiciary failed to provide housing for people who committed their entire lives to sacrifice for the nation. And she made a very important statement. She said that when we accuse judges of taking bribes, what do you expect when a judge, having served her motherland loyally all through his life have no where to go after retirement? And that is exactly what compelled me to file a law suit, to get the judiciary to receive its budget directly and not through the executive. The judiciary has been

getting less and less vote in the federal budget every year. For instance, this year, the budget is about N65bn whereas the Office of the National Security Adviser will get about N100billion, one man as against the entire third arm of government.

This matter was brought up at the last meeting of National Judicial Council, NJC, when I invited and called upon the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, to lead that crusade.

She has to lead the crusade. It is not enough for Dahiru Danladi, who is the Chief Executive Officer of NJC to go cap in hand begging the executive to release funds, which they do when they like, when the judiciary is by section 81 of the constitution, placed on first line charge.

What does this mean?

The first line charge on the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the federation means that the judiciary is exempted from government intervention, it is not supposed to go to the executive to ask for money. Actually, the constitution recognises three types of independent funding, the President, who is the head of the executive, the President of the National Assembly, who is the head of the legislature and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN through NJC, who is the head of the judiciary.

What is envisaged is that all three heads of government send their appropriations to the National Assembly for harmonization. But what goes on now is that NJC sends its budget to the executive, which on its own, capriciously undermine the budget.

So, the judiciary is not free. The judiciary is not only enslaved, it is chained by the executive.

No single judge in Nigeria can be appointed without the express permission of the governor, that is shocking.

The governor has to agree, so at NJC meeting, we are always saying that governor must provide court houses, he must provide cars, if a governor is Continues on page 42

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

42— VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013

Why a new code may not improve Police in Nigeria

BY STANLEY IBE

I

T is not difficult to under stand why the average person in Nigeria will do anything to avoid an encounter with the police.

Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police has just launched a code of conduct and professional standards for the country ’s police force. The code aims to “provide all members of the Nigeria Police Force with a set of guiding principles and standards of behaviour while on or off duty.” In the finest traditions of policing, it promotes time-tested principles of confidentially, integrity, cooperation with other police officers and agencies, personal professional capabilities and calls on officers to display good character in or out of uniform.

There is certainly more than enough need to raise the standards of policing in Nigeria. In 2010, a report produced by the Network on Police Reform in Nigeria, NOPRIN and the Open Society Justice Initiative concluded that

Nigeria’s police personnel “routinely carry out summary executions of persons accused or suspected of crime; rely on torture as a principal means of investigation; commit rape of both sexes, with a particular focus on sex workers; and engage in extortion at nearly every opportunity.” A Human Rights Watch that same year found that “corruption and abusive behaviour within the Nigeria Police Force is endemic.” In July 2012, Nigeria’s most recent Presidential Committee on Reorganization of the Nigeria Police Force agreed that the force has “officers with corrupt tendencies and bad disciplinary records.”

It is not difficult to understand why the average person in Nigeria will do anything to avoid an encounter with the police.

So can a new code of conduct make a difference? It is telling that the new code enjoins police officers to conduct themselves “in accordance with the Constitution....and all applica-

•Police IG, Mohammed Abubakar ble laws, ordinances and rules enacted or established pursuant to legal authority”. But if the police do what is required of them by the law, presumably there would be no need for an additional code of conduct? As commendable as the idea of a new code is, it may not change anything unless police institution prioritizes enforcement of existing legislations. The challenge is with implementation and enforcement rather new

legislation.

It will take much more than rhetoric to make a success of this new code. For a start, senior police leadership must demonstrate strong commitment to policing their own ranks, by ensuring accountability for every crime committed by a police officer on or off duty. This means internal accountability mechanisms must work effectively.

The police must take seriously genuine public complaints about misconduct by its officers.

These may come through the existing official police channels, whereby an aggrieved party might lodge a written complaint with a senior police officer, or with a police human rights desk, or directly to the state commissioner of police or inspector general of police. Alternatively, complaints may emerge from informal civil society-led channels such as nigeriapolicewatch.com—an online platform for exchange of information about good and bad police conduct.

Anyone who complains about

police misconduct will probably be curious to know how police authorities respond to such complaints. Even more, the complainant might wish to see what feedback mechanisms exist to communicate the result of investigations. To be more effective, the established internal police mechanisms for receiving and processing civilian complaints must provide confidential means for reporting police misconduct and they must guarantee the safety of victims and witnesses.

No complainant will be ready and willing to risk life or limb just to report a case of misconduct if minimum guarantees do not exist. Even where they exist, it is useful to supplement internal complaints mechanisms with a system of external oversight.

The Police Service Commission is the institution primarily responsible for external oversight; that is, it provides a system of control and supervision of a police

Continues on page 43

Judiciary can’t be independent without financial autonomy —Agbakoba SAN Continued from page 41 obliged to do these things and when you want to appoint a judge, the governors’ consent must be sought and obtained, how can these things be?

When the president is appointing his ministers, does he seek the permission of the judiciary? At best, he will seek the confirmation of the National Assembly. So I think this year, the NBA must engage in a comprehensive and aggressive transformational war. I now understand why judges are timid and cannot give judgments.

Why is the situation like that?

It is because they have no money, because their governors can do and undo, their governors can say, you’ll not be the Chief Judge, CJ of the state. We have many states now where there are no CJs because the governors want to hijack the state and the constitutional process has succeeded in giving the governors a very strong hold on the judiciary. Unfortunately, the administrative posturing of NJC has not helped matters, they have been very timid, I can only point at few people like Justice Idris Auta, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, who have been at the forefront of massive transformation of the judiciary, people like Halilu Danladi, the CEO of NJC have all done their best.

What is the way out?

The way out is for the head of Nigerian judiciary in the person of Justice Aloma Mukhtar to lead the battle.

This is a year when the judiciary must declare its

independence. If it is not declared, nothing will happen, that is what I have been saying. We must stop this nonsense of a governor providing consent for a judge to be appointed, it has to stop.

When this is done, you will see the level of progress that will be made. No one goes to a doctor and spend nine years to be cured of malaria fever.

Nobody has confidence in the judiciary because if you come to me as a lawyer with a simple legal problem, three to five years, I have not finished with the High Courts, let alone the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, which takes about 10 years in getting justice, how will you build confidence in the judiciary under this kind of situation?

The only way to build confidence is to insist that the judiciary must be adequately

funded by its budget and the true expression in the constitution is that the judiciary is entitle to first line charge and this must be followed.

The judiciary is not going to beg the executive any further and that is why I have gone to court.

Do you have the locus standi to institute such a matter?

I have the locus as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, 36 years in law practice, former president of NBA, if nobody will fight this war, I will carry it upon myself. We are going to fight the war and hopefully we will win. Then the judiciary will start getting the appropriate funding, for now, the judiciary is not getting any funding.

You talk of Police Colleges, if the media were to cast their lights into the judiciary, what

will come out of it will be appalling. Most judges have no houses, their chambers are broken. When I went to do a case before Justice Olasunbo Goodluck in Abuja, I almost collapsed and I said my Lord, permit me to take off my wig, the court was something like in the 14th century, yet look at the ministers and how they build all the facilities for themselves.

Look at the National Assembly, all the sprawling mansions they have built, how many judges have access to competent secretaries, typists, stenographers and you expect them to deal with rulings and all that and churn out orders?

Compare a judge and a minister, if a minister is receiving so much emoluments, I can assure you that the judge is receiving one tenth of what a minister is

receiving.

And when a judge begins to get ready for retirement, he would ask himself, where am I going to? I have no where to go and that is what Justice Adekeye said. Every time judges are retiring here, we say the same thing, yet we know the Chief Justices of Nigeria, CJNs, who returned money to the treasury and judges are suffering, how can that be? How can the judges be suffering when the CJNs are returning money? Is it because CJNs get houses built for them? What about the ordinary judges in the Federal High and State High Courts?

So, if we do not deal with this, I am afraid that the judiciary will be unable to perform its function of delivering justice to Nigerians without fear or favour.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013 —43

Pro Bono helps in promoting justice — Ekwunoh

By BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

Chief Morah Ekwunoh, a lawyer in this interview, spoke on pro-bono services, nothing that lawyers need to engage in free legal services to help indigents litigants.

Excerpts:

C

AN you shed light on the free legal opinion that forced the British authorities to reverse their refusal of Entry Visas to two adopted Nigerian children?

The refusal was

purportedly anchored on what was described as “Immigration Rules” and “Human Rights Ground,” among others, using adoption processes as a cover for getting undeserved favour towards granting immigrant visas to the children. The couple’s closeness to the children was cut short, such that if they get to London, they will look like strangers, which was not in the interest of the children.

The Immigration Appeal Tribunal, per Curium Judge Frankish, sitting at Bennett House,

in London, while dismissing the appeal over refusal to grant visas, concluded most ridiculously that the remedy open and available to the children or the parents was issuance in Nigeria, of unambiguous federal order and a UK adoption.

Overwhelmed by complete state of hopelessness and frustration, Mr Peter Moss of Bates Wells and Braithwaite, Londonbased firm of Solicitors acting for the children and their parents instructed us to render expert opinion on the

validity and legality of the Immigration Appeal Tribunal’s ruling in relation to adoptions carried out in Nigeria.

