Nyiam exposed FG's hidden plan with confab

...towards a better life for the people

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VOL. 25: NO. 62004

FG handover PHCN to owners tomorrow

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

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God'll judge Katsina-Alu for lying against me — Salami 16

Nyiam exposed FG's hidden plan with confab

— OSHIOMHOLE

•Says confab is billed to fail •Oshiomhole tactless, Nyiam undisciplined — Oyovbaire •Witnesses: Edo gov exceeded bounds of decorum

BY EMMA AMAZIE, REGIONAL EDITOR, SOUTH-SOUTH

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SABA —GOVER NOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, yesterday, said a member of the Presidential Advisory Committee on National Dialogue, Col. Continues on page 5

•P.29

COLUMNISTS: Is'haq Modibbo Kawu•P.17 OCHEREOME NNANNA•P.19

Josef•P.19 Omorotionmwan

Mr & Mrs

LAGOS BUDGET 2014 —

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State (right), presenting the 2014 Budget estimates of N489.69 billion to House of Assembly Speaker, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji during the budget presentation, yesterday, in Alausa, Ikeja. Photo: Bunmi Azeez. See story on Page 10.

Lagos import waiver used to clear N255m cars — Customs 9 C M Y K

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POCKET CARTOON

CONFAB—From Left: Former Governor of old Anambra State, Chief Okwesilieze Nwodo; President, Wawa Peoples Congress, Chief Emeka Ani and Secretary General, Chief Yahaya Ndu, during a presentation to the National Dialogue Advisory Committee in Enugu, on Tuesday.

Nyiam exposed FG's hidden plan with confab — Oshiomhole Continues from page 1 Tony Nyiam (rtd) has exposed the planned national conference as a fraud, saying excesses of the former army officer showed the conference was being planned to fail.

Oshiomhole’s asser-

tions nonetheless, several participants at the Benin hearing from across the South-South geopolitical zone blamed the governor for exceeding the bounds of official decorum and stoking the anger of the audience with his unsavory com-

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

When it comes to identifying a real leader…the proof of leadership is found in the followers. Dear Leader, who are your followers?

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

There is so much good in the worst of us, and so much bad in the best of us, that it ill behaves any of us to find fault with the rest of us —James Truslow Adams One man sat at a stop light. The woman in front of him was going through papers on the seat of her car, and when the light changed to green she didn’t go. When the light turned red again, she still had not moved. The man in the car behind her now started screaming epithets and beating on his steering wheel.

A policeman tapped on his windshield. “You can’t arrest me for hollering in my car,” the man said.

The cop asked for his license and registration, returned to his car, talked on the radio for a while and finally handed the papers back. The driver protested, “I knew you couldn’t cite me for yelling in my own car!”

The officer replied: “I didn’t want to cite you for shouting in your car. But I was behind you at the light and saw you screaming and beating your steering wheel. I said to myself, ‘that guy is out of control. He’s going to hurt someone.’ Then I noticed your ‘Love Is a Choice’ and ‘Give Peace a Chance’ bumper stickers and I was sure you stole the car.”

Steve Goodier sums it beautifully: What the signs on his vehicle said about him and the way he actually behaved looked like, well, two different people. But let’s not be too critical. Are we always the people we want to be? I believe in love and justice, forgiveness and second chances and generosity – but this much I do know, sometimes we fall short of our ideals and virtues; learn to cut yourself some slack and move on to embrace better virtues.

ments after holding up commencement of the sitting by three hours. They also blamed those supportive of the administration in Benin for instigating the violence against those who booed the governor that day.

Among eyewitnesses at the Imaguero College venue of the aborted hearing, who spoke on the development to Vanguard, yesterday, was former Minister of Information, Professor Sam Oyovbaire, who described Governor Oshiomhole as tactless in his conduct that day. He also flayed Col. Nyiam for not exercising discipline in his reaction.

But other eyewitnesses at the venue such as the Regional Coordinator, Niger-Delta Civil Societies and Ethnic Nationalities Congress, Sir Casely Omon-Irabor, National coordinator of the Forum for Justice and Human Rights Defence, FJHD, Mr. Oghenejabor Ikimi, a leader of the Edo Youth Congress, Mr. Kola Edokpayi and deputy chairman of Edo State Civil Societies Organization, Comrade Omobude Agho, both of whom were beaten by thugs at the venue and former Secretary of Ijaw Youth Congress, IYC, Mr. Paul Bebenimibo, rose in defence of Nyiam Reacting to Col. Nyiam’s defence of his action, Oshiomhole in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Peter Okhiria said: "Our attention has been drawn to the lame and odious response of Col Tony Nyiam to his shameful action at the sitting of

the Presidential Advisory Committee on National Dialogue in Benin City, on Monday October 28 where he fully exposed his hand as a biased member of a committee which should be above political, ethnic and indeed other sentiments.

“We wonder when Nyiam became the President’s spokesman as to want to drag the President’s name into his shameful act. We are, however, not surprised, going by his antecedents; the Benin incident was just another manifestation of Nyiam’s lack of respect for constituted authority and his love for disunity.

“Nyiam said Governor Adams Oshiomhole was “talking down on the people”. We wonder when airing one’s opinion or saying 'I believe that the outcome of this conference will not be different from that of other conferences we have had in the past' means talking down on the people.

“Nyiam deserves our pity. He might still be hallucinating, thinking he is an Army officer who must be obeyed. We recognize that no military officer worth his salt would openly disagree with a superior or a governor at a forum such as the one in Benin City, but again, we recognize that the maxim “Officer and Gentleman” does not apply to Nyiam as he has once again displayed to the people in the open.

“We find it interesting that Nyiam has exposed the undercurrent motive of the conference which has also confirmed Governor Oshiomhole’s initial fears about viability, necessity and desirability of same.

“In as much as we believe that Nigeria is in dire straits, the Governor still insists that a talkshop with no agenda is not necessary at this time.”

Oshiomhole, Nyiam were wrong — Oyovbaire

Prof Oyovbaire, who spoke on phone said: “It was wrong for Col Nyiam to have participated in the disruption or trying to stop the governor from continuing with his speech,” adding that he (Oyovbaire) managed to escape when things became rowdy.

He said information that reached him was that the National Dialogue Committee had earlier met with Governor Oshiomhole in his office, where he lectured them on the undesirability of the conference, and some of them were not com-

fortable with his remarks.

“Having spoken to the committee members in his office, which delayed the commencement of the sitting, I think it was a tactical mistake or tactless on the part of the governor to have come to the sitting to begin to make such statements, as if he is trying to get populist attention,” he said.

Oyovbaire pointed out that whatever Oshiomhole tried to convey with the tone of his statement and sarcastic remarks, “Nyiam as a former military officer, scholar and member of the panel should not have reacted the way he did.”

Oshiomhole got it wrong —Omon-Irabor

Omon-Irabor, who spoke to Vanguard in Warri said: “We were there as early as 9.00 am and the protocol officials told us that the governor pleaded with conference organizers that the conference should kick off at 1.00 pm, instead of 10.00 am and we registered and waited.

“Already, we knew All Progressives Congress, APC, (Oshimhole’s party) had barred the states it controls from participating in the confab and Oshiomhole had told his people not to attend the event. His coming was, therefore, a surprise because the seats reserved for Senators and other top officials were not occupied.

“We expected Oshiomhole to make a remark and go, but he went into a full criticism of the Federal Government with very derogatory remarks of President Goodluck Jonathan and said he was surprised to see eminent Nigerians gathered to engage in an exercise in futility,” Omon-Irabor said.

FJHD coordinator, Ikimi on his part said: “The Governor ’s per-

sonal presentation that the proposed Conference was a sham and a deceit by the Federal Government to hoodwink the people did not go down well with the popular opinion of delegates present, the above action provoked a number of delegates who resorted to booing the Comrade Governor who was unable to proceed with his presentation.

“However, for peace to reign frantic efforts were made by eminent personalities, including members of the Presidential Advisory Committee, to persuade the Comrade Governor to discontinue his presentation, but all proved abortive.

“I sat on the front row with some of the personalities and I did not see Colonel Tony Nyam (Rtd) or any member of the Presidential Committee leading thugs or exchanging words with the Comrade Governor.

“I think the Comrade Governor should have tactically beat a retreat since the general mood of all the representatives of ethnic nationalities and civil society groups present was in favour of a national dialogue and the least the people wanted to hear was not how a political party and its members felt about the proposed conference", he said.

Continuing, Ikimi said: “Immediately, the Comrade Governor was ushered out of the venue by his security aides, thugs entered the venue and queried why their governor was humiliated and in the process one Kola Edokpayi, an accredited member of the Edo Youth Congress at the venue was shot by thugs when he had gone to ease himself outside. The said Kola Edokpayi returned into the hall in a pool of blood, and the chairman had no option than to draw the meeting to an abrupt end.”

6—Vanguard , THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

Gunmen raid Ughelli phone shop

Fire guts Senator Balogun's residence BY ÒLA AJAYI

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BADAN— THERE was fire outbreak at the Alarere residence of a high chief in Olubadan Council of Oyo State, Senator Lekan Balogun.

The incident happened Tuesday evening.

Although, no life was lost during the incident that lasted for about an hour, several household equipment were destroyed.

It took the combined efforts of neighbours of the notable Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, member and the fire service to put out the fire.

Speaking with newsmen in Ibadan yesterday, Senator Balogun said: “I wasn’t there. I got a call from my guard who said the fire was much. “Ì got in touch with the Police Station in the area and they called the fire service. I cannot really estimate the property I lost, but thank God it did not happen in the night.”

Bauchi Police kill robbery suspect, arrest 4

BY SUZAN EDEH

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AUCHI— THE Bauchi State Police Command, yesterday, killed an armed robbery suspect and arrested four others in Gadar Maiwa Village in Ningi Local Government Area of the state.

Police Public Relation Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police Haruna Mohammed, who confirmed the incidence, said that the Police acted on intelligence report that some group of armed robbers were residing in Gadar Maiwa village. So the Police laid ambush for them.

He said that Police recovered 11 AK-47 rifles, 1100 ammunition, one rocket launcher, three cartridges, 12 loaded magazines, eight empty magazines and four handsets.

A security source in Bauchi said four suspects escaped during the ensuing gunfight.

BY FESTUS AHON

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FIRE: Chief Lekan Balogun (right) and sympathisers at his Alarere residence in Ife Road, Ibadan, gutted by fire, yesterday.

25 arrested as Okada men fight in court premises

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

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BEOKUTA— THE Ogun State Police Command has arrested 25 commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as okada, in connection with violent clash at the premises of the Federal High Court, Abeokuta, where dozens of people were severely injured.

The warring members of the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association, ACOMORAN, in the state had gathered in the court over a suit filed by the former Secretary of the association, Lateef Yekini, challenging his alleged detention sometime ago by the association’s Chairman, Alhaji Shamsudeen Apelogun.

However, shortly after the case was adjourned by the presiding judge to December 3, the association’s members began to fight at the court premises, leaving the state ACOMORAN Treasurer, Razaq Sotayo, critically injured.

An eyewitness told Vanguard that the hoodlums freely used dangerous weapons, including guns and machetes, forcing many people in the area to scamper for safety.

It was gathered that the sporadic gunshots of the okada men attracted the attention of security agents from the military, Police, Department of State Services, DSS and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, who restored normalcy after some of

the fighters were apprehended.

Confirming the incident, the state Acting Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abimbola Oyeyemi, disclosed that no fewer than 25 suspects had been arrested in connection with the fracas.

Oyeyemi, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, said normalcy had already been restored and that the suspects would face prosecution.

He said: “Currently, about 25 hoodlums were arrested and they are undergoing interrogation. They are going to be screened. Those who were not part of the fracas will be definitely released.

“But those who perpetrated the act are going to be prosecuted at the law court. Few people sustained injuries, but I cannot confirm their number

at the moment.

“Our own concern is to bring the situation under control and make sure those who perpetrated the act are dealt with according to the law.”

Meantime, the Apelogun group had accused the former Secretary of inviting security agents into the matter.

Apelogun, who spoke with newsmen, absolved himself from the fracas, saying it was the former Secretary that mobilised armed hoodlums from Ibadan and some neighbouring towns to cause crisis.

He said: “The former secretary was facing criminal charge at the Magistrate’s Court over embezzlement. He later sued me for unlawful detention, even though I’m not a security agent.

“Today (yesterday), the presiding judge asked us to bring all our trustees to court.”

GHELLI— GUNMEN, Tuesday evening, laid siege to the busy Post Office Roundabout, Ughelli, headquarters of Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State, and robbed a telephone shop in the area.

The operation, which lasted for close to 25 minutes, according to a source, caused stampede as residents scampered for safety.

The source said: “Two of the five-man gang went into the shop, two were outside brandishing AK-47 rifles, while one of them was inside the car.

“The two outside shot into the air without break in the operation that lasted for about 25 minutes.

“What shocked us was that the Police were not there to confront the robbers while the operation lasted. From the spot where they operated to the Police Station is less than a mile. It is about one minute drive, yet there was no police intervention.

“The police in their usual way came about 15 minutes after the boys had gone. They escaped through market road.”

Efforts to reach the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the Ughelli ‘A’ Division proved abortive at press time.

However, a senior police officer attached to the division said the suspected armed robbers escaped by the whiskers.

6-yr-old burnt to death in Lagos fire

BY ONOZURE DANIA

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six-year-old boy was burnt to death in a fire that engulfed a building in Iyana-Ifako area of Gbagada Lagos, Tuesday night.

The deceased, identified simply as Abbey, was said to have been sleeping when the incident occurred.

Two of his elder brothers were said to have been rescued by sympathisers. The fire affected 10 rooms in the building located at 3, Ogunde Street, off Somori, Iyana-Ifako.

The cause of the fire, said to have started at 9p.m., could not be ascertained.

While occupants of the buildings scampered from their respective apartments for safety, eyewitnesses said shouts for help from some children in one of the rooms were heard.

Some of the sympathisers said to have gone for rescue mission, discovered that the door was locked.

One of the eyewitnesses said: “Their parents locked them inside and went out.

Nobody knew where they

went to. The door was forced opened and two of them rescued, though one of them was slightly burnt.

“It was while they got outside that the rescued children said their brother was still inside. By then the fire had engulfed the whole building and nobody could go in again.”

The Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Mr. Rasaq Fadipe, said fire trucks from Ilupeju and Ikeja responded to the distress call. He said the charred remains of the sixyear-old boy was recovered.

Vanguard , THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013—7

28-yr-old jail-breaker, 2 others arrested

BY IFEANYI OKOLIE

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HE Lagos State Police Command has arrested 28-year-old Kingsley Chibuzor, who escaped from the Kirikiri Medium Prison in 2011, for armed robbery.

Chibuzor and two other members of his gang, Prince Nwafor and Ozor Enebeli, who specialised in car snatching, were arrested by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, led by Superintendent of Police Abba Kyari.

Four exotic vehicles, including a Toyota FJ Cruiser, and three locally made guns were recovered from them.

Sources at SARS disclosed that Kingsley, who was a commercial bus driver in 2011, was arrested for malicious damage by the Police at Orile Police Station and was charged to court and remanded in prison.

Few weeks after he was remanded, he managed to escape and formed a robbery gang that terrorised Lagos, Ebony, Delta and Anambra states, snatching more than 15 exotic cars.

A source, who spoke with Vanguard on the condition of anonymity, said SARS operatives intercepted an intelligence report on the gang’s activities and tracked them across various states in the country.

The source said two notorious stolen vehicle receivers (names withheld) one of them a popular car dealer in Ebonyi State, were also arrested.

The source said Kingsley provided information that led to the arrest of others and the subsequent recovery of four of the stolen vehicles.

‘Why we rob’

When Vanguard interacted with the suspects, Kingsley said he went into armed robbery after escaping from prison because he was broke and frustrated.

Ozor confessed that poverty led him into robbery, but that he regretted his arrest since he had turned a new leaf and started a new life in Ghana.

Kingsley said: “I formed the gang after I escaped from Kirikiri Prison. I and Ozor were friends. We met in a beer

parlour at Maza Maza area and we became very friendly.

“When the idea of taking to armed robbery came, I went to Benin Republic to buy two guns which we used in operating.

“We robbed people of several vehicles in Onitsha and we did several bad things. But my happiness is that I gave my life to Christ when I was arrested.”

On how he escaped from prison, Kingsley said: “On that night, I discovered that

the warder that used to lock our cell left it open and by midnight when everyone was sleeping I went to the gate and pushed it open.

“I walked to the entrance, but the gate was locked. I went through the ceiling and jumped outside. There was no one on guard.

“Then I walked swiftly to the fence and jumped over it. I travelled to my village the next day and after a while I returned to Lagos and formed a robbery gang.”

EFCC nabs fake ACP D

AYS after he was arrested for presenting himself to the Director-General of the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation, NTDC, claiming he had been assigned to discreetly investigate staff of the corporation, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday, arraigned one Kunle Adeshola, a fake Assistant Commissioner of Police, who also claimed to hold a doctorate degree from the University of Jos, before Justice Hussain Baba of the FCT High Court, Maitama, Abuja.

He was docked on a 7-count charge bordering on impersonation, forgery and obtaining under false pretence.

The accused pleaded not guilty, when the charge was read to him, prompting the prosecution counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, to ask for a trial date, while urging the court to remand the accused person in prison custody.

However, the defence counsel, Yemi Akinseye, prayed the

court to admit the accused person to bail, stressing that the charges preferred against him are bailable.

He assured that the accused will be available to face his trial.

One of the charges read: “That you Kunle Adeshola, male, sometimes between May and October, 2013 in Abuja, falsely pretended to hold the office of an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission with staff identity card no. EFCC: 073, as a public servant.

“In such assumed character held out yourself to the Director-General and staff of the

Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation under colour of such office and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 132 of the Penal Code Cap. 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 1990.”

Justice Baba granted the accused bail in the sum of two million naira, a surety in like sum, who must be a civil servant of the rank of deputy director in the federal service, and resident in Abuja.

The accused person is to be remanded in prison custody until he perfects the bail terms.

The case was adjourned till November 29 for hearing.

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SOGBO— SIX persons were, yesterday, arraigned before an Osogbo Magistrate's court for alleged arson at Oba-Oke during the bloody clash between Oba-Ile and Oba-Oke communities in Olorunda Local Government Area of Osun State.

The Police had arrested the six people at Oba-Oke after they allegedly burnt the palace of the Oloba of Oba-Oke, Oba Adams Yusuf, penultimate Sunday, when a bloody clash ensued between the two neighbouring communities over the ownership of a disputed land.

The six accused persons, who are from Oba-Ile commu-

nity and others now at large, according to the prosecution, were said to have committed the alleged offence on October 20 after the annual Oro festival of Oba-Ile. The accused persons are Oladele Tunji (28), Azeez Onifade (60), Raaji Abdulahi (47), Salami Kayode(46), Olarewaju Adekale (40) and Azeez Ogunbola(40).

The accused persons were also alleged to have attempted to take the lives of Sulaimon Taofeek, Durojaye Saheed, Rahman Abiona and Kosamotu Olalekan.

However, the six accused persons pleaded not guilty to all the charges and urged the court to temper justice with mercy.

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ATSINA— THE Police in Katsina State have confirmed that one Ibrahim Lawal, 27, of Tigirmis village in Batagarawa Local Government Area, died in a clash between farmers and Fulani herdsmen.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Aminu Abubakar, confirmed the clash and the death to newsmen yesterday.

Abubakar said the herdsmen were on transit to Kano State from Jibia Local Government, when the incident happened.

He said the nomads had obtained permission to pass through the village through the officials of Miyatti-Allah Cattle Breeders Association in the state.

The spokesman said that the deceased allegedly confronted the herdsmen and tried to prevent them from passing through his farm, resulting in the conflict.

Housewife remanded in prison for mischief

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6 docked over arson in Osun communal clash

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

One dead as farmer, Fulani herdsmen clash in Katsina

Suspected fake EFCC officer, Kunle Adeshola.

UJE (FCT)— A Kuje Magistrate’s Court, yesterday, ordered that Justina James, a 35-yearold businesswoman, be remanded in prison custody for mischief.

The woman, who resides at Dafara village, Kuje, is facing a two-count charge of disturbance and causing mischief.

The magistrate, Okeagwu Azubike, ruled: “The accused person pleaded guilty to telling her husband to damage the complainant’s property and causing mischief.

“You are to be remanded in prison till November 20 for judgment.”

20-yr-old accused of raping 5-yr-old girl

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DO-EKITI— AN Ado-Ekiti Magistrate’s Court, yesterday, ordered 20-year-old Oluyi Oba remanded over alleged rape of a five-year-old girl.

The police prosecutor, Mr. Emmanuel David, told the court that the accused committed the

offence on October 22 at 1p.m. in Iyin-Ekiti.

He said the offence contravened Section 218 of the Criminal Code Cap C 16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.

The plea of the accused was not taken.

Chief Magistrate Simeon Ojo ordered the accused remanded in prison custody pending the receipt of legal advice from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution.

He adjourned the case till November 21 for hearing.

8—Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

Lawson steps down as Ecobank chairman zInvestigation still ongoing — SEC

BY MICHAEL EBOH & WILLIAM JIMOH

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COBANK Transnational Incorporated, ETI, yesterday, said its chairman, Mr. Kolapo Lawson, will step aside from the bank with immediate effect, while he is expected to retire from the Board of Directors by December 31, 2013.

This was even as the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, said its investigation into the alleged breach of corporate governance in the bank is still ongoing, despite the stepping down of Lawson.

SEC, in a statement yesterday, said, “In the face of persistent inquiries from domestic and foreign investors and stakeholders, we wish to state that the ongoing investigation of allegations of corporate governance breaches at ETI has not been concluded because of the announcement

by ETI that Mr. Kolapo Lawson will be stepping down as Chairman.

“In line with its investor protection mandate therefore, SEC wishes to inform the investing public that the investigation being carried out by SEC complimented by KPMG Professional Services is progressing satisfactorily.”

Ecobank, in a statement signed by Nabi Ouedraogo, Head, Media Relations, Group Communications, ETI, said Lawson will hand over to André Siaka as interim Chairman with immediate effect Speaking on behalf of the Board, Mr. Siaka, the newly appointed Interim Chairman said, “Kolapo Lawson has been a loyal servant of Ecobank for very many years and has played a major part in shaping the successful organisation we know today.

“His family is inseparable from Ecobank and Kolapo’s contribution to Ecobank is second to none. Over 20 years, as a director of Ecobank Nigeria, Ecobank Togo and ETI, he has made a truly outstanding contribution to this great pan-African company. He has our very sincere thanks for all of his hard work and commitment, his leadership and his good works.”

SURE-P won't be in 2014 budget, if....

— SENATE zDecries ministers, govt appointees' habit of shunning N-Assembly's invitations

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU & JOSEPH ERUNKE BUJA—THE Senate, yesterday, hinted that it may not appropriate funds for the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, SUREP, in the 2014 Budget, if ministers and heads of agencies involved in the programme fail to appear before it to defend how they have handled projects and funds allocated to the SURE-P in this year’s budget.

The upper legislative chamber equally warned that it would not condone actions of government appointees who refuse to appear before any of its committees to answer or defend issues which may need their appearances.

Senate Deputy Leader and Chairman, Senate Ad-hoc Committee on SURE-P, Abdul Ningi, gave the warning at a briefing the committee held to state its position over non-appearance of Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen, at its session, yesterday.

Ningi said: “For us as a committee, we will not take it, we will not condone it. This is a show of lawlessness, and crass ignorance of the law. A minister of this government cannot refuse to appear before any committee of the National Assembly, talk less of the Senate committee that is saddled with the responsibility of unfolding a programme that is not clear to Nigerians.”

Ningi, who noted that several government appointees had treated the National Assembly in like manner in the past, added that by refusing to appear before the committee of the National Assembly, the ministers were clearly showing the world and Nigerians in particular that President Goodluck Jonathan appointed wrong people in government.

He explained that government appointees were often invited to appear before the legislature to clarify issues but regretted that they had rather, chosen to treat it with impunity.

“Why we invite these ministers is to come and give a run-down of their activities and their challenges; but here we are, a country that does not regard the rule of law. These ministers continue in their wishful thinking that they can frustrate this committee.

“We will take every available legal instrument to deal with them and for some of us, when they cannot come and answer on a laudable programme such as SURE-P, then certainly, they are trying to undermine this government, they are trying to undermine the president and the National Assembly.

“Therefore, this will be the last

A

time that we will condone any minister, whoever he is, and whatever is his portfolio and whatever is his connection that he will not appear before the Senate committee and without any reason for doing that,” he threatened.

He continued: “And this is a programme that a lot of people are asking questions and

therefore they are making this programme shrouded in secrecy. And it is clear that a strong message be sent to the president and his ministers, otherwise among some of the things we may take, we can refuse to appropriate a single kobo to this programme but before we do that, there are available options that can be

taken in making sure that any public officer who is required by a committee must appear.

“I will repeat this, this is no longer business as usual, people must be accountable, and they must be responsible for their actions. Any minister who therefore refuses to show his face, we will take necessary legal actions against him,” he added.

BOOK PRESENTATION— From left, Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; former President, Court of Appeal and honouree, Justice Ayo Salami; Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; wife of the honouree, Mrs. Olayinka Salami; and former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Muhammadu Lawal Uwais, during a book presentation in honour of Justice Ayo Salami in Abuja, yesterday.

Crises have slowed down economic development — Jonathan

BY BEN AGANDE

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BUJA—PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, lamented that the crises in some parts of the country has slowed down economic development. He stated this while being presented with the 2013 Africa Peace Award from the United Religions Initiatives URI, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to the president, internal stability is essential for the development of the country saying that, "there can be no meaningful economic development where people are fighting."

Jonathan said: “Even when countries are fighting at the end of the day they will still come to the dialogue table to resolve.

Problems could hardly be resolved through the barrel of the gun. Even if you have the most sophisticated weapon to fight, you will still come to negotiate otherwise you can never live in peace.

“If you go to the Southern part

of this country you hear about kidnapping and if you go to the North you have the issue of Boko Haram. For us to develop our country we must all embrace peace. There is no way the government can perform magic when the people are shooting guns, because economic growth and development is in the hands of the private sector.”

The President added: “There cannot be economic development without peace. For you to develop economically there must be peace and political stability. So the leadership of African Union and ECOWAS have changed and we believe that we must help ourselves and help our states and govern our states the way it should be governed. If there are crisis we should intervene and that has been helping us significantly.”

The president who dedicated the award to Nigerians promised that he will continue to focus on providing the enabling environment in the country for businesses to thrive.

He said: “This award is

dedicated to my people and my country Nigeria. We couldn’t have been qualified for this award if my people did not encourage me. In Nigeria God has given us that unique privilege to be fairly more robust than some of our African countries and we are one of the African countries that the whole work look up to, to assist in one way or the other. So this award is for Nigeria and not for Goodluck Jonathan.

“We would continue to do our best. For me as an individual, I will continue to play my role in spite of the challenges. Let me use this unique opportunity to call on all Nigerians and all the people of the world to embrace peace. You cannot talk about development when you are fighting,” the President emphasised.

The Regional Director of URI, Ambassador Mussie Hailu while presenting the award to the president said it was in recognition of President Jonathan’s immense contributions to religious harmony in Nigeria and peace keeping operation under the United Nations.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013—9

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE, JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU, JOSEPH ERUNKE & LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

N255m cars: FirstBank, Coscharis, Customs state cases at hearing

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BUJA—IT was another round of startling revelations yesterday as the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation continued the suspended investigative hearing into an alleged purchase of two armoured BMW cars at N255 million by the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah.

Despite the fact that the minister was absent at the hearing, the Nigeria Customs Service, NSC, First Bank PLC and Coscharis made presentations on their involvement in the purchase of the cars.

According to Committee’s Chairperson, Rep Nkeiruka Onyejeocha “tomorrow (today), is sacrosanct, the minister must appear by 10.am.

The minister’s letter, requesting to appear by noon was ignored by the committee.

were in a bid to justify the prices but was turned down by the committee.

FAAN procures two bullet proof cars for MD — Sen. Uzodinma

Lagos N10m waiver used to clear armoured cars — Customs

BRIEFING—Director-General, Budget Office, Mr Bright Okongwu; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Ambassador Godknows Igali; and Director-General, Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE, Mr Benjamin Dikki, at a briefing after a preparatory meeting to strategise Stakeholders were, however, on the scheduled handover of PHCN successor companies at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, yesterday.

startled when the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, DCG, Mannasseh Daniel Jatau, who represented the Customs CG, Abdulahi Dikko said a N10 million waiver given to Lagos State Government as waiver to purchase vehicles for Eko 2012 Sports Festival was used to clear the cars.

Jatau said “the N10 million import duty payable on the 300 vehicles meant for Eko 2012 festival was used to clear the armoured cars."

He explained that since the waiver was still effective the Customs had no choice than to allow the cars clear from the ports.

Jatau also noted that the office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, endorsed the clearance of the armoured cars.

At this point, Rep Zakari Mohammed asked the DC-G to explain the procedure for such a waiver and the exact number of vehicles cleared by the Customs.

Responding Jatau said "the armoured vehicles were cleared because there was an authorisation letter from the Minister of Finance."

Asked whether such a waiver was transferable, Jatau said, "to the best of my knowledge it is not transferrable and the total vehicles were 300 units."

Rep Ahmed Ali queried Jatau further whether it is possible to use such an exemption for another purpose other than what it was meant for as in the case of NCAA. Rep Jerry Manwe also demanded for evidence to show that such a waiver was granted by the Minister of Finance.

Jatau replied, saying "among the 300 vehicles only three were armoured cars and whether another beneficiary enjoyed the waiver I cannot tell you that

because we are not magicians.

“At the clearance point, all the requirements of the law were met and we are under the Ministry of Finance. If you give us till tomorrow, (today) we will provide the evidence you demanded for."

But a copy of the letter authorising the Customs was eventually presented which said “I am directed to refer to your letter dated June 23, 2012, in the above subject matter and to convey the approval of Mr. President and Commanderin-Chief to the Lagos State Government for the waiver of Import Duty, Value Added Tax, (VAT, ETLS, CISS, and other port charges in respect of the importation of 300 units of BMW, Ford, Land Rover, Range Rover, Lexus, Mercedes, Escalade, Jaguar and buses (Petrol/ Diesel) for use during the 18th National Sports Festival (EKO 2012) to be imported through Messrs Coscharis Motors Nigeria Limited, as indicated in the duly attached list.”

He further said that but for the waiver, the Customs Service would have generated the sum of N10, 133, 533. He explained that if the Customs Service knew the diversion of beneficiaries before the vehicles left the port, it would have demanded that import duty be paid on them.

The lenders, First Bank of Nigeria in its testimony refuted claims by NCAA that it was not committed to the bank as regards the loan of N643 million for the cars.

Group Head, Retail Services of the bank, Seyi Oyefeso, told the committee that NCAA is committed to the bank having agreed to, and signed all the documents for the loan that was meant to cover 52 units of vehicles which does not include the BMW armoured cars.

In its own evidence, Coscharis Nig Ltd has maintained that due process was followed in the purchase of the cars and that regarding the exemption of duty, the President of the company, Cosmas Maduka, said it had an agreement with the Federal Government to waive import duties on cars it purchases for the government at a given time.

While the committee insisted that the current price of the vehicle shouldn’t have ordinarily exceeded N50 million each, Coscharis outrightly rejected it, saying that could never be the case with BMW B7 series anywhere in the world.

NCAA demanded jerkup of armoured cars prices — Coscharis

But in a bid to state the fact, Coscharis revealed that the NCAA demanded a jerk up of the prices of the controversial vehicles from what the company had submitted earlier.

According to the Chairman of the company, Mr. Cosmas Maduka “NCAA told us that the initial price is not proper."

The hearing further revealed that the controversial cars were originally purchased on behalf of the Lagos State Government for the 2012 18th National Sports Festival and later sold to NCAA. Explaining the controversy, Maduka said that the delay encountered when the company sought clearance from the office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, when the demand came made it necessary to sell the cars to

NCAA. But the Committee insisted that Coscharis deceived the public and the government by saying that the cars were bought for NCAA when actually they were purchased on behalf of the Lagos State government.

Reps Committee accuses Coscharis of ripping off Nigerians

The committee also accused the company of ripping Nigerians off.

According to the Committee, the change in the prices of the vehicle from the initial amount of N70 million to N127.5 million even when the company had admitted that it got waivers from government not to pay Customs duties on the cars cast aspersion on the company's position on the prices.

