OBJ blasts Jonathan in 18-page letter

...towards a better life for the people

**

VOL. 25: NO. 62034

ASUU, FG sign MOU to end 9 strike

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013

NON-REMITTANCE OF $49.8BN:

NNPC refutes CBN claim A

BUJA—THE Ni gerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has refuted reports credited to the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam

Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, alleging that it withheld the sum of $49.8bn representing 76% of the total crude oil revenues from January 2012 to July 2013.

In a statement signed by the General Manager, Media Relations Department of the NNPC, Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, and made available to

Vanguard, the Corporation clarified that the allegation is borne out of misunderstanding of the workings of the oil and Continues on page 5

OBJ blasts Jonathan in 18-page letter A

Continues on page 5

•P.25

COLUMNISTS: Is'haq Modibbo Kawu•P.17

Josef•P.19

zChief Obasanjo

Let me repeat that as far as the issue of corruption, security and oil stealing is concerned, it is only apt to say that when the guard becomes the thief, nothing is safe, secure or protected in the house

zPresident Jonathan

,

,,

BUJA — FORMER President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has accused President Goodluck Jonathan of driving the country to the precipice and allowing deceit, corruption and mutual distrust to tear at the fabric of the nation.

In an eighteen-page letter which the former president said he was making open, upon the president’s failure to act or acknowledge earlier letters, Obasanjo accused Jonathan of decimating

We however find it highly unbecoming, mischievous and provocative that a letter written by a former Head of State and respected elder statesman to President Jonathan has been deliberately leaked to the mass media — Presidency

Omorotionmwan

Mr & Mrs

C M Y K

2 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013

C M Y K

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013—3

C M Y K

4 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013

C M Y K

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013—5

POCKET CARTOON

MEETING—From left: Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike; Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, Prof. Julius Okojie and Chairman, Pro-Chancellors of Federal Universities, Prof. Kimse Okoko, at a meeting with Vice-Chancellors in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN

OBJ blasts Jonathan in 18-page letter Continues from page 1 the Peoples Democratic

Party, PDP through his determination for a second term against earlier promises of serving one term. He also accused President Jonathan of spawning a support base of ethnic militants, corrupt politicians and armed militia, all for the personal agenda of political survivial.

President Jonathan, however, in a response to the former president’s accusations warned aides not to speak on the matter. President Jonathan in his response issued by his Special Adviser on

Media, Dr. Rueben Abati promised to personally respond to the former president.

Obasanjo in the letter entitled “Before it is too late”, dated December 2, 2013 said: BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE I am constrained to make this an open letter to you for a number of reasons. One, the current situation and consequent possible outcome dictate that I should, before the door closes on reason and promotion of national interest, alert you to the danger that may be lurk-

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

What we need in this fight against corruption are citizens who will stand up, and speak up, and compel government to do what this moment demands.

Seize the moment.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

W

E all have burden that can steal our joy and cause us to sour. But if we are to live life happy, we need the foundation of a grateful spirit.

Discouragement cannot take root in a graceful heart. If you are unhappy today and you have lost your enthusiasm the quickest way is to turn around and be more grateful— Joel Osteen You complain, you remain, and the truth is somebody in the world would love to be able to breathe like you. Somebody would love to be able to walk like you. Somebody would be grateful to be living where you live. Be grateful for your life and the opportunities life brings you.

It is easy to focus on what is wrong with your life, what you don’t have, and how big your obstacles are. But if you are not careful you will lose sight of all the good things in your life. Don’t take for granted the family friends and opportunity you’ve been blessed with. If you are in such a hurry and so stressed to fail to appreciate the gift of today, you’ll lose your joy and your ability to be happy every day of the week.

The right perspective is to believe that when one door closes another is open. You can put two people in the same circumstances and one will be complaining, negative, and just enduring life, while the other will be happy grateful and enjoying life.

ing in the corner. Two, none of the four or more letters that I have written to you in the past two years or so have elicited an acknowledgement nor any response. Three, people close to you, if not yourself, have been asking, what does Obasanjo want? Four, I could sense a semblance between the situation that we are gradually getting into and the situation we fell into as a nation during the Abacha era. Five, everything must be done to guard, protect and defend our fledgling democracy, nourish it and prevent bloodshed. Six, we must move away from advertently or inadvertently dividing the country along weak seams of North-South and Christian-Muslim. Seven, nothing should be done to allow the country to degenerate into economic dormancy, stagnation or retrogression. Eight, some of our international friends and development partners are genuinely worried about signs and

signals that are coming out of Nigeria. Nine, Nigeria should be in a position to take advantage of the present favourable international interest to invest in Africa – an opportunity that will not be open for too long. Ten, I am concerned about your legacy and your climbdown which you alone can best be the manager of, whenever you so decide.

Mr President, you have on a number of occasions acknowledged the role God enabled me to play in your ascension to power. You put me third after God and your parents among those that have impacted most on your life. I have always retorted that God only put you where you are and those that could be regarded as having played a role were only instruments of God to achieve God’s purpose in your life. For me, I believe that politically, it was in the best interest of Nigeria that you, a Nigerian from minority group in the South could rise to the highest pinnacle of political leadership.

If Obasanjo could get there, Yar’Adua could get there and Jonathan can get there, any Nigerian can.

It is now not a matter of the turn of any section or geographical area but the best interest of Nigeria and all Nigerians.

It has been proved that no group — ethnic, linguistic, religious or geographical location — has monopoly of materials for leadership of our country.

And no group solely-by itself can crown any of its members the Nigerian CEO. It is good for Nigeria. I have also always told you that God has graciously been kind, generous, merciful and compassionate to me and He has done more than I could have ever hoped for. I want nothing from you personally except that you should run the affairs of Nigeria not only to make Nigeria good, but to make Nigeria great for which I have always

pleaded with you and I will always do so. And it is yet to be done for most Nigerians to see.

For five capacities in which you find yourself, you must hold yourself most significantly responsible for what happens or fails to happen in Nigeria and in any case most others will hold you responsible and God who put you there will surely hold you responsible, and accountable. I have had opportunity, in recent times, to interact closely with you and I have come to the conclusion painfully or happily that if you can shun yourself to a great extent of personal and political interests and dwell more on the national interest and also draw the line between advice from selfish and self-centered aides and advice from those who in the interest of the nation may not tell you what you will want to hear, it will be well. The five positions which you share with nobody except with God and which place great and grave responsibility on you are leadership of the ruling party, headship of the Federal Government or national government, Commander-in-Chief of the Military, Chief Security Officer of the nation, and the political leader of the country. Those positions go with being the President of our country and while depending on your

NNPC refutes CBN claim Continues from page 1 gas industry and the modality for remitting crude oil sales revenue into the Federation Account.

“For the avoidance of doubt, it needs to be stated that the figure of 594.024 million barrels of crude oil given by the CBN as the total crude oil lifting for the period of January 2012 to July 2013 does not represent the correct picture of crude oil lifting for the period.

From our records, the correct figure is 618.55m barrels. This shows that the CBN understated the actual crude lifting by 4.13%,” Dr. Ibrahim stated.

He explained that revenue from crude oil liftings are in various categories, namely Equity Crude; Petroleum Profit Tax, Royalty, Third Party Financing and the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC. Revenues from each of these categories are statutorily collected by different agencies of the government. The NNPC collects only one of the aforementioned categories, namely Equity Crude. Petroleum Profit Tax is collected by the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, Royalty goes to the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, Third Party financ-

ing goes for Research, Development, Program and Satellite fields Development, while NPDC goes to NPDC for upstream development.

While NNPC pays proceeds from Equity crude directly to the Federation Account with the CBN, the FIRS and DPR pay PPT and Royalty respectively into the Federation Account with the CBN. The sum total of these proceeds make up the alleged un-remitted revenues, Dr. Ibrahim stated.

“The 24% of total crude oil revenue receipts which the CBN governor is reported to have acknowledged that NNPC remitted represents the

disposition you can delegate or devolve responsibility, but the buck must stop on your table whether you like it or not.

Let me start with the leadership of the ruling party. Many of us were puzzled over what was going on in the party.

Most party members blamed the National Chairman. I understand that some in the presidency tried to create the impression that some of us were to blame. The situation became clear only when the National Chairman spoke out that he never did anything or acted in any way without the approval of concurrence of the party leader and that where the party leader disapproved, he made correction or amendment, that we realised most actions were those of the chairman but the motivation and direction were those of the leader.

It would be unfair to continue to level full blames on the chairman for all that goes wrong with the party. The Chairman is playing the tune dictated by the Paymaster. But the Paymaster is acting for a definite purpose for which deceit and deception seem to be the major ingredients. Up till two months ago, Mr. President, you told me that you have not told anybody that you would

Continues on page 51 proceeds from the equity lifting which NNPC is directly responsible for.

The alleged un-remitted 76% was paid to the agencies that are statutorily empowered to receive them for onward remittance into the Federation Account”, Dr. Ibrahim explained.

He stressed the need for institutions of the Federal Government and top government functionaries to seek understanding of issues that are not clear to them from relevant agencies rather than go public with misleading information that is capable of creating public disaffection. He expressed NNPC’s availability at all times to meet with all relevant stakeholders to clarify issues.

6—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013

Man arrested over alleged threat to kill father

Man, 74, nabbed in Yola for alleged sodomy

BY UMAR YUSUF

Y

OLA — A 74-year-old man, Usman Jidda, has been arrested by the Police in Yola for alleged sodomy, the state police command has

confirmed.

The Command's Public Relations Officer, DSP Mohammed Ibrahim, who confirmed the arrest, yesterday, said the suspect was arrested in Jimeta area of the metropolis.

The police image maker said the suspect, a mason, had been having affairs with four children, between 13 and 15 years of age, for a long period.

He said the suspect usually

D

UTSE — THE Jigawa command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, said it has in its custody, a 23year-old man (name withheld) who allegedly threatened to kill his father.

The NSCDC Commandant in the state, Mr Muhammad Gidado, told the News Agency of Nigeria yesterday in Dutse that the suspect was arrested in Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa.

Gidado said the suspect was arrested on Saturday in Gujungu town around 9 p.m.

He added that the matter was reported to the command by the father of the suspect.

The commandant said “the father told us that the suspect came home drunk and he (the father) tried to counsel him to desist from taking drugs.

“The suspect then brought out a knife and threatened to kill the father if he did not leave him alone.”

In a related development, Gidado said the command also has in its custody, a 35year-old suspected drug peddler in the area.

He said that the suspect was also arrested on Saturday in Gujungu town, after receiving intelligence reports about his activities in the area.

According to him, the suspects will be handed over to relevant authorities for further action.

Man arraigned for allegedly assaulting wife, father-in-law

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

A Refuse along Egbu Road, Owerri, Imo State, yesterday.

Police kill alleged cow thief, recover 50 cows in Zamfara

BY SALISU MARADUN

G

USAU — THE Police in Zamfara State have killed a man who allegedly stole 50 cows in Mada.

Speaking shortly after he paraded the corpse of the rustler, the Commissioner of Police, CP, Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim, explained that the hoodlum was over-powered during a shoot-out at Ajiyawa village forest of Mada in Gusau Local Government

Area of the state.

The commissioner who spoke through the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Lawal Abdullahi, maintained that their men also recovered dangerous weapons including a loaded AK-47 riffle.

He revealed that officers and men of the state command were always at alert to prevent criminal activities in all nooks

and crannies of the state.

According to him, for the second time within the last two weeks, his men have recorded tremendous achievements in addressing the activities of underworld men.

He appealed to the residents to continue to give useful information that may lead to the arrest of people with a questionable character.

NDLEA arrests 16 suspects with 96 kg of hemp in Niger

M

INNA — THE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), yesterday said it arrested 16 suspects in Niger State for being in possession of 96.55 kilogramme of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp.

The state Commander of the agency, Alhaji Abdullahi Abdul, said in Minna, the state capital that the arrests were made in various parts of the state last month.

He said: “The Niger command of NDLEA carried out a number of raids and routine stop and search operations in November 2013.

“The operations led to arrest

lure his victims with money and other valuables, adding: “The father of one of the children took his son that sustain injury during the act to a private clinic, prompting the doctor to alert the police.”

The PPRO commended the action of the doctor, pointing out that the parent of the boy had wanted the matter to be buried for fear of stigmatization.

The police command urged parents to monitor the movement of their wards to guard against such characters that will want to take advantage of them.

of 16 suspects and a seizure of 96.55 kilogramme of dried weeds suspected to be cannabis sativa (Indian hemp) and one kilogramme of psycho tropic substances,” he said.

Abdul said that about 800 grammes seeds of Indian hemp were also impounded from an illicit hemp farmer in Babana, a border town with Benin Republic in Kainji Local Government Area.

He added that the quantity of seeds recovered showed that marijuana was being cultivated in the border town or somewhere near the town.

A policeman on duty. Photo: Linda Ikeji's blog.

BEOKUTA — A 30year-old man, Femi Olajide, was arraigned, yesterday, before a Magistrate's court, sitting in Isabo, Abeokuta, Ogun State for allegedly assaulting his wife and father in-law.

The accused , who is facing a five-count charge, was said to have flogged his wife and inflicted injuries on her.

According to the prosecutor, Inspector Augustin Ozimini, the accused on December 10, 2013, at Isale Ijeun, Abeokuta, assaulted his wife, Taofika Ogunmuyiwa, by whipping her and inflicting injuries on her He said: “While trying to settle the misunderstanding between the man and his wife, Saliu Ogunmuyiwa, who is Taofika’s father, was slapped by Olajide.

“The accused also resisted arrest by policemen until they called for reinforcement.

“On his detention at Oke Itoku Police station, the accused attempted to escape from the cell by breaking the ceiling.

“The offences are punishable under sections 355, 351, 197, and 135 criminal code revised law of Ogun State.”

In his ruling, Magistrate E. A. Adekunte granted the accused bail in the sum of N50,000, with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case to January 20, 2014.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013—7

I invested N900,000 in drug business —Suspect

BY IFEANYI OKOLIE

L

AGOS — AN electronic dealer at Alaba International Market, Lagos is currently under investigation in connection with unlawful exportation of 450 grammes of methamphetamine to Malaysia.

The suspect, Olewunne Chibuzor Darlington, said he invested N900,000 in drug trafficking in expectation of N5 million profit.

His plan was foiled by officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

NDLEA commander at the Lagos airport, Hamza Umar, who confirmed the arrest said Darlington was found to have ingested narcotics.

In his words: “The scanning machine revealed that the suspect ingested drugs during screening of passengers on an Ethiopian Airline flight. He was on his way to Malaysia but during observation, he excreted 450 grammes of substance that tested positive to methamphetamine.”

In his confessional statement, the suspect said he wanted to purchase electron-

Driver docked for manslaughter

BY ONOZURE DANIA

L

AGOS— A 34-year-old tr uck driver, Tayo Adebayo,has been arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate Court, sitting in Ikeja for manslaughter.

The defendant, who is standing trial before Magistrate A.O, Akinde, is facing a one-count charge bordering on manslaughter preferred against him by the police.

Adebayo, who resides at 7, Aderitan Street, Ibadan, Oyo State, was said to have committed the crime on December 5, 2013, at about 10:30 p.m.

The police Prosecutor, Sergeant Chinalu Uwadione, said the incident occurred at Ile-Zik Junction, near New Testament Church Inward at Agege Motor Road, Lagos.

Uwadione told the court that the defendant being the driver in charge of one Mercedes Benz truck with number plate EKY 510XG, drove in a very dangerous manner on the highway, which caused the death of one Owolabi Segun, who was 35 years old.

ics with the drug's proceeds.

“They told me that I can make N5 million profit if I investN900,000. It was a trial business for me because it is my first time. I also did it because of my financial predicament. I am from a poor family and the eldest," he said, appealing for mercy.

Chairman/Chief Executive of the agency, Ahmadu Giade, while commenting on the arrest, called for stiffer punishment for drug traffickers.

He said: “No doubt, stiffer punishment will help in reducing cases of drug production and trafficking. We shall prevent drug traffickers from using the country as a transit point for drug trafficking. It is sad that a businessman will prefer to invest in criminality when there are countless le-

The suspect, Olewunne Chibuzor Darlington

gitimate businesses.”

The NDLEA boss, however, expressed delight that the suspect was caught in Nigeria, saying: “I am glad that we arrested him here because of the capital punishment for drug trafficking in Malaysia. His arrest abroad would have added to the number of Nigerian drug convicts in foreign prisons. We have equally prevented Nigeria’s image from disrepute.”

Ekiti murder: Lawmaker, 8 others to spend, Christmas, New Year in prison ...Ondo chief, four others docked for alleged robbery

BY GBENGA ARIYIBI & DAYO JOHNSON

A

DO-EKITI — A member of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Boluwade Kehinde, and eight others were, yesterday, docked before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrate’s Court over alleged involvement in the murder of one Foluso Ogundare in Emure-Ekiti on November 3, 2013.

Also, a chief in Ode Community of Akure North council area of Ondo State, Sunday Boboye and four others have been ordered to be remanded in prison for robbery, conspiracy and forgery by an Akure Chief Magistrate court.

In Ekiti, the suspects, who faced a five-count charge, were brought before Chief Magistrate Soji Adegboye and were remanded in prison till January 10, 2014.

They were accused of conspiracy, murder and causing the death of Ogundare and thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 319 (1) of the Criminal Code, Cap C16, Laws of Ekiti State 2012 among others.

The prosecutor, Samson Oshbu, said the accused committed a serious offence, but pleaded for a date for the hearing of the matter pending advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP. Ademola Okeya who appeared for the accused per-

sons said they were not opposing the application of the counsel in the matter, while Rotimi Adabembe and others stood in for the relatives of the deceased.

The accused persons are Kehinde, Ilesanmi Peter, Adedayo Kayode, Afolabi Ishola, Babalola Olomi, Malomo Alabi, Taidi Yinusa, Ayo Famojuro and Olawumi Fagborila.

Meanwhile, placard-carrying youths protested at the premises of court while the suspects were being arraigned.

The youths, who wore black clothes and came under the aegis of Ekiti Vibrant Youths, protested against the spate of politically-motivated killings in the state in recent times.

Ondo chief, 4 others docked In Ondo State, the accused persons were docked on a six-count charge of robbery, conspiracy and forgery.

Other accused persons include Akeem Bakare, 25; Ramoni Ismaila, 27, Akinyele Gbenga, 40 and Obadan Gabriel, 55.

They, according to the police prosecuting witness, Pe l u m i Ad e j u w o n , w e r e armed with two cut to size locally made barrel guns and other dangerous weapons robbed one Mrs Akin Adewale Esther of her prop-

erty valued at over N1 million in November 6, this year.

The court did not take their plea.

Property allegedly stolen from Mrs Adewale included a Toyota Camry Pencil Light car, Nokia and Tecno handsets, MTN recharge cards, textbooks and N88,500 cash.

The Police prosecuting witness, ASP Adejuwon pleaded for an adjournment to enable the Investigative Police Officer, IPO, duplicate the case file and forward it to the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, for legal advice.

But Chief Magistrate Oluwabukola Kuye was not disposed to the attempt by counsel to the fourth and fifth accused persons, V. Amire and Oluwayomi Ojo to process bail for their clients.

Kuye said the court had no jurisdiction to grant such application.

However, seeing the futility in asking for bail, the counsel to the first, second and third accused persons made no bail application.

The Presiding chief magistrate, therefore, ordered all the accused persons to be remanded in the Olokuta Prison pending when legal advice would be received from the DPP. He adjourned the case to January 21.

Suspected hoodlums kill alleged gang leader in Lagos

BY IFEANYI OKOLIE

L

AGOS — RESI DENTS of Shomolu, Bariga and Yaba areas of Lagos State are currently living in fear following yesterday’s killing of alleged notorious gang leader, Segun Ogbere, otherwise known as Shaggy, by some hoodlums at Akoka area of the state.

The 36-year-old man who has led several violent clashes against Down-Town boys and other restive groups operating in Shomolu and Bariga areas was stabbed to death by four armed men who accosted him in a vehicle at Adeshina Street, Akoka.

Eyewitnesses told Vanguard that Shaggy was spotted on the passenger's seat of a truck carrying sand to a building site, when he was accosted and dragged out of the vehicle by four men led by one Ibrahim Balogun aka Small Jaypron, who is said to be the leader of Down-Town boys and was recently released from Ikoyi Prison.

The assailants abandoned the knives used in killing Shaggy at the scene before fleeing.

Shaggy and Small Jaypron have had a long standing feud over supremacy over the collection of tolls from commercial vehicles operating in the area.

News of the killing sent panic across the area, forcing traders to lock up their shops while residents made frantic calls to their relatives to stay away from the area, fearing a possible reprisal.

Meanwhile, the police said they have stepped up security in Yaba and Bariga to forestall a reprisal.

Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, said the matter was being investigated at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba, adding: “We have commenced investigations into the matter. However, the area is calm."

8—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013

Sect abducts 9 women, 27 others in Borno

How presidency frustrated peace talks with Boko Haram— SHEHU SANI

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

A

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI & NDAHI MARAMA

M

AIDUGURI— NO fewer than 36 people, including motorists and passengers, who were on their way to Maiduguri, Borno State capital, have been abducted by Boko Haram terrorists to an unknown destination.

The military authorities have confirmed that the Boko Haram terrorists have resorted to forcefully conscripting young people into their fold, following deadly attacks by troops in the last few days at the Sambisa Forest and other camps where members of the sect lost hundreds of their fighters.

Colonel Muhammadu Dole, spokesman of the 7 Division, Nigerian Army, told journalists in Maiduguri that the Boko Haram terrorists were now moving around villages and other highways to abduct and forcefully recruit innocent people to replace the dead.

He said: “You know they have suffered serious defeat in the last few days, now they are forcefully recruiting men and women.

“The women were taken to cook and serve them food. We are on their trail and we would continue to pursue them to the last person.

“I want to urge members of the general public to continue to cooperate with security agencies, particularly on information that will expose Boko Haram’s hideouts in the state.

“We are aware that, most of those they abducted on the highways of MaiduguriDamboa Road, among others, a couple of days ago, are still in their custody as they did not kill them.

“Instead, they forced them to go with them into the bushes of the Sambisa Game Forests and we are working towards ensuring the safety of those abducted.”

BUJA— HUMAN rights activist and President of Civil Rights Congress, CRC, Mr. Shehu Sani, yesterday, alleged that it was President Goodluck Jonathan that scuttled an initial effort to constructively engage key members of the Boko Haram Islamist sect with a view to convincing them to end the blood-letting insurgency in the northern part of the country.

Sani, who spoke at a seminar for judges and journalists, organised by KonradAdenaver-Stitung, KAS, a German non-governmental organisation, gave an account of some underground moves that were made by some elder statesmen, including former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.

Sani, who presented a paper on The Difficulties of Political Cases in Justice Delivery, recalled how he persuaded Obasanjo to visit the family of the slain leader of Boko Haram, Mohammed Yusuf, in Maiduguri on a peace mission.

It will be recalled that the representative of Mohammed

Yusufs’ family, Babakura Fugu, who hosted Obasanjo in Maiduguri, was killed shortly after the meeting.

However, Sani said he opted out of the presidential committee because he was convinced that it would not achieve anything given his earlier experience with the Presidency on the matter.

Obasanjo intervenes

He said: “I independently reached out to leaders of Boko Haram and offered myself to mediate on behalf of the Federal Government.

“When they were ready to talk, and because I do not have the telephone numbers of President Goodluck Jonathan, I decided to reach out to Obasanjo.

“I narrated my encounter with members of Boko Haram to Obasanjo and he said ‘are you really sure of this?’ I said yes and invited him to Maiduguri.

“Thereafter, I told the leaders of the sect that I was coming with former President, Obasanjo. They agreed and gave us conditions that the meeting should take place in Maiduguri with no security

men and journalists involved.

“At the meeting, they came out with photographs and some documents and presented them to Obasanjo, who assured them that he was going to take their grievances to the Federal Government after appealing to them to stop the killings.

“Obasanjo took those documents to the Villa. Since then nothing was done. But Obasanjo told me that he has done his best.

Delay at the Villa

“I made a second attempt by involving Dr. Dati Ahmed, who was a teacher to the founder of Boko Haram, late Mohammed Yusuf. We brought him to Abuja to mediate with the Federal Government on behalf of the sect.

“We went to see the then National Security Adviser, NSA, to the President, late General Owoye Azazi. He kept us waiting in his office for over three hours only to tell us that after consulting with security chiefs, he was told that the Boko Haram members have run out of weapons.

“Therefore, the sect can be overrun by the Federal Government and so there was no need to meet with them. At the end of the day, Dr. Ahmed was frustrated and we all left Abuja.

… opting out of amnesty c’ttee

“We have done this twice and was frustrated, only for me to wake up one day to hear that my name was among the 26member Presidential Committee on Amnesty for Boko Haram members.

“So when I turned it down, some people called me names and said many things about me, including the fact that I am not a patriotic Nigerian.

“I cannot think of any patriotism other than the efforts I have made. It took me three months to make contact with leaders of Boko Haram.

“It is not an easy thing because you are dealing with a killer group that even goes after their members.

“When you give a committee two weeks, it is not going to work. I have done my best and I know the committee will not achieve anything.”

FEC MEETING: From left— Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu; Petroleum Resources Minister, Mrs. Deziani Allison-Madueke; Minister for Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Musa Sada; Police Affairs Minister, Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade; Minister of State, Niger Delta Development, Mr. Darius Ishyaku, and Special Duties Minister, Alhaji Tanimu Turaki, during the weekly meeting of the Federal Executive Council chaired by Vice President Namadi Sambo in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: Abayomi Adeshida.

STRIKE: NMA gives FG Dec 14 ultimatum

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

I

MMINENT collapse of health services nationwide looms following a threat by doctors under the auspices of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, to withdraw their services from public health institutions as from December 14.

Giving notice of the development yesterday in a

statement entitled Countdown to Expiration of the December 14, 2013 Deadline, NMA President, Dr. Osahon Enebulele, said it had become necessary for the association to take the step following what he described as “apparent levity and lack of concrete commitment” by the Federal Government.

The statement, which alleged that government was

insensitive to the plight of doctors, urged Nigerians to hold the Minister of Health responsible for any crisis that erupts in the health sector.

In the statement, it was alleged that for over five months NMA had recurrently engaged the Federal Government through the Ministry of Health, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Secretary

to the Government of the Federation on issues bordering on challenges faced by doctors.

Further, the statement explained that on September 2 NMA issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Government of Nigeria to address the issues tabled by the association.

It will be recalled that NMA had earlier extended its ultimatum twice.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013—9

PDP CRISIS: I'm now a militant, says Tukur

BY HENRY UMORU

A

DELEGATION ON OIL THEFT: From left— Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum, Alhaji Danladi Kifasi; Ms. Pisa Williams, member of delegation; Petroleum Minister, Mrs. Deziani Alison-Madueke; Vice President Namadi Sambo; Ms. Sharon Burke, the leader of the delegation; American Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador James Entwistle; Mr. James Smith, member of the delegation, and GMD, NNPC, Mr. Andrew Yakubu, after a meeting between the Federal Government and the American delegation on a fact-finding mission over curbing of oil theft in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: Abayomi Adeshida.

ASUU/FG sign MoU, to end strike

BY LAIDE AKINBOADE

A

BUJA— STRONG indications emerged that the six-month old strike embarked upon by university lecturers under the aegis of Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, will be called off next week as the Federal Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the union on the restructured 2009 agreement, yesterday.

ASUU President, Dr. Nasir Fagge, who briefed newsmen after emerging from the meeting with government representatives, said the signed document would be presented to the union to take an affirmative stand on the suspension of the industrial action.

He said with the signing of the MoU the five-month old strike would be suspended in a week’s time.

ASUU President

According to Fagge, “this is the response to the letter we wrote to Mr. President and this document would now be forwarded to our members and our members would give us direction.

“We are hoping that we would be able to meet with our members in less than a week. I don’t have the power to call off the industrial action, it is only our members that can do that.

“And our members gave us a message to give to the Federal Government, which we have done and within one week our members would meet.

“We already have the document which shows that government is committed.”

The ASUU President said the

development and revitalisation of Nigeria’s education sector is the work of everybody.

Fagge said: “It is never too late for the nation to turn a new leaf and do what is right.

Other countries that are smaller and less powerful than Nigeria have done it and have succeeded.

“It is rather unfortunate that Nigeria is not close to some of these smaller nations around us. We must properly fund our universities. We have lost a lot of capital to nations like Ghana and Togo.”

He, therefore, assured Nigerians that ASUU would not take long in ensuring that the right thing is done as soon as possible.

FG hopes

The Supervising Minister of Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike, who led the Federal Government team said the fact that ASUU signed the resolution shows the strike has already been called off.

Wike said: “Today is historic.

As a responsible and responsive government we have a duty to restore normalcy to our university system so that our children can resume classes and pursue their educational careers.

“Consequently, the ViceChancellors of Federal universities were directed to immediately re-open universities for academic activities, while the minor discrepancies are sorted out.

“Today, I am very pleased to announce that all contending issues between ASUU and the Federal Government have

been resolved to the satisfaction of the parties.

... assures on dedication

“Let me emphasise that we recognise and appreciate ASUU’s patriotic role and commitment towards ensuring that our universities are wellfunded, resourced and run like their counterpart in other parts of the world.

“Thus, we are all partners in progress and there is no victor, no vanquished in a struggle of this nature for as long as our goals remain noble, not actuated by parochial interests, and targeted at moving our nation forward.

“Finally, I wish to, on behalf of Mr. President, thank all wellmeaning Nigerians, the National Assembly, the labour

unions, traditional rulers, parents, and especially our beloved students for demonstrating sufficient understanding of the Federal Government’s predicament while the dispute and the strike action by ASUU lasted.

“Let me reiterate that the Federal Government is serious about revitalising all our universities and will continue to fund them as a matter of priority.

Roll call

Other that were at the meeting are President, Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr. Abdulweed Umar; Executive Secretary of Nigerian Universities Commission, NUC, Professor Julius Okojie, and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. MacJohn Nwaobiala,

BUJA— NATIONAL Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, yesterday, said that with what he has been going through since he became the Chairman of the party, he can unequivocally call himself a militant.

He also declared war against his perceived enemies, saying he will not give up in his fight.

According to Tukur, being a militant has positioned him to withstand pressures from his enemies and adversaries, who wanted to turn him into a lame duck as Chairman of PDP. He added that he would continue to be militant in the fight for justice, equity and equal rights among members of PDP at all times.

He spoke, yesterday, at a ceremony organised by All Niger Delta Peoples Congress for the conferment of merit awards on some Nigerians in Abuja.

Tukur said his political struggles in the past two years have made him to be more militant in nature.

He said: “In Niger Delta there are militants.

I am a militant too because the youths believe in equity and justice, and many of them used all legitimate means to get the attention of the government to their people's sufferings.”

Reps walk out on Senators over benchmark

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU & JOSEPH ERUNKE

A

BUJA— THE meeting of the Conference Committee set up by the two chambers of the National Assembly to harmonise the oil benchmark for the 2014 Medium Term Expenditure Framework, MTEF, yesterday, ended in deadlock as members of the House of Representatives reportedly walked out of the meeting following sharp disagreements.

It will be recalled that the last time President Goodluck

Jonathan was to present the 2014 budget, the discrepancy over what should be the oil benchmark stalled the presentation.

The executive had pegged the benchmark at $74 per barrel, while the Senate and House of Representatives fixed it at $76.5 and $79, respectively.

President Jonathan, in his letter on why he failed to appear at the joint session to present the budget, had attributed the disagreement on the oil benchmark as the reason and advised the two chambers to harmonise their positions.

However, the Conference Committee could not agree on the benchmark as both

chambers were said to have stuck with their positions.

This disagreement, it was gathered, made the House of Representatives members storm out of the meeting to the surprise of the Senators.

A committee member, who expressed shock over the development, said that as the debate on the benchmark was going on, the House of Representatives members staged a walk-out to the bewilderment of the senators.

Although the House members that went out did not come back, it was gathered that the meeting would continue today to find a middle ground so that the 2014 budget would be presented.

10—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013

Robbers kill man, steal bag of money

I

CONGRESS:.Some Guests from the United States, Europe and other parts of the world dancing during the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Holy Ghost Congress 2013, in Lagos. Photo by Lamidi Bamidele

Lagos contributes $90bn to Nigeria’s GDP annually —Fashola

BY MONSURU OLOWOOPEJO

L

AGOS — GOVERNOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, yesterday, said the contribution of the Lagos economy to the National Gross Domestic Product, GDP, is about $90 billion annually.

The governor, who spoke at the 3rd Lagos Corporate Assembly, tagged 'BRF meets Business Chief Executive Officers, CEOs,' organised by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, at the Lagos House, Marina, said this was the reason the state government decided to meet with the organised private sector.

According to him: "If anyone underestimates the reason we decided to hear from you, it is because the number of what you contribute in the aggregate to the economic fortune of the country and to the sub-region, showed a GDP of about $90 billion,

Scholars celebrate J P Clark at 80

A

PROGRAMME of activities have been lined up today to celebrate the 80th birthday of renowned scholar and poet, Professor J P Clark.

The celebration will kick off at 10a.m. with school children reading selected poems at Afe Babalola Hall of the University of Lagos, Akoka, followed by Wole Soyinka Lecture at 4p.m. at the Main Auditorium of the university.

The programme will be rounded off at 7p.m. with the premiere of two of J P Clark's new plays: The Hiss and The Two Sisters, directed

by Professor Femi Osofisan at the Arts Theatre, University of Lagos.

generated by Lagos alone. This is about the fifth largest in the continent.”

He added: “So it is important to have the constant discussion and feel of the purse of this group."

On Independent Power Project, IPP constructed by the state, Fashola explained that, "we have no intention of distributing the power generated from our IPPs. The power we are generating

through the IPPs are for our own use, under the principle of embedded generation which the law allows."