Fortunately, our legal opinion formed the fulcrum upon which the British authorities were forced to reverse themselves, by issuing entry visas to the children without “issuance in Nigeria of unambiguous federal order and a UK adoption.” The children, as a result, are now happily in the warm embrace of their adopted parents.

Did you receive any commendation for your

*Chief Morah Ekwunoh effort?

Yes. For instance, there was the judicial commendations by some judges, like Justice Tijani Abubakar, then of the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, now of the Court of Appeal, where he commended in the following terms, “I must say that this court is impressed with the gracious offer of Chief Ekwunoh to stand in for the accused person. This is commendable, and I urge other private lawyer to offer similar aid to indigent accused persons.”

You have rendered many Pro Bono services both in Nigeria and outside the country.

What have you gain in doing so?

The pains and pleasures of involvement in legal assistance or Pro Bono are of hybrid nature, while some taste sweet, others taste bitter.

The sweet side comprise of the inner satisfaction, that is, using law as an instrument of social engineering.

In the area of pains, there are situations where Pro Bono services caused me pain. A better example was in a case where some rich, but

fraudulent politicians had obtained from a hapless man, huge sum of money, under false, fraudulent pretenses and representations that they would procure Visa to Europe for him, including resident and work permits.

I took up the matter and to my utmost surprise, they (politicians) had mobilized their friends in the police, including top officers, who turned me, who is the hunter into the hunted, through their subjection of my person to relentless harassment, threats of arrest, humiliation and subjection to other inhuman and degrading treatments. All carried out with the sole intent of forcing me to abandoning my client.

But respite came my way through the fiat and instrumentality of Justice Ibrahim Auta, now the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, who perpetually restrained the police authorities, as well as their civilian collaborators, from their evil actions towards me.

Aside, the court ordered them to tender public apology and payment of N3million to me as general, exemplary and aggravated damages.

Why a new code may not improve Police in Nigeria Continue from page 42

institution by an institution independent of it. Established as an executive body under section 153 of the 1999 Constitution, the commission has powers to appoint, promote, discipline and dismiss all officers except the Inspector General of Police. These are far reaching powers that can be used to ensure accountability.

But although the commission can take responsibility for approving appointments and promotions, it’s approach to complaints suggests that it has not taken its responsibility to enforce discipline as seriously as the other components of its work.

This is easily discernible from its attitude to complaints.

Although the commission has statutory powers to conduct investigations into police misconduct, it more usually forwards

complaints about police misconduct to the force itself. This is rather unfortunate considering the investment of resources in the commission’s own investigations department and attendant public expectation of performance. To win public confidence, the commission must revertto conducting its own investigations, particularly in cases where response from the police is inadequate, or when there is reason to suspect a cover-up. The commission must also exercise its statutory authority to audit, oversee and investigate the activities of the police force.

To make any difference at all, the new police code must be accompanied by a clear commitment to enforce existing laws, both from the police and from the external oversight institutions.

Where there is no consequence for misconduct, impunity will continue to reign.

44—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013

Tribute to Labour Minister @ 58 C

Little wonder some prominent labour leaders have openly commended and applauded his leadership style, particularly in the handling of complex industrial disputes with potential of crippling some essential services and sectors.

The President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT Michael Alogba, in appraising the administration of Wogu asserted that “…without any attempt at ‘sentimentalization’, we put on record that yours has been a regime of preventive labour crisis management, rather than a curative one... ’”.

President of Agriculture and Allied Employees Union of Nigeria, Comrade Simon Anchaver, in a similar commendation appraised that “…the manner you have tailored the affairs of the Labour Ministry and workers in this country deserve our commendations”.

His well articulated administrative approach and friendly disposition transcends the social partners to the National Assembly.

The cordial relationship between the National Assembly and the Ministry peaked when the current Chairman, Senate Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity, Wilson Ake in

latter elected president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

He was once a supervising Minister of Interior from April to May 2011.

Political career

Chief Emeka Wogu

,

ALL him the man with the Midas touch and you will simply be saying the obvious.

The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, has over the years built a strong reputation as one of the finest, efficient and patriotic public servants in contemporary Nigeria political sphere.

His commitment and uncommon zeal has earned him accolades and commendations in a Ministry viewed by politicians and stakeholders as volatile with regards to its mandate of mediating and conciliating in avalanche of industrial disputes across the country.

Serving successfully as a national mediator, conciliator and arbitrator amidst various varying conflicting interests and rights of employers and labour has distinguished Wogu as a tested bureaucrat, politician and a God-fearing steward.

The appointment of Wogu as Minister of Labour and Productivity by President Goodluck Jonathan was a well thought out strategy to achieve industrial peace, stability and harmony for the overall success of Mr. President Transformation Agenda.

It is reasoned that industrial peace and harmony are essential ingredients for socio-economic growth and development.

Absence of these ingredients is a confirmation and manifestation of incessant strikes, lockouts, high rate of man day loss, series of industrial litigations, exploitation of innocent workers by unsuspecting opportunist, child labour, gender discrimination at the work place, social injustice and unfair labour practices, high rate of industrial accidents, amongst others.

His appointment is therefore a deliberate effort by this administration to bring stability, restore confidence among the social partners and affirm the dignity of Nigerian workers and employers.

Accolades for Wogu

Under his dynamic leadership of the Labour Ministry, he insisted and instituted a sustaining industrial peace through tactful engagement and constructive dialogue of labour unions and all stakeholders.

passing a vote of confidence on the Minister affirmed that, “…Whenever there is peace and harmony, development is eminent, for Nigeria to move forward, the industrial sector must support the activities and policies of Government. I want to commend the achievements you have made so far in respect of your official responsibilities and encourage you to keep up the good work”.

His patience and peaceful disposition has endeared him to the social and major development partners. Social justice and fairness on employment and labour related matters require a listening and patience arbiter, a tactician and a seasoned negotiator per excellent.

Professional career Chief Wogu was born on the 29thday of January 1965 and started his public career after his legal training at the then Imo State University in 1986, ( now Abia State University), the Nigeria Law School in 1987 and completed his NYSC in 1988.

He holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration, Master of Science in Political Science (Public policy Analysis).

Wogu is a legal practitioner, a member of Nigeria Bar Association, International Bar Association, Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution, ADR, and Fellow of Paul Harris and Nigerian Institute of Management. He has a Certificate in Benchmarking Emerging Markets.

He was first appointed Minister of labour and productivity in April 2010 by the then Acting President of Nigeria and

,

His political career started with his first elected position as the Assistant Legal Adviser of the defunct National Liberal Convention in the old Imo State in 1989.

In 1991, he was elected Vice-Chairman of the old Aba South Local Government Area of Abia State under the auspices of the defunct national Republican Convention and was subsequently the acting Chairman between March and early June 1993.

Later that year, he was made Chairman of the Aba South Local Government Council, a position he held until the military intervention in November 1993.

Chief Wogu acknowledged as one of the longest serving Federal Commissioner of the Revenue Mobilization, allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, having been first nominated

by President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2000 for his first term and re-appointed in August 2005 for a fresh five year second term. He chaired several Committees while in RMAFC including Oil and Gas, Legal Services and Remuneration and monetization.

He also served as a Committee member in Diversification of the Nigerian Economy, Finance and General Purpose, Solid Mineral Development, Revenue Allocation, Tenders Board, Non-Oil and Royalites, and Fiscal Efficiency. He represented the Commission on the Ernest Shonekan Presidential Committee on the harmonization of Salaries in the Public Sector.

While serving as the supervising Minister of Interior between April and May 2011, he chaired the GIBA meeting in Senegal. His modest achievements in the Ministry of labour and Productivity and the Nation’s labour sector as a whole remain unprecedented. Notable among his achievements was the apprehension of the planned nationwide industrial action that was to be embarked upon by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and its Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, counterpart over the National Minimum Wage.

Under his dynamic leadership of the Labour Ministry, he insisted and instituted a sustaining industrial peace through tactful engagement and constructive dialogue of labour unions and all stakeholders.

Chief Wogu under his able leadership also provided guidelines on Labour Administration issues in Contract Staffing/Outsourcing in the Oil and Gas sector.

Features written by: Samuel Olowokere An Assistant Director (Press) Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity

Bits Textile workers hail NLC, Odah out-of cour t settlement

N

ATIONAL Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, has lauded the out-of court between Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and John Odah, over the internal crisis rocking NLC. In a statement by its General Secretary, Issa Aremu, the union said “We salute the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress for the amicable and mutually rewarding resolution of the unfortunate internal crisis involving erstwhile General Secretary, Comrade John Odah.

As an affiliate of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), we commend all the parties to the out of court agreement which provides for Comrade John Odah to return and formally retire and hand over with payment of his legotimate outstanding salaries and retirement benefits.”

“This singular agreement shows that the internal grievance handling process of the NLC works. Comrades-onComrades conflicts of the recent times were avoidable in the first place. However in the best of places of work, conflict is inevitable. What matters is the eventual conflict resolution that commendably deepens the organisational integrity of the NLC and the dignifies Comrade John Odah at the

GradExchange par tners NDE, NECA

D

RAGNET Solutions, owners of GradExchange, Nigeria’s first e-based recruitment product, is partnering with the National Directorate of Employment, NDE, and the National Employers’ Consultative Association, NECA, towards simplifying the job seeking and recruitment process in the country.