Similarly, the hearing later took a dramatic turn when the committee discovered that the vehicles supplied were of different make and types.

For instance, a member of the committee and spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Zakari Mohammed said that the chassis of one of the vehicles inspected by a delegation from the committee was DW68011.

He argued that the number differed from what Coscharis gave in their correspondences with the office of the NSA. But in a swift response, the company refuted it. It quoted the chasis numbers as 68044 and 68432 respectively. It however promised to send the NSA certificate on the cars to the committee.

Earlier, the company had requested to play a video to demonstrate how exotic the cars

In a related development, as condemnation continues to trail the purchase of two armoured cars by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, for the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, there was a startling revelation yesterday that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, equally procured another two for its Managing Director.

Meantime the Nigeria Meteorological Agency, NIMET and the Accident Investigations & Prevention Bureau, AIPB, have distanced themselves from the controversy surrounding the purchase of armoured vehicles, saying they were not involved in transactions on bullet proof cars.

Director -General of NIMET, Dr. Anthony Anuforom and his counterpart in AIPB, Captain Muhktar Usman, who exonerated their agencies when they appeared before the senate committee on aviation led by its Chairman, Senator Hope Uzodima when they were asked on oath, how many armoured vehicles they bought like their sister agencies within the aviation sector.

Senator Uzodima in an interview, confirmed to newsmen that the Managing Director of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, Mr. George Uriesi, had confirmed on oath that his agency bought 202 operational vehicles and two bulletproof cars for the MD. He said: “Investigation is still ongoing and it will not be fair for me to pre-empt the outcome. FAAN did confirm that among the operational vehicles they purchased, four of them are armoured vehicles, two for the MD and two for the minister.

“We told them to go back and put everything in writing and make comprehensive statements on all vehicles purchased so until they come back on Monday we cannot rush into conclusion.

“The FAAN MD said they did a funding arrangement with a commercial bank.

This investigation will be a very deep one so that at the end of the day, we do a holistic approach and look at how the sector will be repositioned so that all anomalies will be corrected.”

The Senate Committee on Aviation had on Tuesday queried FAAN over the purchase of four bullet-proof cars in the agency’s inventory.

The FAAN MD, George Uriesi told the Uzodinma-led committee that the vehicles included two Lexus limousine cars and two Prado SUVs, adding that the limousines were bought at the cost of N60 million each and not N70 million being insinuated.

10— Vanguard ,THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

Fashola presents N489.7bn 2014 budget zCondemns FG’s late approval for $200m World Bank loan

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI, EBUN SESSOU & MONSURU OLOWOOPEJO

L

AGOS — GOVERNOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, yesterday, presented a budget proposal of N489.690 billion for the 2014 fiscal year to the state House of Assembly for consideration and eventual ratification.

Fashola, however, faulted the recent approval of $200 million World Bank loan by the Federal Government for the state to fund capital projects, saying, “it slowed down the state government activities for two years.”

The 2014 budget comprises of a recurrent expenditure of N234.665 billion and capital expenditure of N255.025 billion.

While the total personnel cost/ total revenue is 19 per cent, total personnel cost/IGR, 27 per cent, and personnel cost, as percentage of recurrent expenditure is 37.

The 2014 proposed appropriation is N9.587 billion less than this year’s budget, which was said to require a zero deficit financing.

The capital to recurrent ratio is 52:48 for next year as against 58:42 in 2013.

Fashola, while presenting the budget before a large audience of stakeholders, party chieftains and captains of industry at the House of Assembly, explained that the drop in the figure was because, “this is the last full year budget that my administration will be implementing.

“It represents a slight reduction in size when compared with the 2013 budget. Its focus will be to complete on-going projects, and consolidate on the gains we have made.”

The event was also witnessed

VISIT: Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN (middle); Chairman, Dimension Data Middle East and Africa, Mr. Andile Ngcaba (left); Commissioner for Science & Technology, Mr. Adebiyi Mabadeje (right), and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science & Technology. Mrs. Nike Animashaun (2nd left), during a visit to the Lagos State Government toward delivering an efficient e -governance service in the state, by the management team of Dimension Data, at the State House, Ikeja, Lagos. by the former Governor, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Senator Olorunimbe Mamora, a former speaker and a serving Senator; Joko Pelumi, also an ex-speaker; members of the State Executive Council, the Head of Service, Permanent Secretaries, among others.

representing 32.68 per cent of the total budget.

“It is immediately followed by the General Public Service which received slightly over N100.2billion, representing 20.47 per cent.”

Other sectors include: Education, N77,423, 827, 872 or 15.81 per cent, Environmental Protection, N39,727,711,248 (8.11 percent); Recreation, Culture & Religion, N3,482,081,806 ( 0.71 percent); Housing & Community Amenities, N50,537,201,984 (10.32 per cent); Health, N37,812,553,057 (7.72 per cent); Public Order and Safety, N17,977,368,027, (3.67 per cent); Social Protection, N2,466,309,939, (0.50 per cent) Justifying the Economic Affairs' lion share, Fashola said: “This sector consists of implementation of various Independent Power Projects, IPPs, projects, Development of Enterprise Zone in Gberigbe, Ikorodu and Upgrading of Yaba Industrial Park, Advancement of Ten-Lane LagosBadagry Expressway/Blue Rail Line Corridor, completion of other on-going road construction projects and pedestrian bridges and Agric-YES, Accelerated Food

Expansion Programme: Rice, Animal Husbandry, Root Crops.”

“The General Public Service will provide for Pensions, Residents Registration and Issuance of permanent residents’ cards

by LASRRA, and Implementation of Public Procurement Law.” Clarifying further, he said Zero deficit from December 1, 2013, The governor noted that the LASRRA Identity Card, ID, budget would require a zero defiwould be a requirement in cit financing. terms of information needed to Fashola, while reading the enable us provide service to sectoral allocation of the budget Lagosians or process requests said: “The sector with the largest from them. share is the Economic Affairs Meanwhile, the governor which takes N160,046,436,169 said that the central government’s guaranteed loan for the state, was meant to fund capital projects such as the Light Rail, Adiyan Water Works, among others.

According to him: “While I thank them for finally giving the approval, it is instructive to contextualise the timing of the approval.

“You might all re-call that in 2010 when I presented the year 2011 budget, I announced that we had negotiated a World Bank loan for $600m to fund a threeyear medium term OBIEBI—We, formerly known and addressed as (1) MR. expenditure framePETER OBIEBI, (2) OGHENEVWOGAGA OBIEBI, (3) work for years 2011, OMOGHO OBIEBI, (4) OGHENEFEJIRO OBIEBI, (5) 2012 and 2013 which UFUOMA OBIEBI, (6) EDIRI OBIEBI, (7) NYEROVWO OBIEBI, required Federal Government's approval.

(8) AVWEROSUOGHENE OBIEBI, (9) OGHENERO OBIEBI, “Although the ap(10) IGHO OBIEBI, (11) OGHENEKIDIOBOJUVWU OBIEBI, proval for the loan Now wish to be known and addressed as was given then and (1) MR. PETER OGHENOFUAFO, (2) OGHENEVWOGAGA the year 2011 first OGHENOFUAFO, (3) OMOGHO OGHENOFUAFO, (4) tranche for $200m OGHENEFEJIRO OGHENOFUAFO, (5) UFUOMA was released in that OGHENOFUAFO, (6) EDIRI OGHENOFUAFO, (7) year, the year 2012 NYEROVWO OGHENOFUAFO, (8) AVWEROSUOGHENE and 2013 tranches OGHENOFUAFO, (9) OGHENERO OGHENOFUAFO, (10) were frustrated by IGHO OGHENOFUAFO, (11) OGHENEKIDIOBOJUVWU Federal Government OGHENOFUAFO. All former documents remain valid. agencies."

General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

SERAP drags FG to UN over ASUU strike SOCIO-ECONOMIC RIGHTS and Accountability Project, SERAP, has dragged the government of President Goodluck Jonathan to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights over “a serious breach of the obligations by Nigeria under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to progressively realise the right to education in accordance with the country’s maximum available resources.”

The group said: “This fundamental breach is due primarily to the persistent refusal by the government to honour the agreement with members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU.” In the petition, SERAP’s Executive Director, Mr. Adetokunbo Mumuni said: “Although the government in 2009 agreed with ASUU to improve the governance structures and funding for the operation of universities across the country to around 26 per cent for the period covering 2009-2020, the terms of the agreement have remained largely unfulfilled.

"Conditions of service for staff members of the country’s universities remain very poor.

"Further the right of the students to freedom of assembly and association is not fully and effectively respected by the authorities.”

The petition sent to the committee through the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Navi Pillay, also stated that, “under international law, Nigeria is required to demonstrate that, in aggregate, the measures being taken are sufficient to realise the right to education for Nigerian children in the shortest possible time using the maximum available resources."

Lions Club to empower youths IN A bid to reduce the scourge of unemployment, the Achievers Lions Club, District 404A-I, will commence youth empowerment through training on vocational skills for young girls at the Girls Correctional Home, Idi Araba, Lagos.

President of the club, Lion Ifeanyi Okechukwu said this, weekend, at his investiture as the 15th president and other club officers for the year 2013/2014 Lions Year and Fund-raising towards the club's projects in Chevron Recreation Centre, Lagos.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013—11

We'll complete all projects, says Amosun

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VISIT: From left, Chief Lawrence Osayemi; Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; National President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, Chief Kola Jamodu; and Dr. D.B. Oguntuga, during a courtesy visit by a delegation of MAN to the Governor's Office, in Abeokuta, yesterday

Patients shun UCH as doctors’ strike persists I

the association would continue its stood their ground. We will conBADAN — PATIENTS are some in-patients, whose condistrike until its demands were met. tinue to talk to them and we hope staying away from the Uni- tions were quite critical, were The Chief Information Officer of the strike will be suspended given first aid treatment by the versity College Hospital (UCH), UCH, Mr Toye Akinrinlola, said soon,” he said.

Ibadan, as the strike by resident hospital’s nurses before they were that the hospital’s management NARD has been on strike since doctors is taking a toll on the discharged. had discussions with the striking Oct. 1 over the non-payment of Reacting to the development, Dr health institution. doctors, adding, however, that four months’ salaries of its memThe National Association of Babatunde Babasanya, the Presithey declined to suspend the strike bers, as well as the lack of proper Resident Doctors , NARD, had sus- dent of the UCH chapter of the until their money was paid. funding of residency training pended the nationwide strike last National Association of Resident “We appealed to them but they programmes. week, but doctors at the UCH Doctors (NARD), reaffirmed that branch are yet to heed the suspension order.

According to reports, the in-patients, regardless of their condition, had earlier been asked to go home or left of their own volition to patronise private hospitals, as the striking resident doctors failed

BY GODWIN ORITSE rolled out by the Federal Government to report for work. on cargo clearance through the seaports.

A visit to the hospital yesterday, Molokwu explained: “When we asked ONTRARY TO the high level of importation showed that the hospital’s emersome of these importers, they said getgency wards were also empty. and increase in port activities that usually characterise However, it was gathered that the end of every year, maritime stakeholders have complained ting loans from the bank is difficult, while the policy guarding clearing at seaports that the story is different this year as is cumbersome and that they usually cargo traffic at the ports in Lagos is lose out when they get to the warehouse. dropping by the day.

“Cargo traffic has dropped, we are not The stakeholders who spoke with happy at all; if you look at the statistics, newsmen in Lagos, Monday, hinged it’s like it is dropping every day. This is the drop in port activities on the rebecause the policy rolled out by the Fedfusal of the banks to grant facilities to eral Government on importation is so importers. tight that importers are not finding it Also, freight forwarders who spoke funny again to operate. to Vanguard, said the situation has "Most of them are now patronising land led to losing business as their clients borders. Personally, I have lost two imnow prefer using Port Harcourt port, porters because the problem of the seaas well as diverting their activities to port is too much. land borders.

He maintained that there are lots of A licensed Customs agent and chiefbottlenecks at the port, but that when PUBLIC NOTICE tain of the Association of Nigerian Liimporters use the land borders, the proccensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, ess is less cumbersome because they get Chief Achike Molokwu blamed the cargoes straight to their various waresituation on the unfriendly policies houses.

This is to inform the general public of the loss of the

Port activities drop as banks deny importers facilities

C

LOSS OF CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY original certificate of occupancy No. 1935w-15479639fr-def8u-10 over plot No. 3485 Cadastral Zone A06, Maitama District, Abuja issued by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja in favour of IMANI & SONS NIGERIA LIMTED of No. 37, Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Jos-Plateau State.

All efforts to trace the said certificate of occupancy proved abortive. The general public is advised to take the said document, if found, to the nearest police station or to Imani & Sons Nigeria Limited at the above address.

Signed: Alhaji Suleman Abubakar Director, Imani & Sons Nigeria Limited

FG begins payment of Ekiti SURE-P beneficiaries THE FEDERAL Government has commenced the payment of the arrears of three months stipend owed the 3,000 beneficiaries of the Subsidy Re-Investment Programme, SURE-P, Community Services, Youths and Women Employment Scheme in Ekiti State.

Chairman and Coordinator of the

State Implementation Committee of the SURE-P in Ekiti State, Mr. Femi Akinyemi, who made this known, yesterday, said one month stipend of N10, 000 had already been paid into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries.

He assured that the remaining two months arrears will be cleared before the end of next week.

HE OGUN State governor Senator Ibikunle Amosun has assured citizens of the state that his administration will not leave any of the on-going projects uncompleted, in its quest to restore the state to its enviable position among states in Nigeria.

Governor Amosun gave this assurance at a Townhall Meeting on the 2014 budget, at the June 12, Cultural Centre, Abeokuta.

“We shall remain focused and unwavering in our mission to make positive impact in the lives of our people. Let me assure you that this administration will not leave any of the on-going projects uncompleted.

“All our actions and efforts in the past 29 months have been channelled towards the realisation of this great vision,” the governor said.

In her welcome address, the commissioner for budget and planning, Mrs. Yewande Muoyo explained that the Townhall Meeting was a forum to deliberate on matters bordering on the development of Ogun State with all stakeholders, in order to prepare a robust budget for the 2014 year.

Defence College lauds Osun’s low crime rate

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OURSE 22 participants of the National Defence College, Abuja have commended the government of Osun State for using its Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme, OYES, and other strategic youth engagement programmes to reduce youth restiveness in the state.

This was the conclusion of the Course 22 members during its presentation following the study tour of Osun with the theme, ‘Infrastructure as Catalyst for Development in Osun State: Issues and Prospects,” at the Sani Abacha Hall of the National Defence College, in Abuja.

12—Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

Police warn protesting youths over IYC election in Bayelsa

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

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ENagoa —THE Police in Bayelsa State, yesterday, warned Ijaw youths against their continued protest and blockade of the EastWest Road over Monday’s contentious conduct of the Ijaw Youths Council, IYC, national convention, which led to the emergence of Udengs Eradiri as its President.

Acting Public Relations Officer, Peter Ogboi, in a statement, said though the conduct of the exercise ended on Tuesday, the delegates and their supporters still in Yenagoa should be law abiding and desist from acts capable of leading to a breakdown of law and order.

He said: “This is to inform the general public that the Ijaw Youth Council’s general election, which started on October 28 ended successfully the next day.

All persons who converged in Yenagoa for

the election should therefore, leave for their various places. ”However, persons who came for the election, who may wish to stay behind for any reason, are advised to be law abiding. The command places great premium on the security of lives and property.

“They are therefore

advised to conduct themselves peacefully and not run foul of the law as there are obvious consequences.”

Meanwhile, the President-elect of the Ijaw Youth Council, Eradiri, yesterday, described as free and fair, the national convention of the council, where he was elected.

....As electoral c’ttee member distances self from IYC result

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ENAGOA—A member of the electoral committee of the just concluded Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, worldwide national convention, Nengi James, has distanced himself from the outcome of the poll, saying that it was faulty and didn’t follow due process.

Udengs Eradiri was, Tuesday, declared as the elected President of the Ijaw youth body by the Sunny Diritolofari-led electoral committee.

But James, said yesterday in Yenagoa, that as a member of the elector-

al committee and a vote counting officer in the inconclusive election of Monday, the secret and sudden declaration of the result of the President, Deputy President, Secretary and Assistant Secretar y, was done without his participation and presence.

He said that the Monday conduct of IYC election was aborted after due consultation with various election observers, including the representatives of the Ijaw National Congress, INC, the Good Governance for Grassroots and the Observer Youth Alliance.

ASUU strike: Police tear-gas protesting UniAbuja lecturers the zonal Chairman of

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BUJA — THE Police yesterday, tear-gassed protesting members of Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, University of Abuja branch in an attempt to stop them from marching through the streets of the Federal Capital City.

Eyewitnesses said that the lecturers had mobilised at the mini-campus of the university in Gwagwalada for the pro-

test but no sooner had they gathered for the protest than policemen and plain clothes security personnel took over the entire arena and prevented them from the planned protest.

The Policemen did not only prevent people from entering the campus but also turned vehicles and motor cycles back from all roads leading to the campus.

Speaking to journalists,

ASUU, Dr. Clement Chup said ASUU sent a letter to the Commissioner of Police in Gwagalada to notify them of their intention to protest but was surprised when they were prevented by Police from entering the campus.

According to him, “We members of Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU of University of Abuja had actually planned to carry out a peaceful demonstration yesterday (Wednesday).

Confab fallout: Benin episode shows FG’s insincerity —Oyegun

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN—FORMER governor of Edo State, Chief John OdigieOyegun, yesterday, said that the attitude of a member of the Presidential Advisory Committee on National Conference, Col. Tony Nyiam (rtd), towards Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s comment on the proposed national dialogue was an indication of the insincerity of the Federal Government to the conference.

He said that the committee may have been acting out a script to deceive Nigerians “but Nyiam betrayed the Committee by exposing him-

self and that tells Nigerians that contrary to the preaching of the committee that Nigerians are free to discuss any issue, there are actually issues you must not raise and that will eventually play out at the conference.”

This came as Coalition of Registered Political Parties, CRPP, in the state, called for the outright disbandment of the Conference Committee, so that a new one that will “accommodate the views of every Nigerian will be reconstituted.”

Oyegun, noted that Col.Nyiam’s angry reaction to the position of Oshiomhole that he had no faith in the proposed conference, “has opened

what is under the belly.

You could see that all these things were staged managed by those who initiated the conference.

It is unfortunate and shows how things will go.

If a governor cannot freely express his views, then God help the ordinary man.

“Those who initiated the conference, if they meant well for our country, should know that this is an exercise where people will have many contrary views. But if before we start the conference, a member of the team is losing his cool and his balance, then it shows that those who initiated it don’t mean well and they have their agenda.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013—13

FG handover PHCN to owners tomorrow

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG & BEN AGANDE

T

HE stage appears

set for a major confrontation between the Federal Government and workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, tomorrow, over the planned handover of PHCN’s assets to new owners amidst alleged non-payment of severance benefits to workers, among other pending issues.

While the Federal Government, yesterday, insisted that it would go ahead with the planned handover of the assets to new owners despite the threat of a nationwide strike by workers, organised labour on the other hand, directed workers to withdraw their services from any unit should military personnel attempt to forcefully take over PHCN installations from November 1, 2013.

Speaking through the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Godknows Igali, the govern-

ment said after a meeting of stakeholders in the power privatisation process with Vice President Namadi Sambo, that it was not nursing any fear about the physical hand over of the assets to new owners.

The Permanent Secretary claimed that 40,093 out of the 47,913 identified PHCN workers had been fully paid their entitlements, saying the money so far spent on the disengaged staff of the PHCN stood at N294.4 billion, out of which N214.2 billion was for severance benefits while pension was N80.2 billion.

While reiterating that the documents of additional 605 workers who were validated on Tuesday had been sent for payment, the Permanent Secretary said the severance benefits were paid directly into the bank accounts of beneficiaries while the gratuity payments were made to their pension fund custodians.

Mr Igali admitted that the biometric capturing of some disengaged staff

was corrupted but assured that such affected staff had been invited to Abuja for recapturing.

He said 2,500 workers’ cases were bad because they had no record that they were PHCN workers, arguing that those identified as genuine PHCN staff would be addressed.

However labour under the umbrella of the National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, in the statement by its General Secretary, Mr. Joe Ajaero, said “We are worried over the Bureau of Public Enterprise, BPE, desperate moves to physically handover PHCN facilities to the investors without conclusively resolving labour and labour-related issues.

“This plan negates the agreement we had with the Government/BPE that all the issues would be resolved before physical handover.”

Bayelsa govt demolishes Dickson’s house

CONDOLENCE VISIT TO LATE ADMIRAL MIKE AKHIGBE’S FAMILY IN FUGAR, EDO STATE

Alhaji Shagadi Usman (left) and Mr. Peter Akhigbe, elder brother to late Admiral Mike Akhigbe.

Chief Momoh Akubar signing the condolence register

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

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ENAGOA—A STOREY building owned by the Bayelsa State governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, on OpoloAIT Road, Yenagoa, was, yesterday, demolished for obstructing the right of way as well as intruding on the state capital city master plan.

The structure, which is an extension of the governor’s private residence, it was learnt, was marked for demolition by the Capital City Development Authority last year, for intruding on the Master Plan, and Right of Way. The exercise commenced at 12:48pm and was supervised by the state deputy governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha Jonah, (rtd), the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Lawrence Ehwrudjakpor, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Deacon Markson Fefegha, Commissioner for State Capital City Development, Mr. Konugha Zuwa, among others.

Mr. A.B.C. Nasamu (left) with Mr. Peter Akhigbe, late Admiral Mike Akhigbe’s elder brother.

Other sympathisers, yesterday. Photos by Barnabas Uzosike.

14— Vanguard , THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

Catholic clerics endorse Ngige for governor

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WKA—THE Pastoral Council of Nnobi Episcopal Region, Umuoji, Idemili Local Government Area of Anambra State, yesterday, prayed for the victory of the All Progressive Congress, APC, governorship candidate, Senator Chris Ngige in the November 16, 2013 governorship election.

The pastoral council which rose from its meeting at Holy Family Catholic Church, Umuoji, prayed for God to intervene, and enable him emerge triumphant in the elections.

They also urged him to be steadfast, reminding the governorship candidate that a similar prayer was said for him during his senatorial election in which he emerged successful.

In his remarks, the Episcopal Vicar of the Region, Rev. Fr. John Anosike described Sen. Ngige as a known lover of Anambra State, whose public service records are indelible in the minds of the people.

Also speaking at the occasion, Rev. Fr. Mike Okagbue chided desperate politicians who resort to maligning others in their quest for power.

....As Obi's aide calls for his arrest

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WKA—SENIOR Special Assistant to Governor Peter Obi on Media and Publicity has called for the immediate arrest of Dr. Chris Ngige and one of his aides over allegation that “fake Police and NYSC uniforms were being produced in Anambra State Government House by All Progressiove Grand Alliance, APGA, for those they were recruiting to wear them on election day to camouflage as policemen and corps members to perpetrate fraud.”

Obienyem said the accusation was weighty enough that by now, Dr. Chris Ngige and his aide that made the accusation should be helping the police to get to the root of the matter.

Obienyem said that failure to act would be a grave omission on the part of security agencies since any charlatan can bandy any accusation bordering on criminality for political purposes.

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INAUGURATION: From left: Chairman, Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service, Senator Aloysius Etuk, Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State, Director-General, Pension Commission, PenCom, Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu and others, at the inauguration of the South East zonal office of PenCom in Awka, yesterday.

Abia, Imo people want law backing national confab

BY ANAYO OKOLI

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MUAHIA—MORE than 45 different groups including elders’ councils, ethnic groups, socio-cultural associations, town unions, women organisations, the business community and professional bodies from Abia and Imo states, yesterday, asked the National Assembly to enact a law that would back the proposed National Conference.

Presenting their memoranda to the Femi Okoruonmu-led 13-member committee, the groups unanimously threw their weight for the conference, saying it was the only way forward for the nation’s unity.

They, however, requested that the outcome of the conference must be subjected to referendum to pass it into a Peoples’ Constitution.

Governor Theodore Orji set the ball rolling in his opening remarks when he commended President Goodluck Jonathan for setting up the committee even as he described the task as daunting.

Orji asked the committee to look for “salient propositions that will foster unity in the country” from the avalanche of submissions received in the course of their work.

The governor said the proposed conference must among other things resolve the issues of Nigerian civil war and the marginalisation of the people of South East in the politics of the country, as well as resolve the growing conflict of resource control and injustice in the sharing of the nation’s resources.

Furthermore, Orji urged the conference to resolve the conflicts created by the Mamman Nasir boundary demarcation committee, saying that if the nagging issues confronting the nation were amicably resolved at the conference, the nation would enjoy peace, unity and progress.

The position of Abia State was presented by Prof.

Joe Irukwu, who would lead other prominent persons from the state to the National Conference.

“Abia has over 200 ethnic groups, we suggest selection to be on six geopolitical zones,” Irukwu said and proposed further that between 60 to 100 persons should be selected from each zone.

However, Imo State Government was not represented on the occasion, but individuals and many groups, including town unions and community associations from the state attended and made proposals.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013 — 15

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16— Vanguard , THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

Confab: ACF wants representation on LG basis

BY EMEKA MAMAH

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ADUNA—THE Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, has recommended that representations at the proposed National Dialogue should be on local government basis instead of regional or geopolitical zones.

This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a joint meeting of its Board of Trustees, BOT, and the National Executive Council, NEC, in Kaduna, yesterday.

The communiqué which was signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the association, Mr. Anthony Sani, however, regretted that the north was no longer speaking with one voice and spoke about the ‘’possibilities of all the groups coming back to ACF, or all collapsing into a different platform, or working together.’’

The communiqué read, ‘’The meeting was well attended by members of the two organs, and chaired by retired Lt. General Jeremiah Useni. The meeting deliberated on many issues of national importance as well as those on its internal management for performance, and resolved that the following statements be issued. ‘’The meeting considered the decision of the Federal Government to convoke a national conference/national dialogue against the back drop that the decisions of past conferences are yet to be implemented by the appropriate authorities.

ACF, therefore, expressed doubt that the outcome of the current exercise would not suffer the same fate. ’’However, as a mark of good faith in the hope that real issues of real concern to real Nigerians may be discussed, ACF urged northerners to participate in the national conference/national dialogue in the interest of national solidarity that goes with relative pluralism. Towards this end, only delegates with proven public intelligence and patriotic courage should be encouraged and supported to attend the conference. ’’The meeting also considered the calls for representations and urged the government to use local government areas as constituent units for representation to the conference at one delegate per local government area."

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God‘ll judge Katsina-Alu for lying against me —Salami zAs ex-CJN, Uwais, accuses NJC of injustice, double standard

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

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BUJA—FORMER Presi dent of the Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salami, who was suspended from office by the National Judicial Council, NJC, over alleged judicial misconduct, yesterday, said he has handed over the erstwhile Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu to God, for not only lying against him, but also for his alleged attempt to pervert the course of justice.

Salami, who finally opened up on what actually transpired between him and the ex-CJN, leading to his suspension on August 18, 2011, maintained that he has no regret for any action or judgment he delivered while in office, saying “a judge must, above all, stand taller than the pressure that he would continuously face in the exercise of his duties.”

Speaking at the official presentation of a book entitled ‘Isa Ayo Salami: Through Life and Justice’, in Abuja, yesterday, the former

PCA, however, regretted that he was unjustly treated by the NJC despite the fact that he spent about 45 years of his life in active judicial service for the country.

He stated this on a day a former CJN, Justice Mohammed Uwais, accused the NJC of injustice and double standard in the way it handled the feud between Salami and Katsina-Alu, saying, “It is disturbing, to say the least, that the NJC, whose membership consists of eminent and experienced judges and lawyers, should act in the manner they treated Justice Salami.”

His words: “What was the reason for the suspension? Briefly, there was a disagreement between the then CJN and Justice Salami on how to treat a complaint from Sokoto concerning an election matter that was pending before a panel of Court of Appeal.

The disagreement was taken before the NJC. A number of committees were set up by the NJC to examine one aspect or another of the complaint. None of the com-

Nigeria spends $13bn on peace-keeping —Ex-Polish envoy

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BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

BUJA—FORMER Polish Ambassador to Nigeria, Grezgorz Walinski has said that Nigeria has spent about $13 billion on peacekeeping operations since 1960 and has also sent over 250,000 members of the Nigerian armed forces to the United Nation’s sponsored missions worldwide.

Ambassador Walinski disclosed this at the stakeholders’ dinner reception for the Nigeria Security Exhibition and Conference, 2014, organised by First Security Guards Limited in Abuja.

He noted that despite the numerous contributions of the country in peace operations, it was assumed that the country had not taken full advantage of its active participation in the numerous peace operations around the world by not getting commensurate economic, military and political remuneration for its participation.

He cited countries like Ghana that had also participated in numerous UN PSOs but generated funds through the process to defray the costs of sustaining its military, while Nigeria on the other hand had largely allegedly deprived itself of such benefits.

According to him, the country started peacekeeping operations few days after her independence in 1960 in Congo and since then, the country’s forces have participated in many operations across the globe under varying international legal authority executing a variety of operational mandates.

He said: “Her contribution to the UN peacekeeping operations is only surpassed by those of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Over 250,000 members of the Nigerian armed forces have participated in UN sponsored missions worldwide."

mittees found Justice Salami of any infraction but the NJC, in considering the report of the last committee to be set up by it, directed that Justice Salami should tender an apology to the then CJN within seven days.

“Justice Salami refused to do so, since he was not found guilty of any misconduct. Without the

NJC asking him to explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for disobeying its directive, Justice Salami was served with a letter suspending him from office, pending his removal from office by the President as recommended by the NJC.”

VISIT: From left: Babs Fagade, Publisher, Outdoor Republic Magazine, MD, Lagos State Signage & Advertisement Agency, LASAA and Editor, Outdoor Republic Magazine, Olanshile Amoo, during a visit to LASAA in Lagos.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013— 17

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T was inside the Dubai Mall, that the idea to write this piece began to gestate in my mind. We had done a flight from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam to Dubai on the last leg of our trip to China and IndoChina. Dubai was supposed to be a wind down, on the way back home. Naturally, I had planned to write about the experiences of the near-two week trip, to draw lessons about the Asian experience of the development process. Asia is much more relevant to us, because of shared colonial experiences; the long battle against underdevelopment and the incredible developments we all see today. It is remarkable that our ruling elite is still so dependent on the imperialist powers and their prescriptions, that they would rather the diktats of Washington, London and Paris than learn from those Asian developments; not to talk of the full latitude given to intellectuals trained in the ways of imperialism like Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to mess with our country’s development agenda, while forcing down our throats the bitter pills of imperialism.

As I looked around us last Thursday, and the multitudes from all walks of life, shopping in this city, I also noted the huge number of Nigerians that we have also met here.

China, Vietnam and Dubai: Travel and thoughts gave him a ride in the car taking us back to the hotel and he was laughing deliriously and talking to himself. He had obviously gone round the bend!

It was not the first time I was encountering such a scene.

Four years ago, I had gone on a reporting assignment in Eritrea and had transited through Cairo. As I checked out of my hotel early that morning, I saw a young Nigerian girl who told me she was 20; she was a student of one of the highbrow universities in the Egyptian capital. She was drunk and was chain-smoking. She greeted me, because from my dressing, she knew I was Nigerian. When I asked her name, she insisted that I looked at her face very carefully to hazard a guess,

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Borno is preparing for a post-Boko Haram insurgency life of people-centered development; that took us to Vietnam one of the largest rice producers in the world

Nigerians enjoy their shopping and Dubai has become a favoured destination to purchase all kinds of luxury and it is also a much-coveted destination to launder stolen public money by members of Nigeria’s thieving bourgeoisie. But it is not just a shopping destination, because in recent years, Nigerians have also arrived in droves for the medical facilities here, while children of the rich attend many of the universities located all over the United Arab Emirates. And that has become one of the main points of worry here. A lot of these young boys and girls live here unsupervised by their parents and in the circumstance, have become drug addicts. This is a problem that has become so endemic with many of the ruling class families, especially in Northern Nigeria, and as with many of the social problems confronting our society today, it is not sufficiently interrogated.

People play the proverbial ostrich and lament amongst themselves, as the cream of their youth is damaged by indulgence.

