EBOLA: Panic Spreads by Vanguard Media Limited

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62199

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014

Another female suicide bomber kills •The bombers not three at Kano Poly Chibok girls — FG

>8&55

EBOLA: Panic spreads •Govt sets up hotline for enquiries

By Chioma Obinna, Gabriel Olawale & Bosede Oyelohunnu

•America withdraws peace corps members from W/Africa •NCAA orders airlines to screen passengers •Ogun puts health workers in border areas on Red Alert •No one is sick — Lagos Govt

AGOS—FOLLOW ING the death in Nigeria of a Liberian, Mr. Patrick Sawyer, of Ebola Vir us Disease, EVD, panic has gripped Nigerians especially all those who were in the same flight with him from Liberia. Also in panic were airport staff, who assisted him when he collapsed before he was rushed to the hospital where he eventually died. SEE PAGES 9, 50 & 51 FOR MORE

Those who had contact with the Ebola victim, most of whom have been quarantined were apprehensive that they may have contracted the deadly virus.

Gunmen kidnap senator's 90-yr-old mother in Bayelsa

Mr & Mrs Maryam Usman of Nigeria during her golden lift in the Women's +75kg weightlifting final at the SECC Precinct during the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, yesterday. Inset: The gold medalist celebrates after her decoration. Photos: AFP.

COLUMNISTS: What a crowded week that was •P.17

IMPEACHMENT:

A seaman in exile from the sea •P.19

Nasarawa lawmakers flee state capital •Want panel reconstituted

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POCKET CARTOON

ConocoPhilips completes sale of $1.5bn assets to Oando …divests from Brass LNG STANDARD INT'L PASSPORT —President Goodluck Jonathan registers for the 64-Page Standard International Passport by the Nigeria Immigration Service at the State House, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

Boko Haram: Jonathan orders tight security in educational facilities By Ben Agande

BUJA—PRESI DENT Goodluck Jonathan has directed the Armed Forces, Police and other national security agencies to strengthen security around educational facilities in states prone to terrorist attacks. The President also condemned the attacks on two mosques in Potiskum, Yobe State on Tuesday. Reacting to the suicide bombing of the Aminu Kano College of Islamic and Legal Studies yesterday, President Jonathan said: “No

amount of intimidation and violence would stampede the government into abandoning its goal of giving education a new lease of life and opening up access to all young Nigerians who wish to improve themselves”. According to the president, “the callous attacks on soft targets fully affirm that the terrorists are nothing but blood-thirsty adherents of a warped and retrogressive ideology. “President Jonathan condemns the repeated targeting of worshippers, and innocent stu-

TAKE HEART BY ELLA RANDLE

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them — John F. Kennedy

VERYTHING you need you already have. You are complete right now, you are a whole, total person, not an apprentice on the way to someplace else. Your completeness must be understood by you and experienced in your thoughts as your own personal reality. Your focused intentions set the infinite organizing power of the universe in motion. Trust that infinite organizing power to orchestrate the complete fulfilment of your desires. Don’t listen to the voice that says that you have to be in charge, that obsessive vigilance is the only way to get anything done. The outcome that you try so hard to force may not be as good for you as the one that comes naturally. You have released your intentions into the fertile ground of pure potentiality, and they will bloom when the season is right.

dents who are the nation’s future by depraved terrorists. “No amount of intimidation and violence would stampede the government into abandoning its goal of giving education a new lease of life and opening up access to all young Nigeri-

ans who wish to improve themselves. “President Jonathan has, therefore, directed the Armed Forces, Police and other national security agencies to further enhance security around educational facilities in states prone to terrorist attacks”.

By Michael Eboh With Agency Report

A G O S —

CONOCOPHILIPS has completed the sale of its Nigerian upstream assets to Oando Energy Resources, a subsidiary of Oando Plc, for $1.5 billion, about N240 billion. The company, in a statement to investors, also announced its final divestment from Brass Liquefied Natural Gas, LNG, saying it has transferred its 17 per cent stake in Brass LNG Limited, along with all of its related interests, to the remaining shareholders of Brass LNG Limited. The company said the final price for its upstream assets sold to Oando was arrived at after customary adjust-

ments. Through this Transaction, Oando Energy Resources,OER will indirectly own all of the issued share capital of Phillips Oil Company Nigeria Limited, POCNL, Conoco Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited, CEPNL and Phillips Deepwater Exploration Nigeria Limited, PDENL. According to ConocoPhilips, the sales price is inclusive of $550 million of deposits received, approximately $900 million received at closing, plus $33 million in deferred payments. “The sales price less the cash in the business at closing, approximately $100 million, generated net proceeds of approximately $1.4 billion, after customary adjustments.

....Seeks generous donation from private sector, others for victims' support fund A

BUJA—PRESI DENT Goodluck Jonathan said, yesterday, in Abuja that he expected members of Nigeria’s private sector and friends of the country in the international community to donate very generously to the Victims’ Support Fund, which will be formally launched tomorrow to provide more relief and succour for all those who have been adversely affected by terrorism and insurgency in the country. Speaking at separate audiences with the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Mr. Kamalesh Sharma, and the Executive Director of the United Nations Popu-

lation Fund (UNFPA), Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin, President Jonathan said that he hoped that over a 12month period, about $500 million would have been raised through the fund to further alleviate the sufferings and deprivations imposed on Nigerians living in states worst affected by terrorist attacks. The President, who reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to doing all within its powers to help victims of insurgency and terrorism rebuild their lives and communities, said that the fund, which will be managed by a non-governmental organization, will

also be deployed in support of the rebuilding of destroyed schools and the creation of a safer environment for education in affected states. Welcoming the pledges of support from the Commonwealth and UNFPA, made by Mr. Sharma and Prof. Osotimehin, President Jonathan said that his administration appreciated the solidarity of the International Community as it grapples with the challenging task of overcoming the twin scourges of terrorism and insurgency. “We continue to work very hard to deal with the problem. It is a major challenge and we welcome all the assist-

ance we can get,” the President said. He also assured Mr. Sharma that Nigeria remains fully committed to the goals of the Commonwealth and will continue to support all efforts to reform and strengthen the organization for the benefit of member-countries and their people. Mr. Sharma had told the President that he was in Abuja to express the Commonwealth’s full solidarity with Nigeria as it contends with the very difficult task of overcoming insurgency and terrorism, and to also explore ways in which the Commonwealth could assist Nigeria in that regard.

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Fishermen discover missing person’s corpse in Choba river

ORT HARCOURT — THE people of Choba community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, were stunned yesterday as the corpse of a resident earlier declared missing was discovered in Choba River by some fishermen. The corpse of Mr. Chinenye Eke, who was confirmed missing by Rivers Police, was yesterday seen floating on the waters of Choba River in the state capital. A source from the compound where Eke and his family used to live, told Vanguard that the wife of the deceased said on Friday night that a phone call from her husband woke her from sleep and when she checked, she discovered that her husband was not in the room and was the one calling. The source also said that when the wife picked the call, the only thing that the husband said was: “Darling, I am going to the river to drown myself.” The source said when the woman asked the guard if he saw her husband going out, the man said he did not see him. She added that since that night, Eke did not return and efforts to trace his whereabouts proved abortive until his body was seen floating in the river. An eye witness said, on condition of anonymity, that the corpse looked like a man that was strangled other than one that drowned as his stomach was not distended and his face bruised. In the meantime, the Choba Divisional Police Headquarters has confirmed the incident. A senior Police officer told Vanguard that the death is pathetic, adding that the man died with bruises on his face showing that he may have been hacked to death. She declined further information but said investigation was ongoing.

Joint Task Force, "Operation Pulo Shield" at Onne waterfronts in Port Harcourt for anti-oil theft operations, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

Gunmen kidnap Senator’s 90-yr-old mother in Bayelsa •Kill obstructing NDLEA operative at checkpoint •My uncle was ill-treated by his abductors—Sylva By Samuel Oyadongha & Emem Idio

ENAGOA — THE peace of Opolo, a suburb of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, was yesterday ruffled when some armed men kidnapped 90-year-old Madam Florentina Paulker, mother of Senator Emmanuel Paulker. Also, a National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, operative was said to have been shot dead by the fleeing armed men along Amassoma road. Vanguard recalled that four years ago, the kidnapped victim, Florentina was abducted by armed men who demanded $70,000 before she was rescued by the Police. The kidnap of the Senator’s mother, the latest in the series of high profile abductions in the state, occurred at about 2.50 a.m. yesterday, in the densely populated Opolo community. The gunmen were said to have fired sporadically into the air to scare residents from coming out of their homes to challenge them. The victim, it was learnt, was with her grandson, popularly known as Driver, when she was seized. He was said to have sustained injuries and is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital. According to a community source, “the kidnappers cut the key of the burglary proof to gain access to the grandson’s building and seized the old woman, who kept yelling for help but the gunmen eventually escaped with her in

a get-away car.”

Abductors kill NDLEA operative

It was learnt that as the abductors were escaping with their victim they were stopped by an NDLEA operative along Amassoma road, ostensibly for routine check. The unsuspecting operative was reportedly shot dead by the kidnappers, who escaped with their victim. “An unsuspecting security operative, who stopped the vehicle conveying the gunmen for routine check along Amassoma road, was

shot dead. May be they (kidnappers) thought he had information about their movement,” a police source told Vanguard. The remains of the deceased security operative, he said, had been deposited at the Okolobiri morgue of the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital. Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Alex Akhigbe, confirmed the abduction and killing of the unnamed security operative by the fleeing kidnappers.

My uncle was ill-treated by his abductors —Sylva

Meantime, the former Bayelsa

State Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, whose 86-year-old uncle was abducted last week, has expressed concern over the ill-treatment of the old man, his state of health not withstanding. According to a family source, the former governor was not happy about how his aged uncle was handled by his kidnappers. “Mr Sylva is not happy with the way the uncle was treated. He was told that when the man refused to go with the kidnappers, he was beaten and dragged on the floor. The man served this country and retired as a major in the Army. How can they treat him like that,” the source said. He added: "We are disturbed about his poor health knowing he is diabetic. They should not let him die,” the source warned.

First Lady disowns drowned Christopher Awai

By Ben Agande

BUJA — THE First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has disowned one Christopher Awai that drowned in a swimming pool in a hotel in Abuja, saying he is not related to her. Christopher Awai drowned in Agura Hotel swimming pool during a party held by Ijaw students at the University of Abuja to mark the end of Ijaw students week celebration. He was said to be a nephew of the First Lady. But in a statement yesterday, Special Assistant to the First Lady on Media, Ayo Adewuyi, said the First Lady

has no link with the said Awai. The statement read: “Our attention has been drawn to media reports linking one Christopher Awai, who allegedly drowned in the swimming pool of Agura Hotel, Abuja to the First Lady, Dame (Dr) Patience Faka Jonathan. “This is to clearly state that the said Christopher Awai had no link whatsoever with the First Lady and as such, he was not a nephew of the First Lady. “We also wish to state without any iota of equivocation that Madam Esther Ebiere Gbonkumor,

who was mentioned in the news reports as the immediate younger sister of the First Lady is not in any way related to Dame (Dr) Patience Faka Jonathan. “Madam Gbonkumor was said to have petitioned the Inspector-General of Police on behalf of the family, demanding a full coroner's inquest into Awai’s death. “It is an unfounded rumour which the First Lady knows nothing about and we will like the public and wellmeaning Nigerians to note, for the purpose of accurate record and common good.”

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Pastor, woman nabbed after ‘sanctified water’ kills 2 By Akpokona Omafuaire

ARRI — A MAN, said to be a pastor, and a woman are in Police net in Asaba, the Delta State capital for allegedly killing two children with a deadly substance sold by the pastor for N1,850. The Delta State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Celestina Kalu, in a release, said the

suspects are in custody helping the police with relevant information. According to Kalu, “on July 25, at about 4.00 am, the Police at Abraka Police Station received information that awoman, Ese Oghenevwe (25), of Urhuoka quarters, Abraka had killed her two sons namely, Prayer Clement (9 months) and

Wisdom Clement ( 2 years) by giving them a liquid substance to drink. “Based on the information, detectives arrested the said Ese Oghenevwe. The suspect revealed that the substance was given to her by one Apostle Austin Eduviere of Triumphant World International Church, Abraka for healing purposes as

the Apostle claimed he had prayed over it. “Meanwhile, the said Apostle Austine Eduviere has also been arrested and he is helping the Police in their investigation. The suspect disclosed that the said substance was a mixture of water and salt which he sold to people for N1,850.00 for healing of various sicknesses after praying for them.”

CJ suspends 4 Osun judiciary staff over missing documents By Gbenga Olarinoye

SOGBO — THE Chief Judge of Osun State, Justice Adepele Ojo, has ordered the suspension of four judiciary staff in the state over their alleged involvement in missing vital documents belonging to the state high court, Osogbo. The judiciary staff were found culpable after the Judicial Service Commission had investigated circumstances surrounding the missing documents relating to a case between Tuns International Holdings, Osogbo and Skye Bank Nigeria Plc. In a letter written by the Chief Registrar of the high court, Mr Oyetunde Oyebiyi and addressed to Chief Duro Adeyele (SAN), counsel to Tuns International Holdings, Osogbo, the Chief Judge admitted that some staff of the state judiciary were involved in the missing documents saga. Adeyele had in a letter addressed to the Chairman, Osun State Judicial Service Commission, alleged that a staff of the state high court removed part of the judgment delivered by Justice Adeyinka Aderibigbe on July 11, 2013 in a case instituted by Tuns International Holdings against Skye Bank Plc. He alleged that the staff in charge of compilation of records of appeal at the high court registry were responsible for the missing documents and thereby called on the state Chief Judge to investigate the matter. In the letter dated October 23, 2013, Adeyele stated that the concerned judiciary staff failed to find the missing documents after several pleas, a situation which he said made him to suspect fowl play in the incident.

Members of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), protesting at Addax Petroleum gate, Lagos over unresolved labour issues, yesterday.

Police arrest man for stabbing lover to death in Lagos By Evelyn Usman

AGOS — THE Police in Lagos have arrested a man, Raphael Effiong (28), who allegedly stabbed his girlfriend to death during a fracas in a hotel located in Alapere, Ketu area of Lagos on Tuesday. But the deceased’s family alleged that the lover boy lured her to the hotel and attempted to chop off her breasts and fingers, apparently for ritual purpose. Vanguard gathered that Effiong and his lover, Gift Sunday (26) checked into a room in the hotel located at 10, Yusuf Eleran Street, Ketu, Tuesday evening. Next day, staff of the hotel were said to have been taken aback by shouts from the room following which the hotel workers forced the door open, only to find the deceased in a pool of her blood. Efforts to save her life failed as she reportedly died in a private hospital located on Elebiju Street, also in Ketu, Lagos. Her remains, as gathered, were deposited at the Ikorodu General Hospital mortuary. A relative of the deceased, who spoke to Vanguard on condition of anonymity, said: “What we heard was that on reaching the hotel, the suspect ordered for drinks. As our daughter was sipping hers, he

brought out a pair of scissors and started cutting one of her breasts. “She was screaming at that point. Not done, he cut one of her fingers and attempted to gag her so he could finish his satanic mission. “Her scream alerted people who came to her rescue. We were told she gave this version while she was being rushed to the hospital. “We were also told the boyfriend attempted to escape but was apprehended by the hotel staff before the arrival of policemen from Alapere.

“Her death has plunged everyone into sorrow. All we want is for the police to find out why Raphael killed our daughter.” However, when the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, was contacted, she said: “Yes, we have that case. But that is not what happened. What happened was that a man stabbed his girlfriend with scissors inside a hotel room in Alapere during a fight. The lady later died while the suspect has been arrested and is currently in our custody.”

Family of man kidnapped 2 yrs ago alleges threat to life By Vincent Ujumadu

WKA — THE wife of Mr. Emmanuel Udemba, who was kidnapped in March 2012 and is still missing, has alleged threats to her life and that of her children by unknown persons. She has, therefore, appealed to the Anambra State Police Command for protection. Udemba, a businessman at the Ogbunike plywood market, who hailed from Nnokwa in Idemili South Local Government Area of the state, was abducted by gunmen at Nkwelle Ezunaka near Onitsha and efforts to locate him had proved abortive. According to the information, Mrs. Udemba has been receiving series of text messages and phonecalls threatening her life and that of her children, adding that the callers were asking her to meet their financial demands or be prepared for the worse. Worried by the development, Mrs. Udemba, through her elder brother, Rev. Fr. Charles Anemelu has sent a SaveOur-Soul, SOS, to President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State to intervene and save his sister and her children. The SOS was a follow-up to a petition earlier written to the Inspector-General of Police on the missing Udemba.

Ogun police arrest fake corporal By Daud Olatunji

BEOKUTA — THE Ogun State Police Command, yesterday, said it arrested a 35-year-old fake policeman, Taiwo Agboola, while parading himself as a police officer. The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, in the state, Muyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this in a statement, saying the suspect was arrested by detectives attached to Ota Division of the command with police uniform and some accoutrements. According to Adejobi, “the suspect, Taiwo Agboola, 35, of Iyana Ago, Idiroko, Ogun State, has been parading

himself as a policeman over time and has been placed under surveillance by the police detectives in Ota. He was eventually arrested when a good Nigerian put a call to notify the police of his presence in the area. “The suspect, who hails from Ile-Ife, Osun State, confirmed that he had been in love with the police job right from his childhood but was discouraged by his late mother, hence his interest in getting police accoutrements for this dirty business of investigating and settling cases for his clients. “Items recovered from the suspect included a police Tshirt, identity card bearing

Taiwo Agboola his name with a corporal rank, handcuffs and tear gas canister."

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Nigeria loses N342m daily as Eni shuts down pipeline By Michael Eboh with agency report

IGERIA will be losing about N342.4 million ($2.14 million) daily, as Italian oil firm, Eni, yesterday, shut down its 20,000 barrels per day crude oil pipeline in Nigeria. The shut down, according to the company, is due to sabotage on the pipeline, which had led to the interruption of 4,000 barrels a day it gets from its 20 per cent share in Nigerian Agip Oil Company. Wall Street Journal reported that Eni’s disclosure confirmed information from a local activist, who stated that pipeline had been blown up last Sunday. The activist had previously said Eni’s local operation is in a dispute with former security contractors on the project, a claim Eni spokesman failed to confirm or deny. “Uncertainty coming from places like Libya and Iraq has been offset by the fact. Physical cargoes of oil in the Atlantic Basin, Nigeria for one, remain well supplied,” Dominick Chirichella, analyst at the Energy Management Institute, said in a note. Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, had a couple of weeks ago, declared force majeure on exports from a key pipeline in the south of the country because of damage caused by bad weather. The company said daily production of 40,000 barrels of crude was suspended until repairs on the offshore platform in the EA field was completed. The damage to the platform had prompted the shutdown of the facility, near Warri, in the Niger Delta region, it added. “Force majeure” is a legal term releasing a company from contractual obligations when faced with circumstances beyond its control.

Teenage female suicide bomber kills 3 ...at Kano State Polytechnic gate By Abdulsalam Muhammad

ANO — THREE per sons died, yesterday, while seven others were injured when a teenage female suicide bomber blew up herself at the entrance gate of Central Administration of Kano State Polytechnic located on BUK road where final years students were perusing the NYSC mobilisations list for Batch B Corps members. Eyewitness told Vanguard that the incident occurred around 2.30p.m. when a crowd of students gathered to verify their postings. The account further explained that the blast triggered pandemonium in the school as students, academic and nonacademic staff scampered for safety. The security operatives later cordoned off the affected part of the BUK road to pave way for preliminary investigation. Commenting on the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Kano, Mr. Adelenre Shinaba confirmed that three persons died including the suicide bomber. Shinaba further disclosed that seven others sustained injury during the blast, adding that the affected persons have been evacuated to the clinic. The police boss said that “the teenage female suicide bomber sneaked into the crowd and

detonated the Improvised Explosive Device she concealed." According to the police, the impact of the blast blew the suicide bomber into pieces, adding that the charred remains of the female suicide bomber has been deposited at the morgue. He tasked citizens to be extravigilant and report suspicious movements to security agents for proactive action. This brings to four, the number of female suicide bombers, who carried out bomb attacks in Kano in one week. Meanwhile, bombs planted in two mosques exploded, Tuesday evening in Yobe State killing a yet to be confirmed number of people.

The Polytechnic Gate and (inset)the blood -stain scene of the bombing The Yobe Police spokesperson, Nansak Chewang, confirmed the bomb attacks in Potiskum, one of the largest towns in the state. Mr. Chewang told the News Agency of Nigeria, Wednesday that the police were still working on the details to know the casualty figure. "We are still working on the details to get the authentic figures of casualties in the bomb attacks in Potiskum," he said. Bombs planted in two mosques had exploded at about 7.30p.m.,

Tuesday, when Muslims in the area were preparing for the evening prayers. Though no group has claimed responsibility for the explosions, they were believed to have been carried out by the Boko Haram whose activities had caused the death of over 13,000 people in Northern Nigeria. Yobe, which is one of the major bastions of the Boko Haram, and alongside Borno and Adamawa, has been under a state of emergency since May last year.

Nasarawa impeachment: Lawmakers want panel reconstituted By Abel Daniel

HE IMPEACHMENT process against Governor Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State suffered a setback, yesterday, as the state House of Assembly rejected a seven-member panel already probing allegations against the governor by the lawmakers. The lawmakers arrived at the decision after considering a petition written by a group, Nasarawa Concerned Citizens accusing the State Chief Judge, Justice Suleiman Dikko who constituted the panel of bias. The lawmakers had earlier fled the state capital and relocated to a remote Karu Local Government Area, citing insecurity to their lives. After sitting for hours at a building in Karu Local Government Area, behind the local government secretariat, 19 members of the Assembly, all members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, resolved to reject the composition of the panel headed by

Yusuf Usman accusing the Chief judge of disobeying the constitution in setting up the panel. The four lawmakers, who belong to the governor's All Progressives Congress, APC, were absent at the sitting. Announcing the decision of the Assembly, Speaker Musa Mohammed said that the composition of the panel negates the provision of Section188 of the Constitution.

Mr. Mohammed also said the panel has no right to sit until a guideline is forwarded to them by the Assembly. He alleged that the panel was not formed in compliance with Section 188-5 of the constitution that demands that people of integrity should be appointed into the panel. The petition, on which the lawmakers based their decision was

read on the floor of the Assembly, alleging that two of the seven members of the panel were card carrying members of PDP while others were on the pay-roll of the state government. Deliberating on the petition, Francis Orogu (PDP, Keana constituency) argued that the panel violated the provisions of the constitution and urged the chief judge to "do the right thing to redeem his image."

From right, First City Monument Bank, FCMB, Limited’s Branch Manager (Challenge branch in Ibadan), Mrs. Oluseto Opayemi; Chairman/CEO of Mosuro Booksellers Limited, Dr. Kolade Mosuro; a Relationship Officer of the Bank, Mr. Adebayo Yusuf, and FCMB’s Corporate Affairs Officer, Mr. Rafiu Mohammed, at the unveiling of four books of Professor Wole Soyinka. The event was organised by Mosuro Booksellers Limited and Bookcraft Limited with the support of FCMB, in Ibadan, Oyo State

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NCAA orders airlines to screen passengers

OIL & GAS: From left, Mr. Adetayo Ibraheem, Senior Manager, Accenture Nigeria; Mr. Arif Abdullah, Director for Industry Business development, SAP Deutschland SE&co Limited; Mrs. Abayomi Olarinmoye, Managing Director, Energy, Accenture Nigeria Limited, and Mr. Francis Anatogu, Guest Speaker, during the One Day Conversation on the future of Oil &Gas in Nigeria, organised by Accenture Nigeria Limited and SAP Deutschland SE&co Limited, at Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi

Chibok girls: UK not sending troops to Nigeria —Pocock By Jonah Nwokpoku

HE BRITISH High Com missioner to Nigeria, Andrew Pocock has reiterated that the British Government’s offer of assistance to Nigeria in the rescue of the abducted Chibok girls does not involve deploying troops in Nigeria to assume any combat roles. “What we are doing is bringing in some form of expertise, particularly in training and advisory roles and not combat roles,” he said. He stated this while speaking to newsmen, yesterday, on board HMS Iron Duke, a Royal Navy Warship on a working visit to Nigeria. He said that combat roles specifically is Nigeria’s responsibility, adding that the Nigerian government should not expect the kind of presence the French has in Mali as the two scenarios are completely different. “We are not bringing troops in any combat role. What the Prime Minister, David Cameron said six weeks ago in London is that we recognise the difficulties that Nigeria is facing with security at the moment. And that was in response to the invitation by President Jonathan for assistance. That is specifically Nigeria’s responsibility. We are not bringing troops to Nigeria. We are not doing what the French did in Mali; it’s a different scenario entirely,” he said. On the HMS Iron Duke’s visit to Nigeria, Commanding Officer of the ship, Tom Tredary said it

was inspired by the need for the Nigerian Navy and the British Navy to share information and experience in order to boost maritime insecurity within the Gulf of Guinea and especially within the West African coast. “Maritime security is a problem that affects all nations. So it’s important that security is given

the required attention in order to reduce illegal activities at sea. It requires concerted efforts by all navies to do that. We think that we can share experiences we have had in combating piracy in the Indian Ocean and Somalia. This will help the Nigeria Navy to refine the techniques that they

already use to try and bring a great deal of law and order in the Gulf of Guinea. We think that there is a lot that we can learn from each other because Nigerian Navy has a better understanding of activities around these waters and we have a great understanding of activities patrolling the Gulf of

....Community denies receiving N100m from FG By Jonah Nwokpoku

EADERSHIP OF the Chibok community group, Kibaku Area Development Association, Abuja Chapter, has denied that it received any pecuniary incentive from the Presidency on account of the missing Chibok girls. In a statement by the spokesperson of the group, Dauda Ilya, the group said the claim that the leadership of the group received N100 million from the Presidency was “false, malicious and unfounded.” The group explained that it only offered, as a community association that represented the Chibok people in Abuja, to facilitate the visit of parents of the abducted girls and 51 of the 57 that escaped. It added that it helped make that visit possible despite their misgivings that it was a poor substitute to their expectation that Mr. President should

have visited Chibok even before the visit of their people for a tragedy that is now 107 days old. Explaining the role of the association in facilitating the visit, the group said it spelt out its responsibilities in facilitating the meeting of the Chibok girls and parents with President Jonathan and that there was never a point

it demanded any financial compensation. “When the Presidency requested us to invite parents and escaped Chibok girls against 22nd July, 2014, we accepted the responsibility on the condition that we shall facilitate by way of contacting and mobilising the parents and escaped girls, thereby playing the sole role of facilitators."

ACF kicks against pro-Jonathan, Abuja rally By Luka Binniyat

HE AREWA Consulta tive Forum, ACF, yesterday faulted the proposed rally by Niger-Delta Youth in support of President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja. The ACF said that the rally was ill-timed, ill-advised and a disregard to the feelings of other Nigerians affected by the insecurity in the country.

The Forum in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim in Kaduna said, "the mass movement of Nigerians from another parts of the country to Abuja at this material time may likely cause security breaches and possibly be hijacked by hoodlums to cause havoc including likely destruction of lives and property." AFurthermore, such mass dem

HE NIGERIAN Civil Aviation Authority,NCAA, has said that it had ordered airlines that operate flights to Ebola-infested countries to set up medical teams to properly screen their passengers. The Coordinating General Manager, Aviation Parastatals, NCAA, Mr. Yakubu Dati, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Abuja. Dati said the measure was part of the country's aviation industry's efforts to ensure that the virus did not spread to Nigeria. He said that NCAA did not ban any airline from flying the route of the affected countries. According to him: “We have instructed every airline that is connected to all the countries that have the virus to monitor the passengers that will board their flights. "This is to ensure that they don't fly people that have the virus into Nigeria. They should set up a medical team; that is what happens when there are such epidemics. "If we don't do that, we also stand the risk of being banned from going to other countries," he explained. “The only airline banned was A_SKY Airline that flew the late Mr. Patrick Sawyer, the Liberian, into Lagos. All other flights are operating. We did not suspend any airline. It is the prerogative of the airlines to decide whether to fly those affected countries or not," Dati added.

...U.S. Peace Corps withdraws volunteers due to Ebola virus

Meanwhile, the U.S. Peace Corps said on Wednesday it was withdrawing 340 volunteers from Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea due to the spreading Ebola virus across West Africa. “The Peace Corps today (yesterday) announced that it is temporarily removing its volunteers from Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea due to the increasing spread of the Ebola virus,” the group said in a statement. The Peace Corps currently has 102 volunteers in Guinea, 108 in Liberia and 130 in Sierra Leone.

More stories on Pages 50,51

10—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014

Protesting workers shut Addax Petroleum By Victor Ahiuma-Young

AGOS—MEMBERS of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, yesterday crippled operations at the head office of Addax Petroleum in Lagos over unresolved labour issues. The protesting workers who stormed the company’s offices as early at 6a.m, chanted solidarity songs and prevented management and others from gaining access into the premises. Vanguard gathered that besides the issue of protracted negotiation on improved condition of service, the manage-

ment allegedly locked out the President of PENGASSAN who had gone to the company to mediate in the negotiation. The protesters claimed the company was insensitive to the health and safety concerns in its operational areas, career progression and development as well as undue delay of ongoing collective bargaining agreement, CBA, which had been on for eight months. They demanded that the company’s management addressed all health and safety concerns and promotion issues raised. Addressing the protesters, PENGASSAN branch Chair-

man in Addax Petroleum, Kingsley Onoyom, accused the management of high handedness on issues of health and safety of the workers, saying “We have registered our concern on the offshore transportation system and feeding at the Izombe Flow Station but the management has refused to do anything to fix the problem.” He alleged that many members had not been promoted in the last eight years, while some were on the same job without promotion for 15 years. According to him, “We have done everything to ensure that the management close the negotiation of our Collective Bar-

SEND FORTH PARTY: From left; Mrs. Abosede Osunkeye; former Chairman, GSK Consumer Nigeria Plc, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye; former non-executive Director, GSK Consumer Nigeria Plc, Engr. Mansur Ahmed; and Managing Director, GSK Consumer Nigeria Plc, Mr. Dayanand Thandalam, during the send forth party organised by GSK Consumer Nigeria Plc for its retired directors in Lagos yesterday. Photo by Kehinde Gbadamosi.

gaining Agreement that started since November last year but instead management continues to delay the CBA and this is affecting our morale and productivity. When our national secretariat (PENGASSAN National Secretariat) tried to mediate and ensure that the negotiation continues and is closed early, the management embarrassed our national officers by denying them entry.” Similarly, Lagos Zonal Chairman of PENGASSAN, Abel Agarin, said the management should fix a meeting for the conclusion of the prolonged CBA negotiation for Friday and there must be a commitment from the management to meet all the demands of the workers before suspending the picketing. Reacting to the picketing in a statement, Mrs Dorothy Atake, General Manager, External & Government Affairs, said “Addax Petroleum Development (Nigeria) Limited regrets to confirm that a public demonstration led by the Lagos Zone of Pengassan took place today( yesterday). The demonstration is as a result of industrial relations issues between the Management and the Association. ''Engagements are on-going at the National, Zonal and Branch levels of PENGASSAN to reach amicable resolutions in the interest of all parties. ''Management is committed to dialogue and it is expected that PENGASSAN will continue with current engagements so that all issues can be resolved harmoniously.”

Lagoon Hospitals performs first private open heart surgery ganisation, WHO, report says that By Chioma Obinna

AGOS—A team of Nigerian health practitioners at the Lagoon Hospitals, Lagos has successfully performed the first Open Heart Surgery in a private health facility in Nigeria. According to the medical team, the 59-year-old beneficiary of the surgery, which is the first of its kind in private hospitals across Nigeria had a quadruple vessel coronary artery bypass surgery. Vanguard gathered that the 3– hour surgery done last Friday, was performed by the Cardiac Surgery Group led by Dr. Bode Falase, a visiting Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon at Lagoon Hospital and Dr Onyekwelu Nzewi, Consultant Cardiac Surgeon at Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, United Kingdom (UK). They were supported by cardiac anaesthetists, perfusionists, physiologists and operating theatre nurses. This came as a World Health Or-

“There is increasing incidence of artery disease in Nigeria.” Speaking yesterday on the achievement, Chief Executive Officer of the hospital, Major Ganesh Kale (rtd), said “As a private hospital in Nigeria, we are committed to providing excellent care for our patients and would continue to ensure that complex operations like Open Heart Surgery, major joint replacements and minimal access surgery are available in Nigeria so that Nigerians do not need to travel abroad for these procedures.” The leader of the Cardiac Surgery Group, Falase, who commended Lagoon hospitals for the opportunity to start this open-heart programme, explained that “the coronary arteries supply blood to the heart and partial blockage to these vessels result in chest pain (angina) and complete blockage may lead to heart attack. Treatment could either be with unblocking of the arteries using Cardiac Catheterization and stent insertion or in advanced cases of Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery.”

Foreigners behind crimes on Nigerian waters — NAVY By Evelyn Usman

AGOS—THE Nige rian Navy yesterday claimed criminal activities in the nation’s territorial waters were perpetrated by foreigners, saying it was prepared to take over security of the nation’s maritime domain from private security agencies to arrest the situation. The Flag Officer Commanding, FOC, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Ilesanmi Alade, spoke while receiving naval personnel of a British Royal Navy ship. The ship and its crew berthed in Nigeria on Monday on a diplomatic visit which Alade said would dovetail into trainings and exercises.

Fashola consoles El-Rufai over son's death By Monsuru Olowoopejo

AGOS—GOVER NOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State yesterday commiserated with former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Abuja, Mallam Nasir ElRufai over the death of his son, Hamza, who died in an auto crash on Tuesday in Abuja. Fashola, in a condolence message to El-Rufai, said Hamzat's death was very saddening and regrettable because it came at a time when he (Hamzat) was poised to contribute his quota to Nigeria's development after concluding his education.

Gbadamosi chairs unveiling of Nollywood book

ESPECTED econo mist, playwright, art patron and former Minister of National Planning, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, OFR will today chair the unveiling and public presentation of Auteuring Nollywood: Critical Perspectives on the Figurine. The event holds at 10 a.m. today at the Agip Hall of MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos. The scholarly book which examines the high-points of Kunle Afolayan’s award-winning film, The Figurine, is edited by Dr. Adeshina Afolayan of the department of Philosophy, University of Ibadan.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014 —11

Fayemi signs bill creating 19 new LGDAs into Law By GbengaAriyibi

DO EKITI—GOVER NOR Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, yesterday signed into law the bill on creating additional 19 Local Government Development Areas, LGDAs in the state, vowing to do all constitutional means to make the new councils function. The state House of Assembly had last week passed the bill for the creation of new 19 LGDCs out of the existing 18 local governments in the state. The governor equally dismissed insinuation that the creation was meant to create problems for the incoming administration of the Governorelect, Mr Ayodele Fayose. Speaking while signing the bill into law at the Executive Chambers of the Governor’s office, Fayemi said he initiated the policy as part of the fulfillment of his administration’s electioneering promises to the people. Fayemi promised that the new councils would take off before the expiration of his tenure on October 15 ,2014. The governor said his administration had set up an Assets Sharing Committee, noting that the House had visited the affected local governments and the reports were already before him. He said “This is a promise fulfilled following the yearnings of the people. These yearnings predated my coming into gov-

ernment in 2010. The fist executive Governor of this State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo attempted this policy before the end of his tenure but it never come to pass. Despite this, our people never stopped requesting for additional local governments for rapid development and for political independence. “With this policy, we are not just making history but we are part of history. We have written our names in the book of history for taking this bold step. And I will do everything within

the confine of the constitution for effective functioning of these councils before this administration effectively come to an end. ''Soon, we will appoint transitional political functionaries that would begin the process of the existence of these councils for rapid development at the grassroots where the bulk of our people live. Contrary to the criticisms by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that the policy was a flagrant breach of the 1999 constitution, Fayemi said his administration ''has complied with all extant constitutional provisions in arriving at the conclusion of the exercise.”

On his part, Speaker of the Assembly, Adewale Omirin, said the House decided to key into the policy because of the enormous role the Local Government system played in the lives of the rural dwellers and overall development of any society. Omirin said the policy was beyond partisan consideration, stressing “We have seen what the effects have yielded in Lagos Sate. We have decided to take this bold step some states had failed o implement because we knew local government forms a critical segment of our development strategy. We need to tap into our rural areas for revenue drive for development at that level.”

BRIEFING: Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Mr. Ismail Olalekan Alli (middle), Chairman, Governing Council of Technical University, Ibadan, Prof. Oladapo Afolabi (left) and the state Commissioner for Education, Prof. Solomon Olaniyonu at a press briefing in Ibadan.

Ekiti tribunal approves PDP's request to inspect election materials By Gbenga Ariyibi

DO EKITI—THE Elec tion Petition Tribunal sitting in Ado Ekiti, yesterday granted the prayers of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the governor-elect, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, to allow the

party inspect all the electoral materials used for the June 21 governorship election in Ekiti State. The tribunal had last week granted similar prayers of the All Progressives Congress, APC, by INEC to allow the party to inspect the

materials in its custody. APC is contesting the declaration of Fayose as the winner of the governorship poll, alleging that the election was rigged. However, the PDP had in its exparte motion dated 25th July, 2014, deposed to by its counsel, Kolapo Kolade, and brought in

Osun can't afford ‘trial and error' again, say lawmakers By Gbenga Olarinoye

SOGBO—OSUN State House of Assembly has passed a vote of confidence on Governor Rauf Aregbesola for his quality leadeship especially in the implementation of his sixpoint integral action plan. The assembly noted that his transparency in governance and creativity had impacted positively on the development to Osun in the comity of states. In a statement by the media office of the Speaker, the par-

liament x-rayed the development and value chain in the education sector, employment generation, infrastructural facilities, health and agricultural sectors in line with reports of oversight functions carried out by the standing committees of the house and expressed its satisfaction. The parliament expressed confidence in the leadership of Aregbesola, saying his sincerity of purpose and judicious application of state funds had brought image to Osun nationally and internationally, urg-

ing the people of the state to support the governor in his reelection bid with a view to sustaining the gains in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. Speaking on the development, Speaker, Najeem Salaam reiterated that with the style of the governor, the state had switched gear to the geometric speed in all spheres of influence, making dividends of democracy to reach the common man; asserting that the state could not afford a new “trial and error ” approach at this crucial moment.

pursuant to Section 151 of the Electoral Act 2010, as amended, sought the relief of the Tribunal for the inspection of all materials used for the election. Other reliefs sought by PDP include: an order allowing other interested party to enjoy same privilege, an order compelling security agencies to be present at the point of inspection and an order allowing the 1st respondent (Mr Fayose) to be in possession of Certified True Copies (CTC) of all electoral materials and scan same . According to PDP, ''in order to defend our position, we need to inspect the materials and we need the leave of the Court to do so”. In his ruling, chairman of the panel, Justice Mohammad Sirajo granted the prayers of PDP to inspect the materials and for other interested party to enjoy same, just as he directed that the INEC must allow the party access to CTC and get same in other forms.