The three parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, at the Corporate Headquarters of the NDE in Abuja .

The event had in attendance, the Director General of NDE, Mallam Abubakar Mohammed, and his counterpart fromNECA, .

Olusegun Oshinowo, while GradExchange was represented by the Managing Director of Dragnet Solutions, Mr. Robert Ikazoboh.

The tripartite agreement will see the NDE opening up its vocation and skills acquisition

Vanguard, THURSD AY, JANUARY 31, 2013—45 THURSDA

Hearing impared Folashade seeks N5.38m for corrective surgery

BY CHARLYNE IKPE & RACHAEL OLAYIWOLA

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OKUMO Folashade Oluwaseun, a beautiful, young lady that hails from Abeokuta in Ogun State is seriously in need of a hearing aid.

She is a student of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic where she completed her ND programme but presently she

is is taking up her HND 1 programme in the same educational institution According to Folashade, she requires N5.38 million for an ear surgery and to procure hearing aid equipment. She can talk, read and write but is unable to hear. She has a hearing impairment.

Doctors say her ears are unable to send the signal required to compose speech, so

• Managing Director, Bank Of Industry, BOI, Ms. Evelyn Oputu presenting a gift to the Minister for Health, Professor C.O. Onyebuchi Chukwu, who led a delegation of officials from the FMOH to discuss funding for the health sector with the BOI in Lagos last week.

she can only express her thoughts on paper. he attempts at speaking and sometimes when she talks one could hardly understand her.

Her predicament began at the age of two after a sudden illness, and her parents discovered she could no longer hear again. Just like that.

Folashade said several efforts to redeem the situation was frutless. She was taken to various hospitals for treatments all to no avail. All hope was lost when it was gathered that N3.6 million was required for cochlear implant surgery in India. They have no way of affording such a huge sum. It is difficult to tell that Folashade is hearing impaired because her physical appearance is okay and she looks healthy.

Her challenge notwithstanding, she has managed to get to the level of education she is today through use of an electronic hearing aid which got damaged in the last part of her ND programme.

Folashade is now in quandry. Her educational pursuit is seriously in jeopardy except she is able to get another hearing aid device.

Cleaning jobs linked to asthma risk

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• Folashade Oluwaseun She is urging Nigerians to support her raise the sum of N5.38 million for a new hearing aid as well as corrective surgery in an Indian hospital.

Folashade is appealing for help from well meaning Nigerians to help restore her hearing and keep her hope alive.

If you are touched to assist, kindly send donations to Kokumo Folashade Oluwaseun, Acct No. 0225665107, Wema Bank, or Kokumo Folashade Oluwaseun, Acct No. 0034194247, Access Bank.

She can also be contacted on 08180989549 and 08069073051 (Text messages only).

NEW study has found strong evidence for a link between cleaning jobs and risk of developing asthma. Researchers at Imperial College London tracked the occurrence of asthma in a group of 9,488 people born in Britain in 1958.

Not including those who had asthma as children, nine per cent developed asthma by age 42. Risks in the workplace were responsible for one in six cases of adult onset asthma – even more than the one in nine cases attributed to smoking.

Besides cleaning products, flour, enzymes, metals, and textiles were among materials identified in the study as being linked to asthma risk. The study identified 18 occupations clearly linked with asthma risk, but uncommon ones did not show up in analysis.

Occupational asthma is widely under-recognised by employers, employees and healthcare professionals. Raising awareness that this is an almost entirely preventable disease would be a major step in reducing its incidence.

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

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HEN you are in a relationship, sometimes your partner will say something or behave in a manner that criticises your sexual performance or hygiene.

It could range from an observation about your mouth odour, body odour or genital odour to the way you kiss or perform in bed. When you hear such comments, does it make you mad or does it inspire you to do something about your problem? I ask you this question because your answer will determine the future of your relationship.

Sometimes relationships break up because we fail to listen when our partners make vital observations.

Men and women in relationships get so comfortable sometimes that they stop caring about the way they look, the way they dress, their hygiene and the way they perform in bed.

That is bad. The fact that a man or woman loves you does not mean that you can do whatever you want. If you want your relationship to succeed, you must be mindful of the way you act and respond to vital issues. When your partner makes an observation, take it seriously and do something about it. That is one of the best things you can do to maintain your marriage or relationship. Let us now answer a few questions from our readers.

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I heard so much about Sex Voltz last year that I had to try it. Everywhere I go, all my friends were talking about it. I don’t have erection problems but when I took it, I sexed like a monster all night and I was easily aroused. I am impressed – Orji Yes Sex Voltz is very popular now. It is good for people with erection problems and even for people without problems who just want to improve their performance – Uche How good are penile sleeves in preventing premature ejaculation? I have tried the delay Creams (Marathon Delay Spray) for example and even though it worked, sometimes I don’t have the time to apply the cream and start waiting for some minutes before action – Roger Dear Roger, the penile sleeves are effective too. Try the Stud Extension or Mega Stretch Extension. In addition to helping you last longer, they will make your penis feel bigger and longer with pleasure nubs for female arousal – Uche I have been to your site and I like your products.

But I don’t live in Lagos. How do I shop with you? I want three feature films and two educational films.

Anyone you recommend is fine. Thanks – Amos Dear Amos, you can shop from wherever you are in Nigeria. Order online or over the phone and we will deliver to you anywhere in Nigeria. Here are movies you will enjoy. For the feature films, get Friday the 13th, Twisted Tales and Retro Lust and for the educational films, get Expanding Sexual Boundaries and The G Spot and Female Ejaculation – Uche I want a husband. Can you help – Anne Anne we have an online dating site. Register at www.zeevirtualmedia.com and you may meet someone – Uche That’s it for today. Adults in need of these treatments/ novelties can reach us on 08191978308 or 08027901621 to order or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com. Zee Virtual Media delivers to you wherever you are in Nigeria. For enquiries email us at custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com. Happy holidays - Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

46—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013

Edited by MCPHILIPS NWACHUKWU 08026350360 E-mail: chimeena@yahoo.com

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

There is no human emotion, no human feelings unlike the music in the past when one was able to play musical instruments: - the guitar, the drum, the trumpet, the saxophone, the bass guitar etc, and one were able to play life concert. But today, they just mime the music, mime the Compact Disc (CD) and they say they are the ones playing. This is not the best. It is like 419; you are not the one performing, but you are behaving as if you are the one performing. But I would want to advise the young ones to learn how to play musical instruments because it gives a good background when one knows the rudiments of music. And that is one of the reasons I am also running a School of Music for over twenty-five years, the VICTOR UWAIFO ACADEMY OF MUSIC. you know how to read and write, you can play any musical instrument, in fact, several instruments. For instance, I play the Saxophone, the flute, the Xylophone, the keyboard, the piano and percussion instruments among others. The youths of the day should realise that they have their names to protect, such is not attained by sudden flight, but they are so much in a hurry today.

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In the late fifties through the sixties, high life music was Nigeria’s gift to the musical world. But today, the high life genre is no more very popular in this country. As one of those involved then, what is your reaction to this?

Well, as far as I am concerned, high life music remains the music of our people, music of Nigeria when we are talking of the kind of music we play as a nation and as a government. So, high life is the official music. So, when you compare it with other brands of music, what are you going to call yourself, what are you going to tell other nations your music is. You are not going to call hip-hop, will you? It is not possible. So, high life is the root of our entire music spectrum, of the different people of Nigeria. It is what we can call our own today. High life is the only brand of music that cuts across Africa, West Africa and in fact, it is played in Ghana and other countries. It is like someone trying to give you a new name apart from your native name, the name given to you at birth by your parents. But that does not change your original name, does it? Even changing your religion or becoming a Christian does not change you, change your climate, and change your culture, change your tradition apart from the repugnant ones. So, whether music changed, people wants to play whatever they want to play today, music has always taken different dimensions from the forties.

When I was growing up in the early forties, we grew into some kind of music that had some affectations on our people :- classical music, ball room dance, waltz, quick steps, bolero, chachas before it developed to calypso , from calypso to twist and from twist to soul and so on and so forth. There was jazz, but jazz is still there till today.

Jazz is linked to the black Africa, the African race; the kind of music played by the Africans, but was exported into America, Europe and the rest of the

Professor (Sir) Victor Efosa Uwaifo

At over 70, my best is yet to come Prof (Sir) Uwaifo world. So, that is what high life is to us in Nigeria. Music is like fashion; fashion is dynamic; we used to have some hair cut style called come back, drawback, on board, the bay and all kind of styles; the bogie-bogie, the mini-skirt which has continued to go and come back. So, music also goes through that kind of metamorphosis; it comes and goes. But our cultural heritage in music, the high life music still remains. So, whether we are not playing it often does not matter, but it is there. The young ones, most of them are very gullible, anything that is new from abroad, they grabbed at it and follow it. They don’t consider their root, in fact, they are even too young to understand what it is all about, and they tell you that it is the real thing today and that is very dangerous. But those of us who are defending and promoting our culture through music, through Art, we have a responsibility, especially me, it is my responsibility to protect our cultural heritage through music and art. So, today, I am here at the University lecturing art and also have a tourist attraction, the Revelation Tourism Palazzo. One can visit the palazzo to see an enduring legacy that is going to be left behind for generations today and generations yet to come. That is how music is. Can you tell me one music that has made such impact as JOROMI ? It was the first gold disc won for Nigeria, the first in Africa. All these other music that you hear about now is transient and with time, they will fizzle out.