Speaking earlier, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Olusola Oworu said: "We have set up two agroallied parks for Small and Medium Enterprises, SMEs, in the state that are interested in the agro allied. And they are in Imota, Ikorodu and another 100 hectares

in Igbo Nla axis of the state."

On the meeting, the Commissioner explained that the meeting "is a special platform that we have put together for the organised private sector in the state. The meeting is meant to give entrepreneurs better understanding of government policies and for them to voice their concern about new or old government policies."

...issues 706 building permits in 6 months

L

AGOS — Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State said, yesterday, that the state government had issued no fewer than 706 building permits, between January and June this year.

Fashola told the members of the Organised Private Sector, OPS, at the Government House in Lagos, that the issued permits showed that the government was responding well to meet the agitations for the document.

“I understand there are agitations for building permits in the state, but patience must be exercised because the issue of

building permits is complex.

“This is because once you give approvals for a property to be sited in a particular place, it is not only for today but for many years to come.

“The questions are: Will the property be taken over later for industrial use? That your house is your sweat while you are still working; do you have to remove it when you are no more working because somebody made a mistake when issuing you permit?

“Those are the issues at the heart of town planning urban development. And you want to build under what condition and

which terrain?

“We are having an increasing number of building collapses in the state and most cases involved buildings built many years ago when no soil test was done.

“People were just building anyhow they liked and that is why the consequences are haunting us today.

“So the essence of being meticulous in the issuance of permits is to address all these," he said.

Fashola assured that all applications for permits were receiving due attention, saying they would be ready in due course.

Lagos Lottery agency goes tough over betting

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

L

AGOS — THE Lagos State Lotteries Board has vowed to commence strict enforcement on compliance to the rules and regulations of the game.

Meanwhile, the board has promised to ensure a conducive environment for all stakeholders

towards the growth of the industry.

The Chief Executive Officer of the state Lotteries Board, Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila disclosed this in a statement ahead of Friday's stakeholders' forum with the Super Agents, holding at Alausa.

Gbajabiamila said the meeting with the Super Agents, was aimed at ensuring efficiency and the growth of the lottery industry

in the state.

The forum, according to him, would also provide a platform for the Super Agents and other key players in the industry to brainstorm on the way forward in the industry.

Several papers are expected to be presented at the one day occasion by key government functionaries, Super Agents and key players in the industry.

BY OLA AJAYI

BADAN — AN unidentified middle aged man was, yesterday, shot dead by suspected armed robbers on a motorcycle at the Mobil Petrol Station Bus Stop, University of Ibadan main gate on Mokola/Ojoo expressway, Ibadan.

After firing three gun shots at him, his attackers were said to have carted away a bag containing a huge sum of money he was holding.

He was said to have died on the spot before any help could reach him.

The information had it that the deceased was coming from Ojoo end of the city with an unspecified amount he collected from a bank.

The man before his death reportedly negotiated with a car dealer on the type of car he wanted to buy before going to the bank.

He was said to have been killed before he could get back to his dealer with whom he agreed on the exact amount to be paid for the car he wanted to buy.

It was gathered that he was trailed by the attackers who were on another a motorcycle.

After he was shot, he was said to have made futile attempts to run as he could only take three steps before he finally fell down.

The sound of gun-shot reportedly made people in the area to run for cover while the attackers used the opportunity to escape with the bag of money. Policemen from Sango Division of the Nigeria Police were said to have removed his remains to the mortuary.

Controversy greets Oyo NUJ election

BY OLA AJAYI

I

BADAN — HEATED criticisms greeted the list of participating journalists in the election of a new chairman into the Oyo State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, which held at the Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan.

At the end of the election contested by Mr. Gbenga Opadotun, of the Nigerian Tribune and Mr. Wumi Faniran of the Fedral Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Opadotun was declared winner with 375, while Faniran scored 133 votes.

The election was witnessed by the representative of the National Secretariat of the union, Gbemiga Bamidele, who came from Abuja to supervise the election.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013—11

No fresh demolition in Sango, Ijoko — Ogun govt

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

A

BEOKUTA — FOLLOWING the protest against the planned demolition of houses and shops in Sango Ijoko in Ado Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, on Tuesday, the state government said it has shelved the plan.

The government said this, yesterday in a statement by Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu, assuring residents of the area that apart from the houses already marked to create right of way for the on-going road expansion, no other house will be demolished in the area.

Hundreds of residents and traders along Ijoko Road had, on Tuesday, protested against the plan by the state government to further demolish their houses and shops to pave way for the road expansion.

The protesters, who carried placards with various inscriptions such as, “Please don’t demolish our lives,” “We have no others means of survival,” “Stop further demolition of our houses and shops,” said that they had suffered so much and lost a substantial part of their property.

The commissioner, however, said: “Although there was a suggestion that the bridges should be expanded in preparation for future development, the idea was discarded when there was a hint that in few areas it might affect some more buildings.

“Construction work on the 32kilometre road is being pursued with vigour to quickly bring to an end the agony of those who ply it in its present state and we are mindful of not creating a new problem while solving another

one,” Olaniyonu said.

He noted that the regular inspection of the construction by Governor Ibikunle Amosun was to ensure that the work was carried out in record time and also to see that inconvenience to the people was minimal.

The government explained that it embarked on the construction in response to demands by residents despite the great cost involved, adding that rather than being castigated by few who were being instigated by the op-

position, "we should be encouraged.

“We are not embarking on this project to inconvenience or disorganise the lives of our people. It is natural that some people will pay the price for all to enjoy. We sympathise with those whose property had been affected and we urge them to quickly go and take their compensation from the Bureau of Lands and Survey in Abeokuta.”

The government assured that the rebuilding mission of the

Amosun administration was unwavering, even in the face of unwarranted and destructive criticism of few of its opponents who are yet to wake up to the reality of the new dawn in Ogun State.

“We are not opposed to criticism but we will appreciate if it is constructive and people-oriented because it is only this that can lead to development which this government is in a hurry to bring to our dear state,” the Commissioner said.

DONATION: From left, Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe; Chairman, Sawmillers Association of Nigeria, Ekiti State Chapter, Mr. John Okunrojifa, and Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Eniola Ajayi, during a donation of buses to the Association, shortly after a programme on the 'Inception Review of Forestry Law/Governance,' in Ado-Ekiti.

Secretariat: Crisis looms in Osun as PDP dares govt

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

O

SOGBO — ANOTHER round of crisis is looming in Osun State following Monday's judgement of an

Osogbo High Court, which struck out a suit filed by the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, challenging the demolition of a part of the fence of the party’s secretariat, on Gbonga

Ibadan Road, in Osogbo.

As a result of the judgment, the state government had written a letter to the PDP to carry out the demolition of the affected part of its secretariat.

Ekiti govt slams Adeyeye, Omoyeni over pensioners, debt profile claims

E

KITI STATE Government, yesterday, faulted what it described as uninformed position of two Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chieftains, Messrs Dayo Adeyeye and Bisi Omoyeni over the state's finance and relationship with pensioners.

The two PDP governorship aspirants had in different media reports earlier in the week, made scathing statements against the Governor Kayode Fayemi administration.

While Omoyeni criticised

the government for allegedly taking a total of N50 billion loan in three years, Adeyeye had reportedly accused the government of defaulting in the payment pensions to pensioners in the state.

But the government in a statement faulted the claims by the two politicians, describing them as outbursts of uninformed and desperate politicians out to make cheap political gains.

According to the statement by the Information and Civic Orientation Commissioner,

Mr. Tayo Ekundayo, the state government flayed Omoyeni and Adeyeye for attempting to play politics with the welfare of pensioners and also making false claims over the debt profile of the state.

It said no government in the state has treated workers better than the present administration, adding that the "administration is still clearing the huge debt incurred by the governments under which the two politicians served."

But, in a swift reaction to government's letter, the PDP warned the state not to attempt to carry out the demolition of its secretariat.

The state chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Gani Olaoluwa in a statement issued in Osogbo, yesterday, warned that any attempt to pull down the fence of the secretariat would cause chaos and crisis.

According to Olaoluwa, in a letter written to Governor Rauf Aregbesola, the case had been refiled before the court through a new motion.

The motion in suit 121/2013, Alhaji Gani Olaoluwa Vs The Governor and two others, asked that the status quo ante be maintained pending the final determination of the substantive suit.

Alhaji Olaoluwa advised the state government to face the issue of the huge debt the administration had acquired since coming into office, rather than dissipating energy on destroying the PDP secretariat.

Equal Opportunities Law: Ekiti to lobby N/ Assembly

BY GBENGAARIYIBI

A

DO EKITI — WIFE of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi has expressed her readiness to lobby the National Assembly for the passage of the Equal Opportunities Bill for it to have national application, just as Governor Kayode Fayemi has assented to the bill making it a law in the state.

Speaking during the signing of the bill to law by the governor in Ado Ekiti, Mrs. Fayemi also allayed fears that the law was intended to give preference to women over men, saying it would only allow for the less privileged in the society to have their own voices heard.

Erelu Fayemi also explained that both men and women will be protected from violence through the provisions of the law, adding that nobody would be discriminated against in any form, as the law was applied.

The governor's wife noted that giving equal opportunities to both sexes did not mean that men should be derelict in the discharge of their responsibilities at home.

Ajimobi vows to deal with pension fraudsters

BY OLA AJAYI

I

BADAN — GOVERNOR Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has vowed that all those who stole funds meant for payment of pensions of retirees in the state would not go unpunished.

He said this at the Nigeria Union of Pensioners Day 2013 at the State Secretariat, Ibadan yesterday.

According to him, misappropriation of the money meant for the aged was not only a sin to God but also to the retirees who would be denied minimum comfort at the end of their active years.

Governor Ajimobi, who, according to the pensioners, was the first governor in the state to attend any such function organised by them, said that he would continue to fight for the rights of the pensioners and support their course.

12—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013

Amaechi decries drop in allocation from federation account

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

P

ORT HARCOURT— GOVERNOR Chibuike Amaechi yesterday expressed concern over the drop in funds accruing to Rivers State from N20 billion to N13 billion naira, saying the situation had created a major challenge for the state on how to raise funds for people-oriented projects.

The governor, who spoke at Government House, Port Harcourt, while swearing in 10 new Permanent Secretaries in the state civil service, said his administration would continue to provide infrastructure for the state.

He said: “We need to improve on infrastructure. We need to get things going. We need to build more roads that take people out of the city of Port Harcourt. We need to build better schools for our children. We need to build better hospitals and employ qualified doctors. We only have about 600 doctors now, we should be aiming at 1,000.”

He disclosed that the state’s wage bill had increased from N2.5 billion when he assumed office to N7.8 billion today, and was expected to increase with the added salaries of the 13,200 newly recruited teachers in the state.

While urging the new Permanent Secretaries to shun corruption, the governor advised them to be loyal to the government, saying, “I am not asking you to be loyal to me. You don’t need to, but please, be loyal to government. It is important you know that the loyalty that I demand is not to me, it is to government.”

Those sworn in include Jeremiah, Pius U; Michael, Nnodi; BeneboBriggs, Margaret (Mrs); Otonyetarie, Okoye (Mrs) and Davidson, Collins O. Others are Ogo, Asoelu G; Bennibor, Ngozi O. (Mrs); Achor, Ophelia O. (Mrs); Peterside, Cordelia O. (Mrs) and Ikuru, L. R.

Court declares Reps’ takeover of Rivers Assembly illegal zFaults redeployment of Rivers CP

BY IKECHUKWU

NNOCHIRI

A

BUJA—THE Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, yesterday, declared that the House of Representatives acted in breach of Section 11(4) and (5) of the 1999 Constitution, when it assumed the lawmaking functions of Rivers State House of Assembly, on July 10, 2013.

Aside declaring the action illegal and unconstitutional, the Court further held that going by the provisions of Sections 215(2) and (3) of the Constitution, neither the Senate nor the House of Representatives, had the powers to direct the Inspector General of Police to re-deploy the Rivers State Commissioner of Police or any officer under the command of the Nigerian Police Force.

Presiding Justice R. A. Mohammed maintained that the National Assembly failed to adduce any evidence to show that as at the time it passed a resolution to take over the legislative arm of governance in Rivers, the State House of Assembly, was incapable of performing its functions as provid-

ed for under the Constitution.

He said: “Facts of the case are clear and simple. Following a fracas that erupted at the Rivers State House of Assembly, on July 10, the National Assembly passed a resolution asking the Inspector-General of Police to redeploy the Commissioner of Police in Rivers.

It also, by that resolution, took over the legislative functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“No doubt that the National assembly has the powers to take over any state Assembly, but that power is not without target.”

Justice Mohammed stressed that under the Constitution, a state House of Assembly could only be deemed unable to perform its functions if it was proved that such Assembly could not convene a meeting or transact legislative business.

According to the judge, “there is no proof that, as at the time the National Assembly took over, the Rivers Assembly was unable to hold a meeting or transact business.

In fact, from an uncontroverted affidavit before this court, after the fracas on July 9, the

embattled Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, returned, and presided over a meeting attended by 23 other lawmakers.

“In the same meeting, the Deputy Governor of the state presented the 2013 budget of the state, which was amended and passed into law by the 23 lawmakers. Twenty-four hours after that, the House of Repre-

sentatives passed a resolution to take over the legislative functions of the Assembly.

“The defendants have not by any evidence shown that the Assembly did not sit or approve the 2013 budget on July 9. The meeting of the Speaker and the other 23 members of the Assembly was not also denied. The absence of a specific denial of these crucial facts will leave the court with no option than to hold that the facts deposed by the plaintiffs were established.”

BUDGET: Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State (right) presenting the state's 2014 budget estimates to Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt Hon Uyi Igbe, yesterday.

...we’ll comply with judgment —RIVERS ASSEMBLY

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

P

ORT HARCOURT—RIVERS State House of Assembly, yesterday, said it would comply with the Federal High Court judgment in Abuja which reversed the decision of the National Assembly to take over its functions.

In a statement issued yesterday, Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Leyii Kwanee, who said they sought the permission of the Speaker, Otelemaba Amachree, said the House would abide by the court verdict, insisting that it was a welcome development.

He said: “Just this afternoon, we were informed by our team of lawyers in Abuja that the court had given judgement reversing the decision of the National Assembly taking over our responsibility as enshrined by the Constitution. While we consider this a welcome development because Rivers constituents have suffered as a result of this inactivity, we do hope we get back to job very soon. The Chairman, House Committee on Information, Hon. Onari Brown, who would

have given adequate briefing to the press as it relates to this, incidentally, is burying his uncle, so he obtained permission to be away. Considering also that this is a matter that has got to do with the judiciary, I have at my right hand here the Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, Hon. Golden Chioma to give a little insight to the press on the new development.”

Also, the House Committee Chairman on Judiciary, Chioma said they would visit the Police to acquaint it of the court judgment for assembly to be opened for activities.

He said: “With the leave of the Speaker, I want to say that the Rivers State House of Assembly is a law abiding organ of gov-

ernment and will abide by the court judgment. The court in its wisdom has decided to give back our legislative functions which were taken away by virtue of section 11 sub 4 of the 1999 constitution as amended, but now the court has given the decision which we must abide by and we

will abide by it because we are elected to do the functions as enshrined.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013—13

Akwa Ibom proposes N469.374bn for 2014 financial year A

KWA Ibom Government has proposed a total budgetary outlay of N469.374 billion for the 2014 financial year.

This amount is as against N599.180 billion of the total revised appropriation for 2013 fiscal year.

Of the total proposed budget, N165.504 billion is allocated to Recurrent Expenditure while N308.870 billion is for capital projects and programmes, showing a Recurrent – Capital ratio of 1:1:8.

Presenting the budget, yesterday, to Akwa Ibom House of Assembly for approval, Governor Godswill Akpabio said the total projected recurrent revenue for 2014 is estimated at N416.924 billion as against the revised revenue of N430.293 billion for 2013.

Akpabio explained that a breakdown showed that Internally Generated Revenue has N29.617 billion; Statutory Allocation, N42.000 billion; Derivation Fund, N307.726 billion; Retained Revenue from Parastatals, N3.581 billion; Value Added Tax (VAT), N14.000 billion; SURE –P, N20.000 billion.

He said: "For the 2014 fiscal year, Recurrent Expenditure is proposed at N165.504 bil-

lion, made up of N42.534 billion for personnel cost, N31,673 billion for overhead cost and N91.297 billion for consolidated revenue fund charges including pensions, gratuities and public debts.

"The total Capital Receipts and Expenditure for the year 2014 is estimated at N303.870 billion as against the corresponding revised figure of N421.285 billion for 2013. Total projected capital receipts shows that N251.420 billion will be transferred from the consolidated revenue fund.

"The balance of N52.450 billion is to be realized as follows: Opening Balance from 2013 account- N17.350 billion; Internal/External LoansN3.000 billion; GrantsN2.000 billion; Ecological Funds- N0.100 billion; Re-imbursement from Federal Government on Road- N30.000 billion.

“General Administration is allocated N93.2535 or 30.7 per cent; Economic, N130.8560 or 43 per cent; Law and Justice, N6.0610 or 2 per cent; Regional, N4.5000 or 1.5 per cent; Social, N69.1995 or 22.8 per cent.”

According to him, the sectoral allocation of the total estimated capital expenditure

BUDGET: Governor Godswil Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State(left), presenting the state’s 2014 appropriation estimate to Rt (Hon) Sam Ikon, Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. outlay of N303.870 billion for the year 2014 is presented as follows using IPSAS model General Administration, N93.2535 billion or 30.7 per cent; Economic, N130.8560

Rivers APC alleges disruption of rally

by Police

BY JIMITOTA

ONOYUME

P

ORT HARCOURT— All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, has accused the Police of disrupting its rally in the area, yesterday.

A leader of the party, Elder Chidi Wihioka, said the Police allegedly stormed the council headquarters and pulled down canopies meant for the rally. He also claimed that the Police shot teargas and confiscated valuables of supporters of the party at Isiokpo.

Wihioka said the party had earlier informed the Police of the rally in writing, adding that he was shocked with the alleged conduct of the Police.

He said: “On Tuesday, we were at Aluu when we started receiving calls that about six police troopers had stationed at the council premises, and we thought that maybe,

they were after armed robbers around the axis, but we were later informed again that the police had disrupted the APC rally by destroying the chairs, canopies, tables and the public address system. When we moved to Isiokpo to confirm the incident, we found out that the police had shot over 50 tear gas canisters, after they collected the valuables of party supporters, including phone handsets. I am a diabetic patient. My mem-

bers and I were choked by the teargas.”

He said chiefs in the area who were waiting to be part of the rally were also allegedly harassed by the police.

Efforts made to get the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Ahmad Muhamed, to comment on the allegations were futile as he did not pick calls to his mobile phone. At press time, he was yet to respond to a text message sent to his phone for comment on the allegation.

billion or 43 per cent; Law and Justice, N6.0610 billion or two per cent; Regional, N4.5000 billion or 1.5 per cent; Social, N69.199 billion or 22.8 per cent.

The governor hinted that the 2014 budget was predicated on oil benchmark of $74 per barrel, at a production rate of 24 million barrels per day.

C M Y K

14—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013

Confab: North is afraid of losing dominance —NWABUEZE

E

BY TONYEDIKE

N U G U —

CONSTITUTIONAL lawyer, Professor Ben Nwabueze, SAN, said yesterday that the northern leaders were opposed to the proposed national conference because of fear of losing their dominance over other ethnic groups in the country.

He also faulted the decision to allow President Goodluck Jonathan alone to nominate 120 delegates to the conference, saying the various ethnic groups in the country should be allowed to nominate their representatives without any interference to ensure the success of the dialogue.

Nwabueze, who spoke with newsmen ahead of today’s meeting of Igbo leaders of thought in Enugu to fine-tune arrangement for the confab, said the Igbo ethnic group would go to the conference with high expectations that what they had lost over the years would be regained.

Archbishop Okeke sets up scholarship scheme for Anambra students

BY CHRIS OCHAYI WKA—THE Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev Valerian Okeke, has established science scholarship for all Catholic Mission schools in Anambra State, as part of his efforts to promote science education in the country.

Speaking at the inauguration of the scheme at the Holy Family Youth, Awka, yesterday, Archbishop Okeke said the scheme would ultimately be extended to other segments of the society within the next three years.

He urged students and the country’s youth to shun violence and concentrate on their education which, he observed, was the only thing that could help shape their future.

A

Agbaso apologises to Imo people for making Okorocha gov L

BY EMMANUELAZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR

AGOS—ALL Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, chieftain Chief Martins Agbaso, yesterday formally apologised to the people of Imo State for bringing Chief Rochas Okorocha to be their governor in 2011.

Agbaso at a press conference in Lagos also described as shameful, assertions by the governor that he, Agbaso, collected money from him for the support, even as he flayed Imo House of Assembly for shying away from its responsibilities when the controversial Lebanese contractor, Mr. Joseph Dina, told it that he gave a bribe of N450 million.

Agabso also hailed the report of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on its investigation into the bribe scandal that led to the exit of his junior brother, Sir Jude Agbaso as deputy governor of Imo State.

Agbaso spoke against the background of the exoneration of his younger brother,Sir Jude Agbaso, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over allegations of having collected a bribe of N450

million from a Lebanese contractor, Mr. Joseph Dina.

Agbaso was eventually impeached by Imo State House of Assembly upon the allegation even though he protested not knowing anything about the bribe money which was eventually

this, if he is put in position our people would be better for it.

Everything I did was for Imo State and in consideration of Imo State.

“At that point, I was considering Imo, please ndi Imo I am sorry for bringing this man. He brought himself and I helped him.”

From left: President/Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, CIBN, Mr. Segun Aina, MD/CEO, Ecobank Nigeria Plc, Mr. Jibril Aku, Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of Council, Achievers University, Owo, Dr. Bode Ayorinde and Chairman, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Tunde Ayeni, during their conferment with honorary doctorate degrees in Business Administration by the University in Owo, Ondo State, yesterday.

Onitsha human head saga: 3 detained hotel staff sue Obi, Police

BY OKONKWO EZE NITSHA—THREE staff of Upper Class Hotel, Onitsha, Anambra State, which was demolished earlier in the year on the orders of the state government, following the discovery of two decomposing human heads and two AK 47 riffles, have dragged Governor Peter Obi to court, claiming N301 million as damages for breaching their fundamental human rights.

The three applicants are Nnamah John Emeka, a steward, Ikem Chiagozie, a bar attendant, and Miss Nkiru Nwachukwu, the chief cook in the hotel, while the governor, Commissioner of Police, CSP John Nwafor, Commandant, Special AntiRobbery Squad, SARS, Awkuzu, and the AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice are the first, second, third and fourth respondents in the separate suits filed by each of the applicants in different courts.

The first applicant, Emeka, is claiming N100,553,000 jointly and severally from the respondents, out of which N100 million is for aggravated/punitive damages for the violation of his fundamental human rights, while N553,000 is for special damages, being the value of his property the respondents took possession of when they arrested him and demolished the hotel.

The second applicant, Chiagozie, is also claiming N100,470,500, jointly and severally from the respondents, of which N100 million is for aggravated/punitive damages for the violation of his fundamental human rights, while N470,500 is for special damages for property destroyed.

O

traced to Dina’s accounts in the Middle-East.

His words: “I owe the people of Imo State apology.

I operated in good faith, what I saw was a “philanthropist” who trains other people’s children and I said if this man could do

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013 — 15

Senate probes alleged missing $49.8bn Missing fund must not be swept under carpet—APC

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU&JOSEPH ERUNKE BUJA—THE Senate yesterday mandated its Committee on Finance to begin a full-scale investigation into the alleged missing $49.8 billion from the coffers of the Federal Government.

The committee is expected to conclude its findings and submit report in less than seven days.

This followed a point of order raised under matter of urgent importance by Senator Olubunmi Adetunbi, APC Ekiti North, who relied on the Senate Order 42, not only to draw the attention of the upper legislative chamber to the allegation but also requested that it carried out an in-depth probe of the missing fund.

A

Senate President, David Mark, who presided over the session where the issue came up, said the matter could not be instantly treated because, according to him, there is no detailed information before the Senate yet.

Allegation

Besides, he said the allegation which Senator Adetunbi was relying on was a newspaper report, adding that he had earlier in a meeting with the senator on the issue, promised that the Senate Committee on Finance would handle the matter.

“You have come under Order 42, you know what you showed to me was the newspaper report

and I also told you that on the basis of that, since you don’t have all the details, that I will refer it to the committee and the committee will get all the details and bring their report here.

“You know that was my discussion with you. So, this new dimension of a letter coming from Central Bank was not discussed with me. But whatever it is, I think rather that because we don’t have the details at this point, we cannot go into any further detailed discussion.

“So, I will refer it to the committee on finance. I am just saying what you have discussed with me and that is what I am going to do, because the

newspaper is what you brought to me, so you will lay the newspaper on the table and then I will refer the matter to the committee. I want the details, “he said.

Senate position

President’s

The Senate President’s position that the issue be handled by the Committee on Finance attracted resistance from some members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who suggested that rather than the committee, the issue should be directed to the Senate Committee on Public Account but Mark stood his ground.

Value

The money is said to be the value of crude oil export and proceeds from the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, expected to be lodged in the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. Senator Adetunbi, who is the Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Planning and Budgeting, at the plenary, said: “There has been a raging debate on the issue of missing money from the coffers of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“Today, all papers carried the report on $49.8 billion that has not been remitted to the federation account.”

CBN’s letter on the account

He further explained that the nation’s apex bank, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, had written on the account from January 2012 to July 2013, urging the Senate to carry out a holistic investigation on the matter.

“Mr President, as a parliament, this is a very grave issue. The parliament owes a duty or responsibility to the public to ensure that we get to the bottom of this issue for purposes of public information and for purposes of integrity of this parliament, because appropriation and revenue is the major responsibility of this parliament,” he said.

C M Y K

DECORATION: From left: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Alhaji Aliyu Ismaila, Air Commodore Dele Alonge and his wife, Mrs. Folashade Alonge, during the decoration of Air Commodores with their new ranks in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

Ezekwesili seeks inclusion of poor in PIB

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

A

BUJA—FORMER Vice President of the World Bank (African Region), Mrs. Obiageli Ezekwesili, said yesterday that federal lawmakers should integrate all the needs of the poor into the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, before its final passage into law.

She made this request when the Chairman, House Committee on

P e t r o l e u m Resources(Downstream), Mr Dakuku Peterside, stressed the need for an all-inclusive petroleum legislation that would not only enhance revenue generation for the country but also preserve the environment of oil bearing communities.

Ezekwesili had noted that the review had become necessary because the bill, as currently

Thousands of South Africans queue to see Mandela lie in state

conceived, did not do enough justice to some of the critical issues in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry.

They both spoke in Abuja at the public presentation of two books, “Niger Delta Environmental Roundtable- A Book of Readings” and ”African Women Can Lead,” published by the Development and Leadership Institute.

T

HOUSANDS OF people queued on Wednesday to say goodbye to Nelson Mandela, whose body was lying in state in Pretoria in the building where the anti-apartheid hero was inaugurated in 1994 as South Africa’s first black president.

World leaders from President Barack Obama to Cuba’s Raul Castro joined celebrities, religious figures and tens of thousands of ordinary South Africans to pay tribute to Mandela at the service.

Several people fainted in the stifling heat as South Africans waited their turn to file past Mandela’s casket after family members, foreign dignitaries and celebrities paid their respects at the imposing Union Buildings, perched on a hill overlooking the city.

By afternoon, the summer heat and lack of access to water and toilets caused several people to pass out and tempers to fray as people waited in line for their last chance to see the man regarded as the father of democratic South Africa.

Mourners, some carrying infants on their backs, were also turned away if they did not have an identity document.

The government said in a statement that identity documents were not required, and said the cutoff time for people hoping to view Mandela’s body had been reached by 3:30 p.m., meaning many hundreds of people would likely be turned away.

Any perception that the government has mismanaged the logistics of Mandela’s lying in state could further infuriate South Africans, a day after President Jacob Zuma was humiliated by boos and jeers at the memorial ceremony.

Meanwhile, the Deaf Federation of South Africa has alleged that the man asked to interpret at the service to commemorate the late South African President, Nelson Mandela, was a fake.

16—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013

VANGUARD’S 2013 THANKSGIVING OF PRAISE AND WORSHIP ORGANISED BY VANGUARD MEDIA LTD CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP. PIX: KEHINDE GBADAMOSI.

ARRIVAL: From left: Pastor Tyla Dough of Christ Visioners Prophetic Ministries International, Mr. Victor Gotevbe, Administration Manager, Vanguard Media Ltd and Elder Emmanuel Obuh, Coordinator of Vanguard Christian Fellowship.

Cross Section of Vanguard staff and other participants.

C M Y K

Pastor Tyla Dough, Christian Visioners Prophetic Ministries , Kaduna, a.k.a Christian Visioners Assembly, Guest speaker, during the Vanguard’s 2013 Thankgiving Service of Praise and Worship with the theme; ‘Total Restoration' at Vanguard premises, Kirikiri Canal, Apapa, Lagos, yesterday.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013— 17

W

Nelson Mandela, 1918-2013 Not only did Mandela and his movement stay with their vow to build a country that belonged to all its peoples, Black and White, they also taught the world the meaning of compassion and forgiveness in a way that only Africans could have!

What is most remarkably absurd has been the outpouring of tributes by

Nelson Mandela consciousness as a communist, a panAfricanist and patriot. By the time Nelson Mandela was released, whole generations of Africans and nonAfricans alike had been won over completely in support of the struggle against racism, apartheid and colonialism. And I think the remarkable genius of Mandela was to develop the generosity of heart which facilitated the ambience to create a multi-racial country where the entire community seemed to have risen above the pains and prejudices which had characterised their country in the centuries before the dismantling of the apartheid machinery.

,

HEN SKYNEWS interrupted programming last Thursday night to bring a live event, and I saw South African President, Jacob Zuma appear on screen, the journalist in me instinctively guessed that Nelson Mandela had passed. A moment later the fact was confirmed. It was clear that a major phase in world history was closing with the death of a man who joined the ANC Youth League in 1946 and would eventually become the first commander-in-chief of UMKHONTO WE SIZWE (Spear of the Nation), the military wing of the African National Congress, Africa’s oldest national liberation movement. Nelson Mandela belonged to a most talented generation of South African revolutionaries: Walter Sisulu, Peter Mda, Duma Nokwe and Oliver Tambo, amongst others, who took the liberation movement literally, by the scruff of the neck, and radicalised the struggle against apartheid.

They adopted a PROGRAMME OF ACTION in 1949, which pledged the achievement of freedom in their lifetime. Through one of the most difficult struggles of the Twentieth Century, they achieved that freedom. American President, Barack Obama was right, when he described Mandela as the last of the liberation heroes of the Twentieth Century. By common agreement today, that century has been described as the most disturbed in human histor y. Yet, Nelson Mandela and his comrades, understood their historical roles and gave their all to achieve their dreams.

There is a fundamental connection between the struggles against apartheid and colonialism in Southern Africa and the conscientisation of people of my generation. First, were the wars of liberation in Mozambique and Angola led by FRELIMO in Mozambique and MPLA in Angola.

African revolutionaries like Eduardo Mondlane, SamoraMachel and AugustinhoNeto touched the hearts of African youth about the radical possibilities of defeating colonialism and building a new life in their countries. The South African struggle had a different level of resonance.

These were English-speaking revolutionaries who not only built the ANC, but had in their ranks many leading members of the South African Communist Party such as Dr. Yusuf Dadoo, Moses Mabhida, Ruth First and Joe Slovo. The party published THE AFRICAN COMMUNIST, described as a journal of MarxistLeninist thought on the African continent. We avidly read the journal along with SECHABA, the ANC journal and other publications of the liberation movement. We were organizing in the underground Marxist-Leninist Movement of Nigeria as well as several other leftwing and students/youth organisations on campuses around the country. There was no Chinese wall dividing activist work in the anti-apartheid movement and work in the communist underground. And several hours of discussion and debate with leading cadres of these liberation movements accredited to Nigeria, helped clarify many issues about organisational and theoretical work. At a point, I went to Lagos almost monthly in the early 1980s, and I would stay in the ANC residence inside the 1004 Housing Estate. ANC’s Chief Representative was Mark Shope, who was one of the defendants during theRivonia Trial, and had been a trade union leader and communist. He became one of the most inspiring individuals in my life. He was forever telling me stories about Nelson Mandela.

By the middle of the 1980s, I was presenting a weekly programme on Radio Kwara, dedicated to deepening awareness about the anti-apartheid struggle; and that was one of the most productive phases of my professional life as a radio broadcaster. I was doing something that accorded with my

Mandela stood against in his lifetime of service to the people. Mandela was forged within the conditions of the revolutionary struggles for national liberation during the Twentieth Century. He was therefore a man of his times who gave his all to the achievement of the goals set by history.

But he has transcended his times because his exemplary life might not be recreated in the conditions of the world of today. However, political leaders and individuals can find inspiration in his commitment to give of themselves the very best in the interest of their people and of humanity. In the end, I think that the compassion which drove Mandela into struggle and beyond, has very much been on display in the whole world since his passing; but more so inside the rainbow country that he led into liberation. When South Africans of all races and creeds gathered to express their sense of loss as well as celebrate the life of the father of their country, they expressed in concrete terms the success of the liberation struggle and the institution of Mandela’s dream of building a

Mandela was forged within the conditions of the revolutionary struggles for national liberation during the 20th Century; he was therefore a man of his times who gave his all to the achievement of the goals set by history

leaders in many parts of the continent who have refused to borrow a leaf from the sense of responsibility which Mandela exemplified. An elaborate kleptocracy such as Nigeria has become, has been the scene of some of those hypocritical outpourings of tribute. Leaders who have instituted one of the most unjust and most unequal societies in the world today in Nigeria, have fallen upon themselves to shed crocodile tears over the passing of Nelson Mandela. They seemed to have been lost to the irony that they are everything that Nelson

,

country for all its peoples. With hindsight, it must be very ridiculous, even to the most dyed-in-wool racist that all people share the same humanity and discrimination on the basis of colour, ethnicities or confession, go against the best of our humanity. We have all been lucky to share the world with Nelson Mandela as well as enjoy the inspiration which his exemplary life taught all of humanity.