Last week in Dubai, we met a young Nigerian, son of a prominent Northern Nigerian family who was supposedly training to become a pilot. But he has not been attending classes because of a serious problem with drugs! It was a very scary scenario when we C M Y K

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because, she assured me, she was a carbon copy of her father ’s! I couldn’t correctly guess but soon as she mentioned her surname, it clicked immediately; she was indeed the exact replica of a famous father. The old man visited the week before for a few days before returning to the cloak-and-dagger world of Nigerian politics. Unbeknownst to him, the young girl lives a life of drugs, alcohol, cigarettes and much besides in Cairo. The leading member of our ruling

class deluded himself that he had secured the future of the daughter, away from the crisisridden Nigerian educational system. If only they had kept the system alive, they would not have sent those children away from their cultures into the alienation which opens them to a life of drugs! Parents that attended public schools a few decades ago, now superintend over the complete collapse of our public space.There have appeared online videos of children of our rich holding wild parties and orgies, and spending lavishly abroad, monies their parents stole from our country.

These thoughts from Dubai could not have taken away from the days of travel in China and Vietnam. It was pure serendipity really! I had been holding a discussion with Kashim Shettima, the Borno state governor about two months ago in Abuja, when he told me of his plan to travel to China and Vietnam. He then requested that I joined the delegation to be a witness to the various activities earmarked for the trip. The Borno delegation attended the 114th Canton Trade Fair in Guangzhou. It was interested in procurement of equipment for agriculture and agro-allied industries, water resources development and such equipment that can assist the poverty alleviation project of the government as well as women and youth empowerment activities. We also visited a bus manufacturing company that is

Vietnamese today was born after the war ended in victory and the commencement of the rebuilding of their country.

Everywhere there are indications that the economy has begun to grow, and nowhere more so, than in the towns and villages in the Mekong Delta, with the rice paddies; the wide array of fish species and the huge number of mopeds on the streets. The Vietnamese are very friendly and polite people and we were made welcome everywhere we went. I think the most incredible piece of that welcome must be the Vietnamese version of “Point and Kill” joint that we experienced in Can Tho. Here in Abuja, we relish our ‘Point

in the process of constructing inter and intra-city buses as well as school buses for Borno State.

The idea is that Borno is preparing for a post-Boko Haram insurgency life of p e o p l e centered development.

It was pursuant to the theme that took us to Vietnam, which has become one of the largest rice producers in the world. We travelled in the Mekong Delta region, where there are impressive •Kashim Shettima, Governor of Borno State rice and fish production facilities. and Kill” and I recall that Jibo The Borno government has an Ibrahim once took us out to one ambitious plan for the in Wuse, a few years back, production of wheat, rice, when Mahmood Mamdani vegetables and fish. Thousands came visiting. But in Abuja you of households are being were always sure of three brought into a modernised species of fish: tilapia, cat and agricultural process which croaker. Right? Well in Can necessitated the procurements Tho, we had more than 50 of machinery done at the species of fish and other Canton Fair as well as the riverine species to choose from! agreements reached over rice Trust Nigerians to tuck into the production and fisheries delight! The passion to travel training in Vietnam. We had is at the heart of our humanity; arrived in Ho Chi Minh City and the more I have seen of the and Can Tho, a couple of days world, the greater my after the burial of national hero, appreciation of our shared General Vo Nguyen Giap. A humanity. The two weeks in copy of the glossy SAIGON China, Vietnam and Dubai just TIMES, a weekly magazine, reinforced that reality for me. had carried a cover on "The But it is always good to be back General Who Makes History". home!

The overwhelming majority of

Tony Nyiam, Adams Oshiomhole and national conversation

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NE of the main talking points of the week was the attitude of a member of the Presidential Advisory Committee on National Dialogue, Tony Nyiam, to Governor Adams Oshiomhole at the Benin public hearing organised by the committee. Nyiam was said to have been forced to resign from the committee by other members, after he “had shouted down the Governor while making his contribution”, according to VANGUARD of Tuesday, October 29, 2013. The paper said further that: “While the Governor was still making his speech…Nyiam stood up and shouted him down…He was restrained by other members who were taken aback by his action”. Oshiomhole’s ‘crime’ with Nyiam at the event, was not to have riden piggy-backed, on his delusions about the proposed conference. A generation of Southern Nigerian activists, expired old men and sundry rabble rousers have lived on and swore

by SNC as the panacea to all problems bedeviling Nigeria. The failed coup plotter also made an effort to link the anarchic, failed coup he participated in,

which announced the excision of some states from Nigeria, as part of the wider issues of the National Question. He was given celebrity status amongst media, intellectual and activist circles of the South.

It came as no surprise therefore, that he was named member of Goodluck Jonathan’s national conversation committee. That he would heckle Governor Oshiomhole did not also surprise me. These gentlemen pretend to represent an alternative vision for Nigerian development, yet they are puny tyrants and undemocratic demagogues, stripped of subterfuge!

Oshiomhole ticked the right boxes by interrogating the perpetual fascination with conferences, when they have not been substantially productive in the past. He wondered why 100 years after amalgamation and over 50 years after independence, old men in their eighties, who took every privilege from Nigeria while young, now turn round to attempt to delegitimize our country! Adams puts it most brilliantly: “I think Nigeria needs to address very serious issues. When I

see eminent Nigerians discussing this issue, I am sure they know that Nigeria’s problem is not the politics of sharing which the national dialogue is all about, who is getting what, who has this natural endowment, who should do this or not do this. For me this is the act of perfecting poverty. The real challenge is getting Nigeria back to production.

The real challenge is creating industrial base…”.

Oshiomhole’s perspective fits the frame of the Nigerian working people and the overwhelming population of Nigeria which is under the age of 35.

They need education, skills and jobs.

They are all over Nigeria, whether in the creeks of the Niger Delta or the semi-arid regions of Northern Nigeria. There are no ethnic (or tribal) contradictions between these young, and often desperately poor, citizens.

They are not represented by the ethnic/tribal fixations of eightysomething year old Professor Nwabueze or the outbursts of Tony Nyiam!

18 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

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HE recent outbreak of cholera in different parts of the country once again reminds us of the pathetic conditions under which our people, especially the illiterate and poor, daily contend with. Barely two years after the 2011 outbreak which recorded over 2,000 deaths, the statistics for this year, though much smaller, is rising steadily as more reports come from across the country.

For instances, Lagos State reported three deaths from stricken poor neighbourhoods and health officials attributed it mainly to contaminated foods and water from unwholesome wells and boreholes. In Oyo, eight deaths and scores of hospitalised casualties were recorded, while the situation in Zamfara was grim, with 72 deaths reported out of 1,117 cases.

In Namu, Plateau, the 6,000 internally displaced persons, who fled from the Ombatse cult attacks in Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State are exposed to great risk, as cholera outbreak was reported in their camp, where they have no access to potable water and sanitation practices are nothing

Again, cholera outbreaks

to write home about.

Cholera is a bacterial infection; a very highly communicable disease that thrives in humid and dirty environments, particularly in the tropical zones. The World Health Organisation describes it thus: “Cholera is an acute intestinal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It has a short incubation period, from less than one day to five days, and produces an enterotoxin that causes a copious, painless, watery diarrhoea that can quickly lead to severe dehydration and death if treatment is not promptly given. Vomiting also occurs in most patients.”

It is obvious that cholera is an affliction of the poor, illiterate, and downtrodden people; the most vulnerable in society, who are less likely to provide for themselves the simple amenities of life that government is expect-

ed to do. The frequent return of this and other epidemics targeting the lower strata of society is an indication that governance is not effectively impacting the lives of the ordinary people.

The greatest weapon against cholera and related diseases is not money and drugs, though these always come in handy when attacks take place. The greatest weapon is awareness. The people need to be frequently bombarded with the need to maintain clean environments and observe the simplest rules of personal hygiene and environmentfriendly living. This involves drinking water from safe sources and avoiding defecating indiscriminately in the bush, open drainage systems or near sources of water or food supply.

The government must lead the way towards the eradication of cholera and harmful epidemics. This they can do by providing potable water, creating awareness in the citizens, enforcing environmental and sanitation laws and providing medical care in case of outbreaks.

Surely, death through such diseases as cholera are avoidable, and we must put hands on deck to ensure it is eradicated once and for all.

OPINION

BY ISRAEL UMOH

Continued from yesterday

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OSHUA 5:9 says: “And Jehovah said unto Joshua, this day I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of that place was called Gilgal, unto this day”.

And 1Samuel 10:8 corroborates the essence of Gilgal thus: “And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal and behold I will come down unto thee, to offer burnt-offerings, and to sacrifice sacrifices of peaceofferings: seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come unto thee, and show thee what thou shalt do”.

For sometime now, Akwa Ibom has gradually assumed the status of ‘Gilgal’ by playing host to countless seminars, workshops and conferences for Nigerians and their foreign counterparts. Some major national events are usually brought to Uyo, the state capital.

Three, the carol night galvanises spiritual rebirth and oils the engine of good governance in the State.

Regarded as a “Night of a thousand stars”, it serves an annual pilgrimage in bringing together a gamut of churches to sing in one accord the birth of Jesus Christ. Psalm 22:3 states: “But thou art holy, O thou that inhabit the praises of Israel”. This helps to spiritually reconnect churches, worship leaders, gospel artistes, political office holders, clergy men and women, friends and families. In short, singing praises to God Almighty at the end of the year is a subtle sacrifice in opening the windows of God’s glory and blessings on the people as well as unlocking the door of opportunities of a new year to attract God’s favour.

Only God can receive the praises of His people.

Through praises, the event helps to strengthen the

Heralding 20 13 A'Ibom go vt Xmas Car ol Night (2) 201 govt Carol cord of brotherhood, love, peaceful co-existence and meaningful development among the different dialectal groups in Akwa Ibom.

Also, 2 Chronicles 20:22 declares: “And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord sent ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten”. Great men in the Bible time such as Hezekiah, Jehoshaphat and David used praises as a strong weapon to crush their enemies.

During the 2012 edition of the event, Governor Akpabio aptly acknowledged thus: “As we celebrate Christmas, this should be the time for the country to rise up and come together as one. We must put a stop to envy and jealousy for the country to have peace.

As we sing to the Lord today, let us sing to break down the walls of ethnic barriers, tribal feelings, kidnapping, robbery and break barriers to prosperity.

As we praise God tonight, I believe that our praises are accepted in Heaven and through our praises tonight, we shall move the country forward”.

Finally, the event is one of the drivers of hospitality industry in the state. Already, the State boasts of two five-star hotels: Le Meridian Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort, Uyo Hilton Gardens and other three-star hotels, Ibom Tropicana Entertainment Centre and alluring tourist sites, among others. Research has shown that more than 70 per cent of revenue in some foreign countries comes from hospitality industry.

There are rich people with money looking for what to spend. So, the carol night if properly harnessed and consistently sustained could turn the state to one huge

internal revenue spinner.

The spectacular event was premiered by the Akpabio administration on December 26, 2008. It featured 9,300 choristers from the 31 local government areas of the state, beating the Guinness World Record of the largest assembly carol singers of 7,514 singers at the Bob Jones University in South Carolina, United States of America in 2004. The 2009 and 2010 editions equally had 9,300 united carol singers while the number was increased to 9,999 choral singers in 2011, 2012 and till date editions.

Some international church leaders who shared the word of God with the audience during the previous editions of the event included Pastor Enoch Adeboye, Pastor William Kumuyi, Archbishop Idem Ikon and Bishop Cletus Bassey. The gospel artistes included Ron Kenoly, Donnie McClurkin, Alvin Slaughter, Soweto Spiritual Singers from South Africa, the Winneba Youth Choir from Ghana, Chorale Divine de Merveilles from Congo Brazzaville, Abuja Municipal Choir and Princess Anne Inyang.

This year’s edition is billed for December 21 at Uyo Sports Stadium and will be flagged off by Governor Akpabio. Based on the activities packaged by the ingenious Protocol Unit, Governor’s Office, Uyo, this year’s event promises to be more inspiring and soullifting. It will rekindle hope for the distressed, joy to the broken hearted, love to the abandoned, peace to the afflicted, liberty to the oppressed and above all bring down God’s glory to Akwa Ibom and Nigeria.

Concluded *Mr. Umoh , a commentator on national issues,wrote from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013— 19

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EFT to me, this conference call by President Goodluck Jonathan will be transformed to a great opportunity for the nation. It would be an opportunity to right the foundational wrongs that have worked against Nigeria as a viable, progressive nation. We would seize the opportunity to make amends and turn a new leaf for the benefit of ourselves and future generations.

In the first part of this essay, I tried to debunk the tribal fundamentalism that drives our political behaviour, same which benefited a few of our founding politicians for only a brief moment and then started working against us all. I posited that tribalism is an otiose and overpriced political template which is no longer suitable for the globalised contemporary times where borders and barriers are beginning to give way to new realities both within and across countries.

It has long been acknowledged that a conference of “ethnic nationalities” will simply not work. It will turn into a tyranny

of the Minorities, while the three major ethnic groups – Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba – which make up roughly 55 per cent of our population will have virtually no voice. Besides, are you going to group Igbo-speaking peoples of Rivers and Delta states as separate tribes, more so as some of them profess separate identities? What, really, is the significance of putting tribe (or religion) in front?

We should also discountenance the suggestion put forward by Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu of Nigeria State, asking for representation based on local government areas. According to him, the 774 LGAs should send delegates and by the time all the people he suggested are counted they will total 910 delegates!

How preposterous! Most of them will merely be benchwarmers, as there will not be enough time for each of them to speak for their people.

Besides, the local government areas as presently constituted, will not promote equitable representation. The North will dominate the conference with the

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superior number of delegates, and the Igbo will have the least number. That is not acceptable.

It will extend the existing problems, rather than solve them. The conference will gulp unwholesome amounts of money without any guarantee of success.

We should go to the conference determined that in the new dispensation we will put things that divide us aside and lead with things that unite us. That is the way forward. If we continue to lionise the value of ethnicity in our body politic, it will not take long before dialectal groups among the Igbo (Ngwa, Wawa, Owerri, Bende) and in Yoruba (Ijebu, Ekiti, Ibadan, Awori) will, like the Igbo speaking groups in Rivers and Delta, start claiming separate ethnic nationality identities just to get more out of Nigeria. The situation will be

Local go vts be govts beyyond oil O

IL has since become the mainstay of our economy. But oil is a depleting asset, which means that someday oil wells will dry up. Besides, the entire world is busy seeking alternatives to oil. Essentially, oil will not remain on the king’s throne much longer. Our desire is that oil boom should not degenerateto oil doom.

This has started engaging the minds of many Nigerians. In their proactive stance, when the media gurus, the Guild of Editors, gathered in Asaba recently, this issue occupied the front burner in their discussions.

So far, it appears our third tier of government is shut out in the entire process.

This tier is everywhere in chains, with various encumbrances on the way of its alternative revenue sources. Acceptably, tax evasion is a crime while tax avoidance remains a normal practice the world over.

When the oil wells dry up, local governments must look inwards and the collection of market stalls- and other fees must be reinvigorated. Recently, we saw in Oredo Local Government, what traders are doing about payment of market fees. Their grand design is to wait till Revenue Collectors have closed from work. This is when the traders start their businesses, all in an attempt to evade payment of dues.

When the tax collectors changed their methods and moved in at night to collect the dues, a storm of indignation burst forth.

The traders alleged that council officials came to the market at night to beat them up. The fact is that laws are made to regulate certain activities throughout the 24 hours of the day, not just during office hours. The Oredo Local Government Edict that prohibits trading in certain designated areas must also be obeyed around the clock. Where such areas become beseeched after office hours, Oredo Local Government would be

right to start implementing its laws and apprehending offenders throughout the night, if need be.

Extraordinary situations call for extraordinary handling. Most markets are now night markets. For example, on Oregbeni Market days, the big transactions take place between the hours of 4am and 6am. That is when the big traders from the various villages dispose off all their wares with the result that when the revenue collectors arrive at 9 a.m., all they meet are the small retailers who pay paltry sums as market dues. We hear that this is what goes on in virtually all the major markets. If the local governments must survive beyond oil, they must also change their modus operandi along with changing times.

Certain issues are, by nature, on the concurrent performance list. The regulation of transportation is one such issue: In Edo State for instance, the Federal Government, as represented by the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, is to be seen everywhere on the Federal highways. Their towing vans come handy to deal with defaulters. As soon as you move into Benin City, the State Traffic Officers (also known as Oshiomhole Police) are everywhere to ensure that traffic moves smoothly. In the process, they have their towing vans to deal with vehicles that cause obstructions. The same constitution that allows the federal and state authorities to operate within their jurisdictions also permits the local governments to do the same in their domains. Some of them have gone ahead to acquire towing vans to deal with defaulters.

Rather than continue to muzzle the local government administrations, the states should learn to sit down with them to streamline areas where each should operate.

It is a free world in which survival is the name of the game.

No tier should be deprived of its dues. When it concerns the l o c a l governments, the performance of their functions has commonly been defined as harassment.

This is where we advise that any motorist who does not want to be harassed should learn to live within the laws. On the other

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No to tribal delegates! (2)

Representation should be based on the six geopolitical zones; these are the most appropriate groupings of Nigerians based on the cherished principles of contiguity and consanguinity

getting worse, not better.

How do we emphasise things that bind us? How do we select the delegates to the conference?

The answer is simple.

Representation should be based on the six geopolitical zones.

These are the most appropriate groupings of Nigerians based on the cherished principles of contiguity and consanguinity.

The geopolitical zones contain roughly people of common linguistic and geo-cultural affinities shorn of the dominance of the Majorities over the Minorities that the defunct three Regions (North, East and West) had.

I call them the zones of equity.

If there is representation based on equality of the geopolitical zones, we might decide to have a conference of 60 delegates made up of 10 delegates per zone. The number could go to 80 when special delegates representing the professions, unions, women, youth, disabled, and the National Assembly are added. Yes, the National Assembly should send delegates to the conference, whose final document should be legitimised through a national referendum after a Constituent Assembly transforms its resolutions into a new constitution. We are talking about a new beginning, the sort that took place in Kenya only recently.

Delegates will not represent the tribes in the geopolitical zones.

They will be people of integrity which people in the respective zones can vouch for based on their track records. Regional groups such as Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, South-South Peoples Assembly, SSPA, Oodua Peoples

Rather than continue to muzzle the local government administrations, the states should learn to sit down with them to streamline areas where each should operate

,

hand, let the collections be with a human face. The crude age of pursuing motorists, particularly drivers of vehicles with out-ofstate numbers, with sticks fitted with six-inch nails is over.

W

hat is all this hue and cry on the recent purported removal of minimum wage from the Exclusive Legislative List? This gives the erroneous impression that exclusivity is synonymous with universality of application. That the minimum wage is on the Exclusive Legislative List means that only the National Assembly can legislate on it. It does not mean that the minimum wage must be

Congress, OPC and Afenifere, Middle Belt Congress and the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, can coordinate the emergence of delegates from the respective zones. They will be nominated and chosen through election or acclamation by electoral colleges of delegates from the various corners of the respective geopolitical zones.

The delegates thus selected will not go to the conference to beat ethnic drums. Rather, they will go there to promote interests that bind the peoples of the respective zones together. There will be a very high tendency for the conference to reach agreement on issues that will promote nation building, peaceful coexistence, rapid development and broader group aspirations, rather than pursue the dominance of one ethnic group over the other, advantages of one religious group over the other, and the extension of the advantages of some zones while the others are marginalised.

If the President is serious about using this conference to contribute positively to the political and economic development of Nigeria, it is very possible and Nigerians, including even the opposition parties that are keeping their distance from it, will be glad to partner with him. But if he is merely going to play to the gallery just like former President Olusegun Obasanjo did in 2005/ 2006, it will be unfortunate. The decision that the National Assembly would work on the outcome is a greater moral damper. But it is not too late to make amends.

the same for all the segmentsthroughout the country.

Whereas the National Assembly can, for example, make the minimum wage N100, 000 at the federal level and N50, 000 for the two other tiers, it has perhaps been browbeaten into thinking that the minimum wage must be the same everywhere. Apart from placing a big burden on the National Assembly, this apparently short-changes the staff of federal establishments. The National Assembly must now struggle to create a balance between the salaries of that worker in Abuja with that of the one who works at Uwemuwe, a small hamlet in one obscure corner of Edo State.

While the Abuja worker spends his entire salary on housing and transportation, every Uwemuwe person would feel honoured if the government worker accepts to stay in his house, even free of charge; plus the fact that this worker can also have his smallsmall cassava farm, which facility is unavailable to the worker in Abuja.

As we approach the post-oil era, shouldn’t we allow the local governments to determine how much salary they can pay to their workers rather than suffocating them and breathing over their heads from Abuja?

Beyond this, there is no truth. As we speak, some states have not implemented the N18,000 minimum wage. And rightly, the governors of such states have neither been beheaded nor thrown into prison as a result.

Shall we not recall Karl Marx (1818-1883) in the Communist manifesto: “From each according to his ability; to each according to his needs?"

20—Vanguard, THURSDAY,

C M Y K

OCTOBER 31 , 2013

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013 — 21

Frontier markets require robust standards to drive OTC platform — Onadele

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

F

Group Managing Director/CEO, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Mr. Phillips Oduoza (second left); Executive Director,, Human Resources and Customer Service, UBA Plc, Obi Ibekwe (right) with two of the Bank’s Most Valuable Performers (MVPs) Elizabeth Sagay left), and Olagbaju Oladele Sunday (second right); during the special recognition awards ceremony for UBA MVPs at the Bank’s Head Office in Lagos

Norway to promote local content in Nigeria’s maritime, oil sector

BY MICHAEL EBOH

N

orway has entered into a strategic partnership with PEM Offshore to promote local content in the Nigerian maritime and oil and gas sector.

Speaking during a visit to the proposed site for the PEM Offshore Simulation and Innovation Center, supported by Kongsberg, Mr. Rolf Ree, Royal Norwegian Ambassador,

107.3

-1.8

2,686.00

-27.00

499.60

-3.70

108.94 +2.01 98.40

+0.55

CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL DOLLAR 55.07 POUNDS 250.7947 EURO 213.6554 FRANC 173.0306 YEN 1.5921 CFA 0.3074 WAUA 239.2499 RENMINBI 25.4864 RIYA 41.3465 KRONA 28.6429 SDR 240.0484

155.57 251.6034 214.3443 173.5885 1.5972 0.3174 240.0214 25.5691 41.4798 28.7353 240.8224

SELLING 156.07 252.412 215.0332 174.1464 1.6024 0.3274 240.7928 25.6517 41.6131 28.8276 241.5964

CBN Exchange rate as at 30/10/2013

said the country will help promote technology transfer and drive local content in the maritime and petroleum sector.

He said the efforts of Norway in driving growth and advancement in Nigeria’s maritime industry over the years, have not been successful, expressing confidence that the partnership with PEM Offshore will help link the competencies of Norwegian companies with their Nigerian counterparts.

He said Norway has been known as a maritime nation and is happy with the partnership with PEM Offshore in setting up the Simulation Centre.

Also speaking, Mr. Philips Matthew, Senior Vice President, Americas/Africa, said the simulation centre will help reduce the cost organisations spend in the training of their personnel abroad by 50 percent.

He said, “Organisations spent between N1.2 million and N2 million per personnel in sending them overseas for competent training and certification in Marine and Offshore Simulation Courses. With the Simulation Centre, organisations will only have to spend about half of that amount on the training of their staff.

This is the same training they get overseas.”

He said the Simulation Centre has achieved 60 percent completion, and it is targeting March 2014 for the final take off of the centre.

He disclosed that majority of the

materials for the centre is being produced from Norway and in the next couple of weeks, the materials will be brought into the country for the final set up. He said the partnership with Kongsberg has ensured that the certification issued is of international standard, empowering trainees to practice in Norway and anywhere around the world, not just in Nigeria.

Matthew said the centre aims to bridge the knowledge gap in the maritime sector as well as in the oil and gas sector, adding that it will help save time and resources.

He noted that in line with the aspiration of Kongsberg, the simulation centre will be the hub of the maritime, oil and gas sector in West Africa, as well as the entire Gulf of Guinea.

Matthew stated that the centre is not designed to take away the business of expatriates but will promote partnership between Nigeria and the expatriates and help in technology transfer.

According to him, local content development can not be achieved in Nigeria until emphasis is placed on technology transfer, training and incountry sale.

PEM Offshore had a couple of months ago, signed a multi-million dollar contract with Kongsberg Maritime for the supply of a full suite of Offshore Anchor Handling, Dynamic Positioning, Power Management and Crane Simulation systems.

rontier markets need to establish robust standards to guide the development of their Over-the-Counter, OTC, spot market, said the Managing Director/CEO, Financial Market Dealers Quotation, Mr. Bola Onadele.

Onadele, who made the remark at a press briefing to announce the planned launch of FMDQ OTC Plc, November, in Lagos said that Nigeria’s desire to embrace plain-vanilla derivatives products and that would not be achieved with weak spot market.

He noted that frontier markets need to urgently address issues bordering on governance, risk management, infrastructure, liquidity and human capital among others to strengthen their OTC market.

“In Nigeria, the timing is great for such reforms as our regulators –the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Securities and Exchange Commissionare supportive of initiatives that would better organise the market,” he said.

He explained that FMDQ is poised to be the most liquid, efficient, secure and technology-driven Over-theCounter, OTC, market in entire Africa by 2018, saying that it plans to achieve the goal through its GOLD agenda, which stands for global competitiveness, operational excellence, liquidity and diversity.

Outlining its five-year plan, Onadele said that FMDQ will focus on achieving market transparency in the remaining part of this year; In 2014, it will focus on increasing its trading intensity; 2015 will be dedicated to product diversification; In 2016, the exchange, he said, will focus on integration with external financial markets, while in the fifth year -2017/2018- it will engage in strategic unbundling for greater impact.

He said FMDQ aims to provide a market for issuers and investors to interact and ensure transparency and credible price formation in line with best practices in order to build market confidence and drive liquidity.

He added that they will concentrate on information dissemination,includingpre-trade, trade and post-trade data to promote transparency,aswellasprovidinggeneralmarket informationamongothers.

IncorporatedonJanuary6,2011,FMDQwas licensed on November 6, 2012 by the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, to perform the function of OTC market in the Nigerian capitalmarket.

Itisasecuritiesexchangeforlistingandtrading of fixed income products and plain-vanilla interest rate and currency derivatives to offer financialsecurity.

Its shareholders include the Central Bank of Nigeria, Financial Market Dealers Association, FMDA, the Nigerian Stock Exchange through NSE Consult Limited and the 25 commercial banks and three discount houses.

22 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

Senator Victor Aniete James, Vice Chairman, Arik Air and Amb Victor James Gbeho, ECOWAS 3 at the just concluded Brand-As-King Award organized by BillBoard World Magazine in Accra, Ghana recently.

UBA kick starts free COT current accounts

By PETER EGWUATU

A

s part of its efforts to satisfy the needs of its varied customers, United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA), has introduced a new account that gives account holders the chance of enjoying zero Commission on Turnover (COT) and also receive

interest on the balance in their current accounts.

Referred to as “Lion Prime” it is a current account that is not only COT free, but earns interest. The Lion Prime Account comes in different variants which have been specifically structured to meet the needs of different members of the society in

such a way that it matches their expectations.

Ms. Olumide Osunyomi Head, Retail Products, UBA Plc, said “A significant advantage of UBA’s Lion Prime zero COT current account is that it enables account holders to earn an interest on the minimum balance on their accounts

while enjoying zero COT.” She explained that the account is ideally designed for the cost sensitive business or individual. Also “Schools, NGOs, Religious Organisations, Societies and Associations will find the Lion Prime Current Account particularly attractive and well suited to meet their needs due to the nature of their operations” which essentially involves collections and payments.

The account is also suitable for small businesses, self employed individuals, sole proprietors, small partnerships.

Customers who operate the Lion Prime current account will also have access to the array of ebanking products available to all UBA account holders.

Account holders will have to access to the bank’s online banking platform, U-Direct which will enable them carry out a large proportion of their banking transactions online without physically visiting any branch of UBA. In addition to the Lion Prime offering the bank recently re-launched a hybrid saving account called the U-Gold savings account: The U-Gold savings account allows customers to issue cheques for third party withdrawals just like they would be able to do with a current account: this account is reserved for customers who want to have a low cost savings account but desire the convenience offered by a current account.

Syke Bank operating expense up 46% — FBN Capital

S

yke Bank Plc’s third quarter Profit After Tax (PAT) of N3.2 billion was down by 45 per cent year on Year (y/y), following through from a 39 per cent y/y decline in Profit Before Tax , PBT to N4.0billion.

The FBN Capital report on the Bank’s results released on Tuesday revealed that profit before provisions grew by 20 per cent y/y, loan loss provisions almost doubled y/ y to N2.1bilion and operating expenses rose 46 per cent y/y to weigh PBT down.

According to the report “Both PBT and PAT missed our forecasts by 39 per cent , due to a combination of higher-than-expected Operating Expenses (OPEX )and lower-than-expected profit before provisions.

Further up the Profit and Loss, P&L, we struggle to explain some of the figures that Skye published,

C M Y K

particularly those on the interest expense and noninterest income lines. The sequential trends highlight the challenge better. Interest expense fell 32 per cent quarter on Quarter , q/q to N8.4billion, that is, from a run rate of around N13billion a quarter. Non-interest income fell 91 per cent q/q to just N641million. Interpreting

both results are challenging, almost impossible, leaving us with unanswered questions that we believe management has to answer before the market can really make full sense of these numbers.”

Continuing, the report stated, “At this point, we do not believe that mix shift towards low cost deposit can explain fully why interest

expense fell so hard in just one quarter. At the same time, we prefer not to even offer a reason for the almost insignificant result on the non-interest income line.

What may explain the trends on both lines (combined) is a reclassification, with some costs moving from the interest expense line to the noninterest income line (fees).

Govt steps up business regulations in 114 countries — World Bank

G

overnments around the world significantly stepped up their pace of improving business regulations in 114 economies last year, an 18 percent jump from the previous year – laying the groundwork for local entrepreneurs to expand their work, according to the new World Bank Group publication Doing Business released on

Tuesday.

It is the 11th in a series of annual reports on the ease of doing business, and it documented 238 business regulatory reforms worldwide last year.

According to Doing Business 2014, understanding regulations for Small and Medium-Size Enterprises finds that the pace of

business regulatory reform continues to accelerate following the financial crisis of 2008–09. The report says that if economies around the world were to follow best practices in regulatory processes for starting a business, entrepreneurs would spend 45 million fewer days each year satisfying bureaucratic requirements.

CPC seeks World Bank’s funding to regulate e-commerce

By Franklin Alli

C

ONSUMER Protection Council, CPC, is seeking funding support from the World Bank for e-commerce regulation and advocacy in Nigeria.

Mrs. Dupe Atoki, who disclosed this to Vanguard, Tuesday, said “I am determined to engage with international donor agencies with a view to securing funding for the Council’s activities. Already, efforts being made in this respect have begun to yield positive result as my administration was able to secure funding in record time from Ford Foundation for the outlining of a strategic plan for consumer protection in Nigeria.

According to her, the Council has also signed partnership with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) of the United States of America for the purpose of enforcing consumer laws in Nigeria.

“In line with my goal of forging effective partnerships for the good of the consumer, my administration has finalised with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) of the United States of America a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a partnership that will facilitate mutual assistance and the exchange of information among the three organisations for the purpose of enforcing and securing compliance with applicable consumer laws. The MoU was signed in Washington DC, USA, recently,” she said.

She explained that apart from cooperating with respect to the enforcement of applicable consumer protection laws, the partnership will also facilitate among the agencies the sharing of complaints and other relevant information, provision of investigative assistance, mutual exchange of knowledge and expertise through training programmes and staff exchanges.

“Similarly, the partnership is to facilitate research and education related to consumer protection and exchange and provision of other relevant information in relation to consumer and business education, government and self-regulatory enforcement solutions, amendment to relevant legislation, staffing and resource issues and coordination of enforcement against cross—border covered violations that are priority issues,” she disclosed.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013 — 23

Nigerian consumers will be better off during my tenure – Atoki

BY FRANKLIN ALLI & CHARLES KUMOLU

T

ELL us about the CPC you met, and how would you bring your experience and expertise to bear on the agency?

On taking over in May this year, I realised that there was no strategic plan in place because, ordinarily, I would have just keyed into the plan and move on or amend as the need arises.