DSS men storm Osun ahead guber polls ...PDP behind it — GOVT By Gbenga Olarinoye

SOGBO—OP ERATIVES of the Department of State Service, DSS, yesterday stormed Osogbo, the Osun State capital and other major towns in the state preparatory to the August 9 governorship election in the state, even as the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, assured that the poll would be free and fair. The DSS operatives were strategically positioned in major areas of the town while some moved round major streets. It was gathered that over 5,000 operatives were deployed to the state to maintain law and order before and during the governorship election. Some of the operatives who wore black T shirts and with masks on their faces moved round the state capital and shot sporadically into the air, scaring many residents. At the popular Olaiya junction in Osogbo, the operatives who moved in vehicles marked “Department of State Service” shot into the air several time and scared passengers and people waiting at the popular junction.” Other areas where the operatives were seen in Osogbo include, Kobongbogboe, Old Garagem, Odi Olowo, Alekuwoo and Oke-fia. The state government, in its reaction to the development, described it as an attempt to militarise the state ahead of the election. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Mr Bola Ilori noted that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was behind the deployment of the operatives to the state. He said “the deployment of security operatives to the state is normal if they are here to protect us. But, any arrest of any member of the APC in the state will be against the interest of democracy." The Special Adviser said the development was an abuse of office by the Federal Government, urging the people of the state to remain calm in spite of all victimisations.

12—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014

Oshiomhole inaugurates 4 boards By Simon Ebegbulem

E N I N — GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, yesterday in Benin, inaugurated four boards: Waste Management, Technical and Vocational Education, Tourism and Environmental Committee. Governor Oshiomhole charged them to “interact very closely with management because the role of the board is very different from the role of the management. “Management has responsibilities for dayto-day running under the guidelines that are formulated by the boards. “In some cases, there are some enabling laws that set up these bodies and of course, whatever you want to do must be done in conformity with the provisions of the law.”

Delta monarch installed Rotary District Gov

HE Ovie of Oghara Kingdom, HRM Noble Eshemitan, Oreki III has been installed as the District Governor, 2014/2015 of Rotary International, District 9140. The monarch’s installation ended the tenure of the immediate past District Governor, Dr. Charles Onianwa, who at the ceremony transferred the insignia of office to the monarch, amidst cheers from over 2,000 members of Rotary International from all walks of life that gathered at the Petroleum Training Institute, PTI, auditorium, in Effurun, Delta State, venue of the event. Onianwa said the monarch is “a foremost dedicated, fruitful and result-oriented member, who passed through the necessary rudiments of Rotary International, attending several necessary courses, seminars and conventions across the globe before he qualified for his latest rank.”

PDP lawmakers urge Edo govt to obey court order on judiciary funding By Gabriel Enogholase

ENIN— THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, legislators in Edo State House of Assembly, yesterday, passed a resolution, calling on the state government to, as a matter of urgency, comply with the judgment of the Federal High Court,

Abuja, in suit No FHC/ABJ/ CS/667/13, which ordered the government and 73 other respondents to release budgetary expenditure for the judiciary to court heads. It added that the Federal High Court order was in line with the 1999 Constitution as amended, adding that whatever could be done to bring the ongoing strike by

judicial workers in the state to an end should be done since “the government did not appeal the verdict.” The plenary, presided over by Chief Festus Ebea, factional leader of the Assembly, also directed the Accountant-General of the Federation, AGF; AnthonyGeneral of the Federation, AGF, and the Chairman of

BAYELSA PRAISE: From left— Bishop Jacob Akpiri, Vice Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Bayelsa Chapter; Rt. Rev. Aye Oruwori, Bishop, Ogbia Diocese, Anglican Communion; Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, during the July Edition of the state’s monthly Praise Night at the King of Glory Chapel, Government House, Yenagoa.

Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission, RMFC, to ensure and effect payment of any amount standing to the credit of the judiciary in Edo State, in line with the state’s budget, directly to the heads of court. The heads of court referred to include the Chief Judge of Edo State High Court, and the President of the Customary Court of Appeal. The lawmakers' declaration was sequel to a motion under matter of urgent public importance moved by the member representing Igueben constituency and Minority Whip, Mr. Kingsley Ehigiamusoe. Ehigiamusoe intimated the House that the strike action was occasioned by the state government’s refusal to obey a Federal High Court judgment. Ehigiamusoe said the workers had secured the judgment through its umbrella body, Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN. He said the court had, in accordance with Sections 162 and 81 of the constitution, in January described the disbursement of funds to the judiciary in piecemeal as unprocedural, unconstitutional, null and void.

Edo Speaker declares lawmaker's seat vacant for defecting to PDP By Simon Ebegbulem

ENIN— THE Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, yesterday, declared the seat of the member representing Etsako West Constituency I, Mr. Abdulrazak Momoh, vacant for defecting to Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from All Progressives Congress, APC. The Speaker, Mr. Uyi Igbe, during plenary of the APC lawmakers at the Old Assembly complex in Government House, Benin, said the lawmaker ’s defection did not follow due process. He said Session 109 (1g) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, empowers the Speaker to declare the seat of a lawmaker, upon defection to another party from the party he was elected, vacant. He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to fill the vacant

position within 90 days. The 14 APC legislators loyal to Igbe have been at loggerheads with the nine PDP legislators out of which six were suspended for alleged misconduct.

They don’t obey court orders— MOMOH

However, Mr. Momoh described the action as laughable, saying the move was to truncate the legal

action instituted against APC legislators for allegedly forging his signature. According to him, the Speaker once said in the media that he (Momoh) was not suspended because of a pending legal action he instituted against the House, adding “and the court restrained them from suspending and declaring my seat vacant. It is already a known fact that they do

not obey court orders. “What they have done in Government House is null and void because the Government House is not the designated place for legislative activities. “To start with, there is a subsisting court order stopping the House from declaring seats vacant, suspending and stopping the remunerations of the defected lawmakers.”

NAOWA donates to widows in Port Harcourt By Jimitota Onoyume

ORT HARCOURT— PRESIDENT of the Nigeria Army Officers Wives Association, NAOWA, and wife of the Chief of Army Staff, Mrs Felly Minimah, has donated food items and other relief materials to 1,043 widows of soldiers that died in active service. Making the donation yesterday at the 2 Brigade, Port Harcourt, Rivers State,

Mrs Minimah expressed hope that it would mitigate the pain they suffer as a result of the death of their husbands. Items donated included toiletries, wrappers, yams, bags of rice and gallons of oil. She said: “The gesture aims to assist the poor and the less-privileged women and widows in the barracks by providing them with food and other items to

enable them take care of their children. “Under 82 Division, we have visited and distributed so many of these items to women in Makurdi, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Bayelsa, Elele (cantonment in Rivers), and now Port Harcourt barracks to put smiles on faces. “This distribution of relief items will continue throughout the country until more women and families benefit from the initiative.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014 — 13

14—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014

Burutu group seeks Jonathan's intervention in EPZ crisis

GROUP, Burutu I n t e g r i t y Development Initiative, has appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to settle all rifts capable of igniting another round of crises in the Niger Delta, “especially the issue of the Export Processing Zone, EPZ, gas project.” The group, in a statement by its President, Shedrack Agediga and Lucky Ezebri, said: “Mr. President should call on all concerned in the EPZ gas project to carry the affected communities along through acquisition of land, contracts, developmental projects, employment among others.” It also condemned the killing of innocent Nigerians by the Boko Haram terrorist group, pleading with them to release the abducted Chibok schoolgirls unconditionally. The group said despite the security challenges, President Jonathan, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, Senator Idris Umar, Minister of Transport and the Director General of NIMASA made sure that the dream of creating a Nigeria Maritime University at Okerenkoko came to reality.

Thugs invade Oredo LG over alleged move to impeach chairman By Simon Ebegbulem

ENIN—THERE was tension, yesterday, at Oredo Local Government Area secretariat in Benin, Edo State, as suspected political thugs stormed the council to protect the council chairman, Mr. Osaro Obaze from allegedly being impeached by councillors. However, the councilors, who had impeached the leader of the legislative arm, Mr. Monday Ebegbai and his deputy, Enshe Esobaifo last Thursday and elected Mr. Nohayi Obaseki as the new Leader of the House, denied allegation that they intended to impeach Obaze. They said eight of the 12 councillors passed a vote of no confidence on the former leader due to his alleged high handedness and dictatorial tendencies. However, the council boss, Mr. Obaze, who addressed newsmen yesterday, said he does not recognise any leadership change in the legislative arm. He said: “The only person I know as the Leader is Monday Ebegbai and I am not aware of any problem that will warrant his impeachment.” On the presence of thugs in the council, he said: “They are party youths who heard that I was to be impeached. They came on solidarity. But I have asked

them to go that there is no cause for alarm.” However, the newly elected Leader, Obaseki told newsmen “ we made changes in the legislative arm on July 24. We are 12 councillors and

the House rules states that two-thirds, meaning at least eight members, can move a motion for the impeachment of the Leader or Deputy Leader. And that was exactly what happened on that day.

NUJ, CLO task Bayelsa govt on agric devt By Samuel Oyadongha

ENAGOA— THE Bayelsa State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, and Civil Liberties Organisation, CLO, have called on Governor Seriake Dickson to give priority to the development of agriculture and the rural communities. Both organisations also agreed to partner to sensitise the rural populace against the use of hard drugs, which they noted can be linked to increased wave of piracy and kidnapping in the state. The call was made yesterday when CLO paid a courtesy visit on the leadership of the NUJ. The two organisations agreed that Bayelsa State has potential for sea foods and timber, stressing the need to redirect the minds of the youth to self-employment. They commended Governor Dickson for ongoing construction efforts in the state, especially roads in the Central and West senatorial districts, and the monthly transparency briefing. State chairman of NUJ, Tarinyo Akono, said there was the need to educate the people

on the dangers of hard drugs which intake, he noted, had become high in some rural communities in the state. Akono also tasked the state Ministry of Health and National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC, to check the activities of peddlers, who sell fake, expired and adulterated drugs in rural communities. Earlier, state chairman of

O R T HARCOURT— Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin, has reinforced the anti-kidnap unit of the Police for efficiency.

Ogunsakin told newsmen, yesterday, in Port Harcourt that the command would create two additional units in two Area Commands in the state, adding that residents should be courageous enough to assist the Police

with useful information to combat crime in the state. He said the Police command was set to launch a Stop Kidnapping campaign in the state tomorrow, noting that the essence of the programme was

CLO, Nengi James lamented the negative implications of piracy, noting that women could no longer go to the coast to buy sea foods for sale in Yenagoa. On development of rural communities, the two organisations urged the state government to give serious attention to the establishment of the proposed Bayelsa State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, BASOPADEC.

G-7 mobilises for Jonathan By Festus Ahon

GHELLI—DELTA State Coordinator of G-7 Patriots International, a political pressure group, Mr. Kenneth Gbagi, has expressed the readiness of the body to work with all interest groups in the state in the realisation of the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015. Speaking with newsmen shortly after a sensitisation

Rivers Police reinforce anti-kidnapping unit By Jimitota Onoyume

“A motion was moved by Mr. Dan Ize-Iyamu, representing Ward 10 and seconded by Osayeni Ukato, the only Peoples Democratic Party, PDP councillor representing Ward 6.”

to raise the antikidnapping consciousness in the state. He said: “We are not doing it because kidnapping has gone up, but because we want to wipe it out completely in the state. ”

visit to the state, during a courtesy call on the Chief of Staff to the Governor in Asaba, Gbagi said the group will go round all the wards in the state to mobilise support of Jonathan’s 2015 presidential ambition. He urged the people of the South-South not to relent in their support for President Jonathan, describing him as a worthy ambassador, who deserved the continuous support of his people.

Vanguard , THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014 — 15

ABA PRAYER VIGIL: Victims

of carbon monoxide inhalation recount ordeal, thank God A

BA—SURVIVORS of the carbon monoxide inhalation incident at a prayer vigil in Aba, Abia State, last weekend, have continued to thank God for saving their lives. The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that they are now recuperating at the Austin Graces and Goodness and Mercy Hospital on Okigwe Road, Aba. Relations of 15 of the 16 persons who had gone for the prayers on Eziukwu Road on Friday, found them unconscious on Saturday, while one person died in the incident. Mr Uchechukwu Sylvester, one of the affected persons, narrated their experience in an interview with NAN from his hospital bed. “It was Friday night and we went for tarry night at Eziukwu road. I can tell you that we started the prayers by 10 pm. “Within some hours, I don’t know what happened. I don’t know what kind of spirit that visited us; what we noticed was that some of us were falling to the ground. “At a point, our coordinator took the microphone and rounded off the prayers after which he himself fell to the ground. “That was all I knew until I saw myself in this hospital on Sunday being fed by one of my brothers with rice,” he said. He praised God for bringing them back to life.

Another victim, Mary Nwankwo, who suffered ear blockage in the incident, said she was getting better. “My ear is opening little by little now. I thank God for saving us. I thank God for keeping us alive. May God who did it be praised,” she said. Giving his own account of what happened, Kalu Ogbonnaya, a

fashion designer, said they were praising God during the prayer meeting and all of a sudden, one of them fell flat and did not move his body. Soon, another person fell to the ground and others followed one by one but they never knew what was happening to them. He, however, said that they suspected it was the Holy Spirit

moving in their midst. He said he soon became weak and fell down and wanted to vomit but could not, adding that that was all he knew until he woke up in the hospital the following day. Ogbonnaya thanked God for saving their lives from perishing at an all night prayer meeting.

CONFERENCE: President of African First Ladies Peace Mission, Dame Patience Jonathan (right), with the First Ladies of Mozambique and Namibia, at the 8th Stop Cervical, Breast and Prostate Cancer in Africa Conference, SCCA, conference in Namibia.

STREET LIGHT PROJECT: Contractors beg Imo govt

for payment By Chidi Nkwopara

W E R R I — CONTRACTORS handling the installation of street lights in Owerri, Imo State, have appealed to Governor Rochas Okorocha to clear government’s N25 million indebtedness to them. The contracting firms lamented that on completion of the project,they were paid only 50 per cent of the total contract sum, on the premise that there was insufficient fund at the time to complete the bill approved by Governor Okorocha. They noted that since July 11, 2013, when government made the first payment, all efforts made to collect the outstanding balance from either the Ministry of Public Utilities or the State Accountant General, had proved abortive. The aggrieved contractors reminded the governor that they were currently indebted to commercial banks and other finance houses, where they borrowed money for the

execution of the contract. They advised the governor to quickly clear the bill, as well as reconcile with all indigenous contracting firms currently being owed.

The contractors contended that defraying the debts by government would not only assist them defray the bank loans but also help them take care of their family needs.

All efforts made to reach the Accountant General for her comments on the issue failed, as her staff repeatedly said she was not in a position to speak with the press.

EBOLA: Bishop seeks urgent end to

doctors' strike

By Vincent Ujumadu

WKA—THE Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, has called for quick resolution of the dispute between government and striking members of Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, in view of the dreaded Ebola disease threatening the health of Nigerians. Bishop Ezeokafor, who made the call at Umuona in Aguata local government area of Anambra State, said with the Ebola virus scare now in the country, it was important that the striking doctors returned to work to be able to contain the possible epidemic that could result from the disease. While urging government to dialogue with the doctors to find a common ground to end the

impasse, the cleric enjoined Nigerians to turn to God and pray that the very infectious and fast killer disease did not spread in Nigeria. He said: “Every profession has its ethics and for the doctors, I know it is life first. If you strike by not treating people, they will

die and I appeal to the doctors and the government to resolve this crisis so that they can continue to save lives. “There is not enough excuse to give when someone who the doctors can save dies and my appeal is that in the interest of the masses, let them go back to work."

Anambra govt, Thailand bizness community to partner on agriculture

W K A — GOVERNOR Willie Obiano of Anambra State said yesterday that his administration was willing to collaborate with the Thailand Business Community to boost the state’s a g r i c u l t u r a l programmes. Obiano gave the indication when the Nigerian Ambassador to Thailand, Amb. Chidi Okafor, paid him a courtesy call at the Governor ’s Lodge in Awka. He noted that Thailand was renowned as one of the major producers of rice, cassava, maize and other key crops his administration was targeting in his agricultural revolution programme. The governor said that a state delegation would soon visit Thailand to expand knowledge on production techniques of the key crops. He expressed the hope that the collaboration would help stem the increasing number of Nigerian youths in Asian prison, including Thailand, over drugrelated offences. Responding, Okafor assured Obiano and the people of the state that the Thailand Business Community would support the government in its developmental programmes, especially in the agriculture sector. He said that Thailand would provide skills and technical assistance to the state in diverse agricultural activities. According to him, Nigeria has enough rainfall to grow any crop and restore agriculture as the primary foreign exchange earner.

2015: Cleric predicts Gov Orji's successor

By Eric Ugbor

BA—AHEAD of the 2015 general elections, a cleric, Rev. Chisom Ekwonna, says God has revealed Mr. Friday Nwosu to succeed Governor Theodore Orji as the next governor of the state and urged the PDP not to hesitate in nominating him for the position. Ekwonna, who is a minister of

Victory House Chapel of Living Seed Ministries, Lagos, has in past media interviews, accurately predicted certain events which include Chief M.K.O Abiola’s annulled victory at the 1993 presidential election, Gen. Sani Abacha’s death, removal of Nuhu Ribadu as EFCC boss, demise of late President Musa Yar’dua as well

as Jonathan being sworn in as acting President, despite stiff opposition by a certain cabal. Others include the prediction of Boko Haram insurgency almost a year before it took place; Ikedi Ohakim’s loss at Imo State gubernatorial poll in 2011 and the manifestation of Governor Orji’s legacy projects during his second tenure.

16—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014

Alleged nonempowerment:

Ex-militants vow to disrupt Shell operations By Joseph Erunke

BUJA—A group of trained ex-militants have threatened to shut down the operation of Shell and its affiliates in 10 communities of the Niger Delta hosting Southern Swamp Associated Gas Solution Plus Project, SSAGS,if it failed within the shortest possible time to live up to its social corporate responsibility. The group accused the oil giant of not only empowering youths outside the 10 communities but also engaging contractors and workers from other areas at their detriment. A statement released yesterday, in Abuja, and signed by Mr. Tissa Ebiotukebena, commander of exmilitants from the host communities of the Southern Swamp Associated Gas Solutions Plus, Mr. Teitei Timipamoweia and Keke Angulu, both chairman and secretary of the group respectively, asked President Goodluck Jonathan, Governors Seriake Dickson and Emmanuel Uduaghan of Bayelsa and Delta states to call the oil firm to order. The statement read: “We wish to draw your attention to the looming communal crises deliberately caused by Shell in EgbemoAngalbiri, Agbidiama, Ogbotobo, Agbayama, Peretorugbene, Tamogbene, Norgbene, Amabolou, Oweigbene and Ojobo communities which are the host communities to the Southern Swamp Associated Gas Solution Plus Project, SSAGS. “The SSAGS project is one that has a lot of potential to empower host indigenes and benefit the above named communities collectively short and long term if contracts, socioeconomic and environmental responsibilities are handled with transparency."

VISIT: From left: Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services), University of Lagos, UNILAG, Professor Duro Oni, Managing Director, Chemical & Allied Products, CAP, Plc, Mrs. Omolara Elemide, General Manager, International Business Development, AkzoNobel, United Kingdom, Mr. Wim Bramer, and Dean, Student Affairs, UNILAG, Prof. Olukayode Amund, during a courtesy visit by the CAP Plc's team to the management of UNILAG in Lagos, yesterday.

Monarch threatens to sue Enugu govt over dethronement By Tony Edike

N U G U — SUSPENDED Chairman of Enugu West Traditional Rulers Council and Traditional Ruler of Amadim-Olo, Ezeagu council of Enugu State, His Majesty, Hayford Agana, has threatened to drag Enugu State government to court over the withdrawal of his certificate of recognition. The monarch said he would demand N20 million as damages from the state government for the embarrassment caused him on account of the withdrawal of his certificate of recognition should the government fail to reverse same. The state government in a letter by the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Matters, Pastor Emeka Abugu, had suspended the monarch over alleged refusal to hand over “assets of Enugu West Traditional Rulers Council, a Toyota Bus and sum of one million naira to the new executive, despite appeals from the council and Ministry.” Abugu said in the letter that the suspension took effect from last month. In a letter addressed to

the Secretary to the State Government in which the monarch conveyed his intention to sue the government, he stated that the vehicle in question and the one million naira were personal gifts to him by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu. Explaining that the bus was not the property of Enugu West Traditional Rulers Council, the monarch, who attached the receipts of purchase and other transactions concerning the bus, said it was in appreciation of his support to the Deputy Senate President. He added that the one million naira which he (Ekweremadu) gave him on the day of delivery for maintenance was equally shared with other traditional rulers. He narrated in the letter by his counsel, Peter Eze, that Governor Sullivan Chime had in 2013 convened a meeting of all recognised traditional rulers in the state, where he dissolved the zonal executives of the council and appointed new ones, adding that Igwe Samuel Uka was appointed to succeed him.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014 — 17

What a crowded week that was a woman clad in female garb to exude feminity with a brazier affixed to his chest. The suspect was arrested while trying to fizzle into a crowd of onlookers when the patrol team arrived the scene”. Well, Well, Well! Saturday newspapers had a field day feasting on DHQ’s ‘earth-shattering’ revelation! THE NATION lead with three pictures in tow: “KADUNA BLAST ‘MASTERMIND’ ARRESTED”; SATURDAY PUNCH screamed “SOLDIERS ARREST BOMBER DISGUISED AS WOMAN IN KADUNA”, it also carried three pictures of the ‘mastermind’.

Pictures of the mastermind SATURDAY VANGUARD also had three pictures and its bullet point caption read: “MAN DISGUISED AS WOMAN ARRESTED”. In true tabloid fashion, SATURDAY SUN blew up a picture of the queer young man along with a smaller picture showing the ‘mastermind’ in an ill-fitting

brazier, and a screaming headline: “FACE OF BOMBER”, plus a bullet point “SUSPECT BEHIND KADUNA BLASTS DISGUISED AS WOMN, ARRESTED”, attributed to the Military. It seemed the media became wittingly, part of a propaganda blitz by an under fire security apparatus, which needed some success story and given the scale of the bombers’ criminal ambitions and their high profile targets, they needed to quickly arrest ‘suspects’ or ‘masterminds’ of any description, even the most absurd. And the national feeling for some good news was equally exploited through the reportage. Otherwise, the media should have been more circumspect about any piece of news from DHQ and especially, Gen. Chris Olukolade. Wasn’t he the same individual who announced to an expectant nation that the abducted Chibok girls had been freed, only for us to discover that we had been conned? But there is a far more

nuanced issue that was lost in the arrest of the alleged “mastermind”. This was the cultural angle that won’t be lost in Northern Nigeria. When I saw the pictures posted, I was convinced that the “mastermind” was actually a transvestite, a typical DAN DAUDU, available in cities of

HAT has a poor transvestite (the Northern phenomenon of DAN DAUDU) got to do with Nigeria’s security challenge today? Everything apparently! Last Saturday, practically every Nigerian newspaper front page carried pictures of a young man, dressed like a woman, arrested as suspect, in the attempted assassination of General Muhammed Buhari in Kaduna. It was certainly a day of madness in the city that I reside in. There had been an earlier attempt on the highly revered Islamic scholar, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi. Many lost their lives in these attempts, but Nigeria was spared of unthinkable horror had the terrorists succeeded in claiming the lives of two of the most popular individuals in Nigeria, certainly in Northern Nigeria, today! Following the crimes and to be seen as pro-active in the socalled ‘war on terror’, Nigeria’s embattled security forces effected an arrest at the scene of the attack on General Buhari. The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) announced “the capture of a man it described as the mastermind of Wednesday’s botched suicide attack on former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari”, according to THE NATION newspaper of Saturday, July 26, 2014, “the suspect was arrested at the scene of the blast in Kaduna dressed like a woman. His true sex was established only after his arrest”. Gen. Chris Olukolade, Director of Defence Intelligence, who issued the statement, said the suspect “had disguised as

It is good that our security forces have become more proactive in their anti-terror war. Nigerians should support the endeavour; but they need a nuanced appreciation of the cultural complexities of society, so that they won’t be on a wild goose chase, while real terrorists plot their evil against all of us Northern Nigeria. I do not for one moment say that there might not be a security angle to his presence at the scene of crime. The security forces must ferret that out painstakingly. But the “mastermind” seems either a DAN DAUDU or has dressed as one, to exploit a cultural/ sexual phenomenon that is easily recognizable in a

God bless our Blessing Okagbare

WAS tension-soaked on Monday night as sprinters lined up for the final of the Women’s 100 meters at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, in Glasgow, Scotland. This was directly because Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare was one of those searching for glory. She won her semi-final race, posting the fastest time of all the athletes including the favourite, Veronica Campbell-Brown, many-time World and Olympics Champion. At the 2012 London Olympics, Okagabre had similarly run a fast semi-final of 10.92secs., but was to come last in the final with an underwhelming 11.01secs! It was a painful disappointment for the courageous young lady that has become a visible ambassador of Nigerian athletics. She carries herself with so much grace, determination and modesty. But back to Monday night. Even the commentators tipped Blessing Okagbare to do something spectacular because of the way she had attacked her heats and semi-final. When the starters gun boomed, our Blessing got a marvelous start and by the seventy-fifth meter, it was clear she was headed for the first position. She dusted a star-studded line up and by posting a new Commonwealth record time of 10. 85seconds, Blessing Okagbare

broke Debbie Ferguson’s twelveyear-old record of 10. 91seconds.It was a most wonderful evening for Nigerian sprinting, recalling the glorious eras of Nigerian domination of Commonwealth sprinting. I saw a jubilant Governor Emannuel Uduaghan of Delta state in the stadium and recalling what Uduaghan did to promote the young lady’s career, I sent him a congratulatory text. Emmanuel Uduaghan supported Blessing Ukagbare’s career through the generous provision of training grants to assist her, ensuring that she could train in relative security.

Relative security That meant that she could choose the meets to participate in, in line with a programme worked out with her coaches. The result is that she can pace herself according to her programme and peak at the right time for the most important competitions. We must not underrate the importance of this level of support, for any athlete or sports person. During the 1990s, Nigerian sprinters were some of the best in the world. But they had to depend on participation in the lucrative athletics circuit to earn a livelihood. They were often left

to their devices by the nation’s athletics authorities; so by the time the major international events come and all of us are expecting these athletes to excel, they were already burnt out by the exertions in the circuit. Burden bearer: It was this problem that Emmanuel Uduaghan took away from Blessing Okagbare and it was therefore no surprise, that the young lady did all of us proud in Glasgow. I was so delighted on Monday night that I posted a short piece about Blessing Okagbare on the Nigerian Collective online forum. This must be the third piece I have written about this young ambassador of Nigerian sports in the past two years. I think her examples of commitment, gracefulness and patriotism should be widely recognized, celebrated and emulated in Nigeria. Blessing Okagbare is a noteworthy representation of the best of Nigerian womanhood and youth and I talk as a father of four daughters, that our girls, ladies and women possess remarkable qualities that should be encouraged and nurtured for national development. I think every positive female role model should be publicised, especially in Northern Nigeria, where the

Northern Nigerian setting. I was still thinking about the issue when a DAILY TRUST report revealed the arrested “mastermind” as being a certain Mansir Yusuf; his mother is a Zubeida Yusuf resident in Mando, in Kaduna. Zubeida gave credence to my suspicion that the chap was the typical “queer”. Zubeida said: “my son is not a terrorist. What is wrong with him is an evil spiritual attack which is making him to prefer women’s clothing and to act as one who is mentally retarded. Everyone in Mando knows that he only has a spiritual condition that is making him to act strangely. He often dresses normally from home, but whenever he gets to an uncompleted building, he would go in and change to female clothes. He usually carries his bag. He has been taken to the Village Head

force of tradition has often been used to hamstring the education, advancement, social and sporting participation of our women. There is no society that can reach the level of development that it aspires to or deserves, where the women are not given the ambience to flower. I think in a very young country as Nigeria is today, with 63% of our population being under 25 and 75% under 35, we need to redouble effort to provide the ambience for the flowering of our young in positive, nation building endeavours. And what is more edifying as the field of sports? Young people have tremendous energy to burn and are always full of ideals. We need to provide the outlets to creatively and positively direct this energy otherwise, they will find the negative outlets, since nature is said to abhor a vacuum. We must revolutionise our sports, in the manner that the late Chief Isaac Akioye did during the 1970s, which then provided the platform for Nigerian dominance of many sporting disciplines and a consistent development of elite sportsmen, into the last few decades. Blessing Okagbare has once again shown what our young people can be about. May God bless our lovely Blessing Okagbare, the Commonwealth sprint champion!

several times and has been flogged in the hope to cast away the spirits, but the spirits have remained and have continued to torment him”. This was the “mastermind” that DHQ, through General Chris Olukolade, presented with gusto to a shocked nation at the weekend! The YAN DAUDU lives on the margins of Northern Nigerian society; they prowl and have sexual liaisons with people, from all strata of our society. They are a queer subset that society is aware of, tolerates but does not necessarily approve of! That explains why the mother said the “mastermind” suffered an “evil attack”. During the 1990s, I spent a whole week tracking down a group of YAN DAUDU in the Abedi Area of Sabongari in Kano, to interview them for the BBC World Service. It is good that our security forces have become more proactive in their anti-terror war. Nigerians should support the endeavour; but they need a nuanced appreciation of the cultural complexities of society, so that they won’t be on a wild goose chase, while real terrorists plot their evil against all of us. But honestly the pictures posted of the alleged “mastermind” of the Kaduna assassination attempts, did not convince. They seem to have arrested a DAN DAUDU who is in the wrong place at a tragic moment. DHQ must show that it has not gone after a soft target as a convenient straw man, because of the pressure for success in the anti-terror war. And while on this, may they also act just as fast, to arrest the “masterminds” who murdered in cold blood, three sons of Sheikh Ibrahim Elzakzaky in Zaria, last weekend.

18— Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014 SADLY, the current doctors’ strike, like the series of strikes that preceded it, would not change anything. The reason is simple – it is not based on sustainable principles. Doctors want improvements on their welfare, not even facilities for their work. More indefinite strikes would occur as any gains from the present struggle would be lost to the weaknesses of the economy. Inflation is real. Wages do not match inflation. Doctors are over-worked; ironically there is a high level of unemployment among young doctors. Things are so bad that students in medical school cannot find places for their housemanship, the mandatory training that attaches them to medical facilities. The strike is said to be indefinite. The issues are almost infinite. While doctors are pressing for better wages, the public is worried about the quality of private and public medical services. For the 24 demands doctors are making, the public can list more demands from the profession. President of the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, Dr. Lawrence Obembe, said the strike was based on

BY KENNEDY EBIKAGBORO

HERE comes a time in the developmental process of every society when the desired opportunity or quest for true and indelible growth and development beckons like a shining light with insurmountable illumination and transparency in the face of the deep. By this, the dark cloud and delicate interface ravaging a society or nation gives way for new hopes, yearnings and aspirations for a better and brighter tomorrow. However, more often than not, the society allows this great opportunity usually personified in distinguished eminent personages who have distinguished themselves to fritter away on the altar of shortsightedness. And by this collective myopia is a society denied and deprived strategic success factors of transformational significance to the overall success and good of the society to the detriment of the populace. On the contrary, even when these great leadership opportunities are lost, they still have a way of manifesting through fortuitous combination of circumstances or by divine grace of providence to the utmost good of the people. Long before now and shortly after the official pronouncement of the 2015 general elections date, the biggest challenges staring many, including my humble self, in the face was that of getting an effective and efficient successor regarding the governorship seat in Delta State. A successor endowed with both experience and proven track record of sound leadership pedigree and antecedence. Doing an appraisal of the many

Unending Doctors' Strikes failure of the Federal Government to meet doctors’ 24-point demand. Many meetings and interventions by Ministers of Health and Justice proved futile. It is remarkable that NMA is embarking on this strike in defiance of an interim injunction by the National Industrial Court, Abuja. The court order forbade the strike by all health workers. It halted the implementation of agreements reached with government until the substantive case before it was resolved. Before the law, the strike is illegal. For the public, the avoidable loss of lives is something people cannot understand. Doctors are demanding a full recognition of their primacy in the

medical profession. They want discontinuation of appointing nonmedical doctors as directors and consultants. Other issues include specialised duty allowances. The frequency of these strikes has become uncontrollable and untenable. It is difficult for the public to understand what doctors and the health sector workers really want. It gives the impression that doctors are putting unhealthy union politics above their Hippocratic Oath, which places saving of lives above every principle in the conduct of medical doctors. Complications of the demands are that other health workers start their own strike to prove they are equally important, thus resulting in endless disruptions. How would government manage the endless strikes? A health sector that can work smoothly, with the various interest groups finding their rightful places and getting what is rightly due to them is possible. Governments and unions can use the same well laid down best practices that have served other societies so well that wealthy individuals, often at public expense, travel abroad for medical care. Nigerians are tired of strikes, especially ones that cost lives.