Nelson Mandela’s example will endure through the ages.

Ike Ekweremadu is playing with fire D

EPUTY Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu is playing with fire!

And if he is not careful that fire will consume him! At a recent dinner meeting with selected reporters in Lagos, Nigeria’s Deputy Senate President, revealed a plan to add an additional two years for current office holders in the country. The plan is that the National Assembly might consider the tenure of the president and governors, which normally expires by 2015. The absurd and absolutely irresponsible plan is allegedly part of initiatives to resolve so-called ‘threats’ that the 2015 general elections could pose. According to Ekweremadu, the additional, unconstitutional two extra years, will then allow those in power to be eased out without rancor.

Ekweremadu’s thought was expressed thus: “I believe that if the players in politics or stakeholders are able to come together one way to deal with the situation, it could be a winwin situation for everybody (obviously MINUS the Nigerian people!). I believe that the way it could work now is that people have been elected for four years, so let everybody complete the four years tenure for which they were elected. And then, through the doctrine of necessity and some sort of jurisprudential approach, do some kind of transition of two years in which case those present occupiers like the president and state governors who are finishing their tenures, will do another two years that would end in 2017…You can see that those fighting the President have hinged their

complaints on the fact that if he gets his second term by the time they are gone, he would start to chase them.

So if we all agree (who are this 'WE'?

The thieving political elite obviously!), that is the way to solve the problem.

After two years, both the President and other governors will exit. I believe the fear would not be there and there would not be much pressure in the polity”. These are Ike Ekweremadu’s words!

Amazingly enough, Ekweremadu is Deputy President of Senate and had sworn to uphold and protect the Nigerian Constitution. Yet, he is devising a “doctrine of necessity” plus a “jurisprudential approach” to subvert the same constitution. And his reason for what is close to treason, is to remove “pressure in the polity”, pressure he alleged, built up from those opposed to Goodluck Jonathan’s second term ambition. Ekweremadu repudiates an electoral battle between president and other contestants, but instead wants constitutional tinkering to add two extra years for all. It is afterall the EXCLUSIVE business of “players in politics (note that, PL AYERS IN POLITICS!) and stakeholders”, to do as they deem fit, with the fate of Nigeria. The Deputy Senate President is generously offering two extra years of freebies and kleptomania on a platform of “jurisprudential approach” and the unconstitutional “doctrine of necessity ”! The Deputy Senate President is only acting true to convention; or have we forgotten that it was then Deputy Senate President,

Ibrahim Mantu, who was at the heart of the effort by Obasanjo to push down our throats his notorious Third Term Agenda? There must be something about the office of Deputy Senate President which seems to dispose the occupier to the unpatriotic scheming of a tenure elongation type.

It is instructive that soon after President Jonathan was sworn-in in 2011, the first agenda that he pushed was for a single Seven Year Tenure!

The outcry in the country, but especially in the media, forced Jonathan and his supporters to beat a retreat. But it seems clear that the plan was only shelved from public scrutiny, but is still very much alive within the circles of the ruling elite.

Ekweremadu’s kite flying is very much part of that overall picture of subversion of the constitutional order, from the back door, to achieve tenure elongation. I have an admonition for the Deputy Senate President: He should stay within the insignificant brawl he is having with the governor of his state over his own gubernatorial ambition. If he pushes further the obnoxious agenda to elongate the tenure of president and governors, he will burn himself very fatally! No amount of subterfuge will chloroform Nigerians into sleep over tenure elongation projects. It will be dead on arrival, headed to the mortuary of Nigerian politics and the nation’s hall of infamy! And he might suffer the indignity of being swept into the dustbin of history!

18 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013 ILLEGALITIES are gradually creeping into the conduct of the nation’s legislative affairs.

The Child Rights Act 2003, CRA, witnessed the affront. After its passage, many States laid out different ploys to avoid its implementation. It was the first time under our federal constitution that States rejected a federal law, claiming that their Assemblies would domesticate the law. The Freedom of Information Act 2010, FoIA, is undergoing the same rigmarole. Incidentally, they are the only two laws State Assemblies insist on domesticating. These laws are fundamental to Nigeria’s future.

The National Assembly makes laws for the entire federation. State Assemblies make laws for their States. According to Section 4 (5), of the constitution,“If any law enacted by the House of Assembly of a State is inconsistent with any law validly made by the National Assembly, the law made by the National Assembly’shall prevail, and that other law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void”.

States do not have to make laws on child rights and the freedom of information. If, however, they do, the constitution does not allow such laws to go beneath the standards set by federal law that covers the same field

National Assembly’s Laxity On Illegalities as the state law.

It is surprising also that the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation and Minister of Justice has not stood up against this desecration of the Constitution.

Domestication of laws, according to Section 12 (1) of the Constitution, applies to treaties between Nigeria and other countries. The States have appropriated domestication to desecrate the Constitution.

Child’s rights are so important; we expected States would be enthusiastic about implementing them. The FoIA expands on the liberties the Constitution awards the public. Section 22 of the Constitution which states, “The press, radio, television and other agencies of the mass media shall at all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives

contained in this Chapter and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the government to the people,” is stronger than the FoIA. The National Assembly watches as State Assemblies desecrate its constitutional roles under the dubious claim of domesticating laws the National Assembly validly made.

How do they get away with such illegalities that breach the Constitution? What provisions in the Constitution give them the powers to re-make and un-make federal laws to their satisfaction? The States during public hearings made inputs into the same laws.

Domestication of national laws is an excuse for breaking the law. States can contest the laws in court, not break wantonly as they are doing.

Attempts by different States to weaken the laws by throwing out aspects they consider unpleasant are unacceptable, illegal and should stop. The National Assembly has a major responsibility to protect the Constitution from the fragrant abuses of state legislatures that are assuming the place of the National Assembly. The Attorney-General of the Federation must support the National Assembly to do so.

OPINION

BY BLESSING YAKUBU

T

HOSE who accuse Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, of dehumanising or traumatising the now famed Benin widow are strident in their view that the widow did not deserve to be so upbraided as the Governor did even as a law breaker. They point to the fact of the widow’s profuse supplications as enough atonement serious enough to have melted the Comrade’s heart even if it is made of iron and steel. Some have also expressed indignation for the Comrade in words that clearly suggest they would give vent to their anger by throwing pebbles at the Governor were they to come in physical contact.

There is a point in all of this as Comrade Oshiomhole, a human being, infallible as we all are, admitted he failed to rein in his anger (by what he said as opposed to what he did) at a law-breaker caught in the act in public. But what would his accusers have wished he did? Is it that he failed to observe the injunction of Jesus Christ who told the woman accused of adultery in the Bible: ‘’Go and sin no more’’?

It is heart-warming that the Comrade Governor has since taken steps to remedy the damage his upbraid of the widow, Mrs. Joy Ifije, may have caused, not only to the widow but also the slur on his image as a humane, caring governor presiding over the lives and livelihood of all of us, including widows and widowers. Profuse apologies have been offered and gladly and genuinely accepted in a manner that should humble Comrade Oshiomhole’s critics, including those who have attempted to gain political mileage from a mere human

A widow and the point we miss foible. Suddenly, Comrade Oshiomhole has thrown up the issue of widows and widowhood, awakening some political hawks from a slumber they and their tornumbrella platform may not recover from easily.

The controversy the incident involving the widow has generated also clearly shows that we, the people, are beginning to imbibe Comrade Oshiomhole’s often restated idea that as masters of the servants we elected into public office, we owe it a duty to ourselves to interrogate those in power. He had said several times in the past that we must speak to power in a manner that would not only keep those in power reminded that we are the masters but also point out to them the way we would like to be governed.

The case of the widow is a good example of how we the people live particularly in Edo State. We are unarguably very lawless people who like to be handled with iron fists. Those who reside in Benin City know that it can take only a tough, no-nonsense governor to change our city as well as our attitude towards orderliness and cleanliness for the better. We require an unrelenting, hard and uncompromising implementation of laws, rules and regulations. All genuine efforts by the present administration to make our state better will come to nought if we the citizens do not contribute our quota to the sustenance of such government efforts.

Examples will suffice here. Traffic lights have been erected at major intersections/

junctions on major streets in Benin City.

How many drivers, especially commercial drivers, obey these traffic lights erected to make for order on our roads? It is only in Benin City that taxis and buses stop to pick or drop passengers right on the road and every other motorists must stop and move at the pleasure of the commercial drivers.

Street lights and other beautification projects provided for our comfort and wellbeing have been destroyed or vandalised. Pedestrian walk ways on Mission Road, Oba Market Road and New Benin have become market stalls, while pedestrians have been pushed to the roads to compete with vehicles. Monthly environmental sanitation exercises declared for the last Saturdays of every month are rarely observed as we think that three hours of the exercise is too much time to waste on keeping our homes and surroundings clean and healthy.

B

ut when some of our people travel to other state capitals they come back with tales of how clean that city is, how orderly traffic flows in that other city. It takes human efforts on the part of the ordinary citizens to make laws work. In Edo State, it would appear that we make deliberate effort to circumvent traffic and environmental laws particularly. It was this knowledge of our being adverse to change that brought Comrade Oshiomhole to the streets when he had an encounter with the Benin widow. Have we asked ourselves why

our governor has to personally monitor the streets to ensure we comply with rules and regulations? This is the point we miss.

Two critical agencies, Taskforce on War Against Indiscipline, WAI and Edo State Traffic Management Agency, EDSTMA, created by this administration must be alive to their responsibilities not just in the enforcement of relevant laws but also in public education and enlightenment. Their staff should be trained properly as many of them, most unfortunately, do not even know the laws or rules and regulations they are on the field to enforce. The state governor does not have to be on the streets by himself to monitor compliance with laws and regulations. Relevant ministerial, departmental or agency heads have a responsibility to ensure that government policies, regulations and laws relevant to their ministries, departments and agencies are implemented to the letter.

The case of the Benin widow, rather than dampen the enthusiasm of the ComradeGovernor and his team to do what is right without fear or favour should spur them to intensify efforts at cleaning up our state capital, especially now that Mrs. Joy Ifije’s case has served as enough enlightenment and education to the people. It should be a case of no retreat, no surrender.

•Mr. Yakubu, a public affairs commentator, wrote from Yenogoa, Bayelsa State.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013— 19

, T

HOSE of us who declared the National Dialogue soon to be convened by President Goodluck Jonathan as a jamboree might be justified after all. The Monday, December 9, 2013 issue of Vanguard gave an insight into what we are to expect in the coming few weeks.

For instance, it was reported that the President alone will be nominating a whopping 120 members to the Conference. That is larger than the 96 members that the late General Sani Abacha nominated into the 1994/95 Constitutional Conference. The paper also envisages that the total number of delegates might come to more than 300 delegates if the membership is based on the 109member senatorial districts or about 580 if the 360 federal constituencies are adopted as units of representation.

Any which way, if the feelers we are getting will come true, then we are going to have a crowded hall, and some of the delegates might not even have their turn to present

their views before the six-month envisaged duration of the conference will elapse. I had looked into this knotty issue of representation in my past interventions on this subject, and I came out with a suggestion that will allow for a lean but efficient number of delegates who will have enough time and space to canvas the demands of the people they represent (see People and Politics, October 31, 2013 entitled: “No to tribal delegates (2)”.

For instance, I had called for representation not based on tribes or the much trumpeted “ethnic nationalities”, but rather based on the geopolitical zones. I believe that the geopolitical zones transcend the tribes and constitute more of uniting factors than the former. In that write-up, I noted: “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”.

A

fter all, Nigeria’s most enduring constitution – the 1999 Constitution – was drawn up and debated by just 49 delegates or the so-called “49 wise men”. On the other hand, the National Political Reform Conference, NPRC, organised by President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2005/2006 had a crowd of 400 members and yet it ended up a waste of the nation’s precious time and resources; in other words, a jamboree!

The good thing about the feelers coming from the Vanguard report is that, at least, the Femi Okunrounmu Committee on National Dialogue did not recommend the selection of delegates based on “ethnic nationalities”, which has been the drumbeat of some agitators. I

Hypocrisy in the eye of Mandela

W

E still remember the old prayer point: When we were born, we cried and people rejoiced. Our lives should be such that at the point of departure, people should cry while we rejoice into eternity.

When great people die, good people mourn, even against all advice. We are reminded of Dorcas of the Biblical times; a woman of virtue who made tremendous impact on her community by making coats and other garments for the poor and the needy, particularly widows. When she died, her place was besieged by mourners who kept recounting her kindness. And when she was brought back to life people rejoiced (Acts 9: 36-40).

For the past one week, the entire world has been enveloped in the mourning of a great man, Nelson Madiba Mandela of South Africa, nay the world. People have written and read about the man. One week after, what is still left to write about Mandela? Nothing. Everything.

World leaders have eulogised him to the high heavens. Their praises are coated in hypocrisy. Their tears are those of the guilty and meretricious. In the main, they acknowledge Mandela’s example but they shy away from following its difficult but right path.

Mandela was the last man standing among the 20th century great leaders who helped to dismantle a great racial evil of that era. He replaced old hatreds with new hopes.

Mandela relinquished power at a time when other African leaders were spilling blood to hold on to power. Hear him: “I step down with a clear conscience that I have in a small way done my duty to my people and my country.”

For Mandela, power belongs to the

people. He lived what he preached: “It is not the kings and generals that make history but the masses of the people, the workers, the doctors and the clergy”.

In Mandela’s reckoning, it is not life that matters but the courage we bring into it: “What counts is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is the difference we have made to the lives of others that determines the significance of the life we lead.”

All the while that Mandela was ill, he did not leave South Africa. But in Nigeria, leaders take pride in travelling abroad even for simple ailments like headache and malaria.

We are all Mandela only if we choose to be. This is why we have attempted to look at what world leaders have said about Mandela and we compared each of them with what he did in similar circumstances and we have come to the inevitable conclusion that these world leaders are a bunch of hypocrites – they praise a great person but refrain from doing what made the person great. We found a quick exception in President Barack Obama of the USA who has lived up to Mandela’s example.

Our journey started from Mandela’s home front, South Africa. Thabo Mbeki who was Mandela’s immediate successor made desperate efforts to overshoot the runway by seeking to have an additional tenure, perhaps as a prelude to transformation into life president, but he was starkly resisted by South Africans.

The incumbent President, Jacob Zuma, who announced the death of Mandela, currently has a multi-million dollar scandal hanging over his neck. There are issues over the state-sponsored construction for him in his native Nkandla, a modest rural town in Kwa Zulu, Natal Province. Where is the

have made it clear that the less we celebrate tribes and tongue in nation-building the better for us.

Instead, we should have the attitude that “though tribes and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand”, the glorious words of our discarded old anthem. I believe that since Nigeria gives more to all of us than our respective tribes (being that tribes are only platforms for us to demand more from Nigeria) we should approach one another based on the shared bounties that Nigeria has already blessed us with.

For instance, Nigeria gave us states and local government councils for the purpose of local self governance and revenue allocation from the federal purse.

She also gave us the federal constituencies and the senatorial districts as units of representation at the federal parliament. These are better platforms for representation than “ethnic nationalities”. However, over the years, we have realised that state, local government, federal constituencies and senatorial districts were not shared among the people equitably.

They were shared after the civil war, as if in reward for the roles played by the various ethnoregional groupings in defeating Biafra. That being so, the North grabbed the highest number of these units, the West followed, while the former Biafrans (South East) were given a pittance on each count. Kano, Katsina and Jigawa in the North West zone alone collect more revenue from the federation account and have more at the House of Reps than all the five states the South East put together.

This inequitability was responsible for the agitation for

Mandela in him?

Whereas Mandela united a country, which for centuries was bitterly divided along racial lines, Kenya is today hopelessly divided along tribal lines.

Meanwhile, Kenya remains the only nation on mother earth, where a sitting head of state is obliged to attend trial for crimes against

,

Discard wrong power sharing formula

I call on the Presidency to ignore calls for delegates to be based on the inequitable formula left behind by the win-the-war military regime which benefited some groups and marginalised others

Mandela was the last man standing among the 20th century great leaders who helped to dismantle a great racial evil of that era; he replaced old hatreds with new hopes

,

humanity. And Uhuru Kenyatta is busy cracking down on the press and NGOs in his country. Yet, the most flowery condolence message came from him.

T

he Nigerian front symbolised by General Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo and President Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonthan perhaps presents the worst specimen of Mandela. Obasanjo has done three terms – one as a military dictator and two as a malevolent civilian ruler. He wasn’t satisfied. He was in the process of transforming himself to life president when Nigerians stopped him.

Yet, when Mandela passed on, Obasanjo presented the most beautiful rhyme on the type of loss Mandela’s death presented to his family, his state, his country and the

Nigeria to be re-divided into six geopolitical zones, which more or less accommodate the various peoples of Nigeria in conformity with the principles of contiguity and consanguinity. If the Nigerian commonwealth (or national cake) is divided equally among the geopolitical zones, Nigeria will be a happier, more peaceful and progressive entity.

I, therefore, call on the Presidency to ignore calls for delegates to be based on the inequitable formula left behind by the win-the-war military regime which benefited some groups and marginalised others. Rather, we should begin now to give expression to the use of the geopolitical zones for power and revenue sharing in Nigeria. We must start practising that with the impending National Dialogue.

The time has come when Nigerians must accept what rightly belongs to them and not insist on stealing from the shares of others. This lootocratic disposition has always worked against those it was created to favour, because at the end of the day, they always come up the poorest, most backward and destitute, while those being marginalised soar on, on the wings of enterprise in spite of systemic odds.

We all are celebrating Mandela, with typical Nigerian hypocrisy.

Mandela stood for fairness for all, irrespective of colour and race or even political roles in the past. But here in Nigeria, we insist that evil structures set up 40 years ago to feather our selfish nests and freeload on a civil war victory must become the permanent formula for national cohabitation.

That is the trouble with Nigeria!

world. What an exercise in hypocrisy!

Enter Goodluck Jonathan. His was more of a love letter to the President and people of South Africa. Following the footsteps of the US, he also declared a three-day national mourning in Nigeria. But he remains everything un-Mandela.

We are not about to re-enact our familiar story of his ascendency from the plantation to the presidency, as it were, without obtaining a single nomination form. We credit all that to good luck. But the man got to power and he is clinging tenaciously to it.

After one year as Acting President and five years in substantive capacity – one year inherited from his late boss and four years of his, he still won’t let go. And it doesn’t matter to him if the country is thrown into war in the process.

Meanwhile, his foot-runners are already boasting of the number of states that must be compulsorily acquired, come 2015.

Haba!

They now see a roadblock in the way to achieving this, which is what the APC represents. They must quickly beat a retreat to a previously abandoned scheme.

Suddenly, they are returning to the single six-year tenure, which a sitting President can benefit from. This is tenure enlongation through the back door; a most desperate design by the most desperate people and so desperately will it collapse!

That a party no longer enjoys the popularity it once had cannot be a reason for tenure extension. Rather, it is a good reason to leave before your time – just pack your things and go NOW! That’s what a true Mandela would do!

C M Y K

2013

Tribute to ‘Chairman’ Chidi Ohaeri Ike

BY JOSSY NKWOCHA

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul.

T

Chidi Ohaeri Ike the faculty still reminds their students about the Chairman Chidi Ike Class — who learnt and practised public relations! Since 1999, he has been the Chairman of the Post Graduate Public Relations Alumni Association of the university.

While we were in school, Chairman Chidi Ike helped many of us financially. At that time, he was the Enugu Sales Representative of Yosco Nigeria Limited, which dealt in telephones and other IT facilities. He was not rich, but he shared whatever he had with everyone in need. After our programme, he established his own company, Cox

,

EARS rolled down every one’s eyes, that evening, Thursday, November 26, 2013 as this solemn song was sung.

Venue was the banquet hall of Garden Royale Hotel, Enugu.

The event was the Service of Songs in honour of Mr. Chidi Ohaeri Ike, whom everyone knew as and called “Chairman.”

For more than 1,000 persons who attended the event, Chairman’s demise, at the young age of 53, was indeed, as the songwriter intoned, so sorrowful like the sea billows roll…

Even the stone-hearted would weep, looking at the photographs of Chidi on the service brochure.

He was such a handsome, cleanshaven, well-built six-footer. His well-trimmed white beards always gave him a distinguished look.

He loved designer wears and shoes. But most importantly, he had a heart of gold and would not see anyone suffer without giving a helping hand. He lately became an associate pastor with the House on the Rock, Enugu district.

Chairman Chidi Ike touched the life of everyone that came his way. He was a positive influence on everyone. He was a mentor to many young people. He paid the school fees of many indigent students. He paid the house rent of many friends who were in financial difficulty. He helped many friends to offset their debts.

He helped many young people to get married. He helped many others to get jobs. He was an inspiration to many.

In fact, at the Service of Songs, everyone had something glorious to say about Chairman Chidi Ike. It was not surprising that when it was time to donate to “Chidi Ike Foundation” in his honour, almost everyone gave from the heart. The Foundation will take care of his family — wife, four children, aged father and mother. The Foundation will also preserve his shinning legacy — mentoring young people, promoting true friendship, taking care of the less-privileged, among others.

Chidi Ike earned the “Chairman” title during our PGD/M.Sc Class (1996/97 – 1998/99) at the Department of Marketing, Faculty of Business Administration of the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus. Our Class was a remarkable collection of people of various academic backgrounds who desired to acquire marketing communications skills through the newly established Public Relations programme of the university.

Chidi Ike, as Chairman of the Class, galvanized all of us to contribute to the upgrading of facilities and equipment in the department. Many years after we left,

He was a mentor to many young people. He paid the school fees of many indigent students; he paid the house rent of many friends who were in financial difficulty.

He helped many friends to offset their debts

,

Communications Limited, which provided solutions to various IT needs in the entire south-east region and Abuja. Most importantly, Chairman Chidi used Cox Communications Limited to provide employment for many young graduates.

Chairman Chidi Ike was born on June 12, 1960 at Gusau now the capital of Zamfara State into the family of Mr. Wilfred F. A. Ike of Abacheke Egbema, the oil producing community in Imo State.

He was the first son and second child among 17 other siblings — many of whom he had to train in school. From an early life, he began to shoulder extended family responsibilities as the first son of the family.

He started his primary education at Central School, Uwani Enugu and finished at Sacred Heart Primary School, Diobu Port Harcourt. He had his secondary education at St. Aquinas Secondary School, Elele, also in Rivers State from 1975 to 1980.

He later studied at the Univer-

sity of Port Harcourt and bagged a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Chemistry in 1991. In 1999, he also bagged a Master’s Degree in Marketing (Public Relations) from the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus.

Chairman Chidi Ike was a Fellow of the Institute of Corporate Administration (FICA) and Member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (MNIPR).

Before he met his tragic death on his way from Abuja to back to Enugu recently, he was being considered for a top position in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) — being an indigene of an oil producing community. I strongly plead that NDDC should graciously offer a job to his widow, Mrs Ogoma Ike who is a lawyer.

At the social sphere, Chairman Chidi Ike was ever present and eager to contribute his quota to any good cause. He was the Vice Chairman (Membership Committee) of the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA); Member of the Communications Sub-Committee, LOC of the 1999 World Youth Championship; Member of the Outreach Committee of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Enugu Zone; Head of the Pastoral Care & Marriage Counseling Committee of House on the Rock Church, Enugu, among others.

Chairman Chidi Ike won the following merit awards: Most Valuable Customer Award by NITEL, Enugu Zone (1998); Humanitarian Merit Award by the National Human Rights Club; Merit Award for Contributions and Meritorious Service by National Union of Postal and Telecommunications Employees, South-East Zone; Humanitarian Service Award by Rotary International, District 9140 (IMT Chapter) Enugu and Motivator Award by the Youth Wing, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), etc.

He was equally a loving husband and father. He got married to his wife, Mrs Ogoma Ike in December 1995 and blessed with four children namely Chima, Chidi Jnr, Ifunanya and Chinedum.

As the remains of Chairman Chidi Ohaeri Ike is laid to rest in his Egbema hometown on Friday, 30th November, 2013, many people still cannot believe that their own “Chair” is no more.

A motivator par excellence, a true friend indeed, a disciplined gentleman, a marketing communications guru, a true man of God and a quintessential family man has gone to rest with his Maker.

As mortals, we can do nothing than to pray God to grant his gentle soul eternal rest and his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. As the songwriter says: “Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul…”

Sir Jossy Nkwocha, FNIPR, is former General Editor of Newswatch magazine, and currently Head of Corporate Communications of Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals Limited, Port Harcourt.

Easy come easy go A

FEW months ago, I was accosted by a man I did not know from Adam. In a fit of rage, he said to me: “N70 million in 3 months! Imagine that!

N70 million! Three months!”

Obviously at a loss what he was talking about, I said: “Sorry, I don’t know what you are talking about.”

He then pointed at a young man nearby and said: “Look at that man. He made N70 million from Yahoo! Yahoo! He left his father ’s house and checked into a hotel in Festac Town.

Three months later, he was back in his father ’s house penniless. Now he begs for N200 from friends to buy recharge cards for his phone.”

The fellow he was talking

,

C M Y

20—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12,

iously outrageous demands of the scammer.

Internet scammers adopt various devices to defraud their victims. A common variant is that of a woman in Africa who claims that her husband has died and that she wants to leave millions of dollars of his estate to a good church. In every variation, the scammer promises obscenely large payments for small unskilled tasks. This scam, like most scams, is too good to be true. Yet people fall for it. They use the potential victim’s emotions and willingness to help against him, promising to give him a large part of their business or family fortune. All the victim has to do is cover the endless “legal” and other “fees” that must be paid to the people

Interestingly, it has been observed that no matter how much money the Yahoo boys acquire from internet scams, they always fall back to zero.

They lose everything. It is a case of easy come, easy go

about was a young man in his mid-twenties. He looked shabby and famished and I could swear he hadn’t come across N10, 000 in his life. I turned to the man who was talking to me. He was still seething and it was obvious that he was thinking of things he could do with N70 million.

I shook my head and said: “Easy come, easy go.”

I had heard quite a few things about Internet scams but little did I know that the so-called Yahoo boys made so much money. I was curious and began to ask questions. That was when I was told that scammers no longer operate at the level of Yahoo Yahoo! They have advanced to Yahoo Plus.

“What the hell is Yahoo Plus?” I asked. Yahoo Plus is the advanced form of Yahoo Yahoo, I was told. It is the addition of spiritual dimension to Yahoo Yahoo.

The scammer takes the details of his potential victims to a spiritualist or native doctor who prepares charms and incantations that will arrest the spirit of the victims making them susceptible to the obnox-

,

that can release the scammer ’s money. The more the victim is willing to pay, the more they will suck out of his wallet. The victim will never see any of the promised money because there isn’t any.

They use a variety of reasons to explain why they need the potential victim’s help. They may claim that political climate or legal issues preclude them from accessing funds in a foreign account. They may also claim that the potential victim’s last name is that of the deceased person who owned the account and suggest that the victim act as the next of kin of the person in order to gain access to the funds.

Many youths are attracted to internet fraud. It is common to see young men with no visible means of livelihood driving exotic cars. Even students are being lured into it.

Interestingly, it has been observed that no matter how much money the Yahoo boys acquire from internet scams, they always fall back to zero. They lose everything. It is a case of easy come, easy go.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013 — 21

B & E DATA

FG, BOA sign N2.4bn MoU on cassava bread development

BY GABRIEL EWEPU

A

SUMMIT: From left: Mr. Chidi Okoro, Managing Director, GlaxoSmithKline; Mr. Nicholas Okoye, President, Anabel Group and Convener, Nigeria Leadership Summit and Hon. Abike Dabiri, member, House of Representatives at the second Nigeria Leadership Summit organised by Anabel Leadership Academy, in Lagos.

AGRA plans policy, regulation reforms to transform agribusiness in Africa investment in small- and medium-sized agribusinesses operating in smallholder agricultural value chains.

A release from the body said “Over a period of five years, AGRA aims to motivate at least 25 significant policies or regulatory reforms in selected countries, leading to measurable increases in private sector investment in local agribusinesses.

“The project, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates foundation, is expected to increase the number of smallholder farmers accessing improved technologies supplied by agribusinesses operating in local staple food value chains. It will also help them access stable, predictable income-generating

By OMOH GABRIEL

A

lliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), on Tuesday in Nairobi, announced a fiveyear project that seeks to increase incomes of smallholder farmers through the creation of an enabling policy environment in Africa.

The initiative –Micro Reforms for African Agribusiness (MIRA) – will identify, prioritize and reform specific agricultural policies and regulations that currently deter or limit private

109.95

4.45

2,769.00

+8.00

16.65

0.1

109.31 0.08 98.33 +0.99 CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL DOLLAR STERLING EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL KRONA SDR

154.73 254.4071 212.6764 173.7953 1.5006 0.3047 237.4343 25.4837 41.2525 28.5043 238.2068

155.23 255.2292 213.3636 174.357 1.5055 0.3147 238.2015 25.5665 41.3858 28.5964 238.9766

SELLING 155.73 256.0513 214.0509 174.9186 1.5103 0.3247 238.9688 25.6493 41.5191 28.6885 239.7463

CBN Exchange rate as at 11/12/2013

market opportunities”.

According to the release “This enhanced access to input and output markets is in turn expected to lead to increased smallholder productivity and incomes, and reduced poverty for smallholder farm-dependent families”.

Continuing AGRA President Ms. Jane Karuku said “We are very excited about this new initiative. It will help African Governments unlock agricultural potential in their countries by supporting their efforts to develop progressive agricultural policies that will attract increased private investment in smallholder agricultural value chains. The initiative aims reform retrogressive agricultural regulations that deter rather than encourage such investment”.

According to Dr. Steven Were Omamo, AGRA’s Director of Policy and Advocacy, “The MIRA project will provide African Governments with access to high quality local and international technical assistance for identifying, prioritizing and reforming specific agricultural regulations”. Current regulations

often discourage private investment in small- and medium-sized agribusinesses that serve the needs of smallholder farmers. The project will help build the capacity of African Government leaders and analysts to make better-informed, economically-robust assessments and decisions about which regulations need to be reformed in order to facilitate increased private investment in smallholder value chains.

The MIRA project has four key objectives: to strengthen African Governments’ demand for regulatory reforms, by supporting efforts to identify and assess regulations that unintentionally limit private sector investment in smallholder value chains; to support African Governments’ efforts to reform regulations that limit private sector investment in smallholder value chains; to promote reformed regulations to local and international private sector investors, in order to raise awareness about improved agribusiness-enabling environments in Africa; and to enhance the capacity and commitment of African Governments to continuously review, assess and reform regulations that limit private sector investment in smallholder value chains.

It said that by the end of the project, three major outcomes are expected: reformed agricultural policies and regulations creating more conducive environments for private sector investment in local agribusinesses operating smallholder value chains in five countries; increased private sector investment in the “throughput capacity” of existing and new local agribusinesses – those supplying inputs to smallholders and/ or purchasing farm outputs from them; and at least 25 significant policy or regulatory reforms that induce measurable increases in private sector investment in local agribusinesses operating in smallholder agrifood value chains.

S efforts continues to intensify to make cassava bread a household staple, the federal government and the Bank of Agriculture, BOA, at the weekend signed a N2.4 billion Memorandum of Understanding, to facility the processing of cassava flour for self-sufficiency in cassava bread production and consumption.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina stressed the need for the cooperation of the two organisations to provide support for cassava farmers and bakers to ensure adequate production and supply of cassava bread to Nigerians.

He further emphasized that farmers were to produce cassava under mechanised conditions.

Adesina said: “Today is another day that marks a giant step in our effort to free ourselves from dependency on food imports, because as a country God has blessed us tremendously with resource; land, water, cheap labour, hard working citizens, big population that suppose to be eating what we produce.

“Nigeria therefore has no business to be a net food importing country. Nigeria will be unlocking everything we have so that we can start adding value to ourselves.

“We are delighted to be working with the Bank of Agriculture, BOA, of this particular part of that value chain. We are trying to reach 29, 500 of our farmers under this facility and to provide them access to cheap loans, mechanised services, inputs.

“With the BOA we are signing today the facility of N2.4 billion this is part of the cassava bread development fund. This particular N2.4 billion will be runned by the BOA, to facilitate the input and services for 29, 500 cassava farmers across the country.”

The minister gave a breakdown of how the funds will be utilised among the 29, 500 farmers registered with the ministry. He stated that the beneficiaries will be published in the dailies for the sake of transparency.

“The fund will do the following, N912 million will be dedicated to the organisations support for this 29, 500 farmers. It will be in form of a grant. 50 per cent grant and 50 per cent loan.

There will be a sum of N708 million that will be used to provide planting materials to support this 29, 500 farmers and that will be simply in terms of grant.

“Third, the amount of N796 million will be used to support the agro inputs that will support this farmers, and we will run that as almost as our Growth Enhancement Scheme, GES, programme. It will be 50 per cent grant and 50 per cent loan.

“We have the full data of all this 29, 500 farmers and they are going to be in clusters producing a lot of cassava. But to support them they have to plant cassava under mechanised conditions. This will have tractors, combinedharvesters, and all kinds of equipment to support them.

Every beneficiaries of the N2.4 billion fund from the BOA will be published in the newspapers, because we are running a very transparent system. I will ask for patience because we are building the blocks.

22—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013

Next financial crisis already programmed — Adesola

BY JONAH NWOKPOKU

M

COMMISSIONING: From left: Former Governor of Kano State, Senator Kabir Gaya; Acting Director General, PenCom, Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu; Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State and Central Bank Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi at the commissioning of the North-West zonal office of PenCom, in Kano.

ANAGING Director, Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited, Bola Adesola has predicted that another crisis looms in the global financial sector.