For me, because of my international background there is no way I could promote consumers’ rights without a strategic plan to direct me on the way to go, and how to go about it for people to achieve their desires.

To begin with, I have developed a strategic plan for consumer protection in Nigeria which I concluded last month with the support of an international donor.

However, you don’t accept paper document just like that, you need experts and so this plan was carried out with the management but with input from experts to tell us what should be included in our plans.

I was privileged to be supported within three weeks of my appointment

by Ford Foundation who gave the plan from which I got mine. Now I have a plan. While doing that and having done that, there was a need to reorientate the staff from a civil service mentality to a tougher commitment on their side to work for the good of the country.

I have also been doing a lot of in-house training, quietly, and I think that at the end of it I would be in a position to say I am ready to pick up the task. This is because I have developed my plans, and I am able to articulate them one by one.

And the first target is to

•Mrs. Dupe Atoki stick to the media house because they will be mouth piece of my advocacy. I already have the plan of how I wanted to do it. And I would need you media.

You care about consumers but a lot of Nigerians don’t know about CPC, how do you intend to go about this?

Yes, they rarely know about CPC, and that is why am here (Vanguard) because they need to know that CPC exists; that their rights have been guaranteed by the enabling law, Act No. 66 of 1992 that established CPC. This enabling Act provides that Nigerian consumers have entitlement to demand value for their money. So you can take this information to the nook and cranny of the country because I know Vanguard is well read

,

Mrs. Dupe Atoki is a versatile lawyer with over 35 years experience in corporate and human rights Law. Until her recent appointment as the Director-General of the Consumer Protection Council (CPC), she was the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on Human & People’s Rights, making her the first Nigerian woman to head an African Union organ.

In this interview with VANGUARD, she speaks on the sweeping reform she is carrying out at CPC; the tasks ahead and the prospects for business, economy and Nigerian consumers.

EXCERPT:

There are a lot of international corporations that do not treat consumers in Nigeria the way they treat their foreign consumers

,

across the country. I have now commenced my advocacy programmes, so would you help me to get this to the public? So that as you have said that CPC is unknown, it will become known through your intervention.

You talked about inhouse training. Could you clarify what you mean?

When I said housetraining, I meant simple things like delivering reports, being committed to the work you are doing; resuming work at the appropriate time, management staying back to work not minding the closing

time. The belief is that civil servants sit and waste times in office.

They clock in and clock out and so I have tried to re –orientate them that they can’t keep doing that; they must work and if need be stay back after closing hour to work and finish up assignments because every deadline for assignments must be met.

I met a lackadaisical attitude that needs to be changed because we need to keep the fuels burning; we have been in existence for fifteen years and if we have not attained legitimacy and prominence, and then we must do it so as to catch up with the time that has been lost.

How widespread are your offices nationwide?

The spread is limited; we have offices in the six geo political zones which mean we have six offices but Lagos has its own office because of its cosmopolitan and commercial advantages Lagos brings into the business. This means we have seven offices in addition to headquarter.

That is what I met on the ground and this is one of my challenges. We can’t reach the public if we are going to operate on the current structures that we have. Each of the zones probably has not more than 20 staff and the zonal headquarters are expected to cover at least five states; that is work.

So am in need of reviewing this structure and getting it down to the grass roots .Yet, if the truth must be said, we can’t be everywhere in Nigeria; there is no way that will be possible even if we have offices in the 36 states, we can’t still cover the whole nation.

Do you have toll-free lines, what is the rate of consumers’ complaint you receive weekly, monthly?

No we don’t have toll free lines. Toll free means you can call and you aren’t charged. I am hoping that we can do that. In addition, I am hoping that we can develop a contact centre; contact centre is not just your telephone alone, consumers can follow us on Facebook, Twitter and all other social media. I am in the process of finalising that so that we can receive up to a hundred calls at the same time.The rollercoaster effect of massive advocacy is that Nigerians are very good to rise up when they are shown the way. The second question on the number of complaints, let me say that I am not able to give you precise number now; but I can say that it is low compared to the number of Nigeria’s population.

Does CPC have power of prosecution and how much do companies know the threat that you pose to their business?

Yes! We have a lot of activities or actions classified as crime in our law; now our prosecution is still with the Ministry of Justice. I have recently gotten authorisation from the ministry to give us inhouse prosecution because I think that’s faster.

So companies know about the threat we pose to their business but they haven’t been put to task.

I can’t say and I don’t have it on record the numbers of companies that have been prosecuted for abuse of consumer.

They know because they have lawyers and these multinational companies are very articulate when it comes to legal issues.

So their legal department knows of our acts, but because I also know that the CPC has power that has not been used in a long time, and that is why I’m saying I don’t want to go through long process of reporting to the minister each time I need to prosecute so that I can prosecute from my office and we move on because there are some cases that needs instant intervention of arrest which the long process that we have before will jeopardise. So I have started the process and the minister has approved it.

I choose to say that the CPC is an agency that has enough power to call the most influential organisation to order and corporation either national or international to order, because you are bound by the laws of the nation you operate and I am aware that there are a lot of international corporations that do not treat consumers in Nigeria the way they treat their foreign consumers.

Palm oil N100bn investment to create 50,000 Jobs — PZ WILMAR

BY OLAWALE OSHIKOYA

P

Z Wilmar Ltd has disclosed that its N100 billion investment in Nigeria’s palm oil industry will generate over 50,000 jobs in the economy.

A document on this project made available to Vanguard said that the company is investing a N100 billion into the palm oil industry in the next few years, and an additional N10 billion refinery for processing palm-oil and vegetable oil at Ikorodu, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.

The document revealed that the refinery which is of world standard has capacity to produce 1,000 tons of palm oil daily. Its vegetable oil is already in the market under the

brand name “Mamador”.

According to PZ Wilmar, this project will be of benefit to the country, consumers and the community, as it will generate over 50,000 direct and indirect jobs at variety of skill levels, empower and educate communities to improve palm husbandry techniques and allow foreign Direct Investment of $650million (N100 billion) into the nation’s economy among various other benefits.

“This will contribute significantly to addressing the current national shortage of palm oil, create new markets and income for local industry and communities, and thousand of potential job opportunities”, disclosed the company.

Turkish cosmetic manufacturers eye Nigerian market

BY OLAWALE OSHIKOYA

C

O S M E T I C manufactures from Turkey wants to penetrate Nigerian market with their products.

Accordingly, a delegation of eleven companies led by the Chairman of IKMIB Murat Akyuz, arrived the country, Tuesday.

Akyuz said that the Turkish cosmetic cluster is a special project aiming to increase international trade as well as boost the exports of a selective group of companies.

“The delegation held business meetings with leading importers and manufacturers of

cosmetics in Nigeria; closed deals with selected leaders in the sector and will provide track support for the cosmetics sector in Nigeria.

“This underscores the growing strategic importance of Nigeria as a key emerging market and the increasing reputation of turkey as world class manufacturer and reliable supplier of top quality goods and cosmetics.

“The relations is aimed at ensuring stronger ties, a mutually benefiting trade partnership between the two nations and create a good environment for Nigerian cosmetic manufactures and importers to do business with Turkey,” he said.

Mr Bigg’s adds mashed beans to products offering

BY PROVIDENCE OBUH

M

R Bigg’s says shoppers at Ikeja shopping mall can now enjoy mashed beans, popularly called “ewa aganyi” in its outlet at the mall.

In a statement, Marketing Manager, Mrs. Nnenna AzukaOnwuka, said that ’ewa aganyi and ofada rice are among its products offering to consumers at the mall “The outlet offers a large variety of Nigerian traditional meals as well as continental meals to serve various taste palate he buttresses. Meal options range from ‘, eba, garri, efo riro, egusi soup to Fried and Jollof rice as well as our renowned

pastry products,” she said.

“The outlet is the first of its kind all over Nigeria in terms of product offering and we will continue to reengineer our menu list to ensure that our consumers taste buds are continuously excited,” Onwuka said.

Earlier, Managing Director, Mr. Derrick van Houten, noted that the consumers yearning for a brand that fulfils their desire for real food was the insight that led to the opening of a full bouquet.

Mrs. Adeojo Titilayo, franchise operator of the location, said that the company will continue to keep its promise to the consumers.

24—Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

B-R-I-E-F

FG mulls new law on piracy and robbery at sea

BY GODWIN ORITSE & MARIAM EKO

Ministries of Trade, Transport accused of aiding Intels’ monopoly at Onne Port

BY GODWIN ORITSE

A

group, ‘Coalition for Better Nigeria’ has accused both Ministries of Transport, Trade

and Investment of aiding and abetting the monopolistic drive of Intels, operator of the Onne Oil and Gas Zone in River State.

In a statement, the group’s Coordinator, Mr. Fubara Ipalibo said that, the move by Intels to be the sole service provider at the Oil and Gas Zone

will not only undermine the investment and growth of indigenous competitors, but may further truncate the development agenda of President

T

HE Federal Gov ernment has commenced the enactment of new laws that will checkmate the activities of pirate attacks and related crimes against ships at sea.

Disclosing this in Lagos , Senior Special Adviser to the President on maritime matters, Mr. Leke Oyewole said that the move is part of Government efforts at curbing the menace of pirates in the country and waters of neighbouring countries.

The Senior Special Adviser disclosed this at a one day conference on ‘preventing Terrorism and Insurgency in Nigeria maritime domain’ organised by the Maritime Reporters Congress of Nigeria (MARCON) He said that the bill when passed into law will have a far reaching effect on pirates and their activities.

Oyewol;e said that between the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA and the Nigerian Navy, a bill; has been sent to the National Assembly and under going legislative process.

He disclosed that the government has also concluded plans to established a maritime intelligence desk so as to enable sister agencies in the sector share intelligence amongst themselves.

“When we have the State security service, the Police, the Navy all working together, and the Navy goes ahead to effect an arrest on the waters, they do not have the power to prosecute, even NIMASA with their increased capacity to on water also do not have the power to prosecute but by they bring back these criminals to an intelligence desk, and Police with the power to prosecute can as well follow up these crimes to a logical conclusion.

“As far as criminality is concerned in the maritime sector where I assist the Commander in Chief, I know that we will get down to that very soon.

“The bill did not originate from my office, it is with the National Assembly to wrap up , the bill first went from NIMASA coming from the International Maritime Organization , IMO to Navy who will define the meaning of piracy.

From right: Mrs. Mfon Usoro, former Director-General of Nigerian Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA); Engr Greg Ogbeifun, Chairman, Stazs Investment Ltd and Mrs. Ify Akerele Anazodo, Director-General, Nigerian Chambers of Shipping, at the recently concluded 2013 class of Maritime Management Series Hall of Fame.

Fishing trawler sinks at Escravos channel, endangers navigation

BY GODWIN ORITSE

A

fishing Trawler FV ‘Marion’ sank at the Escravos breakwater recently thereby causing danger to navigation at the Escravos channel.

Speaking to Vanguard over the development, a local marine pilot and a member of the Board of Escravos Marine Pilot Nigeria Limited Captain Solomon Prebo said that the vessel went due to the absence of light breakwaters.

He disclosed that no lives were lost because the some personnel from Chevron reached out to the distressed vessel and rescued the crew on board.

Prebo lamented the neglect that theDelta ports are current suffering adding that the Escravos cnannel has become too dangerous for vessels to navigate.

He explained that the breakwaters at the Escravos is nothing to write home about as the breakwaters is often submerged at high tide.

Explaining further Prebo said that internationally, breakwaters are suppose to be constructed above sea level so as to be able to break the waves when they come, adding that what obtains at Escravos breakwaters

is at variance with international best practices.

Besides the issue of the low level of the breakwaters, the channel according to the experienced marine pilot, has no lightings, a development that has made it more dangerous.

“There is suppose to light on the breakwaters

to warn mariners of the fact that they are entering a dangerous zone.

“The Government through the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) should be held responsible for the problems of both the breakwaters and the channel.

Meanwhile, the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority through its

spokesman, Captain Ihenacho Ebubeogu said that the wrecks in question are old wrecks that were just discovered by the pilots, a claimed Prebo debunked Ebugeogu however threatened to sack the pilot who has been passing information of the situation of the channel to the media.

CVFF: Expert cautions against direct disbursement to beneficiaries

BY GODFREY BIVBERE

A

maritime practitioner and Master Mariner, Captain Adewale Ishola, has urged the federal government to stop direct disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) to intending beneficiaries to avert the collapse of the scheme.

Ishola, who disclosed this to Vanguard at Oron, Akwa Ibom State during a training programme for maritime journalists, said that the funds should be disbursed with the involvement of the company from whom the beneficiary intends to buy the ship.

According to him, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety

Agency (NIMASA), the benefiting ship owner and the financial institution should also be involved to ensure effective monitoring of the funds so the it is used for the acquisition of classical vessels.

He pointed out that the CVFF fund must be tied to a ship building company, especially those that has docking facilities so that the money is not released directly to the beneficiaries. ”This is necessary so that we don’t fall into the same trap we had with the Ship Building and Acquisition Fund where people bought rust buckets, some people never even bought ships” ”Let there be a concrete agreement between the ship building facility, the

ship owner, and NIMASA husbanding everything, NIMASA will approve what kind of vessel they are going to buy or build, this is part of its function, NIMASA has a role to play, its not just to give them free hand to do what they like with the money” he said Meanwhile, he noted that for the purchase of classical vessels, the master mariner cleared that “We also have to look at one aspect, what type of vessels do the beneficiaries want, we have to know what they intend to buy, in the oil gas sector they use all kinds of vessels, it doesn’t have to be tankers, it can be supply vessels, it can be crew boats, we don’t know what these six companies have applied for” he pointed out.

Goodluck Jonathan.

Ipalibo was particularly irked by the total disregard for the rules and regulations guiding operation at the zone including recommendations by a committee set up by government to further regulate the activities of operators.

He alleged that the Ministry of Trade and Investment has continually refused to implement the directive of government on the operations of Free Trade Zones policy in Nigeria.

The group’s coordinator also noted that the attitude of both ministers are at variance with economic development agenda of the current administration.

His words: “These ministries accompany you (Mr. President) abroad yet act in a deliberate and contradictory manner back home.

“Their only promotion is to Intels whilst other operators are ignored and frustrated.

“This is happening in the highest and broadest of forums and direct speeches by these ministries encouraging only one location and using other agencies to promote the same.

“Nigeria is losing revenue, investment and world class opportunities from Nigerians and international companies by promoting such a monopoly.

Recall that in 2006, in a Presidential policy statement communicated to the ministries by the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, it was stated “there should be only one Free Zone Authority to regulate and harmonize the operations of other zones.

“To be known as the Nigeria Free Zones Authority, it will be responsible for policy formulation for, and general supervision of Free Zones in the country (including Oil and Gas Free Zones activities), set general standards of operations and arbitrate disputes between the Free Zones where they occur,” Ipalibo said.

He explained that the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in pursuance of circulars dated May 2002 has continued to insist that Oil and Gas cargoes are to be handled only in Onne Port Complex contrary to the clear Presidential directives of May 2006 that importers of Oil and Gas should be free to choose their ports of preference.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013 — 25

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26—Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

crosscutting objective.

He said “The Petroleum Industry Bill and other Transformation agenda of the Federal Government are principally geared toward fulfilling the objectives of ILO which includes job creation, respect for the right of workers, social protection like provision of Pension and health and safety issues.

These have been given prominence in the Bill.

Promoting social dialogue is also part of the agenda with preposition for the unions to have representation in some Boards and a 24 Months window period for resolving all labor issues.”

“This is a strong guarantee From left: Comrade Igwe Achese, President, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, that the labour unions will [NUPENG]; Comrade Peter Akpatason, Immediate Past President of NUPENG and Engr Joseph Makoju, continue to remain a strong representing Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the occassion, during the 3rd NUPENG Quadrennial arm of the tripartite needed delegates conference in Port Harcourt. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke to sustain industrial peace and harmony and in turn improve productivity. The primary aim of a decent work agenda is to provide income to enable people cater for their socio-economic needs and ensure people are treated decently. Ensuring Alhaji Aliko Dangote, spoke of the need that these very important building blocks

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG for greater collaboration between labour of a society are present, will empower unions that champion the interest of work- workers raise families and build a HE Third Quadrennial Delegates ers on the one hand and the Organised stronger community.”

He added that “in line with ILO decent Conference, QDC, of Nigeria Union Private Sector, OPS, on the other work agenda, PIB is poised to give Represented his Chief of Staff, Engiof Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, priorities to socio-economic agenda that neer Joseph Makoju, Dangote said at the NUPENG, in the ancient city of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, will for sometimes to completion of proposed Dangote Refin- will ensure the Oil and Gas industry is come be an issue for discussion. With the ery, it would “meet 100 percent of local moved to a world class level, foster theme Reforms in the Oil and Gas Indus- demand for refined fuel products, while sustainable development and create try: Catalyst for National Growth and De- Polypropylene, which is used in the man- opportunities for new small to medium velopment, (What prospect for the attain- ufacture of agro-sacks, poly bags and other size entrepreneurs which in turn will ment of Decent Work Agenda?), besides industrial products, will catalyze the birth result into additional jobs for skilled and attracting local and international guests, of new and allied industries. We are esti- un-skilled Nigerians.”

Speaking, President of Nigeria LAbour stakeholders in the nation’s petroleum in- mating that the project will engage up to dustry, used the occasion to stress the need 25,000 people over a four-year construction It has never been the case that for decent job in the sector. period and will create Addressing guests and delegates, Presworkers will get justice on matters of ident of NUPENG, Comrade Igwe Achese, about 3,500 permanent employer/employee relations said delegates would carefully look at the jobs when completed”. “ As more state-owned employment situation in the country and bordering on pay and entitlements workers conditions of oil and gas workers enterprises are being with simple reference to the law privatized to ensure they in particular. are managed efficiently, According to him, “beyond the union’s Congress, NLC Comrade Abdulwaheed immediate concerns and worries over the there is need for greater collaboration between labour unions like yours that chamOmar, urged NUPENG to drive the continued deterioration of the employment pion the interest of workers on the one reforms process in the Petroleum industry situation and working conditions in Nigefor the benefit of all, especially ordinary ria due to the increasing precariousness hand and the Organised Private Sector (OPS) on the other.

The synergy arising Nigerians and workers. of jobs, we are doubly worried and confrom this collaboration is necessary to enAccording to him, “The average oil cerned because even the Oil and Gas Insure that both the privatized industries worker is at risk from hostile environment dustry that everyone ordinarily expects to to threat of kidnapping and assassination. deliver quality and decent jobs in large and those established by individuals, Like every worker, workers in the oil and numbers is increasingly deteriorating in function at optimal levels. Labour union leaders and their employees should gas industry have the right to peace and all ramifications. The number of Nigeritherefore form part of the collective barsecurity at work. This is even more so, of ans working in the industry with decent the goose that lay the golden egg, which incomes is very negligible and our numer- gaining process needed to protect the interest of employees and employers.

At the are the oil workers in Nigeria. ous struggles have invariably made us end of the day the welfare of your memProduction output has substantially public enemy number one. bers will depend on the well-being of the dropped due to various reasons. Crude “It is however, very important to remind oil theft has risen to unacceptable level.” us all, that our patriotic history speaks vol- business. In this regard both the private Minister of Labour and Productivity, ume for us, we have never been shy of sector and labour should strive to always work together for their mutual benefits.”

Chief Emeka Wogu, Governor Rotimi waging patriotic struggle and we boldly Provision of income to meet socioAmaechi of Rivers State, represented by say here, with all sense of responsibility his deputy, Engineer Tele Ikuru, among and patriotism that the struggles against economic needs: Delivering the keynote other speakers spoke on the vein. indecent work (casualisation) will be waged address, Group Managing Director of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, Specifically, Governor Amaechi charged relentlessly till when victory is ascerNNPC, Engineer Andrew Yakubu, said NUPENG to all within its powers tained.” including national strike and protest to Collaboration between labour, OPS: the International Labour Organisation, ensure that PIB became law in the country, Speaking, Chairman of the conference and ILO, said the ILO framework had four strategic objectives with regards to decent saying this was necessary for Nigerians President of Dangote group of companies, work Agenda with gender equality as a to reap the benefits.

Stakeholders make case for decent job at NUPENG conference T

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Bits Osun partners NGO on jobs creation

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE, OSOGBO

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SUN State government in its determination to ensure that no youth is left on streets of the state because of lack of jobs has created another avenue to ensure that the creative energies of the people are channeled towards creating wealth for a more buoyant economy.

The new initiative is in conjunction with a nongovernmental organization (NGO) Generation Enterprise seeks to create opportunities for younger entrepreneurs who engage in business opportunities within their local environments as means of self-sustenance.

Director General, Office of Economic Planning and Partnership, Dr. Charles Akinola and Director General, Bureau of Social Services, BOSS, Femi Ifaturoti, who spoke on behalf of government at the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme, OYES, Business Pitch session in Osogbo, said the idea came in tandem with Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s determination to ensure that unemployment became a thing of the past in the state.

The Business pitch session featured 60 OYES members who specialised in 23 businesses.

Akinola held that the small scale businesses training coordinated by Generation Enterprise Nigeria, a non Governmental Organisation and business incubator, is part of OYES exit programme strategy designed by government to empower graduates of the two-year scheme.

According to him, “The State government is committed to reducing the rate of unemployment in Osun. That is why it is showing serious concern on graduates of OYES to be employers of labour having gone through a two-year training scheme. ”Today we have 60 young entrepreneurs who have been successfully trained at the youth entrepreneurship training program organised

by Generation Enterprise in collaboration with the OYES. This is another testimony that the state will stop at nothing to ensure that every graduate of the OYES is self-reliant and employers of labour.” Dr. Akinola stressed.

Vanguard,THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013—27

Industrial unrest looms in Adeniran Ogunsanya CoE over pension, cooperative funds ••Lecturers, management trade words

BY IKENNA ASOMBA TROUBLEis brewing at the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, AOCOED, Ijanikin, Lagos, over alleged not less than N48 million un-remitted pension fund and N188million ‘missing’ staff cooperative fund.

Already the lecturers under the aegis of Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, COEASU, AOCOED chapter, have issued a two-week ultimatum to the management of the institution to explain the whereabouts of the funds or they would stop all academic activities in the college indefinitely.

Speaking after an emergency meeting of the union, Chairman of COEASU, Mr. Avosetinyen Sonayon lamented that besides the missing N188 million cooperative funds , there was also the issue of not less than N48 million un-remitted pension funds to the staff Pension Funds Administrators, PFAs, among other contentious issues must be conclusively addressed by management to guarantee industrial peace in the school.

No remittance of pension funds Claiming that management had failed to remit staff pension funds since December 2012, COEASU Chairman said: “We have often times asked the management to present in the open the budget of the school, if it knows that what government is given is not enough. But the management has always argued that it’s using the school’s Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, to augment our salaries.

We are contesting this because we know what the institutions is generating as IGR . But since the management called the union bluff, even though we have kept on negotiating with them. Let us even assume that what the management is generating as IGR is used to augment staff salaries, why must you owe the cooperative?

As we talk our members are dying, especially retirees who have not been paid their pension since December 2012.

There has been no remittance to the PFAs, like IBTC. I know how personally spend to cater for some of them who come to C M Y K

me for financial assistance.”

“The government expects our management to augment staff salaries and other emolument with its IGR. But when we discovered that the management is tactically short-changing us, we wrote to the Special Adviser, SA, to the Governor on Education in June 2012, that we were generating about N1 billion annually as IGR, and that there was no reason for the management to withhold our cooperative funds amounting to over N188 million and our pension funds which also runs into millions. Before the SA and other heads of parastatals, the management promised to remit our money within three months, but till date, we have seen nothing.” “ To worsen the situation, the cooperative where the people can easily go for succour, the funds have been withdrawn by the management for reasons best known to them. There is nothing there. What the management is paying as salary aside other contingencies is less than N150 million monthly. The state government gives

AOCOED's main gates. (Inset) Provost, Mr. Olalekan Basorun N125 million monthly as subvention.

So, by and large, if the management is augmenting our monthly salaries with N25 million, if you multiply N25 million by 12 months, it gives you about N300 million. So, the question is what happens to the about N750 million left, since management is accruing over N1 billion as IGR annually?”

Decision of congress

Speaking further, Avosetinyen threatened that the union would call out its members on an indefinite strike if the management did not positively resolve the contentious issues within two weeks.

According to him, “The outcome of the congress held was that all the arrears that the management is owing to all cooperative which runs into over N188 million should be paid in the next two weeks,

without that we will down tools. Also, that the management must proffer solutions to internal problems such as over N48 million un-remitted pension funds to the PFAs, nonpayment of honorarium to members, non-upward review of honorariums to members from the programmes by the management. If there are no positive reactions or change in two weeks time, starting from today (Monday, October 21, 2013), we will down tools.”

We ‘ll not tolerate fraud in contributory pension scheme, Labour warns

BY VICTOR AHOUMA-YOUNG

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RGANISED labour has warned that inspite of checks against abuses and unethical practices especially corruption in the new Contributory Pension Scheme, CPS, it will not hesistate to declare a national strike should there be any proven case of fraud in CPS. Speaking through the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, ASCSN, at its National Executive Council, NEC, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, threatened to shut down the economy should there any case of corruption or fraud in the new pension scheme.

President of the association, Bobboi Kaigama who gave the warning while addressing members of NEC, decried federal government’s inability to prosecute those who looted pensions fund in the old scheme, noting that this could encourage fradulent individuals to also abuse the new pension scheme.

According to him, Nigerian workers will no longer tolerate a scenario where any individual, corporate outfit or even government will dip hands in the con-

tributory pension fund under the guise of borrowing. We will not hesitate to shut down the entire space if this happens. It is indeed worrisome that persons who devoted their productive years to serve the country in the public service will not be paid their gratuities and pension while pension managers are feeding fat on the Fund.”

“This is unfortunate. I wish to appeal to the federal and state governments to ensure that pensioners are paid their entitlements on retirement and their money monthly stipends as and when due. Failure to do so will continue to lend credence to the belief that Nigerians are incapable of managing simple processes. Besides, efforts should be made by authorities to sanction those who loot pension fund to act as deterrence to others.”

Similarly, Kaigama frowned at what he described as irregular appointments in the civil service arguing that recruitment into the service was no longer based on merit.

He lamented that all manner of people were being recruited by politicians

and dumped into the civil service at ridiculous grade levels without recourse to qualification and experience, recalling that in recent years, new entrants are being placed directly above officers with higher qualification and experience thereby eroding the culture in the civil service.

He said “In recent times, the cherished culture in the civil service is being eroded as new entrants with HND and Bsc are being placed directly on Grade levels 09 or 10 instead of Grade levl 08 while holders of second degree (MSc) are placed on Grade levels 10 or 12 instead of Grade level 09 as it used to be. This has led to a situation where officers that have served for more than five to 10 years with higher qualifications, experience and skills are being made to report to their juniors which is very unfair and capable of demoralizing such personnel.”

Kaigama called on the federal civil service commission and civil service commissions in the states to put a stop to the ill-advised policy and save the civil service from further deterioration stressing that the motive for recruitment should be for service delivery.

28—Vanguard, THURSD AY, OCTOBER 31, 2013 THURSDA

Novel cancer diagnostic tool debuts at LUTH

Kogsy Cake & Sugarcraft exhibition holds

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

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SPECTACULAR exhibition of cakes and sugar craft pieces is in the offering as the 8th edition of the Kogsy Cake and Sugarcraft Exhibition holds today 31st October and tomorrow 1st November, 2013 at the Fortune Hall, Golden Gate Restaurant, Alfred Rewane Road Ikoyi, Lagos.

CEO, Kogsy Sugarcraft Centre, Mrs. Kehinde Gbelee, notes that this exhibition - the longest running cake and sugar craft event in Nigeria and West Africa - has been repackaged to deliver an unforgettable experience.

On the menu are demonstrations and intensive hands-on-training on various aspects of cake decorating/sugar craft, facilitated by renowned sugar crafters.

Huge discounts on cake baking and decorating ingredients, tools and equipment are expected from the country ’s top manufacturers, marketers and suppliers.

As a bonus, participants will get to meet most of Nigeria’s top cake makers/sugarcrafters during the live interview segmentjust as the Kiddies Catch Them Young Fun Class will ensure children also catch in the fun. Lots of gifts are up for grabs during the raffle draw

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• Chief Medical Director, LUTH, Professor Akin Oshibogun with General Manager, Roche SA, Ms. Burcak Memisolu during the official launch of the Ventana BenchMark GX system at the Histo-Pathology Lab,LUTH, last week.

N the continuing effort to improve the diagnosis, treatment and survival rates of breast cancer and all forms of cancer, the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Idi Araba, Lagos, has acquired a ground-breaking cancer diagnostic machine called Ventana BenchMark GX. Presenting the machine last week at the institution’s Histopathology Laboratory, the Chief Medical Director, Prof.

Akin Oshibogun said introduction of the state-of-theart equipment - unarguably the first in Nigeria and West Africa - was made possible through an expanded collaboration with Roche Diagnostics Ltd. “It is very important to make the correct diagnosis and promptly so we can categorise breast cancers correctly. with this equipment, LUTH can carry out research on proper management of cancer in addition to providing care for patients.

“Availability of the Ventana Benchmark GX will also boost the capacity to research into local data on types of breast cancers in Nigeria that can aid policy making and medical

planning,” he remarked.

Head of Department, Anatomy and Molecular Pathology, LUTH, Prof Fatimah Abdulkareem, observed that the Ventana BenchMark GX is a fully automated immunohistochemistry (IHC) stainer, developed to detect specific factors that have resulted in the revolution of treatment for breast cancers and provided a new "target" for cancer treatment globally.

“The fully automated machine has capacity to diagnose 12-20 cancer cases daily. It cuts the time for diagnosis by up to 50 percent, can tell the specific type of breast cancer and identify the right drug (biotherapy) for the best possible outcome.”

Other benefits are evidencebased diagnosis leading to increased survival of breast cancer, improvement of the quality of test and IHC report by the pathologist, increased number and capacity of breast tissue that can be tested and enhance local research in cancers, which will ultimately help in gathering local data for clinical and policy decisions.

Abdulkareem observed that the package comes with a year’s free maintenance agreement by Roche Diagnostics.

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My advice is to have a quiet chat with your daughter and explain the rules to her. Encourage her to be patient until she is old enough and stress the importance of using protection when she eventually becomes legally eligible for a physical relationship.

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013 — 29

From left: Category Manager, Skin Cleansing, Unilever Nigeria, Mr. Rotimi Oyesiji; Principal Education Officer, State Universal Basic Education Board, Lagos, Mrs. Yinka Makinwa; Managing Director, Unilever Nigeria, Mr. Thabo Mabe and a pupil of Makoko Primary School, Miss Miracle Amah, during the Unilever Lifebuoy schools engagement at Makoko, Lagos on Wednesday.

ASUU STRIKE: Police clamp down on education sector unions

BY AMAKA ABAYOMI AND LAJU ARENYEKA

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ecent Police interference in peaceful protests by education unions has become a cause for concern to stakeholders in the sector.

Just last weekend, protesting primary school teachers and pupils in Makurdi, Benue State, were dispersed with teargas by Police in the sate. In the past week alone, Police authorities in Bayelsa, Rivers and Cross River ordered the Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities, (ASUU) not to proceed with their planned peaceful protests.

It would be recalled that teachers and primary school pupils who took to the streets to protest what the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) described as the state government’s inability to pay their minimum wage, blocked the road to disrupt traffic, and chanted: “No school, no road”.

Shortly after the pupils numbering over 500 blocked the road, the Police arrived the scene, firing tear gas canisters to disperse the crowd. When contacted, the state Police Commissioner, Adams Audu, told newsmen that it was not right for the teachers to block roads in protest for their salaries when they could have

Lagos inaugurates committee to harmonize schools’ calendar — Page 35

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employed the dialogue approach.”It doesn’t make sense for teachers to start burning tyres on the roads when they could simply dialogue,” he said.

The police order, issued against the planned public procession by the ASUU, Niger Delta University chapter, was reportedly signed by the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hillary Okpara. The situation was similar at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) last Monday. Vanguard Learning gathered that at about 6 a.m last Monday, there were over 500 police officers who had cordoned off the entire university. Chairman, ASUU UNICAL, Dr. James Okpiliya

CIAPS Announces 2013 - 2014 Postgraduate Commonwealth Scholarships

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told our reporters that: “As a result of the police presence, a lot of people gathered around the university to find out what was going on. So the plan of the police backfired, because even though we couldn’t go into the streets, the people from the streets who came to find out what happened were much more than our colleagues who gathered to protest. As a result of this, we were able to accurately educate them on the real reasons behind the strike.”