OPINION A golden fish in a fishbowl governorship aspirants in Delta State now, the young and dynamic Olorogun David Edevbie stands out as a Golden Fish in a Golden River. This is because he is an experienced technocrat of international repute with a proven track record of excellence in leadership laced with integrity, accountability, openness and transparency. It was on account of his leadership experience and resource management expertise that he was called upon by the Chief James Onanefe Iboriled administration and the good people of Delta State in 1999 to serve as Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning. He had on account of this left his prestigious and lucrative position in the Commonwealth Development Commission, CDC, in the UK. As a commissioner, he laid a grand and indelible financial management structure as well as transformed the economy of the state through various economic empowerment initiatives he pioneered and piloted. Exuding abundant confidence and dynamism as a newly appointed commissioner faced with challenges of restructuring and reorganisation, one of the first issues he tackled was the failure of the Federal Government to pay the minimum 13% derivation revenue due to oil producing states as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution. Following a sustained campaign by the Delta State government, the Federal Government finally capitulated and

i n c r e a s e d the payment of derivation related revenue from 1% to 13% from January 2000. Simultaneously, Mr. Edevbie transformed work attitude, increased the efficiency and effectiveness of the Ministry of Finance and modernised its information and cash management systems. During his tenure among other things, Mr. Edevbie introduced the monthly cash budget for payment of contractors, ensured the timely preparation and publication of the Delta State Governments Audited Accounts (the first State in the country to do so), designed and implemented the government’s privatisation policy, established the highly successful Delta State Small Business Loan Guarantee Scheme, floated the Delta State Revenue Bond and successfully obtained an A+ International Credit Rating for Delta State – thereby becoming the first government in the country to do so. At the end of his first tenure in 2003, David Edevbie attended the prestigious Harvard Business School Advanced Management Programme, AMP, to prepare himself for higher profile duties. On completion of the programme, David was reappointed as Commissioner of Finance and remained in office until November 2005. In late 2006, In recognition of his strong interpersonal skills and proven abilities to plan, organise and coordinate activities, Mr. Edevbie was invited by one of PDP’s presidential candidates, Governor Umaru

Musa Yar’ Adua to join his small campaign team as Director of Finance and Strategy. As a founding member of the highly successful campaign team, Mr. Edevbie was responsible for coordinating the campaign and ensuring that its operations were properly funded. In addition to providing leadership and direction to finance and administration staff and ensuring that the campaign was successful, he was also responsible for developing and implementing an effective system of accounting and managing the payroll system. He was equally responsible for the development and implementation of campaign strategies that enabled Yar’ Adua to be chosen as the presidential candidate in December 2006 PDP primaries and subsequently win the April 2007 presidential election. Notably, Mr. Edevbie was part of the small creative team that conceptualised and designed the highly successful “Seven-Point Agenda” campaign slogan and was responsible for c o m p r e h e n s i v e l y articulating the policy priorities of the President-elect in a development blue print document titled “The Nigerian Project Agenda” which was subsequently adopted by the incoming Federal Executive Council. In July 2008, in recognition of the significant role played in the Presidential Campaign organization, President Yaradua appointed Mr. Edevbie as Principal Secretary to replace the out-going Chief of Staff. *Mr. Ebikagboro, a political scientist, wrote from Warri, Delta State.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014— 19

HE recent attack on the convoy of General Muhammadu Buhari, former Head of State and a national leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, by a suicide bomber in Kaduna is a wakeup call to all politicians that the time has come to close ranks and stop playing politics with the issue of terrorism. The incident, which was part of a coordinated attack involving two explosions about two hours apart, bore the trademarks of the dreaded terror group, Boko Haram. Although Buhari and popular Islamic cleric, Sheik Dahiru Bauchi, who was also purportedly targeted, survived the two separate explosions, scores of persons lost their lives. Coming soon after Buhari, rather unfairly, accused President Goodluck Jonathan of declaring war on Nigeria, the attempt to eliminate the former Head of State has already generated ridiculous and unsubstantiated accusations from some uncharitable and clearly mischievous political elements. It is precisely this sort of political gimmickry which has not served the nation well in these times of

crisis that must be avoided. Even without a statement from Boko Haram claiming responsibility for the acts of terror in Kaduna, what is fairly obvious is that such heinous crimes are typical of the handiwork of the group. It should also be fairly obvious to any discerning observer that creating distrust and disunity among Nigerians is a strategy that Boko Haram has been pursuing since it began its campaign of terror. Thankfully, the strategy continues to fail. For this reason, the tendency of some unpatriotic politicians to knowingly or unknowingly play into the script of the terror group all in the name of opposition politics must be condemned without reservation. The point that must be made to all Nigerians, whether they belong to the active political class or not, is that politics of any sort (opposition or otherwise) can only be possible when there is still a united and peaceful nation called Nigeria. If politicians are in doubt that they cannot indulge in their political shenanigans when there is chaos and confusion in the land, they should look to Central African Republic, Somalia and South Sudan for

guidance.

t is telling that, after a recent Boko Haram bomb attack in Abuja, Buhari himself said: “My heart breaks every time I take to this platform to offer condolences in this tormenting season of seemingly endless violence. I understand that it is difficult for the government to prevent every terrorist attack, but we can always do more to protect our defenceless citizens by boosting our intelligence and counter-terrorism capabilities.” According to the former Head of State: “Our security and stability cannot be conditioned on any ideology

A seaman in exile from the sea

ODAY, we remember the Polish-born English intellectual giant, Joseph Conrad (1857-1924). We owe today’s title to his expose in his famous novel The Secret Agent - Lord Jim: “His incognito, which had as many holes as a sieve, was not meant to hide a personality but a fact. When the fact broke through the incognito he would leave suddenly the seaport where he happened to be at the time and go to another – generally further east. He kept to seaports because he was a seaman in exile from the sea”. Whether one is talking of desertion from the military or about government officials who want the job but hate the work, Conrad is relevant in today’s Nigeria, from top to bottom. The penultimate week, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. KTJ Minimah, apparently at the point of frustration, cried out: “But we need to have a thorough recruitment because mind you, there is high level of unemployment on ground; most people want jobs and if that job means joining the army, fine. It is a source of employment. However, when the reality of the military service comes, he drops his rifles…”. Clearly, they want the job but hate the work. This phenomenon is not new. Far into the Nigerian civil war, the Chief of Army Staff at the time, Gen. Usman Katsina, kept telling us that we were engaged in police action, not war. A bulk of the youth who had been attracted into the army by the glamour of the uniform and the posturing of the average soldier in Lagos only began to realise what they had signed for on the way to the war front. Many of them bailed off between Ore and Benin City. In times of war, our soldiers would rather prefer postings to Pay and Records where, as hostilities intensify, the fewer people that eventually appear alive for their pay, the better for them. They would pay some and roll some into their pockets,

hence the appellation “pay and roll”. Ideally, a soldier should know that the moment he signed for the army, he has signed for war; and he has signed for death, in the same tradition of the Lebanese student who, while writing his exams with a pen on the right hand, would have the fingers of his left hand glued to the trigger of his gun. A way out of the type of predicament facing Minimah could be to domicile the army recruitment as near as possible to the war zone, such that anyone being recruited could be hearing the sounds of war. By nature, the human element is basically hedonistic. He is always seeking pleasure and avoiding pains. But a man must look the role he wants to play. At the top, what do we say about a man who has virtually firmed out all the flavour of the highest office in the land? We have written extensively on the value of the State of the Nation Address, which would have provided a unique opportunity for the President to x-ray the political, economic and social health of the nation. It would present the President a golden opportunity to showcase himself and his administration’s policies and programmes. Before now, the moment a Nigerian President was sworn in, he looked forward, with enthusiasm, to every opportunity to appear before the National Assembly, in just the same way that an American President looks forward to the opportunity to appear before Congress to deliver his State of the Union Address. Even in times of illhealth, we have never heard of the Queen of England delegating the delivery of the Message from the Throne to anyone. Our Presidents have suddenly developed a phobia for appearing before the National

or partisan agenda. Every Nigerian reserves the right to his own security, to his own freedom and dignity, and no amount of terrorist blackmail can make us surrender these. May God unite our hearts as we confront this evil.” These words of sympathy from Buhari underscore the need for Nigerians of all political ideology or partisan agenda to stand united in the fight against terror. Similarly, not so long ago, President Jonathan commended General Buhari for his statesman-like views on terrorism when the former military leader published an article on the subject in the print media a little while ago. According to a statement issued at the time by Reuben Abati, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Jonathan welcomed “Buhari’s call on all Nigerians to remain steadfast and work in unity to overcome terrorists and other merchants of death who currently threaten national security.” Abati further said that President Jonathan shared General Buhari’s view that a minority must never be allowed to “bring the nation to its knees through terror.” In supporting the call for the political class to unite against terror rather than indulge in unhelpful political grandstanding, Chief (Dr) Tony Anenih, Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Board of Trustees, BoT, reminded Nigerians that:

Assembly to present their annual budget estimates. It started from President U m a r u Yar’Adua. The 2007 and 2008 proposals suffered more than four deferments each in the dates of presentation before they finally limped into the National Assembly. Since Goodluck Jonathan became

BY SUFUYAN OJEIFO

That bombing of Buhari’s convoy

It should also be fairly obvious to any discerning observer that creating distrust and disunity among Nigerians is a strategy that Boko Haram has been pursuing since it began its campaign of terror

Besides whittling down the glamour of the supposedly highest office in the land, we are being denied the opportunity of hearing, first hand, the policy direction of the administration

President, the default on the issue of budget presentation has grown incrementally worse. We lost count on the number of deferments suffered by the 2011 and 2012 appropriations.

y 2013, the entire thing got to a head: Jonathan advanced various reasons, many of them ludicrous, for the footdragging. When he said he had been informed that a section of the National Assembly had planned to boo him, this column reminded him that booing had since become a veritable instrument for expressing opposition in parliament. We drew his attention to some turbulent sessions of the British, Canadian and other

“When militant gunmen attacked a shopping mall in Kenya, killing many people and holding many others hostage, the opposition leader, Raila Odinga, stood right beside the President, Uhuru Kenyatta, while the latter was addressing Kenyans on the dastardly attack.” Anenih also said: “Boko Haram is a threat to Nigeria and to our democracy. The insurgency is not against Jonathan as an individual; rather it is against the Nigerian state. That is why our collective efforts are needed to tackle the challenges. All Nigerians, irrespective of their regional, religious or political affiliations, should be united in supporting the Federal Government and all the security agencies in the fight to end terror in our country.” As Nigerians of all faiths and regions join General Buhari in thanking the Almighty God for sparing his life against the machinations of terrorists, the point must be reiterated that the attack on him (the former Head of State) is a pointer that no Nigerian is safe from terrorism. As such, the last thing the country’s political class should do is continue to politick with the issue of terrorism. It is a pastime that will not bring any good to the polity. *Mr. Ojeifo, a journalist, wrote from Abuja.

parliaments. While the Prime Ministers were being booed, they waded through with their presentations and were finally applauded by the government bench. That’s leadership! President Jonathan finally delegated the presentation of last year’s budget to the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Besides whittling down the glamour of the supposedly highest office in the land, we are being denied the opportunity of hearing, first hand, the policy direction of the administration. This power erosion must be checked before it degenerates further. Were the doctrine of Separation of Powers to function properly, we would soon get to the point where the National Assembly could delegate the Sergeant-At-Arms to receive the budget speech from the Minister. Happy riddance as our nation glides into obscurity! We lost the leadership long ago. Our President once claimed that he knew so much about the insecurity question but he would not speak out for fear of being attacked. And we have no business going to Sambisa forest when we can safely wait to dance “azonto” with the girls after their release! Is anyone still looking for those who want the job but hate the work? In the footsteps of Minimah, we must all begin to cry out that those who are supposed to be our leaders are always behind like the tail of a horse. In the life of a nation, nothing portends graver danger than this!

20 — Vanguard, THURSDAY THURSDAY,, JULY 31, 2014

decide to dump refuse on the roads where nobody can claim responsibility”. Mr. Coker said that due to the traffic situation on the Oshodi/ Apapa Expressway, PSP operators now mop up refuse on the road only on Sundays. He said: “We say we want Lagos to be clean. To achieve this, everybody must discharge his or her responsibility towards making Lagos a clean city. Making Lagos a clean city is a collective responsibility. So, it is the duty of every Lagos resident to contribute to the cleanliness of the city. We cannot achieve a clean Lagos where some people are trying to make it clean, others are trying to sabotage the effort”. To check the situation, Coker said PSP operators, LAWMA and local government councils in the state are trying to set up a monitoring team to check indiscriminate refuse dumps in the state.

By Kingsley Adegboye & Olasunkanmi Akoni

AGOS residents had thought that the days of refuse heaps on the streets of Lagos metropolis were over. What gave rise to this optimism was the various initiatives introduced by the Lagos State Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, to address the problem. These included the incorporation of the Private Sector Participation, PSP, operators to collect and dispose refuse on behalf of the residents, introduction of highway managers to sweep the highways and the ban of cart pushers, to ensure proper disposal of refuse in the state. But the recent return of refuse heaps on the medians of major highways and inner roads across the sprawling city, particularly at weekends, is heightening residents’ fears that refuse dumps are returning to Lagos streets. For instance, on the Oshodi/ Apapa Expressway, it is common to see heaps of refuse in locations such as the popular Cele BusStop, Ijesha Bus-Stop, Mile 2 and Otto Wharf. These heaps of refuse are usually found on the median of the dual carriageway. These areas are highly commercialised, which explains the indiscriminate dumping of refuse at different spots. Refuse dumps are also a common sight at different spots on the Lagos/ Badagry Expressway, particularly the Okokomaiko stretch as well as Jakande Low Cost Housing Estate, Mile 2, Ojuelegba, Boundary in Ajegunle area of Lagos, Isolo, LASU/Iba Road, Alaba International Market, Ikotun and

•Refuse dumped on Mile Two last week

Return of refuse on Lagos roads? •LAWMA/PSP operators not doing their job —Residents •Residents to blame —PSP operators •There’s no cause for alarm —LAWMA boss sabotaging the efforts of others to ensure that the city is kept clean. Akabogu, however, noted that though the sweepers and refuse collectors are trying, they should do more. Taofiq Salawu, a resident at Raimi Street, Orile, on his part,

When residents wait for PSP operators and they are nowhere to be found, they have no option than to deposit their refuse on the streets or any available space

Makoko areas of the city. In most cases, it was observed that refuse heaps were left uncleared for several days. However, while some residents commended the efforts of road sweepers and PSP operators for keeping Lagos clean, others were of the opinion that the refuse situation in the metropolis had not met their expectation, especially for a city that prides itself as a mega-city. For a trader at Cele Bus-Stop, Mr. James Akabogu, there is no reason for refuse heaps to continue to remain on Lagos streets considering the efforts of road sweepers and PSP operators who work virtually everyday, including weekends and public holidays. He blamed those who still dispose refuse indiscriminately on roads, saying that they are

bemoaned the reappearance of refuse heaps on Lagos roads and the fact that they keep increasing. He added that if PSP operators are not forthcoming to collect refuse, LAWMA, the authority responsible for waste management in the state, should mobilise trucks to evacuate same. According to Salawu: “When residents wait for PSP operators and they are nowhere to be found, they have no option than to deposit their refuse on the streets or any available space. It is all of us that will suffer it if there should be an outbreak of epidemic.” Adebayo Ojo on Yusuf Adejumo Street, Alaba, said they have long been waiting for their PSP operator to collect their refuse but he has not shown up. He noted thus: “Our waste has been outside for days now; that

is why people started emptying their dustbins indiscriminately because they cannot wait any longer. Sometimes some people dump in the drainage channels, and that is why we continue to have flood in the area.” He, therefore, called on LAWMA to intensify effort to regularly clear refuse heaps in the area to avoid outbreak of diseases. Balogun Oke, a trader at Iyana-Iba market, Lagos lamented the filthy state of the market, blaming LAWMA for failing to put incinerators where traders can dispose their used products. He said: “The filthy state of this market is worrisome because of the health implication, especially the danger this poses to human life. In fact, the LAWMA officials are to blame because I had expected them to provide at least six incinerators where we can dispose our waste. But since a dump site is not provided in the market, traders are left with no option but to dump their refuse along the LagosBadagry Expressway.” Evelyn Ogaga, another trader in Boundary Market, Ajegunle said: “The LAWMA men usually come here once a week. So, that is why the road leading to this market is stacked with piles of rubbish. Assuming they come everyday,

this situation will be contained. On account of this this, we are usually left at the mercy of the Lagos State Ministry of Environment. Earlier this year, this market was closed for weeks because of the filthy state of the market. It was not until all the traders in the market contributed the N6 million fine imposed on us by government, that we were allowed to continue trading here.”

Most residents refuse to pay for services—PSP operators Meanwhile, Chairman, Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria, Mr. Bode Coker, has blamed the return of refuse on Lagos streets on the attitude of some residents who, he said, often refuse to pay for services of PSP operators. He added that it is for this reason that many residents now choose the night to dump their refuse on the road. According to Coker said: “I am not claiming that PSP operators are perfect, but the refuse you see on the roads in most cases are as a result of those who don’t want to pay for refuse collection. They don’t want to pay; at the same time, they cannot live with the refuse they generate. And because they must dump their refuse somewhere at all cost, they

LAWMA boss reacts Managing Director of LAWMA, Mr. Ola Oresanya in his reaction dismissed the claim that refuse is gradually returning to the state saying: “It’s not correct that refuse is back in Lagos.” He, however, admitted that the refuse generation in the state has risen from 10,000 to 12,000 tonnes per day which is quite huge. Oresanya attributed the increase to the cosmopolitan nature of the state with its attendant population explosion of over 22 million in a relatively small land mass. According to Oresanya, there are over 375 Private Sector Participants and over 950 refuse trucks, including LAWMA trucks. He said that given the cosmopolitan nature of Lagos State, it was expected that large volumes of waste would be generated by the people regularly. Oresanya who expressed determination of the state government in rising up to the occasion of ensuring filth-free Lagos, identified unwholesome attitude of most of the residents as well as indiscriminate dumping of refuse as a major challenge to the agency in recent times. He stated: “In Lagos we generate daily average of about 12,000 metric tonnes and you know what 1,000 tonnes looks like; 1,000 tonnes will fill 100 trailers. Lagosians still have this bad habit of throwing wastes from their cars and still dumping wastes in unauthorised areas. Though the habit is reducing but it’s a major one and we are addressing it while we will continue to appeal to them, (residents) through sensitization and moral suasion.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014 — 21

Nigeria lagging behind in tax administration among emerging markets — KPMG By Jonah Nwokpoku

IGERIA is lagging behind in tax administration among emerging markets, according to a survey carried out by a finance and account services firm, KPMG. In the survey, Nigeria recorded a tax burden to GDP ratio of 4.7 percent, one of the lowest in the Sub-Saharan Africa. Nigeria’s tax burden is lower than that of Rwanda, Ghana, South Africa and Botswana which recorded 13.1 percent, 14.6 percent, 27.3 percent and 28.1 percent respectively. Giving insight on taxation in Nigeria in the survey report, KPMG explained that despite recent successes of the Federal Inland Revenue Service and some State Inland Revenue Services, Nigeria still lags behind other emerging markets in an evaluation of tax revenue as a percentage of gross domestic products, GDP. “One of the key reasons for this is the fact that a large proportion of economic activity that is generated by small and medium scale enterprises exist in the informal sector and outside tax net. Although these enterprises have experienced growth over the past decade, government has not captured their earnings in tax revenue due to a variety of compliance and enforcement issues,’ the report noted. Respondents in the survey therefore called for timely conclusion of tax audits and issuance of tax clearance certificates, timely review of self assessments, elimination of multiple taxation, and issuance of guidelines to clarify ambiguous issues, elimination

From Left: Abass Sambo, Deputy Managing Director, Swipha; Joyce Ugwu, Director Food& Drug Services of Federal EMinistry of Health; Mr. Colin Cummings, Chairman/ CEO, Swipha; Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu and a visitor during the presentation of GMP certification certificate to the company, in Lagos. of tax audits and implementation of electronic payment platforms for all taxes in order to improve the tax administration. They added that while

By Franklin Alli

HE federal government will soon introduce a new standard for energy saving

3,193.00 -5.00 17.14

0.09

108.13 1.06 101.89 0.02 CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL SELLING DOLLAR 154.73 STERLING 263.2576 EURO 208.5296 FRANC 171.541 YEN 1.5222 CFA 0.2986 WAUA 237.2832 RENMINBI 24.9757 RIYAL 41.2569 KRONA 27.9609 SDR 237.9593

155.23 264.1083 209.2035 172.0953 1.5271 0.3086 238.0499 25.0569 41.3903 28.0512 238.7282

luded to the prevalence of an adversarial atmosphere which forces the hand of tax payer based on the fear of causing disruptions to their businesses. 60 percent of the

FG to introduce new standards for household appliances

1.55

179.85

recognising the need to grow tax revenues, there is clearly a need to expand the tax base so as not to over burden the formal sector. The respondents also al-

respondents say that the administration system is inefficient and over 40 percent say it encourages them to pay their taxes. The report therefore noted that the trend implies that tax systems are reliant on enforcement mechanisms which leave businesses with only the option of complying with the government’s assessment. At the launch of the survey in Lagos, KPMG Nigeria’s Partner and Head of Audit Division, Tola Adeyemi said the survey sought to feel the pulse of the Nigerian Chief Financial Officers (CFO) on the outlook for their businesses, how far they believe the evolution of the finance function has come visà-vis internal audit and risk management and their opinion on the definition of the ideal finance functions and how it can be attained. “Our findings reveal that CFOs are cautiously optimistic that their businesses will continue to thrive in the year ahead. This is a strong outlook that is driven by expectations of growth and cost containment. However, they have also identified the need for the government, regulators and other stakeholders to address their dominant concerns of power, regulation and tax administration in order to improve the external environment in which their businesses operate,” he said.

155.73 264.959 209.8773 172.6497 1.532 0.3186 238.8167 25.138 41.5236 28.1416 239.4972

CBN Exchange rate as at 30/07/2014

bulbs, refrigeration and air conditioning appliance, said Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON). Based on this, SON in collaboration with the United Nation Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has set up a Technical Committee to review the old standards for household refrigerating appliances in the country. The Director General of SON, Dr. Joseph Odumodu said the new standards will set minimum performance requirements on refrigerating appliances which

include energy consumption. He noted that one of the challenges facing energy supply in the country is the challenge of appliances consuming more energy than required making energy unavailable. Odumodu who was represented at the Technical Committee’s Meeting, by the Head, Electrical and Electronics Department, SON, Mr. Richard Adewunmi, said that the meeting is an integral part of energy efficiency project on three identified household appliances which include lighting, refrigerators and air conditioners. “The objective is to ensure that consumers will have opportunity on using efficient appliance which will reduce energy consumption by household thereby making energy available to more users. Once the standard is approved, importers and manufacturers will not be allowed to bring in or sell any appliance that falls short of the standard,” he stated.

According to him, when the new standards are approved by the Council of SON, it will become part of the SONCAP project for controlling import of these appliances into the country and it will also serve as the MANCAP for made in Nigeria refrigerating appliances. He added that SON will organise a stakeholders’ meeting with manufacturers, importers, marketers and user of the appliance in order to publicise the new standard. “I will like to use this opportunity to appreciate the UNDP for funding the project and citing the test facility in SON and to assure all experts invited to be part of this technical committee, that the document you will come up with will be put to maximum use for the benefit of Nigerians and the power sector. “I am pleased to inform you that the test equipment re-

quired for testing the refrigerating appliance based on this new standard has been acquired and paid for by the UNDP and engineers that will use the equipment already trained. The equipment will be shipped to Nigeria before the end of the year,” he said. Also speaking at the event, the National Programme Coordinator, UNDP, Global Environment Facility (GEF) Nigeria Energy Efficiency Programme, Mr. Etiosa Uyigue stated that the overall objective of the initiative is to improve the energy efficiency of series of end-use appliances used in the residential and public sectors in the nation through sensitisation and awareness creation; support for formulation of appropriate policy guidelines; establishment of energy efficiency testing laboratories; human and institutional capacity building and creation of enabling environment for increased penetration of energy efficient appliances.

22—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014

By educating your referral sources, your prospective clients will be pre-qualified; therefore they will already know more about you

BUSINESS

Why referral marketing is so effective BY HOWARD PARTRIDGE

Your Network is Unlimited As you begin to build relationships with powerful referral sources and you get your clients to refer you, the network continues to grow with no end in sight.

NAIRA EXCHANGE RATES Date 25/7/14

advertising. The cost is very low for referral marketing. Even with a Referral Reward Program, the cost is still extremely low compared to most advertising.

Higher Quality Clients Since Mercedes clients seek out a referral, you get higher quality clients just from being “referral based. Referred clients usually don’t even ask about the price. They are more concerned about quality than price.

High Returns The returns can potentially be huge. In many industries a 4 to 1 return on investment on advertising dollars would be outstanding. In other words, if you invested $1,000 in advertising, you would get an average of $4,000 in return. With referral marketing, if you pay a 10 percent referral reward and everyone cashes in on it, you will have a 10-to1 return.

Pre-Qualified Clients By educating your referral sources, your prospective

Returns Guaranteed With a referral reward, you don’t pay it until after the

With referral marketing, you are no longer fighting for the best ad placement or getting copied. Relationships are hard to duplicate

clients will be pre-qualified; therefore they will already know more about you (and that you charge more than the commodity or service level company). People Trust Referrals Wouldn’t you agree that referrals already have a level of trust for you? Sure they do. They trust you because the person they trust knows you. Reduces Competition With referral marketing, you are no longer fighting for the best ad placement or getting copied. Relationships are hard to duplicate. Low Cost With the right referral marketing system, you won’t spend money on expensive

product or service is paid for. With traditional advertising, you put your money on the line and hope for a return. Small-Time Investment The biggest objection I get to referral marketing is “time. See next point to overcome that challenge. Exponential Multiplication Would you be interested in how investing just a few minutes a day doing something really fun would give you a return of over $10,000 in new business each and every month after six months? Of course you would. Even though I can’t guarantee it, I have seen it happen many times. *Source: Ziglar.com

Currency DOLLAR STERLING EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL KRONA SDR

Buying(N) 154.73 263.2576 208.5296 171.541 1.5222 0.2986 237.2832 24.9757 41.2569 27.9609 237.9593

Central(N) 155.23 264.1083 209.2035 172.0953 1.5271 0.3086 238.0499 25.0569 41.3903 28.0512 238.7282

Selling(N) 155.73 264.959 209.8773 172.6497 1.532 0.3186 238.8167 25.138 41.5236 28.1416 239.4972

HE greatest lessons you’ll ever learn will most likely be from your own experience. But entrepreneurs can also learn a lot from the advice and experiences of others, as long as they allow themselves to be teachable. Every entrepreneur must know that one of the best ways to gain information, inspiration and education is by reading books. The following books could be considered mentors and teachers as they reveal skills and lessons that can possibly shave years off learning curve, and save money from avoidable mistakes. Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook by Gary Vaynerchuk. This is a bestseller on how to connect with your customers and beat out the competition. The author is a social media expert and lays out the social media strategies that work, including six rules for storytelling on social media platforms. There are individuals out there who still believe social media is a waste of time or that it doesn’t produce results. This book gives you actionable advice to run with regarding storytelling, content and social media. The CMO Social Media Handbook by Peter Friedman: Managers, leaders, and executives will find this book extremely helpful as it details real-world advice readers can implement right away. The author gives tips on developing long-term social media plans, developing a social media identity and creating effective, wanted content. Many companies have selfdestruct on social media, either because they said something wrong or didn’t say anything at all. The CMO Social Media Handbook provides the tools necessary to avoid those situations and develop the social profiles that keep users engaged and coming back. Outliers by Malcom Gladwell. Think of all the greats, like Warren Buffett or Bill Gates or

Must-read books for every entrepreneur Oprah, the people revered for their business acumen. What makes them great? The book breaks down those questions, going into the logic of why they became great. It’s more than just great genes and a high IQ. Outliers go into the how and why people become legends. The book is inspirational. It talks about some of the most fantastic superstars ever, including the Beatles and Mozart. It doesn’t focus on the stars themselves, but rather what made them become a star. The author also breaks down sociological and psychological aspects of it, too, which is really interesting.

7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. It doesn’t matter whether you’re in college, just starting a business or managing a team,

this book is a must read for everyone. Unlike other business books, this isn’t one to just skim through. It was first published in 1990 and is still a number-one bestseller, having sold over 15 million copies. The lessons that Stephen Covey shares are critical to personal and professional development. The book starts off by discussing mindset change before anything else. That’s something important to anyone looking to grow themselves or their teams. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. This is another must-read book by everyone. First published in 1937, the author’s insights and advice have stood through time.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014—23

Serving the customers in a way that will create an unforgettable experience for them is a choice that all employees MUST have to make

& YOU

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COMMODITIES (30/7/14)

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Commodity Light Crude

Last 100.89

Natural Gas

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16.67

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Coffee

181.65

+0.95

+0.53

Cocoa

3,198.00

+21.00

+0.66

First Things First by Stephen R. Covey. Entrepreneurs already know that the most valuable asset is time, but not every entrepreneur knows how to properly use that time. At first glance, First Things First may seem like just another productivity book but, as you’ll learn, true productivity is not about getting more things done in less time but rather doing things that matter with the time you have. The book focuses on the most important habit: putting “first things first.” Anyone who implements even a fraction of what is outlined in this book should begin to see a dramatic shift in his or her life. Built To Sell by John Warrillow

You may have heard the advice “Have an exit strategy” when starting a business. But not many entrepreneurs have considered what it takes to actually sell a business. In Built To Sell, Warrillow presents a compelling case for entrepreneurs to approach their business from the perspective of selling it one day. While this may seem counterintuitive for the passionate entrepreneur who loves his or her work and wouldn’t want to stop doing it, the real genius of this approach is that it can help readers create more value in their business. Namely, developing a business that is built on systems rather than a legacy business for which the founder has his or her hand in every day-to-day affair. That’s just not scalable. The book is written like a story, which makes it easy to follow along — unlike other business books which are more like text books. Choose Yourself by James Altucher There are two pivotal moments for every entrepreneur. The first is when they choose to become an entrepreneur, and the second is when they take 100 percent responsibility for their success or failure. The book is about that second part — taking responsibility. It’s not enough to simply want success or to believe in the possibility of success. Instead, every entrepreneur must face the reality that nobody else is responsible for you. Altucher speaks from experience as someone whose story takes so many twists and turns that you may find yourself loving him and becoming frustrated with him at the same time. But ultimately you’ll probably arrive at the same conclusion he did — that we must choose ourselves if we wish to succeed. This book can be is a wake-up call for entrepreneurs who have not taken the reigns of their life and business. Culled from Entrepreneur.com

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Company

Oando

Dangcem

Stanbic

29.09

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178

179.05

1.05

Wapco

120

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25.47

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27.94

232

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Seplat

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176.45

172

Glaxosmith

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Reshaping organisations to be more customer-focussed BY ‘UJU ONWUZULIKE

“If we don’t take care of our customers, someone else will”……..Unknown

imply ask about ten CEOs and their employees how customer oriented their organisations are, and you will be amazed at their glowing answers. They will always answer in the affirmative. Why then do we have customer service failures in various organisations? What most organisations have not realised is that, they are not meant to be the judge on how well or exceptional they customers have being treated or served. They are not to set questions for themselves to answer. The customers will have to decide who is serving them well or not. In order words, exceptional customer service should be viewed from the angle of the customer and not the organisation. It is possible to think that you have treated a customer well and that same customer is not thinking so. Your services and products should be tied to the needs of the customer. In the last decade, organisations have made huge investments training their employees on customer service. Personally, I think training on customer service has surpassed other areas, and that means that most leaders of organisations know the benefits of treating the customers well. Truth be told, treating customers aright is not only for leaders or senior management in organisations but for all employees – on payroll. Every employee must be an advocate of an exceptional customer service. Like Walt Disney said, “Do what you do so well that they will want to see it again and

bring their friends”. Let this question be on the lips of every employee at any given service rendered: Sir/Ma, with this service I have rendered to you, would you be able to bring your friends or relatives to patronise us? A yes answer means you have done very well, while a no answer (or not yet) means you still have more work to do. Serving the customers in a way that will create an unforgettable experience for them is a choice that all employees MUST have to make. Let’s paint a picture on our minds. We all hold parties when it is necessary. During the party, the host has just one

All marketing and sales teams should have a copy on hand, as the messages shared help readers learn to deal with people. In order to get any business done, you have to have a solid relationship built. Whether it’s with a person or a brand, relationships keep business going. The different ways that the book teaches how to navigate through situations will have an effect in every conversation you have.

Change ($) -0.08

Do what you do so well that they will want to see it again and bring their friends

thing in mind, and that is to ensure that all the invited guests are well taken care of. What the host has done is to “focus on the outcome”. You might ask: does holding a party has any correlation with running an organisation? The answer is yes. Both cannot do without guest (people or customers). Any organisation that opens its door for business is holding a party and requires guests to attend (requires customers to patronise). The way out to resolving customer service failure is to begin to see our customers as invited guests to a party in which we are the hosts. It’s our job to make their stay all through the party very comfortable. It is also every employee’s job to make every important aspect of the customer experience a little bit better. Points to ponder: It is no more enough for organisations to assume they are customer focused by mere word of mouth. To determine if your organization is really

customer-focused, all you need to do is check whether or not you have the following characteristics: Are you “close to the customer”-especially senior executives (i.e., do you see, touch, feel, meet and dialogue with them face-to-face on a regular basis out in the marketplace)? Do executives include the customers in their decisions, focus groups, meetings, planning and deliberations? Does your organisation know and anticipate the customer’s needs, wants and desires— continually, as they change? Is surpassing customer needs the driving force of the entire organisation? Do you survey the customer’s satisfaction with your products and services on a regular basis? Does your organisation have a clear “positioning” in the marketplace vs. the competition in the eyes of the customer? Does your organisation focus on Creating Customer Value—i.e., “valueadded” benefits to the customer such as: Quality and reliable products and services, Individual Customer Choices, Customer Responsiveness, delivery, speed, Customer Service, relationships? Does your organisation set quality customer-service standards and expectations that are specific and measurable to each department? Are each department’s customer service standards based on customer input and/or focus groups? Does your organisation require everyone to experience moments of truth by meeting and servicing the external customer directly...at least one day every year? Does your organisation focus and reengineer the business processes based on the customer needs and perceptions...and do it across all functions? Is your organisation structure focused and based on the marketplace—i.e., structure the organisation by customer markets (1 customer =1 representative)?

24 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2013

IMF warns of potential risks to global growth BY BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE, WITH AGENCY REPORT

he International Mone tary Fund (IMF) has warned that sharp increases in interest rates may cause global economic growth rate to decline by two percent over the next five years The Fund stated this in a report assessing how individual national policies could interact to undermine the world economy. The IMF also warned that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine could reverberate to the rest of the region if sanctions against Russia escalate, hitting natural gas supplies to Europe and weakening European banks. The resulting impact could prompt further gyrations in financial markets, in contrast to the recent period of market calm, the IMF said in its ‘spillovers’ report. In its worst-case scenario, the IMF said the United States and United Kingdom could tighten monetary policy sooner than expected, leading to higher borrowing costs worldwide, even as key emerging market growth slows a further 0.5 percentage point over the next three years. The two developments would reinforce each other, prompting slower growth and hurting in particular those emerging markets with large economic imbalances, such as Argentina, Brazil, Russia and Turkey. As in past reports, the IMF

said monetary tightening in rich nations would have limited negative impact on the rest of the world if it was wellcommunicated and prompted by better growth prospects. The impact could also be muted if higher U.S. and UK rates come as the euro zone and Japan continue monetary easing, though this “asynchronous” tightening could cause more global exchange rate volatility. Central banks in the United States, Japan, the euro zone

and Britain sharply lowered rates to boost growth in the wake of the global financial crisis, but Britain and the United States are now preparing to reverse course. The IMF said the more sluggish expansion in the developing world, long the engine of the global recovery, was increasingly likely due to structural, not cyclical, factors. The IMF has downgraded growth projections for emerging markets by a cumulative 2 percentage points over the

last four years. It now expects their annual growth to slow to a 5 percent rate over the next five years, from an average of 7 percent growth from 2003 to 2008. “Given the significant and rising contribution of (emerging markets) to the global economy over the past few decades, their recent slowdown could have far-reaching implications,” the IMF said. Emerging markets affect the rest of the world largely through trade and financial channels; a 1 percentage point slowdown in emerging markets leads to a quarter of a percentage point loss in advanced economies, the IMF said.

From left: Mrs. Yetunde Oni, Head, Local Corporates, Standard Chartered Bank (SCB), Mr. Kunle Ade-Ojo, Managing Director, TNL; Mrs. Bola Adesola, Chief Executive Officer, SCB; Mr. Ibude Guobadia, Head of Sales, Transactional Banking, SCB, during a courtsey visit by Chief Executive Officer of SCB to Toyota Nigeria Limited (TNL).

Sterling Bank pledges support to states for economic devt

terling Bank Plc said it has put in place a robust strategy to support states with developmental projects capable of transforming the economy of the states and uplifting the living standards of the people. This support, according to the Bank would come in terms of provision of professional advice across all sectors and funding for the actualization of key projects. The Bank’s Executive Director, Finance & Strategy, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman who spoke against the backdrop of the recent sponsorship of the Bayelsa State Investment & Economic Forum by the Bank said that Sterling Bank had already entered into partnerships with states pursuing robust economic development agendas aimed at transforming their states. Mr. Suleiman who insisted that collaboration efforts between the private sector and governments at all levels remained the only panacea for economic transformation of the nation’s economy, said that the Bayelsa State Investment & Economic Forum had succeeded in bringing investors, potential partners and providers of funds into direct contact with the government for the state’s economic growth. Mr. Suleinman who attended the Forum said: “As a responsible financial institution, Sterling Bank will support any state with projects capable of transforming the lives of the people.

policy: Keystone Bank Union Bank’s half year profit falls by 32% Cashless calls for education on PoS BY PETER EGWUATU

nion Bank of Nigeria Plc has recorded 32.9 percent decline in its profit after tax (PAT) for its half year financial period ended June 30, 2014. The Bank’s Group results released on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, show that Profit After Tax dropped by N3.1 billion to N6.3 billion from N9.4 billion. Profit Before Tax , PBT also dropped by 33.67 percent to N6.5 billion from N9.8 billion .in half year 2013stood at N6.3 billion as against N9.4 billion recorded in 2013 The results also showed that gross earnings dropped by 11.7 percent to N49.6 billion from N56.2 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2013. The Bank posted an interest income of N36.6 billion as against N41.2 billion recorded in first half of 2013. Other results show that net interest income stood at N25.1 billion for first half of 2014 as against N29.7 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2013. Net operating income stood at

N36.0 billion as against N39.5 billion in 2013. The Group balance sheet of the Bank showed that loans and advances to customers was N261.1 billion, representing an increase of 47 per cent over N177.7 billion recorded in the June 2013. Customer deposits slightly reduced to N480.8 billion as against N482.7 billion recorded in December 2013. Other performance indicators show that total assets increased to N979.7 billion from N970.7billion recorded in June 2013, while shareholders’ equity increased to N198.3 billion as against N192.2 billion recorded in December 2013. Commenting on the results, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive of Union Bank, Emeka Emuwa, said: “The second quarter of the year saw the continued implementation of our transformation initiatives, which are delivering results. The Bank continues to invest heavily in its technology infrastructure to enhance operations and customer service delivery; to date, all branch links have been upgraded to fibre optic connec-

tions. The Bank also continues to invest in people, hiring into key strategic senior roles. Notwithstanding the significant investments made in these areas, Union Bank maintained strong underlying performance and sustainable profitability. We remain focused on our long term strategic priority of ensuring banking becomes simpler for all our clients, whether retail, corporate or commercial.” Oyinkan Adewale, Chief Financial Officer, said, “The Bank’s loan book continues to grow, as we focus on driving business in key sectors of the economy, including Oil & Gas and Manufacturing. Loans are up by 55 per cent compared to same period for June 2013. The Bank has so far successfully completed the sale of four subsidiaries, with two other divestments almost completed, in compliance with CBN’s Regulation 3 and in line with the strategy to focus on core banking activities. The Bank is aggressively focused on recoveries, with N3.5 billion recovered in the first half of 2014 versus N1.5 billion for the same period in 2013.”

anaging Director and Chief Executive, Keystone Bank Limited, Mr. Philip Ikeazor, has called for more public enlightment to educate bank customers on Point of Sale terminals (PoS) He said this has become necessary to consolidate on the progress recorded by the cashless policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). In his assessment of the cashless policy at a media parley in Lagos, Ikeazor noted that given what happened to the Nigerian economy prior to the cashless policy; the country has come a long way. However, he said the only area that financial services providers should do more is in the education on PoS uptake. The Keystone Bank boss noted that it is only in the PoS that the market is slow in understanding the cashless policy. He said: “I don’t have the statistics here. But if you see the volume of cash that goes through Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and the volume of cash that goes through Internet transfer alone, it

shows that banks have improved in the country in terms of efficiency of transfers and cost reduction. “We should understand that before the advent of Internet banking and the advent of using ATM cards, we carried around huge cash with the inefficiency that comes with it. But, today that story is different. All that our customers require from us is to ensure that our channels work. “Banks have done very well in terms of Internet transfer, so have we at Keystone Bank. Banks have also done very well in terms of providing ATMs. The only place that the cashless policy requires education is the uptake of PoS machines.” The Keystone Bank boss, however, noted that Nigeria still has a long way to go in the cashless policy when compared with her counterparts abroad. “We have not reached anywhere in terms of what we have abroad. If we can get to that level, then we can get to the stage where PoS machines that can be used to send details and the money go straight into his account.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014 — 25

BY DAYO ADESULU

RIMARY and secondary schools nationwide will soon commence teaching of Natural Medicine in order to give pupils and students a head start in the knowledge and efficacy of natural medicine. This was disclosed by the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), Professor Godswill Obioma at the opening session of the planning and writing workshop for Natural Medicine Curriculum which held recently in Lagos for a week. According to him, issues in Natural Medicine that are pertinent to the lives of school children will be adequately infused into the curriculum, adding that the curriculum’s contents will be adequate in terms of coverage.