She made the prediction while delivering a keynote address at the unveiling of the e-learning version of Fundamentals of Credit Training Programme by IBFCAgusto Training Limited in Lagos last week.

Speaking on the topic, ‘The Next Credit Bust – Preparing Your Workforce Through eEnabled Credit Training,’ Adesola said that the even though the global economy has weathered the worst financial crisis between 2008 and 2009, it is not yet time for

IFRS adoption has enhanced perception of Nigeria — Aganga

BY BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

T

he adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards has enhanced the perception of Nigeria in the international community Minister for Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga disclosed this at the 10th annual Financial Reporting Council summit held in Lagos. “The first phase of the adoption of IFRS in Nigeria has started producing enhanced perception for Nigeria,” he said.

IFRS is a set of international accounting standards that state how particular transactions and events should be reported in the financial statement of companies. The standards, which replace the old International Accounting Standards, are issued by the International Accounting Standard Board (IASB), for the purpose of making international comparison of companies as easy as possible.

The journey to adoption of IFRS in Nigeria started in July 2010, when the Federal Executive Council approved the Road map for Nigeria’s adoption of the standards.

This was followed with the enactment of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria Act in 2011, which led to the transformation of the Nigeria Accounting Standards Board to the Financial Reporting

Council (FRC). The FRC among other things is charged with the responsibility of implanting the road map for adoption of IFRS in Nigeria. In 2012 Nigeria commenced phased adoption of IFRS in 2012, with all companies quoted on the stock exchange and companies with significant public interest required to comply in the first phase.

Aganga noted that the summit is to consolidate on

the gains of the adoption of IFRS, and deliberate on the wider implications of the Financial Reporting Council Act, 2011 and the on-going unification of codes of corporate governance for private and public sector entities in Nigeria.

He charged participants at the summit to come up with suggestions that will assist the FRC in actualising the strategic plan that will ensure a seamless completion of the

phase transition to IFRS adoption in Nigeria.

He also called on the FRC to urgently finalise details on the establishment of the IFRS Academy, conclude discussions with the executives of the National Universities Commission on the possible revision of accounting curricula to enable students gain exposure to practical applications of IFRS and International Standards on Auditing.

NDIC seeks collaboration with media on financial inclusion

By BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

N

igeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has called for the support of the media in the promotion of financial inclusion in the country.

Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Corporation, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim made this call at the 2013 workshop for Business Editors and Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.

He said, “The media remains a critical and strategic stakeholder in our quest to mold fresh perception amongst our key stakeholders as well as stamp our core mandate of deposit protection in the minds of our teeming depositors through enhanced service delivery. As we crave

your role and support in the promotion of financial inclusion in order to attract the unbanked poor to formal financial systems through this workshop, we equally like to seek your partnership toward cascading the philosophy and objectives of the new NDIC brand to our numerous stakeholders”.

Explaining the connection between the mandate of NDIC and financial inclusion, Ibrahim said “Financial inclusion can be regarded as the delivery of financial services at affordable costs to sections of disadvantaged and low-income segments of society. Financial inclusion is further facilitated by an effective deposit insurance system (DIS) that provides confidence and which allows financial institutions to provide services to a vast

majority of people at affordable cost. This is where NDIC as a key financial safety net participant plays a key role.

“The NDIC supports financial inclusion through guaranteeing deposits, especially small savers. This is the direct link between deposit insurance and financial inclusion. Deposit insurance is vital to financial inclusion because the poor need assurance that the services of the depository institutions are safe and available at all times they desire. NDIC is also a supervisor that enhances financial inclusion by providing consumer protection through supervision of banks, continuous education and trust and policy formulation and oversight.

renewed optimism, since according to her, “the next financial crisis is already programmed.”

“The panic appears to be over but now is the time to get worried. It’s somewhat like an earthquake. We cannot predict exactly when it will happen, but we know that it will. Yet unlike earthquakes, financial crises are manmade. They need not happen.

They happen because we allow them to happen. We could take many measures to reduce their frequency and depths, but we often fail to do so. The greatest tragedy would be to accept the refrain that no one could have seen the last crisis coming, and nothing could have been done. If we accept this notion, it will happen again,” she said.

She therefore identified proper risk management and effective training in preparing better against such crisis.

According to her, “the key factors that determine which organisations are better prepared are its People, Processes and Systems.

Banks failures during the credit crunch era happened because elements of processes, procedures and systems were clearly compromised. Banks such as Lehman Brothers, Bear Sterns, Northern Rock in the US and UK, and back home, Intercontinental, Oceanic and Bank PHB, did not survive the credit bust. Whilst organisations like Standard Chartered Bank, GTB and First bank proved that investing in people and training have a positive impact on franchise sustainability especially during tough times.

“In addition, sound and robust risk management policies, and adherence to same, are crucial to the survival of any financial institution. Many of the risks faced by an organisation may be in the nature of uncertainties or emerging risks which may be difficult to quantify or control.

Nonetheless, it is important that these risks are identified in order to establish mitigating actions to the risks crystallizing.

“The inability to identify business risks is as a result of acute dearth of knowledgeable and skilled risk professionals. Most of the available risks experts appear to be concentrated in certain banks, yet even in these institutions, those with risk experience may not be fully involved in major strategic decision making.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013 — 23

Bende-Belcarbon trains exporters on raw materials sourcing

BY FRANKLIN ALLI

B

DRAW: From left: Gathy Echeozo, Deputy Managing Director, GTBank; Mr Wale Oyedeji, Executive Director and Ibukun Odegbaike, Deputy General Manager, Retail Banking duirng the GTB Crea8 Mini Cooper raffle draw at the bank's head office, in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele.

FG urged to sustain 35% duty on crude palm oil STORIES BY FRANKLIN ALLI

S

TAKEHOLDERS at the just ended International Palm Produce Conference (IPPC) have urged the Federal Government to maintain the 35 percent duty on imported crude palm oil.

They also called for the establishment of special fund for Oil Palm Development to be managed

by Bank of Agriculture (BoA), Bank of Industry (BoI), or NIRSAL that will offer five to six percent interest rate to effectively assist entrepreneurs in the industry.

In a communiqué, the stakeholders noted that the oil palm industry has suffered neglect over the years due to over dependence on crude oil revenue, inadequate improved planting materials and low investment in large commercial farms.

They also askedgovernment to sustain the ban on importation of vegetable oil in Nigeria in order to improve the production, processing and marketing of oil palm oil along the entire value chain.

The participants urged government to sustain the initiatives in the Transformation Agenda of the present administration, especially the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA), National Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP), and

the Nigerian Agric-Business and Agro-Industry Development Initiative (NAADI).

Among other decision reached at the conference were as follows: Farmers and farmer groups in the palm oil sub sector should be encouraged to be properly registered as Co-operative groups to enable

them benefit from the ongoing NIRSAL credit facility of the Federal Government.

The conference appealed to banks to deemphasize the requirement for collaterals from farmers seeking loans from them since the farmlands and the farmers themselves are enough

collateral. * Participants emphasized the need to adequately fund NIFOR and strengthen its seed production capacity to enable it continue to produce and deliver improved Tenera Sprouted nuts/ seedlings to farmers. * Need for adequate advocacy/sensitization farmers.

NBCC honours British Airways for bilateral trade promotion

T

HE Nigerian British Chamber of Commerce, NBCC, has honoured British Airways for promoting bilateral business and investment activity between Nigerian and Britain. The honour was conferred on the airline during NBCC’s 2013 annual Presidential Dinner and Awards which held in Lagos.

President of the chamber, Prince Adeyemi Adefulu, who presented the award to the airline, noted that British Airways has played significant role in fostering bilateral relations, business and investment between Nigeria and Britain which is in line with some of the core objectives of the Chamber.

“The role that the British Airways has continued to play in encouraging and fostering business and economic activities between Nigeria and Britain cannot be overemphasized. It dates back to the formation of the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce and the role

played by the then Chairman of British Caledonian, Sir Adam Thompson,” he said.

The award was received on behalf of the airline by the Trade Sales Manager, British Airways Nigeria, Mr. Ademola Sanya, who thanked the Chamber for the recognition. He used the occasion to restate the airline’s commitment to the development of the Nigerian aviation industry and tourism sector, and by extension the Nigerian economy.

According to Sanya, apart from facilitating businesses between Nigeria and Britain through its services, the airline has been encouraging small and medium scale industries in the country through several initiatives as part of its commitment to keep entrepreneurship alive and to help stimulate local businesses.

“We currently have an initiative known as On Business, a unique loyalty programme designed to

help small companies make the most of their travel budgets. In 2011, we also launched the Business Opportunity Grants programme through which we gave free Business Class tickets to 50 SMEs across the country to travel to any part of the world to conduct their businesses.

We came up with these initiatives because we understand the difficulties small and medium sized businesses can face when it comes to travel budgets, and we realise the benefits of meeting their clients face to face, wherever they are,” he said.

Earlier in his welcome remark, Adefulu who was elected as the 13th President of the NBCC promised to reposition the Chamber. He noted that the Chamber has continued to grow from strength to strength since it was formed due largely to the efforts of the late Henry Fajemirokun and Sir Adam Thompson.

ENDE Export-Import Limited and its foreign partners have been building the capacity of local producers and exporters of charcoal on raw materials sourcing.

The foreign partners are Bende-Belcarbon ,Belgium and GSC BendeBelcarbon, France.

Mr. Benjamin Kalu, Managing Director of the company, told journalists in Lagos that his firm had entered into a strategic alliance with the partners to building the capacity of local suppliers on tree planting, recycling saw dust, coconut shell and palm kernel shell for charcoal production.

He disclosed that so far 790 trees have been planted between August and October this year while the November figure is still being expected; he urged the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to assist them with seedlings to boost its effort.

“We have recorded successful tree planting exercise in Ugwueke In Abia State; Ogobia in Benue State; Iseyin,Ibiko Ilo,Ijio,Ilesa,Saki Okaka and Ibiko Ilo,” he said.

“Our exporters now take

tree planting seriously, by working closely with the forestry regulators and more especially, we have started receiving good quality charcoal made from coconut shell, palm kernel shell and saw dust,” he affirmed.

He affirmed that the availability of the raw materials couple with the growing demand for Nigerian charcoal in Europe would go a long way to boost the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contribution of the non-oil sector to the economy.

Kalu said that the recently introduced recycling model has led to the production of charcoal without cutting down trees, but rather, through recycling saw dust and the use of coconut shell.

“This is the kind of synergy we have always wanted as operators in the European market.

We are happy we now have a reliable and environmental protection compliant partner in Bende Export Limited,” said Mr. Afflisio Giovanni,CEO Bende Belcarbon Belguim; Mr. Bouvier Christian Ghislain,CEO GSC Bende Belcarbon France and Mr. Parety Nick Andre, the international operations manager.

Don decries cost of entrepreneurship

BY BASHIR ADEFAKA

A university scholar and former Managing Director, Boots Plc, Dr. Oyewole Sarumi, has decried the cost of entrepreneurship in the country, saying it is too high.

He also described Nigerian version of capitalist economy as unreal, blaming the national economic woes on same.

In a paper entitled: ‘The role of diplomacy in trade and risk management growth of emerging markets”, he delivered during the training and induction ceremony of the Institute of Public Diplomacy and Management, in Lagos, Sarumi noted that the cost of entrepreneurship in the country was soaring and the road for operators in the sector to reach the top is tough.

He said that Nigeria

had potentials to be great and for the country to be among the 28 emerging markets in the worlds, the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan should continue with the good infrastructural moves it had initiated.

In his paper, Chief Operating Officer of Secure Electronic Technology,, Olumide Soyele, took audience in the Institute of Medical Research Auditorium, Lagos, on how to bring out the best entrepreneur in them.

According to President of the Institute, Chief Cliff Ogbede, over 730 inductees of Fellowship, senior membership, full membership, associate membership and graduate membership categories were awarded certificates at the ceremony which was chaired by the Commissioner of Police, SFU, Tunde Ogunsakin.

24 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013

OPS protests proposed CEMA bill

BY GODWIN ORITSE

T

HE Organised Pri vate Sector (OPS) has opposed the passage of the proposed Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA), saying that “the proposed law is against all known international trade conventions.”

Maritime industry sources told Vanguard that OPS which is made up of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), the National Association of Small Scale Industrialists,(NASSI) the Nigerian Association of Chamber of Commerce Mines,Industries and A g r i c u l t u r e (NACIMMA), National Association of Small Medium Enterprise (NASME) and the Nigerian Emplyers Consultative Council (NECA) have all faulted the law, noting that it contravenes conventions of both World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the World Customs Organisation (WCO).

Besides, they have also noted that the proposed law is at variance with certain sections of the constitutions.

It will be recalled that the Senate, about a few months ago unanimously passed a bill for an act to repeal the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) 2004 and other Customs and Excise laws.

This followed a report submitted to the Senate by the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led committee on finance.

Expectedly, the passage comes with higher stakes for the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to deliver in terms of revenue collection to the federation account and generally effect sanity in the service operations.

The proposed Act, which was passed with minor amendments seeks to reform the administration and management of customs and excise and to bring the CEMA Act of 1958 in line with modern day best practices.

Also, the new Customs Bill would consolidate, in a single reference document, the NCS legal authority scattered in eight different enactments with provisions in the bill to boost the financing of Customs Service operations.

The Senate President, David Mark, while expressing confidence that

the new Customs law will generate more revenue for the country, noted that the Customs Service was one of the main revenue generating agencies of the Federal Government.

He said that with the law now in place to take care of welfare of the service, it is now expected that it would perform optimally as a way of reciprocating the gesture.

“The Customs is one of the main revenue generating agencies in this country, but they have not been performing optimally. With this new act, we can expect more revenue from it. This bill has taken care of its welfare and they need to take advantage of this by reciprocating through generating more revenue for the country,” Mark said.

VISIT: President, National Association of Government Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Chief Eugene Nweke (third left) led other executive members of NAGAFF on a courtesy visit to Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State (middle) during its annual general meeting in Abeokuta.

Customs unprepared for destination inspection, NCMDLCA alleges

BY GODFREY BIVBERE

N

ATIONAL Secre tary of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), Uchu Block, has warned operators in the maritime industry to brace up for problems ahead because the Nigeria Customs Service does not have all it takes to effectively operate the destination inspection scheme.

Speaking with Vanguard in his office, Block noted that operation of the scheme is not limited to training people to read and interpret the scanning result.

He noted that it involves the engineers that will handle maintenance and other issues that will arise.

According to Block, “They are not ready and not trained for it for now. Training does not just entail getting people to read or interpret the scanning results, it goes beyond that.

Training includes thel engineers that will handle the faults when things break down so that no manpower time is lost.

“The infrastructure they have on ground is still the same old ones the service providers put down and they say they want to take over.

Have they gone round to check those machines?

Which machines have they brought in to change those ones that are not working? They have not and they want to take over.

“All they want is these people go and we take over, it is not done that way.

Globalscan tried it in Apapa and they had to pay dearly for it as they were working 24 hours, even Saturdays and Sundays, to clear up the backlogs.

“I wonder what Customs will do by the time these service providers are leaving because there is no technology transfer.

These people are not showing Customs beyond the rudiments of what they are doing because they are not happy going away, he stated.

Warning the Customs has to work round the clock to ensure that they get it

right, he pointed out that if these preemptive steps are taken, Nigerian importers will be left to bear the cost which will in turn be transferred to the consumers.

In his words, “The importers will pay dearly, paying rent all because of machinery not in good working order. These are the same machinery Customs wants to inherit as Customs have nit said they imported

new machinery and trained staff to maintain and repair in case of breakdown.

“It is not just about training as they have being going round talking about PAAR (Pre-Arrival Assessment Report) the major problem of Customs is that of valuation. 80 per cent of Customs do not know anything about the treatment of value.

NPA now indifferent about ports operations, say agents •Want government to review authority’s function

BY GODFREY BIVBERE & IFEYINWA OBI

A

week after the pro test by clearing agents which grounded operations at the Tin Can Island Container Terminal (TICT), agents have accused the management of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) of being jobless and only interested in collecting money.

A member of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Tin Can Port chapter, Patrick Okafor, who spoke with Vanguard, said NPA is not concerned about what is happening in the ports any more.

According to Okafor, NPA is supposed to ensure that terminal operators have the necessary cargo

handling tools for effective clearance of goods but stressed that the authority seems to be more interested in revenue they generate daily from importers, shipping lines etc.

“What are they doing with the money?”, he asked.

He further called on government to take a second look at the functions of NPA to make it relevant after the concession exercise because the authority has completely lost relevance.

It will be recalled that clearing agents last week grounded operations at the TICT over poor services being rendered by the terminal operator, one of the concessionaires of the nation’s ports in Lagos.

The action which saw the terminals operations grounded for several hours was done amid solidarity songs by the protesting agents.

The agents said that some of the problems they currently face from terminal operators are delays in positioning containers for examination, poor performance of trade facilitation and inadequate trucks for conveying containers for scanning.

They also pointed out that other problems are additional shipping company charges, fake auction of fresh containers, poor space management, lack of holding bays, and manual documentation, among others.

The protesters, who were led by Comrade

Chuks David Kanikwu, Secretary-General of Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Tin Can Island Port chapter and top officer of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, NAGAFF, Tin Can Island Port Chapter), were initially barred from access into the marketing hall of the terminal operator.

But after persuasion, the protesters had their way.

Speaking to the press on the development, Kanikwu said they had meetings with the management of TICT and that the management had promised to improve, as well as increase equipment to assuage the situation.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013 — 25

Any hope of resuming lectures soon as these lecturers offices are still under lock and key

Campuses under lock and key as lecturers defy FG’s deadline

By OLA AJAYI (IBADAN), AMAKA ABAYOMI (LAGOS), EMMANUEL AHANONU (UNICAL) & NNAMDI NWAIGWE (UNIZIK)

C

ampuses of most Nigerian universities are still under lock and key as members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, who have been on strike for six months, have, again, defied the ultimatum given to them by the Federal Government to resume academic activities on December 9 or be sacked, vowing to continue with the strike till government assents to their demands.

Recall that the Federal Government, through the Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, had directed lecturers of all federal universities to resume on or before December 4, but had to extend it to December 9 to allow them bury the late ASUU President, Professor Festus Iyayi.

A visit to most schools around the country showed that most lecturers and students were yet to resume as

lecture hall, halls of residences and offices are still empty or under lock and key.

At the Modibbo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH), Yola, lecturers have resolved to continue with the ongoing strike as more than

Faruk Tambuwal, “ we resolved at the meeting that nobody will sign any register. The sack threat is an empty one and it is not going to work because union members are still insisting on the payment of the salary arrears and

Continues on page 26

REMEMBERING MANDELA: Education lessons from the late world leader

BY LAJU ARENYEKA

W

ithout a doubt, the name Nelson Mandela requires no prefix or suffix; his accomplishments in South Africa and indeed, the world over, will

African students troop out for Mandela

— Page 27 27 — Page

C M Y K

300 members of the union in the university who attended the chapter’s last meeting voted in continuation of the strike.

The case was the same at the Adamawa State University, Mubi and Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, where the lecturers have agreed to continue the strike.

According to the ASUU Chairman of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Dr.

forever be remembered. How was he able to transcend from prison to president, fugitive to world leader, and rescue South Africa from the chains of apartheid? Who better to

Continues on page 26

NASU warns of looming industrial unrest in WAEC, NECO — Page 29

LearnAfrica rewards 2013 NECO best students, teachers

— Page 37

26 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013

Campuses under lock and key as lecturers defy FG’s deadline Continues from page 25 inclusion of the nonvictimisation clause in ASUU’s recent agreement with the Federal Government, among others.’’

Though the management of the University of Calabar had, in a memo captioned ‘UNICAL announces resumption of academic/allied activities’ which was signed by the school’s PRO, Effiong B. Eyo, said that ‘normal academic/allied activities will resume on the 4th of December, lecturers and students are yet to comply as the school is still empty.

But speaking to Vanguard Learning, the UNICAL ASUU Chairman, Dr. James Okpiliye, said members rose from its congress with a strong resolve to continue the strike until the agreements are implemented to the letter.

“It is management’s responsibility, not ASUU, to call students in or to send them out. If they want them to come back, it is purely their own decision, but we are still on strike. We warn parents that anyone who decides to send his or her ward to school is doing so at his or her peril.

“Have you heard that ASUU has suspended the strike? If management says students should come, fine and good.

If they come and see people to teach them, fine and good, if they didn’t see somebody to teach them, fine and good.”

Meanwhile, high hopes of

the students of Abia State University to resume lectures on the 9th of December were dashed as the lecturers still insist that they are on strike.

Angered by the situation, a final-year student of Education/English, Joshua Obimba, said; “I hate this, why are these people toying with our future?”

Right now, it is not clear when lecturers will return to classes, as a lecturer in the department of English Language wrote on his facebook wall: “I am proud of ASUU-ABSU! The struggle continues!”

It was evident that as at Monday, December 9, no academic activity was going

on at the University of Ibadan as all faculties remained deserted.

When contacted, the National Treasurer, ASUU, Dr. Ademola Aremu, said it was wrong for the government to mistake the lecturers for labourers that can be humiliated by government.

Justifying the no-going back position of the union, Aremu warned that they should not be hasty in calling off the strike as there “is nothing yet to show for the five-month old strike if the union returns back to the classroom without documenting and getting the funds it asked for public universities from the Federal Government.”

Continues from page 25

C M Y K

named ‘Robben Island University ’ by some, and ‘Nelson Mandela University’ by others. Lionel Davis, Mandela’s fellow prisoner at Robben Island from 1964 to 1971 told international media recently: “I was not the same person when I left the island, I learned so much. It was a university created by us, the political prisoners. And Mandela was a big part of that.

We political prisoners even helped educate prison guards, who needed education for promotion.”

Even after prison and presidency, Mandela continued the fight for education. He launched organisations such as the Nelson Mandela Institute, and the Nelson Mandela Foundation. As one writer put it, Mandela’s charities “are involved in everything from magic classrooms, which see impoverished schools decorated with brightlycoloured chairs and murals, to Harvard and Oxford scholarships for Africa’s brightest, to sale of designer shirts and jeans to labelloving fashionistas in Africa, US and Europe, with the

proceeds helping build libraries in rural areas.

The Mandela Foundation has helped build over 140 schools. These Mandela Schools have been the focus of a development program.

One of the objectives is to create centers of excellence in learning and teaching within communities.

There are many lessons that a country like Nigeria, with the highest number of out of school children in the world can learn from Nelson Mandela. But his passionate plea for the future of education is reiterated in his words on the earth, even after he has passed on to the great beyond.

He says: “There can be no contentment for any of us when there are children, millions of children, who do not receive an education that provides them with dignity and allows them to live their lives to the full. It is not beyond our power to create a world in which all children have access to a good education. Those who do not believe this have small imaginations.”

Dusty lecture hall at the Lagos State University

REMEMBERING MANDELA: answer that question than Mandela himself? “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” this singular quote gives the answer.

The Nelson Mandela Institute for Education and Rural Development in a recent statement said: “When asked about his most important message for young people, he said they must study hard.

When asked about his message for leaders around the world, he said simply they must focus on education. Of all his achievements, the one he still spoke most proudly about to the end of his life was the completion of his studies.”

Especially for someone who was the first in his family to have a formal education, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was a well educated man. It was at the Wesleyan Mission School that he first attended that he was given the name Nelson.

Instead of taking the usual three years to complete his Junior Certification, he was through in two years. From

… Strike continues — ASUU For fear of being betrayed in the on-going strike, ASUU leadership has been giving its members minute-by-minute details of the meeting it held with President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja.

Though some members of the union remained committed

to the struggle, their leaders were not sure if some of them would not compromise, especially with the pending sack threat.

One of the leaders who was at the meeting hurriedly sent a text message to his members saying they should remain immovable in the face-off.

The text message reads “We are at the final stage of concretising our understanding with Mr. President and we will hopefully return to classes in a very short time. It is certainly not on the rash orders of any thoughtless government official. Please comrades, let us not trade our future and honour for shortterm gains. Let us not get sentimental about it. We are almost there.”

Before heading for the same meeting with Mr. President, leaders of ASUU, University of Ibadan sent a message to its members, encouraging them to remain resolute.

The message reads: “Dear members, stay calm and remain resolute. There is nothing wrong in asking government to do what it says it will do immediately. ASUU is not making any new demands.

Government is only repeating a ‘one act play’ scripted by the IBB dictatorship in early 90s.

It didn’t work then and it won’t work now! ALL BRANCHES are intact. We can’t be intimidated!! Do not sign any register. UNITED WE BARGAIN, DIVIDED WE BEG!!! Aluta Continua.”

correspondence. Mandela then went on to study law at the University of Witswatersrand.

One would think that going to prison would be the end of anyone’s academic career; but not Mr. Mandela. Even when he was put into Robben Island prison, Mandela often gave

legal advice to both prisoners and prison staff. Mandela and his other colleagues at the African National Congress (ANC) organised classes for younger prisoners at Robben Island. The island gained a solid reputation for its high degree of intellectual stimulation that it was nick-

Asking for proof that government had deposited the N200bn in a CBN account, Aremu urged members of the public to disregard the claim of the Information Minister, Labaran Maku, that government had released N45bn to schools as Earned Allowances.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013 — 27

BY EMMANUEL SHEBBS, UNICAL

N

o fewer than 200 students from 23 African universities, last Friday, trooped out enmasse for the candle procession held in honour of the late freedom advocate, Nelson Mandela.

The candle procession was organised by Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), South-Africa in partnership with the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Nigeria.

The demise of the late South African President, coincided with the Pan-African Universities Debate Championship as the students who were already gathered over the weekend for the debate took out sometime after the semi-final round of the competition to honour the Pan-Africanist.

One of the students, Tom Bisi from TUT, SA who spoke to Quadlife said: “We feel sad that while we were aware for a patriotic business, we lost our father. We received the news early hours of Thursday with shock. May his soul rest in peace."

The candle procession which held in UNICAL started from the University Satellite Town Gate. The students formed a long line and held candles in their hands. The march was led by two students from TUT, who held South African flag with an inscription: “In remembrance of Madiba Mandela. Presented

by Tshwane University of Technology to the University of Calabar, Nigeria”.

Some of the students held placards with inscriptions: “Adieu the freedom fighter,” “Rest in peace Madiba” etc.

The African students were chanting songs in different languages as the march went on. When the Nigerian students took over, they chanted songs like:“papa no dey o, mama no dey o, if you want to kill me, kill me make i die, i will never follow you to that station,” and the chorus went on and on.

“Nelson’s life stories have taught me that freedom is a product of sacrifice and if we must be liberated from economic bondage masterminded by the west against Africa, we must pay a sacrifice for it”, said Thosi Mbawa, a post-graduate student of TUT, SA.

African students troop out for

Mandela

....As EAIS students hold procession for Mandela

BY IKENNA ASOMBA

A

lso, students and pupils of Explosive Academy Independent School (EAIS), Abraka, Delta State, a reformatory school for children beyond parental control have made an appeal to Nigerian politicians to embrace Nelson Mandela’s values of unity, freedom and justice.

The pupils and students who last Sunday, held a candle light procession to honour the former president and anti-apartheid icon, however, urged Nigerian activists and politicians to always pray for

Errata The following error has been found in last week’s publication of this column: Correction ‘Are you a staff here?’ for ‘Are you a member of staff here?’

Note that a unit of staff is not referred to as ‘a staff ’ but as ‘a member of staff ’ (British English) or ‘staff member’ (American English). The correct expression is ‘Are you a member of staff here?’ A staff may refer to a long stick used as a support for walking or as a symbol of authority.

Covert covet Covert and covet are two different words. A single letter is often significant

the nation and not to forget some of the values that Mandela stood for and even sacrificed his life for.

The Head boy of the school, Master Ogbuji Israel said: “Mandela believed in caring and he cared for South Africa; he believed in forgiving and forgave even those who kept him in jail for 27years.

“We have so much to be thankful for, although Mandela has become an icon to the world, but in South Africa, he was a human being. There is sadness because he is gone, we are so happy because of what he stood for,” said Miss Odafe Tamara Ebi, an SSS3 student of EAIS.

I earnestly covet God’s grace in the life of Apostle Paul.

Cut your coat according to …

Many Nigerian users of English often say Cut your coat according to your size. This is a Nigerian variation of the English idiom Cut your coat according to your cloth. An idiom is a combination of words that have a figurative meaning that is separate from the literal meaning or definition of the words of which it is made. Though idioms

Frequently confused words

enough to mark the difference between one word and another. The presence or absence of ‘r’ marks the difference between the two words. Covert means ‘secret or hidden’. The opposite of covert is ‘overt’ which means ‘done in an open way not secretly’. Covet means ‘to want something very much, especially something that belongs to somebody else’. Do not confuse covert with covet.

Examples: When I was in the secondary school, I had a covert hatred for our Mathematics teacher.

He stole a covert glance at the lady across the table.

You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife. (Exodus 20 vs 17) Is there anyone who does not covet long life and prosperity?

are often metaphorical and make the language more colourful, the words constituting them are fixed. The standard British equivalent of the Nigerian variation of the idiom is Cut your coat according to your cloth not “size’. Cut your coat according to your cloth means ‘to do only what you have enough money to do and no more’. In other words, ‘Let your expenditure be determined by your resources’.

28 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013

Chellarams partners UNILAG, donates to schools

A

s part of activities to celebrate 90 years of successful business operation in Nigeria, Chellarams Plc, through its foundation, MTC Foundation, has concluded plans to unveil a School of Entrepreneurship at the University of Lagos next year and a vocational training school for heavy machinery to support Federal Government’s efforts at addressing unemployment and empowering youths in the country.

This was disclosed by Group Chief Information Officer, Dr. Harbhajan Bath, at a press conference to announce the road map for the month-long event.

He said the primary education support program would see Chellarams donating to schools across its branches in Lagos, Abuja, Onitsha, Port-Harcourt and Kano. Pupils of selected schools would be provided with milk and school supplies. Recreational facilities would also be provided to the selected school in Isolo and its environs.

Oga World Publications unveil two new books Oga World Publications has unveiled two new literary books, Mutahiru and Ete, at the Creative Arts Department, University of Lagos.

Explaining the inspiration behind the title Mutahiru, the author, Moshood Oba, said it is an adaptation from late Fuji maestro’s Dr. Sikiru Ayinde Barrister record album titled Itan Anobi Rasaq.

“It is an avenue to tell the leaders of tomorrow about the great creativity of the Late Fuji musician and how to discover and make maximum use of the talents.

“The second book, Ete, is dedicated to the women for their wits, deceit and cunning tricks. Ete is the Yoruba name for deceit which is common among women and the play purposely retains the Yoruba title for the ever curious reading populace to delve into the book.”

The reviewer of the books, Mr. E. C. I. Akuwudike, commended the author for a job well done and for balancing both genders by producing two different plays, one for men and the other for women.

ICPC partners African undergraduates in antigraft, good governance campaigns

By DAYO ADESULU

I

n its quest to rid gullible students of corruption, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has lent its support to African universities’ undergraduates as they rev up inter-regional advocacy for good governance and accountability in countries of the continent.

The university students and their leaders from over 20 countries converged in Calabar, Cross River State, last week to chart a new course for transparent governance.

The Commission had not only successfully initiated the University System Review exercise with a view to sanitising admissions, contract awards and other administration processes and procedures in tertiary institutions, but also organised the Nigerian University undergraduates’ debate as part of its commitment to building a new generation of intellectually robust and morally upright youths that will lead Nigeria to a promising, value-laden future.

While the Commission’s intervention in Nigerian universities could be likened to a move to re-define the future of the country, its new move to collaborate with African undergraduates as they constructively engage each other in debates on topical issues of corruption, insecu-

Mr. James Ajiboye, Deputy Rector, Academics, Kwara State Polytechnic; Mrs. Ajoke Agunsan, CEO, Executive Trainers; Mr. Amana Daniel, facilitator; Dr. Funsho Bello, Deputy Rector, Admin, Kwara State Polytechnic; Dr. Olusanya Sijiboni, Provost, FCE, Akoka; and Dr. Ayo Ogunsan, Chairman, Executive Trainers, at the ongoing higher education training in Dubai. rity, accountability and good governance, appears more like taking the ‘gospel’ of transparency and accountability across frontiers by using Nigeria’s anti-graft war templates as a guide to other countries.

Speaking at the event, the convener of the event, Professor Eze Bassey Eze, thanked the Commission f or what he described as its relentless efforts aimed at curbing corruption at all strata of the Nigerian society. The university don noted that the Commission had demonstrated its resolve to fight corruption at all levels of the society by partnering with institutions and other stakeholders in its various meas-

ures, including the Education sector system review and public enlightenment programmes. ”The ICPC should be commended for its efforts to encourage national and continental debates among university students since this will enable the students to discuss issues of governance and also have the potential of enriching their knowledge on governance, transparency and accountability and prepare them to speak out against acts of corruption at all levels of the society”, Eze said.

He pointed out that the ICPC had also taken other measures in furtherance of its mandate and that its partnership with the

organisers of the PAUDC by coming to share its views on the debate suggested clearly that the leadership of the Commission understood clearly that youths and students remain vital in government’s efforts to rid the society of corruption.

Also, a leader of Ghanaian universities' students delegation to the Championship, Dr. Bella Bello Bitugu, said the inter-regional intellectual interactions amongst university undergraduates could go a long way in the fight against corruption in African countries as the students could use the knowledge gained to look more critically into issues of governance and hold their leaders accountable.

Don blames non-proficiency in English language for high unemployment rate

BY IKENNA ASOMBA & FORTUNE ANYANWU

I

rked by the rising spate of graduate unemployment in the country, Chief Lecturer at the Department of Languages, Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos, Mr. Benjamin Osasona, has blamed lack of English language proficiency as one of the major factors contributing to graduate unemployment in the country.