Continuing, Okpiliya said: “ASUU UNICAL, as well as our comrades from Cross River University of Technology

Continues on page 29

Commotion mars ASUP emergency congress — Page 31

30 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

CIAPS announces 2013/2014 post-graduate C'wealth scholarships

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From left: Executive Director, Kudirat Abiola Foundation for Democracy (KIND), Amy Oyekunle; President Zonta International Club of Lagos Zone 1, Ms. Shade Bembatoum - Young; CEO Nigerians Report Online and Officer-inCharge, United Nations Information Centre, Mr. Oluseyi Soremekun flanked by students and guests during the screening of the 'Girl Rising, film in Lagos.

Police clamp down on education sector unions Continues from page 29 and whoever it was that gave them the directive to stop the protests, should be condemned,” he opined.

Speaking on the issue, the ASUU Chairman, Dr. Nasir Isa Faggae said: “In reality, this is a contradiction on the part of the government. When people are protesting against ASUU, under aegis that are not recognized by law, they do not face any opposition from law enforcement. But when law abiding unions like ours choose to exercise our rights, we are stopped by the police. The denial of the right to lawful assembly is a clear breach of the constitution.”

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(CRUTECH) had a directive at the congress level to hold a peaceful protest on Monday.

The intention was to clear the air about a lot of false progovernment information been disseminated, and clearly stating the reasons why ASUU is on strike. We wanted the Nigerian people to get the truth about the issues. In preparations for the rally, we wrote a letter to the Commissioner of Police, telling them when and where the rally will hold, and asking them to provide security. The police commissioner later invited us for a meeting, telling us that the police had orders from above to stop the protests. We told the commissioner that this was not possible because we had made the decision at the NEC level, we also told him that we would go on with rally. It does make one wonder what kind of a democracy we have if intellectuals under a union recognized by law cannot hold peaceful protests, but miscreants can.”

The Chairman, Joint Action Front, Dr. Dipo Fashina also questioned the right of the police to stop the protests.

“Under the laws governing this country, unions have the right to hold peaceful protests.

These people were not breaking any law, in actual fact, it is the police who broke the law. The Police is a Federal Agency; so both the police,

implement the N18, 000 minimum wage law to teachers and all categories of workers in the State so schools can be reopened. Governor Suswam’s despicable treatment of teachers and brutal clampdown on primary school pupils in his own State says all that need to be said about his alleged concern for public education.” The ERC argued that “the series of crimes and ignominy committed almost on a daily basis by this government in its bid to force down peoples throat, the neo-liberal agenda of a privatised, neglected and commercialised education

In reality, this is a contradiction on the part of the government. When people are protesting against ASUU, under aegis’ that are not recognized by law, they do not face any opposition from law enforcement

The National Coordinator, Education Rights Campaign (ERC), Mr. Hassan Soweto, called for the “immediate removal of the State Commissioner of Police and his trial for ordering the firing of tear gas on little children.”

Continuing, Soweto said: “We call on Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam to tender an unreserved apology to the pupils and their parents and go ahead to immediately

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system as opposed to a public education system has become alarming. For instance over the last two weeks, the Nigerian police has been hunting down, attacking and restricting striking lecturers and all those who support the on-going struggle of University and Polytechnic lecturers to save public education. But compared to all these, the attacks on Benue primary school pupils is

especially shocking, wicked and unconscionable. This chilling brutality on little children in Makurdi whose only crime was their support for their teachers struggle for better working conditions is a new low in the bloodstained record of the Nigerian Police. Despite their age, the pupils were brutally dispersed by police who shot tear gas canisters in their midst.

The fact that no one died is not an excuse to maintain silence on this matter.”

Whether these incidents have been politically orchestrated to clamp down the education unions, or are simply the workings of overzealous policemen, remains to be seen.

But as the National Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Dr. Chibuzor Asomugha put it: “I cannot say for sure the motives behind these recent happenings, but one thing is for sure: there seems to be a pattern to these police interference, and one can only guess that they are following orders. In any case, it is quite unfortunate that such a thing is happening in a democratic society such as ours.”

he Centre for International, Advanced and Professional Studies (CIAPS),Lagos Nigeria has announced a scholarship scheme for the 2013/2014 Postgraduate Commonwealth students.

Courses available under the scheme are: Cambridge International Postgraduate Certificate in Education, Postgraduate studies in Business Management, Computing and IT, Public Policy and Development, as well as Media and Communications.

In a recent statement, the Registrar of the institution, Dr. Annette LeSage said: “There are a total of 50 scholarships available, worth N10,000,000.

Every successful applicant will receive up to N250,000 towards his or her tuition fees at CIAPS for the duration of the recipient’s one-year postgraduate studies”.

The CIAPS Commonwealth Scholarships are part of the new CIAPS Scholars Scholarship programmes, which will directly benefit students entering postgraduate education in 2013-14.

Students will be selected on the basis of a Personal Statement and Interview which must not exceed 1000 words and it will be a chance to tell the school about yourself, why you think you deserve this scholarship and how you think it will help you serve yourself and society once you graduate”.

To be eligible to apply students must: • Hold a first degree, or higher qualification.

• Have been offered and accepted his or her offer of a place at CIAPS, 2013/14 entry.

• Be Commonwealth citizens or be residents in a developing Commonwealth country.

• Refugees or people working with organisations linked with developing Commonwealth countries are also considered.

Only electronic copies of the Supporting Statement and Applications will be accepted.

Don’t forget to send both.

All applications should be submitted online through www.ciaps.org by Tuesday, November 12, 2013 and class will start next January.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013 — 31

By BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

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he Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic, ASUP, emergency congress held in Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, was disrupted following an alleged attack on the Union’s officials, by one Mr. Amobi Chiamogu, an aide of the Polytechnic Rector, leading to destruction of official documents belonging to ASUP.

In a letter to the Rector of Federal Polytechnic Oko, Prof Godwin Onu, the Joint Action Committee of Trade Unions, JACTU, pointed out that the development is strange to an academic environment and public service rules.

The letter in part reads: “A meeting of the JACTU took place on October 22, 2013 as a result of a report on assault and attack on ASUP by officers attached to your office, Mr. Amobi Chiamogu and Barr.

Stanley Okafor, during ASUP emergency congress held on Monday, October 21, 2013.

“Mr. Amobi Chiamogu began attacks on ASUP officials and in the process, destroyed official documents of the union as well as inflicted body injuries to General Secretary, Lady (Barr.) Ogugua Ochuba.

“He (Chiamogu) later rained punches on one Kossy Ebunilo, an academic staff in the meeting. The legal adviser, Barr. Stanley Okafor lumbered into the meeting with a stick and eventually caused a commotion. Reports indicate that a yet to be confirmed accomplices aided the duo in the act of infamy.”

JACTU also urged Federal Government to appoint a Rector from the polytechnic system, saying that a polytechnic generated rector is better equipped to manage

Commotion mars ASUP emergency congress

From left: Prof. Zvogbo Rungomo, Vice Chancellor, Great Zimbabwe University; Prof. Jonathan Mba, Director of Academic Planning and African Centre of Excellence Coordinator of the Association of African Universities (AAU); and Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Isaac Adewole during a recent courtesy call on him in his UI office. the affairs of a polytechnic.

Members of the committee comprised the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational

and Associated Institutions, NASU, Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics, SSANIP and

ASUP. The Committee said it totally identifies with the position of ASUP National Executive

Council (NEC) and that of ASUP Federal Polytechnic, Oko Congress on the need to appoint the Rectors from within the polytechnic system.

NMA worries over varsity sector shutdown …begs ASUU, FG to return to negotiation table

By CHIOMA OBINNA

The Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, has expressed worry over the failure of the government to resolve the logjam in the universities occasioned by the lingering dispute between the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU and the Federal Government.

President of the Association, Dr Osahon Enabulele in a statement also expressed

concern about the impact of the crisis on quality of graduates the country would produce in the future.

“We are deeply concerned with the impact of the crisis on the quality of university graduates, including medical graduates, as well as the negative impact on the already deteriorating educational system with lots of capital flight on account of the increasing enrolment of Nigerian students in stable foreign

universities.”

Enabulele further called on both the federal government and the leadership of ASUU to urgently go back to the roundtable, resume negotiations, and find a common ground in the implementation of the agreement jointly entered into, in the greater interest of Nigerian studentsand the Nigerian state.

Frequently confused words

Instruction: Choose the appropriate word from the alternatives in the parenthesis 1. Kanu Nwankwo is a player of (proven/prove) ability.

2. It is a (proven/prove) fact that the earth is spheriC M Y K

cal.

3. Pajero has a (proven/ prove) track record of reliability.

4. He cited an example to (proof/prove) his point.

5. You’re wrong and I can (proven/prove) it.

6. You’ll need your passport as (proof/prove) of identity.

7. These results are a further (proof/prove) of his outstanding ability.

8. The (proof/prove) of the pudding is in the eating.

9. I’m a living (proof/ prove) that Jesus saves sinners.

10. The past participle of get in British English (BrE) is (‘got/gotten’) while in American English (AmE), it is usually (‘got/gotten’).

11. Do not go out when it is (raining/ rainy) very hard.

12. Always carry an umbrella in (raining/ rainy) weather.

13. The (raining/ rainy) season will soon be over.

14. (Runny/Running) is the word that keeps company with ‘nose’ or ‘eyes’.

CORRECTION 1. Kanu Nwankwo is a player of proven ability.

2. It is a proven fact that the earth is spherical.

3. Pajero has a proven track record of reliability.

4. He cited an example to prove his point.

5. You’re wrong and I can prove it.

6. You’ll need your passport as proof of identity.

7. These results are a fur-

ther proof of his outstanding ability.

8. The proof of the pudding is in the eating.

9. I’m a living proof that Jesus saves sinners.

10. The past participle of get in British English (BrE) is got while in American English (AmE), it is usually ‘gotten’.

11. Do not go out when it is raining very hard.

12. Always carry an umbrella in rainy weather.

13. The rainy season will soon be over.

14. Runny is the word that keeps company with ‘nose’ or ‘eyes’.

32 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

UNILORIN set to offer new courses

L-R: Guest Speaker, Dr. Umar Bindir; Rector, Yaba College of Technology, Dr. Kudirat Ladipo and Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Education, Hon. Aminu Suleiman, who was the Chairman of the occasion, at the 28th Convocation Lecture of Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, Tuesday.

BY ALI ABDUL, UNILORIN

T

he University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) is set to commence the offering of new courses, even as the Vice Chancellor, Prof.

AbdulGaniyu Ambali, has assured that all classrooms in the varsity will soon be equipped with the latest smart boards in line with global best practices towards effective teaching.

Giving this assurance when members of the National University Commission visited the varsity on resource verification exercise, Prof Ambali said “All classrooms shall be ICT compliant and smart boards and latest classroom technology shall be put in place. You will see a new Unilorin in terms of teaching facilities.”

The NUC team had visited the University to verify resources put in place for by the University for the take-off of newly established Faculties, Departments and splitting of some existing Faculties.

The new Departments include: Department of Architecture, Department of Quantity Surveying, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Department of Water Resources Engineering, Department of Marketing, Department of Surveying and Geo-Informatics, Department of Psychology and Department of Social work.

Others are: Department of Agriculture Education, Department of Business Studies, Department of Igbo and Department of Hausa.

The proposed Faculties are Faculty of Social Sciences, Faculty of Management Sciences, Faculty of Environmental Sciences.

Also, the Department of Arts and Social Sciences Education is to be split into two, which is the Department of Arts Education and Department of Social Science Education while the Department of Educational Technology is to be excised from the present Department of Science Education.

Meanwhile, Prof. Ambali thanked members of the resource verification team, led by Mr. Sam Ukani, and assured them that the University takes their comment seriously, adding that their observations would be implemented to the letter.

C M Y K

Libraries: Centres of university education

BY DELE SOBOWALE “A modern, wired university grows in Nigeria.

The American University of Nigeria provides a modern education right in the backyard of Boko Haram,, Nigeria’s homegrown terrorist group. One clue: The campus claims 55 per cent of all the internet traffic in Nigeria."

Jack Rodolico, Latitude News, August 6, 2012.

But the American University of Nigeria, AUN, leads the rest of the country and most of the world in one other way.

It has developed the most modern Library in Nigeria and one of the best twenty in the world as well. For those who are skeptical about the claim, usually the people who stay at home and disclaim information they find it difficult to accept, let me provide the evidence which can be checked and verified.

Nigerians have come to accept the fact that we cannot excel in anything, especially education, particularly in the least developed zone in the nation that my declaration that AUN is the best university in Nigeria earned a rejoinder from a “sit-at-home” critic for exaggeration.

However, those intimately connected with education in Nigeria and who have visited several campuses know what I am talking about. They cannot rank universities for political reasons lest their statements be misconstrued as promoting the political ambition of an individual. I am not held back by those constraints. So, I can ignore the insults of the know-nothings.

A recent report informed us that no African university is ranked among the top four hundred. Based on four criteria – infrastructure, teaching, research output and teacher/student ration, the annual report found no African university good enough

to crack the top 400 spots. The cheering news is that gradually African universities are moving up among the top one thousand and one day one might make it to top 100. We need to bear in mind that the oldest African university, especially South of the Sahara, University of Orange Free State, in Bloemfontein, South Africa in 1855 — almost a century after the University of Karaonien, in Fez, Morocco was founded in 859 A.D and University of Al-Ashar in Cairo, in 970A.D. The recent upsurge in the number of universities in Nigeria presents us with a unique opportunity to establish modern universities based on e-learning thereby bypassing all the old structures which others have put in place which slow down learning. Unfortunately, in my trips and visits to Nigerian universities, one still sees a great deal of throwback to ancient methods of learning.

In no place is this more obvious than in university libraries.

VANDALISATION OF BOOKS IN NIGERIAN UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES As a regular visitor to and heavy user of libraries in Nigeria, one of the most shocking discoveries is the number of books which have been deliberately vandalized by students. In fact, it is safe to state that unless a library book is not popular and in high demand, the chances are that pages have either been removed from it or it has been defaced or even deliberately misplaced. One graduate of a Nigerian university told me about how he “borrowed” a book for a whole semester – he deliberately misplaced the Mass Communications textbook among Electrical Engineering books for the whole semester. There were two copies of the book in the library; the other had pages removed

by other students before the end of the semester. Only God knows how many books in our university libraries have suffered the same fate.

Back in 1988 till 1990, when I was the General Manager of Haske Rice Mills, at Kalambina Road, Sokoto, next to Sokoto Cement, I had a lot of free time on my hands and I used part of the time to visit the USMAN DAN FODIO UNIVERSITY library to gather materials for what became the VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS. Because I was reading broadly, I had the opportunity to visit many shelves and it was remarkable how every shelf had books that belonged on another shelf or were torn or damaged – usually deliberately. I thought that was an aberration until I visited other universities. Then it became clear that the pattern was the same everywhere in Nigeria; it was only a matter of degree.

Fortunately, new Nigerian universities can save themselves a lot of money by adopting e-library setups which had earned the American University in Nigeria its place among the twenty best libraries in the world and its librarian a special mention.

Since the Chinese have al-

*AUN Library

ready taught us that one picture is worth a thousand words, permit me to show you what I call AUN’s Wonder.

What the reader is looking at is how the contents of a shelf full books is first of all transferred to a desktop computer; then can be made available on a laptop and finally on the small GSM you see on the table. With e-library, every individual can have access to all the major libraries of the world and to books even those recently published.

The author of the AUN Wonder is the librarian Mr Amed Derirhan who has won an EXCELLENCE SERVIVE AWARD For: THE BEST UNIVERSITY DIGITAL SERVICESIN NIGERIA from the COMMITTEE OF UNIVERSITY LIBRARIANS OF NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES in 2012 as well as a Presidential Citation for Innovative International Projects from the American Library Association in July 2013.

Anybody establishing a university library in Nigeria today will be well advised to hop on a plane to Yola to see Amed. You can only profit from the journey... www.delesobowale.com

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013 — 33

C M Y K

34—Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

Oshiomhole Tertiary institutions should stick to makes their original mandate – Awuzie case for AAU Ag. VC

By AMAKA ABAYOMI & IKENNA ASOMBA

By GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

G

OVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has directed Prof. Cordelia Agbebaku to act as the Vice Chancellor of Ambrose Alli University, AAU, pending the appointment of a substantive Vice Chancellor.

Speaking in his capacity as the visitor to the university, Oshiomhole said Prof Agbebaku has taken farreaching financial, academic, administrative and overall institutional re-organisation of AAU as recommended by the visitation panel report as well as the Forensic Audit report.

Highlights of her achievements include the sanitization of the Center for Strategic and Development Studies of the varsity which is purely academic research center; sanitization of the varsity in line with National Universities Commission requirements; strict compliance with NUC admission quota allocated to AAU; and accreditation of many department and courses of the varsity.

JAMB boss wants varsity in Oke-Ogun

BY ABASS ALOBALOWO, OAU

T

he Registrar, Joint Admissions Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Dibu Ojerinde has urged the Oyo State government to upgrade the newly created Oke-Ogun Polytechnic to a university.

Ojerinde made this charge during the monthly meeting of Oke-Ogun Development Council (ODC), held at Okaka town hall in Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State.

Noting that Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State has 10 Local Government Areas with a population of over 1,497,325 out of the 33 local governments that made up the state, yet with no significant tertiary institution in the zone, Ojerinde stressed that, instead of the recent upgrading of the existing satellite campus of polytechnic Ibadan, located at Saki West local government of Oke-Ogun by the State Government, it should have established a full fledged University in the zone in the interest of equal access to quality education and for the benefit of Oke-Ogun people who travel so far to acquire tertiary education.

C C M M Y Y K K

T

he immediate past President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU and Acting Vice

Chancellor, Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri, Professor Ukachukwu Awuzie, has called on tertiary institutions such as Universities of Technology and Agriculture, to focus on

their field of expertise.

Awuzie said that this would help solve the challenges being faced in the Nigerian higher education sector.

Speaking with Vanguard Learning in light of the on-

From left: MD/CEO, New Horizons Nigeria, Mr. Tim Akano; successful candidate of the onthe-spot job interview conducted by Clement Ashley Recruitment Agency, Mr. Titus Eveshoyan, a graduate of Computer Science, University of Benin; Lagos State National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Coordinator, Mrs. Nike Adeyemi; and Assistant Director, Skills Acquisition Entrepreneurship Development (SAED), Mrs. Rachael Ideawor, at the job fair organized for the corps members by New Horizons and NYSC in Lagos

going ASUU strike, Awuzie said administrators in the Nigerian education sector must have a mission, a direction of where they are going and how to get there; the problems in the sector would persist.

According to Awuzie, “In the early 80’s, specialized universities - Universities of Technologies and Universities of Agriculture were created to boost our technological and agricultural productivity. But it is unfortunate that these specialized varsities that aresupposed to pioneer technological and agricultural advancement are now awarding degrees in social sciences, arts, business, like the conventional varsities, and this is wrong.

“Even today, someconventional varsities with Faculties of Engineering have better and more sophisticated equipments than our Universities of Technology that are supposed to be technological-oriented.”

Nine year-old becomes Microsoft Office specialist, gets certificate

BY LAJU ARENYEKA

N

INE year old Jomiloju Tunde-Adedipo may very well be the world's next Bill Gates. The Primary six student of Role Model School, Ikeja is the youngest on the continent to qualify for the Microsoft Office Specialist Certificate. Adedipo scored 769 out of 1000, though the pass mark is 700.

In an exclusive interview with Vanguard Learning, Jomiloju, who aspires to be an Information Communication Technology (ICT) specialist, as well as a footballer said: “I would like to create a laptop that has a detachable keypad so that it can also be used as a tablet. I think that every child should have, at least, one personal computer to develop their skills in the different packages. Computer education is a very important for today’s child because it has made education much more revolutionary.”

Speaking on his experience, Jomiloju, who succeeded in his second attempt to write the examinations, said that he was very scared when he first began, adding, “I was very surprised when I came back from the summer holidays and was told that I had passed.”

Mrs. Adetumbo Banjo, the head of Role Model School also spoke to Vanguard Learning. “Jomiloju is a boy that has always been interested in things that have to do with technology.”

She said: “Some years ago we thought the children were ready for more exposure, so we introduced them to the Microsoft exams.

“Before the Microsoft exams, we started accepting invitations to different competitions. The first time our students sat for the exams last year, they did not do well. But this year, to the glory of God, Jomiloju made it.”

Banjo also added that ICT is “relevant in all the subjects in the school curriculum. It is an advantage if a child knows how to use the computer or is at least interested in learning.

A lot of times, when children get into the computer room, they are excited. It is a good thing for children to develop interest in it early enough.”

Speaking on what he would like to use his certificate for,Jomiloju tells our reporter:“I’m not looking forward to getting a job, because I don’t think I’m old enough to work. But I heard there’s only one other person in the world who is younger than I am with the certificate. I’d like

zMaster Jomiloju Tunde-Adedipo. to take mine and show him that he isn’t the only one who’s got it.”

Jomiloju’s mother, Mrs. Funmi Tunde-Oladipo, admonished parents to be watchful of what their children are tending towards. “It could be music, arts and crafts, ICT or another field entirely,” she

said, “ when we realized that he was tending towards computers, we started investing in that, and buying different computers for him from the age of three. He is much more computer literate than I am, and can operate some packages that I cannot. When he began computer studies in school, he found it really easy.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013 — 35

ASUU/FG FACE-OFF:

Let there be compromise — JUSTIN ONWUJEKWE

By EBELE ORAKPO

B

arrister Justin Onwujekwe is the Head of Chambers of Onitsha-based J. O Onwujekwe and Co, solicitors and corporate consultants. In this chat with Vanguard Learning, Onwujekwe speaks on the protracted ASUU/FG face-off, saying that both parties should get off their high horses and reach a compromise. He warns that if nothing is done urgently to end the feud, the consequences will be grave, not only for the nation’s education sector, but for the entire nation. Excerpts:

*Amount involved: Reminded that ASUU vowed not to back down until all its demands are met while the government says it can’t meet all the demands, the legal luminary said: “What I think they should do in the circumstance is for each party to tell itself the truth.

Personally, I feel, and rightly too, that government can’t afford, at this stage, the money ASUU is demanding.

That is very obvious.

“What I think ASUU should do is to re-strategize and take into consideration certain important factors and then come down to reality because that amount is too astronomical.

When government is finding it difficult to finance other sectors, ASUU is talking about billions of naira. ASUU should come down to a reasonable extent so that things will start to function again in the education sector.

As it is now, like an Igbo proverb says, ‘He who is holding somebody down is C M Y K

holding himself down,’ ASUU is not moving anywhere. They may think they are holding the government down, that may be true to an extent but indirectly, they are holding themselves down also; more so now that government has implemented the ‘no work, no pay’ policy.”

Total dependence Federal G o v e r n m e n t counterproductive: “I think ASUU should go out

of tuition fee because if it were to be so, then a whole lot of Nigerian students, especially those that do not have the wherewithal, will be left out. It is at the stage of tertiary education that one’s intellectual prowess is honed because somebody may be brilliant in primary and secondary

*Onwujekwe

,

*Lingering feud: According to Onwujekwe, the lingering problem between ASUU and FG has occurred several times in the past. “This is not the first time such a thing is happening because for years, ASUU has been at loggerheads with government over funding. We are disturbed by this trend which is impacting the education sector negatively and most especially, the students who are now roaming the streets.

“It is not a thing of joy. I view it as muscle-flexing between both parties. At this stage of Nigeria’s development, Nigerians should always think about what would be of benefit to the generality of the people rather than massaging the egos of certain people. I strongly believe that the problem is not beyond reconciliation. What it will take is for representatives of both parties to summon courage and meet each other. Let both parties be ready to compromise so that there will be an end to the deadlock.”

It is not a thing of joy. I view it as muscle-flexing between both parties.

At this stage of Nigeria’s development, Nigerians should always think about what would be of benefit to the generality of the people rather than massaging the egos of certain people

of its way to bring up programmes that will attract external investors so that the universities will be making some profits. The situation would have been different if ASUU was not totally dependent on government.

This could be likened to a housewife who has nothing doing. No amount of money the husband gives her will completely meet her needs but if she is engaged in one form of endeavour or the other, if the husband gives her money and it is not enough, she will supplement from her own income, no matter how little.

“I will advise ASUU to look for a way out because even if government meets this particular demand, I know that within two to five years, other demands will come up.

So let there be an end to this constant face-off concerning funding,” Onwujekwe advised. *No to tuition fee: He totally disagrees with the suggestion that introduction of tuition fee in federal varsities will be a viable solution. He said: “I do not subscribe to the introduction

,

school, but when he gets to tertiary institution, he fizzles out so it is at the tertiary level that serious attention should be paid.

“Even if students are made to pay, that will still not solve the problem. Again, looking

at the economic situation in the country, if tuition fee is introduced, most of the students will be thrown out for non-payment of school fees and they will join the army of unemployed youths roaming the streets and you know the effects – increase in armed robbery, kidnapping and other social vices.

“This lingering face-off is doing more harm than good and the sooner it is looked into, the better for all of us.

Nobody should sit on the fence because it is affecting everybody, if not now, in the future. If all of us fold our

arms and allow our university education to crumble, then in the next two to five years, we will see the negative effects.

“All the stakeholders should come together and appeal to ASUU and the Federal Government. I am appealing to them to back down, let there be a compromise so that we will make headway; after all, no amount of money the Federal Government will give them now will be enough. This is October and in two months, this year will end and we go into 2014, so this challenge should be urgently tackled,” he appealed.

Lagos inaugurates committee to harmonize schools’ calendar

By AMAKA ABAYOMI

L

agos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, has inaugurated a standing Committee on the harmonization of the examination, school calendar and curriculum of public and private secondary schools in the state with a charge to undertake a holistic appraisal of the education sector so as to move it to greater height.

Oladunjoye, noted that the need for the Committee became imperative in view of government’s desire to have a harmonized school calendar, also inaugurated a new Governing Board of the

Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board, LASTVEB. Oladunjoye, who pointed out that government alone can’t take the education sector to the desired height, said “ we have since realized that there is no way that government alone can move the education sector forward, we need to partners with the private sector and other stakeholders because we realized that the largest number of our children are in private schools.

“We need to make education available and accessible to every child in the state. This is the goal we must realize and that is why we are

meeting with the private schools and private providers so as to have a harmonized calendar and curriculum.”

Responding, Chairman of the Committee, Dr. Femi Ogunsanya, commended the state government for her passion in moving the sector forward and ensuring the improved welfare of children in the state.

Also responding, the Chairman of the Board of LASTVEB, Mrs. Adeyinka Oyemade, thanked the state government for the confidence reposed in them and the opportunity to serve once again and promised to work hard with her team.

36 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

SUCCESS RECIPE WITH

Udeme Archibong successrecipe2009@gmail.com

The “little” difference that makes a big difference

W

STRIKE: Kogi varsity ASUU boss tasks students on time management

BY EDIRI EJOH

T

he Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has urged students to be resourceful with their time following the persistence of the on-going strike. The Chairman, Kogi State University Chapter of ASUU, Dr. Sylvester Ukwuteno, who made this call while speaking to newsmen recently, admonished students not to use the time made available to them to cause mischief, but instead to study and prepare for the future.

Ukwuteno also called on Nigerian students to be more visible in their support of the strike. He said: “Students should stop being cowardly

about ASUU’s grievances, there has been a series of false allegations that we are simply fighting for our selfish interests and using the decayed system as a benchmark. It is absolutely untrue.”

Opining that the ASUU struggle is in the best interest of the students, he advised students to be wary of politicians who may try to use them to rebel against ASUU. Ukwuteno said: “The question is after the exploitation and deceit; the same students will go back to the same classrooms, and not receive quality education because of the decay in funding and infrastructure.”

The ASUU Kogi Boss claimed that the strike is not the reason for some students’ in-

volvement in prostitution, armed robbery and other nefarious activities.

“People should stop using the strike as excuse for such inexcusable behaviour,” he said, “there are a lot of other decent, productive activities students can be engaged in.”

He argued that ASUU is not begging the Government, but is urging the authorities to render the necessary support to the sector, which every Nigerian student has the right to enjoy. “The burning question,” Ukwuteno posed, “is that if the Government is refusing to spend the money on a sector as important as education, who and what is the Government spending money on?”

Britain launches ‘Young Art' project to celebrate Nigeria's centenary

BY DAYO ADESULU

T

o celebrate 100 Years of Bi lateral Relations between the United Kingdom and Nigeria, the British Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the British Council are launching a project to mark Nigeria's Centenary.

This project, tagged 'Young Art @ 100', aims to, through art in schools, engage school age children in arts education and help them use the acquired skills to reflect on Nigeria's centenary and the country's relationship with Great Britain. It will also open up a new sphere of discourse and debate for the participating young people especially as Arts Education in young children has been proven to improve achievement and confidence.

The project will focus on:

Developing artistic skills in school children, helping these children develop their own line of enquiry into the entity Nigeria focusing on the centenary and showcasing their artistic skills.

The British council, the organisation that is facilitating this project in partnership with the FCO, has selected 100 schools from 6 States in the 6 geo political zones in Nigeria for the project. Training will be delivered to 100 art teachers from these schools on how to engage children in various visual art forms including drawing, painting, textiles and sculpture.

According to Mohammed Ahmed, Assistant DirectorBritish Council Nigeria.''The project will give many Nigerian students the opportunity to participate in public discourse about the

past and future of Nigeria.

Using creative arts provides an innovative exciting medium to express their hopes for the future."

Participating States include: Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kano, Lagos and Bauchi.

The training for the teachers of the schools selected will be facilitated

by Biodun Omolayo Art Gallery. They have a team of facilitators who have experience working with children in the arts.Workshops for the teachers will start on 28 October and end on 01 November 2013.After the training the teachers are expected to return to their schools and transfer the knowledge garnered to their students. The teachers will also arrange competitions in their schools from which the best art works will be exhibited.

,

Beneficiaries of free GCE forms presented by Isoko Group in Lagos, recently.

hat is the difference between succeeding and failing?

What is the difference between living a mediocre life and living a life of excellence? What is the difference between victory and defeat? What is the difference between happiness and unhappiness? What is the difference between riches and poverty?

In the game of life little things matter because the sum up to make a big difference. Zig Ziglar states, “In life, the difference between success and failure is often only an inch or two”. The world does not celebrate people who “almost had made it”. However, the little difference that makes a big difference lies in your mental attitude.

Alexander Graham Bell will ever be celebrated as the inventor of the telephone. That single invention has made a significant difference in the lives of people in all ramifications. However, here lies the story behind the obscure college professor who rose to immortality.

Alexander Graham Bell’s wife was hard of hearing. He loved his wife dearly that his greatest dream was to perfect a hearing device so his wife could hear. Therefore, he invested spare money and time to work on his dream.

However, he failed in achieving his target. Little did he realize that failing to perfect the hearing device for his wife will lead him into the successful invention of the telephone that will imprint his name on the document of destiny.

However, when Bell successfully invented the telephone there was a contention about who was the rightful inventor of the telephone. Philip Reis had “almost succeeded” in the invention of the telephone before Bell did. Had Reis turned one screw one quarter of a turn, he would have transformed interrupted current into continuous current. But Bell did turn the screw and he successful invented the telephone. The case was settled in court and the court gave the verdict: “Reis never thought of it, and he failed to transmit speech telegraphically.

Bell did, and he succeeded. Under such circumstances it is impossible to hold that what Reis did was an anticipation of the discovery of Bell. To follow Reis is to fail, but to follow Bell is to succeed. The difference between the two is just the difference failure and success. If Reis had kept on he might have found out the way to succeed, but he stopped and failed. Bell took up and carried it on to a successful result.” Wow! What a big difference a “little” difference can make.

The game of life is played and won by ordinary people who just put in the extra effort to become extraordinary. The extra effort could be getting to work ten minutes earlier and leaving ten minutes after closing time; It could be concentrating to do an excellent work even when no one is supervising you rather than watching the clock for closing time; It could be getting up a little earlier or sleeping a bit late to read books that leads to self development; It could be following your instinct; it could be setting aside quality time to engage in creative thinking for ideas; it can just be the willingness to be kind and to serve others.