Teachers and learners His words: “The curriculum’s objectives will be well stated in simple terms; adequate in scope, measurable to a large extent and exhaustive in terms of knowledge, skills and attitudes. The activities of teachers and learners as regards the, curriculum will be comprehensive enough for the topics, it will be hazard free and will recognize the environmental and cultural

From left: Dr. Ibrahim Mouktar Maccido(Provost, Federal College of Education Zaria), Mr Okwoli matthew(Kogi State University), Mrs. Onyekwere Hilda Nwakaego(Federal Polytechnic,oko); Mrs. Ajibade Olayinka Olubunmi(Kwara State polytechnic); Mr. Kayode Emmanuel Olufemi(Registrar, Tai Solarin University of Education); Prof. Arubayi O. Diana(Delta State University); Prof. Peretomode Victor ( Delta State University);Mrs. Aina Patricia Itohan(Federal Polytechnic, oko); Prof. Faruk Haruna Rasheed(Provost, Niger State College of Education); Mrs. Kayode Elizabeth Oluwakemi(Tai Solarin University of Education); Prof. Chukwumerijie Okereke(Facilitator, University of Reading); Mr. Olasehinde Johnson Samuel(MD, Infinity Paints Limited) and Mrs. Joke Ogunsan(MD, Executive Trainers Ltd) at the training of top executives of tertiary institutions, organised by Executive Trainers Ltd in Chicago, U.S.A.

Primary, secondary schools set to teach Natural Medicine background of learners”. He further said: “The teaching and learning materials to be spelt out by the curriculum will be

comprehensive, available and affordable, can be improvised and will be appropriate for the age, level and experience of learners”.

E-library is the way to compete globally, says Alele Williams •As she inaugurates Ikorodu Community e-Library BY DAYO ADESULU

ROFESSOR Grace Alele Williams, former Vice-Chancellor University of Benin, has stated that for our children to compete favorably in their academic pursuit globally, e-library must be brought to the fore in every community to broaden their horizon. Alele Williams who is currently the Chairman Governing Board of City Profs Education Foundation told attendees at the inauguration of Ikorodu Community e-library that library initiatives are beneficial to all because; ”If our children are to compete globally, we have to build a library that will benefit the children most.” Speaking through Seun Fakoya, AleleWilliams asserted that Nigeria has a good number of primary schools but e-libraries are long overdue in this country. Citing a city like New York with about five bureaus, Alele-Williams pointed out that because of the priority placed on education, it C M Y K

has about 9,000 libraries, equipped to boost students' knowledge. She said, “What we have started at Bariga and Ikorodu is the seventh of its kind in Nigeria because as people we have a role to play.” According to her, in the United States of America, as far back as 1888, Edward Carnegie started building libraries and his fortune worth 400 million dollars was used to build libraries across the globe. “I think more people should emulate Carnegie because when you nurture people’s mind through education you are developing a nation.” she said. Laying the foundation stone Inculcate security of the 7th e-library subjects into the at Ikorodu by the curriculum, CPA, its Grand Amuwa tells govt Patron and the Pioneer Governor Continues on Pg. 28 page 26

The professor of Mathematics Education assured that since Nigerian curricula encourages learning by practicals and self-learning strategies, the content activities of the Natural Medicine Curriculum will be presented in practical oriented steps and stages that will enable learners see, touch, handle and feel, so that they can internalize what they learn and use it for solving health-related problems. The NERDC boss, who will be completing his second and last term in office next year, said that the development of the curriculum on Natural Medicine will bring to limelight the contribution of natural medicine to national healthcare delivery services as well as showcase the complementary role which natural medicine plays with

Dress codes and inevitable protests in universities

Pg. 30

western medicine, explaining that the knowledge about the efficacy of natural medicine has been part of the African culture before the reorientation towards orthodox medicine. He said pupils and students will be taught the use of plants and herbs to promote their well-being. Obioma revealed that the on-going development of the Natural Medicine Curriculum is in tandem with the current commitment of the Federal Government, to the promotion of Natural Medicine in the country. According to him, the Senate in April this year passed a bill backing the moribund Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Abuja, adding that the Senate

Continues on page 26

How firms help boost education sector in Nigeria Pg. 28

26 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014

Medical students, also ailing patients of Doctors’ strike BY LAJU ARENYEKA

From right: Mrs. Olugbemiga Benson, Chairman Ikorodu Local Government, Hon. Sheriff Anipole and pioneer governor of Lagos state Brig. Gen. Mobolaji Johnson at the foundation laying ceremony of Ikorodu Community e-library.

E-library is the way to compete globally, says Alele Williams Continues from page 25 of Lagos State Brig. Gen. (rtd) Mobolaji Johnson said, “The City Profs Academy Community Library Initiative (CPA-CLI) is a Public Private Partnership Initiative established to build and equip Community Libraries and ICT in the nation’s public education system.” According to him, the catchment area of the library would be limited to locations within walking distance of different schools thereby increasing convenience of visiting the library for after school programs at for no additional transport cost. Stressing the importance of libraries, Mobolaji noted that apart from raising the reading culture of the people most especially young school children, the foundation believes that education no doubt broadens one’s horizon as nurtured minds will affect a nation’s development.

The whole project had come under the supervision and guidance of CPA-CLI ably led by stalwarts such as Gen. Mobolaji Johnson, Prof. Alele Wiliilams, former interim president Dr. Ernest Shonekan, Mrs. Remi Agbowu, Mrs. Essie Kukoyi-the founder of CPA and other committed members of staff of the foundation.“

Laudable project In his speech, special adviser to governor Fashola (SAN) on education, Fatai Olukoga, congratulated the students and expressed his gratitude to the organisaation for bringing such a laudable project. According to him, putting up such project would go a long way in assisting the children greatly. “Government is doing its best but it cannot do it alone. That is why we need help from private individuals and organisations. This edifice when completed

will not only serve the students alone but the entire community”. Olukoga who advised the students to guard the building jealously when completed, stressing that getting involved in advanced fraud should be out of their minds while he implored the building committee to not only monitor the building to completion but ensure that it is well kept to serve its purpose. In his remarks, executive secretary of Ikorodu Local Government, Hon. Sheriff Anipole praised the foundation for its thoughtfulness, vision, commitment and selflessness, which has led to a lot of landmark achievements by the promising foundation in the entire state and beyond. He also commended them for their knack for education and knowledge, which is the bedrock of meaningful development and enduring advancement.

Primary, secondary schools set to teach Natural Medicine Continued from page 25 last month also commenced deliberations on a bill to establish the Complementary and Alternative Medical Council of Nigeria for regulating the practice of Natural Medicine. It was however, disclosed at the meeting that the fund for the development of the Natural Medicine Curriculum was provided by Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. After the completion of the

planning, writing, critique and editorial stages of developing the curriculum, Obioma explained that the curriculum has to be approved by all stakeholders of the education sector before presenting it to the Joint Consultative Council on Education (JCCE) and the National Council on Education (NCE) for scrutiny and final approval. Experts in natural medicine and specialists in curriculum from across the country participated at the week-long planning and writing

workshop. At the event were the; President, Natural Medicine Promotion Agency (NMPA), Dr. Ayodeji Amoo; Executive Secretary, NMPA, Dr. Chigoziri Moses; Professor Ismail Junaid, Director of Curriculum Development Centre, NERDC Professor Kate Nwufor, Director of Special Programmes Centre, NERDC; Dr. Moses Salau, the Director of NERDC SouthWest Zonal Office and other dignitaries.

RECENT study in the United Kingdom shows that one in ten children want to become medical doctors when they grow up. Although there aren’t available statistics in Nigeria, it only takes a cursory glance to suspect that perhaps even more Nigerian children hope for a career in medicine than their counterparts abroad. By the time the three Latin musketeers, Physics, Chemistry and Biology rear their difficult heads at the secondary school level, the phrase, ‘I want to be a doctor’, is less heard on the lips of the Nigerian child. Many are nudged in the direction of the Arts and the Social Sciences, and the others find love in the other sciences. When the unforgiving rain of admission crisis beckons, the number of students who make it into medical school are like the parts of the camel that miraculously pass through the eye of a needle. But this is just the beginning of a long, arduous journey. With no holidays, hectic schedules, and every failed course translated into an extra year in school, Medical students now have another obstacle to surmount-the ongoing strike embarked upon by the Nigeria Medical th Association which is now in its 27 day. Joy Ifelodun (not real name), is a fifth year student of Medicine at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital. Although she knows that the loss of her time is nothing compared to the lives already lost due to doctors’ inactivity in the teaching hospitals, she mourns another delay in her academic journey. "All clinical activities have been paused because there are no patients,’ she said, "from 400 level upwards, our postings are clinical, so there is not much that can be done when there are no doctors around." It is so tiring; they have been on strike for over twenty days now. We are just wasting a lot of time in school, and we have a very long way to go. We cannot learn if there are no patients in the wards, and if we are not learning, then our exams will definitely be postponed, and that means a much longer time in school.’

Roehampton provides workshops on online learning for Nigeria BY MUSBAUDEEN SHEKONI

EADING online learning institution, University of Roehampton, in partnership with online learning experts International Universities, will be holding information sessions on online learning in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt between June and September, 2014. According to the university’s Chief Academic Officer, Craig Marsh, the sessions are targeted at providing potential students, professionals and adult learners with information on the opportunities that are available in the online learning space and also offer insight into the University’s unique online learning model and range of available programmes. The initiative will bring together industry representatives and academic experts from the university to chart a path that will guide participants in expanding their educational outreach through online learning, with an emphasis on graduate education. The information sessions will commence with meetings in Port Harcourt on Saturday, June 8 and August 3 at Le Meridien Ogeyi Place, GRA from 11.00am, with no prior registration required. Information session for interested individuals that are resident in Abuja has been scheduled for Saturday, August 2, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja. More information on the information sessions is available on the university’s website. Said Craig Marsh: “The University of Roehampton’s online programmes are built on practical knowledge gained through a collaborative learning experience that can help students apply new skills directly in their careers. Deciding on a Masters programme is a big decision and these events will provide participants with useful information to aid the decision-making process. The University of Roehampton, London, has been providing quality education through its colleges for more than 170 years. The University has one of the most diverse communities of students in the United Kingdom and maintains a strong tradition of commitment to equality. Today, it continues this tradition of excellence by providing working professionals around the world with access to highquality online Masters degree programmes at an exceptional price.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014 — 27

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Enterprise Day: LASTVEB collaborates with successful entrepreneurs to mentor students BY DAYO ADESULU

AVING successfully fostered enterprise education among technical college students, Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board LASTVEB, has collaborated with successful entrepreneurs nationally and internationally to mentor technical students. Speaking at the second Enterprise Day held at NECA building, Ikeja, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola said that the direction of his administration for Enterprise Day is to promote networking with successful entrepreneurs so as to creat a formidable empowerment base. He noted that young entrepreneurs from the technical colleges now have the opportunity of embracing innovative ideas, envisioning the impossible and ultimately transforming the Lagos economy. He said: “Mentorship is therefore the key in addressing the gaps currently preventing these young aspiring entrepreneurs with competences and skills from successfully starting and sustaining business.” Fashola who spoke through the deputy governor, Lagos State Mrs Orelope Adefulere

stated that the state government will be providing free mentoring to all successful young entrepreneurs from the technical colleges, regardless of their position within the business life cycle, from those only starting out with one brilliant business idea to past graduates of the colleges with more established businesses. He explained that the mentoring services will allow the young entrepreneurs to connect with successful entrepreneurs locally and others across the country for advice and guidance. According to the governor with this support, we will be providing the needed platform and mechanism to transform the graduates of the technical colleges into change makers who can make their communities a better place. Also, the governor pointed out that the mentorship programme will bridge the gap between college and life after college, enhancing young people’s potential for success by making them approach life as entrepreneurs . Our initiative, he averred will ultimately transform young entrepreneurs' ideas into profitable and thriving business entities that will employ other Nigerians, contribute to local, state and the national economy.

Scholarship Walden varsity to offer M.S. scholarship to Health Education students

HE World Health Organization (WHO), once said that health education and promotion are crucial to improving outcomes in the prevention and control of disease and meeting the organization’s health-related Millennium Development Goals to help build a better world Walden University’s new M.S. In Health Education and Promotion. , one of the few online master’s programs of its kind, can prepare students around the world with the skills and knowledge to advance their career and meet the growing worldwide demand for qualified health education specialists. “Global healthcare is moving from a reactive sick model of care to a more proactive preventive model, and qualified health education specialists are needed to help guide the effort through educating individuals and communities about health, wellness and illness prevention,” said Dr. Michelle Burcin, director of the new program. “Walden’s M.S. in Health Education and Promotion helps prepare students to become qualified health education specialists, dedicated to helping others adopt healthy lifestyles, prevent injuries and disease, and improve their quality of life.” Walden has designed this program to reflect the Seven Areas of Responsibility for C M Y K

Health Education Specialists outlined by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC) and to prepare students to sit for the USA’s Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and Master Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES) exams. The M.S. in Health Education and Promotion is similar to Walden’s Master of Public Health (MPH) program, but with an emphasis on communication and education. Students explore emerging issues, core public health principles and best practices that they can apply globally to help encourage healthy behaviors, communities, and environments. Students can also choose a general program or specializations in Emergency Preparedness, Health Policy and Advocacy and Self-Designed. These programs, along with the B.S. In Public Health, Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) and Ph.D. In Public Health, form one of the largest online suites of public health programs available today. To help health services students and all other students achieve their goal of advancing their education, Walden is offering millions of dollars in grants, scholarships and tuition assistance when they start their program in 2014. To learn more about our online health degrees and tuition assistance, call an enrollment advisor at 1855-203-7874 or visitwww.waldenu.edu.

GRADUATION: From left: Mr. John Ojiakor, Proprietor, Pupils Heights School, Mrs. Adesoye, Mrs. Nwankwo Ikweuto, Chairman, Parents Teachers' Association, Mrs. Oti, and Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, Social Secretary, PTA, during the 2014 graduation and prize giving day ceremony of Pupils Heights School, Yakoyo, Ojodu, Ogun State.

HEN John D. Rockefeller was earning a meagre income of $3.75 per week as a clerk, he began saving 20 percent of his pay-check. He gave 50 percent of his salary to his church for charity and lived on the remaining 30 percent. In time, he established Standard oil, the largest oil company in America as at the time, while he continued to exhibit a giving spirit. Moreover, when the markets inflated the price of oil in order to make an exorbitant profit, Rockefeller would pump increased fuel into the market in order to force the fuel prices to lower once again. At age 50, he became the richest man in the world. But eventually, and unfortunately, he did not continue to heed to the principle that had once put him on top. He stopped giving out alms; and when he did so, he fell sick and the hairs on his head began to fall out and could eat only crackers and milk. Worry, greed, and fear wrecked his health. And soon, the doctors gave him just a few months to live. However, on his sick bed, he started to change the pattern of his thoughts and began to think of the various ways he could use his money to elevate humanity rather than how much money he could accumulate for himself. According to Dr. McMillen, “He began to sleep, to eat normally, and to enjoy life in general; into the soul of John D. Rockefeller came refreshing streams of love and gratitude from those whom he was helping”. His health was restored. Consequently, he established the Rockefeller Foundation, which was targeted to fight disease and ignorance all around the world. At age 53, he had been a “walking corpse”; but he lived to age 98. The mental and emotional state determines the physical state. The World Health Organization defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. Disease could be defined, as the mind not at ease. Negative thinking leads to negative emotions which trigger sickness and disease. When you can control and discipline your mental state, you positively influence your physical state. When you are upset; you upset the cells in your body. When you are burn out and stressed out; the cells in your body burns out and are stressed out. When your A tensed mind leads to mind is controlled and disorganized body functions disciplined; thinking right; which triggers illness orderly and calm thoughts your body system functions effectively. A tensed mind leads to disorganized body functions which triggers illness. To rid oneself of worry and nervousness which destabilizes emotional wellbeing is to live a life of absolute surrender to God. Once upon a time, a man was walking along a cliff when suddenly he slips and falls off. Fortunately, he was smart enough to grab on to the ledge; hanging there for his dear life. Eventually, he yells out, “Is there anybody up there who can help me? There was no response. He persisted, “Is there anybody up there who can help me?” Finally a big bellowing voice responded, “This is God. I can help you. Just let go and trust”. He yells again but this time, “Is there anybody else up there that can help me?” Therefore, let go and let God. Mentally see yourself rising above the confusion and irritation around you. Don’t get attached to circumstances around you but detach yourself from it. Remember, it’s not the circumstances or condition of life that overpowers or controls you but rather it is your thoughts about the circumstances that overpower you. One of the most common reasons for an unhealthy life is bad habits. Habits could be broken by breaking the chain of repetitive pattern that had held one captive by replacing the bad habit with good habit and repeating the good habit with greater intensity in so much that the opposing habits withers and dies. What triggers or stimulates our habits? Is it stress or tenseness? Is it the challenges of life? Whatever the reason for indulging in the habit we must begin by identifying it. You must learn to relax. Remember, let go and let God. You must rid yourself of worthless thoughts by letting go of negative emotions such as hate, anger, envy, feelings of guilt etc. Replace the negative with its opposite. You must believe that you can overcome the habits because God is willing and ready to help you if you ask for His help; you must also exercise your will power through self-discipline. Seek counsel from experts and people who have been through the same habits and have conquered it. When you dwell on healthy thoughts, flooding your mind with faith and love; you eat and drink right; you exercise and you live right you can then stay healthy all your life.

28—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014

College/Primary Education BY TARE YOUDEOWEI

Inculcate security subjects into the curriculum, Amuwa tells govt

HE 11th Valedictory Service and Prize Giving Ceremony of Krisbethel College, Shagari Estate, Ipaja, Lagos, has held with 27 girls and 25 boys graduating from thw 2013/ 2014 academic session. The ceremony which honoured parents and students alike, had Professor Samuel O. Aje as keynote speaker on the topic; The Nigerian youth and challenge of a dynamic socio-economic environment. Enlightening attendees on knowledge and its uses, Prof Aje said; “I congratulate the students who, after serious and persistent efforts to excel, are graduating today. Your being here today is as a result of your hard work and desire to succeed in life. You have acquired k n o w l e d g e , congratulations, but acquisition of knowledge is a continuum. To me, your present educational level is your starting point.” The former Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria French Language Village, Badagry, further said; “my dear grandaunts, I have good news for you, with education and its right application you can; learn

By TARE YOUDEOWEI

Cross Section of the 2013/2014 outgoing prefects of Krisbethel College handing over to new prefects of 2014/2015 session. At the 11th Valedictory service/Prize Giving Day 2013/2014 Acadmic Session of Krisbethel College held in Lagos. PHOTO: AKEEM SALAU

Learn your way out of trouble – Prof Aje your way out of trouble, poverty and give it all it takes to succeed. Remember that knowledge is wisdom. Education is a tool which has been placed in your hands today, use it to develop yourself and improve humanity.” Principal, Ms Solarin O. Oluwayemisi, sent the students forth saying; “Today class of 2014 is taking another step into a new stage of their life. Remember that the choices a person makes on various issues of life and at various points in time are the sole determinants of his or her positioning in life. This is so because in real life situation, both physical and spiritual dimensions of life are affected by every choice

a person makes. Therefore make right choices to safe guard your future. You are going into a world of freedom where the value orientation and the psychological atmosphere differs from that of secondary school, you need to be very careful. Particularly, mind the friends you keep.” For the grandaunts, the graduating Head Girl, Miss Dahunsi Eniola, affectionately said; “we admired our teachers and their detailed teaching method. We are thankful for the love, care and advice the proprietor, proprietress, executive director, principal, teachers and general staff gave to us.”

R. Richard Amuwa of the Society of Security Practitioners, has charged the Federal Government to infuse security subjects into the curriculum for the safety of Nigeria and its future. He made this call while speaking on the topic Education as a security tool on behalf of Colonel Shobo Nojeem rtd, at the 25th Speech, Prize Giving Day and Passing out Parade of Cadets from Air Force Secondary School AFSS, SAM Ethnan Air Force Base, Ikeja, held on the recently. The ceremony chaired by Mr P. Udochukwu had 219 graduates, parents and staff educated by Amuwa as he gave necessary security tips. His words; “to the government and educators, please inculcate

ISS Patience Brown of Apapa Senior High School, Apapa who scored 68% during the first stage of the competition has emerged overall winner of this year ’s 11 thMike Okonkwo National Essay Competition. Second position went to Precious Nwaigwe of St. Francis Catholic Secondary School, Idimu, Lagos, who scored 66% to emerge second in the second stage of the competition, interestingly, she came fourth, scoring 60% at the earlier stage. Also, Master Akinwande Akinboluwarin of Greater Tomorrow International School, Arigidi Akoko, Ondo State scored 63% at the first stage and 65% at the second to emerge third

position. The fourth position in this year’s competition went to Master David Oluwasoromidayo of Roshalom International Secondary School who scored 65% in the first entry but dropped to 64% in the second stage. According to the Chief examiner of the Mike Okonkwo National Essay Competition Prof. Akachi Ezigbo of the Dept. of English, University of Lagos, “The students who meet our carefully defined criteria are usually those who have and can express an informed opinion on contemporary issues of national significance proposed by the organizers of the competition. In assessing their entries, we look out for how much they

L-r: Master David Oluwasoromidayo Oluwatobiloba 4th Position, Miss. Nwaigwe Precious Amarachi 2nd Position, Prof. Akachi Ezigbo, Miss. Brown Patience 1st Position and Master Akinwande Akinboluwarin 3rd Position.

know of the issue, their capacity to express that knowledge in Standard English usage and their ability to follow tested methods of expressing knowledge acquired through observation, reading and experience” She stressed that in this year’s submission, out of the more than 2,000 submission that were given to her for assessment, “the

brother or sister and their uncle or aunt. That way they can draw a line and protect themselves to an extent.” He further gave the students security tips to help themselves as individuals thriving outside the security of the school and base, as he gave out rapid response numbers 767 or 112 to be used in event of strange sightings or emergencies.

L-r: Mrs Iroegbu R ,VP Academic, Air Cdr SS Okwuokei representing AOC, Wing Cdr IS Azubuike, Commandant ,AFSS , Ikeja, and Mrs Nwakanma C. at the 25th prize giving day of Air Force secondary school, Ikeja

ECOBA honours eleven Outstanding students

TUDENTS of Edo College, Benin City were last week Friday very ecstatic as the School’s prize giving day was reinstituted by Edo College Old Boys

Winners of Mike Okonkwo National Essay contest emerge

education in the curriculum. Security is a collective responsibility and not just for the armed forces. We need to be security conscious, observe details in our environments and stop takings things for granted or on face value. Parents, please give proper definitions of your relationship with persons to your children. Let them know that not everybody from the village is your

four candidates who scaled through the first stage proved their intellectual prowess in the second stage by satisfying our criteria.” For coming top in this year competition, Patience Brown of Apapa Senior High School, Apapa will get a cheque of N100,000, a Laptop, plaque, while the school gets three 3 set of Internet ready Computers and a printer.

Association (ECOBA), Lagos branch. Students of the school in SS 3 and JS 2 who distinguished themselves in the following subjects – Mathematics, English Language, Economics, Accounts, Fine Art, Agricultural Science, Physics and Biology in the 2013/2014 academic session were recognised and honoured with plaques and cash prizes. A total of eleven students were given prizes as Master Audu Donald, an SS III student emerged as the best student in English Language, Physics and Biology. He was represented by his mother

who collected his prizes on his behalf. The mother Mrs. Margret Audu expressed satisfaction with her son’s remarkable feat. The Head of School, an SSII1 student Eribo Richmond emerged overall best student in Mathematics. He thanked ECOBA Lagos Chapter for the prizes and expressed optimism of becoming a mechanical Engineer. He said that the Award has boosted his confidence. The overall best prize in Fine Art went to Olu Osei Victor, an SSIII student. Olu, who was accompanied by his parents to the event, says he wants to be an Architect.

Topfaith School student wins Soyinka essay contest

STUDENT of Topfaith International Secondary School, Mkpatak in Akwa Ibom, Miss Enwongo-obong Enefiok Akpan, has emerged the overall winner of the 2014 Wole Soyinka (WS 80) International Essay Competition which took place at Abeokuta, Ogun State, recently. The competition WS 80 was part of the series of programmes put in place to commemorate the 80th birthday of the Nobel laureate and literary icon, Professor Wole Soyinka. Topfaith’s Enwongoobong’s essay was one of the six selected at the Akwa Ibom level.

The national and final stages of the competition took place July 13, 2014 at the International Cultural Centre, Abeokuta. The 80 shortlisted finalists (out of 300 entries) represented Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Lagos, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo and Rivers States respectively. They wrote on the topic: Education: Path To Freedom And The Future, which Enwongoobong, one of the Akwa Ibom representatives, topped her contemporaries. The high point of the

competition was the presentation of prizes which included a laptop and cash award for the overall winner, a giant

trophy for the Akwa Ibom government and a desktop/monitor for Topfaith School, among others.

Representative of Topfaith Int’l Secondary School, Mkpatak, Essien Udim LGA, Miss Enwongo-obong Enefiok Akpan, with the giant trophy, pose with the Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun shortly after receiving the Soyinka’s Award.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014—29

Irish Ambassador joins AUN faculty BY EBELE ORAKPO

Cross section of producers of the Autonov2 car with the Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, UNILAG, Prof. Rahamon Bello and Pro Chancellor, Prof. Jerry Gana during the official welcoming of the undergraduates held at UNILAG.

HE Ambassador of the Republic of Ireland to Nigeria, Mr. Patrick Fay, will be joining the American University of Nigeria as a faculty member at the end of his diplomatic service in August, 2014. While announcing the appointment, AUN’s President, Professor Margee Ensign said

UNILAG Autonov2 car producers arrive, receive rewards BY DAYO ADESULU

LL stood still as the team of UNILAG students who built the autonov2 car returned from Netherland. Autonov2 is the brand name of the car. The Vice Chancellor of University of Lagos, Professor Rahman Bello, its Pro-Chancellor, Professor Jerry Gana, Members of

the Governing Council and the UNILAG community officially received the team at UNILAG. The car passed ten international evaluation tests at the competition held in Netherlands May15-18, 2014. The racing car produced by these students emerged third among over 90 international contestants. With this feat, Nigerian flag

was conspicuously flown amongst top winners. At the competition, every country represented was mandated to race its manufactured car to determine how efficient and strong it is. Nigeria Autonov2 produced by representatives of various departments in UNILAG stood the ten technical and safety tests of time. The energy-efficient car

for the international Shell Eco-marathon race was driven at UNILAG by one of the producers, Miss Sola Olakanmi, a 400 Level Physics student. The students and their lecturers who made this ground breaking achievement were handsomely rewarded with cash and certificates of participation.

Ambassador Fay ’s “experience as a diplomat, peacemaker, and scholar complements our mission and activities at AUN. We are honored that, like former EU Ambassador David Macrae, who joined AUN last year, Ambassador Fay will help to contribute to the education and development mission of AUN, and further development of Nigeria.” She stated further that Ambassador Fay will be teaching political science, philosophy and public administration in the undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as courses in law which are currently being developed by the institution. Ensign described Ambassador Fay as an “intellectually astute diplomat, meticulous scholar, and lifelong learner.” In his reaction, Ambassador Fay who

was an active participant in the historic Good Friday Peace Agreement, which brought an end to the long and violent sectarian conflict which plagued Northern Ireland said: “I am very happy to be joining AUN to teach and to assist with its mission as a d e v e l o p m e n t university.” An official statement from the university, said Ambassador Fay will use Fall 2015 to prepare for classes and will be in residence starting from the Spring of 2015. Ambassador Fay has a rich educational background that includes a BA/B.Ph. from St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth in ethics and political philosophy (1970), an MA in EU Law from the University of Leicester (2001), MSc in economics and /policy studies, University of Dublin (1996), Master of Public Administration from the University College, Dublin (1981).

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How firms help boost education sector in Nigeria BY DAYO ADESULU

senior secondary, to enable them learn and explore the world through the internet; study maths using more graphical examples, enhance the study of English language and science subjects, explore the world with the rich Encyclopedia Britannica alongside educative games and other learning tools. The pre-loaded computers are also considered great aids for teachers as they would no longer have to teach in the abstract as ready examples in clear and easy-to-understand graphics are made available. The Economic Commission for Africa has indicated that the ability to access and use information is no longer a luxury, but a necessity for development. Unfortunately, many developing counties, especially in Africa, are still low in ICT application and use. Computers with internet access will help to plug this gap. Pre-school, elementary, secondary and vocational schools are regarded as the building blocks of society’s education system, a situation that makes it imperative for such areas to be given greater attention. In 1999, the Federal Government introduced the Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme aimed at providing access to quality basic education throughout Nigeria. The programme is expected to provide free and compulsory uninterrupted nine years of Primary and Junior Secondary School education to children between the ages of seven to 17 throughout the country. Adequate and quality education is essentially important for students at the elementary and secondary levels as it will help to imbue in the students a high level of scholarly drive preparatory to going for further studies. Tertiary institutions will consequently be populated by people who are at least prepared to face the rigours of university education. Unique initiatives such as investments in ICT facilities in primary and secondary education will go a long way in preparing the students for higher education.

IGERIA'S education system has been on the decline. According to a recent World Bank study; “employers complain that the quality of university graduates and secondary school graduates, especially their communication skills, has been falling continually for two decades”. However, it was clearly indicated in the study that improvement in communication skills, use of computers and information technology by graduates will help increase their productivity. Different tiers of government have been investing funds in the education sector to ensure that this critical segment of the society is put on a proper pedestal to contribute to national development. However, allocation to the education sector, whether at the federal or state level, falls far below the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO’s recommended six per cent of GDP, a threshold which the world body stated must be crossed for the sector to be revived and possibly developed to meet current needs. Currently, Nigeria allocates the equivalent of 1.6 per cent of its GDP to education, leaving a huge funding gap which is manifested in inadequate facilities for both students and teachers, and poor maintenance of available facilities. This gap is being creatively filled by a few organizations that focus strongly on education as a corporate social responsibility. Against this backdrop, firms like MTN, Exxon Mobil, Fidson Pharmaceutical, Dufil, Promasidor, Shell and Chevron to mention a few have been contributing to the sector. However, among the aforementioned organisations, MTN stands tall, seting aside one per cent of its annual profit to invest in corporate social investments schemes including education. Recently, the leading telecommunications company demonstrated its commitment to revamping and growing Nigeria’s education sector when it implemented its annual 21 Days of Y’ello Care; a staff volunteerism campaign, MTN stands tall, seting aside one per cent in which it mobilized both maof its annual profit to invest in corporate terial and human capital from within the organization to insocial investments schemes including eduvest in communities where it cation operates across the world. The exercise was marked with different activities focusing on raising the quality of Each school visited by staff of MTN became education across many states of the federation. beneficiaries of computers equipped with interIn the 2014 edition of 21 Days of Y’ello Care, spenet access and educational content, which will cial attention was paid to the role of Information and hopefully lead to a more conducive and engagCommunications Technology (ICT) in enhancing the ing learning environment for thousands of stuquality of education and empowering students with dents who otherwise would not have had access up-to-date knowledge and information that will to the internet. equip them to compete with their peers from other Projectors and white boards were also donated parts of the world. This ties in nicely with the Federto schools to enable teachers bring subjects to life al Government’s policy on ICT in the education secin the classrooms. Digitally-equipped classrooms tor. were set up and an online learning hub called In the National Policy on Education (Federal ReY’ello Tutor was made available to the schools. It public of Nigeria, 2004), the critical role of ICT in is now accessible to thousands of students across the modern world was highlighted. ICT was subsethe country. The Y’ello Tutor portal has various equently integrated into Nigeria’s education curriclearning materials and digital tutorials which have ulum. To actualize the goal of integrating ICT into been aggregated for the benefit of both teachers the education system, state governments were tasked and pupils. to provide basic infrastructure and training at the Established in 2007, 21 Days of Y’ello Care is a primary school level. At the junior secondary school platform for MTN employees to directly contriblevel, computer education was made a pre-vocaute to improving the quality of life in the commutional elective, and is a vocational elective at the nities where they live and work. The annual 21senior secondary level. day long staff volunteerism campaign involves The purpose of Internet access in schools is to raise every employee of the company partaking in comeducational standards and support the professional munity-building projects nationwide. This year, work of staff. Access to the Internet is not just a necthe focus was on education with the theme, Eduessary tool for teachers but also an entitlement for cation in the Digital World.This year’s edition saw students. As part of the annual staff volunteerism staff of MTN Nigeria engage in a number of acactivities which is the critical component of the 21 tivities aimed at promoting an environment conDays of Y’ello Care initiative, MTN staff visited over ducive for learning as well as draw attention to 100 schools presenting computers that are equipped the fundamental role of education in the develwith Education Bundle, specially designed to make opment of the nation. Reiterating MTN Nigeria’s learning fun and a most rewarding experience for commitment to giving back to communities in students. which it operates, Corporate Services Executive, The computers come pre-loaded with rich educaMr. Akinwale Goodluck, described education as tional content designed for students from nursery to a vital tool for social and economic development.

Dress codes and inevitable protests in universities “0805-400-5597. ..don’t blame faith-based universities alone. Blame the regulators more. Many of their codes clearly breach Nigerian constitution but nobody cares. More explosive crises ahead. Sule, Benin City.

ATE has a way of intruding into our individual and collective lives in ways that might eventually prove providential. The text message from Mr Sule arrived on Thursday, July 10, 2014 and on Saturday, July 12, 2014, I found myself at the Redemption Camp – for reasons which cannot now be disclosed. Never one to miss an opportunity for a self-guided tour of the facilities of any university, I proceeded to re-examine the Redeemer’s University, lodged in the bosom of the global headquarters of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. I will, for now, leave my observations about other aspects of the university untouched. Each one will be included in future articles concerning university life in Nigeria. Let me declare, upfront, that I am a Christian – so nobody should send me a text presuming that this article is written by a Muslim. I am also the grandson of one Alhaji and two Alhajas – so I can see the virtues in the two religions. Second, nobody sent me to Redeem. I went there on my own in the spirit of free and unfettered inquiry into an institution which is one of those shaping the future of Nigeria. Finally, I did not go to investigate the murder of the late SAN. That is an unfortunate incident – which all Nigerians must pray never occurs again; not at Redeem and not anywhere else. To be candid, I did not have a check list of what to look for. But, something would usually turn up – especially when the investigator is open-minded enough. After about one hour of roaming around, I landed in front of the TANTALISER Building – which I understand was constructed by the national fast food chain. In front of it is a notice board – which could benefit from replacement. The glass was broken and the only notice on it was weatherbeaten beyond words. I was tempted to move on; but curiousity held me back. I wanted to read what was on the board because one can pick up a great deal of information about an institution from the items on its notice board(s). So, I approached the notice board. TREASURE!!

Dess code for male and female students I once met an old man in Colorado, USA, in 1971, whose father went in search of gold in Colorado in the 1880s; he did not know where to go but, he went to a river and started fishing. No fish. Suddenly, he saw something glistering. It was a huge gold nugget. That old man could not have felt more divinely rewarded than I was when starring at me was the DRESS CODE FOR FEMALE and MALE STUDENTS of the Redeemers University. Unfortunately, I had no paper. Otherwise, I would have quoted some of the rules and regulations contained in the dress codes for female and male students of the university. There were eighteen entries under the female code and fourteen under the male list. But, in reality, there were over thirty prescriptions, mostly proscriptions, for dressing under the two codes. Everything from the top of the head to the toes of the feet had a rule to guide what can be done with it. The drafters of the codes, certainly well-meaning individuals, must have borrowed their ideas, about dressing, from the monasteries of 13thand 14thcentury Europe with scant regard for the social developments which had taken place since then. Creativity in dressing, as well as self-expression, granted allied with modesty, had been totally snuffed out in a bid to produce graduates who can only fit into life at the Camp. Those were my initial impressions. The first question is: “Does it work to produce great scholars and professional achievers?” My answer is: “it is doubtful”. And, the following are my reasons. My wife and I bought a house in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1969, on a street almost halfway between MIT and Harvard Universities while working for Polaroid Corporation based in Cambridge. The Greater Boston area was, and is still, full of universities, turning out students, some of who were later to become great scholars and inventors. Almost invariably, the greatest technological inventors (the few who were responsible for over 70% of Polaroid’s 4,000-plus patents for instance) were generally disheveled individuals; some were so unkempt you would need to wash your hands after shaking hands with them. Dress code? Forget it. One fellow at MIT wore the same pair of jeans for three years straight! Visit: www.delesobowale.com or Visit: www.facebook.com/ biolasobowale

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Why I built the 14 ft, 2 inches sculpture in Ile Ife — Prof Albert Lavergne TO

most art lovers, especially those who witnessed the historic dedication of the stunning landmark 14 feet steel fabricated sculpture titled The Gift on the campus of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria built by award winning sculptor, Prof Albert Lavergne of Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, U.S, one would be asking why he built such piece in a university environment instead of a hospital complex. Ordinarily, when one looks at the sculpture, it looks like a woman throwing her child away, but the artist has a different interpretation which he explained that day. For Prof Albert who began to fabricate in metals when he was a graduate student at Berkeley and who had carried out many major Sculpture Commissions, like “The Committee”, 6’X12’X7’ 1/2’ , Fabricated Steel, Western Michigan University, 1999. Martin L. King Gateway Project and numerous sculptural commissions and fifty group exhibition projects in the United State of America, the project and its name was a response to the barrage of questions about him by the University community.