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rofessor (Sir) Victor Efosa Uwaifo is a reporter’s delight any day. An enigma, music maestro and talented artist, Prof.

Uwaifo is the Nigerian Leonardo Vinci. A professor of Arts at the University of Benin , there was no dull moment with him as he moved the venue of the interview to his office to avert distractions. He talks about music and exudes music and arts as he recounts High life music of the sixties of which he was one of its dramatic personae. To him, high life music is Nigeria’s gift to the world and will never die even with the challenge of Western culture and music from the younger generation. Uwaifo is also a curator and proud founder of REVELATION TOURIST PALAZZO, which itself is a hidden treasure of the past and the present, especially as it has to do with the history of ancient Benin Kingdom. Revelation Tourist Palazzo is a true gateway to Edo State. A very educative, inspirational and entertaining mulch-culture home.

In this interview, the music legend popularly known as guitar boy talks about his life, music and how he has employed his gift of creativity in preserving his people’s cultural heritage.

Excerpts

You are called “Guitar Boy”, because of your versatility in handling the guitar, Zeal Onyia for Trumpet, Fela Anikulapo Kuti for the Saxophone and people like Roy Chicago and Rex Lawson were all known for the instruments they played and that gave them their identities. What is your advice to the younger generation of musicians in this regard?

I have said it before , I have said it quite a lot of time and I will not stop

I would want to advise the young ones to learn how to play musical instruments because it gives a good background

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Professor (Sir) Victor Efosa Uwaifo You mentioned the award winning JOROMI music and I also listened to AKWETTE also played by you in the sixties because both were delightful to the ear and danced by many because of the involvement of musical instruments such as maracas, drum, conga, the guitar etc. But today’s music has been computerised that you can hardly feel the effect of the instruments. What is your comment?

I am glad you mentioned that. I did not want to go into those details before because today, it is the computer that composes the music. The computer arranges the music, the computer records the music and produces it.

saying it that the young ones should go and learn how to play musical instruments. I will bless them for that, I will encourage them. I have even given scholarships to some of them who have to learn music from my School of Music. It may interest you to know that some of them have done CD recording digitally but when they enroll in my school, they see the differences and they know that they were just mediocre and so ,they become happy that they have enrolled to study music in the proper way. That gives me joy and I want to see more of them coming out to learn music.

To be continued

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013—47

Born Tro Away from Street Kids to Urban Kings

By PRISCA SAM-DURU & VERA SAMUEL ANYAGAFU

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stablished less than two years ago by a team of professional artistes comprising Ropo Ewenla, Dagga Tola, Ilaria Chessa, Segun Adefila and Ade Bantu, the “Born Tro Way” project, which seeks to transform lives of youths; and especially street kids who lack opportunity to discover their talents seems to have made great impact on the lives of youths especially in the suburb areas. In this report, the trio of Ilaria Chessa, Ade Bantu and Segun Adfila gave insight on how far the project has gone.

Methodology We have all been working together.

The idea was conceived from “Frame Work” in Germany which deals exclusively on young people. We only modified it to suit the Nigerian environment, and with time we came up with experiment to work with pretty young children like we did in Bariga.

So, the public presentation and the methodology are products of our

different work experiences, and because we are multi-disciplinary, we have been able to tackle every genres introduced.

The methodology is such that at the end of the day, we engage each other with our ideas and we pick the best idea and move forward with that and that is why we come out with amazing results, in a very short period of meeting.

We are trained as facilitators and they are helping us live up to our ideas. It is good to note here that we do not tell them stories to tell, or dance steps to imitate but one person makes a particular movement , others follow and we integrate it as part of the presentation. We therefore welcome individual ideas which are put into practice in a playful way and because a playful creativity, brings out the best in everyone, you will be stunned

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Born Tro Way The project was initiated not more than two years ago after we watched with great disappointment how so many young ones who are the future of Nigeria, wander about the streets aimlessly as a result of their parents’ inability to send them to secondary school or further their education. Some are well known street kids who do not even know anything about their parents. We thought it wise to gather them in each location we visit and then, engage them in drama, dance, poetry, music and so many other genres capable of helping them discover their talents. In addition, the project is a tool for campaign against environmental pollution which is usually highlighted during the presentations.

So far, we have been able to run it a few times in Lagos, once in PortHarcourt and also outside Nigeria precisely in South Africa. Our experiences have helped in gathering momentum to be able to unlock the great potentials that are in the youth who are our target. So far, we have been to Ajegunle, Oshodi, Bariga, Port Harcourt, and Durban in South Africa.

Some kid perfomers from Born Tro Away commencement. It is a non profit project, so, everything is done without charges. We are bent on giving participants a sense of belonging by helping them discover who they really are and this no doubt, helps them stay off the streets and stop constituting nuisance to the society.

The first project took place in 2011 in Ajegunle. Until we got to Ajegunle, we did not know any of those kids.

We do not look for professionals, but a platform for young people to build their future. So, it was not that difficult gathering them because some of them have been living together in Ajegunle. Initially, they had conflicting interests, but as we progressed, they took liking for all the genres introduced and actually perfected in each of them because they later discovered that each of them had talents they knew not about.

We thought it wise to gather them in each location we visit and then, engage them in drama, dance, poetry, music and so many other genres capable of helping them discover their talents

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when the whole package is presented.

Publicity We usually conduct project survey of some rural areas after which we call for participation through the

L-R Segun Adefila,Ilaria Chessa, and Ade Bantu.

borntroway website, words o f mouth a n d fliers.

Folowing t h e publicity, interested participants a r e registered for the workshop f e w days before i t s

In fact we transformed them from human beings who are ready to grow into members of our collective society by helping them recognize the role they have to play to contribute positively to their lives, the society and the entire world. Art has been an amazing means of making this great discovery.

Motivation Sometimes as an instructor, it is the energy you felt the day before, that would make you want to go again the next day. And the reception also within the community itself, have been very generous. We were stunned to see that some parents also partook in the transformation exercise, as they encouraged their under aged children to join. The kids were so engaged in the project that we just felt that we should accommodate them. This forced us to create additional section during the workshop for the much younger ones.

Funding?

The problem is the shift in our value system. It is usually frustrating and embarrassing So far we have been able to sustain the project through our individual contributions. There are people who have been particularly generous. But we have on our own put in 50% of our individual contributions to get to this level. You can imagine what great impact we would make should government and other individual philanthropists decide to lend their supports.

In Lagos, US marks Obama’s inauguration with Songs

By PRISCA SAM-DURU & VERA SAMUEL ANYAGAFU

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t was all songs of victory last week at the residence of the U.S Consul General, Jeffery Hawkins when it played host to a mixed audience comprising ex-ministers, clergy, culture activists, United States Citizens and human rights activists, who gathered to th celebrate the inauguration of the 44 US President, Barack Obama.

The evening also doubled as opportunity to mark the birthday of Martin Luther King jnr.

After remarks by Vice- Consul Rachael Okunubi and Counter Narcotics Adviser, Michael Bonner, the Apostolic Church Nigeria, Obalende Assembly choir, took the center stage and supplied songs of victory befitting the mood of the evening.

With Kaleb Inyang conducting, the choristers entertained the audience with songs such as “Courage, Brother Do not Stumble”, “Joy Comes In the Morning”, “Go into the World and preach the Good News to all Creation” and “A Selection”.

When the Ikoyi Baptist Church Choir made ready to render, “Lift every voice and sing”, which was written by James Weldon to celebrate the birthday of Abraham Lincoln in 1900, the entire audience stood up as it is customary whenever the negro song is rendered anywhere. Other renditions included “Swing low, Sweet Chariot”, “Rise, Shine for the Light’s is coming”, “He;s got the whole World in His hands” and many others.