A crew of men were working on the road bed of the railroad when a moving train approached and seated at the back car which was custom made and air conditioned was the President of the railroad who called out in a friendly manner to one of the men working in the scorching sun. For over an hour these two men exchanged pleasantries before parting. The other crew members were astonished that he knew the president of the railroad as a personal friend. The man revealed to them that he and the president had started work on the same day. One of the men asked why he was still walking out in the sun and the other has grown to be president. The man revealed, “Twenty-three years ago I went to work for $1.75 an hour and Jim Murphy went to work for the railroad.”

What a big difference a “little” changes in your attitude can make!

The world does not celebrate people who “almost had made it”. However, the little difference that makes a big difference lies in your mental attitude

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VANGUARD, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013—37

I N S I D E

Land tussle: Lagos high cour courtt The concept of amnesty and its place in human rights discourse voids possession warrant P. 38 (3) P. 39

UN human rights review: Nigeria has exemplary record — FG

BY INNOCENT ANABA

N

IGERIA gave a good account of her human rights record, when she faced other countries at the 17th session of the Universal Periodic Review, UPR of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, last week.

The UPR is a new and unique mechanism of the United Nations, which started in April 2008 and consists of the review of the human rights practices of all states in the world, once every four and half years.

Nigeria was first reviwed in 2009 and last week addressed some of the issues raised in her report of 2009.

Nigerian delegation, led by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Mohammd Adoke, SAN, said that since the first review in 2009, significant developments had been recorded, as she had largely fulfilled its commitments to the Human Rights Council through its active participation in the work and activities of the Council, support for the National Human Rights Commission, commitment to human rights instruments and support for all strategies at regional and international levels to promote and protect human rights.

He added that Nigeria has also fulfilled its commitment by amending the National Human Rights Commission Act in 2010, granting the commis-

FROM LEFT: Mr. Mohammed Adoke, SAN, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Dr. Nuruddeen Mohammed, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs at the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva.

The delegation added that the government has maintained a rights based approach to economic management that is pro-poor and gender sensitive, which is reflected in the economic transformation blueprint tagged: Nigeria’s Vision 20:2020, while government is committed to improving access to afford able housing through legal and policy frameworks, which have increased the number of prototype housing units constructed from 25.49 percent to 151.17 percent between 2011 and 2012.

Overwhelming majority of Nigerians objected to same sex relationship based on their deep religious, cultural and moral orientations, against which no government could successfully legislate

,

sion operational and financial independence, and enhanced its investigative and enforcement powers.

“Nigeria acceded to several international human rights instruments. The Constitution was amended to grant financial autonomy to the Independent National Electoral Commission, which contributed significantly in making the 2011 general elections of Nigeria free, fair and credible. Also, Section 254 of the Constitution was amended to provide for the establishment of a National Industrial Court.”

,

Adoke added that the Federal Justice Sector Reform Coordinating Committee, FJSRCC, was mandated to coordinate the development, management and implementation of policies aimed at improving the delivery of justice services with an Administration of Criminal Justice Bill before the National Assembly. The bill is intended to institutionalise the broad objective of the proposed National Prosecution Policy.

He said that terrorism and violent insurgency have posed existential threats, adding: “These threats, which

are externally-induced, have manifested in the activities of militant insurgents and organised crime groups committing atrocities, crimes against humanity and violation of human rights. To address the problem, constitutional measures have been adopted which include the declaration of a state of emergency in the states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe in the Northeast, where the insurgents have their base and carry out attacks. A Joint Task Force, JTF, and a Special Task Force, STF, have been deployed with the required legislative authorisation to utilise rights-based “Rules of Engagement” and “Operational Plans” in combating the insurgency. The government has established a committee on dialogue and reconciliation aimed at providing incentives to dissuade terrorists and other extremists from violence.”

The delegation stated that significant efforts had been made to implement the accepted recommendations and the efforts made in this regard constituted a substantial part of our national report.

In response to advance questions, the delegation emphasised that torture, as a means of extracting information from suspects, had no place in law enforcement. “The police have been retrained and were now relying on, modern and scientific means of interrogations and processes. Police officers found to have committed extrajudicial executions are

usually dismissed from service and prosecuted in accordance with the law.”

The delegation noted that the demolition of illegal structures in various parts of the country was embarked upon in the public interest. The affected structures were those erected without permission from relevant authorities and was therefore not in conformity with the master plan of those areas. He added that experts had warned that the continuous existence of those illegal structures posed a danger, not only to the lives of inhabitants of such areas, but also to the ecosystem. The authorities have carried out verification exercises to ensure that those who have genuine claims were either compensated or relocated to other areas and provided with alternative shelter.”

With regard to what is being done to ensure that the fight against terrorism was in accordance with international standards, the delegation stated that despite the difficult circumstances that terrorism generate, our law enforcement agencies have been instructed to observe human rights while countering acts of terror. In areas where the state of emergency was in effect, the JTF and the STF have been deployed with the required legislative authorisation to utilise rights based “Rules of Engagement” and “Operational Plans.”

The delegation stated that the issue of sexual orientation did not enjoy consensus within the United Nations human rights system and all attempts to integrate sexual orientation into existing universally recognised human rights have so far failed, adding that “overwhelming majority of Nigerians

Continues on pg 38

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

38—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

oids possession w arrant Land tussle: Lagos high cour courtt vvoids warrant

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

J

USTICE Olufunmi layo Atilade of Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere has voided a warrant of possession issued with respect to a piece of land measuring 254.558 hectares in Milverton Court Estate, Osapa Village, Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State.

Ruling on an ex parte application brought before the court by the applicant, Suncity Property Ltd, the judge voided the warrant of possession dated September 27, 2013 and the certificate of execution for the posses-

Participants at the two-day Global Rights workshop held in Lagos sion which was carried out on September 30.

The judgment creditors who were the defendants in the application were said to have obtained the warrant of possession to claim

254.558 hectares of land instead of 10 hectares to which they were entitled to.

Justice Atilade declared that the warrant of possession was “void on

the basis of gross documentary irregularity”.

The applicant had told the court that there was no court order backing the issuance of the warrant of possession.

Counsel to the applicant, Mrs Adedoyin Ogunyipe, of Dele Farotimi and Co Chambers, argued that the only subsisting court order in relation to the matter was one given by the Supreme Court in the suit, SC/146/2005, on July 12, 2013.

Ogunyipe maintained that the judgment creditors had wrongfully obtained a possession warrant disclosing that they were entittled to 254.558 hectares instead of the 10 hectares stated in the order of the Supreme Court.

“The execution of the warrant of possession dated September 18, 2013

UN human rights review: Nigeria has exemplary record — FG Continues from pg 37 objected to same sex relationship based on their deep religious, cultural and moral orientations, against which no government could successfully legislate. There was no policy or practice of witch hunting people based on their sexual orientation.”

It must be appreciated that not all the defence of government of its rights record was shared by all. For instance, on the punishment of security officers involved in extra-judicial killings, the Niger Delta Coalition of Universal Periodic Review, called on the Nigeria Government, to take all necessary steps to bring the perpetrators of the various acts of extrajudicial killings in the Niger Delta region in

the country to justice.

In its report to 17th UPR session, the coalition said, “During the four year period after the review, rather than Nigeria improving on its record in respect of promoting the enjoyment of its citizen’s right to life, the country, particularly the Niger Delta area, has become a killing field, where innocent citizens have been extra judicially killed in their hundreds by the Police and the various security forces established in different states,and this has become a national pastime.

“Non state actors have also been implicated in these acts but the growing regime of impunity in the land had ensured that the non state actors go unpunished. The period under review had witnessed high incidenc-

es of mindless and unlawful killings of numerous citizens by the police and their ilk.

“Unfortunately, most of these killings have not been investigated and the culprits go unpunished thereby, increasing the level of impunity among security and law enforcement agents in the region. Contrary to the expectations inherent in UPR recommendations, by some countries, Nigeria has not taken the necessary steps required for bringing the perpetrators of these various acts of extralegal killings to justice,” it added.

On Nigeria’s claim that demolition of structures was embarked upon in the public interest, the National Human Right Commission, NHRC, hinted that it will next

month commence public inquiry into the demolition of homes, estates and villages in some parts of the country by the Federal and state governments, following the receipt of over 100 petitions from Nigerians.

Chairman of the commission, Prof Chidi Odinkalu, told Nigerian journalists at the UPR that the public hearing slated for Lagos, Enugu, Kano and Abuja, will take off on November 18, 2013 in Lagos.

Odinkalu insisted that the commission was carrying out part of its core functions by the exercise.

While Nigeria maintained its ground on the issues of gay and death penalty by not conceding to them, the United State of America and Britain, asked the

country to review its position on the two issues.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s response to the issues raised in the review comes up in March 2014, when the report will be adopted finally.

The review, for the first time, had eight Nigerian journalists, covering same. The journalists, drawn from the print and electronic media, were sponsored

by Gmedia, a nongovernmental organisation based in Geneva, Switzerland.

The group also sponsored some Senegalese and Chadian journalists. Nigeria, Senegal and Chad were the African countries reviewed this year. The journalists from the three countries also underwent a one week training organised by Gmedia, with experts in human rights, the UN, UPR as resource persons.

carried out on September 27, 2013 is hereby set aside, on the ground that the Warrant of Possession is not based on any subsisting order of a court of law. That the Certificate of the Execution of the Warrant for Possession dated September 30, 2013 is hereby set aside.

That the cost of all damage incurred by the wrongful execution is to be borne by the respondents/judgment creditors to this application” the court ruled Judgment creditors/respondents are Maj.Muritala Gbadamosi (Rtd), Rasaki Gbadamosi, Mufutau Gbadamosi, Waidi Gbadamosi and Shafari Ashorota, who all represented themselves and Gbadamosi Eletu family.

The judgment debtors who were the respondent at the Supreme Court are Oba Tijani Adetunji Akinloye, Chief Muritala Odofin and Alhaji Yekini Bakare, who all represented themselves and the Ojomu Chieftancy Family.

Rhodes-Vivour, Solanke, Wali for presentation of Olanipekun’s law reports

S

UPREME Court Jus tice Bode Rhodes-Vivour, Chief Folake Solanke, SAN and President, Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Mr Okay Wali, SAN are among the guests expected on November 1, at the presentation of The Banking and Financial Law Reports, BFLR, at the America, Asia and Africa Halls ,Eko Signature Building, Lagos.

Presentation of BLFR edited by Dr.Oladapo Olanipekun will be accompanied with a lecture titled-’ Corporate Governance Redux and Nigerian Banks,’ to be delivered by Dr. Tunde Ogowewo of the Dickson Poon School of Law, Kings College, London.

BFLR will be reviewed

by Adetunji Oyeyipo, SAN. BLFR is a quarterly compedium of Selected judgments of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal from the stable of AU Courant Research and Consulting.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013—39

The concept of amnesty and its place in human rights discourse (3)

BY PROF. EPIPHANY AZINGE, (SAN)

A

PPLICATION, lends support to the argument that an unlimited prosecution of international crimes may result to a threat to peace and security and in such instances, the domestic amnesties may be recognised. Article 16 vests power in the Security Council to request that proceedings before the International Court be deferred for a period of twelve months, with the option of a renewal, where it is believed that such prosecution would threaten peace and security.

Although it has been argued that the time limit is an indication that it is the deferral is a delay mechanism, for the sake of peace and not a recognition of amnesties granted by States, practical implication and application of this Article based on the complementarity principle, compels the International community, through the International Criminal Court to recognise domestic amnesties and refrain from prosecution.

It has been argued that certain types of amnesties, especially blanket amnesties as those granted by the Lome accord or even in the Pinochet case, should not be recognised as they are not conditional on a remedy to victims. The South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission in its final report appealed to the International community for the recognition of its process which included the grant of amnesties as a trade-in for obtaining the truth, made it abundantly clear that the Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act and the Commission itself, had sought to deal appropriately with the matter of responsibilities by the adoption of conditional amnesty policy, which was clearly based on considered applications from applicants In APAZO v.

President of the Republic of South Africa , the Court held that amnesty was permitted because without it there would be no incentive for offenders to disclose the truth about past atrocities. It suffices to say that the South African experience appears to be the only example of permissible amnesties that have been welcomed by the international Community. The most logical explanation for such acceptance can be gleaned from the rather eloquent judgment of Justice Ismail Mohamed in the case of Azapo where in the South African’s amnesty legislation was challenged. He stated that; “That truth which the victims of repression seek so desperately to know is, in the circum-

Prof. Epiphany Azinge, SAN stances, much more likely to be forthcoming if those responsible for such monstrous misdeeds are encouraged to disclose the whole truth with the incentive that they will not receive the punishment which they undoubtedly deserve if they do.

Without that incentive, there is nothing to encourage such persons to make the disclosure and to reveal the truth which a person in the position of the applicant so desperately desires…”

clearer: while amnesty is prohibited in offences regarded as being of concern to the International community such as crime of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and crime of aggression, this is not the case for other offences that do not fall within this category. Again, blanket amnesties for atrocious crimes is generally not accepted by the international community but there copious room to suggest that conditional amnesties are permissible where it is clear that justice is not entirely sacrificed for the cause of ensuring political peace.

LEGAL PROVISIONS FOR AMNESTY IN NIGERIA Whether or not amnesty is constitutional in Nigeria is still a matter of controversy. A view sees amnesty as the same as pardon while a divergent view is The amnesty granted in South to the effect that they amnesty differs from pardon. Section 175 Africa was thus permissible of the 1999 Constitution which because it publicly recognised amnesty is hinged upon prothat the perpetrators of the crimes deserved to be punished vides for pardon to convicts. The section does not seem to cover and provided some form of pardons granted to persons not justice to the victims of the already convicted of offences crimes through a revelation of what actually happened to them, created by laws enacted by the legislature. It must be said that a feat that other amnesties the word “Amnesty” is alien to granted did not achieve.

On the question of the recogni- the Nigerian Constitution.

As earlier defined, amnesty is tion of the grant of amnesties by a pardon extended by the States in the International government to a group or class community, the position has of persons usually for political become perhaps a tad much

offence, the act of a sovereign power officially forgiving certain classes of persons who are subject to trial but have not yet being convicted. This is not provided for under the Constitution, what the constitution provides for is pardon by way of prerogative of Mercy granted to convicts which is contained in sections 175 and 212 of the 1999 Constitution. Section175 provides thus: “(1) The President may (a) grant any person concerned with or convicted of any offence created by an Act of the National Assembly a pardon, either free or subject to lawful conditions; (b) grant to any person a respite, either for an indefinite or for a specified period, of the execution of any punishment imposed on that person for such an offence; (c) substitute a less severe form of punishment for any punishment imposed on that person for such an offence; or (d) remit the whole or any part of any punishment imposed on that person for such an offence or of any penalty or forfeiture otherwise due to the State on account of such an offence.

(2) The powers of the President under subsection (1) of this section shall be exercised by him after consultation with the Council of State.

To be continued

As Justice Salami takes a bow from the Bench

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

P

RECISELY on October 15, Justice Ayo Isa Salami, the immediate past President of the Court of Appeal (PCA) clocked the 70 years mandatory retirement age for justice of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

That date however fell on the 2013 Eid–el-kabir public holiday. According to an impeccable source close to the Court of Appeal (CA), arrangement has been concluded for a befitting valedictory Court session scheduled to take place today in honour of Justice Salami.

Part of the arrangements was a book launch yesterday, chaired by Justice Muhammed Uwais, former Chief Justice of Nigeria, in honour of the eminent jurist who served the nation.

These programmes would afford Salami, the time and opportunity to talk like a lawyer and vindicate himself as if he were to be in a law court.

Salami, who had rendered his services to the nation,

had declined for good reason to be appointed to the Supreme Court, saying that he preferred to remain in the Court of Appeal where he continued until he retired.

Salami took over from Justice Umaru Abdullahi, who first mooted the idea of computerising the Court of Appeal. but it was Salami that worked tirelessly towards the execution of the e-court project, following his appointment on December 2, 2009 as the Acting PCA. It is also to his credit that more divisions of the Court Appeal were created during his tenure as the PCA. Salami retired just like his worthy predecessors, who in spite of their experiences, retired as Presidents of the Court of Appeal with their honour and reputation unsullied. Although, he still has a case in court challenging his suspension, which has now turned to a mere academic exercise.

The retired jurist should be credited with the creation of more divisions of the Court of Appeal during his tenure.

Justice Salami was born on October 15, 1943 in Ganma, Kwara State. He was

enrolled in Lyeru Okin African Church School, Offa in 1949. There he moved on to St. Cyprians Catholic School, Offa, and later Offa Grammar School. Salami then attended Provincial Secondary School (Rumfa College), Kano, from where he graduated in 1963.

By the following year Salami had enrolled in the Institute of Administration, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He attended that prestigious University for nearly three years and continued on to Nigerian Law School, Lagos from 1967-1968.

During this time, Salami proved to be an advanced student who quickly earned a Bachelor of Law (LL.B).

Salami also served as the Offa Grammar School Senior Prefect and held offices at Rumfa College and the Institute of Administration.

After completing this highly distinguished educational career, Salami was admitted to the Nigerian Bar on June 28, 1968. He started off as a Collector of Customs and Excise Grade II, and by 1971 was transferred to North Central State Public Service Commission to serve as State

Counsel Grade II. In a few years Salami moved up to become Senior State Counsel Grade I and then Acting Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Kaduna.

From there he was transferred to Kwara State Public Service, and started as Senior State Counsel Grade I. He latere served in different honourable positions. In 1976 Salami was Acting Director of Public Prosecution, and by the following year had advanced to Deputy Director. He concurrently held the position of Acting Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Ilorin till 1978.

Justice Salami served diligently in each of his many enviable capacities, and his career continued to grow. He became Judge of High Court of Justice in 1978 and served in that esteemed office for several years. By 1988, Salami had become the Presiding Justice, Benin for the Court of Appeal, then moved on to Presiding Justice, Kaduna before ending up as the Presiding Justice, Lagos, where he retired at the age of 70.

40—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

Running mates run from debate

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

T

HE majority of the 23 gubernatorial running mates in the November 16 election shied away from the debate organized for them by the Nigeria Elections Debate Group, NEDG, in Awka.

In the morning session where 12 of the deputy governorship candidates were listed to attend, only four showed up.

Those that were present were Ebo Kenneth Chukwuemeka of AD, Ikechukwu Godwin Okagbue of ACPN, Ralph Okeke of APC and Nkem Okeke of APGA. The pattern followed what happened during the workshop organized by the

special adviser to the President on inter party matters, Senator Ndi Obi in which only a handful of the governorship candidates

and their running mates attended. The debate for the governorship candidates is billed for today, Thursday, also

Poster war heightens F

OR the major candidates contesting the election, what is happening in most parts of Anambra State should be worrisome to them.

From the Amansea border town with Enugu State through Awka the state capital, down to the commercial town of Onitsha, what stares travelers in the face are torn and defaced bill boards.

Mostly affected are the bill boards of Labour and APC candidates, who not

surprisingly, have pointed accusing fingers on the APGA administration in the state for using both official and non official agents of the administration to deface their posters and billboards even after paying official levies to mount billboards. Supporters of the opposition parties in the state have according to some

A

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

PGA candidate Willie Obiano has won the endorsement of the South East Democratic Network, SEDN. In endorsing him, the group said it was attracted to his tactical strategic initiative of projects implementation and continuity.

General Secretary, SEDN, Hon. Okereke Elvis Orji said in statement that the continuity has become imperative at this juncture because the masses have derived abundant dividends of democracy from incumbent Peter Obi’s administration.

“SEDN strongly believes that Obiano is the most qualified and generally accepted candidate for governor in the forthcoming election. Other candidates are patriotic illustrious sons of Anambra state who could as well govern the state but Willie

Obiano is the first among equals,” the group said. “We are impressed by this tactical strategic initiative of projects implementation and continuity.

It is the hallmark of progressive governance which only an APGA government will execute. The Nigerian landscape is littered with abandoned projects that would have touched the lives of the citizenry but abandoned by successive governments for mundane quasi political considerations.

“We urge politicians to eschew violence and do-or-die politics.

The era of politics with bitterness is gone with the outrageous godfatherism.

Today, Anambrarians are wiser, will vote according to their conscience and protect their votes as power resides in the people.”

INEC list as candidates may also not participate, thereby negating the objective of the exercise.

reports also retaliated by defacing the posters and billboards of the APGA candidate. At newsstands around the state, supporters of the candidates have lately engaged in heated arguments over the issue with supporters of the different candidates trading blames on the issue.

Only last week, the campaign

organization of the APC candidate, Senator Chris Ngige accused APGA supporters of masterminding the pulling down of APC bill boards and shortly after the allegation, most of the bill boards of APGA candidate, Chief Willie Obiano were found to be in a terrible mess as black objects were used to cover his face.

How to check rigging— Candidates, parties

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE

Obiano gets another endorsement

at the Women Development Center, Awka and indications are that most of the candidates whose names appear on the

S

OME candidates and parties taking part in the governorship election have proffered suggestions on how to make the polls credible and peaceful.

Speaking at the sensitisation workshop for political parties and stakeholders organised by the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Inter-Party Affairs, Senator Ben Obi, penultimate Wednesday in Awka, the Anambra State Capital, they also pledged to observe the code of conduct jointly fashioned by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC).

Action Alliance (AA) Chairman, Chief Tunde Salami said the AA would not only abide by the code of conduct for parties, the party would also be peaceful and accept best practices before, during and

*APC Candidate, Sen. Chris Ngige addressing Anambra North Traditional Rulers Council at Nteje, OYI LGA. From 3rd left is HRM Madukolu Odebo, Igwe of Nteje, and chairman of the Council.

after the polls.

His APGA counterpart, Chief Victor Umeh, said irrespective of the capacity of some politicians for mischief during election, the polls will be free and fair if INEC and the security agencies do their jobs efficiently.

On his part, Citizens Popular Party (CPP) Chairman,Chief Sam Eke, who is also IPAC publicity secretary, said CPP was in full support of credible and peaceful election in Anambra and believes that the INEC will do a good job.

Urging the standard bearers to shun mud-slinging and embrace issue-based campaigns, he said the CPP firmly believes in the code of conduct.

To Umaru Mustapha of KOWA, the Anambra election is a test case in many respects.

How? “It is a test case for all the hard work done under the Professor Attahiru Jega-led INEC and consultations done by the political parties through IPAC, which produced the code of conduct. So, the result must represent our choice. I challenge all candidates to make the election a win-win for everybody.”

NCP and IPAC National Chairman, Dr Yunusa Tanko, stressed the need for internal party democracy and supremacy because “the political parties are the anchor of the process of democracy and so must be protected.”

PPA National Scribe, Peter Ameh, decried the effects of money politics and urged voters to protect their votes after the polls. “Money politics is the cause of our problem; let’s desist from money politics.

Voters should not collect N1000 and mortgage their lives for another four years. This election is a time for change.

Most of our electorate are very docile. After voting, they walk

away; it is more than that, they should stay back and protect their votes,” he enjoined.

Throwing his weight behind a rancour-free election, AA standard bearer, Okeke, said: “I assure you that we shall not disappoint. Let’s play the game by the rules; do not use youths as thugs and at the end of the day, whomever wins should carry others along.”

The candidate of the ruling APGA, Willie Obiano, said: “We are coming to move Anambra State to the next level.

Governor Peter Obi did well. We have the capacity to generate needed revenue to develop the state and take it to the next level. I and my running mate are ready to abide with the rules and ensure credible elections on November 16.”

Chief Ezeemo of the PPA remarked: “We will go by the rules of the game. A word is enough for the wise. I thank my co-contestants for coming. I hope they will participate in the forthcoming debate so that we can see how we can put in place the things that are lacking in our state.

ACPN’s Tony Anene also pledged to observe the code of conduct and enjoined Anambra people to rise above money politics.Speaking for the APC candidate, Mr Ben Oranusi, deputy director general of Ngige Campaign organisation, said: “I pledge that Senator Ngige will abide with the rules and code of conduct. INEC did well in Edo and Ondo governorship elections but the Delta senatorial by-election was not well conducted. I hope INEC will ensure a credible election in Anambra.”

Comrade Igweze of the AD urged Anambra citizenry to shun the idea that the state is ungovernable. “Let’s improve the process of electing our leaders and shun born-to-rule and money-bag mentality.”

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013—41

How can I give Fashola pass mark?— Senator Ogunlewe ERSTWHILE Minister of Works and lawmaker, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe is a leading member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Lagos State and a former gubernatorial aspirant. In this interview he speaks on the crisis in the party at the national level, the extortion problems that have hindered the party's quest to win the state among other issues. Excerpts:

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR & KELECHI AKUNNA

H

OW will you describe the state of affairs in your party, the PDP? Well one must show concern, particularly at the national level where we have these seven governors that are thinking that there should be some areas that should be addressed in the national exco and which the president is also addressing with them, sitting down with them to be able to identify their problems and offer solutions.

Apart from that I don’t see any problem at the national level.

The issues raised at the national level have continuously been raised even at the state level in Lagos, do you have empathy with those governors...?

No, no, I am a Jonathan person. I am a Bamanga Tukur person. My own take is that instead of moving out of the convention venue to go and constitute their own exco, it would have been more proper for them to have sat down and talked to the new exco to let us know the areas of their concern.

But to now say they have a parallel one, that to my mind is

Mediocre candidate

•Ogunlewe see any concern. As far as I am concerned it is tolerable, there is no perfect exco, particularly where you are not interested in contesting. The exco is there to midwife the party to success.

Where they are imperfect, I think

,

How can he pass? His child does not attend public school! It is not a good thing for him, it is not a pass mark and that is my own

not in the interest of the party.

So you don’t have any ingredients of the nPDP in Lagos?

No, no, no! Because it is a political party, it is a caucus, we don’t understand, speaking frankly why somebody should be in a new PDP. It can be a caucus within PDP, but you cannot say you are a new PDP and anybody will take you serious because it doesn’t mean anything to us.

How will you describe the state of affairs in your party here in Lagos?

Yes it is imperfect but it is tolerable. As far as I am concerned what is more important is the candidate you are presenting, not the exco. Yes, the exco can be of concern but if we are able to get the best candidate the people on the exco will not be a problem.

People have expressed concern about the exco you have in Lagos?

What is their concern? I don’t

I know the amount of money each aspirant had to pay even up to 2011. N100,000 from some aspirants, N50,000 from some and the least was N25,000 and that is what is damaging the capacity of PDP to win election.

It’s not so in ACN or AD; they pick the candidate then they now ask people that are offended to be patient, they will be commissioners. But we have even more to offer, we can offer ambassadorial (posts) we can offer ministerial (posts), we can offer many things to people, so we don’t need to fight.

Compared to ACN where you have a father figure, is it not because those of you in PDP have not agreed for Chief Bode George to freely impose candidates?

He doesn’t have to impose. It is consultation. Everybody will sit down and access the capacity of the candidate. Why do you want to impose a candidate that you know cannot win? That is my own concern. We know people that can win let us match a candidate with the candidate of the opposition.

,

it will be cured probably by having a very sound candidate to be the flag bearer of the party and it will cure everything and everybody will queue in. We are only 1% of the voters, the voters want the best candidate to come out, and once the best candidate comes out, every other thing will fall in place.

Do you agree with those who say that the Lagos PDP is resigned to failure and that it can never win Lagos?

My own experience is that the difficulty is not per se, the exco.

The difficulty is how the candidate emerges. Where candidates must have exhausted their financial capacity in the system of emergence, and it runs into millions. Wherever the excos is, let us all sit down and pick a candidate that can win for us and I’ll be happy. I will not mind the type of excos we have, where the exco is not extorting money from the aspirant for the candidate to emerge. 80 to 90% of the problem

we have in Lagos PDP is extortion. You would have extorted the aspirants to a point that they are incapable of even winning the election; there will be so much tension, attrition in the system before the candidate emerges.

Was this your experience in 2007?

Yes! Even in 2011 the same experience, the same extortion, the same taking money from aspirants by the leadership of the party to the extent that at the end of the extortion, the candidate will so be incapable of winning the election because the leadership have taken all the money! The exco have taken all the money and there will be no money to do the election.

Can you give a mental figure of how much was extorted from you?

If you have six thousand delegates, so to speak, and some people pay N100,000, some are paid N20,000, some N25,000 per delegate to emerge. Can you imagine the amount of money that can be wasted in the process of emergence of a candidate? It is in millions.

But you are not paying to the excos, you are buying the delegates The excos are also part of it. The exco is part of the delegate that you have to pay.

Did you pay up to five hundred million naira?

No I didn’t get to the position of participating, I withdrew. But

If you are bringing a mediocre candidate because he has given you money, where are you going?

You are going to fail. We know the candidates that can win.

Lagos is so sophisticated, don’t bring a mediocre again, bring an outstanding candidate that you can sell. There are candidates that when you give them the mandate, you’ve covered 50% of the mileage.

Do you consider Ade Dosunmu, (PDP, 2011 governorship candidate) as such a candidate?

That one is in the past, totally in the past.

When you saw this problem of extortion did you share your concerns with people like Chief Bode George?

Of course, he knows and this time around I suspect we are going to work together to pick a candidate that we know can win and deliver.

We heard that you, Chief Bode George and some other leaders of the party have been trying to mend fences to align yourselves together?

Yes, extensively and we are going to continue. It is to our advantage and it’s reasonable. If you want to make a point, there is no need to be fighting, the more you fight, the more you destroy the party.

So will you say Lagos PDP is now at peace?

Yes to an extent, 80% not 100%.

There are still a few that are outside that we have to talk to.

The main stakeholders sometimes refer to Chief Bode George as the leader of the Lagos PDP? There is no doubt, I agree.

Is he your leader?

Yes, off course. You cannot

wish that one away because of what he has achieved politically in the structure of the party.

Somebody that has been deputy national chairman of the party?

Unless you have somebody that has occupied that position that is when you can now say that person is the leader, there is no doubt to that at all.

It has often been said that there are moles of the ACN in the PDP, is it true?

It is when you are not united they are moles. There are moles in APC, they are moles in ACN. It is when you are fighting that you talk about moles.

So have those moles gone away?

There are no moles. It is when there are quarrels then you imagine moles. But when everybody sit down and you share things and you are a stake holder, how can you be a mole?

It is when you’re elected and you have not consulted, you are not regarded as anything, then you can be called another name but where you are given your own due respect you are accommodated, in the scheme of things, you’re listened to, then you cannot be a mole.

Do some of the aspirants like Musiliu Obanikoro, Ade Dosunmu and such who have been presenting themselves for 2015 meet your standard of those who can win Lagos for the PDP? I don’t think that they are part of what we are talking about They don’t fit your idea..

Of persons that can be acceptable to the people!

Do you envisage PDP winning Lagos State in your life time?

Easy. Easy. It is the easiest thing when we go for the best.

Candidate based on sentiments Don’t pick the candidate based on sentiments, don’t pick the candidate because you like the person.

But given the acclaimed achievements of Governor Babatunde Fashola will that not be a dream?

If I am going to score Fashola will I score him a pass mark? In which area? It is disputable and he knows it.

He hasn’t passed?

How can he pass? His child does not attend public school! It is not a good thing for him, it is not a pass mark and that is my own. If you want me to assess you, you must allow your family to participate in the structure of the system that you think is the best. Once you don’t allow that happen, I have my doubts.

Do you ever regret crossing over from the AD to the PDP? No, no, no. I think of what I have been able to achieve rather than regret. How can I regret being a minister and now prochancellor of a federal university?

Which type of regrets can I have rather than thank God.

42—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

Why we will go to war for Amaechi — Rep. Nwuke REP. Ogbonna Nwuke representing Etche/Omuma federal constituency in the House of Representatives in this interview responds to issues pertaining to his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the crisis in his native Rivers State among others. Excerpts:

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

W

HAT are the grievances of those of you in the New Peoples Democratic Party?

The grievances are many.

The fact that there are interferences from the centre in the affairs of my state and the party; the fact that we appear to suppress opinion and opposing views within the PDP; and the fact that under the guise of maintaining discipline, we are shutting the door in the face of change and in the face of attempts to deepen democracy within our party.

So, you can understand the concern of many of us who want to see a more liberal party, who want to see our party men adapt to better civilized ways of playing the game, and who think that in playing the game we should be more accommodating of each other. There is equally the fact that there was apparently a gentleman’s agreement that is being thrown overboard, which is the commitment to do one tenure.

Governor Rotimi Amaechi had said the President did not make such a commitment…

They are our leaders and we listen to them. But there is a general feeling that there were attempts at reaching some basic understanding.