Scholar and researcher In 2012, Lavergne came to Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, on a Fulbright Lecture/research Grant with a mission of building a steel fabricated sculpture and present it to the university as a gift from Western Michigan University in commemorating their 50th Anniversary. As a scholar and researcher of over my 39 years, Lavergne had developed a unique process of fabricating directly, with metal without the need of a foundry. This he says was because he grew up watching his mother fabricate colorful quilts with reconstituted fabrics pieces without the need of a model.“ I was intrigued at the process of how individual sections of clothes, evolved into a large mosaic colorful design. She maintained the capacity to improvise circumstances as her imagination dictated. The quilt’s design was developed in the moment.” While at Ile Ife, with able assistance from the university community, he successfully built a landmark 14 feet steel fabricated sculpture on the campus of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

Recently, Prof Albert Lavergne was again in Nigeria as a fellow of Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Art Foundation (OYASAF) and as a passionate art lover who has contributed immensely the development of Nigerian art,and as part of its own little way of contributing to the growth of art, thereby helping to project the image of the country in a positive way, the OYASAF founder, Prince Yemisi Shyllon last week organised its quarterly art lecture where Prof Albert shared his research experience with the Lagos art community.

JAPHET ALAKAM

ers in Ile-Ife in the course of building the 14 feet steel fabricated sculpture. Recalling some of the evolution of how things happened in Ife, he said “it was amazing, the reception was nice and that made it possible for me to adopt to local environment”. Using the resources available, he started the work in earnest, divided into two stages, the mother and the child, he finished the mother and then did the child before joining them together. He stated that he relied on his technigue of using steel, a medium known to be very rig-

It was amazing, the reception was nice and that made it possible for me to adopt to the local environment

The event which was held at the OYASAF centre in Maryland, with the theme “A Culture Awakening. Through Technology–My Fulbright Experience in Ile-Ife, afforded Lagos art community the opportunity to listen for the first time a graphic presentation of the process of making art from the beginning to the end. The presentation covered his preparations, his adventures and oth-

id, required intense heat and skill to manipulate and forcing it to organic forms and contours of the female body. It was not easy, there were many challenges especially, the rain, each time it rained, it will affect the work and they have to start afresh. Combining the techniques acquired for years, he was able to complete the work the 14 ft, 2 inches length and 5 feet

piece of a woman receiving her baby from above titled The Gift in 10 months and it was officially unveiled and dedicated at the Natural History Museum, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. On the dedication, he pointed out that the appreciation and response was immediate in Nigeria unlike the way they see it in America. On what informed his choice of a mother and child in a school environment, Albert said that when he came to Ile Ife, people kept asking him " where •Prof Lavergne in front of the sculpture is your wife", "why don't you have cate that piece as an answer to children" . “In fact it was the their question,explaining that it question that came my way any was a mother receiving a gift where I go, so I decided to fabri- from above”. He added.

‘No plans to increase cash value for Etisalat Lit. prize’ By PRISCA SAM-DURU

ELECOMMUNICATION giant, Etisalat Nigeria recently unveiled the judging panel for the second edition of its prestigious literary prize, The Etisalat Prize for Literature. The judges were unveiled during a press conference held at the Intercontinental Hotel, Lagos. The chairman of the panel Sarah Ladipo Manyika, while fielding questions from the press said that it would be premature to start considering an increase in the cash value of the annual prize noting that the Etisalat Prize is not about providing gift for the few but the community. She described the prize as a phenomenon in any scale adding that she would ensure that the panel gets better and stronger in discharge of its duty. She said “We are always looking at several ways of improving the prize for now, its significant but it is not all about cash value. It is much bigger than individual ward. Chaired by Sarah, a renowned Nigerian writer who was one of the inaugural Judges for Etisalat Prize for Literature 2013, the distinguished panel consists of award winning British/Sudanese writer Jamal Mahjoub, prolific Francophone writer Alain Mabanckou and writer and filmmaker Tsitsi Dangarembga. The Etisalat Prize for Literature which is in its 2nd year, is the first pan-African

•Sarah Ladipo and Mathew Wilsher

prize that applauds first time writers of published fiction. The Prize was founded in June 2013 and has a board of patrons which include some of Africa’s finest intellectuals. The winner of the prize receives £15,000 and an Etisalat sponsored Fellowship at the prestigious University of East Anglia. Unveiling the panel of judges, the Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher, described the judges for this year’s prize as some of the most respected individuals in the literary world who are expected to bring in diverse experiences and expertise to the judging panel. Willsher said, “What is most exciting is that we have a very diverse panel that will bring in their individual perspectives to the judging process. They are an accomplished panel with vast amount of experience in

the creative writing world.” The head of the Sarah Ladipo Manyika, a Ph.D. holder from the University of California, Berkeley, who currently teaches literature at San Francisco State University, said that the “Prize is phenomenal, we had great books last year and we are hoping for more diversity this year.” She noted that submitted works must be the writer’s first fiction book of over 30,000 words and published within the last twenty-four months. Tsitsi Dangaremgba said she was excited that the prize would make younger generation feel they are not left out adding that she is hopeful that a homegrown Africa prize will lift Africa internationally. “It will go a long way to unlock new talents as well as encourage publication. The call for entries which opened on 12th May 2014, will end on 8th August 2014 while the long list of 9 which the organisers disclosed, was derived from the brand’s code, will be announced on the 3rd of November. The final shortlist of three is to be made public on 8th December while the grand finale takes place 22nd of February 2015. It will be recalled that Zimbabwean NoViolet Bulawayo was the winner of the maiden edition with her debut novel, “We Need New Names”. She was rewarded with cash prize of £15,000 and a Fellowship at the University of East Anglia in the United Kingdom.

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By PRISCA SAM-DURU

HE year 2014, appears to favour the induction of literary icons into the league of octogenarians. First, it was Prof Elechi Amadi followed by Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka and penultimate week, the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Ltd (NLNG), organised a special evening for Nigeria’s erudite professor emeritus, Ayo Banjo who joined the club at the prestigious Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos. It was a glamorous event, well attended by friends, colleagues, former students, family members and admirers which include; Emeritus Prof, John Pepper Clark; past President, Nigerian Academy of Letters, Emeritus Prof Ayo Bamgbose; Profs Ladipo Wusu; Isaac Jide Desalu; Akachi Ezeigbo; the Executive Chairman, Safari Books Ltd, Chief Joop Berkhout, etc. Guests were entertained with classical music taken from “Sounds of Music”, popular highlife by Victor Uwaifo and some Afrobeat tunes which were supplied by MUSON duet on violin and piano as well as Top line Band. Poetic tributes were performed by 2013 NLNG Prize for Literature winner, Tade Ipadeola, who read on Turning 80 from Derek Walcott’s collection entitled “White Egrets” while Tunde Onikoye another poet, performed a poem titled, ‘Admiration and Affirmation’ of life which he wrote for the celebrant. Although the occasion featured more of music and other forms of entertainment, guests still found space to pour encomiums on the celebrant, who is currently the chairman of the NLNG sponsored Nigerian Prize for Literature Advisory Board. He was described as a foresighted academic, administrator with over 60

•L-r: Kudo Eresia-Eke ; Dr. Jerry Agada; Prof. Femi Osofisan; Prof. Ayo Banjo; Prof. J.P. Clark and Babs Omotowa

Encomiums pour for Prof Ayo Banjo @ 80 prize is better understood if I may borrow the words of prof emeritus JP Clark when Tade Ipadeola emerged winner of 2013 Literature prize. Prof Clark said that the Award given to Tade was really of the highest quality. We are pleased to have had the fortune of having Prof Banjo and other judges who have done a lot of transformation to the Prize.” Describing Prof Banjo as his role

Prof has been a good friend of NLNG, we are happy that he has reached the age which is more than golden, more than diamond

years of service in the educational sector. “It’s a privilege to have worked with such an illustrious Nigerian” , Managing Director, Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Ltd (NLNG), Mr Babs Omotowa said as he began his opening speech. “Prof has been a good friend of NLNG, we are happy that he has reached the age which is more than golden, more than diamond. This is a day to celebrate a man of integrity and honour, a man that has put in so much for this country in every aspect of life of Nigerians.” “Prof has shown love to literature and has left no one in doubt both locally and internationally. He has been a strong drive behind the Prize for literature for all the years that the prize has been in existence. I can comfortably say that without prof. Banjo, the prize wouldn’t have been what it is today. The quality of what he has done in literature

model, the President of the Academy of Science, Prof Oyewale Tomori, said “Without him most of us would not be where we are today. He is a giant on whose shoulders we stood to see further off. Prof taught me in Government College, Ughelli, in Class Four in 1961/62. He was my English teacher then; and later became my VC in 1980 when I was Head of the Department of Virology. He is very discipline. And he has not changed from the person I knew him to be back then.” NLNG General Manager, External Relations, Mr Kudo EresiaEke, who extolled the virtues of the celebrant said, “If NLNG were to be human, it would be like Prof. Banjo. We find in him, attributes and ideals that we strive to maintain. He believes in Nigeria. The Fervour and passion with which he does his job to lift Nigeria is something commendable. Prof. Banjo is committed to man power development just like NLNG.

At NLNG, Prof Banjo shows us the way and we try to follow, he is a man of honour, who has put in so much for this country.” Born on 1934 into the family of late Pa. Reverend Samuel Ayodele Banjo, an educationist and teacher at St. Andrew Primary School, Oyo town, Prof Banjo hails from Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State. Aside his academic and professional qualifications, his contributions towards the development of the sector has also earned him the several recognitions and awards such as Justice of the Peace (JP), Oyo State; Commander of the order of the Niger (CON); Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM); Fellow and President of the Nigeria Academy of Letters; Fellow of the Nigeria English Studies Association and Chairman, Sigma Foundation.

Prize for literature Expressing his appreciation for the honour accorded him, Banjo thanked NLNG for promoting creativity in Nigeria through the Nigeria prize for literature. He noted that “Most interesting is that NLNG set up an advisory Board to run the show alone. We are more than an Advisory Board, we are a managing board. Its good that a private sector like NLNG has taken the lead while more companies have come on board. Chances are that literature will progress in the country. I appreciate NLNG’s full backing to the advisory board to see

that qualities of works match the prize money.” “One of the lucky things in my life is that I have a wonderful family and that I have a brother and a sister who are very supportive; and I couldn’t ask for a better children and the larger family – my cousins. You have seen the way they rally round me – this is how they are and I thank them from the bottom of my heart.” He said. For Prof Wusu Ladipo, “ I have been friends with Prof Banjo for over 68 years. Both of us were

born in 1934, Banjo was born on May 2nd while I was born on June 19 of the same year. He is my egbon (senior) by six weeks. He is painstaking and adventuurous. We attended same primary, secondary and studied in same institution abroad. In Igbobi secondary school, we lived in same house, our beds were close to each other and we were together at Glasgow. He had attributes of a good leader, focussed, visionary and did what is right from childhood

Onitsha set for LIMCAF investiture of Igwe Achebe

N recognition his love and promotion of art and culture in the country, the organisers of Life in My City Art Festival (LIMCAF) have agreed to confer on a renowned art collector and foremost traditional ruler, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Nnaemaka Achebe, Obi of Onitsha as a patron of the festival. According to the chairman of Board of Trustees, Eldar (Dr) K.U.Kalu the investiture which will be graced by art patrons, lovers, artists and collectors is scheduled to take place at the Igwe’s palace in the ancient city of Onitsha on Monday, August 4, 2014 by at 12.00.

•Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe Life In My City Art Festival (LIMCAF), the annual youth art empowerment project founded in 2007, that enables young artists to meaningfully express themselves on the state of their lived environment through their art.

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Politicians rob judiciary of best brains — Justice Phillips JUSTICE Ayotunde Philips on July 26, retired as the Chief Judge of Lagos State, a position she held for two years. In this interview, she speaks on her life as a lawyer, on the bench and what her experiences were as Chief Judge. She also bares her mind on the corruption in the judiciary and measures that can help curb corruption in the system. Excerpts: BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH

ETTING to the pinnacle of ones career is challenging. What were your feelings when you were sworn-in as the Chief Judge of the Lagos State judiciary two years ago? I felt very fulfilled, it shows that you don’t have to lobby, you don’t have to make a nuisance of yourself as it were to get to the peak of your career. If you trust in God and do your work properly and you stay above board, you don’t get involved in scandals in Lagos State, you will definitely get there. Once you get to that point where you are the number two and you are younger than the most senior person, you will definitely succeed the number one person. That’s why I thank the Lagos State Judiciary so much because we have it in place. You wait for your turn, when your turn comes, you will be the next Chief Judge so far the person ahead of you is not younger than you. If the person ahead of you is younger, then you definitely retire before him or her. But if the person is older than you, definitely you

lar and in Nigeria in general. What were some of the major challenges you encountered as a Chief Judge? My first challenge was with the union, Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN. It was then led by Mr. O. Adekanye. Immediately I assumed office, he came into my chambers and reminded me that they were having a problem over payment of N10,000 allowances owed the workers and that if I don’t find a way of paying the allowance, they were going to down tool. That was even before I was sworn-in.

Long list of demands They came to welcome me with a long list of demands, chief of which was the N10,000. He said I should leave all others things, but that they were warning me that if I didn’t pay that N10,000 they would down tools. That was my first challenge. So, I called one or two of the principal officers then, Mr. Safari now Justice Safari, was the Chief Registrar and we had a discussion. I called the person in charge of finance

If you trust in God and do your work properly and you stay above board, you don’t get involved in scandals in Lagos State, you will definitely get there

will get there and you would be fulfilled and then you will be able to contribute your quota not only on the bench as a judge, but administratively because you are going to wear three caps. You are going to wear the political cap because it’s a political office, you are going to wear the administrative cap and then still be a serving judge. I felt good, very fulfilled and I was glad that I was able to contribute in my own little way to the administration of justice in Lagos State in particu-

asked how much it would take us to pay the N10,000 to all the staff. He calculated it, and it was a tangible sum and I said I have to pay that money to give myself peace. I resolved then that the workers must be paid the N10,000. And within three weeks of my being sworn-in, they started receiving bank alerts. They came to my office to thank me and that was where prayers for me started. And I don’t think they have stopped praying for me, even now. So, that was my first

•Justice Ayotunde Philips challenge and since then, I did not have problem with them. The atmosphere is calm, even the strike they are on now, they came to explain to me that they were very sorry, but it was for the betterment of the Judiciary and it was something they had to do, but that it will not disrupt activities marking my retirement. What were some of the innovations and reforms you introduced into the justice delivery system? I am sure you’ve heard of the Judicial Information System, it was started by my predecessor. The contract was awarded before I came on board and they had started putting the infrastructure in place, but I just made sure that the whole system was put in place properly and became functional. Now lawyers can file processes from their offices, but just that you

The war against corruption: How has Nigeria fared? — Pg 39

can’t pay yet because there are still issues with the Naira Master Card due to some technicality that only accountants can understand. But at least, lawyers can access the website, upload their documents and then pay at the court cash office. The libraries are now been upgraded as I speak, the contracts had been awarded. Igbosere has started work, Ikeja is yet to start but the money had been given for them to upgrade. I made sure that all the judges and magistrates were IT compliant.

Judges and magistrates I love gadgets, my I pad is my fifth child, I carry it around with me everywhere. I read my speeches from my I pad, all the judges and magistrates have Ipads. I also tried to enforce and implement the 2009 Magistrates Court Laws. If you notice, the latest thing we did was that all of them now wear robes. So, just a few of the things I’ve mentioned we have done to uplift the Lagos

State Judiciary to make it better. I had told the governor when he came in last week to commission the Achieves and that the last thing I did to put all our process online so that any time you want to access information on any file in respect of any case, it would be easily accessible. Why has prison congestion remained a problem despite the efforts of your administration to decongest prisons in Lagos State? I really don’t know, but I’ve thought about it. In May this year, myself and members of the Judicial Service Commission visited the United Kingdom to talk to our counterparts over there and I really thank God for the trip, it was arranged for us by a company here in Nigeria, it was an eye opener. In England, they have Sentencing Guidelines. When it was shown to us, it was very voluminous, I’m not exaggerating. Sentencing Guidelines where they have envisaged every single, possible eventuality that can Continues on page 38

38—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014

Politicians rob judiciary of best brains — Justice Phillips

Criminal administration The people appreciate what I did, but I think there’s something wrong with the system and we need to address that. So, I think Sentencing Guidelines, bail guidelines, full implantation of the new features introduced by the Criminal Administration of Justice Law in Lagos State 2011 and above all training and further training for our judges and magistrates on these issues. if these are done, we should be able to conquer the problem. But right now, we seem to be using the backroom to win the war. Corruption has been a major problem in Nigeria, as a stakeholder, how do you think the problem can be addressed in the judiciary? There are two parts of the judiciary, the judicial officers and the support staff. For the judicial officers, just make them comfortable. In Lagos State Judiciary now in my two years tenure, no judge or magistrate was reported to me over allegation of corruption. There was an instance I must confess and we dealt with the situation and the magistrate was removed from the service when we

EDITORIAL TEAM Innocent Anaba ( Head) Wahab Abdulah Ikechukwu Nnochiri Dayo Benson (Supervising Editor) 08056180119 dayobenson@yahoo.com

found out that the complaints were getting too much and some of the allegations were confirmed to be true. But apart from that, I’ve had no problem whatsoever with my judicial staff. In respect of the support staff, there are still one or two bad eggs that we’ve heard reports of. Some of them have been removed for bad behaviour, one or two who were caught with their hands in the cooking jars as they say, have also been separated from the service. We still have this nagging problem because even just last week, the Code of Conduct Bureau commissioner and director informed me that some people were still taking money from those who want to sign Code of Conduct forms. I’ve asked the Chief Registrar to look into that, because we are yet to identify whether it’s our staff or some touts. You know we still have problem of touting. Luckily for us, the Judicial Information System, JIS, has removed the issue of signing affidavit and that kind of thing as far as the High Court is concerned. I will not deny that the problem might persist but the best way to tackle it is to tackle it head on and once you catch anybody, you deal with that person accordingly. By the time two, three persons lose their jobs, it will serve as a lesson to others. But generally, in Nigeria, workers are not very happy with their remunerations. There’s need for total overhaul of the public service salary structure to meet the present day Nigeria. So, government need to take the welfare of the workers more seriously, once that is done, I’m sure to most people, except you are born greedy or a criminal, you will not need to be corrupt, extort or steal. If you have good salary, nice place to stay in and of course good transport to and from work, then their will be nothing to further complain of. I think government still needs to look into the welfare of the workers and when that is done, there will be less fraud. Don’t you think there is need to also examine the appointment of those on the Bench as a way of checking the problem of cor-

•Justice Ayotunde Philips ruption? Yes, we need to appoint judges now on merit and when I say merit, it is not just being brilliant alone; you need to have the character and be above board. The

Continues from Page 37 come up in a criminal case and the Guideline says Magistrates and judges when this happen, do this, when that happens, do that. I think we need something like that here and we need real guidelines too. I tried to work on it but I was so busy doing so many other things and my time was too short, so my successor should be able to handle that. We need to put special guidelines for our magistrates. Of course, the police have their own part of the blame, so do we as judicial officers. There are certain defendants that should not go into prison. With the community service, the probation, all those new innovations that has been introduced by the Criminal Administration of Justice Law in Lagos State 2011, are the things we need to look into now and to ensure that we don’t congest the prisons.

wrong people on the Bench, you are going to get bad report about that person. They say one bad apple spoils the whole apples, the judicial appointment is very sensitive, once one is tainted, it

But you know in Nigeria today, you might want to go by merit and somebody will come to say this is my brother, he wants to be a judge because we want a judge in our family and they just put him there without being tested Constitution provides that any legal practitioner, who is 10 years at the Bar and above is eligible for appointment as a judge. In 10 years, if you bring a private practitioner or even you’ve been working with the ministry or a corporation or a bank or wherever you may be, you would have acquired your reputation. And if there’s any coma, any black spot in that person’s reputation, you are automatically disqualified from being appointed as a judge. But you know in Nigeria today, you might want to go by merit and somebody will come to say this is my brother, he wants to be a judge because we want a judge in our family and they just put him there without being tested. And of course, when you get the

will taint everybody. They will say that’s how they are. In order to do this, no bad words must be said about you because once you are bad, then you don’t belong to the class of people who are to adjudicate. I must add that in the appointment, the National Judicial Council, NJC has put guidelines in place. So, they’ve done their best to make it transparent, but you know the Nigerian factor. But the same governor who is not supposed to be involved in the process will still be the one to approve the appointment and even swear in the appointees. All the NJC does is to say Chief Judge Lagos, we approved your list then I will send the list to the governor. If the governor does not like

somebody on the list, what would we do? We are stuck. He would say I’m not going to swear in number six. So, we still have to look at the process of appointment of judges. I believe in tradition because that is what separates the legal profession from other professions. And that is why we call it the noble profession. But with politics and politicians here and there, I must confess we are not getting the best people on the bench. Which among the cases you handled on the Bench do you find most challenging? I found the Miracle Baby case a bit challenging. I did the Miracle Baby case and it was quite challenging. Then I’ve done some land matters. I’ve done one recently, I delivered the judgment about two, three weeks ago in a case we had about 26 witnesses and we had several legal issues. The judgment runs into about 90 pages, I delivered it about three weeks ago just before the vacation started. In the land matter, two contending parties all bought land from one family and each one said the land was his. The claimant said the land was his, the defendant too said the land was his. You know land matters are always intricate, a lot of issues had to be considered and I found that very challenging. As I was writing the judgment, you get to understand the issues involved. But for the Miracle Baby case, in particular, I think it was more challenging because of the outside attention. There was a lot of media attention and I refused to talk to the press, I refused to appear on the television, in fact I drove them away from my court that they should not come into my court. That was challenging, but I was glad that at the end of the day, the person who I found to be the mother of the child was the true mother of the child because you could even see from the facial resemblance. And the mother still sees me and will come to introduce herself to me. So, those were some challenging cases I handled.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014—39

Eastern Bar Forum, EBF, recently held its 2014 seminar and Awards Night at the Imo International Conference Centre, Owerri.

The war against corruption: How has Nigeria fared?

RANSPARENCY International, the global coalition against corruption, defines corruption as ‘the abuse of entrusted power for private gain’. For the words ‘entruusted power’ the World Bank uses the words ‘public office’. Its own definition therefore comes out as ‘the abuse of public office for private gain’. So when a person in authority, in abuse of his powers, takes a decision to benefit self and not the people he is employed to serve, he commits an act of corruption. According to Transparency International, corruption ‘hurts everyone who depends on the integrity of people in a position of authority’. In our statute books, corruption is mainly identified by such economic crimes as embezzlement, bribery, money laundering etc. One good thing that has happened to mankind in her quest to eradicate corruption from society is that corruption is now measurable. Every year, Transparency International publishes its annual corruption perceptions index wherein it measures the performance of each country through a number of set criteria on a scale of zero (for the most corrupt) to ten (for the cleanest). The criteria employed include control of corruption, budget openness, global competiveness, human development, judicial independence, rule of law, Press Freedom, voice and accountability. In Governance Matters iv: Aggregate and Individual Governance Indicators for 19962002, published for the World Bank, Daniel Kauffman, A. Kraay and M. Masruzzi identified monopoly of power, discretion and lack of accountability and transparency as the main drivers of corruption. Some years ago, I was so perplexed by the problem of corruption in Nigeria that I did an unsolicited Memo to the President. The title of that document is CORRUPTION: A One Point Agenda for Jonathan. Much of what I shall say hereafter will be culled from that Memo.

Colours and tentacles Corruption has grown into an art everywhere in Nigeria; a grand art with many shapes and colours and tentacles spreading in multi-dimensional directions. Go North, go South; go East, go West; the story is the same: a sordid tale of greed and graft told by every idiot with zest and furry. Nigeria does not have ten problems. Nigeria does not have nine problems. Nigeria does not have eight problems. Her problems are not seven, six, five or four or three or two. Nigeria’s problems are one. And the name of those problems all put together is CORRUPTION! And so, Nigeria does not need a twentypoint agenda, a ten-point agenda or even a two-point agenda. Nigeria needs a ONEPOINT AGENDA and the only point that should be on that long list of one is CORRUPTION. You may wonder why we blame every ill in society on corruption. The reason is this. Corruption is the one reason that electricity does not work in Nigeria. Remove corruption and there will be light everywhere in the country. Corruption is the reason our roads are in such a sorry state of disrepair. Remove corruption and there will be roads to everywhere. Corruption is the reason our schools are in shambles. Remove corruption and there will be room in our schools for every child. Corruption is the reason there are no drugs in our hospitals. Remove corrup-

tion and the ‘out of stock’ syndrome will vanish from our hospitals. Corruption is the one reason there is so much insecurity in the land. It is because of corruption that the police cannot secure the citizen in his life and property. Corruption is the reason Boko Haram, the armed robber and the kidnapper are better equipped than the policeman in their chase. Remove corruption and the citi- From left: Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, President-elect, Mr. Augustine zen can walk about in freedom confident Alegeh SAN; Rev. Fr. John Odey; Justice Doris Adekebo; Chief Judge of that his life is safe and his property, too. Bayelsa State, Justice Kate Abiri and Attorney General of Imo State, Chief Corruption is the reason elections are Chukwuma-Machukwu Umeh, SAN. rigged. Corruption is the reason census figures are disputed. Corruption is the reason Nigerians do not have clean water to drink. Corruption is the reason our airspace is unsafe (or was so until recently). Corruption is the reason our factories are shut and our youths roam our streets everyday in search of work that is nowhere to be found. Corruption is the one reason the average Nigerian pays more for telephone than people in most other parts of the world. Corruption is the cause of our numerous ills and it is in its elimination that society can find From left: Chief OCJ Okocha, SAN; Chairman of EBF, Mr. Ogbonna Igwuenyi; Attorney General of Abia State, Mr Umeh Kalu; Francis Ekware and succor. The primary purpose of government Mrs. Funke Adekoya, SAN. everywhere is the security and welfare of the citizen. In Nigeria this principle

BY THEO NKIRE

You may wonder why we blame every ill in society on corruption. The reason is this. Corruption is the one reason that electricity does not work in Nigeria

has been enshrined in Section 14(2)(b) of our Constitution. Any government therefore, that cannot secure the citizen in his life and property is not, and cannot be, worth the name. It should lay no claim to the title, government. This is why it is imperative that our government, and indeed, any government must strive to eliminate corruption from the society it seeks to govern. In Nigeria therefore, the fight against corruption must be the primary function of government everywhere and at every level – be it federal, state or local – at least, until we reduce it to a minimum. Today, Nigeria is Number 144 out of the 177 countries surveyed in 2013. Among our neighbours, Ghana scored 46 to emerge Number 63; Ivory Coast 27 to place Number 136. South Africa was Number 72 with a score of 42 while the best country in Africa is Botswana which emerged Number 30 with 64 points. Among the leaders world-wide are Denmark and New Zealand that came first each with 91 points. Judging by the index, Russia is about the most corrupt among the world leaders. She came in at 127 with a score of 28. So Nigeria has not done well on the index in recent years. From 121 in 2008, Nigeria has moved 23 notches down the ladder to 144 in 2013. This is not an encouraging story. Apart from our poor performance on the index, Nigeria has over the years taken bold steps to fight corruption.

To be continued

From left: Mr. M.C Aniazota Zokas; Mr. S.U. Anyia; Chairman NBA Aguata Branch, Mr. E.N. Ezeowuka; Chairman NBA Anaocha branch, Mr. Chris Adimorah and Mr. Lawrence Nwakaeti.

From left: Mrs.Tess Moris Okeke, Mr. Marc Enamhe and Mr. Nba Ukweni after receiving their awards.

Special Assistant to Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State on Youth Affairs, Dr. Dorn Enamhe (left) receiving an award on behalf of his governor from Mr. Arthur Chukwu.

40—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014

By Gbenga Oke

The race to succeed Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State would be defined by many factors. One notable factor would be zoning

S preparations for the 2015 elections gather momentum, all eyes in Rivers State will be on the race to the Brick House, the Rivers State Government House. The political game-plan in the state seems to have taken a new dimension with the defection of Governor Rotimi Amaechi from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) coupled with the strong agitation by various ethnic diversities in the state to occupy the number one seat. Rivers is seen by many political analysts as a state where no particular ethnic bloc has an overwhelming dominance and the zoning culture cannot be left out in order to accommodate the various ethnic groups. However, the question on the lips of many today is which of the blocs should produce the next Governor of Rivers State come 2015 after Governor Amaechi must have completed his second term in office. The state is geographically divided into two: Upland and Riverine. The upland consists of the Ikwerres, Ogonis, Ekpeyes, Ogbas, Ndonis and others, while the riverine people are the Kalabaris, Andonis, Opobos, Ibanis, Abuans, Oduals, Nkoros and several others. Governor Amaechi, who is Ikwerre has openly come out to associate with the agitation for the governorship to go to the Riverirne divide after 16

•Amaechi

Peterside

Ijaws in fresh push Rivers 2015:

erything humanly possible to ensure the pendulum swings their way in 2015. The Riverine argue that after Upland produced Dr Peter Odili and incumbent, Rotimi Amaechi, it will only be fair for the Riverine area to have a shot. The Ijaws/Riverine The Ijaws seem to be hav ing a strong voice in their quest to occupy the Brick House come 2015. Their agitation is built on the fact that their Upland brothers have ruled the state for16

Governor Amaechi, who is Ikwerre has openly come out to associate with the agitation for the governorship to go to the Riverine divide after 16 straight years in the upland

straight years in the upland. The Riverine people believe strongly that in the spirit of sportsmanship and fairness, they should be allowed to produce the governor in 2015. Upland/Riverine power sharing Since the creation of old Rivers state in 1967 and the new Rivers in 1996, the Upland seems to have had upper hand in running the affairs of the state and this seems not to augur well with the Riverine who are now determined to do ev-

years and they should also be given the opportunity to govern the state. According to Opunabo Inko Tariah, a journalist-turned politician and Charles Harry, an Ijaw activist, the politics of Rivers has been largely between the Upland and Riverine areas. According to them, “The Upland, as presently constituted can be found in 14 or 15 Local Government Areas while the Ijaws/ Riverine are in 10 LGAs including Port Harcourt, Abua-Odual, Akukutoru, Asaritoru, Degema,

Bonny, Andoni, Okrika, OguBolo and Opobo-Nkoro, which have strong history of voting in one direction. They further maintained that various Ijaw leaders from five other Niger/Delta states including Chief Edwin Clark, who has positioned himself as the conscience of Ijaw struggle have thrown their weight behind the move by Ijaws in Rivers State. The belief that it is the turn of the Riverine people, and by extension, the Ijaws in Rivers State to produce the next governor has led to the emergence of several governorship aspirants from the area . Though some of the aspirants are considered serious and others pretenders, it is a matter of time before the real candidates will emerge. Among the front-line Ijaw candidates in PDP are Chief Dumo Lulu Briggs; former Minister of Transport, Dr Abiye Sekibo; Prince Tonye Princewill; Senator George Sekibo; Engineer Emma Tubotamuno Georgewill; Faafaa Dan Princewill; Hon. Ibinabo Michael West; Nimi Walson-Jack; Lancelot Anyanya; Paworiso Samuel-Horsfall; and Prince Uche Secondus among many others. APC presently has Rep. Dakuku Peterside of the House

of Representatives. The Ijaw for Governor crusade in Rivers State appears to be enjoying support among the people in the state and members of the political class think it will be politically suicidal for any party to field a candidate from the Upland axis.

Ogoni/Eleme agitation Like the other Riverine ar eas, the Ogoni people are also leaving no stone unturned to ensure that they produce the next governor. The Ogonis are found in Khana, Gokana and Tai among other areas and they parade various aspirants like Senator Magnus Abe of APC, Senator Lee Maeba of the PDP and Prof Don Baridam. The Ogoni, in recent times, have launched a serious campaign for the governorship slot and they have various groups like Ogoni Democratic Movement that are championing the cause to convince Rivers people and stakeholders that it is morally right to allow them produce the next governor in view of the marginalisation suffered by the area over the years and which also led to the death of Mr. Ken Saro-Wiwa.

The argument by Ogoni is based on the fact that Ijaws in Rivers state have at least produced a governor in old Rivers state in the person of Chief Rufus Ada George while they have not produced any. However, the Ijaws argued that Ogoni is one of the many ethnic groups that make up the geo-political mainland or Upland Rivers and so cannot of good conscience be asking for the governorship slot in 2015. Speaking with Vanguard, an Ijaw activist, Alatuwo Charles Harry, described the Ogoni agitation as a one man dance with no support even in Ogoni land. His words: “The Ogoni's cannot be laying claim to the governorship slot because they are part of the Upland Rivers and so they have to wait till the slot returns to Upland”. Ijaw activist, Asari Dokubo, has thrown his weight behind the Ogoni quest with the three aspirants of Ogoni extraction said to be positioning themselves to benefit from the Ogoni agitation. Although many have argued that the current political tide in Rivers State does not favour the Ogoni nothing can however be taken for granted.

The Ikwerre factor Despite Amaechi's decla ration that it will be unfair for another Ikwerre man to succeed him, some politicians of Ikwerre extraction are still championing the cause for an Ikwerre man to succeed Amaechi in 2015. It is being said that those clamouring for another Ikwerre governor after Amaechi are those sympathetic to the aspiration of Minister of State for Education, Barr Nyesom Wike. Spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers state, Mr Jerry Needam has always maintained that the party has not zoned any political office and zoning will limit options before Rivers people. However, political analysts in the state have averred that the voters may not be favourably disposed to another Ikwere man as governor in 2015. An activist, Mr Tanem Kiobel, described moves to by any other Ikwerre to occupy the governorship after eight years of Amaechi as a product of warped conscience which Rivers people will never accept. Recently, Dumo Lulu-Briggs and Nimi Walson Jack at different fora maintained that nobody would take Rivers people for granted in a disgusting manner, adding that they had absolute faith that the PDP in the state would do the right thing at the right time.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014—41

CROSS RIVER 2015:

Momentum builds up test. “I don’t think it is feasible at this point to come out with one person. What are the parameters to be used in selecting such a person? The Northern Senatorial District has people in various strata who are contesting for this job, so I would feel that naturally, it is fair to look at two to three persons and if that is not okay, the number can be expanded to five so that you can bring them together and re-examine them and if possible cut down the number and finally present them before the delegates in a primary election,” Barrister Tanko Ashang, one of the aspirants told Vanguard.

About 22 persons from diverse political back grounds have so far indicated interest in succeeding Senator Liyel Imoke as governor of Cross River State. Given Imoke’s own exemplary stance in not trading his present office for a higher office, the stakes in Cross River are unique By Emmanuel Una

HE Cross River State po litical landscape may presently be bereft of posters, intimidating billboards or screaming headlines in the media on political developments in the state but the momentum is rapidly building towards a defining moment for the emergence of Governor Liyel Imoke’s successor in 2015. A series of political developments have unfolded in the recent past and more is still unfolding, especially in the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP, all geared towards the emergence of someone to step into Imoke’s shoes. The governor’s May 29, 2015 terminal date, like those of his colleagues in other states across the country is fast

ing structures and criss-crossing the state to woo party delegates and stakeholders for support. Political war chest Interestingly, most of the contenders do not have large financial war chests for the battle of a gubernatorial magnitude but in politics one cannot be written off based on monetary considerations alone. On the line up are both insiders, that is, Imoke’s close political allies and so called outsiders, who are not holding elective or appointive positions in Imoke’s administration. Those who have thrown their hats into the ring include Mr. Larry Odey, the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly; Barrister Lego Idagbo, the Commissioner for Works; Barrister Fidel Egoro, the PDP Deputy State Chairman; Dr Julius Okpu-

Senator Imoke is yet to openly declare his backing for any of the aspirants. It is expected that in the coming weeks, he, like any other political benefactor desirous of enthroning someone he feels has the capacity to continue with his political vision

approaching. Howbeit, unfolding political scenes in the state may be markedly different from those in the build-up to 2007, which enthroned Senator Imoke. But as always is the case, no two separate dramatic events have the same plot, personae and theme. So unlike the one direction and rapidity of 2007, the 2015 scene is slowly but steadily evolving into shape for the emergence of Imoke’s successor. Step 1: Zoning The first concrete step towards the actualisation of this process is the zoning of the position by the Caucus of the PDP to the Northern Senatorial District of the state which has five local councils, namely, Ogoja, Obudu, Yala, Bekwara and Obanlikwu. The move came on the heels of the pronouncement by Senator Imoke in August 2012 that his successor, as promised during his electoral campaign, will come from the northern zone. Step 2: Emergence of aspirants As expected, the zoning of the position to the Northern Senatorial District has brought out quite a number of potential aspirants to the scene. Currently, there are about 22 aspirants ranging from the traditional pretenders to the conspicuous front-runners. Some of them have started lay-

tu, former Commissioner for Environment; Mr. Gody Jedy Agba, the Manager Crude Sales, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC; Barrister Fidel Ugbo, Secretary National Planning Commission; Professor Ben Ayade, the Senator representing Northern Senatorial District; Barrister Tanko Ashang, Director Legal, National Emergency

Primary election •Imoke Management Agency; Mr. Gerald Ada, Special Adviser to Imoke on Trade and Investment and Mr. Patrick Ugbe, Commissioner for Youth and Sports. Though there are others who are still operating behind the scene those who are active on the field are the ones listed above and it might not be wrong to say that the next governor is likely to come from among that group. Already some of them have opened campaign offices in strategic parts of Calabar, the state capital and if not for the clamp down on high tempo political activity by the PDP state chapter, many of them would have hit the road full blast. Senator Imoke is yet to openly declare his backing for any of the aspirants. It is expected that in the coming weeks, he, like any other political benefactor desirous of enthroning someone he feels has the capacity to continue with his political vision and also live above conflicting loyalties when he assumes office, is expected to

throw his weight behind one of them. Towards this end, he has purposefully been reaching out to the delegates and other stakeholders by consciously patronising them through contract awards and car gifts. This is to form a bulwark of support for his likely candidate. Among the aspirants Mr. Agba has taken the battle farther in terms of laying political structure and reaching potential delegates at the primary election one-onone. Recently, the governor held a meeting with political stakeholders from the North at the Obudu Ranch Resort where he handed them a daunting task of picking the best candidate among the lot to be adopted by delegates in a primary election. Political observers say this is where crisis may erupt. They are wondering the modalities through which this can be achieved in the light of divergent political interests and array of personalities involved in the con-

Barrister Venatius Ikem, one of the foot soldiers of Agba said the governor has not said anything new with such pronouncement because he knows that cannot be achieved overnight. “The statement still raises suspicion of the agenda on ground because the only thing that can reduce the candidates to one is a primary election where all the aspirants are allowed to contest in a free and fair platform”. A PDP stake holder from the north, Edaka Ejembi told Vanguard that the governor knows what he is doing by that pronouncement. ‘What he has done is to put the machinery in motion for the aspirants and the Northern Caucus to discuss and prune down the number because there is no how the PDP can present 22 aspirants as they presently are in a primary election without causing confusion in the party”. Essentially, the next few weeks hold much politically in the state as the new face of Cross River will be unveiled whatever approach is adopted.