48—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013

CAN, Catholic Church and Christian interests ty, they came as much later as in the West afHE recent threat by the ter the arrival of the Catholic Bishops Confer- protestant missions. ence of Nigeria, CBCN, to pull The Roman Catholics in out of the umbrella body of Chris- the South East quite tians, the Christian Association of understand that, even Nigeria (CAN) may have come though the Igbo constito many Nigerians as a surprise, tute the vanguard of the given the present state of politi- church, by population cal precipitate in the country. But and extent of influence, to quite a number of historically- they could only claim minded people, that decision or contested prominence *CAN president, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor *Cardinal Onaiyekan threat to quit CAN, may not have in Anambra and Imo come as a total surprise, particu- states and, definitely not in Abia, nation and their Muslim brethlarly when viewed in the context Enugu and Ebonyi states. ren in the South, who in effect of the historical antecedents of In the South South Region, remain unidentified as true Musthe Roman Catholic Church as a they still trail behind the proteslims, are jointly threatened with tool of colonialism in Nigeria. tant missions. In such states as loss of freedom and subsequent Basically reactionary if not con- Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross Rivextermination. servative, the institutionalized er, Delta and Rivers, the protesThe onerous challenge preanti-democratic structure of the tant missions constitute an unsently before every Christian is church barely permits enough contested majority. In the Midthe commitment to the objective breathing space for innovative or dle Belt Region today, the protof ensuring that the Nigerian naprogressive dogmatic ideas from estant missions remain the cetion neither breaks up in hands their army of laity, except as found men fondu of minority and of President Jonathan, nor falls desirable to present by the divine- Christian survivalist struggles into the hands of incorrigible righteous clergy. This was a ba- against the ravaging Fulani imfundamentalist anti-Christ. This sic factor in the apparent dearth perialism. One need not talk is not a question of one being eiof Roman Catholics in the arena about the South West, where ther a Roman Catholic or Protesof Nigerian nationalist struggles. Roman Catholicism remains sigtant Catholic, for so far as it has Think of the big names in Ni- nificantly a stranger mission. been observed, not even the firegerian nationalism:- Herbert Remove the Igbo from the Ropower could discriminate against Macauley, Nnamdi Azikiwe, man Catholic Church in Lagos the Muslim royalty, much more Obafemi Awolowo, Samuel State today, the economy of the between the Catholic and the Ladoke Akintola, Michael Ok- church definitely collapses.

Map of Nigeria protestant. para, Akanu Ibiam and Dennis Commonsense only requires Osadebey, among others. There that the Roman Catholic Church Catholic is no gainsaying the fact that it be grateful to the bearers of that tered on a Christmas day of 2011 Catholic Bishops, by this auda- leadership was their protestant background protestant spirit that has so far in a manner that only reminds cious stance, imploring the leadand spirit which provided the key provided the Nigerian Christenone of the infamous St. ership of CAN to join the Unless the Catholic leadership to their dogged patriotic drive in dom a sense of belonging and Bartholomew massacre of the Jama’atul Nasril Islam in brand- will order its members to wear achieving political freedom for extant spirit of assertion in a naFrench Hugeonouts. ing President Jonathan as a vil- the Roman Catholic identity on If their problem is all about Pastheir faces, it is a question of surlain and unbeliever?

Have the Muslim Ummah of the tor Ayo Oritsejafor being close to Have the Muslim Ummah of vival of the Nigerian nation-state, North for whatever reason, beginning President Goodluck Jonathan the North for whatever reason, which is bound by the act of coand nothing else, then nothing beginning from the times of the lonial providence. from the times of the Great Ahmadu stops the Catholic bishops, either Great Ahmadu Bello to Umar The Muslim Ummah, just like individually or collectively as an Yar’Adua attempted to divorce the Christendom is dotted with Bello to Umar Yar’Adua attempted to independent organization from their religion from politics? Why a variegation of opposing doctridivorce their religion from politics? stating their position either for or must this call for division be com- nal blocs, call it sects or denomiagainst the president, without in ing from such a significant sec- nations. Yet, when it comes to the Nigeria, while their Roman Cath- tion which even the Fulani who effect trying to put the entire tion of the Christian community matter of opposition against olic contemporaries remained now claim divine-right leader- Christian community into a state as the Catholic Church at this try- Christianity, either in form of jiship contributed very little in buried in the cassock of unquesof quarrelsome disrepute. ing moment of Christendom in had or political struggles, this tionable obedience to White su- building. For the Catholic SecNigeria, if not for obvious mer- obvious extant division mutualretariat of Nigeria, CSN, to now premacy.

Indiscreet cenary objectives, which aims at ly evaporates. It does not matter One fact which basically re- talk of the leadership of the CAN slaughter dampening the spirit of positive if one is a Sunni or Shiite. As long hobnobbing with the Presidenmains unquestionable is that Niresistance among the Christian as the conflict relates to Chrisgeria is a protestant nation, built cy, which is incidentally led by a If at this moment of great trial community against the obvious tianity, all Muslims are one, and and liberated with a protestant Christian only, smack of a hidChristianity a common enemy. of indiscreet slaughter of the danger? spirit. The protestant missions den agenda, if not overtly a LatThe Fulani did not bring Islam Christians of this nation by the It needs to be stated here that, in conspiracy. led by the Anglicans, Baptists, to Nigeria. The Kanuris were alMuslim Ummah, the CAN in whatever form it might be inIt is therefore quite amazing Methodists and even Presbyteready Muslims a century after should not be close to President terpreted, and at whatever cost it rians had been active in Nigeria with a striking putrid sense of a the rise of Prophet Muhammad.

Jonathan, is it when an obvious might appear to be, this is an for over 40 decades before the quisling intention for the CSN Muslim fundamentalist comes to unquestionable period for every Both the Hausa and the Yoruba to advance as their main reason Roman Catholics sneaked into power that the Christian leader- Christian, both North and South, had been Muslims for more than the shores to build on an already of threatening to pull out of CAN, the alleged closeness of the ship will see reason to move closer as well as Muslims in the South 200 years before the arrival of the laid protestant foundation. to the leadership of the country, to stand strongly behind Presi- Fulani. Yet these people have to Even in the South East Region CAN leadership to the Federal just as the Muslim body had al- dent Jonathan, for not only is his live with an outward euphoria of Government.

What an irony of where the Roman Catholics now ways done during the long ten- administration satanically be- a Fulani supremacy if only for constitute a drag against Igbo statement by a church whose ures of their brethren? Are the sieged, both the Christians of this Continues on Page 49 spirit of cultural identity and uni- devotees were “jihadly” slaughBy TONY NWAEZEIGWE

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013 ---- 49

CAN, Catholic Church and Christian interests

Enough is enough!

•Clark tells governors Being an open letter to the Nigerian Governors Forum on how the forum has hijacked the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and has flagrantly breached the country's 1999 Constitution with impunity

My Dear Governors, here is no doubt that my Open Letter to you will definitely come as a surprise. If that is the case, I should have under normal circumstances appologised to you, but in this very serious matter which affects the peace and stability of our great nation, I have no regrets.

I have decided to write on this vexed issue because the action of the Governors Forum is getting more worrisome as the day go by.

Firstly, I want to make it very clear that I am not doing this because of Mr. President. Mr. President is capable of protecting himself and has the tools to do so as provided for in the Nigerian Constitution which gives him enormous powers to protect himself and the good people of Nigeria.

Secondly, I am not doing this to seek for relevance because without being immodest, I have been relevant in Nigerian politics since the First Republic. The political experience some of us have gathered over time cannot be bought with money or any material gain.

At this juncture, I will like to state briefly but clearly some of the roles I have played in the politics of Nigeria from the First Republic to present day.

First Republic: I was a member of the National Council for Nigerian Citizens, NCNC, and the Secretary of the Zikist Vanguard in London in 1962.

Amongst my colleagues were late Chief Vincent Igbareh, The Orekezie of Agbor and late Chief Moses Obiekwe of Enugu-Ukwu in Anambra State.

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CHIEF EDWIN CLARK

2nd Republic: I was a member of the National Party of Nigeria, NPN, and a member of the National Executive Committee of the Party. I was a delegate to the first NPN Convention held in Lagos in 1979 to nominate the Presidential Flag-Bearer of the Party and other national officers. The Presidency was zoned to the North, the National Chairman was zoned to the West, and

the National Secretary was zoned to the East. The Deputy National Chairman was zoned to the South-South originally known as the minorities. The Convention which was held at the Cinema Hall, Yaba was democratically conducted. The following candidates contested for the Presidential Primaries, Al- Governors Forum chairman, Gov haji Shehu Shagari, Sokoto; Amaechi I led the minorities of Nigeria comAlhaji Maitama Sule, Kano; Mallam Adamu Ciroma, Borno; Dr. Olusola prising the North and the South in Saraki, Kwara; Alhaji Kam Salem, protest leading to a Walk-Out in an Borno; Dr. Ibrahim Tahir, Bauchi; Dr. enlarged caucus of the NPN at the Joseph S. Tarka, Benue and a host of Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos in 1982, others. There was no clear victory af- where President Shehu Shagari was ter the first election. Alhaji Shehu to be re-nominated for a 2nd Term in Shagari, Alhaji Maitama Sule and office. A Motion to re-nominate him Mallam Adamu Ciroma conceded to was moved by the Ondo State ChairAlhaji Shehu Shagari. That was how man of the Party, Chief Ojoumoh, a Alhaji Shehu Shagari became the fish magnate, and was seconded by Sen. Ahmadu Ali, former Minister of Flag-Bearer of the NPN. Chief Barr. A. M. A. Akinloye, a Education and former Chairman of prominent Ibadan lawyer, politician the PDP from Kogi State, and was and a First Republic Minister, supported by my good friend who has emerged the National Chairman of just passed on, Chief Uba Ahmed the Party after defeating late Chief from Bauchi State.

The minorities from all over NigeFani Kayode, Gen. Adebayo and other contestants from the West. Barr. ria opposed the Motion on the Nwakama Okoro from the East was ground that they were not consulted

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By EDWIN CLARK

I led the minorities of Nigeria comprising the North and the South in protest leading to a Walk-Out in an enlarged caucus of the NPN at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos in 1982, where President Shehu Shagari was to be re-nominated for a 2nd Term in office

duly elected as the Secretary General, while Chief Lulu Briggs from the minorities of the South now known as the South-South, was elected as the Deputy National Chairman.