Speaking at the 5th Inaugural Lecture Series 2013 of the college, Osasuna lamented that the employability skills of fresh graduates from the nation’s universities, polytechnics and colleges of education have constantly received considerable attention in recent times,

noting that unless urgent steps are taken, the future is bleak.

He said: “The employability skills of fresh graduates from the universities, polytechnics and colleges of education have constantly received considerable attention in recent times. This is often attributed to lack of English language proficiency that has

been cited as one of the major factors that contribute to graduate unemployment (Sharif, 2005). Jawhar (2002) observes that in the private sector, graduates are becoming unemployable as a result of lack of proficiency in the English language.

“Various surveys have been carried out on employers in relevant industries to gauge

whether graduates are meeting industry needs and the recurring theme that emerged from these surveys has been the lack of English language skills among fresh graduates and workers. What this means is that the majority of graduates and workers are limited users of English especially in writing and speaking.”

We must spark creativity in our children —Pampers Proprietress

By CHARLES MGBOLU

THE Proprietress of Pampers Private School, Mrs. Oludolapo Odulami, has re-emphasised the need for teachers and parents to continually nurture the creative side of every child.

Speaking at the recently held literary week of the school, Odulami said every child has the capacity to do great things in the arts, and that is the reason for our

literary week - to help a child begin on a solid learning foundation.

The annual Literary Week of Pampers Private School, Lagos ended with a Spelling Bee competition which saw Eshiotse Itemuagbon emerge overall winner from the higher grade 4-6 category.

Other winners include Vitalis Etim, Anozie Chidera and Oderinde Makinde Semiloore from grades 1, 2, 3 respectively.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013 — 29

NASU warns of looming industrial unrest in WAEC, NECO

BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG

N

ON-ACADEMIC Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU, has raised alarm over a looming industrial unrest in both West African Examinations Council, WAEC and the National Examination Council, NECO, over perceived anti-union policies.

NASU, in a resolution by its WAEC/Libraries and other trade group council at its 2nd regular meeting in Umuahia, Abia State, lamented that while the cordial industrial relationship existing between the union and WAEC was being threatened by anti-labour practices and nonchalant attitude of WAEC management to union matters, it condemned the slow pace of the NECO management in facilitating the reconciliation process with the union despite the ruling of the National Industrial Court, NIC. In the resolution by Comrade Michael Adegoke, Chairman/Deputy President, WAEC/Libraries trade group and Prince Damola Adelekun,

C M Y K

Secretary, WAEC/Libraries trade group, said; “the council observed that the cordial industrial relationship that has been in existence between the union and WAEC is being threatened by anti-labour practices and nonchalant attitude of WAEC management to union matters." It therefore urged WAEC management to as a matter of urgency schedule a meeting with the union in continuation of the meeting held on 18th October, 2013 over demands of its members as forwarded to WAEC Nigeria National office in the Resolutions adopted at Makurdi NASU- WAEC Congress.

On NECO it said; “The council-in-session condemns the slow pace of the NECO management in facilitating the reconciliation process with the union despite the ruling of the NIC. It urges the NECO management to as a matter of urgency reverse its negative and antagonistic disposition to union matters and work harmoniously with the union leaders at the branch to avoid contempt of court In the same vein, NASU deliberated on the unresolved issues in the agreement signed with the

management of National Business and Technical Examinations Board, NABTEB, and resolved that NABTEB management erred in not fully implementing the agreement reached with the union According to NSAU: “The Council-in-Session however,

commended the NABTEB management for resolution of some of the issues agreed upon and for the cordial relationship existing between the management and the union.”

It urged the NABTEB management to as a matter of urgency expedite action in resolving all

the outstanding issues, payment of transfer allowance to members hurriedly transferred in January, ‘2013, tour allowances of members involved in Nov/Dec, 2012 and abrogation of the obnoxious tax policy, in order to foster and strengthen industrial peace and harmony in the Board.”

Army Children Senior High School wins Dance-a-thon competition

By ESTHER ONYEGBULA

A

rmy C h i l d r en Senior High School has emerged winner of the season four Dance-a-thon comp e t i t i o n o r g a n i se d b y Sickle Cell Advocacy Management Initiative and DABMA Sickle Foundation aimed at creating awareness on sickle cell anemia and to reach out to young a d u l t s at an e a r l y a g e .

With a unique and educative dance drama presentation, Army

Children Senior High School beat Community Senior High School, Ikeja Senior High School, Agidingbi Senior Grammar School, Opebi Senior High School, Oregun Senior High School, State Senior High School, and Babs Fafunwa Millennium Senior Grammar School to clinch the first position.

According to the Execu t i v e D i r e c t o r, S i c k l e Cell Advocacy Management Initiative (SAMI), To y i n Ad e s o l a , “ w e d e -

cided to get young adults involved in the project to educate them o n si c k l e c e l l a n e m i a and the need for them to know their genotype before going into any serious relationship.”

Encouraging the stude n t s a n d p a r t i c i p a n t s , the chairman, DABMA Sickle Foundation, Emmanuel Ibekwe, noted that the campaign is strongly against ignorance and educating the populace of the dreadful consequence.

30 —Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12,

C M Y K

2013

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013 — 31

C M Y K

32—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12,

C M Y K

2013

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013 — 33

C M Y K

34—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12,

C M Y K

2013

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013— 35

C M Y K

36—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12,

C M Y K

2013

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013—37

Group charges students on excellence, as 5000 receive school materials

BY IKENNA ASOMBA

How governments, NUC and ASUU ruin Nigerian universities (1) “There is money out there begging for people to apply, yet we keep saying there is no funding for universities.” ProfessorJulius Okojie, Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission. PUNCH, September 3, 2013.

P

rofessor Okojie mentioned instability of Nigeria’s academic calendar, caused by incessant strikes, [which] had affected their taking their pride of place in Africa, in terms of research and manpower development” as one of the reasons “Why Nigerians study in Ghana” while receiving “the report of the National Review Committee, set up to make proposals for accessing the $8m grant provided by the World Bank for the African Centres of Excellence projects” – according to the PUNCH story. The matter of access to $8m will be addressed shortly. But, Professor Okojie also made a point, at the time which needs to be represented.

Said the Executive Secretary, “I must say that it is so unfortunate that this is happening at a time the doors of the universities are shut and our colleagues who know what the benefits are have not been responsive.” It is difficult to know which among his colleagues Okojie referred to in that statement. He is an academic in government and his colleagues in academia are at loggerheads with his colleagues in government.

Just as Okojie said “Money is involved; $8m”, he is certainly aware that this dispute which had kept the universities shut till now is also about money – loads of money which $8m cannot fully solve. I have not read anywhere that the Federal and State governments offered to pay what they promised ASUU, back in 2009, and the university dons refuse to open the universities.

On the contrary, first the Federal Minister of Finance, obviously speaking for herself in light of what had transpired, at first made the announcement that government cannot afford to pay.

Then, the Senate President passed the buck to those who negotiated the pact with ASUU in 2009. David Mark, of course, ignored the fact that the government has had four years between 2009 and 2013 to request of ASUU that the agreement should be revisited in light of circumstances beyond its control.

That is why exclusion clauses are inserted into agreements.

But, government failed to do this. Instead, without making a counter offer to ASUU, while schools were still open, the Federal Government waited until schools were shut before talks started. So, which of his two sets of colleagues “have not been responsive”; and one might add, responsible?

Okojie knows the truth; but he works for government and cannot openly blame his employers. The truth is, if public universities are shut, governments shut them. And, one irresponsible governor of a state had just, on account of road terrorism, extended the shutdown in 77 universities.

However, one looks at the situation in our universities, public and private, today, the destructive hand of government can be seen everywhere. Thus, even if ASUU end its strike today, and Nigeria can access all the $8m on offer from the World Bank, it will amount to a drop in the ocean for scientific research – even if the entire amount is given to one university. When it is “shared”, to use the local expression for allocation, it will produce no excellence anywhere.

Given 78 Federal and states universities, $8m or N1,280m comes to only N16m per university. That does not buy a lot of test tubes and reagents as Professor Okojie knows very well. It might just about scratch the surface in biotechnology or DNA research. It certainly will produce no leading edge result.

Let me quickly draw the attention of the reader and Professor Okojie to one of the fundamental reasons why re-opening the campuses might not solve our problems as a nation.

Since 2009, when the Federal Government entered into these agreements with ASUU, the Federal and State governments have added 18 more universities, whose staff members are now covered by the agreement.

The present Federal Government, alone, increased the number by 11 and the states added seven of their own. Incidentally, private universities have also joined the race; 14 of them, approved by the NUC, have sprung up since then; plus about seven bogus private universities.

The quantum of capital expenditure required to bring each of the “government-decreed and NUC-approved” university up to our national standards, which are very far from global, is not yet available to us.

When President Jonathan “decreed” the establishment of nine federal universities at once, and ordered the release of N1 billion for each, it was difficult to know if he was acting on the advice of the Federal Minister of Education and the NUC or it was a unilateral decision.

If N1 billion was meant for capital and recurrent expenditure, it was clear that neither manpower development nor research would take place in those universities. And, in my trips throughout Nigeria, I have entered at least seven state universities, names withheld, and made straight for the science laboratories.

Visit: www.delesobowale.com C M Y K

A

community development group, the Ososo Forum has charged students in both primary and secondary schools in Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo State on the need to excel in their academics in order to achieve their dreams.

The forum had during a tour of 12 schools in the area distributed school materials to 5,000 students in nursery, primary and post-primary schools.

National President of the Ososo Forum, Mr. Joseph Damisa told reporters the gesture is part of its annual Education Support Exercise and its year 2013 projects in their cardinal human development efforts.

“For a stable, virile and disciplined society, and the survival of our generation, education must top the agenda of leaders in whatever capacities, the standard is no doubt falling in our nation, so we cannot fold our arms and

see the children suffer in this area”, he said.

During a career guidance and counselling seminar on career choices and prospects, Damisa admonished them to see mathematics as a friend they love and do everything to master it, affirming that the fear of the subject has led many to choose wrong courses.

Other speakers include the immediate past President, Mr. Peter Aliu and Executive Secretar y, Mr. Agbaragada Bello.

The Forum had earlier in the year, distributed 20 JAMB forms to brilliant secondary school students to support their aspirations for higher studies in tertiary institutions.

Also, it secured and furnished modest accommodation for all National Youth Service Corps members posted to the town, to complement the teaching staff of the secondary schools.

From Left: Inaugural lecture presenter, Mr. Benjamin Osasona; Dr. Morouf Adebakin, the Deputy Rector and Ms. Biekoroma Amapakabo, Registrar, Yaba College of Technology during the presentation of plaque to the lecturer at the 5th Inaugural Lecture Series of the College, last Wednesday.

LearnAfrica rewards 2013 NECO best students, teachers

By DAYO ADESULU

R

ewarding excellence and diligence at the 2013 NECO examination, no fewer than 113 students, 37 teachers and 93 schools received LearnAfrica cash prizes, laptops and plaques.

Topmost on the list of winners at the national level was Olayinka Funmilayo Tope (16), from Charis International College, Abeokuta who emerged as the overall best candidate. She went home with N100,000, a laptop and a plaque.

Closely following was Kofoworola Olasunmbo Oluwaseun (16), of Aatan Baptist Comprehensive High School, Oyo. She emerged second best candidate, and went home with N80,000 and a plaque, just as Master Ibekwe Chieloka Daniel (16), of the University Demonstration Secondary School, Benin-City took third position smiling home with N60,000 and a plaque. Besides, other winners were

Miss Odukoya Oluwabusayo Aduralere, 17 of Federal Science and Technical College, Ijebu-Mushin and Miss Helen Harb of Roemichs International School, Ilorin won the New Concept Prize for best grade in Mathematics and English Language respectively. They went home with N50,000, a laptop and a certificate each.

On Excellence Teachers’ Award, Mr Aniamai Lucky Emmanuel, a teacher of English Language and Literature-inEnglish at Charis International College won the National Outstanding Teacher award and left with N100,000 and a plaque.

Speaking at the ceremony which took place at Protea Hotel, Ikeja, the Chairman, LearnAfrica Foundation, Mr Emeke Iwerebon said that the awards were instituted to underscore the importance of excellence in education to national development, as well as to encourage hard work and healthy competition amongst secondary school pupils.

38—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013

Corruption:

Tambuwal casts the first stone

SPEAKER Aminu Tambuwal’s assertion that the Goodluck Jonathan government is indifferent to the fight against corruption is a serious indictment against the administration. Was he right or grandstanding?

E

VER since he was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives against the desire of the top hierarchy of his party, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal had almost regularly been a deviant from the culture and customs of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Though there were times when he flowed along like when he made his hardline supporters in the House to concede the leadership of the House to Mrs. Mulikat Adeola-Akande and the times he had to beat PDP House members to aadjust their positions on the budget of the Federal Government.

Suspicion on the political inclinations of the speaker have also been raised on account of his alleged familiarity with many leading lights in the opposition.

Penultimate week, that relationship was again made an issue when he was reported to have participated in a meeting of governors belonging to the All Progressive Congress, APC and recently defected governors of the PDP.

Speaker Tambuwal who has espoused the philosophy that all politics is essentially local was quick to puncture the fire of his traducers when he disclosed that his presence in that meeting was to pay courtesy to his own state governor, Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko.

However, last Monday every suspicion about Speaker Tambuwal being a compliant observer of the policies and actions of the PDP led executive was dashed when he made issues about the administration’s handling of corruption.

Tambuwal’s observations came against the widely accepted fact of corruption being the major obstacle to national development.

Speaker Tambuwal’s revealing comments about the administration were made at the 2013 International AntiCorruption Day, organized by the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, in Abuja where the speaker was present as guest speaker.

Tambuwal, himself a former member of the body of benchers, also used the opportunity to carpet the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, which he claimed had lost its efficiency in fighting graft.

However, the speaker’s angst

was against the president and leader of his own party, President Goodluck Jonathan who, he said, has through his body movement shown that he would not fight graft.

Dr. Doyin Okupe, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Communications did not respond to the comment and as at press time he was yet to issue a response. Neither did Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, the political adviser to the president whose reaction was also sought on the

,

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, POLITICAL EDITOR & DAPOAKINREFON

In his comment at the NBA outing, Speaker Tambuwal brought to light perceptions about the administration’s failures in fighting corruption saying: “In some cases, you have the government setting up new committees to duplicate the job already done by the parliament.

Take the bulletproof cars case: what we have is that the NSA, who should have not been bothered, is being given assignment to investigate what

Babatope, 70 who when he was Tambuwal's age was known to speak with similar passion, flayed the Speaker.

comments by Tambuwal.

However, a number of prominent Nigerians reacted with mixed feelings to the comments by the speaker.

Among them were Chief Ebenezer Babatope who said the speaker was grandstanding, former governor of Kaduna State Alhaji Balarabe Musa, elderstatesman and Afenifere.

,

is obvious. What the President should have done was to explicitly direct the EFCC to probe the matter. With such directives coming from the president, I am sure we still have good people in EFCC who can do a good job.”

“By the action of setting up different committees for straightforward cases, the

president’s body language doesn’t tend to support the fight against corruption,” he said.

“Take the subsidy probe, the pension, the SEC probe and recently the bulletproof car cases.

After the House of Representatives did a diligent job by probing and exposing the cases, you now see something else when it comes to prosecution.

“What has happened to all the exposed corruption cases? The pension scam, recent and obvious fraud in the Aviation sector, that of the Security and Exchange Commission, SEC, where trillions of Naira from private investors were suspected to have been mismanaged. When we commenced investigations into the matter, what became of paramount importance to the EFCC was allegation that one of our members collected money as estacode to travel but failed to do so.

“I have not heard or read anywhere that she was invited by the EFCC or that any member of SEC was even invited. We at the National Assembly, for the sake of probity and accountability, agreed that budgetary allocations to the Commission should be suspended, only for us to hear that the Executive found a leeway of funding the agency. We are currently investigating that.

“Coming to what happened in the Aviation industry recently, do we need an angel to report to EFCC that something happened there? No, we don’t! We all belong to this country so people should stop taking us for granted.

However, reaction to Tambuwal’s comments were not universally popular.

The APC in a statement on Tuesday flayed the president asking him to take heed to his party member’s comments.

"Hon. Tambuwal and President Jonathan belong to the same political party, but this did not deter the Speaker from rising above crass partisanship when the issue involved borders on national interest. This is the stuff of good leadership,” the APC’s interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said.

“Hon. Tambuwal has shown that he is indeed the Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives and that the entire country is his constituency, unlike President Jonathan who has transformed himself to a PDP and a sectional leader by viewing serious issues of national importance from the prism of partisanship and sectionalism,” the APC said as it urged Nigerians to emulate the speaker’s forthrightness.

Continues on page 49

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013 —39

We 're no longer united in the North — Yerima A

LHAJI Yerima Shetima is the national president of Arewa Youth Consultative Forum. In this interview, Shetima maintains that there is division in the north owing to divergent interests in the region. On the proposed national conference, Shetima posits that there should be no no-go areas if the conference is to succeed.

Excerpts:

BY DAPO AKINREFON

W

HAT is your position on the proposed national conference?

I have always been part of those clamouring for Sovereign National Conference (SNC) since the dark days of military rule. I was also part of those into the agitation when I was a young student. We formed PRONACO then to continue to agitate for SNC until we had the PRONACO conference.

It is not for those in power to decide how Nigeria should be.

So, to some extent, we feel we need a SNC but we are also mindful of the fact that no nation of the world allows for SNC but that the people forced it on governments or they come up and do it against the government.

But no sitting government will allow for that.

So if you look at this call for National Dialogue or whatever nomenclature the federal government calls it, some of us have our reservations.

Yes, it is a welcome development but to me, I see it more of buying time by the incumbent government to say since there is this clamouring going on, there is tension everywhere and the issue of insecurity is gradually becoming overwhelming let us engage Nigerians with activities because Nigeria government has a way of buying time.

Let us organise a conference where people will sit down and discuss so that by the time we take one year three months, already we will be at the electioneering time so that nobody will be talking about anything, rather, everyone will be looking at which way to secure power, so at the end of the day it becomes a total diversionary calculation.

Otherwise, for the president to look at the faces of Nigerians and say boldly that whatever you discuss will be subjected to the National Assembly, this is not the kind of conference we are looking for and it is really not fair.

The fear among some people is that an SNC may lead to the disintegration of the country, don’t you think so?

I do not think so. Rather, the way the government is going, one day we would wake up and there are those possibilities that we might end up falling into the prediction by America that by

2015 there might be no Nigeria because people need to talk. But the moment you silence the people and deprive them from talking about issues relating to Nigeria itself; I do not think anybody in any section of the country truly wants to go out of the country.

But if this question of second class citizen is being addressed too, certainly these agitation will go down drastically and other people who are also yearning for breaking out - once there is that spirit of justice, fairness and equity where all Nigerians are given that sense of belonging where everybody are being treated equally nobody wants to leave a country because this is one beautiful country I have seen in all my travels all over the world. However, one of the major problems we have is with leadership and also style of leadership.

Some Yoruba groups have said that if there is a national dialogue, they would rather push for a regional autonomy, how would you see it?

I agree with that. That is my opinion too. Because if we do not decentralise the central government; if we allow them to hold on to power the way they

•Shetima: The north no longer speaks with one voice do - where a criminal will come from nowhere; that is not even popular within his constituency, would just go to Abuja and receive the blessing of one godfather and suddenly becomes a local government chairman, House of Representatives member, senator or governor then something is wrong somewhere. But if we have regional autonomy where people decide who goes to represent that region at the central government cannot do that when you have a parliamentary system of government in place.

Do you agree that the famed unity once associated with the

north is gone?

It is true that the north is divided, the north no longer speaks with one voice simply because a lot of things have actually happened.

In the north, do not forget that we have people who are Christians and if you look very well, you will discover that a northern Christian will prefer a southern Christian to a northern Muslim. That is how God wants it.

If you say the north will speak with one voice at the conference, it is really not going to work. You have a situation where there is that suspicion between the Hausa-Fulani speaking person

from the north and other tribes in the region. There is that division and that division is very obvious because an average northerner does not see others from the region as a northerner.

It is either on political party differences or tribal differences.

Those are major issues that nobody will pretend are not visible.

This was not what obtained during the likes of Ahmadu Bello and early northern leaders.

During the days of the Sarduana, Sir Ahmadu Bello, you do not see a Christian northerner, a non Fulani or non Hausa speaking person from the north as an outcast.

Perhaps, if he had alienated people, the present crop of northern leaders would not have been able to come on board and become prominent. The Sarduana carried everybody along, he never cared whether you were a Muslim or Christian.

You would not have had the Awoniyis of this world. Now how many of the present crop of northern leaders think that way?

If we are going to have a president who would only take care of the interest if the north, I do not want to be part of that. I look forward to a president who has the interest of Nigerians at heart.

But the moment we begin to have this agitation for no@@:@@::rthern or southern presidency, we will fall into more problem and then, it will be obvious that the country will break up. I do not want to live in a society where one day I will wake up and there will be no Nigeria.

Corruption: Tambuwal casts the first stone Continues from page 48

Mixed reactions

He lacks experience— Babatope One time shining light of the progressive movement and associate of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo dismissed Speaker Tambuwal’s comments saying he spoke from the point of ignorance.

“He (Tambuwal) is a young man and he could learn from experience. He is not supposed to have made such kind of statement. Does he not know that some House of Reps members were picked up for corruption?" Babatope, 70 who when he was Tambuwal's age was known to speak with similar passion, flayed the Speaker.

"The young man lacks experience. He is a party man and what he has done is

wrong. As a party man, he must learn from experience, he must be calm. What evidence does he have to say that the president is not fighting corruption? Or does he want the president to jail his cabinet members to show that he is fighting corruption?

He should not play into the

hands of those that want to destroy him. He is a young man who should build his party squarely and allow his party to dictate what is going to be his own political future.

At the rate he is going, he should not fall into the wrong hands.”

Afenifere’s national publicity

NOTEPAD Tambuwal's beef and bounce •The Jonathan administration is not prosecuting corruption with vigour.

•That reports of the House of Representatives on corruption have not been given the adequate attention by the president.

•That the president has shelted corrupt officials •But Tambuwal's critics say he is throwing stones from a glass house and that he was mum on Farouk Lawan's case.

•That he is pandering to the sentiments of opposition forces.

secretary, Mr Yinka Odumakin, on his part faulted Tambuwal for trying to score political points on the basis that he was part of the government.

“He has been part of the government for three years, but seeing that this is the season of decampment and he wants to decamp that he is now saying that Jonathan is encouraging corruption. He is trying to score political point,” Odumakin said.

Former governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, however, fully supported the speaker saying: “It shows lack of political will on the part of the president to fight corruption because he (Jonathan) is not interested in fighting corruption. For example, the case of the Minister of Aviation, inspite of the exposure, he is shielding her. So, I think that the Speaker is right that the president is encouraging corruption.”

40 — Vanguard, THURSDAY,

DECEMBER 12 12,, 2013

How slums propagate communicable disorders

BY FAITH OYIBOTIE

H

AVE you ever wondered why resi dents in Victoria Island and Ikoyi are hardly ever affected by communicable diseases like cholera, malaria and typhoid fever? Don’t wonder for too long. The contrast in waste management between slums and so called highbrow areas leaves little to the imagination.

Passersby a canal at Odoni Street, Sabo, in Ajangbadi, a suburb in Lagos, are usually compelled to cover up their noses because of the stench from waste dumped into the canal. I Residents in Odoni claim that a dead baby was once found floating in the canal, covered with refuse. Children openly defecate by the side of the canal as young boys and women empty their trash bins and faeces wrapped nylon bags inside the canal, disregarding the fact the canal is already laden with refuse and over grown grasses.

This scenario is common in many areas in Lagos especially in the slums. Areas such as Ajegunle, Mushin, Ojo and Mile 2 are just a few of many areas in Lagos where canals are polluted. Little wonder, these areas are mostly hit by malaria, cholera and other diseases that thrive in dirt.

It will be recalled that cholera outbreak was reported in Mile 2 Estate, Lagos in September , claiming the lives of four people. As precaution, Lagosians were advised to avoid ‘abasha’, a suspected source of cholera) and observe proper hygiene.

To date, residents in Mile2, Ajegunle and some other areas in Lagos state are yet to take the advice to heart as trash and waste

products could be seen littering the streets, children still empty their bowels by the roadside, while men and women urinate to the full glare of motorists and commuters. In some streets, one has to be careful not to step on human waste or stumble on heaps of refuse lingering around.

Apart from cholera, typhoid and malaria are two diseases mostly attended to in hospitals located in slums and dirty environments. Out of every 100 cases of diseases being treated in these hospitals, typhoid and malaria accounts for 90 percent of such cases! Apparently, Lagos state government and indeed concerned health bodies still has more awareness cam-

paigns to do on the issue of refuse dumping.

From all indications, the State government needs to take waste disposal more seriously. The Lagos State Waste Management Authority, LAWMA has its work cut out. Heaps of refuse can be properly collected, processed and converted into electricity which is one thing Lagosians are in dire need of.

As recounted by the Managing Director, LAWMA, Mr. Ola Oresanya: ‘’Energy is in demand, waste is a headache. If Lagos is able to convert its headache to feed that demand, then, it becomes a smart city’’

• Heap of garbage dumped in canal along Odin Street, Ajangbadi, Lagos.

West African drug delegation visits Nigeria

A

DELEGATION of the West Africa Commission on Drugs, WACD, led by a former Prime Minister of Togo and Secretary General of the Organisation of African Unity, AU, Mr. Edem Kodjo, is visiting Nigeria from December 11 through 13, 2013, to consult the authorities and independent experts and institutions on the impact of drug trafficking and consumption on the country’s security, governance and public health.

He is accompanied by Dr. Mary Chinery-Hesse, a retired senior UN official and member of the AU’s Panel of the Wise from Ghana, and Dr. Adeolou Ogunrombi, a Nigerian public health specialist on drug policy.

The country visit, fifth of its kind after Senegal, Ghana, Guinea Bissau and Mali, combined with experts’ fact-finding reports, are part of the fact-finding phase of the WACD’s work plan. They contribute to the commissioners’ understanding of the situation in the region, and help it formulate its recommendations with a view to releasing an authoritative report due out early 2014. Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the UN and Nobel Prize laureate, launched the WACD in Accra in January 2013 in response to the surge in drug trafficking and consumption in West Africa and his concerns about its impact on security, governance and public health.

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

M

Y wife cannot have children. I know the problem is from her because in the past, I have gotten other girls pregnant. I am beginning to feel that my wife and I are not destined to be together and maybe divorce is the best option – Kola Kola getting a woman pregnant is not the criteria for determining whether or not you are meant to be together.

The truth is that not everybody in the world is meant to have children biologically. It may seem unfair but that is life. The good news though is that every married couple out there can have as many children as they want if they choose to adopt. How do you know that adoption is not your destiny? You wouldn’t know until you have tried all options. So sit down with your wife and discuss other options with her. If you really love her, you will not abandon her because she cannot have children. That is not love. If the problem was with you, I am sure you wouldn’t want her to leave you. I know you are under a lot of pressure but both of you can still have as many children as you want through adoption. I know the idea of raising a child that you did not give birth to yourself may seem a bit strange to you but I can assure you that when you hold a baby in your arms and raise that baby till maturity, you will love that child like any other. Parental love is automatic. Perhaps you should research how adoptive parents feel about their adopted children. You will be surprised to learn that they love their children as much as other parents love their kids. So don’t give up and don’t think about divorce. Nature has a solution for every couple out there who cannot have children biologically – Uche I am interested in the penis sleeves that make the penis look bigger and help men last longer. I have seen some images online but they are all covered in front like condoms. My wife and I are trying to have children so I need something open in front – Chima Hello Chima. We have open ended penis sleeves. Ask for the Hot Rod Bigger and Better Sleeve or the Invisi

Rider Sleeve. They are both open ended, make the penis look bigger and enable you maintain your erection even after ejaculation – Uche I need one of these supplements that can increase semen quantity and quality. I hear it helps improve a man’s chances of getting his wife pregnant – John John semen quality is actuality what improves a man’s chances of getting the wife pregnant. Semen quantity only enables you enjoy sex better especially when you are climaxing. So there are two different types of supplement involved here. To improve semen quality and aid fertility, ask for Fertil Aid or Repro Aid. To increase semen quantity for more enjoyable intercourse, get Max Load or Explosion Ejaculate Volumizer – Uche Ever since I turned 50, I realize the urge for sex has reduced. I want to desire sex again. My wife is much younger. What do I do? Mr Okafor You can increase your sex drive by increasing your testosterone levels. To achieve that, you will need a testosterone supplement like the Max Intense Testosterone Booster. Another alternative is the use of an aphrodisiac supplement such as Rhino 5 and it is on a class of its own. Rhino 5 enhancer boosts sex drive, strengthens erections, enlarges the penis and stops premature ejaculation – Uche Uche hello. I have received and used the Rhino 5 enhancer. I cannot believe I wasted my time with other supplements. Please can you arrange and send three more bottles? I am back in Abuja. Thanks – Mr Gerrard Of course. I am glad you like it. Rhino 5 is the best there is – Uche That’s it for today. Adults in need of these treatments/ novelties can call 08171912551 or 08051924159 or any other number here. They can also order them online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com. We deliver to you wherever you are in Nigeria. For enquiries, email us at custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com - Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013 —41

I N S I D E

Atiku cases at S/Court have strengthened our democracy — IBB — Page 42

INEC lacks power to withdraw certificates of return issued (2) — Page 43

We’ll soon make our findings on rights abuses public — Prof. Angwe

BY DAYO BENSON The International Human Rights Day was celebrated Tuesday. National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria (NHRC) led the country to join the rest of the world in commemorating the event. As part of the activities to mark the day, the NHRC organized a walk round Abuja. In this interview, Network of Human Rights Institutions in West Africa, Chairman, and NHRC Executive Secretary, Prof. Bem Angwe spoke on the significance of the celebration and related human rights abuses in Nigeria.

Excerpts:

W

HAT was the significant of the In ternational Human Rights Day celebrated two days ago and how did the National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria (NHRC) mark it?

This Year’s human rights day celebration was significant and symbolic. It was symbolic in the sense that it also commemorated the 20th year of the establishment of the office of the United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights. It was also the 20th year that the Paris Principles came into being. You will recall that in 1993, all the nations of the world that form the international community converged on Paris, France to establish what we refer today as the Paris Principles, which also evolved through a resolution passed by the United Nations General Assembly.

So this year marked the 20th year since the coming into place of the Paris Principles, which in itself signifies the birth of national institutions that have the man-

Prof. Angwe conference and we also had a national dialogue. This year’s theme was centered on the need to have peace and stability. In this case, we sought to balance security with human rights. If you balance security with human rights, the consequences will be that you are going to have peace and stability. At the event, we inaugurated Human Rights Ambassadors that will work tirelessly in assisting the commission to propagate and promote human rights in this country. So it was a very significant day in the history of human rights protec-

,

This year marked the 20th year, since the coming into place of the Paris Principles, which in itself signifies the birth of national institutions that have the mandate for the promotion and protection of human rights around the world

date for the promotion and protection of human rights around the world.

Was that all that made the International Human Rights Day symbolic?

This year’s celebration was very symbolic and the National Human Rights of Nigeria led the country in celebrating this day and collaborate with the rest of the countries of international community to celebrate this wonderful, memorable and significant day.

How did you do this?

Apart from the normal walk that took place around Abuja, the NHRC, through its branches all over the country, did similar walks across the States of the Federation. In addition to that, we held a press

,

tion in Nigeria and in the history of the Human Rights Commission.

Recently, your Commission received commendations for excellent performance at the United Nations Universal Peer Review (UPR) session for Nigeria, what exactly happened at the review?

We are happy to state here that the NHRC triggered the chain of activities that led to the successful UPR review session for Nigeria. We drew the attention of the government, reminded government of the urgent and imperative need to prepare the country for the review and we also played an oversight role in overseeing all the processes and steps that were put in place

by the Federal Government of Nigeria to prepare the country to come up and submit this report. The country followed all the processes required by the United Nations Human Rights Consul and we are happy to say that Nigeria did everything that was expected of the Federal Government to have a report that we can truly say was a peoples’ oriented report. The Federal Government involved all the requisite stakeholders in preparing this report and in validating the report. We are happy to report that Nigeria performed creditably well in terms of the commitment of the Federal Government of Nigeria towards the promotion and protection of human rights in this country.

Why did you say this?

I said so because notably, we can say that there have not been any conscious government policy to violate human rights in this country. Sadly, the activities of unknown and unidentified individuals in this country have brought great challenges or serious violations of human rights in this country. However, we do commend the efforts of the Federal Government to bring this to an end. Despite the challenges, the country’s record in respect of human rights is very good. We are also very happy with the performance of the country during the UN UPR review session.

The National Human Rights Commission has engaged in public hearings for some time now, what are the results of this exercise?

Specifically the Council of the Commission, upon the recommendation of the Secretariat, resolved that this commission do

carry out public inquiries on alleged demolitions and forced evictions taking place across the country. Following the resolution of the Council, the commission has embarked on the public inquiries which commenced with a public hearing in Lagos on November 18.

Before the end of the week, the panel of the commission held public sittings, received, heard and considered petitions from aggrieved persons within the South West zone of the country which comprise of about six States. A lot of petitions came before the commission against the government of Lagos State, the Federal Government of Nigeria and against the government of Ogun State. There were alleged violations relating to demolitions and violation of the right to shelter of the petitioners.

So, what was the outcome?

Well, I am glad to let you know that the petitioners appeared personally and through their counsel and the various States governments were equally represented. The Attorney- General and Minister of Justice sent a team of lawyers to represent the Federal Government and the agencies that were involved. The Attorney-General of Ogun State appeared before us personally, a team of lawyers also appeared to represent the government of Lagos State.

What happened at the panel?

After listening to the petitioners, their witnesses and received submissions from counsel representing the respondents, the panel and the parties inspected the sites where the alleged demolitions took place.