Benue 2015: My purposes and plans — Nyitse DR Tivlumun Gabriel Nyitse, a former journalist and one-time correspondent of the defunct Concord Newspapers where he rose to become an editor among several appointments. He later served as Permanent Secretary, Benue Government House Administration. He is currently aspiring to become the next governor of Benue state come 2015. In this interview he speaks on his aspiration. Excerpt: By Peter Duru, Makurdi

OU have been consulting with the people of the state and can vassing for support and patronage ahead of the 2015 governorship elections, what has been the reaction of the people? I’m seeking the support of the people of Benue State to serve as governor of the state in 2015. It has been very exciting and challenging. The field has been full of opportunities and uncertainties with human beings behaviour as you cannot say for sure what they tell you.

The reception I have received so far is encouraging wherever I went. What is the purpose of the forum that was recently set up by Masev Ihiarev Nongov Development Association, MINDA, governorship aspirants? What would be your reaction if in the next few weeks the forum decides to narrow down it aspirants to one person? The MINDA aspirants’ forum was set up basically to ensure a peaceful process that would culminate in the selection of a candidate in a way that we will retain our friendship and retain our originality as individuals and our communality as a people. Be-

cause it is dangerous to go to this kind of race and begin to fight each other since only one man would become the governor. If we don’t work in harmony as friends or as brothers by the time only one person is chosen, how do we work with that person because then, we will all have to collapse our programme into one person to support him as governor. The forum is to ensure that we do this business with decorum. So have you been able to convince some of the governorship aspirants on the need to team up with you so that you can become a stronger force to reckon with? Like I said we are getting to the time when discussions will be made. From now to a few months to the time, the campaigns will start, we will be discussing with each other. For now, let everyContinues on page 42

42 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014

2015 Power Shift: Under friendly fire •Only God gives power, not man --- Ogah BY Ikenna Asomba

INCE the beginning of his second term, when the Abia State Governor, Dr. Theodore Orji, declared that in 2015, the governorship seat will move to Abia South Senatorial District and not just Ukwa/Ngwa political bloc, political intrigues and controversies have continued to trail this decision. Just recently at the swearingin of newly appointed Transition Committee chairmen for the 17 local government areas of the state in Umuahia, Orji had reiterated that power will move to Abia South in 2015, saying: “I am a product of rotation. If there was no rotation, I may not be governor today. I must continue with rotation because power moved from Abia North to Abia Central and must go to South. It is incumbent on me because failure to do that will be injustice to myself and my party. It is fair to both God and man.” Against this backdrop and countdown to the poll, the Vice President, Isikwuato Development Union, IDU, Lagos chapter, Okechukwu Nzekwe, has said that the governor is trailing

forthcoming guber poll. He said: “It is unfortunate that at the twilight of the administration of Governor Theodore Orji, he has gone political by simply allocating the 2015 governorship ticket of the state to Abia South Senatorial zone. It is quite unfortunate that he is repeatedly standing on that position. We all know that before the creation of the state, the Abia State Movement had an acronym, ABIA, so, the governorship should actually go by that word. “We have had a governor, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, who is from Afikpo. He passed the baton of leadership to Orji Uzor Kalu, who is from Bende. Orji Uzor Kalu should have passed the baton to an Isuikwuato man, but he passed it to his Chief of Staff, Dr. Theodore Orji. Now, history is beckoning on Dr. T.A. Orji to right the wrong by passing the baton to an Isuikwuato man, but instead, he is playing politics, by insisting that the governorship ticket should go to Nkwa-Ngwa, which is in Abia South. That is a very wrong thing to do at this moment. Abia belongs to all of us. The governorship should rightly go to Isikwuato. From there, we move on to Aba-

My decision to run is based on the fact that just last week, when T.A. Orji met with the Abia PDP caucus, he hinted that there is now a window for every bonafide indigene of Abia to run

the wrong path in the twilight of his tenure, pointing that it is the turn of the Isikwuato people to govern the state, and not Abia South, considering the ABIA Charter of Equity produced in 1981 with Dr. Michael Okpara as the chairman of the committee. Similarly, another illustrious son of Isikwuato in Abia North Senatorial District, the President, Masters Energy Oil and Gas, Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah (Onwa), who has declared interest for the governorship race, has faulted governor Orji's position, noting that God is the only ultimate decision maker that gives power to man. They spoke Sunday, in Lagos, at the reception organised by the Abia State Town Unions Association, ASTUA, Lagos chapter, to welcome Ogah, who is contesting under the platform of the People's Democratic Party, PDP Nzekwe, who doubles as the Public Relations Officer of the youth wing of ASTUA, Lagos chapter, said it was unfortunate that the incumbent governor was playing politics at the twilight of his tenure, by insisting to allocate power to Abia South in the

Ngwa. “This is the time for Ochendo to right these wrongs. Insisting that the governorship ticket must go to Abia South, shows that he is trailing the wrong path in the twilight of his tenure. It therefore behooves on him to have a reversal. He should allow Abia Charter of Equity to take its course. He should hand over to an Isikwuato man.”

Why I want to run Meanwhile, Ogah said his decision to compete for the plum job is based on his determination and confidence to bring the true dividends of governance to Abia people and to make them rejoice. He said: “My decision to run is based on the fact that just last week, when T.A. Orji met with the Abia PDP caucus, he hinted that there is now a window for every bonafide indigene of Abia to run, pointing that since the creation of the state, the race to the plum job has always been keenly contested. On this note, it is my determination and confidence that I shall

The ABIA REJOICE as an acronym, is what I want to present to the Abia people, because it has been said that the taste of the pudding is in the eating. “However, our governor has the capacity, he has the right to say where he wants to shift power to, but one ultimate entity that has the greatest power is God, for power belongs to him. So, at various times, God gives power to whoever he chooses and nobody questions that. The truth is that every contestant for the plum job is a competent person, but the battlefield decides who wins.

Political platform

•Orji make our people to rejoice. Abia state will be second to none. What you see in other states will be a far cry of what is going to be witnessed in Abia state, when I emerge and that is why the motto of our manifesto is ABIA REJOICE.” Reacting on the governor's decision that power must be shifted to Abia South, the billionaire business mogul and oil magnate said: “There is nobody that is allknowing. Everybody has his own contribution to bring to fore. Our governor is an administrator that has been able to harmonise the

•Ogah state, so we need a technocrat, a man that has the vision and passion, a man that can galvanise the resources that we have in Abia state and turn them into gold.

When David was to fight Goliath, he was nobody, but Goliath was an army. However, God was on David's side, so, because God was on his side, he will also be on my side and I will be there.” Earlier, the President General, ASTUA, Mr. Emmanuel-Anthony Ekwuribe, however warned that the union was not a political platform, but a socio-cultural body whose membership cut across the Senatorial Districts in Abia State, communities and town unions. His words: “Our union is not a political organisation, rather it is a socio-cultural union that is ready to welcome people, no matter the political affiliation. We are not here to endorse any candidate, but want is important to us is somebody who will not disgrace us, but will continue with the good works of the present administration and take Abia State to the next level.”

Benue 2015: My purposes and plans... Continues from page 41 body feel the heat, test the ground and by the time you are going to withdraw, nobody will tell you, then, you will begin to look for allies to bond with. But for now, everybody is feeling like he can do it. Let’s explore the arena to see for ourselves and by the time anybody thinks he cannot continue, he would align with his friends. Do you think the zoning arrangement of your party favours you? This is about discussion, dialogue and negotiation in politics. There is always a room for give and take. There would be opportunity for the various interest groups to talk. If they are talking based on criteria, I see myself fitting into all the arrangement on ground. I do not have any disadvantage. What are you going to do about the worrisome state of public education in the state and how are you going to tackle the destruction in parts of the state occasioned by the invasion of parts of the state by suspected Fulani mercenaries? This question is very touchy because if you talk of the area where I come from, some parts of Makurdi and Guma, there is no primary

school standing now. The schools have been burnt down by the insurgents. There must be deliberate policy of government to ensure that primary schools in the areas come back to functionality. Whoever that becomes governor must develop policy to ensure that the area comes back to life in terms of education and agriculture. For now, peace has not come back fully but we ask them go back to the area because they must go back to their homes. That is a problem of its own. However, primary education all over the world has a foundational problem of its own. So, if I become governor today, I will have to look at the primary school system to see how we can make it better. Every government has the good intention of giving its citizens the best but problems are always there and they can be resolved. If I become governor, primary education would be given priority so that our children can have good foundation. Take me for instance, all the grammar that I know now, I didn’t know it beyond JSS3; whatever I did from there was building on the foundation. Between primary school and JSS3, if you don’t know anything, you wouldn’t know it again.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014 —43

Mimiko is Omisore’s friend but ... — Akinbade ALHAJI Fatai Akinbade, is the Labour Party, LP, governorship candidate. He served three military administrations as a commissioner before he joined the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at the inception of the Fourth Republic in 1999. He later became the state chairman of the party which produced Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola as the governor of the state in 2003. He was chosen the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, before he voluntarily resigned. He has, however, dumped the PDP for LP, whose flag he is now flying for the election. He spoke on his plans and policies for Osun State in this exclusive interview. Excerpts: By Gbenga Olarinoye

E would like to know the driving force behind your gubernatorial aspiration? The driving force principally has been God and the people of Osun state because anything after these would be equal to nothing and he, who has people, equally has everything. Given the large amount of fund required, how have you been able to finance your campaign? It has been one of the negative comments peddled around by the opponents, they either say Fatai Akinbade doesn’t have ‘aroma’, meaning he doesn’t have thugs or he doesn’t have ‘were’, madness or he doesn’t have money. All these are just frivolous talks because to me, for you to be a leader, you don’t have to be Michael Tyson.

Avoidance of violence For me to lead, I don’t have to be a thug or employ the service of thugs. I have a peaceful disposition and that is why anyone that knows me knows that I avoid violence in its entirety and I go about my things with God peacefully. I believe politics should not be a-do-or die affair. Were you disappointed that the only Labour Party governor, Dr. Segun Mimiko was absent at your last rally? Not at all. More so, as I was aware he traveled outside the country. But there was this insinuation that he tactically withdrew himself from the rally because of his support for the PDP Candidate, in person of Iyiola Omisore who happens to be his personal friend Yes, Iyiola is his friend, I am his friend too. We have been together, when he was the SSG, I was the SSG too, when he was commissioner, I was commissioner, so we have been together for long, not just meeting at the Labour Party level, so friendship is a thing that cuts across board. Being a friend to Omisore does not make him a PDP man, he is a national leader of the Labour Party and there are no two ways to that. So, Mimiko is not just an ordinary

member of the Labour Party but a National Leader of the party. He has friends all over the country and the world. He has friends in APC, he has friends in other parties, so I don’t know why people should be saying this. He has not come out to say he is no more a member of the Labour Party. But to what extent have you received support from Mimiko? Well, as our leader, he has been giving us the support we need, making way for us to do some necessary things in collaboration with national secretariat of our party and sincerely speaking, I want to thank our national leaders for their support so far because they have been pillars behind me. When we are faced with certain challenges, they really rally round and God has enabled us to surmount all the problems, so the support cannot be quantified. Are you in support of the deployment of soldiers to supervise the election? Very well, we are very much in support of deploying security agents during the election. In fact, if we would have our way, I would have loved a situation whereby, if not more than what we have in Ekiti but something like it because it will give voters in the state a kind of confidence, it will boost their confidence to file out because they would know that they are protected because when you see the ominous signs with some parties threatening to unleash violence, then the government has

SUN State Peoples Democratic Party gubernatorial candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore has promised to make governance a worthwhile venture in order to make the hub of business activity in the south west. The gubernatorial candidate spoke through his running mate, Hon. Adejare Bello who represented him when a socio -cultural Group known as “Better Leadership Awareness Group” With membership spread across the state organised an Award Night, tagged “Adire Nite” to honor and mobilise support for the candidature of Otunba Iyiola Omisore at Brymo Hotel, Ilobu Road Osogbo on Sunday.

PDP’s rigging plan in Ekiti’ll not work here — Salensile

•Akinbade: I have no pact with anybody the duty to protect lives and property. On the issue of the stomach infrastructure, some of your opponents have been wooing voters with rice and kerosene, what is your take on this? It’s not the best because if they had been sincere with themselves, they would know the hardship they have melted out to the people. Where were they in the last six months, why were they not doing all these? Where were they in the last one year? Why were they not giving out rice and kerosene last year? It’s an insult on the people of this state because they are just trying to be clever and the people of Osun State are wise. See what

happened in Ekiti, they got their rice, got their money and didn’t vote for them. Is it true that your party has entered into an alliance with one of the major parties? That is another falsehood. I am not joining them and I will never join them for the coming election, I have nothing to do with them, I have no pact with anybody and I will never have pact with anybody, people should read my lips, in any quarter, I am not going to have any pact with anybody. I will stand this election on my own because I cannot afford to destroy destiny of the people who God has commissioned me to raise.

APC, PDP want to buy this election — Falae By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

HE National Chairman of Social Democratic Party (SDP), Chief Olu Falae has bemoaned the high influence of money in the ongoing campaigns saying that the parties in control of the federal and state governments were determined to buy the election. Falae in a message to members of the party yesterday called on the electorate to vote massively for the SDP candidate, Mr. Olusegun

We’ll make governance a worthwhile venture — Omisore

Akinwusi who he described as the best candidate of the lot. “It is regrettable that due to high level of poverty in the land, parties that control funds at state and federal levels buy election all over Nigeria”, Falae stated. He appreciated SDP members in the state for their steadfastness and by proofing that politics is not only about money or mere pecuniary gains but about good governance and welfare of the people. “Our candidate is a distinguished retired public

officer. He is a complete gentleman and I am certain that he is the perfect person Osun state needs at this time. So, I strongly called on Osun people to massively vote for him.” “He is not just bringing integrity into governance; he has served the state as Head of Service and come out with clean hands. He was an honest public officer who knows what to do. Osun people will do themselves a great honour to support and vote for him as a technocrat”, he stated.

DULRASAK Salensile, a member of the National Executive Committee of the APC has said that the alleged scientific rigging that made the way for the PDP in the recent election in Ekiti State would not work in Osun State. Salensile in an interview said the party has learnt lessons from the alleged high profile rigging by the PDP in Ekiti. He said: “Aregbesola’s style is different from Fayemi. You know they are different individuals, but it is also important to say that it was not PDP that defeated Fayemi in Ekiti State, they have been exposed, it was a high profile rigging, scientific rigging, first of its kind in this nation.” “In due course the details would be released, it was INEC in collusion with PDP that voted Fayemi out, not the good people of Ekiti because Fayemi also wonderfully performed well, but inspite of that you can also notice one or two differences between Aregbesola and Fayemi in terms of mobilization, in terms of grassroots politicking.”

•Omisore

44—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014

and flax milk

Green smoothies - recipes W Hakeem Jimo’s ELCOME back to our every Thursday VeggieVictory column. The last two times I was writing about some benefits of green smoothies. Well, I guess now it is time for some recipes. I actually got a few feedbacks that this is what you are waiting for. During the upcoming Lagos Veg Fest (October 10-12) at Freedom Park, Lagos Island, there is going to be a Green Smoothie food tasting and demonstrations. Save the date www.lagosvegfest.com. Here we go with the recipies: There's more than one way to make a tasty and nutritious smoothie. In fact, the combinations are seemingly endless! The matrix below is a guide for making a basic green smoothie, including some of the more commonly used ingredients and adapted to what we can find in markets here in Nigeria. Simply choose at least one ingredient from each column, blend, and enjoy a nutritious breakfast, snack or even dessert! A few notes: * Ripe, frozen bananas make a great smoothie base, adding a sweet flavor and creamy texture. Try using one banana and half a cup of other fruit. If you don't like bananas, use a cup of one or more of the other types of fruit listed. * If you're shy about greens, try starting with 1 cup instead of 2, but be sure to use a whole cup of liquid.

Ve ggie Victory

veggienaija@gmail.com

2 cups greens

Ugu leaves, kale, spinach, romaine or leaf lettuce, turnip, beet, collard, dandelion greens, parsley

1 cup frozen fruit

Banana, mango, pineapple, papaya, pear, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, Water melon

Add-in's

peanut butter, Cocoa, mesquite, maca powder, vanilla extract protein powder, ginger, cinnamon, other spices and dates. And finally, here's my favorite combination! The "Doesn't Taste Green" Smoothie: "½ cup plain or unsweetened vanilla almond milk "2 cups organic Ugwu leaves "1 frozen banana "½ cup frozen mangos "1 T raw cacao powder "1 T cocoa powder "½ tsp vanilla extract "1 scoop vegan protein powder (optional)

Why we need personal hygiene

•Green Smoothie. * If you don't have a highpowered blender (like a Vitamix or Blendtec), try blending the liquid and greens together before adding the frozen fruit. This will ensure a smooth consistency and make the mixture easier to blend. Feel free to use as many addin's as you like! They're a great way to add flavor and extra nutritional punch to your

smoothie. This matrix is not meant to be an exhaustive list of all possible smoothie ingredients. Once you've mastered the basic smoothie, don't be afraid to experiment with other ingredients like avocados, carrots, tofu, soy yogurt, apples, and other greens!

* ½ to 1 cup liquid

soy milk, almond milk, coconut milk, coconut water, tiger nut milk

ROPER personal hygiene means taking care of every aspect of your body, from keeping it clean to looking your best. Basic hygiene should be taught to children at an early age to help establish good habits. Parents can reinforce good hygienic behaviour by creating routines and being good role models. Personal hygiene practices include bathing, washing your hands, keeping your hair clean and brushing your teeth. Your personal, social and professional worlds are all affected by hygiene habits.

Disease Prevention

Wash your hands often to prevent the spread of disease. Each time you use the restroom, wash your hands before leaving the area to remove germs. Wash your hands before you handle food, eat or take out contact lenses. We need personal hygiene because our bodies constantly produce sweat, oils, and chemicals in that nature. Hygiene helps the production slow down. Also, there are millions of bacteria in our surroundings.

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

OOD day Uche. My name is Samson. I have this problem of no erection, I mean complete lack of erection. Do you have a product for the cure? Samson Samson, the solution that is right for you can only be determined by the cause of your erection loss. Have you seen a doctor about this? You need a diagnosis. But since I don’t have any information on your health history, I will just put you through a few scenarios. If you are diabetic or hypertensive, the medication you are taking for them can limit the flow of blood to the erectile tissues of your penis, hence the erection loss. In that case, the right aphrodisiac can help you. But you will need further clearance from your doctor to take an aphrodisiac if you are diabetic or hypertensive. Another scenario is this. If you get erections in the mornings and you are able to masturbate and get an erection when you are alone, then the cause of your erection loss is psychogenic. This means that due to performance anxiety, you are unable to get an erection when you are with a woman. Psychogenic erectile disorders require therapy not drugs or supplements. So if that is the case with you, then you need to see a therapist. But if you don’t get an erection at all under any circumstance or maybe the erection comes and goes, then the cause of your condition is organogenic. This means that your organs are not functioning properly and there can be a wide range of reasons for this. Old age, prostrate surgery, neural damage, prescription drugs, obesity, diabetes and so on can all cause organogenic erectile dysfunction. It is in cases like these where a drug or supplement like Exploding Thunder or Men’s Club can help you. Penis pumps like the Machismo Pump can also help in these circumstances. But it is always good to know the cause of your problem first to enable you treat the ailment accurately and faster – Uche I get wet easily. What is the cure for this? Adaora There is no cure because you don’t have a disease.

Some women and men get aroused easily and it is just their nature. Arousal is what leads to vaginal wetness in women – Uche Hello sir, please there is a penis enlargement cream I bought from you many years ago. I really liked it because it gave me results but I travelled before I could finish the dose. The name is Max Width Enlargement Cream. Do you still have it? Tony Yes Max Width is available and there are many others too such as the Liquid Sex Dick Plumper and the Plump Enlargement Cream. They are all fast acting instant penis enlargers. In addition to enlarging the penis, they also help men have better erections – Uche Dear Sir, sometimes I experience dryness and pain during sex - Martha Sexual dryness is an indication of inadequate sexual stimulation before intercourse. It is also an indication of menopause in older women and can be caused by certain types of medication as well. Whatever the case may be, you can get rid of the dryness and pain with a lubricant. For this you can use the Swiss Navy lubricant during intercourse. Apply the lubricant generously all around the genitals during intercourse and you will not feel dryness or pain – Uche My husband is away on a course and I have not had sex forever. I am frustrated. Can vibrators really help me? Omotola A vibrator will not replace your husband but yes they can stimulate you and give you sexual pleasure, which is better than nothing at all – Uche The Rock Hard Delay Cream is helping control my premature ejaculation. I feel better. Thank you so much James You are welcome. The names of the people featured here have been changed for their privacy. Adults in need of these treatments/novelties can call 08027901621 or 08051924159 or any other number here to order or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com. Zee Virtual Media delivers to you wherever you are in Nigeria. For enquiries, send your emails to custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014—45

Im peachment: Deco o pit Impeachment: Decoyy tto me against la wmak er s, lawmak wmaker ers, in-la ws, sa ys Elechi in-laws, says ment. A person called Mathais Egwu is said to be the chairman BAKALIKI — GOVER- and another person called SunNOR Martin Elechi of day Nwankwo is the secretary. “I have read the publication Ebonyi State, yesterday, flayed atand seen that it is a calculated tempt by some people to pit him attempt to put me on head on colagainst members of the State House of Assembly and Izzi clan, lision with members of the State following last week’s impeach- House of Assembly. It is also an ment of Speaker of the House, attempt to denigrate me with the Izzi people, my in-laws. Chukwuma Nwazunku ”On Monday, the 21st day of SESSION: From left, Director, Corporate Relations, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Sesan Sobowale; Briefing newsmen at Government House, Abakaliki, the gov- this month, we woke up to hear Chairman, Board of Directors, NESG, Mr. Foluso Phillips; Managing Director/Chief Execuernor made reference to a publi- about the impeachment of the tive Officer, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Seni Adetu, and member, Board of Directors, NESG, cation which was meant to set him speaker of our House of Assem- Sir Keith Richards, after a closed door session, in Lagos. against the lawmakers and said bly and if you recall what has hapefforts were on to reconcile all the pened since 2011, House members to ensure peace this is about the third in the series of imand stability across the state. He said: “That is the first seg- peachments and I inment of what happened this vited the honourable week. Now you will agree with members of the state me that since then, different peo- House of Assembly By Eric Ugbor He said: “The mood of the nation now ple have reacted differently. In and heard from both is very clear to the discerning and that some cases, the reaction bordered sides and my position MUAHIA — THE All is why we look inwards. This is going on security, some on has been made clear. Progressives Grand Alliance, to be part of the our campaign issues. By Eric Ugbor “First, I concede falsehood. APGA, has vowed to take over Abia State “APGA is the party of Ndigbo see as “Of course, in my own case, you the right of the House in 2015. their own; the party that will defend BA — CHAIRMAN, will expect people to mention my members to effect The party said it would replicate in their interest in Nigeria. Aba branch of Nigename, particularly those around changes in their Abia its good governance achievements “The party that is very compassionrian Bar Association, NBA, leadership whenever me. Things I never heard of and in Anambra State. ate in dealing with issues that concern Mr. Chidozie Ogunji, has never happened were said about they feel the need National Chairman of the party, Chief our people, and I am sure that Abia called for a reduction in the arises me. But I was not bothered. Victor Umeh, who said this while com- people are ready to go. membership of the National ”Second, they “The truth shall be made manimissioning the party’s state secretariat, “What I promise the people of Abia Assembly as well as certain should do so with refest soon. As media practitioners, also dismissed Abia as a PDP state, inpolitical offices to check the you must have seen the publica- gard to the constitu- sisting that APGA would retrieve it State is a government that will be compared with what we have in Anambra rising cost of governance. tion in Daily Sun newspapers of tion of the Federal from PDP. State. APGA has raised the bar of govIn a chat with newsmen yesterday, captioned, ‘Our stand Republic of Nigeria Umeh challenged Abia people to ernance in Anambra to the admiration on some of the recommenand, third, and most on Ebonyi State House of Assemsearch for quality candidates for the of the people. dations of the national conbly crisis, and the hidden threat important, they task ahead. “So our vision is to replicate this qualfab, Ogunji lamented that to impeach Governor Martin should ensure that in According to Chief Umeh, “APGA is ity governance in Abia and other states funds which could have doing so that the inElechi.' the custodian of the electoral goodwill we are going to win. been used to pursue tegrity, dignity and ”It is from people who call themof Ndigbo.” “Our policies are very novel; the projects were now diverted selves chairman and secretary re- honour of the House He said its government was always amount of planning in APGA governto service political office spectively of a body known as is maintained.” out to fight and protect the interest of ment is not ad-hoc thing. We approach holders, stressing that such Ebonyi State Democratic MoveNdigbo. governance holistically. We work in all was not in the best interest sectors simultaneously. of the country. “We will do that in Abia, we He said: “The truth must make progress in all areas at the be told, governance has same time so that the people will turned into a multi-billion be happy.” naira enterprise in Nigeria. According to him, Abia proSomething must be done By Eric Ugbor It was gathered that the gun- abducted the man and took him duced great and visionary leadabout the problem of high men had at about 11p.m. on the to their hide-out in his Passat ers like late Michael Okpara, Precost of governance. MIDDLE aged business day of the incident climbed the mier of defunct Eastern region. “I’m of the opinion that man, Emmanuel Onu, has perimeter fence of No. 123 Port Volkswagen car. At about the same period last He expressed the hope that the number of political ofbeen abducted in Aba, Abia State, Harcourt Road/Ikoro Street, Aba fices must be reduced to free by gunmen believed to be kid- and broke into the apartment of week, the Ariaria branch man- people with late Okpara’s leadager of one of the new generaership quality were still in the up funds for projects. Look nappers. Emmanuel Onu. tion banks narrowly escaped be- state to carry APGA flags. at the state of our roads and This is even as a manager of a It was further learnt that after Umeh dismissed the view that other infrastructure; the new generation commercial bank firing some shots, perhaps to scare ing kidnapped by gunmen. There was conflicting informa- Abia was a PDP state, saying there funds we use to settle poin the city escaped being kid- people within the neighbourtion about the incident. was nothing like PDP state in litical office holders could napped. hood, the hoodlums reportedly While one account had it that Igboland, insisting that PDP took have been used to address the bank manager, whose the zone in 2003 through electhis problem. name could not be imme- toral fraud. “What has a country like “There is nothing like PDP state diately ascertained, was Nigeria got to do with as shot and wounded by the in Igboland. I have said before, many as over 40 ministers? followed in his suspension, stress- armed men, another had it in 2003, APGA won all the elecBy Enyim Enyim The federal cabinet must be ing that the party’s constitution that the banker jumped tions in South East, but PDP reduced to a more manNITSHA — SUSPENDED chair- clearly stated how an officer could down from the balcony of a through election manipulation ageable size. If you look at man of the Labour Party, LP, in be suspended. storey building as he tried took hold the South East. the size of our National AsAnambra State, Mr. Sam Oraegbunem, “We are doing everything to ”I have gone to court to chal- to escape from the hoodsembly, it is unwieldy. has dragged the national leadership lenge my so called suspension and lums and broke his leg in dislodge them and we have hope “Let the two chambers be of the party and the Independent Na- I hope that national leadership will the process. that with new INEC which has retained but with a reduced tional Electoral Commission, INEC, to suspend action, pending the deHe was said to have been improved in its conduct of elecnumber. For the Senate, it a Federal High Court in Awka, chal- termination of my suit. admitted at a private hos- tions, we are going to take adshould be reduced to two lenging his alleged suspension last “The suit was filed on July 8 and pital in the city where he is vantage of new improved INEC members from each state, month by the state working committee. the first hearing would be in Sep- currently receiving treat- to get the votes of Abia people and while the House of RepreSpeaking with reporters, yesterday, tember," Oraegbunem said. ment from the injury he secure it. Rigging is no long easy sentatives can be cut down Oraegbunem said due process was not to achieve,” he said. sustained. to five members per state. By Peter Okutu

We 'll take over Abia — APGA U

Reduce political of o cut offfices tto cost of governance — Ogunji

Gunmen kidnap man as bank manager escapes abduction in Aba

Suspended Anambra LP chairman drags par ty o cour party ty,, INEC tto courtt

46— Vanguard , THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014

NON-IMPLEMENTATION OF MINIMUM WAGE:

Labour declares indefinite strike in Benue M

By Peter Duru

A K U R D I — ORGANISED labour yesterday declared an indefinite strike in Benue State to protest alleged illegal deductions of workers’ salaries and the nonimplementation of minimum wage for teachers and pensioners by the state government. In a seven paragraph resolution in Makurdi, the state capital, by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, the state government was given up to the close of work yesterday to meet the demands of the aggrieved workers or face an indefinite action. The resolution signed by Ordue Tartenger and Simon Anchaver, state chairmen of TUC and NLC respectively, read, “the NLC/ TUC after its joint meeting in-ssession resolved that government should refund the excess tax deductions from our members’ salaries since 2011. "The joint session observed with dismay, the decision of government to unilaterally deduct workers salaries despite the position of the organised labour that it will resist any attempt to tamper with our salaries and we demand an immediate refund.

“We also demand that the three years Leave Transport Grant arrears owed our members by the state government should be paid forthwith. The session also observed with dismay the nonpayment of minimum wage to pensioners, and the non implementation of 15 per cent and 21 per cent increment to pensioners; we demand that it

is paid forthwith. “Primary school teachers are also yet to enjoy the full implementation of the minimum wage, we demand that they should also be paid the minimum wage along with others workers. "Furthermore, we also resolved that government should immediately refund all deductions made in respect of

the National Housing Fund to our members. The joint session resolved that government should address all of these issues before the close of work today, (Wednesday) failing the organised labour will have no option than to call all her members to embark on an indefinite strike action commencing Thursday, 31 July 2014.”

VISIT: Former Governor of Kano State, Senator Kabir Gaya (left) and General Muhammadu Buhari, during a visit by the former governor to Gen. Buhari over the recent attack on his convoy in Kaduna. Photo: Olu Ajayi.

RIGHTS GROUP TO STATE GOVTS: Comply with judgment on financial autonomy for judiciary

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

AGOS—CAMPAIGN for Democratic and Workers’ Rights, CDWR, yesterday called on state governments to comply with the judgment by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja which ordered the states to comply with financial independence of the state judiciary. Strike by members of Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, to force state governments to obey the judgment has crippled state judiciary nationwide in the past three weeks. While throwing its weight behind JUSUN strike, CDWR in a statement by its publicity secretary, Mr. Chinedu Bosah, said: “We condemn in the strongest terms the pillaging of financial resources meant for the state judiciary by the state Governors and call for independent running of the state judiciary under the democratic control of all interest groups in the judiciary including representatives of judicial

workers. We commend the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, for extending solidarity to the union. “The judgment of the court delivered by Justice A.F.A Ademola of the Federal High Court in January 2014 directed that funds meant for state judiciary as allocations from the Federation/ Consolidated Revenue Fund should be paid directly to heads of the state courts. The court also declared as unconstitutional, null

and void the piece-meal payments/allocations of funds through the Ministries of Finance in the states to the state judiciary at the pleasure of state Governors. “However, the financial autonomy of the judiciary will mean fundamentally nothing if it does not translate into improved welfare and conditions of the judicial workers. We therefore call on the leadership

of the union to link the demand of the strike to the living standards of their rank and file members to include such demands on wages, pension, study leave, among others. The fact that the strike enjoys nationwide support of the rank and file of the union including the federal court workers shows the need to widening the demands."

Hadejia monarch tasks community leaders on child education

ADEJIA—THE Emir of Hadejia in Jigawa, Alhaji Adamu Abubakar, yesterday, directed district heads in his domain to prevail on parents to enrol their wards in school. He said that it was imperative for community leaders to sensitise their subjects on the need to enrol their wards in school and ensure that they stayed in school. Abubakar spoke in his palace when district heads and other community leaders in his domain paid him Sallah homage in Hadejia. The emir also urged parents to ensure proper moral upbringing of their children to enable them become responsible members of the society. The monarch said: “I enjoin you to strictly monitor the enrolment of children into formal and Islamic schools. You must also ensure proper orientation of youths on good moral values to build a better society.” Abubakar also urged farmers and herdsmen to live in peace with one another for a harmonious coexistence in the state. The emir stressed the need for Nigerians to pray for peace and unity in the country, saying: “ we must pray to end violence because no m e a n i n g f u l development could be achieved without peace. “You should report any suspicious activity in your communities to the emirate council for appropriate action.“

Nigerian lawyers bear more responsibility than in developed nations —Uzamere

ENIN CITY—A Beninbased legal practitioner, Chief Osaheni Uzamere, has lamented that despite criticisms in some quarters about the Nigerian legal system, Nigerian lawyers bear a much heavier responsibility to their society than their counterpart in the developed countries. According to him, “the Nigerian legal practitioner has to face not only the problems of the

developing society but also many of those of the developed one into which Nigeria is moving at a hectic rate. The present rate of change in every facet of life could not have been foreseen.” He spoke while delivering a lecture on: “Modelling the Law and Practice in Nigeria: A Centenary Benchmark on One Hundred Years of Legal Practice in Nigeria”, at the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Benin Law

Week. While insisting that the legal practice in Nigeria had flourished in the past one hundred years, he regretted that the legal practitioner in Nigeria “is one among the very few privileged people in an environment where the vast majority are not only illiterate but also ignorant, superstitious and poor; his social and traditional environment clogs him and he

is required to make a great effort not only to break through but to play his proper role of social catalyst. “As the watch dog of the people, they must through their independence and total commitment to social justice, provide the necessary support to sustain an equally independent and fearless judiciary, the last hope of man for law and order, peace and progress.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014 —47

Gaidam condemns multiple bomb attacks in Potiskum

UNILORIN graduates 114 medical doctors

By Bala Ajiya & Ndahi Marama

By Demola Akinyemi

AMATURU — GOVERNOR Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe State, has condemned the multiple bomb attacks including a suicide bomber killing no fewer than 10 persons in Potiskum, with several others sustaining various degrees of injury. Insurgents also blew up a bridge in Katarko village killing 8 residents. On Monday, a group of terrorists invaded Katarko and shot dead 8 residents before blowing up a bridge linking Damaturu and Biu Local Government Area or Borno State. Also Tuesday, there was a reported twin blast in a mosque and a gathering spot in Potiskum town killing 10 persons, while several others sustained serious injuries. Reacting to the attacks, Gaidam in a statement through his Special Adviser on Press Affairs and Information, Alhaji Abdullahi Bego, described the incidents as “senseless, heinous, barbaric and totally unjustifiable.” Gaidam expressed shock and outrage over the loss of life and suffering caused by the attacks in Katarko and Potiskum and commiserated with the families of victims.

Dikko's death, a great loss — Yerima By Richard Udofia

OS — FOUNDER of Northern Friends of SouthSouth, NFSS, Dr. Suliman Yerima, has said the death of late Umaru Dikko remains a great loss for the nation. Yerima in a chat with Vanguard in Jos, said the Second Republic minister, who passed on recently at the age of 78 years, remained one of the finest politicians the country had ever produced. According to him, Dikko was very instrumental to the growth and seasoned catalysts of young Northern elite by teaching them to imbibe democratic and independent philosophy at developing human race. Yerima recalled that in his early years of growing up, the elder statesman played a fatherly role in his life and other prominent Nigerians today, not minding ethnicity, religion or colour.

I Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State (middle); former Anambra State Governor, Senator Chris Ngige (with red cap); President, Igbo Community in Osogbo, Chief Mazi Sam Nwaoha (in red cap with glasses) and other Igbo indigenes, during an endorsement of Aregbesola's re-election and a decoration on him as A Man of Infrastructure by Benue and other Middle Belt communities, at Government House, Osogbo, yesterday.

Lamido faults agitation for registration of non citizens By Aliyu Dangida

UTSE — GOVERNOR Sule Lamido of Jigawa State has faulted agitation for the registration of non citizens, especially northerners, in some states in the south, describing the idea as selfish interest capable of jeopardizing the existing relationship betweennorth and south. Speaking in Dutse, Lamido said his government would not embark on any registration exercise of non citizens, saying every Nigerian had a legitimate right to live in any state of the federation he or she wished as a citizen of this country. He said plans were underway for non citizens in the state to

be given fund that would enable them build their centres as government had already provided them with land for that purpose. According to him, “ we are determining to fulfill this pledge soonest, as each tribal group will benefit from the designed arrangement. ”We are now in a crucial situation, as Nigerians are living in fear any where they found themselves. Political leaders from top to down are desperate of power, they don’t give a damn to what is happening to their people. We must continue praying for God to provide us with solution to the present predicament.”