I was a Principal member of the Presidential Campaign Team that went round the whole country, campaigning for the Presidential candidate, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, and the NPN. I was a member of the NPN Conflict Resolution Committee assigned to the Cross River State. I was in the team with late Chief Fani Kayode.

This Committee was able to settle the dispute between Governor Clement Isong and Okoi Arikpo on the one hand, and Joseph Wayas, the President of the Senate, Sen. Victor Akan and Sen. Etiebet, who later became the Governor of Cross River State in 1983, on the other hand.

In all these, the Party’s supremacy was observed and honoured by all members.

,

on the re-nomination and it was undemocratic. Sen. Emeh Ebute from Benue State moved a counter Motion, Comrade Hon. Bassey Etienam a member of the House of Representatives from Oron then in Cross River State, seconded the Motion. As the co-ordinator of the minorities in the Party, I supported the Motion.

The majority refused to allow our Motion to be voted on. It was at this stage that I led a Walk-Out. All the minority members of the caucus including late Chief Melford Okilo, Governor of the old Rivers State, late Aper Aku, Governor of Benue State, Dr. Clement Isong, Governor of old Cross River State, all Senators except Sen. Dr. Joseph Wayas, and all the House of Representatives members from the minority North and the minority South. This action was later resolved and we returned to the meeting. A Convention was later fixed in Kaduna in 1982.

To be concluded

Continues from Page 48 sake of common eternal objective of confronting Christianity. It is thus a matter of, as the Igbo would say, “you first chase the fox away before turning back to blame the fowl.” It is therefore pertinent to call upon the Catholic Church to emulate this Muslim spirit of common purpose.

For the Christians of Nigeria, that fox today is the Boko Haram, and every Christian must rise up to its challenge first before washing his dirty linings in public. And one thing every Christian should not be oblivious of is that Boko Haram is there today because today Jonathan is here. Does one now say that Jonathan should go so that Boko Haram would go? Is it therefore morally justifiable that CAN and its leadership, in order to dance to the tune of Roman Catholic lyric of nonassociation with the Federal Government, should stand aloof while the Federal Government alone battles the Boko Haram? These questions call for an equally moral answer from the Catholic leadership.

The CBCN, one hopes, is not by this act of open revolt, only applying the weapon of payback strategy in response to Pastor Oritsejafor’s victory over their candidate in the last CAN election? Otherwise one does not see a functional reason for such a decision. One thing is obvious, Pastor Oritsejafor is a man of raw protestant spirit whose tower-ing roles in the defence of Christianity in his country have not only aimed at the jugular roots of the enemies of Christianity but elevated to some appreciable extent the office of the CAN Presidency to the status of the “Pope of Nigeria.”

Spirit of self confidence There is no doubt that Pastor Oritsejafor’s ongoing tenure has so far elevated the once politically naïve Nigerian Christendom to a high-pitch spirit of self-confidence and the added resolve to defend their divine-right inheritance. His Trojan Protestant spirit, unimpeded spiritual soldiery against the Babylonian forces of this nation as well as his aristotlean mastery of the fundamental challenges of leadership in such a polarized and besieged nation as Nigeria, remains unequalled in the history of CAN leadership.

It needs not to be emphasized that the Christians of this nation called Nigeria need a strong leadership which readily understands the heartbeat of the Boko Haraam, in the same manner that the USA understands the eternal treachery of the al Qaeda. Not the type of leadership that does not understand the implication of dinning and wining with the Caliphate while the blood of their flock paint the terrains of Maiduguri, Kaduna, Jos and other unsung cities, towns and villages of Northern Nigeria. The Christians of this country in this moment of their history need a leader like Pastor Oritsejafor, who fully understands that the native Christians of Borno State who constitute about one-third the state’s population are under the strong threat of extermination; a leader who weeps because the only female as well as the only Christian member of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, has been forcefully ejected from sitting for over one year, simply because she had the gut to protest the institutionalized maltreatment of her Christian brethren in the state.

The present security challenge in the country has gone beyond the ecclesiastical application of intellectualized dogma, least the Catholic leadership could claim the sole custodian of the necessary solution. It is also not a question of subtle conviviality least the Catholic Church could again be called upon to apply their age-long connubiality with Islam to resolve the impasse. It is a raw challenge which equally requires a raw confrontation with a raw leadership like Pastor Oritsejafor. It is unequivocally a raw challenge which solution absolutely hinges on the eternal injunction of Jesus Christ, that the kingdom of God suffereth violence and by violence shall the brethren possess it.

*Dr. Nwaezeigwe is a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of African Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

50 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31

, 2013

French troops capture Islamist strongholds F

RENCH troops, yesterday took controlof the airport of Mali’s northeast town of Kidal, the last urban stronghold held by Islamist rebels, as they moved to wrap up the first phase of a military operation to wrest northern Mali from rebel hands.

A three-week ground and air offensive by French forces aimed at initially ending a 10month Islamist rebel occupation of major towns is expected to eventually hand over to a larger African force.

The Africans’ task will be rooting out insurgents hiding in the desert and mountains near Algeria’s border.

“They (the French) arrived late last night and deployed in four planes and some helicopters,” Haminy Belco Maiga, president of Kidal’s regional assembly of Kidal, told Reuters.

However, the deployment of French troops to remote Kidal puts them in direct

contact with proautonomy Tuareg MNLA rebels operating there.

The Tuaregs, whose separatist rebellion last year was hijacked by the Islamist radicals, say they are ready to fight al Qaeda, but many Malians blame them for triggering the collapse of democracy and division with their northern revolt.

France’s military operation in its former West African colony involves around 3,500 troops on the ground backed by warplanes, helicopters and armored vehicles. It is aimed at heading off the risk of Mali being used as a springboard for jihadist attacks in the wider region or Europe.

French and Malian troops retook the major Saharan trading towns of Gao and Timbuktu at the weekend.

There were fears that many thousands of priceless ancient manuscripts held in Timbuktu, a UNESCO World Heritage site, might have been lost during the rebel

Malian soldiers heading to Gao in a pickup truck arrive in the recently liberated town of Douentza occupation, but experts said the bulk of the texts were safe.

E R M A N C h a n c e l l o r, Angela Merkel, yesterday urged Egypt’s Islamist president to open a dialogue with all political forces in the crisis-ridden Arab country after a week of violence that has killed more than 50 people.

President Mohamed Mursi flew to Germany to try to convince Europe of his democratic credentials, but in a sign of the political tensions back home, he restricted his trip to a few hours and canceled a planned Paris leg.

“One thing that is important for us is that the line for dialogue is always open to all political forces in Egypt, that the different political forces can make their contribution, that human rights are adhered to in Egypt and that of course religious freedom can be experienced,” Merkel told Mursi at a joint news conference.

The Egyptian leader, who has faced months of protests by liberal and

youth groups opposed to a new Islamic constitution, replied that dialogue was possible and that Egypt would be a state based on the rule of law, not run by the military.

D

ONOR countries have pledged more than $1.5 billion to aid Syrians stricken by civil war, the U.N. SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon said yesterday after warning that the conflict had wrought a catastrophic

But he refused to give a commitment sought by the opposition to form a national unity government, saying that would be for the new parliament to decide after elections expected in April.

“Every day Syrians face unrelenting horrors,” Ban told a donors gathering in Kuwait, including sexual violence, arbitrary killings and detentions. Sixty-five people were shot dead execution-style in Aleppo on Tuesday, opposition activists said.

“How many more people will be killed if the current situation continues?” Ban said. “I appeal to all sides and particularly the Syrian government to stop the killing ... in the name of humanity, stop the killing, stop the violence.”

Ban said in closing

US Senate confirms Kerry as Secretary of State support on both sides of

T

HE United States of America Senate has confirmed Senator John Kerry as secretary of state , filling a key position on President Obama’s retooled national security team.

The nomination was approved by a vote of 94 to 3. Only three senators, all Republicans, opposed the nomination: Ted Cruz and John Cornyn of Texas, and James M. Inhofe of Oklahoma. Mr. Kerry voted present.

Mr. Obama’s first choice for the job, Susan E. Rice, the ambassador to the United Nations,

Mali intervention and are providing logistical and surveillance backing

Donors pledge over $1.5 billion aid for remarks to the one-day Syria’s neighbors hosting Syrian war humanitarian crisis. conference: “I am pleased

Merkel urges Mursi to hold crisis dialogue

G

The United States and European governments strongly support the

but do not intend to send combat troops.

The MNLA rebels, who want greater autonomy for the desert north, said they had moved fighters into Kidal after Islamists left the town earlier this week.

“For the moment, there is a coordination with the French troops,” said Moussa Ag Assarid, the MNLA spokesman in Paris. There were no reports of Malian government troops being in the town.

The MNLA took up arms against the Bamako government a year ago, seeking to carve out a new independent desert state.

•Kerry withdrew as a candidate after Republicans criticized her for comments she made after last September ’s deadly attack on the American diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya.

Mr. Kerry, a Massachusetts Democrat who has served in the Senate since 1985, had strong

the aisle. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the panel he has led for the last four years, gave his nomination unanimous approval hours before the Senate vote.