We also observed that the hearings could not be concluded at that first sitting, so the commission now adjourned further hearings at the South West Zone to January 2014. In January, the panel will continue further hearings and then conclude its sittings and before March, full decisions will be taken by the council with a view to enforcing the rights of the aggrieved per Continues on page 42

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

42—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013

Atiku cases at S/Court have strengthened our democracy — IBB

BY DAYO BENSON

T

HE Supreme Court cases involving former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has been described as one of the experiences that has strengthened the nation’s democracy.

Former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida made this assertion at a public presentation of a book titled “Landmark Constitutional Law Cases in Nigeria, 2004-2007 (The Atiku Abubakar Cases), which held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja to mark Atiku’s 67 th birthday.

Babangida who was the chairman of the occasion said: “He Atiku Abubakar, will soon be

knocking at our doors, those of us who are 70 years and above. I have great respect for the person and subject matter of the book and what it represents for our democracy. It dealt with such issues as the powers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) vis-a-vis the political parties to decide the choice of candidates “ The question of internal democracy, the decision of the court on affirmation, on the choice of candidates will help our democracy. Others include the removal of elected persons from public office, the decision of the court on this also deepened the rule of law in our democracy, protection of the inalienable rights of Nigerians

From left: Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former Military President Babangida and former CJN Justice Mohammed Uwais at the event. including those in pub- courts and noted that love for democracy and the summary of the book good governance and if lic offices.”

Gen. Babangida stated is that democracy not him, the Nigerian that the role of the judi- worked. He pointed out democratic trajectory ciary in constitutional- that Atiku’s consistent would have taken a difism was handled by the resolve in the cases was ferent course. While coma manifestation of his mending him for choosing the courts in resolving his grievances and by all the human rights in- are trying to come up with not otherwise Babangida called on all stitutions in West Africa will an international conference Nigerians and political have their capacities devel- within the sub-region to oped and should be able deal specifically with the leaders to emulate him in to carry out uniform proc- strategies that can be embracing the judicial esses with regards to the adopted in bringing to an process in resolving protection of rights of ag- end this issue of terrorism political and economic grieved persons within the that has become a cross problems. Saying that “as border challenge in the re- a politician, he has not sub-region.

What is the essence of gion. It does not only hap- only proved himself an pen here in Nigeria, but it astute politician, but also this?

The essence is for us to is going round the whole a true democrat. Babangbe able to comply with the of West African coast and ida noted that the dediParis Principles and to take there is a need for the West cation of the book to Sheall such actions and proc- African countries to come hu Musa Yar ’Adua esses that will ensure the together, to brainstorm. showed that Nigerians protection and enforcement Appropriate steps would be must not take this demoof the rights of all persons taken to ensure that terror- cratic experience for a within the ECOWAS com- ism is brought to an end ride, politicians must remunity that is what the Net- within the sub- region. It is alise that what we enjoy work is doing now. By next not something that countries today as democracy, is the year, the Network will em- will need to take indi- product of sacrifice of bark on other activities that vidual actions, it requires many Nigerians” The Interim National will ensure that the West international co-operation, African countries focus to- it requires most African Publicity Secretary of the wards achieving the sin- countries coming together All Progressives Congress gular goal of ensuring the to adopt appropriate strat- (APC) Alh. Lai Mohampromotion and protection egies that will address this med, who represented the of human rights within the problem that is today chal- national leader of the parlenging the enjoyment of ty , Asiwaju Bola Ahmed sub-region.

But most importantly, we human rights in the sub- Tinubu said: “ It was the region.

We’ll soon make our findings on rights abuses public Continues from page 41 sons who came before the commission in line with the law establishing the commission and due processes provided by the Rules and Procedures of the commission.

We recently read in the print media that you were in Enugu to investigate allegations of wife imprisonment against Enugu State Governor, what actually happened and what is the result of your investigation?

Well, the Commission received a petition from the petitioner, the Commission’s power was invoked and we led a team of investigators of the Commission., We went to Enugu State Government House, we met all the parties. The investigation is still continuing and by the time we finish with the investigations, the Commission will take appropri-

ate decision and the decision will be made public for every interested party to know the outcome of the investigation. But for now, the investigation continues.

As the chairman of the Network for Human Right Institutions in West Africa, what are you doing to improve the promotion and protection of human rights in the sub-region?

What is happening is that the Network is carrying out training and capacity building programmes for all the countries in West Africa. We carried out the training programmes in Cote D’ Ivoire, in Ghana,and in Liberia. We are going to Mali on December 16, and after that, we are going to Togo.

We will come to Nigeria and the rest of the countries in West Africa. What is happening is that the Network is determined to bring about a platform where-

Egbe Amofin denies adopting candidate for NBA President

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

T

HE Egbe Amofin Yoruba forum, a highly influential umbrella body of lawyers of Yoruba extraction, has denied adopting any candidate for the Nigerian Bar Association 2014 Elections for the post of Presidency.

Secretary of the forum, Mr. Yinka Ajileti who spoke with Vanguard said that he had been directed by the leadership of the body to

call a meeting for January 18, 2014 to receive and consider the report of the Screening Committee which was mandated to appraise the prospective aspirants for the NBA Elections.

He said: “Nobody has been nominated by the Egbe Amofin as its flagbearer for the elections.

More so as the NBA leadership is yet to lift ban on electioneering campaigns” adding that the issue did not arise as the forum is yet to receive the report of its

duly appointed screening committee.

The Egbe Amofin scribe described the splinter group that purportedly adopted one of the aspirants as a candidate for the NBA presidency as “an illegal body” comprising only six of the forum’s 28 branches, adding that the forum was not perturbed by their antics.

However, there were strong indications at the weekend that the forum may sanction the arrowheads of the splinter group for the embarrassment

caused the august body.

Feelers also emerged that the purported adoption by the splinter group was to preempt the endorsement of a female candidate by the forum, given that she was believed to have garnered more support among the branches.

It will be recalled that six of the 28 NBA branch chairmen in the South West Zone recently met at Akure and sensationally suspended the revered Chief Bandele Aiku-led Executive of the forum. In

a move viewed as an act of desperation by many watchers of NBA politics, the group also “adopted” their alleged sponsor as the Southwest candidate for the forthcoming NBA presidential election.

Irked by the antics of the splinter group, chairmen of 16 NBA branches in the South West zone including Oyo, Ilorin, Offa, Badagry and Ibadan requisitioned a meeting of the forum which is now slated for next January.

failure of the powers that be in the first republic that led to the crises we had and the first military coup d’etat.

As long as we continue to abide with the rule of law, we will enjoy our democracy, if we do otherwise, we will continue to grope in darkness” Former Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Chief Michael Andoakaa said “ the only way to justice in this country is for us to obey the rule of law.

Atiku thanked the Authors of the book-Dean Faculty of Law, Nassarawa State University, Prof. Maxwell Gidado and Chudi Ojukwu for chronicling the legal events of that time, their effects and contributions to Nigeria's legal jurisprudence.

He said that “We cannot remove people endorsed by political parties, Governors cannot remove their Deputies, elected officers can now decamp from their political parties and so on. Atiku commended the Nigerian Judiciary for it’s consistence in defending democracy by putting the nation first, stating that “we must be a society of men who respect the rule of law.”

Rickey Tarfa (SAN) who described the audience at the book presentation as intimidating stated that the fact that the event coincided with the the 50th anniversary of the Nigerian Law School was significant.

Tarfa said: “Those decisions changed democracy in Nigeria, they consolidated democracy because they consolidated the position of political office holders, his determination brought judicial intervention and in fact, we are celebrating the judiciary.”

They show us the reality of the separation of powers, and of the rule of law.

“They remind us that building democracy is never easy; that building democracy is always fraught with conflict; and that building a democracy requires Of us all the courage and the commitment, The vigilance, the courage and the steadfastness shown in these cases by His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar”.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013 — 43

INEC lacks power to withdraw NBA urges Nigerians to fight for certificates of return issued (2) Judiciary Independence

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

N Continues from last week (1) As a person fully aware of the facts from inception of the nomination process and until the immediate incident which gave rise to this suit, I assert that at all times material, the appropriate candidates for the respective constituencies of the House of Representatives and Senatorial Districts with respect to Katsina State, were the 5th to 14th Defendants who were duly nominated by the 15th Defendant.

(2) After the duly constituted primaries of the 15th Defendant, the 15th Defendant, in accordance with its Constitution forwarded the names of the 5th to 14th Defendants as the successful candidates, duly nominated for their respective constituencies. The names were accordingly published as the contestants for the office in accordance with the Electoral Act. (3) On 3rd February, 2011, the Plaintiffs herein filed suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/126/ 2011 Sen. Yakubu Garba Lado & ORS v. CPC & ORS. Claiming that they were aspirants of 15th Defendant who won the purported primaries of 15th January, 2011, as against the primaries conducted on 13th January, 2011 by the (CPC) 15th Defendant,. On 25th February, 2011 the Federal High Court granted Plaintiffs’ claims.

(4) Aggrieved by the decision the 5th Defendant herein appealed to the Court of Appeal in appeal No: CA/A/133/2011 CPC & ORS v. Senator Yakubu Garba Lado & ORS and the Court of Appeal set aside the decision of the Federal High Court stated above.

(5) The plaintiffs herein appealed to the Supreme Court in SC. 157/2011, SC. 334/20121; Sen. Yakubu Garba Ldo & ORS v. CPC & ORS; Dr. Yusha’u Armiyau v.

CPC & ORS and the apex court held that the dispute was intra party related to nomination arising from competing primaries of which the courts had no jurisdiction to adjudicate.

(6) It is noteworthy that the National Assembly elections were conducted on 9th April, 2011 and the 15th Defendant did not alter the names of candidates already submitted.

(7) The 5th to 14th Defendants were duly issued the certificate of return and consequently sworn in as they were, at all times material, the only duly nominated candidates in the elections which the 15th Defendant participated along with other political parties for the respective positions in the National Assembly.

(8) In the absence of an Order of Court, it has been the practice of the 1st Defendant, which accord with the Constitution of Political Parties duly approved in line with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), to accept only the list of candidates presented by the National Secretariat of political parties, and then treat those listed therein as candidates for the elections.

5. Hereto delivered and marked exhibits are (i) Letter dated 14th January, 2011 addressed to 1st defendant by the 15th defendant forwarding the names of 5th to 14th defendants as its candidates as Exhibit INEC 1. (ii)Acknowledgment of receipt of forms CF.001 from the 5th to 14th defendants by st 1 Defendant as Exhibits INEC 2(i) to (x).

The Appellants, as 5th - 14th defendants, filed a joint counter-affidavit with the 15th defendant. It is at pages 701 – 718 of the record. They aver therein that they were the valid and authentic candidates of the CPC, the political party that won all the seats in the disputed elections; that the plaintiffs/1st - 10th respondents were not “issued any valid certificates of return by” INEC, 1st defendant and thatThe 1st defendant merely issued the 5th - 14th defendants there certificates of return in validation of the mandate won by them and their sponsoring political party, the 5th defendant herein in the 2011 general election.

They also aver that the National Assembly and State House of Assembly Election Tribunal sitting in Katsina held that the plaintiffs the present 1st – 10 Respondents, “were not candidates of the 15th Defendant and therefore not qualified to contest for the various legislative seats in the 2011 general elections.” “And that on appeal to the Court of Appeal Kaduna, being the final appeal tribunal on the subject matter, it was held that the election Petitions were incompetent and then struck out because the ground upon which they were brought, that is on the qualification of the plaintiff to be candidates was a pre-election matter over which the said election tribunal had no jurisdiction and which was then pending at the Supreme Court in SC. 157/11.” These averments in paragraphs 32 and 33 of the Counter-Affidavit of 5th - 15th defendants do corroborate the plaintiffs 1. That the plaintiffs were the physical or de facto candidates who contested the said general elections; and 2. That they won, and efforts to challenge their returns were unsuccessful, even at the Court of Appeal, the final court of competent jurisdiction over elections to the National Assembly.

To be continued.

IGERIANS have been urged to fight for the independence of the Judiciary because it is key to unlock good governance and sustainable development in the country.

This call was made by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and stakeholders in the justice sector at the three day seventh Annual Conference of the NBA section of Legal Practice (SLP) held in Makurdi, Benue State.

The Conference which was declared open by Benue State Governor, Dr. Gabriel T. Suswam had former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Dahiru Musdapher as chairman, while NBA President Okey Wali, (SAN) was chairman of the section on Legal Practice. Mr. Donald Denwigwe (SAN) gave opening remarks.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) was represented by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Mike Zokulo, who delivered the keynote address.

In his welcome remarks, the NBA President said: “One of the indicators of good governance that can trigger economic development at all levels of governance is infrastructural development and delivery. This is underscored by the fact that the efficient and effective delivery of services by the three arms of government, is dependent largely on the delivery of infrastructure, whether the Legislature, Executive or the Judiciary.

He added that “The critical importance of well performing public institutions especially the Judiciary has attracted the attention of many. In the past, the focus was only on independence of the Judiciary from the other arms of government and how to secure the tenure of judicial officers. But now, infrastructural development and information technology in the administration of justice have assumed so much prominence that it is now seen as a mechanism for efficient and effective Justice Service delivery.

“It goes without saying that some aspects of Justice Sector are bedevilled by decay, inefficiency and corruption. It is disturbing to note that in spite of all

NBA President Okey Wali, SAN (3rd left) and stakeholders in the justice sector the reform measures that have been formulated over the years, the challenges impeding efficient and effective delivery of justice have continued unabated.

The provision of infrastructure like power supply, court rooms, information technology, court procedures, and court processes, enforcement of judgement, appellate jurisdiction, and access to court are areas where challenges are being faced. Some are public utilities which are provided at the state and local government levels. In this regard, power supply and road stand out, even information technology is dependent on regular supply of electricity.

Speaking further, Wali noted that “Apart from infrastructural challenges, there are so many ills afflicting the Judiciary and the Justice system in Nigeria today. There is no doubt that the need for judicial reforms have become very urgent and important. For without an effective and efficient judiciary, there will be no foreign or local investment in Nigeria.

And that is why the Bar views as a welcome development the presentation of the 5th Alteration Bill by the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, . It is a ‘Bill for an act to amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’. It proposes major judicial reforms that will strengthen the Judiciary.”

Justice Mudapher in his opening remarks said: “The theme of this conference “Justice DeliveryThe Challenges and Opportunity For Stakeholders”, it is a clarion call to all stakeholders to properly reassess our present strategies, adjust where necessary, in order to effectively and efficiently reposition our administration of justice for the good of our society. “ The theme, suggests that all is not well with the administration of Justice

in Nigeria. The quality of personalities here today, is an attestation to the fact that some positive actions would be taken to confront whatever challenges that our justice sector is presently facing. This is a duty we must perform. Providence has thrust this duty on our broad shoulders.

We cannot shirk from our societal responsibility, considering the fact that the relevance of our justice administration is solely predicted upon public trust and confidence.

When public confidence is lacking in justice delivery system, it is a recipe for chaos and anarchy. We do not wish that for our society, hence this gathering to proffer solution to the challenges confronting us in criminal matters, for example: Section 36(4) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) states that: “Whenever any person is charged with a criminal offence, he shall, unless the charge is withdrawn, be entitled to a fair hearing in public within a reasonable time by a court or tribunal”.

Musdapher stated that “The “conveyor” belt syndrome where cases lasts for years from the court of first instance to the apex court, create the impression to the ordinary citizen that the quest for justice in our society is almost unrealizable. But we do know that the justice administration exist for the members of the society.

If this is so, why then would the beneficiaries of our justice administration fall victims to same system that was established for their benefit? What are those challenges that have been facing justice delivery in our society? In what ways can these challenges be confronted in order to meet the yearnings and aspirations of an ever changing dynamic society? The above questions among others are the issues that this conference should diligently deal with”.

44—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12,

C M Y K

2013

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013—45

NUJ Warri Chapel holds two-day workshop

Being community's spiritual head confers no one right to commit crime—Delta AJ

BY AKPOKONA OMAFUAIRE

BY EMMA ARUBI

W

ARRI —NIGERIA Union of Journalists, NUJ, Warri Correspondents Chapel is set to hold a two-day workshop with the theme, “The Social Media and The Challenges of Journalism Practice in the 21st Century.”

A statement by the Chairman and Secretary of the chapel, said the training was aimed at equipping media practitioners in Warri and its environs to face modern day challenges.

The training programme, according to the statement, is slated for today and tomorrow.

It said the programme would be declared open by Delta State Commissioner for Information Chike Ogeah.

According to the statement, His Royal Majesty, Bini Pere III, the Agadagba of Egbema Kingdom, will be the royal father of the day.

Chairman, Delta State Council of the NUJ, Mr. Nobert Chiazor, is the chief host of the event geared towards improving the lots of practitioners in the area.

Eminent scholars billed to deliver papers at the event include Associate Dean of Students Affairs and a lecturer in Mass Communications Department, Dr. Emmanuel Ufuophu-Biri and Dr. Prosper Oliseh of Mass Communications Department, both of Delta State University, Abraka.

Others are Dr. Charles Edeogu, Mr. Kalu Treasure, a motivational speaker and multi-media consultant, Mr. Chigozi Eti, lecturer in Journalism and Media Language, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, among others.

W RECEPTION: From left: Deepak Murli, Commercial Manager, C & I Motors; Ayodele Babatunde, Country Manager, Hertz Nigeria; Zuriel Oduwole, girl-child advocate and curator of the Dream Up, Speak Up, Stand Up, project; Queeneth Wodu, Country Manager, Hertz Ghana; Samuel Iboroma, Corporate Communications Executive, and Emmanuel Timothy, Head, HR, both of C & I Leasing Plc, at the reception organised by C & I for Zuriel Oduwole, in Lagos.

Mother of four, pastor lover arrested over husband's alleged murder

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

B

ENIN—A CRACK team of detectives attached to Edo State Police Command is investigating the murder of one Victor Nsongbunyo, a Deputy Manager attached to Nigeria Petroleum Development Company NPDC, Benin City, who was allegedly murdered by his wife and her pastor boy friend, penultimate Friday.

The deceased, whom Vanguard learnt is from Cross River State, was recently promoted to Deputy Manager in the company and was due to retire from service next year before he met his death.

It was learnt that the deceased and his wife had been having issues with the paternity of their children after the deceased suspected the wife was having an extra-marital affair with the pastor.

The deceased was said to have visited home to complain to both his family and that of his wife, after suspecting that the current pregnancy the wife is carrying was not from him.

Consequently, the families resolved that a DNA test be conduct-

S

AINT Patrick's Cath olic Church will, on December 14, launch a N50 million new church building at Owhelogbo, Delta State.

A statement by the organisers said the occasion will be chaired by Secretary to Delta State Government, Comrade Ovuozorie Macaulay.

along Sapele Road. They rushed to the scene and found it was the late Nsongbunyo's car.

They went back to the deceased's wife to inform her of the situation but found her sitting comfortably at home watching television.

That was when the police started suspecting her.

However, detectives intensified search for the deceased car which was given to him by the company, following his promotion.

The car was tracked to a compound at Ekenwan road, Benin City.

Vanguard learnt that a lady was accosted by detectives in the compound and she confessed that the car was packed by a pastor that lived in the compound.

When the pastor came out, detectives observed burns in his left hand and face. The pastor disclosed that one of his daughters in the church sowed a seed with the car. The duo were arrested immediately and are currently being investigated by detectives at the Po

870m workers world wide live in poverty —ILO

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

Launching

ed after giving birth to the child.

Vanguard learnt that it was this arrangement that infuriated the wife and which led her into allegedly plotting the murder her husband with her lover pastor.

On Friday October 22, 2013, the deceased came home after work when the suspected killers came. After allegedly committing the dastardly act, they took the mutilated body into one of his old cars and drove to Sapele Road.

The car, with the body of the NPDC Manager in it, was set ablaze.

On Monday October 25, the wife was said to have gone to the deceased's office to report that her husband was missing.

But apparently after visiting the husband’s office, she went straight to the bank and withdrew N4 milion from his account.

The woman also went to the police to report the incident.

However, staff of NDDC were informed that people observed a burnt car somewhere

I

NTERNATIONAL Labour Organisation, ILO, has said that no fewer than 870 million workers and their families in Nigeria and the rest of the world live in poverty, on US$2 per person per day Director General of ILO, Guy Ryder, in a statement to mark World International Human Rights Day, noted that 400 million of that number live in extreme poverty.

According to him, about 20.9 million of such workers and their

families are under forced labour at any given point in time over the period between 2002 and 2011. He said today, there were still 168 million children in child labour, half of them in its worst forms.

He said: “At the same time, over the years, there has been growing awareness of these issues. Many countries that 20 years ago denied the existence of grave violations such as forced and child labour, are now taking concrete steps for their elimination.

There is also a widespread recognition that decent work, with the rights and principles it embraces, is the sustainable route out of poverty.

“The conventions associated with fundamental principles and rights at work that guarantee the right to be free from child labour, forced labour and discrimination, and the right to freedom of association, have been designated by the international community as having particular significance as human rights."

ARRI—DELTA State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Charles Ajuyah, SAN, yesterday, told the Federal High Court sitting in Warri that being the Spiritual head of Ugborodo community did not confer anyone the right to commit crime.

The Attorney-General made the statement in court while opposing a bail application for the spiritual head of the community, Benson Dube Omadeli, noting that criminality of any kind must be curtailed by the due process of the law.

Similarly, a Special Assistant to Governor Uduaghan, Mr. Jolomi Metsaghanrun, who was also in court, charged the governor to stem the tide of unwarranted brigandage and violence at Ugborodo, saying, “no one should hide under the provisions of fundamental human rights, after ordering the unconstitutional torture of another innocent Nigerian.”

The court, presided over by Justice Mohammed Abubakar, who declined to grant bail, adjourned hearing of the case to December 23.

Group commends WRPC boss on performance

M

ANAGING Director, Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company, WRPC, Mr. Paul Obelley, has been commended for revitalizing the plant.

This was contained in a statement by Mr. Clement Umukoro and Emma Akpokona, both Secretary and Publicity Secretary of Delta Intelligence and Transparency Group.

They pointed out that WRPC was almost unproductive when the management of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, took the wise decision to salvage WRPC and appointed Obelley, the Managing Director, adding. “We are amazed by Obelley's laudable performance within his short stay in office," they said.

46—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013

NGO tasks UPU

Oshiomhole presents 2014 budget

A

OVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has presented the state’s 2014 budget estimates of N159.213 billion to the state House of Assembly for approval.

Tagged Budget of Renewed Hope, the budget is N5.088 billion higher than that of 2013, which stood at N154,125 billion.

The budget is made up of

G

United Kingdomb a s e d nongovernmental organisation, Niger Delta Advocacy Group, has tasked the re-elected leadership of the Urhobo Progressive Union, UPU, led Major-Gen. Patrick Aziza (rtd.), on the problems affecting most Urhobo people.

A statement by its Director, Mr. Ejiro Nomuoja; President, Mrs Grace Aghoghovbia and General Secretary, Ufuoma Atsingbe, said: “We hereby congratulate Major-Gen. Patrick Aziza (rtd.) on his recent victory in the just concluded Urhobo Progressive Union election.

“We hope that some of the problems affecting most Urhobo oil producing communities and Urhobo in general both home and abroad would be revisited.

“These problems are lack of federal appointments, underrepresentation in the Federal Government amnesty programme, environmental degradation, among others.”

N85,595 billion, or 53.76 per cent, capital expenditure and N73.617 billion, or 46.24 per cent, recurrent expenditure.

On funding, Oshiomhole said the government hoped to get N115.589 billion as revenue; N65.331 billion as statutory receipts; N25.095 billion from Internally Generated Revenue, N4.899 billion from aids and

grants; N8.246 billion from VAT, N6.423 from Excess Crude Account and N5.595 billion from capital receipts.

Road projects had the lion share of N24 billion, followed by education, which took N15 billion; flood and erosion control/environmental protection, N10.295 billion; health N8 billion; agriculture,

NLC makes case for pensioners N IGERIA Labour Congress, NLC, yesterday, called on pensioners through their union, the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, NUP, to define their interests and rights in the face of many challenges confronting them.

This came as NUP solicited for a National Minimum Pension to correspond with the increase in the workers minimum wage.

President of NLC, Abdulwaheed Omar, and the NUP President, Mr. Abel Afolayan, spoke at the 2013 Pensioners Day event held at the Labour House, Abuja.

Speaking on The challenges of Pensioners, Omar said: “I believe Pensioners Day is a day selected by our senior citizens to come together to take stock of the year, reflect on their plight

DCPF advocates support for Ochei

T

HE national chairman of Delta Central Progressives Forum, DCPF, Mr. Ochuko Mejire, has called for loyalty to the cause of ensuring that Mr. Victor Ochei, the Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, succeeds Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in 2015.

Mejire made the call during the inauguration of the executive committee of DCPF in Sapele.

He encouraged members to be steadfast on the DCPF cause.

He said: “We know where we are going. I do not know what

people are thinking, but I can assure you that come next year, a lot of people will come and queue behind us.

“I want you to know that apart from the unity group which cuts across Delta State, DCPF is the next largest political group canvassing support for Ochei as governor.”

On behalf of the executive, the Public Relations Officer of the group in Sapele, Mr. Richard Amadi, promised to carry the gospel of DCPF to every corner of Sapele council area.

and chart the way forward.

Charting the way forward involves defining your interests or rights and fighting for them.

“In an economy as inclement as ours and political system as unforgiving as ours, the need to fight for your rights cannot be over stated.

“Even in economies where the interests of senior citizens are

better catered for, they have had the presence of mind to identify and fight for them.”

Afolayan said the provisions of Section 173, Sub-section 3 and Section 210, Sub-section 3 of the 1999 Constitution states that “pensions shall be reviewed every five years or whenever there is salary review,” whichever one comes first.

Ogbe-Ijoh gets new governing council

W

ARRI— THE Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Traditional Council in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, yesterday, inaugurated a new governing council to administer the affairs of the kingdom for the next two years.

The council, led by Lucky Oromoni, was sworn in by the Regent of Ogbe-Ijoh, Chief Samson Mamamu, at OgbeIjoh, the headquarters of Warri South-West council.

Mamamu noted that the ceremony came 18 months after the demise of the traditional ruler, Pere of Ogbe-Ijoh Clan, saying “the tenure of the last Governing Council expired since October 23.”

Mamamu warned that the commonwealth of the kingdom must not be mismanaged or hijacked by few to create poverty for the larger society.

Among those inaugurated on

were Wurusibewei Diebo, Assistant Secretary; Ebibor Dio, Financial Secretary; Godwin Enighan, Isaiah Afodor, Stephen Ane-gba, Garenwei Eyoroagagha and Jeremiah Toweh, members.

The chairman of the electoral committee, A. O. Kokori said the candidates for the position of Vice Chairman and PRO were disqualified while Secretary-elect, Mr. Simon, could not be cleared.

Academy tasks youths on transformation agenda

A

NABEL Leadership Academy, which specialises in training young people on effective leadership, has charged Nigerian youths to play active role in nation building by contributing their quota to the transformation agenda.

Speaking at the second Nigeria Leadership Summit in Lagos, the academy ’s founder, Nicholas Okoye, said the youths must not place any limitation on their capacity to help transform this country as they possess enormous power to effect change.

Also speaking at the programme, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Mrs. Abike DabiriArewa, decried the challenges the Nigerian youths were facing, especially in the education sector.

By Bartholomew Madukwe

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

housing and urban planning take N1.5 billion each.

On the health sector, Oshiomhole said: “The government plans to complete the construction and equipping of the new accident and emergency 200bed ward complex at the Central Hospital, Benin; completion and furnishing of the second and third floors of the Block D of the new secretariat complex to provide permanent accommodation for the ministry.”

While reviewing the 2013 budget, Oshiomhole said: “In 2013, revenue performance was affected by the reduction in the personal income tax, leading to a big drop in our internally generated revenue to the tune of N500 million monthly.

“The drop in the allocation from the Federation Account arising from the alleged oil theft has also adversely affected the revenue profile of the state.”

(nwamad@yahoo.com)

On Nelson Mandela's death

F

OLLOWING his 27 years imprisonment, it would have been understandable if Mr. Mandela had harboured and expressed animosity and bitterness. That he didn’t is one of the most remarkable examples of grace and dignity I have ever witnessed.— Miss Awodi Deborah, Communicator.

C M Y K

Y

OU can tell what a man’s worth by what he is committed to. Mandela was committed to freedom and equality.

Nkrumah was committed to pan-Africanism. Apostle Paul was committed to the risen Christ. What are Nigerian leaders committed to?— Mr. Adekunle Onifae, Businessman.

I

F it were any one of these selfish African leaders, Mandela would have died as a sitting President of South Africa, after the struggle and 27 years in prison. But he served only one term as President. I respect this man.— Mr. Ben Onyekachi, Banker.

T

HE death of Nelson Mandela was a glorious exit. I think it is just the best way I can describe it. Mandela was a man of all people and very patient as well. My advice to our youths is that they should follow the footstep of late Madiba.— Miss Juliet Ekwu, Student.

O

NE thing that baffles me in life is the fact that politicians and the socalled statesmen in Nigerian and other African countries, watch, commented on and adore Mandela. Yet they take no cue from his actions. May your soul rest in peace.

Amen.— Miss Ebereke Kelechi, Worker.

I

thank his country and family for allowing Mandela to pass away peacefully and painlessly, rather than keeping him alive artificially or uncomfortably for political reasons. He was a man of true wisdom and devotion to the cause of his countrymen.— Miss Harlis Udoyoh, Student.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013—47

Anambra, foundation to build 10 health centres in rural areas

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

A

WKA—ANAMBRA State government and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have commenced the construction of 10 maternity and child health centres in the rural areas of the state, with each of the facility costing N30 million.

Funds for the projects came from Bill Gates Foundation which donated N100 million to Anambra State as prize money for being the best state in the South East on polio eradication, while the state government added N200 million to make up the total amount.

The health centres are sited at Awba-Ofemili in Awka North Local Government Area, Urum also in Awka North, Ugwuagba Obosi in Idemili North, Umunze in Orumba South, Umuchu in Aguata, Iseke in Ihiala, Ogwuaniocha in Ogbaru, Umudioka in Dunukofia, Umueje in Ayamelum and Azigbo in Nnewi South.

Group flays Ekweremadu over tenure elongation

BY CHINENYEH OZOR

N

SUKKA—A pressure group, Enugu State Professionals, has accused the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu of recommending tenure elongation for the president and governors for his own selfish reasons.

It said that Ekweremadu had a ‘’vaulting ambition to rule Enugu State, irrespective of the fact that the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP, had zoned the position to Enugu North Senatorial zone (Nsukka), adding that his veiled suggestion for tenure elongation was to endear himself to President Goodluck Jonathan.

National President of the group, Chief Ernest Udoye, made these known in a statement in Enugu, yesterday.

Physically challenged persons attack SURE-P office in Umuahia U

BY ANAYO OKOLI

MUAHIA—HUNDREDS of aggrieved members of Joint National Association of Persons with Disability, JNAPD, Monday stormed Umuahia office of Subsidy Reinvestment Empowerment Programme, SURE-P, and destroyed windows, chairs and tables, in protest of noninclusion in the empowerment programme.

According to the protesters, other states have provisions in the programme for persons with disability and wondered why Abia State was an exception.

They said the programme was designed to accommodate them and lamented that they had been neglected by members of the board of SURE-P in the state.

The state chairman of JNAPD, Mr. Stanley Onyemaechi, recalled that he attended a workshop in Calabar in March this year, where they were told that persons with disability were included in the SURE-P programme but regretted that up till now, no member of the board of the programme in the state had made any effort to reach them.

According to him, several attempts made to get in touch with the board chairman in the state, Mr. David Nwokocha, have failed.

Onyemaechi alleged that the board chairman said the

programme did not accommodate persons with disability, adding not even visits to SURE-P office on several occasions could yield the desired result.

His words: “This has made my colleagues to think that I collected personal money from Nwokocha, which is why I told them to come with me to fight

for their right.

“We deserve to be involved in the programme as we are Nigerians and should be involved with any programme designed by the Federal Government for the good of Nigerians.”

He recalled that when President Goodluck Jonathan announced the programme,

“we felt that our problems were over, as every segment of the society was expected to be involved in the programme, but we are disappointed with the things we are seeing now.”

Onyemaechi disclosed that they were about 6,170 persons with different forms of disability in the state and that most of them were graduates without jobs.

VISIT: Commandant-General, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Dr. Ade Abolurin (left), and Commandant, National Defence College, Rear Admiral Patrick Agholor, during a visit to the NCSDC boss in Abuja, yesterday.

UNN alumni president seeks implementation of recommendations on 2010 riots

A

BY AUSTINOGWUDA

S A B A — N AT I O N A L President of the University of Nigeria Alumni Association, UNAA, Dr. Nwanne Chioke, has called on the management of the institution to implement the farreaching recommendation his group churned out after the unfortunate riot and destruction of its property by the students in January 2010.

He stated this while reeling out the various landmark achievements under his tenure at the 22nd biennial convention of the association in Asaba, Delta State, last weekend.

Dr. Chioke said he was a very happy man that the body under his tenure ensured that the baton of leadership moved away Igbo people, who had predominantly been in charge, to an Urhobo man.

“Again, this is one convention in which great elders of the university attended enmase, sat down patiently throughout the night watching the proceedings to later saw the election of new officers.

“It is a great joy. It is also one convention where the ProChancellor of the university, two deputy vice chancellors, Registrar and three other council members attended.”

On the January 2010 riot, he said

a team of executive council of the association went on a fact finding visit to Nsukka.

According to him, the team sat for four days and interviewed several individuals, both

students and staff, as well as all the major unions, including the students’ union executives of the House of Representatives and Senate of the Students Union Government,

ASUU,SSANNU and NASU. He said: “We also took off to visit Enugu campus where we met the leadership of the Students union and commended them for not joining in the riots and also urged them to always follow the path of dialogue in handling matters that affect their welfare.”