According to the governor, Jigawa people should thank God for witnessing tremendous changes across the state in terms of physical and infrastructural developments in the last seven years. He commended the traditional institution and the people of Jigawa State for their support and understanding in assisting him to run the affairs of the state. He attributed his seven years success to their support and cooperation and called on them to continue with their prayers for peace to reign in the country.

DELTA COUNCIL POLLS: Anioma Congress abroad seeks level playing ground for all candidates By Etop Ekanem

NDIGENES of Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State in the United States (US) and Europe under the aegis of Anioma Congress in Diaspora, have petitioned Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, leaders in the state and national levels, urging them to ensure a level playing ground for all aspirants in the forthcoming council election in the state. In a petition by their president, Dr. Ifeanyi Odum and Secretary, Mr. Fidelis Onyebuchi after a meeting in Atlanta Georgia, US, the group said it had received with sadness certain unrepentant moves by some party leaders in the state to impose unpopular candidates for the October 25, 2014 council election in the state.

In the petition addressed to Governor Uduaghan, PDP National Chairman and Delta State Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu and Chief Peter Nwaoboshi respectively, the congress particularly opposed the alleged imposition of an indidvidual(names withheld) as the chairmanship candidate for the PDP in Oshimili North. The petition read in part: “Though, we are not a political organisation, but we know that PDP is the dominant party in Delta State, hence we are concerned with the calibre of candidates it puts forward for any election in the state so that the party does not plunge itself into crisis, thereby giving room for protest votes and giving a leeway for the opposition to exploit the crisis for its victory. ”While we are not campaigning for any aspirant, we, however, appeal to

Governor Uduaghan to advise the state PDP Chairman, Nwaoboshi, to allow more credible aspirants to purchase nomination forms for the election since we are not comfortable with his endorsement as a chairmanship candidate. “From all information we gathered from reliable sources and judging from the groundwell of opposition to his endorsement in the newspapers and social media, we are convinced that he lacks the pedigree, experience and maturity, which such a tasking and challenging post of a council chairman entail. "We believe that the local government administration is vital for grassroots development which inevitably requires trusted, tested and forthright leadership."

LORIN —UNIVERSITY of Ilorin, UNILORIN, yesterday graduated 114 medical doctors, urging them to uphold the ethics of the profession and be good ambassadors of the university. Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Abdulganiyu Ambali, who was represented at the ceremony by the Provost, College of Health Sciences, Professor Ayotunde Omotosho, lamented that the poor state of economy had made quality healthcare delivery system unaffordable by the citizens. According to him, “a well-trained doctor can only do so much for the patient whose kidneys have shut down, requiring renal replacement therapy that is largely unaffordable. "In Africa’s most populous nation, about 100 million people live on less than a dollar a day. As mentioned, many factors culminate into the health of citizens, underscoring the need for inter-sectoral collaboration. “Poverty and ignorance affect access to and maximisation of available health care services, bad roads prevent quick access to the hospital and lack of power may cause otherwise avoidable delays with surgical procedures.” He also noted that the university had constantly emphasised the role of medical education in equipping the present generation of doctors for today’s health needs. To the graduands, he said: "Your teachers have worked tirelessly instilling in you the invaluable training that we now celebrate. Surely, capacity building through continued medical education for health professionals is imperative.” He also urged the government to enact laws on health care, adding that the budgetary allocation should reflect a high priority on the health of the populace.

48—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014

BRIEFING: From left; Bar. Lanre Adebayo; Dr Olu Falomo, Chairman, Organising Committee, White Cane Day and Major Kehinde Danmole (rtd) all executive council members, Nigerian Society for the Blind during a press briefing in Lagos to announce the 9th White Cane day coming up on August 9th in Lagos. Photo Lamidi Bamidele

VISIT: From right; President, Galilee International Management Institute, Israel, Dr Joseph Shovel; Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State; Deputy Governor, Alhaji Alli Olanusi, and Rector, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Prof Igbekele Ajibefun, during Shovel's visit to the Governor, in Akure, on Wednesday.

LECTURE: From left— Prof. Adedayo Fasakin, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic; Prof. Adebiyi Daramola, Vice Chancellor, both of Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA; Prof. Michael Adewumi, Vice Provost, University Office of Global Programmes, The Pennsylvania State University, United States of America and Guest Lecturer; Prof. Tolulope Akinbogun, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Development; and Dr. Modupe Ajayi, Registrar, both of FUTA, during the institution’s 2014 Foundation Day Lecture.

EID PRAYERS: Chief Imam, Shababul Hujjaj Society of Nigeria Central Mosque, Alhaji Saoban Bamidele (front), Chairman, Agege Local Government, Hon. Jubreel Ayodeji Abdulkareem (3rd right), with other muslim faithful during the prayers to mark the Eid-el-fitri celebration at the Shababul Hujjaj Society of Nigeria Central Mosque, Fagba, Lagos.

VALEDICTORY: From right; Mrs Oluwayemisi Solarin; Principal Krisbethel College; Alhaji T.A.Akinbami, Chairman Parent Teachers Association; Mrs Christina Ojo, Proprietress/Director Of Education, Krisbethel Schools; Chief Daniel Ojo, Chairman, Board Of Directors, Krisbethel Schools; Mrs Taiwo Akanni, special guests of honour; Prof Samuel O.Aje, Former Director, French Village, Badagry, Lagos; Mrs Olusoji Cline, Executive Director, Krisbethel Schools and Pastor Olomoshua Solomon at the 11th valedictory service/prize giving day of the school held at BO 2-6 Fed Low Cost Housing Estate, Off Ipaja, Lagos. Photo by Akeem Salau. (RIGHT) PRESENTATION: From left; Manager, Regional Distribution, Lagos South, Etisalat, Emmanuel Ilori; Head, Regional Sales (Lagos), Etisalat, Olujinmi Tella presenting the keys to a brand new Ford Explorer to the winner of the Distribution Partner with the best overall performance in the Lagos south region, CEO, Seaman Ventures Nigeria Limited, Emeka Agbanari; and the Head, Sales and Distribution, Etisalat, Oluwatosin Olulana at the PRESENTATION: Members of FoodClique Sup- prize presentation cerport Initiative, a non-governmental organisation emony held at Etisalat rewith free food parcels for fasting Muslims at Main- gional office, Saka Tinubu, land Central Mosque, Ebute Metta, Lagos. Victoria Island, Lagos.

SEMINAR: From right; Mrs Angela Okoh, Business Dev. Mgr. SEAD, NYSC; Mrs Joan Agha, President, Joan Agha Foundation, JAF and Mrs Patience Ukpe, Lagos Island Local Govt, LILG, Inspector, during a one-day seminar on Promoting Entrepreneurship among Nigerian Youth: Building a Succeesful Career at the NYSC Secretariat, LILG over the week-end. Photo by Biodun Ogunleye.

INAUGURAL FLIGHT: From left; Group Chief Executive Officer, Arik Air, Dr. Michael Arumemi-Ikhide; Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, (NTDC), and Special Guest, Mrs. Sally Uwechue-Mbanefo; Deputy Managing Director, Arik Air, Capt. Ado Sanusi and MD, Skyway Aviation Handling Co Ltd., Mr. Olu Owolabi during the Airline Lagos-Dubai-Lagos Inaugural flight ceremony held at departure hall of Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos on Monday

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014 — 49

50—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014

EBOLA •1 out of 15 airport contacts down with Ebola Virus Disease •No one is sick —LASG •NIMR seeks support for upgrade of laboratory •Ogun places health workers in border areas on Red Alert By Chioma Obinna & Gabriel Olawale & Bosede Oyelohunnu

Continues from page 1 THE Lagos state government has however allayed fears that some of the contacts may have been manifesting symptoms of the virus. Already, medical personnel from Canada are already in Nigeria working with their counterparts at the hospital where the victims died on how to control the spread of the virus. Hotlines have also been provided to enable members of the public pass information on any suspected case of the virus.

NDICATIONS emerged, yesterday, that one of the 15 airport contacts that assisted the late Liberian, Mr. Patrick Sawyer, that died of Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, may have contracted the deadly virus. Unconfirmed reports revealed

text that the person who helped Sawyer, the Liberian, to get out of the air plane is down with a suspected case of Ebola. You can see we have to be very careful. I cannot say specifically whether he or she is a Nigerian or in Nigeria right now. He is still being monitored as we speak,” he said. He added that the latest victim was among those who were being quarantined for having first contact with the victim. Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government in a swift reaction through a text message said that no one of the 59 contacts is sick for now. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, Dr. Yewande Adeshina who responded through a text message said: “It is not true. We are doing routine surveillance, no one is sick.” It would be recalled that the Lagos State Government, Monday, disclosed that not less than 59

EVD is not an African issue. That majority of the victims are Africans does not make it an African disease

that already the contact has begun to manifest symptoms of Ebola Virus. According to a member of the Joint Federal and State Team on Ebola outbreak who preferred anonymity; one of the persons who accompanied late Patrick Sawyer is already showing signs of Ebola. The reliable source confirmed receipt of a short message service, SMS, text that the person who assisted late Patrick Sawyer to move out of the plane is presenting symptoms, identifiable with EVD. “In fact, I just got a

persons that had contact with the victim of Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, Patrick Sawyer, who died in Lagos last Thursday have been identified and that the Joint Federal and State Team in collaboration with other health organisations on prevention of Ebola outbreak in Lagos, have begun close monitoring of the 59 persons. Also, the Ogun State Governor; Senator Ibikunle Amosun has said that all health and other relevant officials in the border are-

•Ebola virus disease victim being attended to by medical doctors

•Victim of the deadly Ebola virus disease, Patrick Sawyer wth wife, Decontee as of the state have been put on red alert to forestall the spread of the deadly Ebola virus. He also appealed to doctors to end the lingering nationwide strike embarked upon by members of Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, barely a month ago. Meanwhile, the Director General of the Nigerian Institute Medical Research, NIMR, Professor Innocent Ujah, has appealed to the federal and states governments as well as good spirited individuals to support the institute in its quest to upgrade its Human Virology Laboratory, HVL, to appropriately conduct research into the disease. Ujah who spoke during a symposium to mark this year’s World Hepatitis Day in Lagos said apart from conducting new research into the disease it would also help the institute to generate new information about the deadly virus. “We must invest in health research if Nigeria must make any headway in quality healthcare,” he stressed. On steps taken by the institute since the outbreak of Ebola, Ujah said “ever before the first reported case of Ebola virus disease in Nigeria last week, our institute had instituted proactive measures by repositioning the Emergency Preparedness and Response Team and Research Group for national response, in case there is an outbreak in Nigeria.

Proactive strategy Our proactive strategy, in my opinion, has placed us in an advantaged position for national response. “Right now, some of

our staff are on training with the National Response Team at the Mainland Hospital on the prevention and control of the disease, using internationally designed protocol. We are intensifying research on Ebola in Nigeria." Ujah allayed fears that EVD was not an African issue, stressing that because majority of the victims were Africans did not make it an African disease. He, however, noted that "most animals in Europe are under surveillance and are well taking care off. The reason why we are victims is because these animals are also in Africa and not under surveillance. But that does not

make it African issue.” On how possible a person can be screened on Ebola, he said: "It is difficult to hide the symptoms. The ports authority needs to be at alert. Travellers must consult their doctor at the port before departure. And no matter the measures put in place at the port, some people will still slip through." Speaking on way out of the problems, he advised that hygiene was the solution and could save anyone from contracting the disease. “People should embrace hand washing. The virus is very small but with hygienic life style one can still stay healthy,” he added.

Ogun places health workers in border areas on red alert

GUN State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, yesterday, said that all health and other relevant officials in the border areas of the state have been put on red alert to forestall the spread of the deadly Ebola virus. He also appealed to doctors to end the lingering nationwide strike embarked upon by members of Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, barely a month ago. Amosun, who was speaking at the Annual General Meeting of NMA, Ogun State Chapter in Abeokuta, lamented the rate at which human lives were being lost on a daily basis due to the strike. He said, ”We are terribly exposed because we have numerous border towns in our state.

All the health officials and other government agents in border areas have been put on red alert to work assiduously to curtail the infiltration of the deadly Ebola virus. "It is true that the environment is not the way our doctors want but I want to appeal to them to try as much as possible to avoid strike because their service is more of service to humanity. I’m happy to know that this strike is not about your remuneration but clamour for facilities that will enhance your performance. "Let’s endeavour to strike a balance on issues that brought about this strike for the sake of the lives we are losing daily nationwide.” The governor, who also commissioned the new secretariat of the association, assured that his administration would remain committed to creating an enabling environment for business in the state. In his remarks, Chairman, NMA, Ogun State, Edward Jagun, commended Amosun for the health insurance system of his administration because according to him, it would help to achieve a better universal health coverage.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014—51

A medical doctor attending to an Ebola virus disease victim

‘Ebola fever’ grips the world

•Lagos State health commissioner, Dr. Idris with other stakeholders briefing the press on the ebola virus disease

Plight of Ebola survivors

ICTORIA Yillah, is identi fied as the first person to be cured of the deadly Ebola virus in Sierra Leone. Victoria was pregnant when she was discharged from hospital in the eastern city of Kenema after hovering for weeks between life and death battling the tropical disease. “I am thankful to God to have survived the ordeal. I can hardly say more, I am overjoyed,” she told the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation. Health officials in Kenema say no other Sierra Leonean had been given the allclear before Yillah’s recovery, although three more unnamed survivors have since been announced. “Victoria was among people tested and confirmed as having the Ebola disease. She tested positive three times,” said district medical officer Mohamed Vandi. “We are thankful that we didn’t lose her. The family is grateful to God and to all others that fought to save her life,” said her husband Saidu.

Acclaimed survivor Victoria isn’t the only acclaimed survivor of Ebola disease. The World Health Organisation reported seven survivors in 2002 after the disease broke out in Kibaale district, South Western Uganda. One them was Gloria Tumwijuke, a midwife, who contracted Ebola in the course of her duty. “I will continue to love and serve”, she vowed as she was introduced as one of the survivors of Ebola. In tears, Gloria narrated how she unknowingly contracted Ebola while helping a mother in labour. “I came in contact with her blood which is common in my work, but after one week, I fell sick with symptoms of Ebola”, she narrated. Her condition deteriorated and she was eventually transferred to Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala for advanced care. The Uganda Virus Research Institute in Entebbe was quick in testing Gloria’s blood sample. Within hours UVRI positively confirmed the Ebola virus as the cause of her illness one more

example of a dedicated midwife that indeed got the infection in the line of duty. Miraculously, Gloria recovered. “I thank God to be alive, I am just lucky, but I am suffering from the after effects of the disease. I forget a lot and I have lost all my hair as you can see. But doctors tell me I am okay and I will overcome these problems with time”. But for Alice Ngonzi Isoke, another Ebola survivor, the situation is rather different - even tragic. Alice is from the family with the probable index case and most of the Ebola deaths from this outbreak occurred in her family. “We really suffered; most of my brothers, their wives and my father died. On one day we buried three people and almost all of us at home were sick,” she narrated. Most of the boys in Alice’s family died, she is now the heir to her father and head of the family. “I am now my mother’s husband, my sister’s father and my child’s grandfather,” she announced amid laughter and looking at her mother who is also an Ebola survivor. Alice’s dilemma is compounded by the stigma she and her family have to endure in the village. “Ever since I left the hospital, nobody comes here any-

more; people don’t even come to our home. They think we still have Ebola”. Then there is Diana Alinaitwe, Alice’s sister-in-law who was married to Alice’s young brother who died of Ebola. As the disease claimed lives in Alice’s family where Diana also lived, she decided to return to her father’s home in Manyinja Village, Kyebando Sub County. The fear and stigma for Ebola is so deeply rooted in this community to the extent that Diana was not only rejected by her parents, but also chased away! No amount of explaining and counseling would convince them to accept their own daughter. Adapted from WHO

HE death of a Liberian, Patrick Sawyer, of Ebola Virus disease in a Lagos Hospital last week, is fueling fears that the deadly disease may have spread beyond Africa, after two persons were quarantined in separate instances on Hong Kong and the UK for showing Ebola diseaselike symptoms following their trips to Africa. In Hong Kong, the unnamed woman was quarantined at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, when she exhibited symptoms of the Ebola Virus disease shortly after returning from Kenya. She later tested negative to the disease. The suspected patient in the UK was tested for the Ebola virus at a hospital in Birmingham after developing ‘feverish’ symptoms. He was given the all-clear by doctors but there are fears the killer disease could spread to the UK. The World Health Organisation says Ebola Virus Disease has already killed 672 people in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone and

infected more than 1,200 since it was first diagnosed in February. The panic sparked by Mr Sawyer’s death is ‘justified’ says Dr. Derek Gatherer of the University of Lancaster, claiming the virus is as infectious as flu. He warned that each person infected with the disease could spread the virus to at least two other people, noting, “Anyone on the same plane could have become infected because Ebola is easy to catch,’ warning that the spread of Ebola could become a global pandemic Meanwhile as he chaired an emergency meeting on how to boost defences, British Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond declared that the disease is ‘very serious threat’. The World Health Organisation says the death toll for what is described as the worst outbreak recorded since the Ebola virus was discovered in 1976, stands at 672, while more than 1,200 people have been infected.

Son of American Ebola patient, says she is ‘fighting through it’

HE son of a North Carolina missionary who is fighting the Ebola virus in Liberia says she continues to improve in her battle against the deadly disease. Nancy Writebol, a missionary from Charlotte working in West Africa to help fight Ebola, was diagnosed with the virus on July 25 and has been receiving care since being isolated in an outbreak that has affected more than

1,200 people in three countries. Her son, Jeremy Writebol, says she’s fighting through it, and continuing to express a few symptoms, but she’s able to move around on her own and working real hard to get through it. Writebol’s husband, David, also has been working in Liberia alongside his wife with the aid group Serving in Mission, which maintains a hospital that has been

Gloria Tumwijuke (with microphone), Alice Ngonzi Isoke (folding hands in red dress), Diana Alinaitwe (behind Alice), Mrs Isoke (Alice’s mother), an unidentified health worker(on Gloria’s right) and a granddaughter to Mrs Isoke – all Ebola survivors narrating their ordeal at Kagaadi Hospital during the function to officially declare Uganda Ebola free. Photo courtesy WHO

treating Ebola patients. He has only been allowed to see his wife through a window since she was isolated but has been in regular contact with their son. He has not been diagnosed with Ebola and has been checking his temperature every six hours to monitor any changes. “We’re concerned, but he’s been very healthy right now," Jeremy said. “As I talked with him last night, he was feeling fine, working hard, and so we just continue to hope and trust for the best in his case and situation. Everything’s been fine, and he’s strong and healthy right now.” Nancy had been assisting many of the doctors who have been in direct contact with Ebola patients when she was diagnosed, and David also has been working to help the local population. The couple had been in the area for 10 years, serving as missionaries, and David remains positive. One of Writebol’s colleagues, Dr. Kent Brantly, 33, a medical director from Texas for the aid group Samaritan’s Purse, is also fighting for his life against the virus. His condition has worsened in the past 24 hours and can no longer get out of bed. Officials say there is the possibility of Ebola spreading to the U.S. through an airline passenger, but the possibility of a domestic outbreak is remote.

52—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014

Leave us out of PDP aspirants' squabble, APC cautions A'Ibom SSG By Chioma Onuegbu

YO—THE Akwa Ibom State chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, has warned the Secretary to State Government, SSG, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, not to drag it into the squabble he has with some governorship aspirants in the state. The party gave the warning yesterday in Uyo, through its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Samuel Udobong in reaction to a rejoinder by the SSG in the media, indicting the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in the 2011 crisis in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of the state and burning of President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign office and 500 vehicles at the state secretariat. Ambassador Assam Assam, one of the 2015 governorship aspirants under the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, also from Eket senatorial district had last week

written an open letter to Governor Godswill Akpabio, accusing some politicians in the state of planning to eliminate him. APC said: “We do not know where Udom Emmanuel got his stories from because the panel of inquiry set up by President Jonathan did not indict the defunct ACN in the killings or the destruction in the crisis. “Therefore, our position is that Emmanuel should please publish any White Paper that indicted the defunct ACN in the 2011 election violence and killings and if what Assam Assam had written in the open letter is true, we appeal to the state government to provide a level playing field for the contest in 2015.” He warned that APC would not be dragged into any tussle among PDP opponents and therefore, called on Akwa Ibom people to disregard such malicious comments aimed at running down APC in the state.

BNC blames doctors' strike on Jonathan By Simon Ebegbulem

ENIN— THE Benin National Congress, BNC, a Benin sociocultural organisation has carpeted President Goodluck Jonathan for his seeming neglect of the sufferings of Nigerians since the strike action embarked upon by Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, adding that the presidency has been more interested in political matters rather than the lives of Nigerians. In a statement by the National President of BNC, Aiyemekhue Edokpolo, the group lamented that hundreds of people had died so far due to the absence of doctors in hospitals, regretting that the demands of the doctors were ignored “because politicians always travelled abroad with looted funds each time they are

sick. “We are appalled by the prolonged strike of medical doctors with a rising toll of deaths of the ordinary citizens; while the political class continues their frenzy of medical tourism abroad. “Mr. President must reassure Nigerians of his determination to protect lives in action rather than rhetorics. Enough of Presidential statements of reassurance instead of actions. The strike must be resolved and lasting measures put in place to forestall such a strike action in future.” The BNC also faulted the strategy being implied in the war against terror by the Federal Government, saying the publicity being given to the newly acquired military equipment to fight Boko Haram “is making the war on terror look like a child’s play.”

Izon Congress, IYC, others endorse Orubebe

HE Delta Izon Congress, DIC; Ijaw Youth Council, royal fathers and other stakeholders in Delta South senatorial district of the state have endorsed the 2015 gubernatorial aspiration of former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe. The endorsement came at a one-day political enlightenment and inauguration of representatives from Ijawland across Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Edo and Ondo states, who gathered in Bomadi, Delta State, to ratify the endorsement of the gubernatorial hopeful by the DIC. At the occasion, an elated Orubebe who spoke most part in Izon language, expressed his readiness to transform Delta State beyond the imagination of the people, adding that if given the opportunity, Delta will not remain the same. He explained that the same God that

projected him from a humble beginning of a councillor through chairman of a local government, chairman of a major political party, a Special Adviser to governor, and a minister is still very much alive to make him the governor of Delta State in 2015. He appealed to the people that he may have offended in the course of his political journey to forgive him, remarking that the weight of public service was enormous and should not be counted against the administrator. Orubebe opined that the future of Nigeria is great and advised all well meaning Nigerians to join hands with President Goodluck Jonathan in his quest of transforming Nigeria. The ceremony, which was meant to sensitise the people, turned out to be a carnival in support of the Orubebe governorship project.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014 — 53

54—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014

DELTA GUBER:

Community newspapers endorse Okocha By Tommy Anaduaka

UBLISHERS of community-based newspapers, Delta State chapter, have endorsed the governorship aspiration of Chief Peter Okocha, describing him as the most qualified contender for the job. Chief Okirika, who spoke on behalf of the President of the group and publisher of Front Line newspaper, Evangelist Dike Awana, said the decision to endorse Chief Okocha was as a result of an indepth research carried out by the over 15 publishers of community newspapers in the state. He said the governorship hopeful has unprecedented and intimidating track record, adding that Chief Okocha had never worked for anybody, but had used his hard-earned money and expertise to establish industries and created job for many.

Why I want to be Ukwuani LG boss— ISHIEKWENE

ORMER councilor in Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State, Mr. Basil Ishiekwene, has said that he was contesting for the chairmanship of the council to bring development to the doorsteps of all Ukwuani people. He declared his intention to contest on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at the party secretariat, Obiaruku. The chairmanship aspirant, flanked by his parents, Chief and Mrs. J. Ishiekwene, who addressed supporters at the party secretary, said he was not a new person in Ukwuani politics. Ishiekwene said he had spent his personal fund in locating projects and rehabilitation of major roads in the council in the past, adding that he has always lived among the people, as all his businesses were located in the area to create employment for youths.

ENDORSEMENT: Elder Godsday Orubebe, a Delta State governorship aspirant (left) and HRM Bini Pere III, the Agadagba of Egbema Kingdom (2nd right) during Orubebe's endorsement by Delta Izon Congress, DIC, in Bomadi.

Edo community tackles slain youth's father over allegation of shoddy investigation By Gabriel Enogholase

ENIN— MEMBERS of the Obaretin community in Ikpoba/Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, led by its Odionwere, Pa Imasuen Osagiede, have described the petition addressed to the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 5, Benin by one David Ogbeide, alleging shoddy investigation into the murder of his son, Osamuyi Ogbeide, as an attempt to divert the efforts of law enforcement agents from the substance of the matter. It will be recalled that Mr. Ogbeide, through his counsel Mr. Olayiwola Afolabi, had in a petition to the police, appealed to him to transfer investigations into the murder case from the homicide section to another section in the interest of objectivity and unbiased investigation. Reacting to recent media publications on the issue, Pa

Osagiede in a statement in Benin yesterday, said: “Contrary to the claim by Mr. Ogbeide that the name of his deceased son is Osamuyi Ogbeide, his actual name is Osamede Kingsley Ogbeide and he was murdered at Museum ground, Kings Square Benin and not at Obaretin.” The community insisted that Mr. Ogbeide’s petition to the police authorities to transfer the case from the Homicide Section to another unit was as a result of the “uncompromising stand of the

Homicide Unit and their ability to get to the root of this serious case.” He explained that on the day of the incident, a meeting was convened at the Museum ground, at the instance of the leaders of the community to resolve the leadership tussle between the said Stanley Ekhator Obaretin Community Youth ViceChairman, and Mr. Osabuiohien Uhuahgho, incumbent Obaretin Community Youth Chairman. The community alleged that prior to the day of the

Orubebe not sole Ijaw governorship aspirant, says Bebenimibo By Emma Amaize

ARRI— IJAW youth leader and activist, Mr. Paul Bebenimibo, has said the former Minister of Niger Delta, Elder Godsday Orubebe, is not the only Ijaw

governorship aspirant for the 2015 governorship election in Delta State. Bebenimibo, reacting to the endorsement of Orubebe by the Delta Izon Congress, DIC, an Ijaw group, in Bomadi, said: “I wish to state

Zoning arrangement exists in Ughelli South — OGUMA that made Chief A. Fovie between the two By Festus Ahon

GHELLI— ONE of the leaders of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State, Olorogun John Oguma, yesterday, insisted that there was zoning of political offices in the council. Speaking with Vanguard at his Ovwor country home, Oguma said there had been an understanding

incident, Mr. Ekhator and his supporters tried to forcibly take over the leadership of the youth association and attacked the house of the Odionwere. It said that some persons were injured with vehicles and houses set ablaze, while the over 100-year-old Odionwere, who is the original complaint, was arrested but later released on bail. The community leader said both men were advised to stay away from the meeting, but that Mr. Stanley Ekhator disobeyed the said order.

constituencies that make up the council since its creation in 1991. He said: “We have remained one entity with two state constituencies since 1991 when this council was created. “We have Ughievwen zone as constituency one, while constituency two comprise the Olomu and Ewu axis. At a stage, we had two state functional constituencies and we had two representatives then in the state House of Assembly. “It was the arrangement

from Ughievwen zone chairman of the council, while late Pius Ewherido from Olomu and Ewu axis emerged as member of the House of Assembly and late Patrick Atsiangbe was made party chairman. “Everything is negotiation. If we want to retain the House of Assembly, then the leadership of constituency two should meet to discuss with the leadership of constituency one. We cannot destroy the system because of personal ambition.”

that Elder Orubebe is not the sole Ijaw aspirant for the Delta 2015 gubernatorial election. There are other Ijaw people that will still indicate interest to contest the election. “Some of us know Orubebe's antics. A man that cannot even make peace with someone like foremost Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, because of a mere party local government chairman, and has since been in the court. I just do not know what he wants.” Another Warri-based Ijaw activist, Mr. Austin Ozobo, said the ex-minister should give account of his stewardship, “as no project was completed and commissioned during his tenure.” DIC is led by a former military administrator of Niger State, Brig. General Cletus Emein (rtd.). The group was set up to work for the emergence of an Ijaw son as governor of the state in 2015.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014—55

Soldiers in Chibok not enough —Parents of abducted girls By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief

ARENTS OF the over 200 Chibok girls abducted from their school in April have decried the strength of troops sent by the Federal Government to provide security in the devastated local government area of Borno State. According to the parents, the soldiers are too few, and are unable to keep the marauding Boko Haram insurgents at bay. Their representative, Mr. Ayuba Lanson, who spoke to Vanguard in an interview in Abuja, said roads leading to Chibok town, headquarters of the local government area, remain largely unmanned by soldiers. He was responding to questions on why Boko Haram sect members have been able to continue attacks on Chibok, even when it is located about 40 kilometres from the Sambisa forest. Chibok has suffered 15 attacks since the middle of April. Lanson said: “From Chibok to Sambisa, there are a lot of roads

So, it is a kind of wide bush with a small settlements in-between. “Sincerely speaking, if there are enough soldiers all the attacks wouldn’t have been going on. The soldiers are not sufficient. They are not enough. That is the truth.” Lanson said the greatest desire of members of the Chibok community were the immediate return of their girls and heavy presence of well-armed security forces, “so that the remaining people will be able to survive; we want to return to rebuild our burnt homes.” He lamented that in spite of the fact that Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states had been under a state of emergency for more than a year, the sePRESENTATION: From left, Chief Willie Obiano, Anambra State Gov- curity situation had ernor, after presenting the key of a new sport utility vehicle, SUV, to continued to deterioIgwe Mac-Anthony Okonkwo, the new Igwe of Alor, at the Governor's rate. Lodge, Amawbia, yesterday. where there are no presence of soldiers. “You can only see soldiers within Chibok metropolitan area and Damboa and in-between Damboa and Maiduguri and Damboa to Biu immediately after the attack on the school.

"But now, you can hardly see soldiers on those roads. So, the roads we use are a free zone and Boko Haram have occupied the whole area. “Sambisa is located in-between Chibok, Damboa, Goza and Konduga, Bama and Maiduguri.

Female suicide bomber bomberss no nott Chibok girls — FG By Caleb Ayansina

BUJA — THE Federal Government, yesterday, took steps to douse anxiety over the possibility that Boko Haram insurgents are using the abducted Chibok girls as female suicide bombers. Female bombers have carried out series of attacks on Kano city in the last five days, fuelling fears that those involved could be some of the girls being held by the terrorists. Also, former education minister, and co-coordinator of the Bring Back Our Girls campaign, Professor Oby Ezekwesili, has expressed fears that the abducted Chibok girls may be indoctrinated or coerced into being used as suicide bombers. She said on her twitter page

recently: “It feels like eternity since April 14 when our girls lost their freedom. How can we move on like that? This new trend and pattern of female suicide bombers surely should particularly worry us. Female suicide bombers are again and again becoming the trend and our Chibok girls are still in the enemy’s den. "It worries me stiff. Are we thinking? Our Chibok girls really need to be rescued from the clutches of evil. We must all not stop praying and demanding that the Federal Government acts for results. We have no apology for being agitated. We have nothing to defend for crying out for their rescue.” However, Co-ordinator of National Information Centre, Mike Omeri, during a routine security

briefing, alongside representatives of security forces in Abuja, vehemently denied the insinuation. “The use of Chibok girls by Boko Haram is actually not true,” Omeri sharply responded to a question asked by a journalist at the briefing. Also, Omeri confirmed the arrest of a minor female suicide bomber in Katsina State by security forces. He said three Boko Haram suspects were arrested,Tuesday, July 29, 2014, at about 10p.m. along Zaria Road, Tudun Wada area of Funtua metropolis. The suspects, according to him, include a male, Iliya Dahiru, and two females, Zainab Musa, 18, and Hadiza Musa, 10. “The three suspects were arrested in a Honda CRV car.

NLNG raises production to 22m metric tonnes

IGERIA LIQUEFIED Natural Gas Limited, NLNG, has raised its production capacity to 22 million metric tonnes of gas. General Manager, Production of the company, Chima Isibelo, disclosed this while receiving the Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC, Engr. Andrew Yakubu, and his team on Bonny Island, Rivers State. According to him, NLNG plans to increase production capacity to 30 million tonnes to keep its position as the fourth largest supplier in the world. He said: “In line with the Federal Government’s vision of

generating as much revenue from gas as oil, NLNG starting out with a Base Project of only two trains with a capacity for about six metric tonnes of LNG per annum, now produces 22 million metric tonnes of LNG with progressive plans for a seventh train, expected to raise production to about 30 million tonnes. “NLNG used to be the third largest supplier, but it is gradually losing market to international competitors who have continued to expand their businesses. It is, therefore, imperative that NLNG increases production in order not to lose more market share.”

Deputy Managing Director of NLNG, Mr. Isa Mohammed Inuwa, who earlier received the NNPC boss and his team, described Engr. Yakubu’s visit to the company as the first by the NNPC leadership. Speaking after a guided tour of NLNG plant, Yakubu expressed satisfaction at the significant contributions of NLNG to Nigeria’s economy and global reputation as a reliable energy supplier. “ With the success of NLNG on Bonny Island, doubts about Nigeria being able to successfully drive a project of this scale from construction through to operation has paled into insignificance.

When they were directed to disembark for security checks, 10 year-old Hadiza was discovered to have been strapped with an explosive belt and immediately, Iliya and Zainab attempted to escape with the car, but were later blocked by other concerned Nigerians, and subsequently arrested. The Police successfully unstrapped the explosives. “It is on this note that we appeal to parents to consciously observe and watch their children’s activities to prevent them from participating in unwholesome activities, particularly acts of terrorism,” he said.

Patience Jonathan advocates healthy reproductive policies across Africa

HE FIRST Lady Dame Patience Jonathan at the just concluded 8th Stop Cervical, Breast and Prostrate Cancer, SCBPC, in Windhoek, Namibia, made a clarion call for the inclusion of reproductive health policies in Africa. In a statement by her Media Adviser, Kenneth Aigbegbele, the First Lady said Africa had to rise to the occasion in implementing policies that were sustainable and achievable in reproductive health issues to reduce the spread of cancer among its people. This, she said, could be achieved by encouraging women to participate in testing for early detection, community mobilisation efforts and sensitisation about cancer and feed-back mechanism by participating actively in the review and evaluation of the scourge. The First Lady, who is the President, African First Ladies Peace Mission, said girls between the ages of nine and 15 years should be immunised with Human Papilloma Vaccine (HPV), and have regular cancer screening, using the affordable procedures of visual inspection with acetic acid and pap smear.

We 'll pr o vide data on Bok o pro Boko Haram, Ebola Virus — Minister By Emmanuel Elebeke

BUJA — THE new Minister of National Planning Commission, NPC, Dr. Abubakar Sulaiman, has said he was determined to work hard towards providing Federal Government with accurate data on Boko Haram, Ebola Virus disease within and outside the country to actualise its ongoing transformation agenda. The minister made the pledge during the official handing and taking over ceremony at the National Planning Commission, yesterday, in Abuja. “Iamfromtheacademia,Iknowwhat it means to research, monitor and do surveillance, and this we will do to get the best out us. "We have to work hard to get

accurate data not just on infrastructure and policy making, but also on Boko Haram and Ebola Virus within and outside Nigeria. "We will do all we can to get accurate data on all these so that Nigeria can move forward. Where Nigeria is lacking, I will mobilise resources to bridge the gap. With the support of staff of NPC we will ensure we achieve accurate data for Nigeria within the time we have in office,” he said. On whether he will initiate new projects, the minister said: “As the new minister of NPC, my predecessor had done so much, I don’t think we are lacking in the area of human resources and capacity. What we will do is to put all hands on deck to improve on what my predecessor had done.

56—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 31 , 2014

Dictatorial union leaders are destroying workers' organizations —Kokori THE upsurge of authoritarian and demigod-like attitudes of unions’ president where general secretaries are being reduced to errand boys and “yes-men” has continued to have negative and telling effects on unions and their capacity to even perform the primary function of fighting, defending and protecting workers’ interests and rights. Former General Secretary of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, Chief Frank Ovie Kokori in this interview, shares his thoughts on this and others. Excerpts: BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG

NCREASINGLY, labour leaders are moving far ther from workers and many labour leaders now use trade unions as a vehicle to secure their futures rather than fight for the workers. Why is this happening? The reason is simple, the Nigerian space and system has actually corrupted every institution in the country. That is, labour, judiciary, the media, the church, they have all been corrupted. There is something we do in our own days. When you go for National Executive Council, NEC, meeting of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, or any industrial union, nearly everybody has his own independent opinion. He does not have to be tele-guided and there was no terrorism. These days, presidents of unions and their caucuses have become so powerful and dictatorial; anybody

president has the knife and the bread so everybody plays to the president's line of action to be his friend. In those days, it was not like that. They hold their branch executives responsible for bad leadership and go to any length to remove them from the office they occupy. Today, the private and public sector employers collaborate to emasculate the union by grabbing the leadership of the union and making them comfortable. So, you see the job is so important to any family and no one wants to lose his job. It is not easy like before where when you lose your job today, tomorrow you will pick another one. But because of the present economic situation, people don’t revolt against their leaders anymore. How can workers reclaim the union from these self-seeking labour leaders? The solution is enlightenment. It is the workers who will galva-

These days, the president of unions and their caucus have become so power and dictatorial; anybody that challenges them loses his or her job and position

that challenges them loses his or her job and position. That is not all; the other executive council members don’t have the nerves to challenge their presidents. There is much to lose these days if you lose your seat in the labour executive council, just like the political executive council. In the olden days, there is nothing for you to lose; you can even be happier and more powerful as an opposition person outside the national executive or the branch executive because you will be popular. There were no monetary gains but these days, there are economic gains. In other words, if they remove you from the position you occupy, you lose both your position and economic gains. These days, there is so much money to gain as a member of the executive just like any political party. So they are all afraid of losing their positions, especially in unions where the president has all the powers. In other words, the

nize the masses. Take for instance, my contributions in the labour movement have made people to respect me and whenever I speak they hear me. So, I urge unionists to still speak the truth irrespective of what they stand to lose. But the problem is that every institution in Nigeria thrives on corruption; even the judiciary which is the last hope of the masses has become a cash-and-carry institution. So if the pinnacle of temple of justice is like that, what do you think of other institutions? What role has globalisation played in this pathetic situation of Nigerian trade unions? Globalisation which is supposed to be an advantage to us has become a disadvantage. We are now in a situation where unionism is losing relevance and losing power as a result of globalisation. In those days, the blue collar workers were very powerful. NUPENG, through people like us

Chief Frank Ovie, Kokori, former NUPENG, General Secretary radicalised PENGASSAN. When you read my book, you will see the great union struggle NUPENG started. I don’t see that kind of struggle today. What I now see, is the decline of labour unions as a result of globalisation. In those days, labour was life, labour was everything and people were proud to be unionists. People were proud to be leaders of trade unions. But all that is different now because the unions are declining with digitalisation of the work place. Now, IT is actually reducing the power of labour. In those days, workers so cherished their meetings, that when you call a meeting of Chevron workers by 2 pm, by 1:30 pm everybody is already seated. No management or managing director will see his workers going out and shout at them.