In a statement, Mr. Obama took note of Mr. Kerry ’s bipartisan support. “John has earned the respect of leaders around the world and the confidence of Democrats and Republicans in the Senate, and I am confident he will make an extraordinary secretary of state,” the president said.

to announce that we have exceeded our target” of $1.5 billion. About $1 billion is earmarked for

refugees and $500 million for humanitarian aid to Syrians displaced inside the country.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (R) prepares ahead of the opening ceremony of the International Humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria at Bayan Palace on the outskirts of Kuwait City yesterday.

Obama urges speed on Immigration plan

S

EIZING an opening to rewrite the nation’s immigration laws, President Obama challenged Congress on Tuesday to act swiftly to put 11 million illegal immigrants living in the United States on a clear path to citizenship.

But his push for speedy action and his silence on proposals to defer the opportunity for legal residency until the country’s borders are deemed secure provoked criticism from a Republican leader on the issue. The response

suggests that reaching consensus on immigration law changes remained difficult despite a new bipartisan push since the November elections.

Speaking at a high school here in a state that has seen rapid growth in its Hispanic population, the president praised a bipartisan group of senators who proposed their own sweeping immigration overhaul a day earlier, saying their plan was very much in line with his own proposals.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013— 51

52

— Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013

LEISURE

YOUR LUCK TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 VIRGO; Success is within your reach but you must do away with mental arrogance and take good and practical advice from the professionals. Work harder.

LIBRA; Your being enterprising will go a long way to further enhance your prospects and if financial advancement is your priority you will fare better. Be more loving.

SCORPIO; Prepare to take the lead and exhibit your special talent. Advice from younger people may look good but not practical enough thus if you must take advice today take it from matured personality who may appear authoritative.

SAGITTARIUS; Element of luck will work in your favour, however that is not to say you can not back your reasonable plans with practical action. Keep your secrets.

CAPRICORN; You will have your ways; much will depend on how ambitious you are, the bigger your aspiration the better. Take your tried and trusted friends seriously.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

I

am sure you un derstand this question well enough? I am not asking you what your wishes are in year 2013. What are those goals you have set for yourself which you are ready

What are your expectation for the new year? to back up with positive actions? For example, your expectation this year is to marry? Your expectation this year is to

TERROR MUDA

have your own house? your expectation this year is to go to school or further your education etc. What step have

in “Never say goodbye”

you taken to realise these expectations of yours?

If you want to be a different person from who you were in 2012, you must back up your expectation with action.

By Lanre Kehinde

AQUARIUS; Here is an ambitious day for many of you and with moderation things will go according to your plans. Financial success is actually close to you than you think.

PISCES; Make sure your plans for both immediate and far future are legal friendly. This is day of success you will need to savour with your partners/spouse.

ARIES; Even if you think your health is ok you better make sure you confirm your fitness from your doctor before giving in to strenuous activities. Success at work indicated for those of you who are truly healthy. Be practical please.

TAURUS; It will not be a bad idea trying to consolidate on progress made recently. And the more co-operative you are today the better it will be for you..

GEMINI; You will be in good position to take good advantage within your working arena.. Don’t wait till tomorrow before you make important future plans.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Princess Shii’

By Andy Akman

CANCER; Tomorrow may bring more challenges than anticipated that is why you will need to prosecute your plans now. Lovers are fairly favoured.

LEO; Those of you who are moderate and practical with their financial plans are in for a good day. Live up to expectation within your family circle.

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

Why all these?

Dear Joshua, I am not having any terminal disease but some times am afraid of life. Bluntly ‘am I meant for early death?

What are my weak points health-wise? Please tell me about my career line.

Ben, Abeokuta.

Dear Ben, You are not meant for sudden death but that should not be a license for reckless life style. Although Cancer is said to be one of weak Star signs, with potent and positive aspects the Sun and Mercury got from planets in Virgo and more powerful Scorpio yours is a strong constitution meant for good health. .

Certainly you must have gone through rough times when you were younger, once you are out of it your health path is clearer. And nothing is pointing to early death.

Naturally Cancer born people must be more careful about their tummy (stomach related ailments) and you are not an exception. Other thing you will need to watch carefully include the circulatory system (because of Aquarius influence). Your sense of taste is distinctive and capable of making you a little bit stout as a result of little enlargement of liver because of your sugar intake, which you can control perfectly. As a tropical man fever can come and go, but nothing fatalistic here please.. If you notice toothache symptom do not ignore it.

But yours is a sound and good health, astrologically.

YOUR CAREER LINE Mercury –the planet of education and Accountancy, together with mighty Sun at positive angle to planets in Virgo (another Accounting Star sign) attracted you to both Accountancy profession and the academic world.

Truly you did not make wrong choice of career.

Money will eventually come along this line but it’ll not be as faster as if you take to OIL RELATED BUSINESS. Because Neptune (the planet of OIL) was very comfortable when you were born. It will not be out of place if you have filling stations as time goes by, because you are basically a GAS PERSON. Another money spinning vocation for you include writing either along your line or for film making industry; it is important you exhibit the higher quotient of creativity in your innerself. Politics is another area you are not looking at now but will surely come. Do you say why? Because Aquarius is equally political.

VIRGINIA

Commen3

dadadekola@yahoo.com

by Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013— 53

C M Y K

54 —

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013

Keshi needs commendation not condemnation — NFF •Says sack threat a distraction T

HE Nigeria Football Federation breathed fresh air into the technical crew of the Super Eagles yesterday when Chief Emeka Inyamah said that Keshi deserved commendation and not condemnation.

Speaking after the victory over Ethiopia Inyamah said that reports about threats of impending sack of the chief coach were a distraction and not coming from the football house.

“I told you earlier that these Eagles are work in progress. You can see that indeed that they are moving steadily. We are happy with their qualification and are ready to offer any necessary help to ensure that they win the cup. For a man who has not lost a match, he needs to be commended. It will be fool-hardy for anybody to threaten him with sack when he is still in charge of Eagles in a middle of a tournament.

That to me is a distraction. Rather, we will come together at the end of the tournament to review everything. If he is found worthy to

HARD DRIVE . . . Super Eagles defender Elderson Echiejile tries to outwit Ethiopia’s forward Getaneh Kebede during their AFCON 2013 last Group C match in Rustenburg at Royal Bafokeng Stadium. Nigeria won 2-0. Photo: AFP continue, he will continue and if we think that there is need to bring in a white man or black man to assist, then we bring one".

PARTAK Moscow striker, Emmanuel Emenike has said the Eagles will defy the odds and oust favourites Cote d’Ivoire on Sunday.

C M Y K

The Super Eagles laboured to beat Ethiopia on Tuesday to set up a high-profile West African clash against the rampant Elephants, who stopped Nigeria at the 2006 and

E

X-NIGERIA star Jonathan Akpoborie has said that Eagles will need a miracle to beat Cote d’Ivoire on Sunday.Nigeria will take on Africa’s top ranked team Cote d’Ivoire on Sunday night in Rustenburg for the chance to reach the AFCON semif i n a l .

Straight-talking Akpoborie said that as a Nigerian he would wish the Eagles are crowned African champions in South Africa, but if the team play the way they have in all their group games against the Elephants, they will exit the tournam e n t . ”The Eagles performance against Ethiopia was nothing to write home about. The only good thing about the game for us is that we won. How we scored against the lowest rated team at the competition was not the best,” said the former Wolfsburg striker.

“On paper Cote d’Ivoire are favourites to win the competition and on the field, they have been acting like that too. But in football anything could happen.

Hart tips Eagles against the Elephants A

S Nigerians continue to rejoice following Super Eagles

Emenike talks tough S

Akpoborie: Eagles need a miracle

2008 AFCONS. Emenike added: “We are not afraid of them. We respect them but why should we be afraid of them?

“This is football and no team is too big and we are very positive we will win on Sunday.”

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi also said his team are looking forward to Sunday ’s AFCON quarterfinal against starstudded Cote d’Ivoire.

Both West African giants clash on Sunday night at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg for a place in the semi-finals.

murky flight to the quarter finals of the ongoing African Cup of Nations in South Africa, soccer pundits are xraying the chances of the Stephen Keshi boys against The Elephants of Ivory Coast, a star studded side clearly dreaded by every team in Africa.

Reacting to a text poser on Nigeria’s chances against the team which parades legends like Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, the Toure brothers – Yaya and Kolo and Arsenal FC’s goal poacher, Yao Gervinho, the President of Goldashe United FC of Port Harcourt, Mr. Fubara Kingsley Hart declared emphatically that the game of soccer is as unpredictable as the weather.

FITNESS TEST ••• Ivorian forward Didier Drogba (R) vies with Algeria’s Essaid Belkalem during yesterday's match. It ended 2-2. Photo: AFP

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013 — 55

Mikel: Nigeria can defeat Cote D’Ivoire N

IGERIA’s midfielder John Obi Mikel has said that they have a chance of stamping their authority on the Africa Cup of Nations when they meet Cote D’Ivoire in Sunday’s quarter final match.

“It’s been great for us qualifying for the tournament because last time we didn’t make it. This time we’ve qualified and the group of players we have, and the new manager we have – he’s come into the team and made his stance. If you want to play for the country you have to give a hundred and ten percent, that’s what he demands from every player,” Mikel said at post-match press conference.