NASU worries over poor state of libraries

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-

YOUNG

A

B I A — N O N ACADEMIC Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU, has decried total neglect of library services in the education sector in Nigeria.

NASU in a resolution by its WAEC/Libraries and other trade group council at its second regular meeting in Umuahia, Abia State, lamented that for several decades there had been no procurement of books and other information materials while the infrastructure were also in a state of decay.

In the resolution, Mr. Michael Adegoke, Chairman/Deputy President, WAEC/Libraries trade group and Prince Damola Adelekun, Secretary WAEC/ Libraries trade group, said: “The Council-in-Session noted that for any human development to

take place the ‘information market’ must be well funded.

The council urges all tiers of government to as a matter of urgency improve their funding to this important sector for

acquisition of books, non-book materials, virtual facilities and infrastructure so that it can operate first class services and fulfill its aims and objectives.”

Engr Nwora Adibe for burial

E

NGR. HUMPHREY Nwora Adibe of Obinetiti, IsikweAchi in Enugu State is dead, aged 81. In a statement by his son, Hon. Chuks Adibe, there will be a wake keep tomorrow for the late first london-trained chemical engineer in West Africa, at his family home, Obinetiti, Isikwe-Achi.

The funeral service will hold on Friday, December 13, at Christ Church, Isikwe-Achi and the interment in his family compound.

He is survived by his widow, Lady Carol Adibe, Engr. Azuna Adibe, Hon Chuks Adibe, Adaeze Grace Nwosu, John

Nwosu, Sandra Adibe, Dr. Onyinye Adibe and many relations.

Late Sir Adibe

48—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013

65,000 dry season farmers to benefit from GES in Jigawa

1.5m children immunized against childhood killer diseases in Benue

B

BY PETER DURU

M

AKURDI— OVER 1.5 million children in Benue State, between the ages of zero to five years have been immunized against childhood killer diseases, in the just concluded week-long Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week, MNCHW, in the state.

The Nutrition Officer at the state Ministry of Health, Mrs. Catherine Anger who made this known yesterday in Makurdi, the state capital, added that over 500 mothers also, benefitted from the free distribution of iron foliate and treated mosquito nets even as they were further educated on key household practices to safeguard the health of their families.

Mrs. Anger, however, regretted that despite the huge turnout of people during the immunization exercise, “ we still had issues of reaching some crises-ridden communities.’’

According to her, “although there are no crisis in the affected areas at the moment, it was still a major challenge in Agatu and Guma. In fact, in Guma, military personnel had to lead our team of monitors to the settlements where the displaced people were taking refuge.”

She further explained that the crises occasioned by the Fulani invasion of Agatu, Guma and Gwer-West Local Government areas in the state had further worsened the situation of mothers and children in the affected communities.

“We saw that most of the communities were still deserted by the villagers, and this made it difficult to reach the children and women in such communities.

“In fact mobility was another challenge we faced in order to reach the people. But on the whole, the exercise was a huge success,” she added.

SUMMIT—From left: Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed; Senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki and Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Rasaq Atunwa, during a one-day Technical Youth Summit for unemployed youth in Kwara at Kingstone Grand Suites, Ilorin.

House committee chairman chides River basin authorities .... Says they're reckless with their policies

Y

BY UMAR YUSUF

OLA — C H A I R M A N , House of Representatives Committee on Water Resources, Ahmed Aliyu Patigi has frowned at the non-transparent manner various River Basin Development Authorities were being run across the country.

Patigi told newsmen in Yola when his committee visited the Upper Benue River Basin Authority for its oversight assignment, that most of the River basin authorities were operating outside their confines.

He said they were in the authority to ensure strict compliance with fiscal laws so that Nigerians would have value for money spent in the sub sector.

“One of our core responsibilities is the oversight function which is meant to checkmate the excesses of the executive arm and ensure that Nigerians have value for money spent by the government,” Pategi said.

He, however, noted that the committee was ready to step on toes to ensure that no stone was left unturned in their quest to ensure that accountability and transparency were entrenched in the process of procurement and contract execution which were the precursor for placing the country on the threshold of development.

“Our problem in this country is lack of effective leadership, policy somersaults and bureaucratic bottlenecks which in most cases are responsible for our failure as a nation. For us to get things right, our leadership has to be focused and willing to make sacrifices for the betterment of all,” he said.

He further said that during their interaction with the management of the River Basin Authority, they discovered a lot of errors made in the presentation but declined to make such errors public even as he urged the management to update their records.

Patigi similarly noted that under no circumstances should the management direct the resources of the authority to other projects that were not captured in the budget as such action amounted to diversion

of budgeted money for non budgeted projects.

Responding to the allegation made by the House Committee, the Managing Director of the Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority, Alhaji Aliyu Jijjiwa said it was the normal practice in all River Basin Development Authorities across the country to use the balances of fund earmarked for projects in certain communities to execute other projects in the same communities.

IRNIN-KEBBI— THE Kebbi State Agricultural and Rural Development Agency, KARDA, said, yesterday, that 65,000 dry season farmers would benefit from the Federal Government’s Gross Enhancement Scheme, GES, in the state.

The Director of the agency, Alhaji Abubakar Lolo, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Birnin Kebbi.

Lolo said that 13,000 farmers had registered for the scheme so far.

He said each farmer would get three bags of assorted fertiliser, adding that the commodity would be distributed at the 23 designated redemption centres.

Lolo said 10 suppliers and 23 agro-dealers were contracted to supply the commodity to the redemption centres for distribution to farmers.

He called on the farmers to be patient as efforts had been made to ensure availability of the commodity in the state.

Heads to roll over Lamido's missing international passport

BY ALIYU DANGIDA

D

UTSE—HEADS may soon roll at the Jigawa State Government House, following reports that some protocol officers connived among themselves to hide the international passport of Governor Sule Lamido.

As a result of this development, fear has gripped most of the protocol officers accused of perpetrating the reported offence.

Investigation has revealed that the development has compelled the governor to postpone his scheduled trip to England to see the ailing Emir of Kazaure, Alhaji Najeeb Hussaini Adamu.

A source at Government House revealed that the passport got missing in the process of securing visa for the trip, adding that Governor Lamido was furious over the missing passport.

A visit to Protocol Department of the Government

House revealed that some staff were jittery even as they discussed the issue on hushed tones.

In 2009, a thief was caught at the bedroom of Governor Sule Lamido while he was out of the country. The suspect was later identified as a security officer, who had his wedding a week before the

incident. The thief was detained and finally sacked.

The Director Press to the Governor, Umar Kyari Jitau, promised to get in touch with the chief protocol officer to the governor, and then get back to Vanguard but failed to do so.

Jitau did also not pick several calls to his mobile phone for clarifications on the issue.

Zamfara House plans public hearing on specialist hospital, others

G

USAU—THE Zamfara State House of Assembly said it would conduct public hearings on bills to legalise the establishment of Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital, Gusau, and the School of Health Technology, Tsafe.

The hearing will also cover bills on the Legacy Newspaper Company and the state Schools Feeding Agency.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Alhaji Tukur Jekada, said this, yesterday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Gusau.

Jekada said this was the first time the assembly would organise public hearing since its inception in 1999, adding that it was a result of great efforts by the current leadership of the legislature.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013—49

C M Y K

50—V anguard 50—Vanguard anguard,,

THURSD A Y, DECEMBER 12, 2013 THURSDA YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 TAURUS: Although matters-of-the-heart may give you cause to smile broadly, if care is not taken, you would cause friction that can’t help you r case at work. This is the wrong time for unnecessary scheming within your working arena.

GEMINI: Those of your who are red-blooded for romance may have an exciting and satisfying day. Happenings within your social circles must be taken more seriously.

CANCER: Confrontation may come your way in the circle but the heavens are working favourably for you. Some doses of romance is not too much for you on a day like this.

LEO: Provided you don’t allow your innate ability to be as diplomatic as necessary desert you, things work favourably for you to the betterment of your finances.

VIRGO: Many of you will be in sentimental mood and exhibit strong romantic desire openly. But then, if care is not taken, you may be carried away to the detriment of your finances. Serious minded lovers are in for happy day.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

A

N escort is some one who accompanies another to somewhere, for no personal purpose.

For example, the security personnel that escorts officials especially in Nigeria

Are you an Escort? even when they have no reason to be behind the official.

Many individuals are escort in this life.

They have no dream, no vision, no goal.

What are you doing now? Are you just

TERROR MUDA

wandering about without purpose?

What reasonable thing are you doing now to make the world better than you met it? Or you just believe you are on

in “Never say goodbye”

earth to make up the number? What value have you added to life?

If you are not of any usefulness to humanity, then you are an escort.

Think about it!

By Lanre Kehinde

LIBRA: Whatever anybody says or does, you will have both your say and way. Venus and Jupiter may tempt some of you to embrace illicit (or secret) romance within your base of operation.

SCORPIO: Venus and Jupiter at positive angles may tempt you to join some of your friends who are already onboard of merry making train. Watch your health.

SAGITTARIUS: Good luck will smile at many and induce love of luxury merry making and romantic liason. Genuine lovers will need to be on guard against deceit from new admirers.

CAPRICORN: Both financial success and emotional satisfaction are closed to you than before. Those of you travelling because of maters-of-the-heart are in for an exciting romantic day Those ambitious career-wise will succeed after few struggles.

AQUARIUS: Many members of your opposite sex will go out of their ways to attract your romantic interest. This is the wrong time to engage on unnecessary argument.

PISCES: If you priority is love, much of it would come your way as desired. But here is a better day for more ambitious in the business world. Don’t allow anybody to deceive you over money.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

ARIES: Those of you with secret admirers within your working area will have the needed opportunities to make the needed moves. Resist the temptation to deceive others.

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

What’s my Horoscope?

Dear Joshua, I am a middle aged lady born on September 13, 1962.

Although I am fairly successful, I want you to give me my comprehensive horoscope, especially what my special gift is.

Which day of the week was I born? Where were my natal planets and their meanings? Who am I? Dupe, Jos. Dear Dupe, There is no space for comprehensive horoscope but what you’ll have here -under is answer to your questions/ You were born on a Thursday and your special gift is LEADERSHIP quality.

YOUR HOROSCOPE DATA Date of Birth: Thursday, September 13, 1962 Sun Sign: Virgo: Sun in 20th Degree of Virgo Moon Sign: PISCES: Moon on 10th Degree of Pisces Mercury in 16th Degree of Libra Venues in 5th Degree of Scorpio Mars in 13th Degree of Cancer Jupiter in 6th Degree of Pisces Saturn in 5th Degree of Aquarius Uranus in 2nd Degree of Virgo Neptune in 11th Degree of Scorpio Pluto in 10th Degree of Virgo North Node in 6th Degree of Leo South Node in 6th Degree of Aquarius Quality and Element Cardinal and air star signs hosted two planets each fixed and earth three each, no planet in fire while mutable and water star signs hosted five planets each.

Push-full influence = 20% Non- push-full element = 80% Final dispositor = Lucky Jupiter General Analysis Just 20 per cent of push-full influence in your chart can deceptively present you to others as a soft (or even timid) person but practical Virgo that hosted nothing less than three heavenly bodies when you were born and Astrological aspects between Mercury (mental focus) and aggressive Mars in you r chart are pointers to the contrary.

Yes! You are highly intelligent and your mind works the same way detective’s minds do. It is true, there are little contradictions between your inner self and your emotional being as indicated quality, water element and Virgo characteristics.

One moment, you can be very emotional, exhibiting temper with stinging tongue but a few hour later you are amiable, easy going, friendly and compassionate. You are the adaptable type who will see changes as sources of good opportunities.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013—51

OBJ blasts Jonathan in 18-page letter contest in 2015. I quickly pointed out to you that the signs and the measures on the ground do not tally with your statement. You said the same to one other person who shared his observation with me. And only a fool would believe that statement you made to me judging by what is going on. I must say that it is not ingenious. You may wish to pursue a more credible and more honourable path. Although you have not formally informed me one way or the other, it will be necessary to refresh your memory of what transpired in 2011. I had gone to Benue State for the marriage of one of my staff, Vitalis Ortese, in the state. Governor Suswam was my hospitable host. He told me that you had accepted a oneterm presidency to allow for ease of getting support across the board in the North. I decided to crosscheck with you. You did not hesitate to confirm to me that you are a strong believer in a one-term of six years for the President and that by the time you have used the unexpired time of your predecessor and the four years of your first term, you would have almost used up six years of your first term and you would not need any more term or time. Later, I heard from other sources including sources close to you that you made the same commitment elsewhere, hence, my inclusion of it in my address at the finale of campaign in 2011 as follows: “...PDP should be praised for being the only party that enshrines federal character, zoning and rotation in its Constitution and practices it. PDP has brought stability and sustainability to the polity and to the system. I do not know who will be President of Nigeria after Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. That is in the hand of God. But with PDP policy and practice, I can reasonably guess from where, in term of section of the country, the successor to President Jonathan will come. And no resort to sentiments and emotions or religion and regionalism is selfserving, unpatriotic and mischievous, to say the least. It is also preying on dangerous emotive issues that can ignite uncontrollable passion and can destabilise, if not destroy our country. This is being oblivious of the sacrifices others have made in the past for unity, stability and democracy in Nigeria in giving up their lives, shedding their blood, and in going to prison. I personally have done two out of those three sacrifices and I am ready to do the third if it will serve the best interest of Nigerian

dream. Let me appeal to those who have embarked on this dangerous road to reflect and desist from taking us on a perishable journey. With common identity as Nigerians, there is more that binds us than separates us. I am a Nigerian, born a Yoruba man, and I am proud of both identities as they are for me complementary.

Our duties, responsibilities and obligations to our country as citizens and, indeed, as leaders must go side by side with our rights and demands.

There must be certain values and virtues that must go concomitantly with our dream. Thomas Paine said, ‘’my country is the world’’, for me, my country I hold dear.

On two occasions, I have had opportunity to work for my successors to the government of Nigeria. On both occasions, I never took the easy and destabilising route of ethnic, regional or religious consideration; rather I took the enduring route of national, uniting and stabilising route. I worked for both President Shagari and President Yar'Adua to succeed me not just because they are Moslems, Northerners or HausaFulani, but because they could strengthen the unity, stability and democracy in Nigeria. We incurred the displeasure of ethnic chauvinists for doing what was right for the country. That is in the nature of burden of leadership. A leader must lead, no matter whose ox is gored.

In the present circumstance, let me reiterate what I have said on a number of occasions.

Electing Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, in his own right and on his own merit, as the president of Nigeria will enhance and strengthen our unity, stability and democracy. And it will lead us towards the achievement of our Nigeria dream.

There is press report that Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has already taken a unique and unprecedented step of declaring that he would only want to be a one-term President. If so, whether we know it or not, that is a sacrifice and it is statesmanly. Rather than vilify him and pull him down, we, as a party, should applaud and commend him and Nigerians should reward and venerate him.

He has taken the first good step.

Let us encourage him to take more good steps by voting him in with landslide victory as the fourth elected President of Nigeria on the basis of our common Nigerian identity and for the purpose of actualising Nigerian dream...”

When you won the elec-

tion, one of the issues you very early pursued was that of one term of six years. That convinced me that you meant what you told me before my speech at the campaign. Mr President, whatever may be your intention or plan, I cannot comment much on the constitutional aspect of your second term or what some people call third term. That is for both legal and judicial attention.

But if constitutionally you are on a strong wicket if you so decide, it will be fatally morally flawed. As a leader, two things you must cherish and hold dear among others are trust and honour both of which are important ingredients of character. I will want to see anyone in the Office of the Presidency of Nigeria as a man or woman who can be trusted, a person of honour in his words and character. I will respect you for upholding these attributes and for dignifying that Office. Chinua Achebe said, “one of the truest tests of integrity is its blunt refusal to be compromised.” It is a lesson for all leaders including you and me. However, Mr President, let me hope that as you claimed that you have not told anybody that you are contesting and that what we see and hear is a rumbling of overzealous aides, you will remain a leader that can

tune of PDP gubernatorial candidate. As chairman of BOT, I spoke to you at that time. It happened in Ondo State where there was in addition evidence of cover-up and non-prosecution of fraud of fake security report against the non-PDP candidate and his collaborators for the purpose of extracting personal electoral advantage for you. In fact, I have raised with you the story of those in other states in the South-West where some disgruntled PDP members were going around to recruit people into the Labour party for you, because, for electoral purpose at the national level, Labour Party will have no candidate but you. It also happened in Edo State and those who know the detail never stopped talking about it and you know it. Ditto in Anambra State with the fiasco coming from undue interference. If you as the leader of the Party cannot be seen to be loyal to the PDP in support of the candidates of the party and the interests of such party candidates have to be sacrificed on the alter of your personal and political interest, then good luck to the party and I will also say that I have had occasions to say in the past, Goodluck to Goodluck. If on the altar of the party you go for broke, the party may be broken beyond repairs. And then when

,

Continues from page 5

As a leader, two things you must cherish and hold dear among others are trust and honour both of which are important ingredients of character. be believed and trusted without unduly passing the buck or engaging in game of denials.

Maybe you also need to know that many party members feel disappointed in the double game you were alleged to play in support of party gubernatorial candidates in some states where you surreptitiously supported non-PDP candidates against PDP candidates in exchange for promise or act of those non-PDP governors supporting you for your election in the past or for the one that you are yet to formally declare.

It happened in Lagos in 2011 when Bola Tinubu was nocturnally brought to Abuja to strike a deal to support your personal election at great price materially and in the for-

in a dispute between two sides, they both stubbornly decide to fight to the last drop of blood, no one knows whose blood would be the last to drop.

In such a situation, Nigeria as a nation may also be adversely affected, not just PDP. I wish to see no more blood shed occasioned by politics in Nigeria. Please Mr. President be mindful of that.

You were exemplary in words when during your campaign in the 2011 elections, you said “My election is not worth spilling blood of any Nigerian.” From you it should not be if it has to be, let it be. It should be from you,

let peace, security, harmony, good governance, development and progress for Nigeria. That is also your responsibility and mandate. You can do it again and I plead that you do it. We all have to be mindful of not securing pyrrhic victory on the ashes of great values, attributes and issues that matter as it would amount to hollow victory without honour and integrity.

Whatever may be the feud in PDP and no matter what you or your aides may feel, you as the leader of the party, have the responsibility to find solution, resolve and fix it.

Your legacy is involved. If PDP as a ruling party collapses, it will be the first time in an independent Nigeria that a ruling party would collapse not as a result of a military coup. It is food for thought. At the prompting of governors on both sides of the divide, and on encouragement from you, I spent two nights to intervene in the dispute of PDP governors. I kept you fully briefed at a every stage. I deliberately chose Banquet Hall at the Villa to ensure transparency.

Your aides studied all the recordings of the two nights but I told you at the end of the exercise that I observed five reactions among the Governors that required your immediate attention as you are the only one from the vantage point of your five positions that could deal effectively with the five reactions which were bitterness, anger, mistrust, fear and deep suspicion. I could only hope that you made efforts to deal with these unpleasant reactions. The feud leading to the factionalisation of the Party made me to invite some select elders of the Party to mediate again.

Since I was engaged in assignment outside the country, I was not able to join the three members of the elders group that presented the report of our mediation to you. I was briefed that you agreed to work on the report. It would appear that for now, the ball is in your court as the leader of the party. I can only wish you every success in your handling of the issue. But time is not your friend nor that of the Party in this respect.

With leadership come not just power and authority to do and undo, but also responsibility and accountability to do and to undo rightly, well and justly. Time and opportunity are treasure that must

be appreciated and shared to enhance their value and utilitarianism.

It is instructive that after half a dozen African Presidents have spoken to me to help you with unifying the Party based on your request to them and I came in company of Senator Ahmadu Ali to discuss the whole issue with you again, strangely, you denied ever requesting or authorising any President to talk to me. I was not surprised because I am used to such a situation of denial coming from you. Of course, I was not deterred. I have done and I will continue to do and say what is first, in the best interest of Nigeria and second, what is in the best interest of the Party. I stand for the aims, objectives, mission and vision of the founding fathers of the Party, to use it as a wholesome instrument of unity, good governance, development, prosperity and progress of Nigeria and all Nigerians.

I have contributed to this goal in the past and no one who has been raised to position on the platform of the Party should shy away from further contribution to avoid division and destruction of the Party on any altar whatsoever.

Debates and dialogues are necessary to promote the interest and work for the progress of any human institution or organisation.

In such a situation, agreements and disagreements will occur but in the final analysis, leadership will pursue the course of action that benefit the majority and serve the purpose of the organisation, not the purpose of an individual or a minority.

In the process, unity is sustained and everybody becomes a winner. The so-called crisis in the PDP can be turned to an opportunity of unity, mutual understanding and respect with the Party emerging with enhanced strength and victory. It will be a win-win for all members of the Party and for the country. By that, PDP would have proved that it could have internal disagreement and emerge stronger. The calamity of failure can still be avoided. Please, move away from fringes or the extremes and move to the centre and carry ALL along. Time is running out.

I will only state that as far as your responsibility as Chief Security Officer of the nation is concerned for Nigerians, a lot more needs to be done to enhance the feeling of security amongst them.

Whether one talks of the issue of militancy in the Niger Delta, the underlying causes of which have not been adequately addressed, if addressed at

Continues on page 52

52—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013

OBJ blasts Jonathan in 18-page letter

,

all, kidnapping, piracy and abductions and armed robberies which rather than abate are on the increase and Boko Haram which requires carrot and stick approach to lay its ghost to rest, the general security situation cannot be described as comforting. Knowing the genesis of Boko Haram and the reasons for escalation of violence from that sector with the widespread and ramification of the menace of Boko Haram within and outside the Nigerian borders, conventional military actions based on standard phases of military operations alone will not permanently and effectively deal with the issue of Boko Haram. There are many strands or layers of causes that require different solutions, approaches or antidotes.

Drug, indoctrination, fundamentalism, gun trafficking, hate culture, human trafficking, money laundering, religion, poverty, unemployment, poor education, revenge and international terrorism are among factors that have effect on Boko Haram.

One single prescription cannot cure all these ailments that combine in Boko Haram. Should we pursue war against violence without understanding the root causes of the violence and applying solutions to deal with all underlying factors such as root, stem and branches? Nigeria is bleeding and the hemorrhage must be stopped. I am convinced that you can initiate measures that will bring all hands on deck to deal effectively with this great menace.

Mr. President, the most important qualification for your present position is your being a Nigerian.

Whatever else you may be besides being a Nigerian is only secondary for this purpose. And if majority of Nigerians who voted had not cast their votes for you, you could not have been there. For you to allow yourself to be “possessed”, so to say, to the exclusion of most of the rest of Nigerians as an ‘Ijaw man’ is a mistake that should have never been allowed to happen.

Yes, you have to be born in one part of Nigeria to be a Nigerian if not naturalized but the Nigerian President must be above ethnic factionalism. And those who prop you up as of, and for ‘Ijaw nation’ are not your friends genuinely, not friends of Nigeria nor friends of ‘Ijaw nation’ they tout about. To allow or tacitly encourage people of ‘Ijaw nation’ to throw insults on other Nigerians from other parts of the

country and threaten fire and brimstone to protect your interest as an Ijaw man is myopic and your openly quieting them is even more unfortunate.

You know that I have expressed my views and feelings to you on this issue in the past but I have come to realize that many others feel the way I have earlier expressed to you.

It is not the best way of making friends among all sections of Nigeria. You don’t have shared and wholesome society without inclusive political, economic and social sustainable development and good governance.

Also declaring that one section of the country voted for you as if you got no votes from other sections can only be an unnecessary talk, to put it mildly. After all and at the end of the day, democracy is a game of numbers.

Even if you would not need people’s votes across the country again, your political party will.

Allegation of keeping over 1,000 people on political watch list rather than criminal or security watch list and training snipers and other armed personnel secretly and clandestinely acquiring weapons to match for political purposes like Abacha and training them where Abacha trained his own killers, if it is true, it cannot augur well for the nation, the government and the people of Nigeria. Here again, there is the lesson of history to learn for anybody who cares to learn from history. Mr. President would always remember that he was elected to maintain security for all Nigerians and protect them. And no one should prepare to kill or main Nigerians for personal or political ambition or interest of anyone. The Yoruba adage says, “The man with whose head coconut is broken may not live to savour the taste of the succulent fruit.” Those who advise you to go hard on those who oppose you are your worst enemies. Democratic politics admits and is permissive of supporters and opponents. When the consequences come, those who have wrongly advised you will not be there to help carry the can.

Egypt must teach some lesson.

Presidential assistance for a murderer to evade justice and presidential delegation to welcome him home can only be in bad taste generally but particularly to the family of the victims. Assisting criminals to evade justice cannot be part of the job of the presidency. Or, as it is viewed in some quarters, is he being recruited to do for you what he did for Abacha in the past?

Hopefully, he should have learned his lesson.

Let us continue to watch.

As Head of Government, the buck of the performance and non-performance stops on your table and let nobody tell you anything to the contrary.

Most of our friends and development partners are worried and they see what we pretend to cover up. They are worried about issue of security internally and on our coastal waters including heavy oil theft , alias bunkering and piracy.

They are worried about corruption and what we are doing or not doing about it. Corruption has reached the level of impunity. It is also necessary to be mindful that corruption and injustice are fertile breeding grounds for terrorism and political instability. And if you are not ready to name, shame, prosecute and stoutly fight against

,

Continues from page 51

and appropriately. Mr. President, let me again plead with you to be decisive on the oil and gas sector so that Nigeria may not lag behind. Oil with gas is being discovered all over Africa. New technology is producing oil from shale elsewhere.

We should make hay while the sun shines. I hope we can save OK and Brass LNG projects.

Three things are imperative in the oil and gas sector — stop oil stealing, encourage investment especially by the IOC’s and improve the present poor management of the industry.

On the economy generally, it suffices to say that we could do better than we are doing. The signs are there and the expectations are high. The most dangerous ticking bomb is youth unemployment particularly in the face of unbridled corruption and obscene rulers’ opulence.

Let me repeat that as far

The roles of the military and the security agencies should be held sacrosanct in the best interest of the nation. Again, let not history repeat itself here. corruption, whatever you do will be hollow. It will be a laughing matter.

They are worried about how we play our role in our region and indeed in the world. In a way, I share some of the their concerns because there are notable areas we can do more or do better than we are doing.

Some of our development partners were politically frustrated to withdraw from Olokola LNG project, which happily was not the same with Brass. I initiated them both. They were viable and would have taken us closer to Qatar as LNG producing country.

Please do not frustrate Brass LNG and in the interest of what is being best for Nigerian economy, bring back OK LNG into active implementation.

The major international oil companies have withheld investment in the projects in Nigeria. If they have not completely moved out, they are divesting. Nigeria which is the Saudi of Africa in oil and gas terms is being taken over by Angola only because necessary decisions are not made timely

as the issue of corruption, security and oil stealing is concerned, it is only apt to say that when the guard becomes the thief, nothing is safe, secure or protected in the house.

We must all remember that corruption, inequity and injustice bread poverty, unemployment, conflict, violence and wittingly or unwittingly create terrorists because the opulence of the governor can only lead to the leanness of the governed. But God never sleeps. He is watching, waiting and bidding his time to dispense justice.

The serious and strong allegation of non-remitting of about $7 billion from NNPC to Central Bank occurring from export of some 300,000 barrels per day, amounting to $900 million a month, to be refined and with refined products of only $400 million returned and Atlantic Oil loading about 130,000 barrels sold

by Shell and managed on behalf of NPDC with no sale proceeds paid into NPDC account is incredible. The allegation was buttressed by the letter of Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria to you on non-

remittance to Central Bank. This allegation will not fly away by non-action, cover-up, denial or bribing possible investigators. Please deal with allegation transparently and let the truth be known.

The dramatis personae in this allegation and who they are working for will one day be publicknowledge. Those who know are watching if National Assembly will not be accomplice in the heinous crime and naked grand corruption. May God grant you the grace for at least one effective corrective action against high corruption which seems to shrink all around you in your government.

The international community knows us as we are and may be more than we claim to know ourselves. And a good friend will tell you the truth no matter how bitter. Denials and cover-up of what is obvious, true and factual can detract from honour, dignity and respect.

Truth and transparency dignity and earn respect.

And life without passion for something can only achieve little. I was taken aback when an African Development Bank director informed me that the water project for PortHarcourt, originally initiated by the Federal Government to be financed by the bank, is being put in the cooler by the Federal Government since the Amaechi-Jonathan face-off.

Amaechi, whether he likes it or not, will cease to be governor over Rivers State which PortHarcourt is part by the end of May 2015, but residents of Port-Harcourt will continue to need improvement of their water supply.

President Jonathan should rise above such pettiness and unpresidential act, if it is coming from him. But if not, and it is the action of overzealous officials reading the situation, he should give appropriate instruction for the project to be pursued. And if there are other projects anywhere suffering the same coolness as a result of similar situation, let national interest supercede personal or political feud and the machinations of satanic officials.

Mr. President, let me plead with you for a few things that will stand you in good stead for the rest of your life. Don’t always consider critics on national issues as enemies.

Some of them may be as patriotic and nationalistic as you and I who had been in government.

Some of them have as mush passion for Nigeria

as we have. I saw that among Nigerians living abroad, hence, initiate Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation, NIDO. You must also differentiate between malevolent, mischievous and objective criticism. Analyses, criticism and commentators on government actions and policies are sinew of democracy. Please, Mr. President be very wary of assistants, aides and collaborators who look for enemies for you. I have seen them with you and some were around me when I was in your position. I knew how not to allow them create enemies for me. If you allow them, everybody except them will be your enemy. They are dangerous than identified adversaries.

May God save leaders from sycophants. They know what you want to hear and they feed you with it essentially for their own selfish interest. As far as you and Nigeria are concerned, they are wreckers. Where were they when God used others to achieve God’s will in your life? They possess you now for their interest.

No interest should be higher or more important than Nigerian interest to you. You have already made history and please do nothing to mar history.

I supported you as I supported Yar ’ Adua. For me, there is neither North-South divide nor Christian-Moslem divide but one Nigeria.

Let me put it, that talks, loose and serious, abound about possible abuse and misuse of the military and the legitimate security apparatus for unwholesome personal and political interest to the detriment of the honour, dignity, oath and professionalism of these honourable and patriotic forces. Let me urge the authorities not to embark on such destructive path for important element of our national make-up.

The roles of the military and the security agencies should be held sacrosanct in the best interest of the nation. Again, let not history repeat itself here.

I believe that with what Nigeria has gone through in the past, the worst should have already happened. It must be your responsibility as the captain of the ship to prevent the ship from going aground or from shipwreck. For anybody close to you saying that if the worst happens, he or she would not be involved is an idle or loose talk. If we leave God to do His will and we don’t rely only on our own efforts, plans and wisdom, God will always do his best. As I go round Nigeria and the world, I always come across Nigerians who are first-class citizens of the world and who are doing well where they are and

Continues on page 58

V anguard Vanguard anguard,, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013 — 53

BRIEFS

Brotherhood trial halted in Egypt for second time

Pope Francis wins Time Person of the Year award T

HE first non-Europe an pope in 1,200 years, Pope Francis, was yesterday named the Time magazine’s Person of the Year for 2013, saying that in nine months in office the head of the Catholic Church had become a new voice of conscience.

The Pope beat nine other world leaders and intelligence leaker Edward Snowden to win Time magazine’s Person of the Year award.

In only his first year, the former Argentinian Cardinal was selected by the magazine’s editor as the person who had the greatest impact on the world, for good or bad, during 2013.

“Rarely has a new player on the world stage captured so much attention so quickly - young and old, faithful and cynical - as Pope Francis,” explained Time managing editor Nancy Gibbs.

Earlier this week, Time narrowed the finalists down to five, which included Syrian President Bashar Assad, Texas senator Ted Cruz and gay rights activist Edith Windsor.

The runner-up for the accolade was whistle blower, Edward Snowden, who has been granted asylum in Russia and with whom Time published an exclusive interview conducted over email.

“What makes this Pope so important is the speed with which he has captured the imaginations of millions who had given up on hoping for the church at all,” Time magazine said in announcing the winner.

“People weary of the endless parsing of sexual ethics, the buck-passing infighting over lines of authority when all the while (to borrow from Milton), “the hungry Sheep look up, and are not fed.”

“In a matter of months, Francis has elevated the healing mission of the church—the church as servant and comforter of hurting people in an often harsh world—above the doctrinal police work so important to his recent predecessors.

John Paul II and Benedict XVI were professors of theology. Francis is a former janitor, nightclub bouncer, chemical technician and literature teacher.”

Reacting to the award, the Vatican through its spokesman, Fr. Federico Lombardi, said that the pontiff is not looking for fame, “the Holy Father is not looking to become famous or to receive honours. “ But if the choice of Person of the Year helps spread the message of the gospel -

•Pope Francis a message of God’s love for everyone - he will certainly be happy about that. If this attracts men and women and gives them hope, the Pope is content. If this nomination as ‘Person of the Year’ means that many have understood this message, at least implicitly, he will certainly be glad.””

Fr. Federico Lombardi added that “It is not surprising, considering the resonance and very wide-

Julius Berger to pay $32m corruption charges

T

HE US Justice De partment and FBI said Tuesday the Germanbased international engineering company, Bilfinger SE, has agreed to pay a $32 million penalty for charges relating to violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Bilfinger’s Nigerian construction subsidiary, Julius Berger PLC was charged with bribing Nigerian gov-

ernment officials to obtain and retain contracts related to work for the Eastern Gas Gathering System (EGGS). A project valued at $387 million.

The agreement follows a three count criminal charge filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of Texas.

According to the complaint from late 2003

Defiant Ukraine protesters rebuild barricades

U

NDETERRED by an overnight crackdown by authorities, protesters in the center of the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, rebuilt barricades Wednesday that had been torn down by riot police hours earlier.