Extraneous forces He won’t dare to stop them especially when he sees some of us coming from the secretariat and driving into the company's premises. But these days, the workers are so afraid because their union leaders have so much reduced their powers because of some extraneous forces that have compromised them. They cannot even talk to their management the way it is. So the labour centres were made powerful by strong industrial unions. But today, the trade unions are weak and that is why ASUU, NUT, and civil service unions can go on strike for weeks, even months and nobody listens. Why it is that NUPENG was so effec-

tive in those days? It is because the founders of the union made so much sacrifices. My sacrifice for NUPENG cannot be quantified. I have fought for workers in Shell to get good retirement benefits, maternity leave, leave bonus, good salaries, yet my salary in NUPENG was very poor. I negotiated salaries for drivers on the rig, in the operational area in Warri with overtime. At that time, drivers were earning more than N50,000, but my salary was about N30,000. Even at that, I was not bothered because I see NUPENG as my life.

Monetary gains There were certain things I gained which they did not. Today anytime I move out, people recognise and appreciate me. When I go to the airport, people respect me and I appreciate these more than monetary gains. So, there is no way you can build an organization without sacrifice and honour. That is why NUPENG workers, particularly the tanker drivers hold me in high esteem. When I was the secretary of NUPENG, the workers in NNPC were earning salaries of workers with the federal ministry. It was NUPENG effort that made the federal government to change the salary structure and today the workers in NNPC are paid the same salary with their counterparts in Shell and Chevron. Also, the workers in the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) were earning salaries of university lecturers and staff. NUPENG fought a 12-year battle to ensure that the

PTI workers earn the same salary with workers in Chevron. These were some of the things we did in those days. Then government and employers could not buy the unions but today all that have changed. Today casualisation and contract staffing are the effects of compromise by trade unions and this has brought about unfair labour practices in the country. What is your take on the rising youth unemployment in Nigeria? In our own days, we had some basic things we enjoyed like free education. When you graduate, there is job waiting for you but today, there are no social security, no social amenities, no jobs. So there are so many temptations because the government itself does not care for the youth and that is why we have all these problems we are facing today. If our resources is spent on education, social security, health, everybody will know where the money is going but what you see is security vote — a situation where a governor will be given N2 billion as security vote. This he will spend on his family and close friends while the masses go hungry. What type of country is this? Those of us here are living in silence; we are elder statesmen who have made our contributions. I cannot go and revolt now at my age. I cannot go and organise any revolution. Everybody needs to be committed in this fight. The newspapers, the television, the judiciary and every stakeholder have to be committed in making Nigeria a better place to live.

Vanguard,THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014 — 57

Contributory pension key to predictable, prosperous retirement --- PenCom BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

HE National Pension Commission, PenCom, has said contributory pensions is the greatest evidence of Nigeria’s collective resolve to invest a portion of current earnings to have a more predictable and prosperous retirement in the long term. Acting Director-General of PenCom, Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, while welcoming participants to the just concluded World Pension Summit, WPS, in Abuja, also declared that the value of the country’s pension assets had grown from 1.47% in 2006, to 9.57% in 2013 of the national Gross Domestic Product, GDP. According to her, “the shift towards contributory pensions is undeniably the greatest evidence of our collective resolve to invest a portion of current earnings, in order to have a more predictable and prosperous retirement in the long term. Not surprisingly, the success of the contributory pen-

of retirement income provided by private pensions continues to grow, the regulatory framework designed to protect those funds becomes ever more crucial. Without a doubt, the existence of pensions as an instrument of social redistribution is at the core of contemporary national economies.” On the summit, she said it was meant to “dissect many of the issues and ultimately proffer solutions that would ensure that Africa remains at the cutting-edge in conceiving and implementing sustainable pension policies. In the course of our deliberations, we must be mindful of the fact that our hopes and aspirations as a Continent are primarily hinged on the evolution and development of retirement benefits into a veritable instrument of social change. Not in a theoretical or abstract sense, but in terms of an intrinsic transformation of our institutions, and our operators. “During this summit, we shall attempt to set out what could be considered a set of challenges that

The value of pension assets has grown from 1.47% in 2006, to 9.57% in 2013 of our national GDP

sion scheme has triggered an exponential growth in pension funds and size of assets across the globe. “We are very pleased to state that in Nigeria, the value of pension assets has grown from 1.47% in 2006, to 9.57% in 2013 of our national GDP. As the proportion

pension professionals and regulators around Africa must surmount, in order to engender the evolution of a retirement pension system that will be rooted in our collective social consciousness. We need systems that are relevant to the fundamental needs of our continent, and which are dynam-

Acting Director General of PenCom, Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, while welcoming President Goodluck Jonathan to World Pension Summit, WPS, in Abuja ic enough to initiate and also respond to developmental challenges facing the continent in an increasingly interdependent global economy. The acting Director-General said the theme of the summit – ‘Shaping the Future’ – underscored “the imperative of institutionalizing a risk-based approach to the supervision and control of pension markets across the Continent. This risk-based approach focuses on the identification of potential risks faced by pension funds and strengthens mechanisms that are in place to attenuate those risks. This ultimately allows the regulatory agencies to channel their resources towards issues that pose the greatest threat to the stability of the industry. “In the course of the Summit delegates will also deliberate on strategies for developing an appropriate framework for leveraging pension funds across the Continent to accelerate the implementation of critical high-impact infrastructure projects. Infra-

structure development remains a key driver and a critical enabler of sustainable growth in Africa and the current favorable economic landscape on the Continent provides a unique opportunity for the public and private sectors to collectively address the infrastructure gaps. Focusing on Africa’s infrastructure challenges will indeed help in creating the economic pre-conditions needed for longer-term growth as well as to foster poverty alleviation.

Disruptive markets “However, disruptive markets, demographic, fiscal, and environmental dynamics are fundamentally reshaping Africa’s economic landscape. In this new reality, National Governments must think of infrastructure, not in the general but in the specific, understanding the ways in which different infrastructure sectors— such as transportation, energy,

and water—are governed, financed, and sustainably delivered. Governments need to outline their priorities given their peculiar economies, competitive advantages, and infrastructure needs. As public finance become more finite, it is expected that the next generation of African infrastructure will require the public and private sectors to engage and partner in innovative ways. “Beyond Africa’s infrastructure needs, a critical challenge facing the Continent is managing the radical change in how projects are funded and financed. Despite infrastructure’s fundamental role in promoting national growth and competitiveness, most African Governments have been unable to adequately invest in infrastructure given the decline in traditional sources of government funding and the paucity of funds. Unfortunately, many public finance initiatives remain hamstrung due to the lingering effects of the 2008 global financial crisis.

Fashola intervenes in LWC retirees' unpaid benefits Monsuru Olowoopejo

OLLOWING a “save our soul” appeal to Gov ernor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, over their unpaid pension benefits, there are indications that the governor has decided to intervene in the lingering case of unpaid gratuities and other benefits of retirees of the Lagos State Water Corporation, LSWC. The retirees had petitioned the governor, seeking his intervention in the payment of their entitlements. Speaking with Pension & You, Group Managing Director, GMD, of LSWC Mr. Shayo Holloway said the governor had decided to intervene in LSWC’s case and other agencies that could not meet up with their pension gratuity obligations. According to him, “We have approached the state government and it is looking into the case and other agencies that could not meet up with their pension gratuity obligations. They are looking at

a way of bailing out the corporation. They (retirees) should be patient with us. The state government is looking into the issue. We sympathize and recognize the need for retirees to get their gratuity. It is not that the funds are available and we are not being paid. The truth of the matter is that available funds are less than the expenditure. We have the assurance of the state government. The corporation is not the only government organization faced with this challenge, there are others.” On efforts to pay entitlements, the GMD explained “We have made efforts to pay those that retired before the corporation adopted the Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS. We have been able to clear from up to 2009. We have been paying their gratuities. We are paying them in tranches, but it will depend on how revenue comes in. As we get more funds, we offset the list of the retirees.” On why the corporation was yet to offset the backlog, Holloway said “The N60 million we make

is not enough to run the corporation. At present, we have 1,400 staff. This is a massive organization. It requires huge amount of money to run it. We need to generate a minimum of N100 million monthly from water rates to be able to offset the entitlements. Also, when employees under CPS complain that money deducted is not remitted, it is not that physical money was deducted from their salaries and used for something else. The truth of the matter is that when one operational expenditure outstrip its revenue, and after preparing the salary schedule, what the corporation has is just enough to pay the salary. We however, as part of the accounting system note the liabilities. “They are noted as deduction. It is not physical cash that is deducted and misused. It is noted on paper. No physical money has been deducted. The truth is that the revenue could only pay the current salaries. One recognizes that the funds are noted as deducted but it is referred to as liabilities.”

58 — V anguard Vanguard anguard,, THURSDAY, JULY 31 , 2014

BRIEFS

Imagine Cup: 125 tech students gather for global showcase BY EMEKA AGINAM

Carnage at U.N school as Israel pounds Gaza Strip W

ITH no ceasefire in sight after more than three weeks of fighting, Israeli shelling killed at least 15 Palestinians sheltering in a U.N. run school and another 17 near a street market yesterday , Gaza’s Health Ministry has said. Israel’s security cabinet decided to continue its offensive in the enclave and there was no sign of a halt to a 23-day conflict in which 1,326 people, mostly civilians, have died. Some 3,300 Palestinians, including many women and children, were taking refuge in the school in Jabalya refugee camp when it came under fire around dawn, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) said. “Our initial assessment is that it was Israeli artillery that hit our school,” UNRWA chief Pierre Krahenbuhl said in a statement after representatives of the agen-

O fewer than 125 tech students from 34 coun tries around the world yesterday began live presentations of their innovative solutions at the ongoing Microsoft Imagine Cup students software competition holding in Seattle, Washington, the United States of America, Representing Nigeria is Team High Rise from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Osun State, showcasing software Nigeria to the world. With strong support from the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, members of Team High Rise including Adefioye Temidayo, Faleye Benjamin, Oyebisi Jemil and Ibraheem Bello had developed a solution, Catara which serves the purpose of drastically reducing the rate at which cataract causes total blindness. Having joined the brightest young minds around the world to fly African flag at the global stage, their solution, according to keen observers has shown positive signals to address local change in the health sector.

Dubai, European airlines divert flights over Iraq A Palestinian woman cries as she holds her son at a United Nations-run school sheltering Palestinians displaced by an Israeli ground offensive, that witnesses said was hit by Israeli shelling, in Jebalya refugee camp in the northern Gaza yesterday. cy visited the scene and examined fragments, craters and other damage.Blood-splattered floors and mattresses inside classrooms at the Jabalya Girls Elementary School and survivors picked

through shattered glass and debris for flesh and body parts to bury. View gallery Palestinians displaced by an Israeli ground offensive&nbsp;&hellip; Palestinians displaced by an Israeli ground offensive look at the after-

math of what witnesses said w … “I call on the international community to take deliberate international political action to put an immediate end to the continuing carnage,” Krahenbuhl said.

Ukraine army closes in on Donetsk U KRAINE’S army has said it has retaken a town on the outskirts of the main rebel stronghold of Donetsk, and intercepted another convoy of vehicles crossing over from Russia. Government forces said in a statement on Wednesday that they had seized control of Avdiyivka, a town of about 40,000 about a dozen kilometres north of Donetsk, as Ukraine tightened its grip around the key rebel bastion. The Ukrainian govern-

ment said on its website that 19 people had died in the fighting in the past 24 hours, with 31 people injured. Elswhere, clashes continued around the crash

site of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, with government forces saying they were conducting a “mopping up” operation in the town of Ilovaysk, about 40km west of the

site.International observers announced they had turned back from another attempt to reach crash site after discussions with rebels, the AP news agency reported.

Moscow fights back over new U.S, EU sanctions United States and Euro-

USSIA fought back yesterday over new U.S. and EU sanctions imposed over Ukraine, where fighting between Moscow-backed rebels and government troops

has intensified since a Malaysian airliner was shot down. The confrontation between Moscow and the West entered a new phase this week, with the

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin (middle) chairs a government meeting at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow, yesterday

pean Union taking by far the strongest international steps yet against Moscow over its support for Ukraine’s rebels. New EU and U.S. sanctions unveiled on Tuesday restrict sales of arms and equipment for the oil industry, while Russian state banks are barred from raising money in Western capital markets. Moscow said the sanctions were “destructive and short-sighted” and would lead to higher energy prices in Europe and damage cooperation with Washington on international affairs. Just yesterday, it banned imports of Polish fruit and vegetables and said it might expand the ban to the entire EU.

UROPEAN airlines and a Dubai-based car rier are rerouting flights over Iraqi airspace as a security precaution amid fears that militants with the Islamic State group have weapons capable of shooting down planes, despite Iraq saying its skies are safe. A number of European carriers, including Virgin Atlantic, KLM and Air France, say they have devised alternate flight plans for their planes. Air France specifically said it detected a “potential threat” on July 24 which triggered the airline’s decision, said Eric Prevot, a spokesman for the Air France’s Flight Operations Center.

Temporary ceasefire in Tripoli

N the ground in Ukraine, heavy fighting be tween government forces and the separatists has been taking place near the site where Malaysian flight MH17 crashed into wheat and sunflower fields on July 17, shot down by what Washington and Brussels believe was a missile supplied by Russia. Kiev accused the pro-Russian rebels on Wednesday of fortifying the area, including with land mines, to prevent the site from being properly investigated. The land mine report could not be independently confirmed. Ukraine is party to a treaty banning land mines; Russia is not.

UN paves way for Khmer Rouge genocide trial

UNITED Nations-assisted tribunal has cleared the way to begin the genocide trial of two elderly former top leaders of Cambodia’s 1970s Khmer Rouge regime. Survivors of the communist regime’s reign of terror, along with students and Buddhist monks, attended a hearing yesterday that laid down the ground rules for the trial, which judges said would likely start in September or October. The mass killings of an estimated 100,000 to 500,000 ethnic Cham Muslims and 20,000 Vietnamese form the basis of the genocide charges against Nuon Chea, 88, and Khieu Samphan, 83. In a separate case, the two have also been accused of playing a role in the deaths of about 1.7 million people from starvation, exhaustion, disease and execution during the regime headed by Pol Pot, who died in 1998. The two senior leaders are scheduled to hear the verdict next week of that first trial against them for war crimes and crimes against humanity, related mostly to the forced movement of millions of people to the countryside when the Khmer Rouge took power.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014 — 59

YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

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

Share your experience

By Richard Eromosele

XPERIENCE sim ply put is the skill and knowledge you have gained from doing something over a period of time. No doubt experienced personnel is a rich reservoir of knowledge. Unfortunately, many

of these experienced people do not like to share their knowledge with any one. The issue is why horde your knowledge? Some body taught you and

TERROR MUDA

that is why you suddenly become somebody to be reckoned with. If you share your experience, you produce your kind and multiply. This is what

in “Never say goodbye”

human immortality is all about. Document your experience so that generation after generation will be enriched by your knowledge. Share your experience today. Don’t die with your rich and vast experience.

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

“Pretty Lunatic’

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 tr ological datee and place of bir th ttoo the As Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007,

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.

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

Philips- Abeokuta

Dear Philips 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. 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 inner-self. Politics is another area you are not looking at now but will surely come. Do you say why? Because Aquarius is equally political.

HOME & ABROAD

By Lawrence Akapa

60—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014

GEJ 2015: the imperatives of TAN’s media without dozonal rallies nations or contri-

My administration has a pact with Nigerians – and that pact I have called the Transformation Agenda. The goal is to leave Nigeria better than I met it. The goal is to give direction to the country, so that our people can live in peace and prosperity. The ultimate goal of the agenda is to move Nigeria to the developed world. We need to constantly explain this to the people so that as it becomes clearer, more and more people will come on the train. This buy-in is critical to the success of our agenda —President Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR.

butions from individuals, institutions or organizations or even Aso rock itself as the rumor mongers advocated. They chose to bear the “pain” of standing firm with our President when many Map of Nibeneficiaries of the geria administration are not sure where to stand and are too scared to go public with their support for President Goodluck Jonathan even though Nigerians know and can show the mainBY BEN CHUKS NWOSU ly personal benefits accruing to them from the Presidency. TAN took the arm-chair and someRANSFORMATION Ambassadors of Ni times, faceless critics of the President to task by geria, TAN, which was incorporated barechallenging them to counter his landslide transly five months ago as an NGO, is unequivocally formation achievements in agriculture, aviation, unmatched in the propagation of the ideals and world-class dual, triple and quadruple asphaltrealities of the transformation agenda of this aded highways across the length and breadth of ministration. Tune in to the NTA, AIT and ChanNigeria, railways and water ways transportation, nels television stations even at odd hours and exceeding any other previous President in the you will be amazed at the professionalism and history of Nigeria in the number of female minisdecency exhibited in the plethora of adverts and ters of that gender. The statistics, facts and figpromos by TAN’s egg-heads elucidating the saures are shown live on television and on the lient and ebullient verifiable achievements of the websites of the organization. President and his administrations transformaIn Sports, TAN supported the transformation tion agenda to all Nigerians. Nigerian youths agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan by wholand other enthusiasts of the world-wide web are ly and entirely financing fifteen young Nigerian members of TAN and follow their numerous acto fly to Brazil and support the Super Eagles in tivities on its websites – www.tan.org.ng. Oththe recently concluded World cup. Further, TAN ers are very active on facebook on entered into a memorandum of understanding www.facebook.com/tannigeria and on twitter: with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) @tanconnectgroup. with a view to educating our youths on the conMembership of TAN is perhaps the fastest tents and benefits of the transformation agenda growing of all other organisations of its kind in of this administration with emphasis on TAN’s Nigeria and elsewhere. The attraction accordplanned establishment of “waste-to-wealth” ining to its new members is based on its rich agendustries in the six geo-political zones of Nigeria da, style and new ways of packaging public inand consequent provision of employment opporformation dissemination which a widespread of tunities and alleviation of poverty. the populace approves.Today, thousands of NiIn agreement with the President’s submission gerians from all walks of life, tribes and tongues that “we need to constantly explain this (transare members of TAN. The challenges of mainformation agenda) to the people so that as it betaining and constantly improving on the research comes clearer, more and more people will come methods, production and distribution of verifiaon the train”, this buy-in is critical to the success ble milestone achievements of President Goodof our agenda. TAN has purchased and branded luck Jonathan is the task of a group of perhaps thirty new buses to take the cruThe message in each zone will be education sade of the transformation agenda in various Nigerian languagof the masses on their civic responsibilities, es to the six geo-political zones the necessity and duty of ensuring that they of the country in zonal rallies beseek and obtain their permanent voter cards tween August and October 2014. Accordingly, target-oriented the best and brightest professionals that this committee members of TAN in the six geo-politcountry can boast of. The impact of TAN in so ical zones of Nigeria have worked assiduously short a time on the public ratings of the Presito secure venues and mobilize TAN members nadent is amazing. It has jumped from “not aptionwide for zonal rallies that commence with the proved” to “not sure” and currently to “commendSouth-east zone on Saturday, the 16th day of able in the circumstances” to “completely apAugust, 2014 in Awka, Anambra State. The proved” to “Jonathan must run.” ground shaking rallies will run from this August In the beginning, TAN analyzed the rather inthrough October and will cover the South-east, adequate positive media exposure of the PresiSouth-west, South-south, North-east, North-west dent in the light of the unprecedented achieveand North-central geo-political zones of Nigerments in his first-term in office which no previia. The message in each zone will be education ous President of Nigeria can honestly compare of the masses on their civic responsibilities, the his own first-term in office to. Rather than shownecessity and duty of ensuring that they seek case these achievements, a section of the Nigeand obtain their permanent voter cards. Highrian press concentrated on the contrived securilighting the transformation agenda executed and ty challenges facing the country and heaped all executory for each zone, the need for love, peace manner of blames and insults on a man who and unity of all Nigerians as one indivisible counshould be commended for his focus, determinatry. TAN will also canvass for more membership tion and tenacity in transforming the economic especially among the unlettered masses unfagrowth index of Nigeria. miliar with the internet. President Jonathan, a debonair gentleman had In the zonal rallies, TAN will espouse its aims posited that “transformation is costly. Transforand objectives and the imperatives of embracing mation is painful. There is no leader that wants the tenets of the transformation agenda that will to transform that will not be criticized.” The promove Nigeria from a developing to a developed moters of TAN chose to bear the cost of showing most populous black nation on the fact of the earth Nigerians the benefits of the President’s transunder the leadership of President Goodluck formation agenda in the print and electronic Jonathan.

Protest march against removal of judges'right to go on strike

HE UNAMAB and unions hadcalled for a general mobilization. The judges were even more supported for this third march to the Parliament, Thursday, July 24. Unlike the first two, the mobilization was great and general. A part from the central trade union and confederations, the men in black or magistrates, the opposition parties such as “Alternative Citoyenne” of Pr Joseph Djogbénou, PCB and “Union fait la nation (UN)” the march of magistrates, this time received the support of the National Union of the Parliamentary Administration’s Staff, SYNAPA, a delegation of FONAC led by JeanBaptiste Elias and several members of the UN, which included Kolawolé Idji Antoine, Eric Houndété, Basil Comlan Ahossi, Louis Vlavonou and Sacca Fikara. The mayor of the municipality of Dangbo Clement Dona Gnonlonfoun also joined the movement.

Support for magistrates Apart from the fact that officials of SYNAPA, headed by the general secretary André Odoun Aro mobilized alongside judges, they also placed a banner at the main entrance of the Palace of the Governors to reaffirm their belonging to the trade union CSTB of Paul Esse Iko and their full support to the magistrates. As might be expected, no board member of the National Assembly, and no responsibility for the parliamentary administration, has appeared in order to receive the motion of the demonstrators. In the absence of the authorities of the National Assembly, they made statements denouncing the behaviour of the office of the parliamentary institution and call for a general mobilization to stop what they called the “dictatorial

President Boni Yayi of Benin Republic

impulses" of President Yayi and his supporters. According to Antoine Idji Kolawolé, member of the UN and former president of the National Assembly, the refusal of the office of the National Assembly seems “inexplicable, incomprehensible, and frankly, unacceptable.” He told the judges that the members of his party are for independence justice, noting, “we will use everything that the law allows for this draconian legislation not to be passed. There is a special session which will be convened in a few days. We will fight, and I know that even members of FCBE (the government’s political party) are not in favour of that law, “recalled former President of the National Assembly. According to the president of the UNAMAB, Michel Adjaka, since this Act for which they walk, has been enlisted in the plenary, it would be wise to wait until it is discussed to determine the action to be taken in the next few days. Michel Adjaka, also called “contempt”, the behaviour of the office of Parliament against them. He hoped that Mathurin Nago responds to the request made to him by one of his colleagues July 21, 2014, who suggests the initiation of an investigation to listen to the protagonists.

Benin: Muslims celebrated Eid al-Fitr SOME three million muslims in Benin Republic celebrated Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan this week. On site, Muslims draped in their finest clothes, sacrificed to tradition, visiting the various sites of prayers, reserved for the occasion. In Benin, arrangements were made for the celebration of Eid El Fitr taken place in good conditions. For proof, Benin government has implemented the necessary means to enable not only to Muslim worshipers, but also to all Beninese to celebrate the Eid El Fitr in harmony, communion and peace. “To allow Muslims and all people of Benin celebrate Eid El Fitr

in harmony, communion and peace, the government declared the day on Monday 28 July, statutory holiday on throughout the national territory, “said a statement published on the government website. Very early in the morning yesterday, reserved spaces for prayer have been invaded by thousands of Muslims, who did not want to be told the event. Imams, meanwhile, said the prayer as required by the religion. At home, hearty meals were served and the party continued late into the night. To recap, last month, Muslims and their fellow Beninese around the world have observed the fast of Ramadan.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014 — 61

Commonwealth Games...... Commonwealth Games....

STORIES BY TONY UBANI, Glasgow

Don’t blame Amalaha — Ruth Ogbeifo N

NECK BREAKER . . . Ebikewenimo Welson of Nigeria lifts Amit Kumar Amit of India for a throw in the gold medal match of the Men’s 57kg Freestyle Wrestling match at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. Ebikewenimo unfortunately lost to India’s Amit Kumar by 2-6 and won a silver medal. Photo: AFP

IGERIAN veteran weightlifter, Ruth Ogbeifo, has laid the blame for Chika Amalaha’s weight-loss drug use mishap at the ongoing Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games on the doorsteps of Nigerian weightlifting coaches, describing them as incompetent. “I feel very sad about this development and that is why I had to rush in from London to see our weightlifters. I sympathise abjectly with Chika. She is just a young girl, very strong and promising in the sport and did not deserve to be brought into this kind of situation. I blame our coaches squarely for her predicament. As I see it, the issue is about meeting the right weight and she

Our developmental programmes are working — AFN T

HE Athletics Feder ation of Nigeria (AFN) has said that the success recorded in the track and field events at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, was the result of its development programmes. The AFN Technical Director, Navy Commodore Omatseye Nesiama, said that the federation would adopt same strategy in preparing for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. “ At the federation level, we are not surprised about the success recorded so far by our athletes in the track and field events. “We started a developmental programme two and a half years ago which has just produced a male silver medalist at the World Juniors in Oregon. “The performance of Blessing Okagbare at the Commonwealth Games is an indication that in the next two years we should be in a position

to compete favourably head to head with the likes of the Jamaicans. “So far, so good. We are expecting more. It’s a clear sign that our strategy is working,” Omatseye said. It will be noted that Blessing Okagbare set the Games’ new record of 10.85 secs to win the gold medal in the 100m female event. Omatseye, however, called on Nigerians to support the federation in its quest to be the world beater. “We have always said that medals are not picked on the streets. It takes commitment, doggedness and risks to achieve success in sports.

Man detained at athletes’ village

A •Female runners compete for glory in the 10,000m final in Glasgow. Photo by Henry Unini

We’re on our way back — Oshodi A

FTER successfully masterminding the return of Table Tennis to its pre-eminent position in Nigeria, President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, Wahid Eni-

couldn’t have accessed drugs all on her own. I understand she competed about three months ago in Mauritius and she won without drugs, so how come she used those drugs now? Even if she got them herself, it is the duty of the coaches to know whatever medications their athletes are using and to research to be sure if the drugs contain banned substances. “The problem is that the coaches are lazy, incompetent and do not qualify to handle national team athletes. The point is that maintaining the required weight in your class is a primary condition in weightlifting and one of the main tasks of a weightlifting coach. You have to constantly monitor your athlete to be sure of what she is taking, what she is eating, what she is drinking in other to maintain a stable weight. There were times we had to stay very, very light on food for months. A regular and well supervised programme assures that, but our coaches are just doing nothing. Coaching in weightlifting goes beyond telling athletes to bend down this way or hold their arms up this or that way. It is total supervision of the athlete which obviously was absent in this case.”

tan Oshodi has said that it is not yet uhuru for Nigeria that took Africa by storm in the past. At the on-going XX Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland,

Nigerian players have stroked themselves into reckoning with ageless Segun Toriola, Bode Abiodun, Jide Ogidiolu, Ojo Onalapo and Quadri Aruna winning

bronze in the Team event leaving many with mouths open after a sterling performance that stunned many unbelievers.

MAN has been de tained by police after a disturbance at the Commonwealth Games athletes’ village in Glasgow. Police Scotland said officers were called to the site about 6am Wednesday. “Around 6am on Wednesday police received a report of a disturbance. A 30-year-old man is currently detained,” it said in a statement.

62 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014

Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Okagbare can create another record Int’l Junior Games begin tomorrow in 200m final — Ogunkoya T BY TONY UBANI, Glasgow

FRICA fastest women 400m runner Falilat Ogunkoya on Wednesday said Commonwealth track and field queen, Blessing Okagbare can return a sub-22 in the final of the women 200m slated for Thursday. “I was not surprised when she won the women 100m with a new Commonwealth record of 10.85 sec because she is in very good shape’’ said Ogunkoya who set the Africa record of 49.10 sec in the 400m at the Atlanta 96 Olympic Games. Ogunkoya who has a personal best of 22.22 sec in the 200m said from the heats of the 100m it was obvious that Okagbare will win the 100m,’’ after watching the heats, I knew the 100m gold was already in our bag, then my friend Micheal Johnson who is working for BBC further confirmed what I already knew when he said that the gold medal is going to Nigeria after the 100m heats’’. Ogunkoya, one of the very few women 400 runners to have ran 17 sub-50 sec in a season believed that Okagbare’s long strides and good start

Okagbare doing a lap of honour after her record-breaking feat in the 100m final. will give her the 200m easily, ‘’ but if the field is very strong and the other finalists push her by giving her a strong competition, she will not only win the 200m gold medal she will also run a sub-22 sec’’. Ogunkoya attribute Okagbare’s success to her thirst for hard work, ‘’at that level, you don’t wait for anybody, it is your career and you have to work very hard to achieve your goals. I am glad and excited that she is hardworking, focused and determined. I am urging other athletes to emulate her,’’ said Ogunkoya The final of the women’s 200 m race comes up 9.45 p. m Nigerian time.

Gold rush

Continues from BP achievement by singing round the venue with the green white green flag fluttering. It was a glorious day for Nigeria in Glasgow as the national anthem held everybody spellbound with rapturous celebrations coming from other athletes and officials. Odunayo Adekuoreye started the Gold rush when she rushed India’s Lalita to submission winning 5-0. While the ovation and celebration was still on, Aminat Adeniyi did not give her Indonesian opponent, Shakishi any chance as she pilled up points after points romping into a 6-0 lead. The second round was

swifter and the Nigerian still smiling while twisting and turning the Indonesian amassed four more points to gross 10 points and win gold for Nigeria in a night that solely belonged to Nigeria. Aminat also showed off her dancing prowess as she took time to dance to the admiration of the crowd. Later, Odunayo and Aminat covered by the Nigerian flag took a lap of honour savouring the praises. Team Nigerian officials were not left out of the celebration as Chef de mission, Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye jumped and danced. On a golden night, Amas Daniel also won bronze in the Men’s 61kg category.

HE attention of the sporting world will tomorrow shift, albeit temporarily, from the Commonwealth Games going on in Scotland, to the magnificent Stoke Mandeville Stadium in Buckinghamshire, England as the opening ceremony for the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports (IWAS) Junior Games get underway. The games will run through August 8. Nigeria will be represented at the games by a2-mancontingent,courtesy Sir Emeka Offor Foundation (SEOF), headed by philanthropist and renowned businessman Sir

Emeka Offor who is also a Rotary International Ambassador in sub-Saharan Africa. “Our Foundation is interested in supporting good projects, especially when it has to do with people living with disability,” Sir Emeka Offor The games will feature seven sports, namely Archery, Athletics, Powerlifting, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis and Wheelchair Fencing. Nigeria will be represented by David Ombugudu in Table Tennis, while Emmanuel Godwin will participate in powerlifting.

Mikel may be thrown out of Chelsea J OSE Mourinho openly admitted that John Obi Mikel could end his stay at Chelsea FC. The Special One does not have enough squad place for foreigners so either him or other foreign players can be forced out of the club. After signing Dider Drogba the number of foreigners exceed the capacity of abroad players in Chelsea by one so that Mourinho will have to offload one of the players that couldn’t make it to the teams English Premier League squad anyway. John Obi Mikel, Petr Cech and Fernando Torres are among the figures linked with a move away from the English contenders but the weakest link among the three is undoubtedly Obi Mikel. “From the group you are

•Mikel expecting us to have as a squad, I have to send one away because we

Keshi

Continues from BP

World Cup in Brazil, Keshi was on five million Naira monthly and has now demanded he be paid twice that amount. The coach, who was not considered for the vacant South Africa post, and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are expected to finalise a new deal next week. A top official who has been part of the contract talks informed that ‘Big Boss’ Keshi has said he wishes to continue as Nigeria coach “We have had meetings with Keshi and the good news is that he is willing to continue as coach of the Super

Eagles,” the top official told AfricanFootball.com “He is only concerned that most of the fringe benefits in his contract were not provided and demands better treatment from the Federation. “I think the first step was a success and we will build on it because the (2015 Africa Cup of Nations) qualifiers are not far away.” The Super Eagles will in early September begin the defence of the AFCON crown they won in South Africa last year. They are drawn in a qualifying group that has South Africa, Sudan and either Congo or Rwanda.

have one extra foreign player. “So from all these players, if you think all of them have to stay, you are wrong. One of them has to go,” Mourinho said. Despite playing over 200

matches for Chelsea FC Mikel’s time seems to have run out at Stamford Bridge. English clubs can name only 17 foreign players and Chelsea have currently 18 such players.

Usman Continues from BP power between her and Samoa’s Ele Opeloge. The two greats started their snatch lifts at 115kg. It was the Nigerian who lifted 120 and 125kg respectively while the Samoan could not lift the 125kg thereby allowing Usman to enter the Clean and Jerk with an edge. The two who stayed back while the little lifters tried their hands on smaller weights, bounced back to finish their rivalry starting with 145kg. It was Maryam who led the way

with 150 and 155kgs respectively. Aware that the Nigerian had gone further, the Samoan opted to lift 151kg and heightened the blood pressure of Nigerians when she lifted it. In her last lift, she called for 161kg to leapfrog the Nigerian but could not cross the rubicon after suceeding in the clean but failed woefully in the jerk. As her babel hit the ground, sporadic applause erupted from the Nigerian camp as Maryam slumped on her knee giving Allah all the glory.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014 — 63

C M Y K

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014

Nigerians in gold rush •As Team Nigeria wrestlers account for two gold

DUNAYO Adeku oreye and Aminat Adeniyi gave Nigeria the perfect pick-up as they claimed two gold medals in wrestling and then celebrated their

Don’t blame Amalaha – Ruth Ogbeifo Pg. 61

STORIES BY TONY UBANI, Glasgow

Commonwealth Games medal table England Australia Canada Scotland New Zealand India South Africa Nigeria Jamaica Wales

34 34 20 13 11 10 9 6 5 4

34 31 5 12 9 19 7 5 3 10

29 36 20 14 14 12 11 8 4 13

97 101 45 39 34 41 27 19 12 27

Continues on Page 62

Usman wins Keshi to get N7m a month HE Nigeria Football gold in T Federation have proposed an improved Weightlifting

UPERWOMAN Maryam Usman capped a remarkable performance yesterday lifting Nigeria to a Gold medal in a gritty test of Continues on Page 62

•Keshi

contract that will pay coach Stephen Keshi seven million Naira a month (over $44,000), a top official has revealed. For his first contract, which ran out after the Continues on Page 62

SUCKER PUNCH: Nigeria's Efetobor Apochi punishes Australia's Jai Opetaia (R) during a Men’s Heavy (91 kg) Quarter-Final boxing match at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, yesterday, Photo: AFP

Okagbare can create another record in 200m final — Ogunkoya — Pg.62 QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 4 Snooped (5) 7 Athlete (6) 9 Strive (3) 10 Spasm (3) 12 Loaded (5) 13 Trampled (4) 15 Put (5) 17 Dislike (6) 19 Annum (4) 20 Dulcet (5) 22 Bath (3) 24 Ebbed (7) 27 Vessel (3) 28 Wear (5) 31 Pain (4) 33 Stocked (6) 35 Verdant (5) 37 Droop (4) 38 Sword (5) 39 Name (3) 41 Sprite (3) 42 Obtain (6) 43 Trivial (5)

DOWN 1 Free (6) 2 Again (6) 3 Favourite (3) 4 Heap (4) 5 Prompt (5) 6 Raised (8) 8 Mature (4) 11 Satisfied (9) 14 Caribou (4) 16 Boss (4) 18 Pace (4) 21 Debris (8) 23 Ale (4) 25 Chest (4) 26 Sketched (4) 29 Loathsome (6) 30 Regard (6) 32 Heron (5) 34 Responsibility (4) 36 Depend (4) 40 Wager (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 2, Grasp 7, Store 8, Strut Appal 12, Rig 13, Erode 15, Rapidly Defend 19, Gap 20, Tangled 23, Ewer Daze 26, Ranging 30, Nil 31, Galley Clasped 37, Royal 38, Era 39, Dirty Match 41, Eaten 42, Whirl.

10, 17, 25, 34, 40,

DOWN: 1, Stare 2, Grade 3, Repent 4, Soar 5, Striped 6, Bugle 9, Rid 11, Lagging 13, Edged 14, Offer 16, Pal 18, Dangled 21, Daily 22, Berly 24, Ransack 27, Nip 28, Garter 29, Clean 32, Loyal 33, Eager 35, Art 36, Dish.

How to Play Sudoku

lace a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number). Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row. No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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