“We’ve come out here to do exactly what he wants us to do and to play for Nigeria as well. I think it is fantastic, we’re enjoying it.

“Now we’re in the quarter finals, we just have to keep going and do what we do in training and hopefully we will defeat Ivory Coast and go to the semi finals. It’s going to be difficult but hopefully, we hope to go past Cote d’Ivoire and make it to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations,” declared mikel, who will reunite with his former Chelsea teammates Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou.

The Chelsea midfielder rated the game against the Ethiopians highly but that they knew what they were up against while preparing for the encounter.

Nigeria vs Cote d’Ivoire: Anything can happen — Yobo

C

ACROBATIC: Nigeria's defender Godfrey Oboabona vies with Ethiopia's forwards Getaneh Kebede (L) and Fuad Ibrahim (C) during the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations match. Nigeria won 2-0. AFP PHOTO

Oliseh, Ojidoh condemn referee P

A John Ojidoh, 86, was a football and track and field coach and later an athletics officiating official aside being a soccer referee. This was before he became an astute sports administrator.

He called from his Illah home yesterday to condemn Daniel Bennet, the South African referee who officiated the match between Tunisia and Togo.

Citing many bad calls including the two penalties he denied Togo and the questionable one he awarded Tunisia, Ojidoh said the referee was out to rob Togo.

“What he tried to do was day light robbery against Togo but the God of soccer stood against him and Tunisia lost the penalty,” Ojidoh said.

The match ended 1-1.

Had Tunisia scored the penalty, they probably could

Keshi

Continues from BP yet another first round jinx heightened with his poor two draws against Zambia and Burkina Faso.

“My brother, it is not a small thing o”, he exclaimed thanking God for making it possible for him not to be labeled a perpetual first round victim of the Nations Cup. Overwhelmed by joy, he has asked Nigerians not to worry about Cote d’Ivoire, the most dreaded squad of the Nations Cup who play

them on Sunday in the quarter finals.

“Why worry about Ivory Coast?”, he asked as he swarm in the pool of congratulations and hugging by well wishers. “There is no doubt that they(Cote d’Ivoire are loaded with players but we are not afraid of them. When we get to the bridge, we shall cross it. Many people are looking down on my team. They are improving with every game and we shall raise the game to tackle the Ivorians”, he said.

APTAIN Joseph Yobo has dismissed fears that Cote d’Ivoire would tear the Eagles apart in their quarter final pairing of the African Cup of Nations.

“No doubt they are a good side but things don’t go like that. This is football. Anything can happen. We’re going back to raise our game and give them a good fight. The best of the Eagles will be out when

we play Cote d’Ivoire. I have said that we have a good squad and they are improving with each game”, he said.

He however said that it was a big relief to move into the quarter final after a spate of draws made people ridicule them with all sorts of names. “I’m happy that we crossed the Rubicon. But it is not going to be easy. We are equal to the task”.

Eagles Continues from BP

Mikel Obi confronts ref after getting a yellow have won the match and qualified.

“Tunisia couldn’t come to the party throughout the tournament. It was only the referee that was trying to push them into the quarter finals. It’s a shame, the worst officiating we have seen in this fine tournament,” ex international,

Sunday Oliseh said on television last night. Seven out of the eight quarter finalists are from West Africa.

The other is South Africa.

“I’m not happy with the officiating. Nigeria suffered poor officiating against Zambia and what happened today is a shame to African football,” Ojidoh said.

Angels were behind me in the end”.

— Enyeama gotThethereNigerian players

N

IGERIA goal keeper, Vincent Enyeama who made a point blank save immediately after Nigeria’s opener has sensationally declared he had no clue how he pulled off an incredible point blank save.

“I don’t know how I did it, the Angels of God were behind me and caused my hands to be in the right place to stop the ball”.

Asked if he was worried going into the last 10 and it was still goalless “not at all, this is football and I have come to understand that as long as the game is on anything is still possible so I kept urging the guys to press on. Fortunately we

were obviously delighted with the win but the Nigerian press contingent and Nigerians all over the the internet sites and blogs seemed unimpressed with the qualification and have been very critical of the team’s play.

•Enyeama

anything to show in the on-going African Cup of Nations. And for this, he has predicted that there would be no hiding place for the Nigerians when they face star-studded Cote d’Ivoire in the quarter finals on. The Eagles finished second in their group, behind Burkina Faso and are condemned to play Cote d’Ivoire who topped their group..

Maradas said yesterday that his heart bled when he watched Nigeria struggle throughout the matches they played to get to this point.

“Your team is not solid and it has no star player.

It is just an ordinary team. I feel sad to see Nigeria which used to be a powerhouse present a mediocre squad. They have played poorly and only managed to escape the disgrace of being beaten in the first round.

I feel sad because this is the same country that had star players like Kanu, Babayaro, Oliseh, Okocha and the list is endless. What is the problem with Nigeria?

Are you saying that out of the millions of people

in Nigeria, you cannot get up to seven star players? What is the problem with Nigeria?”, Maradas asked repeatedly.

This is a country that I love so much. A country of the greats in African football”. He shook his head in utter disbelief.

Nigeria should not struggle in any group in African football. Look at Cape Verde. They are the surprise team of the tournament”.

He was asked about the chances of the Eagles against Cote d’Ivoire and he shot back. “You have no chance. You’ll struggle.

They have better players in all compartments.

Even Drogba who has moved to Galatassaray is a threat. I will give Cote d’Ivoire 60% and Nigeria 40% chance of moving on. If you put Nigeria 10 years back, I will rate them 50-50.

That is how bad your Eagles have fallen. A country with so much and millions of people cannot raise a dreaded squad, no, it is a shame.

I know football can be funny but not with these type of your team against Cote d’Ivoire”, he said.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2013

AFCON 2013: Togo completes West African sweep •As the sub-region produces seven quarter-finalists

W

EST Africa has proved that it is the dominant force in football in the continent, following the conclusion of group matches at the ongoing

Don't worry about Cote d’Ivoire — Keshi S

TEPHEN Keshi had many reasons to be happy after beating Ethiopia and romping into the quarter finals of the on-going Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa. He scaled through a Nations Cup first round. As coach of Togo and Mali, Keshi crashed out in the preliminary stage. And the fear of succumbing to Continues on Page 55

TODAY'S

or-led Togolese team played a 1-1 draw with Tunisia, to qualify as runners-up from Group D. Save for South Africa, who are representing Southern Africa, all the other teams in the competition are from the west, confirming the often-known truth that big football is in the west.

No team from North Africa reached the knockout round of the competition.

Eagles are bad, too bad •Maradas writes off Keshi’s team, tips Cote d’Ivoire

F

IFA man and former publisher of African Football magazine, Emmanuel Maradas came down heavily on

RACING TO QUALIFICATION •••Togo's Emmanuel Adebayor (L) runs with the ball against Tunisia defender Aymen Abdennour (R) during a Group D match at the Mbombela stadium in Nelspruit, yesterday. It ended 1-1. PHOTO: AFP

•Keshi

Africa Cup of Nation, which saw the sub-region producing seven of the eight teams that qualified for the quarterfinals.

After the likes of Cote D’Ivoire, Mali, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Cape Verde reached the last eight, Togo, last night, became the seventh team from West Africa that reached the knockout stage of the tournament.

The Emmanuel Adebay-

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

the Super Eagles of Nigeria yesterday, describing them as a low quality side without Continues on Page 55

RESULTS

Algeria Togo

2 1

Ivory Coast Tunisia

2 1

QUICK CROSSWORD

ANSWERS ACROSS 1 Stress (6) 5 Menace (6) 8 Boaster (8) 9 Expectant (4) 10 Tree (3) 12 Bury (5) 15 Evil (3) 17 Stray (3) 18 Tune (3) 19 Breach (3) 20 A month (5) 21 Sick (3) 22 Permit (3) 23 Untruth (3) 24 Attempt (3) 26 Foe (5) 29 Charge (3) 33 Fever (4) 34 Blameless (8) 35 Ebb (6) 36 Stay (6)

DOWN 2 Dog (5) 3 Brink (4) 4 Coach (5) 5 Name (5) 6 Genuine (4) 7 Fragrance (5) 10 Fray (5) 11 Answer (5) 12 Angry (5) 13 Abrupt (5) 14 Recover (5) 15 Short (5) 16 Dig (5) 25 Rascal (5) 27 Artless (5) 28 Lesser (5) 30 Boredom (5) 31 Measure (4) 32 Dross (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Also 4, Nu6 6, Side 8, Stream 9, Morose 10, Ebb 12, Cheat 14, Merry 15, Waste 18, Serene 20, Rotted 24, Aware 26, Abhor 28, Endow 30, End 32, Bemner 33, Elicit 34, Seer 35, 36, Need.

How to Play Sudoku

THE VIGILANTE

DOWN: 2, Latch 3, Overawe 4, Name 5, Tomb 6, Surge 7, Deserve 11, Bit 12, Cos 13, Tam 16, Sea 17, Era 19, Embrace 21, Ore 22, Tension 23, New 25, Wan 27, Owner 29, Opine 30, Erne 31, Deft.

e-mail: rowolove@yahoo.co.uk

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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