One thing is basic in politics: there may be no signed document, but commitments could have been made. I imagine that there was a commitment. The commitment could be oral or written. I was not part of that meeting. But as a Nigerian, I just look at the future of this great country which I consider bright.

I imagine that the interest of an individual should not be such that it can jeopardize the interest of all. There are issues that must be addressed properly.

People misunderstand Gov. Amaechi and his agitation. It is believed that he has currently aligned with some northern folks who are saying that Jonathan should not run. This is why we have this problem in Nigeria.

The essence of the argument is being buried under some

•Nwuke innocuous tribal sentiment.

The Amaechi I know is tactful and respectful. The Amaechi I know is a man who does not fight except there is a cause.

He is a man who believes in the future of this country, who thinks we must deepen our democracy, and has demonstrated this for all to see. It is wrong for any one to allude that he is ganging up against Jonathan.

It is wrong for any one to suggest that because Amaechi comes from the South South, he has no right to hold unto certain basic principles or to enjoy his right of expression or his right to associate with any one of his choice.

Amaechi is a product of the court, why would he object to judicial order on the chairmanship of the PDP in Rivers State?

The two cases may look similar, but they are different. Amaechi ran in the primaries of the party in Rivers State until the k-leg saga occurred. It is not the same as the Obuah case.

Courts are involved in this matter, but let us look at the history behind it. Nobody faulted the fact that Amaechi ran for the primaries; nobody has said that Amaechi did not win the primaries. When

Amaechi went to court to ensure that his right as winner of the primaries was not taken away, the court in its wisdom established that he was the elected candidate of the PDP whose name was placed on the ballot by INEC. As you will probably note, those who were behind the plot yesterday and who are part of it today, were the very forces at the PDP that wanted to strangulate the democratic culture of the party.

I was in the congress, and everybody knows the truth that Felix Obuah was never on the ballot in that state congress. It was not even the case of somebody who has been cheated in an election.

He was not there. He came from no where.

How do you rate Amaechi’s performance?

He has done well for Rivers State. Those who have doubts should visit Rivers State. It is not a case of being close to him. Amaechi came from a humble background.

To this day, he has not forgotten and I have heard him talk of his desire to ensure that the children of the poor are given the opportunity to grow into useful tools in society. I have listened to him agonise over the health of children, the fate of expectant mothers and the absence of health infrastructure capable of extending life expectancy.

He has put policies and programmes in place to alleviate the plight of the poor.

National dialogue: Tinubu is on his own—Middle Belt Youth Forum THE spokesman of the Middle Belt Youth Forum, Elder Sunday Oibe in an interview responds to issues arising from diverse reactions to the recent proposal for a national conference by President Goodluck Jonathan.Excerpts:

BY SAM EYOBOKA

D

O you think the proposed national conference could address the problems of the nation?

I will say, first and foremost, the president’s proposal is the best thing that has happened to this country since 53 years of its independence. No doubt, there had been several attempts in the past to get the people to talk, some of them, during military regimes, but this appears to the most appealing.

Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo initiated a Constitutional Conference which was ignominiously rested by informed persons who saw the exercise as an agenda for a third term agenda of the then president. Since the June 12, 1993 annulled elections, Nigerians, especially the South West have been campaigning for a sovereign national conference as a result of perceived imbalances and inequalities in every aspect of

•Oibe the nation. It is therefore very expedient that the national conference is supported by every Nigerian so that we as a nation can give effect to the Constitution of the country.

It is important for every segment of the country to sit at a round table to find reason to begin a journey toward recreation of a complex nation and negotiate our way out of the wedge of differences and suppressed frustrations and

build a nation where everyone can feel equal. The Constitution of the country must be respected by all and we all must uphold its spirit. So, the dialogue is timely, expedient and very welcome.

Are you reflecting the mood of the Middle Belt Youth Forum or this your personal opinion?

This is the general position of the Middle Belt as a whole because if you recal, the region had always been the bridging force that had ensured the unity of the country thus far.

The youth wing of the Middle Belt Forum had openly commended President Jonathan for his courage to yield to the yearnings of the Nigerian people for a national dialogue by constituting an advisory committee to fashion a framework that will guide the proceedings of the discussions.

The convener of the Save Nigeria Group (SNG), Pastor Tunde Bakare, has welcomed the proposed national

conference, but the national leader of All Progressives Congress, APC Senator Bola Tinubu has criticized it as deceptive and diversionary….

(Cuts in) When I first read the newspaper reports, my initial reaction was to laugh. I laughed because I want to believe that Tinubu was misquoted by the media.

The Yoruba nation has been at the forefront of agitation for a sovereign national conference but here is Asiwaju Tinubu criticizing a proposal that the whole world has praised President Jonathan for.

Tinubu owes this nation an explanation as to why he is opposed to national dialogue.

Because, Nigeria is faced with several challenges and Nigerians feel this is the best thing that has happened to the nation. Tinubu, at one point, recommended amnesty for Boko Haram, so why is he opposed to national dialogue now?

Even Pastor Bakare, an avid

critic of President Jonathan, has endorsed the planned conference, stating that we must all reason together when we have the chance to talk; noting that we must walk the talk.

There are countless Nigerians in different parts of the country who are agitated about one thing or the other. I ran into a crowd of Yoruba Muslims in a shopping mall in Kaduna where they described the proposed conference as an opportunity to ask certain salient questions about their own faith.

They were discussing among themselves why the presidency of the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, should permanently be stationed in the Caliphate; why is it that a Yoruba Muslim cannot become the chief imam of the National Mosque in Abuja. They agreed that these are certain areas that the national conference must address.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013—43

Stella Oduah: Woman down

BY ROSS ALABO-GEORGE

I

and entire airlines owned by powerful politicians in her course of duty. She is a staunch supporter and loyalist, not like many of the president’s men who dine with his enemies at dusk. She personified the president’s agenda for aviation and cruised in her space like a Concorde.

Her careful rise to the upper echelon of politics was not by chance. A few people came down on her way up. It is, therefore, utter insensitivity for a minister of the ruling party to still remain in the cabinet while being investigated by a ‘military’ panel set up by her boss. The princess should understand that her political viability as minister has

T is one bullet Mr. President cannot afford to take for his minister. It will pierce through Fedora hat. This president has taken too many bullets for some of his cabinet ministers and auxiliaries in government, and cannot afford to continue being in such politically hazardous crossfire. No president goes down for his subordinate. When they do, it is either because the political cost has been cautiously weighed and confirmed harmless or they simply consider it manoeuvrable for political advantage. This one is not.

Not even a military general takes a bullet for a troop, because the fall of the general means much more than just the fall of a soldier man.

President Goodluck Jonathan has taken bullets for his ministers of Petroleum Resources, Niger Delta Affairs, Education, the list goes on. He has been a shield for his party and for his own Presidency.

In December 2012, when Ambassador Susan Rice dropped her bid for US Secretary of State, even as President Barack Obama’s nominee, it was not because she was any less qualified than Senator John Kerry. She stepped aside to save the president some huge political capital. Her confirmation by •Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah the US Senate was not impossible. Even with the bashing she got expired. The glory has departed. for ‘misinforming’ America on the US But the princess is a fighter and an political Embassy attack in Benghazi, President Amazon. Her greatest pain will not be that Obama could slap enough backs to get her she wouldn’t be minister anymore, rather it through confirmation, but at a huge will be that she has some unfinished battles. political cost. Ambassador Rice understood Her war to restore our airports have almost that: she spared her president the loss. been won, but not yet. Her fight to make our airspace safer is not finished too. Her fight The princess should understand that to deliver the her political viability as minister has president in 2015 is one fight she won’t expired. The glory has departed stop even if sacked.

Back home, her fight The right thing should be done, Princess to check the rivalry of Ambassador Bianca Oduah should resign her appointment as Ojukwu, as the Queen of Anambra politics minister and spare the president the may just have been lost. burden of her sack. When Ambassador But don’t count her out just yet. This scandal Rice, now US National Security Adviser, goes to show the loopholes in our voluntarily stepped aside, President procurement process. It has become clear Obama said the ambassador showed “an that even in due process, there are corrupt admirable commitment to rise above the procedures. These leakages are a source of politics of the moment to put our national concern to citizens, and the role of the interests first.” financial institutions in this whole mess As dynamic as she has been as minister cannot be downplayed. It is time to reof aviation, Princess Oduah’s inability to evaluate the sufficiency of the Public resign her appointment and pursue the Procurement Act of 2007. ‘clearing’ of her name, like Nigerian Now, is she guilty? I don’t know. She has politicians like to say, is causing a pilgrim not been tried, and no one can tell. But right president some major embarrassment. now, she doesn’t even have to be. The I can understand the president’s burden. tenuous and wobbly defence put up by the Princess Oduah is passionate about the NCAA has made some of us - non-partisan transformation agenda. She was the supporters of the president- uncomfortable. carburettor of his political machine in 2011, No cogent defence, no reliable proof of and an elegant symbol of female activism innocence, and no rational talking point to in partisan politics. She has made not a defend the administration on this matter have few adversaries as an armour bearer for emerged. I will rather not defend the the president. president on this matter, because the bullet She stepped on toes, and crushed the feet has already hit its target. It is not time to of the president’s adversaries who crossed look for the snipers, it is time to tow away the red carpet, and she did so without the fallen, and put national interest first. blinking an eyelid. She grounded aircraft

,

NATIONAL DIALOGUE: Opportunity to address injustices in Mamman Nasir’s boundary adjustment

•Nigeria

BY DON UBANI

A

S Isaac Newton put it in his Universal law of gravitation, “Whatever goes up, must come down.” The Bible in the book of Ecclesiastes teaches us that “There is time for everything.”

The summary of the above is that in the life of a nation, a time comes when both government and the citizenry would be intrinsically inspired and also compelled to take a critical look at their past and frankly assess themselves and be able to tell themselves the truth, no matter how bitter and unpleasant it may be.

Of all the countries on Planet Earth, none should have more claim to God’s blessings than Nigeria. Nigeria is very rich in human population.

Interestingly, her human population is endowed with both mental and physical strength. Nigerians excel in whatever clime they are found.

In the same vein, the country is abundantly endowed with such resources as hydrocarbon, which metamorphoses into oil and gas. Other minerals like coal, kaolin, uranium, lime-stone, salt, copper and sea-sand, just to mention a few, are in commercial quantities in almost all the nooks and crannies in the country. Her weather is so clement that agriculture could be practised all round the year. What should God give to a people that He did not give most generously to Nigeria and her peoples?

Extraordinary benevolence It is, however, pertinent to acknowledge that in spite of the extraordinary benevolence of God to the peoples of Nigeria, indices used in assessing socio-economic growth of any modern country have consistently exposed the Nigerian state as one that stands at variance with global expectations from such a country.

There is hardly any public institution that functions effectively and productively within the polity. Universities and other tertiary institutions,

when compared with those, even, within the West African region, are scored lowest. Currently, a reasonable percentage of Ghana’s annual budget is derived from money that accrues to the country from millions of United States dollars that Nigerian students studying in educational institutions in Ghana pay.

Being the fourth largest oil-producing country, the country built many refineries.

Even the largest refinery in Africa is in Nigeria. Yet, these refineries do not function effectively hence Nigeria, ironically, is one of the highest importers of petroleum products in the world.

The Aviation industry in the country has become characterized by tales of unabated woes. There is hardly any year the Nigerian air-space does not witness one disaster or another. I t , therefore, has become imperative that Nigerians ask and answer the question; what do we do to revitalize patriotism and restore confidence in Nigerians?

Many areas of national life could, undoubtedly, be touched in an attempt to answer the above question.

One aspect that may not be glossed over is the overt injustice meted against the Igbo after the civil war.

Circumstances that led to the declaration of the People’s Republic of Biafra have been innumerably recounted and are, therefore, held in custody by history.

Postwar commentary It is, however, important to recollect that at the end of the thirty-month civil war, General Yakubu Gowon, the then Military Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, declared a “No victor, no vanquished” verdict. He subsequently pronounced the three famous Rs; Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction.

But a sad vindictive post-war commentary was to be added to the sore tales of the Nigerian/Biafra narrative in 1976 when General Olusegun Obasanjo mounted the leadership of Nigeria, following the assassination of General Murtala Muhammed, who had earlier in 1975 overthrown the regime of General Gowon.

Ubani;Okwubunka of Asa is a political analyst and civil society activist To be concluded

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44—Vanguard , THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

Ex-militant leaders raise alarm over pipelines surveillance contracts

Ozekhome mourns Akhigbe

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

BY FESTUS AHON

A

BUJA— A lawyer and human rights activist, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), has commiserated with the family of late former Chief of General Staff, Admiral Mike Akhigbe, who died Monday in a United States hospital, describing him as father and architect of modern Nigeria, whose record of services to humanity was unprecedented.

Chief Ozekhome in his condolence letter, recalled that Admiral Akhigbe and General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd.) midwifed the democracy Nigeria is currently enjoying in a record time of nine months.

He said Admiral Akhigbe and General Abubakar had the opportunity to cling onto power like his predecessors, but chose to play the statesman and democrat that he was.

He said: “Perhaps the only consolation is that the expectancy age in Nigeria is less than 50 years. One cannot therefore, say Admiral Akhigbe died prematurely at 68.”

U

GHELLI— LEADERS of Phase II of the Federal Government Amnesty programme, yesterday, raised alarm over their non-inclusion in the ongoing award of pipeline surveillance contract by the Ministry of Petroleum.

Chairman of Delta State chapter of Phase II, ‘Gen’ Kingsley Muturu, in a telephone interview, noted that the pipeline surveillance job was part of the agreement reached between the Federal Government and the ex-militants before the amnesty was granted.

He expressed concern that the Ministry of Petroleum had earlier excluded Phase II in the award of the pipeline surveillance contracts last year before it was terminated a few months ago.

Also speaking on telephone, Chairman, Bayelsa State chapter ‘Gen’ Stephen Ebisinpin, said “right now, the Ministry of Petroleum and the Presidency are re-awarding the pipeline surveillance contracts to Phase I alone.

“We are also ex-militant lead-

ers, so we are using this medium to call on the Presidency, Ministry of Petroleum and the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Kingsley Kuku to include us in the pipeline surveillance contracts, so that there will be peace and security of the pipe-

Oshiomhole lauds Army's support on security

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN— GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has commended the Nigerian Army for its assistance to other security agencies in the fight against kidnap-

ping and armed robbery in the state.

The governor made the commendation, yesterday, when he received the General Officer Commanding 2 Division of the Nigeria Army, MajorGeneral Ahmed Jubril, in Government House, Benin.

He said that the Army had extended enormous support to

Oil stakeholders urge FG to recall retired experts

BY EMMA AMAIZE

O

IL and gas managers in the country have called on the Federal Government to recall retired experts in the industry to teach at the Petroleum Training Institute, PTI, Effurun, Delta State, to optimally harness manufacturing opportunities in the sector.

The institute’s acting Principal/Chief Executive, Mrs. N. Dennar, said this in a statement at the end of a one-day interface workshop between learning managers of oil/gas, allied companies and PTI. She said that the Federal Government should also make laws that would encourage the production of local components for use in the oil and gas industry, including drilling

Campaign

T

HE International Association of Lions Clubs, Multiple District 404 Nigeria, will flag off its 2013 Integrated Measles Campaign, tagged One Shot One Life, from November 1 to 7.

Highlights of the programme are road shows and immunisation exercise.

equipment, fabrication of drilling bolts and nuts.

The workshop challenged PTI to establish innovation and production centre to manufacture products and offer services in response to contemporary needs of the oil and gas industry.

Stakeholders suggested the “construction and operation of

mini-refineries to serve the teeming demand of petroleum products in the country.”

It was observed, however that “security and guarantee of security to potential investors pose the greatest challenges to the harnessing of the tremendous business potential that abound in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.”

the government in its fight against crime.

Oshiomhole said: “This is an opportunity for me, on behalf of the good people of Edo State, to place on record our gratitude as a people and government for the enormous support, which the Nigerian Army under your command has extended to us outside the normal call of military duties.

“If the Department of State Services, DSS, Director were here, he would narrate to you the help that the 4 Brigade has rendered them.

“Going by the role of the Army, it is not your lot to be buffeted with internal policing.

But because of the seriousness of the situation, we have all come to appreciate that the Army has to complement the efforts of the Police and other security agencies in matters of internal security in the country.”

Lawmaker commends Jonathan on pilgrimage

BY EMMA NNADOZIE

C

HAIRMAN, Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has commended President Goodluck Jonathan for being the first Nigerian president to

embark on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land to seek God’s intervention in the affairs of the country.

He said all well meaning Nigerians should commend the president for the action as “never in the history of our

dear country, has a leader embarked on pilgrimage in any holy land to seek God’s intervention.

“When a leader seeks God’s intervention in the affairs of a country, such a leader should be applauded.”

By Bartholomew Madukwe

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

lines.

“We cannot sit down and watch people, who are not from our communities, take over the contract for the surveillance of pipelines in our areas. Phase II should be given its share of the contract in the principle of equity and fairness.”

(nwamad@yahoo.com)

On amnesty for N'Delta militants

I

F MEND and the socalled militants really cared for their people, they would use some of the money they got from the kidnappings to help the communities they are fighting for? Instead, they buy expensive cars and houses with their illgotten wealth.— Miss Ruth Shola, Worker.

I

have never been so impressed with any group in Nigeria like I am with MEND. They are always direct with their demand. When they are broke, they will strike.

Well, it’s their God-given wealth because their forefathers worked hard for it.— Mr. Vitus Efosa, Musician.

T

HERE was peaceful action for change in the Niger Delta. But that was perceived by many people from the region as unproductive. Violence seems to be a more attractive and acceptable option for many of today’s disengaged youth.— Miss Awodi Deborah, Communicator.

I

don’t think MEND should be taken seriously. Militant groups have benefited immensely from government’s loot. If they are really sincere, they should go after their state governors, who just sit in office and embezzle their money.— Mr. Abraham Alexander, Cameraman.

T

HE current conflict in the Niger Delta is driven by a mixture of corruption, underdevelopment, poverty and violence. Low intensity inter- and intra-ethnic conflicts, on a local scale, have always been part of life in the Niger Delta.— Mr. Spencer Tunde, Sound Engineer.

T

HE historical legacy of military rule and repression of the people have not changed since 1999 and the supposed rise of democracy is yet to have any effect on Niger Delta people. Some of them still live in mud houses, despite the wealth from their land.— Miss Chika Dike, Student.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013—45

Vanguard staff, Okorodudu, others bag chieftaincy titles

Police beef up security in Port Harcourt zAhead of burial of First Lady's mother

BY FESTUS AHON

U

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

P

ORT HARCOURT— SECURITY has been beefed in Port Harcourt, Okrika, Eleme and other adjourning local government areas in Rivers State, ahead of the funeral of the foster mother of wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Madam Charity Oba, which begins today with a service of songs.

The road leading to the Port Harcourt Polo club, venue of the service of songs was being rehabilitated, yesterday, with traffic diverted to other routes.

At the Polo club, canopies were already being erected for the service of songs.

There was heavy police presence on all roads in the area. At the residence of the late Madam Oba, there were about two police patrol vehicles stationed close to the building with heavy security presence in and outside the building on King Perekule Street, GRA, Port Harcourt.

At the old GRA residence of the First Lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan, there was also heavy security presence. At press time, vehicles were allowed to drive through the road from the Port Harcourt club end.

Group faults call for sack of Aviation Minister

BY DAPO AKINREFON

N

IGER Delta Nationalities Forum, Lagos, has described those calling for the sack and resignation of Aviation Minister, Ms Stella Oduah as mischief makers, who are out to witch hunt her.

In a statement by Mr Seigha Manager, the group faulted the call for Oduah’s resignation, noting that the call was an attempt to intimidate and rattle the Aviation Minister.

He said: “Mischief makers are at it again. They are witch hunting Stella Oduah, the Minister of Aviation the same way they did to Mrs Diezani Allison Madueke of Petroleum Resources, Dr. Okonjo Iweala of Finance, Professor Dora Akunyili, ex NAFDAC boss, Ms Aruma Oteh, DG Security and Exchange Commission, SEC." C M Y K

FORUM—From left: Client Relationship Manager, Sunnet Systems and Datacom Services Limited, Mrs. Subuola Aboaba-Lasaki; Divisional Head, Enterprise Archi and Project Management, UBA Group Plc, Mr. Lanre Bamisebi; Deputy Director, Systems, Computer Services Division, WAEC, Mrs Olubunmi Atekoje; and Head, Enterprise Sales, Sunnet Systems and Datacom Services Limited, Mr. Satish Santar, during the Sunnet Systems and Datacom Services Limited stakeholders' forum in Lagos, yesterday.

Ex-militants calling for Kuku's sack are fake — NDLF W

BY EMMA AMAIZE

ARRI—NIGER Delta Liberation Force, NDLF, has faulted ex-militant leaders advocating the removal of the Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, Mr Kingsley Kuku, saying that they were blackmailers and fake “general.”

The group in a statement by its spokesman, Mark Anthony, said it was unfair for some unscrupulous youths to hide under the cover of ex-militants and ex-militant ‘generals’ to tarnish the hardearned reputation of Kuku.

“We want to be categorical in our position that these set of acclaimed generals are fake as they never at any time engaged in the armed struggle in Niger Delta. You cannot call yourself a general without a barracks or having fought against soldiers or blew up of any pipeline in Niger Delta.

“The term, ‘general’ is not a child’s play. It is for those leaders of former militant camps, who led their boys against federal troops. The real ex-militant leaders are satisfied and comfortable with the

chairman of PAP and cannot call for his sack.

“He has not short paid or made arbitrary deduction from funds meant for ex-militants or anybody in connection with whatever gratuity of any kind or diverted for his private use as they falsely claimed.

“Kuku is a man of high outstanding integrity, who has displayed efficient and robust management of the amnesty programme, which result is the enduring peace and maximum oil production in Niger- Delta,” the group said.

Investigation not concluded on NIMASA's contract scam, says witness

BY INNOCENT ANABA

A

Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, was, yesterday told that investigation into alleged contract scam at the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, was inconclusive.

An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, witness, Mr Ibrahim Ahmed, said that there were no documents showing whether the contracts, which were alleged to have been split, were indeed supplied.

He testified at the resumed trial of former NIMASA Director-General, Raymond Omatseye, who was rearraigned before Justice Rita

Ofili-Ajumogobia on an amended 27-count charge bordering on contract scam, which he pleaded not guilty to.

He was alleged to have illegal transfered of the agency’s fund and contract splitting estimated at over N1.5 billion.

However, during crossexamination by defence counsel, Ahmed, “I made request for the performance documents orally from the people who made statements. I also requested for the documents from the contractors,” adding that he was unable to determine the “performance” of the contracts allegedly awarded

by Omatseye.

“According to statements made by the accused person and the contractors, the items were supplied. The contractors said the contract was performed. I requested for documents showing performance of the contracts but was not given.

“Because the documents were not available, I wasn’t able to confirm the contract performance,” he added.

“It’s not everything I did in the course of my investigation that is contained in my statement,” he said.

He added that the said materials supplied to NIMASA were “almost the same thing” and ought to be awarded to a single contractor.

GHELLI—FORMER Delta State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Olorogun Ebenezar Okorodudu, Chief Francis Ukpedesivwe of Vanguard Newspapers, Chief Christabel Obuiwevbi and Chief Emmanuel Okumagba, have been conferred with chieftaincy titles by HRM Richard Okorefe I, the Ovie of Agbarha-Otor kingdom.

Speaking during the conferment, Okorefe I, said that the titles were in recognition of the recipient’s contribution to the unity, development and growth of the kingdom.

He said that the recipients had distinguished themselves in their various professions and endeavours “and were therefore, considered worthy of these titles as a mark of honour.”

Speaking with newsmen after the conferment, Olorogun Okorodudu, said “it is a great honour for His Royal Majesty to have deemed it fit to give me the title of Ogbiroro’ re Ovie’ of Agbarha-Otor Kingdom."

Burial

M

RS Caroline Kehinde Olarogba, 53 years, is dead. She died on Wednesday, October 2, 2013.

Body leaves Ikorodu General Hospital today to her residence.

Thereafter, service of song, wake keep, lying-in-state and interment take place at her residence, 5 Church street, near St. Anthony Catholic Church, Igbo-Olomu, Ikorodu West LG, Lagos State.

She is survived by husband, Mr Olusola Olarogba and children Mrs Adeola Omotosho, Mrs Foluke Anyahara, Miss Adebisi Olarogba, Miss Abiodun Olarogba, Miss Oluwakemi Olarogba and grand children.

Late Mrs Olarogba

46—Vanguard , THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

Guber poll: Apprehension in lmo over S-Court judgment

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

O

WERRI—PALPA BLE tension has gripped all parts of Imo State, following the expected judgment of the Supreme Court today, on whether the former state governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, was a necessary party or not in a suit filed by Senator Ifeanyi Ararume.

The suit is challenging the supplementary election that brought Chief Rochas Okoocha as governor of the state.

The Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri had earlier ruled in favour of Ohakim but Governor Okorocha appealed against the lower court’s decision at the apex court.

Ohakim had prayed the court to join him in the suit by Ararume, arguing that the outcome of the suit would affect him, one way or the other.

However, there were fears in Owerri, the state capital that the Presidency was interested in ensuring that ‘’the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, triumphs in the pending suit.”

This was even as the leadership of the PDP, has not only debunked the ‘’rumour ’’ but also equally accused Okorocha of whipping up sentiments against the Presidency and the apex court.

According to a statement signed by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisah Metuh, Okorocha was trying to divert the attention of the Supreme Court from the substance of the case. ”By sponsoring fabricated reports in the media alleging that the Presidency was influencing the Supreme Court to remove him from office, Governor Okorocha is merely trying to whip up sentiment to ultimately sway the court by portraying himself as a victim of attack by the Presidency,” Metuh said.

Meanwhile, scores of Okorocha’s supporters have been dispatched to Abuja ahead of the judgement, just to witness the the proceedings.

Ukwa/Ngwa group tasks politicians on Abia Charter of Equity

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

U

MUAHIA—THE Ukwa/ Ngwa Grassroots Youth Forum, UGYF, has urged political stakeholders in the state to uphold the tenets of the Abia Charter of Equity as envisioned by the state’s founding fathers.

Speaking at the end of a meeting of the forum, the group’s national president, Mr. Okey Nwachukwu called on stakeholders particularly from the Old Bende bloc to uphold the principles of the charter drawn up by the founding fathers of the state at creation.

He said that upholding the rotation of power between Old Bende and the Old Aba divisions in the state would sustain peace, equity, justice and fair play in the state.

While commending Governor Theodore Orji for his initiative in pushing for someone from the Ukwa/Ngwa axis of the state to succeed him, Nwachukwu urged political stakeholders from the Old Bende bloc to uphold the principle for the purpose of equity.

He said: “We the youth group of Ukwa/Ngwa land hereby demand that it was time for Old Bende to reciprocate our good and long standing gesture of patience by supporting our governors stand in having Ukwa/Ngwa per-

son become governor come 2015.

While appealing to well meaning Abians to support the spirit of Abia Charter of Equity to give the Ukwa/ Ngwa and Ochendo our governor who is eager to break this jinx a

chance for equity to thrive in Abia State.

“Power has remained in the hands of the old Bende made up of eight (8) local governments namely:- Bende LGA, Arochukwu

LGA, Ohafia LGA, Isikwuato LGA, Umunneochi LGA, Ikwuano LGA, Umuahia North LGA and Umuahia South LGA since the creation of Abia State 22 years ago and no Ukwa/Ngwa person has been elected as governor to this date.”

PROMO: From left: Group Managing Director, Complete Communication Limited, Alhaji Mumini Alao, beneficiaries of Kanu Heart Foundation, Nollywood Actor, Osita Iheme, Phil Okorafor, CEO, Red Sapphire, and former Super Eagles captain, Kanu Nwankwo, at the buy and win promo raffle draw in Lagos. Celestine Akpan emerged winner of the brand new Kia salon car.

ASUP writes Oko Poly Rector over attack on members

BY BARTHOLOMEW

O

MADUKWE

KO—THE Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, yesterday, condemned recent alleged attack on its members by two personal aides of the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic Oko, over issues relating to the appointment of rectors from the polytechnic.

According to a statement by ASUP Chairman, Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Dr. Onyeka Uwakwe and its General Secretary, Lady Ogugua Ochuba, the two officers (names withheld), disrupted the meeting of the union on October 21, 2013, by attacking members and destroying documents belonging to the congress.

The meeting was convened to discuss issues pertaining to the welfare of members and the progress of the polytechnic system as well as the upcoming national delegates conference of ASUP. ASUP National President, Mr. C.B. Asomugha and the Zonal Coordinator, Zone D, Mr. Anderson Ezeibe, who witnessed the attack, also condemned the incident saying that they were in the office of the Rector, Professor Godwin Onu, to report the incident.

ASUP’s letter to the Rector of

the Polytechnic, Prof. Onu on the issue reads in part: “ASUP condemns the action of the duo in its entirety and regrets that the action is unprecedented in the annals of the institution. The actions smack of high level of indiscipline and gangsterism. ’’The development is appalling, shocking and unaccepta-

ble. Regrettably, the two officers who disrupted ASUP meeting are key officials attached to your office (Rector).

We later learnt that two of them are barely three years old in the polytechnic system.

Unfortunately, the victims of the duo are very senior officers of the polytechnic.

“In view of the unguarded utterances and threats to life by the duo, the union is compelled to believe that staff and unions now operate in an atmosphere of fear. That is dreadful enough in an academic environment and this is unacceptable.”

INEC begins distribution of ‘non-sensitive’ materials in Anmabra would be challenged since INEC strategy to ensure a hitch-free

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BUJA—THE Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said that the commission had commenced the movement of non-sensitive electoral materials to Anambra.

This was even as Vanguard learnt that there was apprehension in Awka, the Anambra State capital that the election might be botched as whatever becomes of the result

breached some sections of the electoral law by failing to display the voters’ registers not later than 30 days before the election.

INEC National Commissioner, Professor Lai Olurode told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Abuja that with this early movement of materials, the commission was re-assessing its operational

governorship election on November 16.

He said sensitive materials would be moved from the commission’s headquarters a week to the election.

Olurode said that the commission had put in place various strategies to ensure a hitch-free election.

Nigeria to experience partial eclipse on Nov 3

A

BY EMMANUEL ELEBEKE

BUJA—NIGERIANS will experience a partial lunar eclipse on Sunday, November 3, across the 36 states of the federation.

According to the Director-General of National Space Research and Development Agency, NASRDA , Dr. Saidu Mohammed, the 2013 penumbral lunar eclipse will be visible throughout Africa,

Caribbean, Europe, Africa and Asia.

According to the NASRDA boss, some part of the world will be having total eclipse, while in Nigeria, there will be partial eclipse.

For observers in Nigeria, the eclipse will occur in he middle of the night when the moon is high overhead. The partial shading will be visible as the slight red-

dish dimming of the normally bright full moon.

The partial eclipse would be visible in most parts of Nigeria between 12 pm and 4.10pm of Sunday, November 3, 2013.

During the partial eclipse, part of the moon will partially block the sun from reaching the earth through only the outer edge of the earth’s shadow in what scientists call a penumbra lunar eclipse.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013—47 ,

CORONATION: From left, Senator 'Gbenga Ashafa, Mrs. 'Shade Ashafa, Alhaja Binta Tinubu, and Alhaji Demola Seriki, at the coronation ceremony of Alhaja Tinubu as Iyalode of Lagos, at the Palace of Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos.

CLOSING: From left, Mr. Oscar Onyema, Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange; Mr. Larry Ettah, Group Managing Director, UAC; Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri, Executive Director, Business Development, Nigerian Stock Exchange; Mrs. Omolara Elemide, Managing Director, CAP Plc, and Mr. Joe Dada, Executive Director, Corporate Services, UAC, at the ringing of the bell signifying closing of trade at the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

OPENING: From left, Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Engr. Taofiq Tijani; Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Otunba Fatai Olukoga; Ayangburen of Ikorodu, HRM Oba Salaudeen Oguntade II, and his wife, Olori Oyefusi Oguntade, at the opening of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Station, in Ikorodu, Lagos.

AWARD: From left, Executive Director, Corporate Planning, Centre for Democratic Governance in Africa, CDGA, Mrs. Promise Ndupu; Client Service Officer/ Representative of Managing Director, Ashaka Security Company Ltd, ASCO, Francisca Adebayo; Director General, CDGA, Dr. Dafe Akpocha, and Accountant, ASCO, Mr. Rabiu Akanni, at the presentation of gold service award to ASCO by CDGA, in Lagos.

LAUNCH: From left, Henry Christopher, Group Head, RegCharls Management Service; Peter Mbama, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Regcharles Foundation, and Fortune Odjugo, Group Head, Regcharles Foundation, at the launch of RegCharles Foundation, in Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau

PRESENTATION: From left, Mr. Eze Igwe, Channels Development Manager, MultiChoice Nigeria, presenting bed-side refrigerator to Mr. Adeniji Adedeji, and Mr. Oludare Kafar, Marketing Manager, GOtv, during prize presentation to the winners of Moms & Pops Loyalty Scheme Awards, at Rodizzio Lounge, Isaac John, GRA, Ikeja. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi C M Y K

ROUNDTABLE: From left, Ikem Okuhu, Analyst-in-Chief, VanguardBrandish (representing Nigeria); Hado Phillipe, representing Benin Republic and Mr. Balde Saikou, representing Guinea, at the media roundtable on 'Appraising the Media Contributions to Peace Building in West Africa,' organised by the Goree Institute, in Goree Island, Dakar, Senegal.

OPENING: From left, Mr. Olumide Ajomole, Mr. Olumide Ale, Executive Director Marketing/Franchise, Tantalizers Plc; Ms Fola Akintan, Oregun outlet franchisee; Professor Bode Chris, and High Chief S. A. Akintan, Ojomu of Idanre Land, at the opening of Tantalizers Oregun outlet

PRESENTATION: From left, Engr. Hakeem Ogunbambi, Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Ministry of Environment, Lagos State; Master Tochi Omeche, Miss Tsolayemi Olley, and Mr. Julius Oluyeye, Head of School, St. Bernedette's Primary School, Ipaja, Lagos, at the presentation of award to the school on environmental sanitation by the Lagos State Government, during the state eco-friendly schools competition, in Lagos.

48—Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

Kebbi Govt raises 46-member committee on national confab

Katsina Govt spends N13bn on Umaru Musa Yar’adua University

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IRNIN KEBBI— THE Kebbi State Government has raised a 46-member committee that will collate peoples’ opinions in the state to be presented to the Presidential Advisory Committee on National Conference.

The state Governor, Alhaji Saidu Dakingari, who inaugurated the committee in Birnin Kebbi, yesterday, advised members of the committee to select a Chairman and a Secretary among themselves.

He said the committee was expected to consult relevant stakeholders and draw up feasibility agenda, recommendations on modalities and representation of interest groups, as well as advise the government on the time frame for the conference.

The committee was expected to conclude its assignment within three days, he added.

He noted that selection of members of the committee followed their track records in private and public services.

ROAD CONSTRUTION: Traders urged to support Ogun Govt

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AGOS—TRADERS along Sango/Ijoko Road have been asked to corporate with the Ogun State Government on the much awaited road reconstruction.

A woman leader in the community, Alhaja Ganiyat Shafi said this during her visit to the affected areas to access preparation being made by traders to evacuate their wares along the road.

She appealed to Sango residents to partner with Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun’s administration to transform the town that had been neglected by previous administrations in the state.

K

VISIT—From left: The General Manager Industrial Div., PAN, Engr. Augustine Okolo with the Chairman, National Automobile Council NAC, Alhaji Abdulkadir Hamma and the Managing Director, PAN, Alhaji Ibrahim Boyi during the visit of the Board members of NAC to Peugeot Automobile Nigeria Ltd., PAN, Kaduna on Tuesday. Photo: Olu Ajayi.

LEAD POISONING:

29 villages yet to be decontaminated in Zamfara G

USAU—ONLY eight of the 37 communities affected by lead poisoning in Zamfara State have been remediated with 29 villages still awaiting decontamination in their areas.

Alhaji Shehu Anka, the state Director, Environmental Protection Control, said this in Gusau while speaking at a one day stakeholders' meeting on Bagega’s remediation.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the re-mediation process entailed the removal of the contaminated soil and its replacement with fresh unpolluted one.

The Gusau meeting was organised by Global Rights, an NGO. Anka blamed the nonremediation of the 29 villages on the retrieval of the decontamination equipment, including soil test machines and vehicles by the Federal Ministry of Environment after the exercise was concluded in Bagega town.

He wondered why the equipment needed in the remediation sites was taken away by the Federal Ministry of Environment.

Speaking at the meeting, Mrs Nicole Langer, the Project Coordinator, Medicines Sans Frontiers, MSF, otherwise known as Doctors without Borders, said that the mortality rate had reduced from 43 per cent as of 2010 to 3.2 per cent

up to Sept. 2013.

Langer said that 4,484 children had been registered by MSF since the beginning of the programme.

She said 1,596 patients were treated and discharged successfully while about 1,905 patients were receiving treatment and follow-up procedure.

AT S I N A— T H E Katsina State Government said it had spent more than N13 billion on the Umaru Musa Yar ’adua University, UMYU, Katsina, from inception in 2006 to date.

Alhaji Aliyu Jani, Special Adviser to the Governor on Higher Education, announced this when executive members of UMYU Non-Academic Staff Union, NASU, visited him in Katsina, yesterday.

He said the funds were spent on various development projects in the university.

Jani restated the administration’s commitment to improve the education sector in the state.

He said the approval of more than N800 million for the establishment of a Faculty of Law at the institution signified the state government’s efforts to develop the university.

VP lauds NTI over training of 40,000 teachers A

BUJA—VICE President Namadi Sambo, yesterday, commended the National Teachers Institute, NTI, for training 40, 000 teachers in line with the Federal Government policy of training and retraining teachers to raise the quality of education in the country.

Sambo who was addressing a forum of teachers and other stakeholders in the education sector in Abuja, said the programme of vigorous training of teachers was part of President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda to enable the Nigerian education system produce graduates with capacity to compete anywhere in the world.

He said: “This administration is determined to address shortage of teachers and improve the quality of education by reinforcing the training and retraining of our teachers. This is why the recruitment of teachers and teaching professional development at all level is one of the focal

areas of our education sector.

“We demonstrate our commitment and enhance our capacity in the challenge that will result in having Nigerian graduates that can compete globally. We are, therefore, glad that 40,000 teachers have been trained by the National Teachers Institute, NTI. The Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TET Fund, is also responding to support in the training of lecturers, so far it has trained over 5,000 lecturers across the higher education institutions.”

Sambo said that government has approved the construction of micro teaching laboratories in all Federal Colleges of Education and one College of Education in each of the states of the federation.

He said the administration has taken several other actions to attract, motivate, train and retain teachers, such as development of professional standards for Nigerian teachers, development of the na-

tional bench mark for post graduate diploma in education, training of master-trainers from Colleges of Education of use of open resources for English language teaching and conversion of 1,300 long term part-time teachers into full time employment.

While noting that the Federal Government provided N10 billion to states between 2011 and 2012 for continuing professional development of teachers and scholarships up to doctorate degree levels in both Nigerian and foreign universities, Sambo stressed that 5,867 lecturers in Nigerian tertiary institutions have benefitted from that scheme.

In his remarks, NTI Director- General, Dr. Aminu Sharehu, said his organization has undertaken series of specialized capacity building workshops for various categories of teachers, with special focus on Mathematics and Science, as well as, English Language teachers.

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Kwara, Bayelsa, National troupes shine at cultural week in China

BY CALEB AYANSINA

I

T was indeed a celebration of culture as the National Troupe of Nigeria, the Bayelsa State Cultural Troupe and the Kwara State Cultural Troupe showcased different types of Nigerian dance at the opening ceremony at the second Nigerian Cultural Week held in Nanjing Province, China recently.

This was the outcome of High Chief Edem Duke,Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation’s strong belief in partnership and desire to project the cultural diversity of the country.

In line with that, at the well attended meeting, the National

to the applause of the audience. It also witnessed a brief appearance of Emmanuel Uwuechue, a Nigerian musician in China, whose fluency singing in Chinese was a delight to the Chinese and Nigerian delegations.

Uwuechue, who goes by the stage name ‘Hao Ge’ meaning ‘Good Song’, and other Nigerian Troupes, treated a Chinese audience of over 1,000 to another round of performances at the Mochou Lake Park where the Minister Duke, announced the appointment of Uwuechue as Nigeria’s cultural ambassador in China.

There were also exhibitions put up by the National Council for Arts and Culture, the Centre for

,

For us in Nigeria, we have always believed, like the people of this great country, that culture is the most definitive element of any people

Troupe of Nigeria, the Bayelsa State Cultural Troupe and the Kwara State Cultural Troupe which represented Nigeria displayed scintillating performances

,

Black and African Arts and Civilization, the National Gallery of Art, the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism and the National Commission for Museums

*A cultural performance by the National Troupe of Nigeria

& Monuments combined to give expression to rich cultural heritage of Nigeria as well as propagation of this heritage and that of Africa at home and in the diaspora.

Speaking during the opening ceremony which took place at the auditorium of Jinling Library, in Nanjing, the minister, who led the Nigerian delegation stated that Nigeria was one of the top four investment-friendly nations in the world. High Chief Duke told the Chinese Government that there were huge opportunities for investment in the hospitality industry — resorts, entertainment, leisure parks and development of theatres across Nigeria.

Duke who underscored the importance of inter- cultural re-

lations and, especially cultural diplomacy, to the Transformation Agenda of the Jonathan administration said, “For us in Nigeria, we have always believed, like the people of this great country that culture is the most definitive element of any people.".

Duke also expressed appreciation, on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan and the people of Nigeria, to the Government and people of China for the quality and level of cultural cooperation between the two countries, especially the recent opening of a Chinese Cultural Centre in Abuja, apparently in reciprocation of the opening of a Nigerian Cultural Centre in Beijing in 2011.

Overwhelmed by enthusiasm

expressed at the roundtable, the minister called for incentives and the institution of low entry barrier for investors from China. This, according to him, would help to open up the economy, boost activities in the culture and tourism sub-sectors, and create a significant number of jobs as obtained in China and other parts of the developed world.

Also speaking, Director, Nanjing Investment Promotion Commission, Chen Lei, said China regards Nigeria as an economic powerhouse in Africa and that some Chinese investors have already started businesses in Nigeria while more have signified strong intentions to also invest in the country.

Art world gathers to celebrate Fasuyi’s art, prize T

HE contributions of Timo thy Adebayo Fasuyi to the development of art in Nigeria will be brought to the fore as a group of artists, made up of those who have benefited from his award come together to celebrate him with an exhibition tagged Re- definition.

Timothy Adebayo Fasuyi is one of the names that comes to mind whenever arts and culture is discussed in Nigeria.

He is a core art man, one of the first set of the Zaria Art school, worked in many art sectors and was federal art adviser who took over from late Professor Ben Enwonwu.

As a result of his love for art, as the federal art adviser, he established the Fasuyi prize for best graduating art student in tertiary institutions in the country to help art students, he also established Tafas Art gallery located in Akora Estate, off Ad-

eniyi Jones Ikeja, Lagos in 1976, the first structure designed for art and culture, theatre, drama and dance. The Tafas gallery played its role then, in fact it was at the gallery that most of the plans for the FESTAC ’77 was done, but after some while the place was turned into other uses with the name The Resource Place.

After many years of absence of art activities in the place, the man is set to re open the place to its original focus, which is the promotion of artists and their

,

By JAPHET ALAKAM

logun, Bolaji Ogunwo, Greg Onyeka, Dudu Emmanuel etc is scheduled to hold at the place.

The exhibition which will feature over 40 works of paintings, sculpture and drawings will open on November, 23 and will run till December 7th, 2013.

Some of the works to be displayed includes, Marriage vow, Shrine, Forest of demons,Sunset on child labour, Bushmeat on drier, Ifa by Fasuyi.

Briefing the press about the

The exhibition is to redefine the place as a cultural centre

works. And as part of activities to herald the re opening of the gallery, a special art exhibition tagged Re- definition, an exhibition of works of the pioneer founder, Fasuyi and five other artists especially beneficiaries of the Fasuyi prize like Ola Ba-

,

exhibition, Fasuyi who will be 80 next year said “the exhibition is to redefine the place as a cultural centre, it was originally built purposely for the promotion of art and culture by me in 1976, a year before the Festac 77, in fact some of the

*One of the works to be exhibited by Fasuyi at the exhibition

preparations for the Festac was done here.”

Continuing, he pointed out that, “apart from the exhibition, we are trying to bring together the artists who have won the Fasuyi prize, which I established when I was the Federal arts adviser, some of them have not met me, some of them are doing well, so its going to be a kind of re-union. We will also look look at the award and see how it has impacted on them.”

On his part, one of the orga nisers and exhibiting artist, Bo-

laji Ogunwo , a creative arts lecturer at University of Lagos stated, that they want to use the exhibition to acknowledge Fasuyi on how he has been able to impact positively on artists through his award and at the same time put the place to its original use. The Resource place according to him has been redefined for cultural and educational purposes which includes, art exhibitions, fashion shows, book launch, dance and drama rehearsals and performances.

V anguard anguard,, THURSDAY OCTOBER 31, 2013 — 57

BRIEFS

French hostages back in Paris

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US spy chiefs defend snooping on allies E MBATTLED United States security agencies rose to defend their snooping on leaders of its allies and citizens of foreign countries as part of their counter terrorism strategies, by claiming that other countries also spy on Washington.

US officials said National Security Advisor Susan Rice and , Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and counterterrorism advisor Lisa Monaco tried to defend the actions of the NSA by directing the focus of the debate on other countries that they alleged were spying on Washington.

As spy claims ricocheted across the Atlantic in an espionage row that has frazzled USEuropean ties, two highranking German political and intelligence envoys arrived in Washington to hold talks with US officials in Washington aimed at rebuilding a

“basis of trust” after alleged US tapping of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s phone.

The German officials were seeking seek answers and fresh rules on intelligence cooperation.merica’s allies in Europe have protested after media reports, based on leaks from fugitive US analyst Edward Snowden, that Washington collected tens of millions of European telephone calls and online communications as part of anti-terror operations.

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy decried the snooping, if true, as “inappropriate and unacceptable

HE US National Security Agency allegedly eavesdropped on cardinals before the conclave in March to elect a new pope, Italian weekly

US security chiefs James Clapper (right) and Keith Alexander, Director of NSA between partners and friends” after more than 60 million telephone calls in Spain were reportedly spied on by the US National Security Agency (NSA) in a month.

But the the US espionage chiefs turned

magazine Panorama claimed yesterday.

“The National Security Agency wire-tapped the pope,” the magazine said, accusing the United States

DRC troops recapture rebel positions

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ONGOLESE troops entered the eastern border town of Bunagana on yesterday after M23 rebels abandoned the last major town they were holding, leaving civilians to celebrate in the streets.

The town was the first seized last year by M23 rebels in the Democratic

Republic of Congo and its loss is the latest significant success in an offensive by Congo’s U.N.-backed army, which is seeking to crush a 20month-old rebellion.

Reports from Bunagana said residents cheered the arrival of Congolese government troops, calling them liberators.

DR Congo troops moving into rebels territory

Rebels appeared to have withdrawn before the army arrived.

H I N E S E authorities have captured the suspects in a fatal car crash that killed five people in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, according to state media, which described the incident as a “terrorist attack” for the first time.

the tables on European allies in the spat over intercepted phone records, saying in many cases it was European agencies — not the NSA — that gathered and shared them with America.

Po l i c e in the capital had been searching for eight suspects from Xinjiang region after Monday ’s crash, hotel staff said earlier. “The arrests were made 10 hours after the incident, which has now been identified as a terrorist attack,” broadcaster CCTV said

of listening in to telephone calls to and from the Vatican, including cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio before he was elected Pope Francis.

The allegations follow a report on surveillance website, Cryptome, which said the US intercepted 46 million telephone calls in Italy in December last year and early January this year.

Female Democrats back Clinton

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LL of the female Democratic senators signed a secret letter to Hillary Rodham Clinton early this year encouraging her to run for president in 2016 – a letter that includes the signature of Sen. Elizabeth Warren and other senators who are mentioned as potential candidates, two highranking Democratic Senate aides told ABC News.

The letter, organized at the urging of Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., was meant to be a private show of support from a group of

China arrests Tiananmen crash suspects

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Tuesday, were kidnapped in Niger in 2010 while working for the French statecontrolled nuclear giant Areva and a subsidiary of construction group Vinci.

At the time of their capture, the four, Pierre Legrand, Thierry Dol, Marc Feret and Daniel Larribe were working in Arlit, Niger, where Areva operates a uranium mine.

Abyei referendum count begins

US spied Pope's election, Italian paper alleges

T

OUR Frenchmen held hostage in the Sahara desert by alQaeda fighters are back in France and have been reunited with their families after three years of captivity.

In a very public event, French President Francois Hollande greeted the hostages in front of the media on the tarmac of a military airport outside Paris on Wednesday.

The men, freed on

on its verified Englishlanguage microblog account yesterday.

A police notice issued to hotels in Beijing earlier named eight suspects sought in connection with the incident.

The notice suggested that police had widened the hunt for suspects.

16 high-profile former colleagues and fans who are now senators, urging Clinton to do what much of the Democratic Party assumes she will, the aides said.

The existence of the letter was not revealed publicly until this week, when Sen. Kay Hagan, DN.C., mentioned it at an event in New York City on Monday. That was an apparent slip-up that prompted a round of apologetic e-mails from her Senate office to other offices on Capitol Hill, according to the aides.

“All of the Senate Democratic women have written her a letter encouraging her to run,” Hagan told a gathering organized by EMILY’s List, according to Capital New York.

The event was part of the group’s “Madam President” series, which is organizing events around the country to promote interest in a female Democratic presidential candidate.

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OUNTING of ballots has begun in an unofficial referendum held in the flashpoint region of Abyei to decide whether the oil-rich district should join Sudan or South Sudan.

R e f e r e n d u m organisers started the counting on yesterday just as the Arabicspeaking Misseriya tribe, loyal to Sudan, vowed to hold their own referendum. Sunday’s referendum, which

lasted three days, was unilaterally organised by the Ngok Dinka, a rival tribe closely connected to South Sudan. Observers said the referedum, endorsed neither by Sudan nor south Sudan, was a “threat to peace”.

The fate of Abyei is one of the most important and sensitive issues left unresolved since South Sudan became an independent state in 2011, ending two decades of civil war in Sudan.

News of the World editors plead guilty to hacking charges

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HREE senior jour nalists at the defunct News of the World tabloid, owned by media mogul Rupert Murdoch, have pleaded guilty to charges related to phone-hacking, according to a UK prosecutor.

Lawyer Andrew Edis said yesterday that former news editor Greg Miskiw, ex-chief reporter Neville Thurlbeck, and former reporter James Weatherup all entered guilty pleas ahead of this week’s high-profile phone hacking trial.

The trial of two of Murdoch’s former editors

was heard yesterday.

Rebekah Brooks, Murdoch’s former British newspaper chief, and Prime Minister David Cameron’s former media head Andy Coulson are on trial at London’s Old Bailey court accused of conspiring to illegally access voicemail messages on mobile phones.

The defendants all deny the charges, but Edis said that the guilty pleas already entered show “there was a conspiracy which involved a significant number of people”.

Brahimi meets with Assad

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AKHDAR Brahimi, the UNArab League envoy to Syria, has met Syrian President Bashar alAssad in Damascus in an effort to shore up support for faltering peace talks. yesterday’s meeting is the first direct contact between the men since Brahimi angered the Syrian leader in December by saying the Assad family ’s morethan-40-year rule of

Syria was “too long”.

Brahimi, an Algerian diplomat, has also managed to upset the Syrian opposition by saying that Iran, Assad’s main backer during the 31-month-old conflict, should attend the so-called Geneva II talks, which are backed

by US and Russia.

Rebels and the political opposition say that any negotiations should be based on Assad’s removal.

58 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013 — 59

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60 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

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Vanguard, THURSDAY OCTOBER 31, 2013 — 61

Garba: Uruguay can’t stop my Eaglets Red-hot Group F! A

FTER watching his side defeat Iran 4-1 Tuesday at the Khalifa B i n Zayed Stadium in Al Ain, Coach Manu Garba has predicted that his free-scoring boys will beat Uruguay in Saturday’s quarterfinal match in Sharjah.

The Eaglets have scored a remarkable 18 goals in four matches here and speaking at the media conference, Garba said that his team’s blistering attack was too strong to be contained by Urugauy.

While admitting that the Uruguayans are a strong team made up of tall players, Garba said that “we know that as a South American team, they like

A

to put the ball on the ground and expect a tough match from them but at the end, we will beat them and qualify for the semifinal.

“We are moving from strength to strength and as the competition progresses, my players will get better. What I like

most about my attack is that any of the players can score. I have an attack that is blistering. We have a lot of attacking options. So it will be difficult for any team to stop these players from scoring.. “ When you try to stop one

•Garba player from scoring, another one will get the goal. So we are a team playing total football and I see us going places”, added.

S the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates enters the quarters tomorrow, it has become clear that Group F, which had Nigeria, Mexico, Sweden and Iraq was the toughest.

Of all the teams in the group, only Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets that did not lose a match. With two victories and a draw against Sweden Nigeria emerged tops, Mexico which suffered a humiliating 1-6 defeat in the hands of Nigeria rallied to emerge runners up with 6 points while Sweden squeezed into the round of with 4 points. The three teams have gone ahead to win their round of sixteen

•Mohammed matches and qualified for the quarters.

Mexico defeated Group B flag bearers, Italy 2-1 so did Sweden over Japan that topped Group C while Nigeria further made a strong case for Group F after sending home Iran.

Pundits are of the opinion that at least one country from the group would be in the final.

Elegbeleye: Eaglets are future Eagles D IRECTOR General of the National Sports Commission, Honourable Gbenga Elegbeleye has heaped praises on the Golden Eaglets for zooming into the quarter-finals of the ongoing FIFA U- 17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

The DG of the NSC is however thrilled with the players’ football artistry, composure, determination, confidence and dexterity in match situations. He observed that the players with their performances so far reminded him of the Super Eagles 1994 Class and wants Nigerians to continue to support and

pray for them until the team finally wins the competition.

“I am particularly happy with the way the boys have been dazzling people all over the world with their football artistry and capping it up with classy goals in the matches they have played so far. They have made their victories in matches a delight to watch and they have been improving with the number of games they have played so far. So I say kudos to the team and their coaches led by Manu Garba.

“What thrilled me most is the fact that one can name at least five players that are future Super Eagles materials which

•Elegbeleye is the main reason FIFA introduced this competition in the first instance.

The National Sports Commission is happy with the boys and their technical crew and we are very hopeful that they will bring the Cup back to Nigeria at the end of the competition.

L-R: Marketing Communications Manager, Nike, Segun Ogunlewe watches in admiration as Lagos State Commissioner for Sports, Enitan Oshodi hands over the official T-shirt of the Nike ‘We Run Lagos’ 10km race to music producer, Sarz while Head of Operation, Nike, Nigeria, Keith Lewins looks on at the unveiling of the logo for the race in Lagos recently.

Gov Dankwambo to host NOC’s AGM

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Anton Marais,Head,Corporate Banking Stanbic IBTC Bank,Mr Mark Loxley,General Manager Southern Sun Hotel Ikoyi Lagos with Arc,Tayo Babalakin,Golf Captain Ikoyi Club And Temitayo Buraimoh,Segment Head Affluent Propositions Diamond Bank.At The 3rd Annual Southern Sun Ikoyi Golf Tournament Media Briefing In Lagos.

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HE Annual General General meeting of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC, has been scheduled to hold in Gombe State from November 27 to November 29.

Arising from a Board meeting of the NOC which held at its secretariat on Tuesday, the NOC said that the amiable Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo has graciously agreed to host the AGM. ‘’We’re indeed grateful that the Governor has

agreed to host the AGM and we are really grateful to him’’, NOC’s President, Engineer Sani M. Ndanusa beaming with smiles said. There was a rapturous applause and a seal of agreement that the AGM holds in Gombe. ‘’It is not everytime that you see a state Governor willing to host the AGM. That Gombe State Governor has agreed to host is a thing of joy and a mark of his leadership qualities’’, Dr Lanre Glover said.

Engineer Ndanusa who is also the President of

Nigerian Tennis Federation said that Governor Dankwambo besides being an astute administrator and a silent worker with uncommon landmarks achieved since he came in as Governor has a passion for sports.

The young man has recorded uncommon achievements and all Presidents of Sports in the country would be witnesses to the legacies he has laid down both in sports infrastructures and other areas when they visit Gombe’’, Ndanusa said.

62— Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

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Vanguard, THURSDAY OCTOBER 31, 2013 — 63

Eaglets 're Goal-machines!

•Coach hails team

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confident-Coach Manu Garba has said that the Golden Eaglets are now ready to steamroll their way and win a record fourth Under17 World Cup title after a 4-1 thrashing of Iran at the Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain on Tuesday.

Three goals in the first half by Samuel Okon, Kelechi Iheanacho and Captain Musa Muhammed and another by Musa Yahaya in the second half, sealed Nigeria’s berth in the quarter final and a date with Uruguay in Sharjah on Saturday.

“I said earlier that my attack is blistering and I still maintain that it would be difficult for any team to stop us from scoring because our team loves scoring goals, “said Manu at the post-match conference.”

With 18 goals in four matches, the Golden Eaglets now have an average of 4.5 goals per match and Manu said there are still many more to come:”We don’t pretend we are an attacking team though there are still few errors but we are going to correct them as we progress”.

“I always want my team to attack and I would always improvise because this is a team where anybody can score.”

He said he rated the players eighty percent for being able to score four goals in a match ‘of this magnitude’ which is a knockout stage of a World Cup. Manu though, has some harsh words for Iranian coach, Ali Doustimehr for casting aspersion on the eligibility of his players. ”All the players we have here passed the MRI test and we even conducted another one month before we came here and we would probably take on the Iranian coach on this,” he noted, allaying fears over Iheanacho who copped an injury soon after scoring the second goal against Iran and his fifth in the competition.” It is a minor injury and Iheanacho should be back for the next game.”

Maigari leads Golden Eaglets to Sharjah

Golden Eaglets players jubilate after their 4-1 win over Iran

LHAJI Aminu Maigari, President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Wednesday led the Golden Eaglets from Al Ain to the historic city of Sharjah-about 25 minutes drive off the commercial city of Dubaiahead of their quarterfinal match against Uruguay on Saturday.

The journey which took about two-and-half hour by bus was seamless as the Golden Eaglets landed safely in the city that houses ‘eye of the Emirates Ferris

Iranian coach doubts Eaglets ages I

RAN’s coach Ali Doustimehr on Tuesday cast doubts over the true ages of the Golden Eaglets who defeated the Iranians 4-1 in a round of 16 match held at the Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain. Dazed with the battering handed his boys by the Coach Manu Garbatinkered Nigerian side, the Iranian coach, when asked to talk of his assessment of the match, said his experience as coach for 30 years makes him to believe that the Nigerians were not teenagers. This

is an Under-17 tournament.

“As a national coach for 30 years and having worked with young players in the last 20 years, my experience tells me that these Nigerians are not teenagers”, said the coach, who later beat a sublime retreat when he added that “I am not saying that the Eaglets are over the age or under the stipulated age but they showed so much experience against us that makes me to feel that they are too strong to be teenagers”.

While later congratu-

lating the Eaglets for qualifying for the quarterfinal, the Iranian coach said that with such experienced players for Nigeria that the future of Nigerian football was bright.

“Congratulations to the Nigerians and I see a bright future for Nigeria if they continue with these players who have shown a lot of experience”.

Nigeria threatens Iran over age comment G OLDEN Eaglets Coach Manu Garba has threatened to lodge a formal complaint against Iranian coach Ali Doustimehr for insinuating that the Nigerians were playing with players over the age of 17 at the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup here in the United Arab Emirates.

The Eaglets have been in scintillating form, where they have netted 18 goals in four matches, the latest being a 4-1 thrashing of Iran on Tuesday in a round of 16 match at the Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium.

Mesmerized with the Eaglets strong show, the Iranian coach, Ali Doustimehr, made a

subtle remark, casting doubts over the true ages of the Nigerians and responding to the jibe, Coach Garba said that his players here passed all the MRI tests conducted by CAF and FIFA, prior to the African U-17 tournament and ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup. Coach Garba said that “we are going to officially take it up with the Iranian coach if he does not take back his words.

Back in January before the CAF U-17 tournament, a memo was sent to us that all the players were going to do MRI tests for the wrist bones and we did.

“A month before we came here, another test was

done by FIFA for all the players and the ones here passed. So I do not

wheel’ in time to keep a date with Uruguay for their quarter-final match on Saturday. Golden Eaglets are housed at the impressive Radisson Blu Resort complete with its idyllic serene environment complete with a beach. ”This is a beautiful place,” coach Nduka Ugbade said. “We would do everything in our capacity to make it a memorable time by winning our next game here.”

Golden Eaglets have since settled down in their new abode and resumed training session yesterday as the coaching crew maps out strategy against the South American side, Uruguay.

In a related development, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) in Al Ain has saluted the Golden Eaglets over their qualification for the quarter final stage of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup as well as impacting positively on the tournament.

know what he is talking about”, Garba wondered.

•Isaac

Iheanacho’s injury not serious •Isaac may return in semifinal

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OLDEN Eaglets highest goals scorer at the FIFA U-17 World Cup holding here, Kelechi Iheanacho is not seriously injured to warrant missing the quarterfinal match with Uruguay on Saturday in Sharjah.

Iheanacho was substituted in Tuesday’s match with Iran in Al Ain after getting injured, leaving Nigerian fans worrying over the player ’s state for the

next match. With Success Isaac still on the treatment bed, the prospect of Iheanacho joining him on the sidelines are too much to bear.

But dousing these fears, Coach Manu Garba said last night that Iheanacho’s injury was not serious and that he was going to be fit for the game on Saturday.

“It is a slight injury. It is not a serious one and he will play in the next match”, said Garba.

On the state of Isaac, Garba said that “he is recovering well and though he is not going to play against Uruguay, I think he may come back for the semifinal or final match.

“If he is 75% fit, we will play him in the semifinal. If we get there because he is a strong player and the attack is built around him. So we need him and we hope that he returns as soon as possible’’.

V anguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013

Iranian coach doubts Eaglets ages

These boys are•••

Goal-machines!

•Eaglets coach hails team •Says no team can stop 'em from scoring

Nigeria threatens Iran over age comment Garba: Uruguay can't stop my Eaglets Iheanacho’s injury not serious •Iheanacho

Details on Pages 61 & 63

Maigari leads Golden Eaglets to Sharjah

•Manu Garba

QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Charm (6) 5 Attempt (6) 9 Essential (5) 10 Omitted (6) 11 Tide (6) 12 Rushed (5) 14 Image (4) 17 Youth (3) 18 Present (4) 20 Renovate (5) 22 Shot (5) 23 Caller (7) 24 Principle (5) 26 Spree (5) 29 Spoken (4) 30 Epoch (3) 32 Challenge (4) 33 Deflect (5) 35 Pang (6) 36 Round (6) 37 Of towns (5) 38 Ass (6) 39 Annually (6)

DOWN 1 Matter (6) 2 Harmony (6) 3 Always (4) 4 Of tides (5) 5 Relaxed (5) 6 Ran off (4) 7 Shellfish (6) 8 Coloured (6) 13 Bore (7) 15 Postpone (5) 16 Flat (5) 18 Chartered (5) 19 Allude (5) 21 Intelligence (3) 22 Because (3) 24 Added (6) 25 Race (6) 27 Assessor (6) 28 Lecherously (6) 30 Each (5) 31 Dress (5) 33 Fever (4) 34 Shade (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 4, Freed 7. Reeked 9, See 10, Pod 12, Agree 13, Tool 15, Vista 17, Molest 19, Laid 20, Scene 22, Tic 24, Ensured 27, Tor 28, Death 31, Epic 33, Absent 35, Yokel 37, Torn 38, Trick 39, Dan 41, Lap 42, Petite 43, Alley.

DOWN: 1, Gratis 2, Become 3, Rep 4, Feat 5 Regail 6, Eyesight 8, Dove 11, Disturbed 14, Lone 16, Stir 18, Lent 21, Corporal 23, Cede 25, Soak 26, Dent 29, Atomic 30, Hinder 32, Cycle 34, Slap 36, Okay 40, Met.

How to Play Sudoku

P

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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