Police pulled back from the city’s Independence Square, or Maidan, as the day wore on, and the country’s leaders sought to play down fears of a further clampdown.

Earlier, hundreds of officers used chainsaws and brute force to pull down the barriers, C M Y K

spread attention given to the election of Pope Francis and the beginning of his pontificate. It is a positive sign that one of the most prestigious acknowledgments in the field of the international press has been attributed to one who proclaims spiritual, religious and moral values in the world, and who speaks effectively in favour of peace and greater justice.”

manned by pro-Western demonstrators. Clashes led to reports of injuries from both sides.

Thousands of demonstrators have been camped out in the snow-covered Independence Square for days, angry about the refusal of Ukraine’s Russianallied President Viktor Yanukovych to sign an agreement that would strengthen cooperation with the European Union.

They also continue to occupy Kiev’s City Hall.

The predawn crackdown on the protest prompted a chorus of condemnation

from Western leaders.

But U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland, after a two-hour meeting with Yanukovych on Wednesday, said there was still “a way out” for his government.

“It was a tough conversation, but it was a realistic one,” she told reporters in Kiev. “I made it absolutely clear to him that what happened last night, what has been happening in security terms here, is absolutely impermissible in a European state, in a democratic state.

through 2005, Julius Berger conspired with Willbros Group Inc., and others to make payments totaling $6 million to unnamed Nigerian government officials to obtain EGGS contracts.

Julius Berger and Willbros formed a joint venture and inflated the joint venture’s bid by three percent to cover the cost of the bribe.

Part of the conspiracy involved Julius berger employees bribing Nigerian officials with cash employees sent from Germany to Nigeria.

The Justice Department and Bilfinger agreed to resolve the charges by entering a deferred prosecution agreement for a term of three years. Bilfinger has also agreed to implement internal controls, continue cooperating with the Justice Department, and retain a corporate compliance monitor for 18 months.

Prosecutors also resolved charges with Bilfinger’s collaborator on the bribe, Willbros, and three former Willbros executives or consultants who pleaded guilty, and a fourth who remains a fugitive.

E

GYPTIAN judges have halted the trial of leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood after they disrupted proceedings.

The three-member panel referred the case to the Cairo appeals court after the defendants, including general guide Mohammed Badie, chanted: “Down with the judiciary of the military.”

It is the second time judges have recused themselves from the trial.

The authorities launched a crackdown on the Brotherhood after the army ousted President Mohammed Morsi in July.

Thousands of the Islam-

ist movement’s members have been detained and almost 1,000 people were killed in clashes when troops cleared two sit-ins in the capital by people demanding Mr Morsi’s reinstatement in August.

Mr Badie, along with his deputies Khairat al-Shater and Rashad al-Bayoumi, and senior members Saad Katatni and Mohammed al-Beltagi, are charged with inciting murder and violence in connection with clashes between opposition protesters and Brotherhood supporters near their group’s headquarters in Cairo on 30 June, which left nine people dead.

US,UK suspend non-lethal aid for Syria rebels

T

HE US and UK have suspended all “non-lethal” support for rebels in northern Syria, but not humanitarian aid.

A US embassy spokesman in Ankara said the decision was made after Islamist rebels seized bases belonging to the Western-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA).

Fighters from the Islamic Front, a new alliance of rebel groups, ousted FSA-aligned fighters from the Bab al-Hawa border crossing with Turkey last week.

The non-lethal aid includes medicine, vehicles and communications equipment.

The US and European countries have been reluctant to supply weapons and am-

munition directly to rebel groups in Syria because of concerns that they might end up in the possession of jihadists affiliated to al-Qaeda.

However, they have reportedly facilitated secret arms shipments.

Last month, seven leading rebel groups the Ahrar al-Sham, Jaysh al-Islam, Suqour alSham, Liwa al-Tawhid, Liwa al-Haqq, Ansar alSham and the Kurdish Islamic Front - declared that they were forming the largest alliance yet in the 33-month conflict, with an estimated 45,000 fighters.

They said the new Islamic Front was an “independent political, military and social formation” that aimed to topple President Bashar alAssad’s government and build an Islamic state.

Iran envoy to make first London visit

A

N Iranian envoy is to make his first visit to the United Kingdom this week, a UK Foreign Office spokeswoman said Wednesday, in a sign of softening relations between the two countries.

Mohammad Hassan Habibollahzadeh, the Iranian nonresident charge d’affaires, arrives Thursday and will meet with UK officials at the Foreign Office on Friday, the spokeswoman said.

His trip follows a “successful first visit” to Te-

hran by the UK nonresident charge d’affaires, Ajay Sharma, last week, she said.

Sharma’s visit was the first by a UK diplomat to Iran since 2011, when relations suffered a dramatic breakdown.

In November of that year, an attack on the UK Embassy compound in Tehran by protesters prompted Britain to close the embassy there and withdraw all its staff from Iran.

Britain also closed the Iranian Embassy in London and ordered all Iranian diplomats to leave.

54—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013

Left: Col. Tony Nyiam, Mrs. Nkiruka Nnorom, Fred Agbeyegbe and Barr Tony Nnadi.

CONFAB resolutions must be based on concensus, not voting people whose activities and mine affect each other on a daily basis. We should be talking about how we live in Warri.

However, the Ijaws, Ishekiris and Urhobos quarrel among themselves about the land in Warri, that is God’s intention, that is why he has put them there.

They are the ones that have the right to quarrel about it and they are the ones that have the right to settle it among themselves becaue none of them is going to go to Ibadan. Therefore, when you are talking about codes for co-existence, I used Warri as an examples because charity be-

,

Yesterday the participants stated that the modalities for the national dialogue must originate from the communities. In this presentation, the participants argue that resolutions must be based on concensus.

FRED AGBEYEGBE In my modalities, I have proposed that there should be a number of centers. One in Kaduna, one in Port Hacourt, one in Enugu, one in Ibadan, and one in Benin and another one in New York where the United Nations organsiation operate from. It is going to be the central place where all the information are coming from, all the processes of having a sovereign national conference is coming from.

I have in the book the modalities on what is required of the people.

That part of the book is called “A Nigeria Federated from the Base” What is the Base of Nigeria?

It is the ethnic nationalities I mentioned earlier that God has given their land and the boundaries are known, they have home lands.

When you want the owners of the land to discuss, there is no need to move someone in Warri where his home is to be talking to the people in Ibadan. We have nothing in common to discuss. My duty in Warri where I come from is to start talking to my immediate neighbours. Those

us that we would live together here as our own contribution and willingness to contribute to a larger body.

So, my system suggests that when the conference starts, the UN will set up these offices under the invitation of the government of Nigeria. The ethnic nationalities will first of all in their own units go and talk among themselves. What am I saying? The Itsekiris will go and say to themselves “Brothers, we have been invited to discuss how we will live with our neighbours.

That is stage one of the discussion. Each eth-

ed on what we want, and how want to live with our neighbours. Then they will sit down with their neighbours and work out what they want and come to a conclusion in the second phase of the discussion.

What are I saying?

Only land owning ethnic nationalities are entitled to come to this national conference and they would discuss with their neighbours whose lands are contiguous to theirs and when they have reached an agreement, they will form one base federating unit. They will then go from there to the other level where other parts of the country must have done the same and until you have gotten to the level where

If I knew where Prof. Nwabueze trained, I would write a letter to them, that is to tell you how bad the situation is because it has caused blood in the land

gin at home, the Ijaws, Itsekiris, Urhobos, who are the closest people are the people that should be talking together.

When they have finished talking, they will come out with a piece of paper announcing in effect that they are going forward with the idea of belonging to the same country. When that is acceptable to the three of

nic nationality locks the door against themselves and inform their people what is coming so that they can have enough information to decide what they want because it is their right that we are asking them to put on the table for discussion.

When they have done that, they will go to their next door neighbour with their own paper saying “We the Itsekiris, and Urhobos have decid-

,

you have federating units considerations, you cannot have a federal republic.

In the example I gave earlier, you cannot expect me to go and talk to somebody with whom my land is not contiguous.

That means also that those who are coming to the conference are picked and chosen by the ethic nationalities themselves. For the

avoidance of any doubt therefore, the modalities covers attendance, representation, who nominates the representative, the staged discussions, the issues for discussion, the modalities for reaching decision and implementing the out come of those decisions. All of that are exhaustive of what you can discuss and because you are discussing it stage by stage, you do not need to invite the whole country to come together because of the trouble that is feared.

There is also going to be equality of representation. There is no issue of big tribe or small tribe.

The good Lord created all nationalities equal.

Therefore, representation of the conference has to be on the basis of equality. In any case, as the individual ethnic nationalities work out what they want and go on to the next stage to talk with their neigbours in order to come out with what they want, you are narrowing down areas of disagreement and nobody comes to say “This is who to come, that is who not to come” the ethnic nationalities picked the representatives.

STAGES OF DISCUSSIONS There shall be three stages of discussions: STAGE 1: Intra ethnic nationality discussions PURPOSE: For the education of members of an individual ethnic nationality as to what the Sovereign National Conference is

all about and for discussions amongst them internally to ascertain the wishes of members of their own ethnic nationality in their protracted relationship with their other ethnic nationality neighbour(s) and to ensure better understanding for the purposes of their dealings with those ethic nationality neighbours they are likely to become members of the same federating unit with.

ATTENDANCE: By members of the individual ethnic nationality only.

STAGE 2: Inter ethnic nationality discussions PURPOSE: To engage in general discussions on the basis of federating two or more ethnic nationalities, their lands and resources into federating units.

To Attend: Only ethnic nationalities with contiguous lands shall attend.

Representation: To be decided by ethnic nationality groups themselves.

Numbers: Equal numbers per relevant ethnic nationality.

SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION: 1.What the ethnic nationalities are prepared to cede to their federating units.

2. System and modality of government and social policies in the federating units.

3. Revenue allocation 4. The name of the fedContinued on page 55

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013—55

We require concensus not voting on issues

Continues from page 54 erating unit RECOMMENDED PROCEDURE: Meetings, discussions and exchange of views.

However, a more elaborate question and answer inter-ethnic referendum system could also be deployed for the purposes of certainty and for the archives.

THE FEDERATING UNIT It will be seen that STAGE discussions, rather than all ethnic nationalities sitting together at the same time, keeps out unwieldiness, interference and influence completely. In practice, since ethnic nationalities only discuss with their own members at STAGE 1 and only have the possibility of discussing with members of other ethnic nationalities at STAGE 2, where land contiguity first brings them into contact and since at Level 1 of draft constitution business meeting, all ethnic nationalities are already members of one federating unit or another, there is nothing for non-land contiguous ethnic nationalities to discuss.

For example, there is neither room nor need for an ethnic nationality in Warri to discuss with another ethnic nationality in Kano, except in the very unlikely possibility that all the ethnic nationalities occupying the homelands between Warri and Kano agree to contribute their homelands to the same federating unit.

In other words, in the Warri-Kano example, there is no meeting point between the Warri ethnic

STAGE 3: Inter federating unit discussions Between: Federating units already established by consensus between homeland owning contiguous ethnic nationalities.

Purpose: To consider and discuss: 1. The procedure for evolving a federal constitution; 2. The setting up of their own system of government as discussed and agreed by the con-

•Col. Tony Nyiam stituent members and reduced into “federating unit” constitutions; 3. Agreement upon a.i.

What the federating units need the federation

for, a.ii. What the individual federating unit is ceding to the federation iii. The structure of the federation; iv. The establishment of a central authority to administer the federation agreement. v, The location of the central authority vi. The scope and limits of the powers of federation’s central authority in its relationship with the federating units

•Mr. Marshal Kunoun

,

•Fred Agbeyegbe

national and the Kano ethnic national to ever come face to face to talk about how to live together because as at the time each of them is choosing which federating unit to belong to, they will be several homelands apart. The possibility of their meeting is therefore limited to the LEVEL 2 draft constitution business meeting, where a Warri representative may be the representative of the federating unit to which he belongs and a Kano representative may be the representative of the federating unit to which he belongs.

This has the inherent beauty of avoiding ethnicity with extremely different behaviour patterns having to negotiate rules of co-existence and engagement and thereby subsequently reducing tensions and frictions.

Purpose: To evolve a federating unit constitution from the constitutions of the ethnic nationalities who are members of the federating unit.

ATTENDANCE Representatives of ethnic nationalities.

REPRESENTATION: Equal number of representatives per ethnic nationality.

NUMBER OF REPRESENTATIVES: To be decided by the federating units themselves.

AGREEMENTS TO BE REACHED: By nonsensus – No voting Each ethnic nationality must come armed with a copy of what it excepts the constitution of the federating unit should be.

2. Federal republic constitution drafting business meeting.

Between: Federating units, who have agreed to federate their federating units?

Purpose: To evolve a federal constitution for a federal republic from the constitutions of the different federating units.

ATTENDANCE:

•Mr. Hugo Odiogor, Moderator THE CENTRE. The negotiations should bear in mind that not only is the city of the central authority a creation of the federating units, the functionaries at that city administering the central government are to be donated by and from the federating units. The legislations of the federating units (the principals) cannot therefore always make way for that of their agents.

I

n the event the guiding principles and essential points in our new federal constitution should be: 1.The determination of

For Prof. Nwabueze to suggest that he would draft one constitution, in one corner and then take it to the conference, like it happened in the 1977 Constituent Assembly , is heresy in law

vii. The revenue to be contributed by the federating units to the central authority for its upkeep and execution of its central authority responsibilities; CONSTITUTION D R A F T I N G B U S I I N E S S MEETINGS There shall be two Constitution Drafting Business Meetings 1.Federating unit constitution drafting business meeting Between: Contiguous homeland ethnic nationalities who have agreed to belong to the same federating unit.

,

Representatives of federating units.

Each federating unit must come armed with a copy of its ownunit’s constitution.

REPRESENTATION: Equal number of representatives per federating unit.

Number of representatives: To be decided by the federating units themselves.

AGREEMENTS TO BE REACHED: By consensus – No voting.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE FEDERATING UNITS AND

•Mr. Ambah Binebi

the source of rights, obligations, powers and duties of the constituent members of the federation; 2. The creation of a custodian central authority to which to cede some of the rights, obligations, powers and duties already ceded to the units by their own constituent membership, in the furtherance of the interests of the federation as an entity; 3. The agreement upon which rights, obligations, powers and duties are to be ceded to the central authority; 4. The protection, against the central authority of the residual or the un-ceded rights; 5. The powers by which the rights, obligations, powers and duties ceded are to be protected and enforced by the recipient central authority; 6. The process by which the obligations and duties of the central authority towards the constituent members can be enforced; 7.The wherewithal available to the central authority for the maintenance of its institutions and execution of its functions; 8. The type of institutions of government and governance to be adopted at the centre.

The foregoing identifies the subject matters for discussions between the federating units for the purposes of our new federal constitution as: 1. (a) Pre-ambular text reciting the intention of the constituent members to federate; 2. (a) Name for the federation; 3. The creation of a

Continues on page 56

56—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013

Unilateral suppression of our sovereignty endangers our unity Continues from page 55

what individuals get, how to protect everybody and all of that. It is from that point you will now begin to imagine what it would look like for somebody to suggest that the right to decide the affairs of the company or the state of Nigeria, no longer belongs to the people because they had engaged a management called government and election is the recruitment process that brings about the government for a limited period and their mandate is just to go and do what the people stated in the chartered document. It is within that chartered document that they first decide to be in the union.

Those things are just like the shareholders of the company, that list the content of their memo and article. If you wake up one day and the management team seizes the premises of the company, seize the enterprise from you and write their own memo and article, you will come to where you have to decide whether you want to continue with that enterprise.

So, Prof.

Ben Nwabueze is certainly wrong on that point of saying that our sovereignty vests with the government.

Nwabueze seems to be suggesting that federation runs on one constitution because reading what he wrote, he said that already, he has a group of lawyers who are doing the kind of thing they did in 1977, to draft a constitution that would be discussed by

From left: Mr. Amba Benebi, Barr. Tony Nnadi and Hugo Odiogor, The Moderator the conference when they come.

A federation presupposes a union of constituents. Where Nigeria fell into the ditch that we are in today was in 1966, when some soldiers came in, did away with the five constitutions that define the Nigerian union at the time.

I remember that the

,

Moderator You sounded so critical of the role of Prof. Ben Nwabueze in the1979 constitution, but you did not tell us the impact on the Nigerian state. What do you think we may have gained or lost by the unitary constitution as you called it?

Barr. Nnadi: I drew a paradigm b e t w e e n t h e shareholders of a comany and the management of that company in comaparison to the people and the government , especially as it relates to who owns the power in relation to who holds the sovereignty in a country.

It is from that point you will now begin to imagine what it would look like for somebody to suggest that the right to decide the affairs of the company or the affairs of the state like in Nigeria, no longer belongs to the people, because they had engaged a management called government and election is the recruitment process that brings about the government for a limited period and their mandate is just to go and do what the people has stated in the chartered document, because it is within that chartered document that they first decide to be in the union who will bring what to the center and who would take what, what the units will bring,

•Fred Agbeyegbe

Murtala Mohammed that was behind the coup of 1966, principally was the one who commissioned the constitution that Prof. Ben Nwabueze and Chief Rotimi Williams put together, and was published in 1999

,

Western region had their own constitution in 1957 and they became self governing followed by Eastern region and the Northern region in 1959.

It was when those federating constitutions were ready that they now federated in 1960. So, what happened to us was that in 1966, some people threw away all of that and they started doing things on a unitary basis, one constitution for the whole country that now

defines the center.

The centre is now the owner of everybody whereas, the federal system is supposed to be the enterprise of the federating units with their constitutions.

Where we are today is that we must accept that the task on hand is to restore the federating constitutions and federate them on terms that are acceptable to those who have been here on adverse terms.

Therefore, for Prof.

Nwabueze to suggest that he would draft one constitution in one corner and then take it to the conference, like it happened in the 1977 Constituent Assembly , is heresy in law.

When a degree is awarded to you, the university would say that you are fit in character and in learning. If I

knew where Prof.

Nwabueze trained, I would write out a letter to them, that is to tell you how bad the situation is because it has caused blood in the land, that himself and Chief Rotimi Williams and whoever worked with them in 1977/1978 could so subvert the eternal interest of their people for a fee. I dare ask today who commissioned the task of writing a constitution before the Constituent Assembly was called.

You know that Chief Obafemi Awolowo opted out because the thing had be defined before the Constituent Assembly was called. I happened to know directly from Bankole Okedeji, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, but he is late now. Bankole told me that Chief Rotimi Williams approached

,

central authority; 4.The rules of engagement between all parties; all of which in the end should translate into agreements upon (4) sacrosanct areas: i. The federation and its territories ii.The legislative powers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria a.iii.The executive powers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria a.iv. The judicial powers of the Federal Republic.

If you wake up one day and t h e management team seizes the premises of the company, seize the enterprise from you and write their own memo and article, you will come to where you have to decide whether you want to continue with that enterprise

,

him when Gen. Murtala M o h a m m e d commissioned him on a blank cheque to go and

Continues tomorrow.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013—57

C M Y K

58—Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013

OBJ blasts Jonathan in 18-page letter who are passionate to do well for Nigeria. My hope for our country lies in these people. They abound and I hope that all of us will realize that they the jewels of Nigeria wherever they may be and not those who arrogate to themselves eternal for ephemeral.

Also, to my embarrassment at times, I learned more about what is going on in the public and private sectors of Nigeria from our development partners, international institutions and those transacting business in Nigeria most times I was abroad.

On returning home to verify the veracity of these stories, I found some of them not only to be true but more horrifying than they were presented abroad. Other countries look up to Nigeria for regional leadership. Failure on the part of Nigeria will create a schism that will be bad for the region.

Knowing what happens around you most of which you know of and condone or deny, this letter will provoke cacophony from hired and unhired attackers but I will maintain my serenity because by this letter, I have done my duty to you as I have always done, to your government, to the party, PDP, and to our country Nigeria. If I stuck out my neck and God used me and others as instruments to work hard for you to reach where you are today in what I considered the best political interest of Nigeria, tagging me as your enemy or the enemy of your administration by you, your kin or your aides can only be regarded as ridiculous to extreme. If I see any danger to your life, I will point it out to you or ward it off as I have done in the past. But I will not support what I believe is not in the best interest of Nigeria, no matter who is putting it forward or who is behind it. Mr. President, I have passed the stage of being flattered, intimidated, threatened, frightened, induced or bought. I am never afraid to agree or disagree but it will always be on principles, and if on politics, in the national interest. After my prison experience in the close proximity of and sharing facilities with an asylum in Yola, there is nothing worse for anyone alive and well. And that was for a military dictator to perpetuate himself in power.

Death is the end of all human beings and may it come when God wills it to come. The harassment of my relations and friends and innuendo that are coming from the Government security apparatus on whether they belong to new PDP or supporters of defected Governors and

which are possibly authorized or are the work of overzealous aides and those reading your lips to act in your interest will be counter-productive. It is abuse of security apparatus. Such abuse took place last in the time of Abacha.

Lies and untruths about me emanating from the presidency is too absurd to contemplate. Saying that I recommended a wanted criminal by UK and USA authorities to you or your aides to supplant legitimately elected PDP leader in South-West is not only unwise and crude but also disingenuous. Nobody in his or her right senses will believe such a story and surely nobody in Ogun State or South-West zone will believe such nonsense. It is a clear indication of how unscrupulous and unethical the presidency can go to pursue your personal and political interest. Nothing else matters.

What a pity!

Nothing at this stage of my life would prevent me from standing for whatever I consider to be the best interest of Nigeria – all Nigeria, Africa and the world in that order.

I believe strongly that a united and strong PDP at all costs is in the best interest of Nigeria. In these respects, if our interests and views coincide, together we will match.

Putting a certified unashamed criminal wanted abroad to face justice and who has greatly contributed to corruption within the judiciary on a high profile of politics as you and your aides have done with the man you have enthroned as PDP zonal leader in the South-West is the height of disservice to this country politically and height of insult to the people of the South-West in general and members of the PDP in that zone in particular.

For me, my politics goes with principles and morality and I will not be a party to highly profiling criminals in politics, not to say one would be my zonal leader. It destroys what PDP stands for from inception. By the government not acting positively and promptly in the case of Kashamu wanted in the US for drug trafficking and money laundering crimes, it is only confirming the persistent reports of complicity or involvement of high-level political figures in drug trafficking and condonation of the crime for political benefit. Whichever way, it is a very dangerous development for Nigeria.

Sooner than later, drug barons will be in control of large real estates, banks and other seemingly legitimate businesses, in elections, they will buy candidates, parties and eventually buy power or

be in power themselves. It may be instructive if I quote fairly extensively from Lansana Gberie’s recent paper titled, ‘State Officials and Their Involvement in Drug Trafficking in West Africa’: “...The controversial and puzzling case of Buruji Kashamu, a powerful figure in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), suggests that a successful and wealthy politician’s association with drug trafficking is hardly disabling. Kashamu was indicted by a grand jury in the Northern District of Illinois in 1998 for conspiracy to import and distribute heroin to the United States. The indictment named him under his own name as well as two suspect aliases:

,

Continues from page 52

mined that Kashamu should be extradited to the U.S. Kashamu immediately appealed against this decision, yet in November 2013, a new panel of judges constituted by the President of the Court of appeal unanimously held that his appeal lacked merit, and that Kashamu should be extradited. His extradition to the United States will certainly set an important precedent …unless of course, he uses his political skills and contacts to continue avoiding it…”

God is not a supporter of evil and will surely save PDP and Nigeria from the hands of destroyers. If everything fails and the Party cannot be retrieved from the hands of criminals and commercial job-

The President himself will, at the appropriate time, offer a full personal response to the most reckless, baseless, unjustifiable and indecorous charges levied against him and his administration by the former Head of State ‘Alhaji’ and ‘Kasmal’. His whereabouts were unknown at the time, however, and his co-accused were tried and convicted.

Later that year, he was found living comfortably in England, and, on receipt of an extradition request from the US, the UK arrested Kashamu. After a very protracted proceeding lasting until 2003, however, an English judge refused to extradite Kashamu on grounds of uncertainty about his true identity.Kashamu triumphantly returned to Nigeria and soon after became a key political figure. He is now believed to be very close to President Goodluck Jonathan, because of his ability to mobilize votes in key states in Western Nigeria.

The US government reviewed Kashamu’s case, with the famous Judge Richard Posner presiding.

Posner concluded that while Kashamu’s identity remains murky, there is little doubt that the figure now exercising authority in Nigeria’s PDP is the same as Kashamu the ‘Alhaji’ who was indicted for conspiracy to smuggle illicit drugs into the United States. Despite this, Nigeria’s government has persistently ignored calls by civil society groups to investigate Kashamu and extradite him to the U.S. On 2 July, 2013, the Federal High Court in Lagos deter-

bers and discredited touts, men and women of honour, principles, morality and integrity must step aside to think.

Let me also appeal to and urge defected, dissatisfied, disgruntled and in any way displeased PDP governors, legislators, party officials and party members to respond positively if the President seriously takes the initiative to find mutually agreeable solution to the current problem for which he alone has the key and the initiative. I have heard it said particularly within the Presidency circle that the disaffected Governors and members of PDP are my children. I begin to wonder if, from top to bottom, any PDP member in an elective office today is not directly or indirectly a beneficiary, and so to say, my political child. Anyone who may claim otherwise will be like a river that has forgotten its source. But like a good father, all I seek is peaceful and amicable solution that will reunite the family for victory and progress of the family and the nation and nothing else.

In a democracy, leaders are elected to lighten the burden of the people, give them freedom, choice and equity and ensure good governance and not deceive them, burden them, oppress them render them hopeless and helpless. Nothing should be

done to undermine the tenets, and values of democratic principles and practice. Tyranny in all its manifestation may be appealing to a leader in trying times of political feud or disagreement. Democracy must, however, prevail and be held as sacrosanct. Today, you are the President of Nigeria, I acknowledge you and respect you as such.

The act of an individual has a way of rubbing off on the generality. May it never be the wish of the majority of Nigerians that Goodluck Jonathan, by his acts of omission or commission, would be the first and last Nigerian President ever to come from Ijaw tribe. The idea and possibility must give us all food for thought. That was never what I worked for and that would never be what I work for. But legacy is made of such or the opposite.

My last piece of advice, Mr. President, is that you should learn the lesson of history and please do not take Nigerians or Nigeria for granted. Move away from culture of denials, cover-ups, and proxies and deal honestly, sincerely and transparently with Nigerians to regain their trust and confidence.

Nigerians are no fools, they can see, they can hear, they can talk amongst themselves, they can think, they can compare and they can act in the interest of their country and in their own self interest. They keenly watch all actions and deeds that are associated with you if they cannot believe your words. I know you have the power to save PDP and the country. I beg you to have the courage and the will with patriotism to use the power for the good of the country. Please uphold some form of national core values. I will appeal to all Nigerians particularly all members of PDP to respect and dignify the office of the President. We must all know that individuals will come and go but the office will remain.

Once again, time is of the essence. Investors are already retreating from Nigeria, adopting ‘ wait and see attitude’ and knowing what we are deficient of, and it will take time to reverse the trend and we may miss some golden opportunities.

Finally, your latter-day conversion into National Conference is fraught with danger of disunity, confusion and chaos if not well handled. I believe in debate and dialogue but it must be purposeful, directed and managed well without ulterior motives.

This ovation has not died out yet and there is always life after a decent descent.

Accept, Dear Mr Presi-

dent, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Yours sincerely.

Olusegun Obasanjo P.S. I crave your indulgence to share the contents of this letter, in the first instance, with General Ibrahim Babangida and General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who, on a number of occasions in recent times, have shared with me their agonising thoughts, concerns and expressions on most of the issues I have raised in this letter concerning the situation and future of our country. I also, crave your indulgence to share the contents with General Yakubu Danjuma and Dr Alex Ekwueme, whose concerns for and commitments for good of Nigeria have been known to be strong. The limit of sharing of the contents may be extended as time goes on.

Olusegun Obasanjo

Jonathan replies

Last night, President Jonathan in a response articulated by his media adviser, Dr. Abati said: OBASANJO’S LETTER UNBECOMING, SELFSERVING AND HIGHLY PROVOCATIVE "We have noted the publication on several websites today of a letter recently written by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

"The Presidency acknowledges that it has indeed received the said letter from Chief Obasanjo.

"We however find it highly unbecoming, mischievous and provocative that a letter written by a former Head of State and respected elder statesman to President Jonathan has been deliberately leaked to the mass media in a deplorable effort to impugn the integrity of the President and denigrate his commitment to giving Nigeria the best possible leadership.

"While many patriotic, objective and well-meaning Nigerians have already condemned the leaked letter as self-serving, hypocritical, malicious, indecent, and very disrespectful of the highest office in the land, President Jonathan has directed that none of his aides or any government official should join issues with Chief Obasanjo over it.

"The President himself will, at the appropriate time, offer a full personal response to the most reckless, baseless, unjustifiable and indecorous charges levied against him and his administration by the former Head of State."

Vanguard, THURSDAY DECEMBER 12, 2013 — 59

Enyeama targets ‘long stay’ at Lille N

IGERIA goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama has spoken of his desire to make his stay at French club Lille a “long” one.

Enyeama was handed a two-year contract extension on Monday after a brilliant run that saw him keep 11 consecutive clean sheets.

Aware of envious glances from rival clubs, Lille immediately moved to secure his future by extending his contract to 2017.

The 31-year-old shot stopper’s previous deal was due to expire in 2015.

“I’m very happy to be part of this team and that’s why I was happy to commit to a new contract,” said Enyeama, who captained the Super Eagles to the Africa Cup of Nations title in February this year.

“From what I’ve experienced with this talented team this season, the reasonable thing to do is to make it a long stay.

“I love my team-mates, officials and our fans have made me feel at home.”

Enyeama has been Nigeria’s number one since the 2002 World Cup,

but remains one of the game’s most underrated goalkeepers.

But after being installed as Lille’s first choice goalkeeper by Rene Girard, he now finds himself on the radars of some of Europe’s top clubs.

An own goal against Bordeaux last Sunday was the first time he had conceded in 1,062 minutes of football.

It ended his chances of breaking Gaetan Huard’s Ligue 1 record of 1,176 minutes without picking a ball from his own net.

Enyeama told BBC Sport that he is “relieved” that the attention is no longer on his clean sheet exploits.

“It was going to come and now I hope everyone can start talking about the great work the team is doing in France.

“We’ve been on a great run and hope to continue that because this team is blessed with great professionals.

“The target has always been and still is to compete and hopefully win the title.

Nothing is impossible.”

NYG: Umar is star of Badminton

M

USTAFAH Umar from Bauchi State was the star of the Badminton event of the ongoing National Youth Games at the Abuja National Stadium.

The 14 year old helped the State to a 2-0 victory in the Male Singles final before joining forces with Abdulhamid Musa to win the Doubles.

Interestingly, it was Musa that he defeated in the singles final after edging out Eze Chidinma from Anambra State and Yunusa Momoh from FCT

in the quarter final and semi final respectively.

Musa on the other hand, subdued Jasam Jonan from Cross River State and Aliyu Shehu in the quarterfinal and semi final respectively on his way to the final.

Meanwhile, in the Male Doubles category, they both defeated Olawole Odunayo and Akinsola Simeon from Ogun State 2:0 in the final.

They beat Adamu Emmanuel and Tapshak Wistong of Plateau State 20 earlier in the semi-finals.

WAGs Continues from BP has said he will allow his team to have prematch nookie during the World Cup in Brazil next year.

Italian national team coach Cesare Prandelli has said the WAGS of the players are welcome to join them in South America.

“It is a tradition of Italian football to give freedom to sportsmen.

Let’s make it clear: sexual intercourse does not hamper a footballer”, said Arsenio Veicsteinas, the president of the Scientific-Cultural committee of the Medical Sports Association of Italy.

Prandelli believes the wives and girlfriends’ presence in Brazil will cut down on tensions among the squad.

Iranians criticise Lima’s dress during World Cup draw

Lima (r) with FIFA President, Sepp Blatter at the draw.

T

HE dress worn by Brazilian model and TV presenter Fernanda Lima during the World Cup draw has been criticised by a large population of Iran.

The 36-year-old wowed viewers across the world with her revealing attire at the event - as she picked up thousands of new followers on Twitter.

However, those

•Enyeama

Olubodun, Seun are fastest man, woman of RIGAN Games Federal institute of indus-

K

EHINDE Olubodun lastnight emerged fastest man in the ongoing 14th edition of the research institute games tagged: RIIGAN :FIIRO EKO 2013 when he won Gold in the 100m men’s final.

The keenly contested race was watched by a capacity crowd at the Yaba College of Technology.

The staff of Institute of Agricultural Research and Training beat all comers to emerge the winner of the blue ribbon event. A highly

elevated kehinde could not hide his joy on winning the event.

“I am surprised winning this race. The guys that lined out there are all winners, my finishing ahead of the field is nothing but an act of God, I can only thank him for this Gold.”

The silver medal was won by Obinna Samuel Nwosu of national animal research institute, Zaria while the bronze went to Suraju Adebimpe of the

Iheanacho Continues from BP

Keshi Continues from BP our boss to have a look at them and make a final decision”.

He commended the spirit of the players in camp, declaring that even the older players in the team have refused to let go.

Though, he said the team had to start rebuilding an entirely new team as most of those that started the home based team in the last months have gone for juicier deals in foreign leagues. “About 80 per cent of the players we started with if not more have gone,

trial research, Oshodi.

In the women’s 100m Odeyemi Seun of Forestry Research Institute Ibadan beat a strong field to emerge the fastest woman in the Games. She beat the duo of Adewale Deborah of IAR Ibadan and Osibanjo Rebecca of the host institute to Silver and bronze respectively.

but these new sets are giving us hope that Nigeria is always blessed with talented footballers”.

On his part goalkeeper’s trainer, Ike Shorunmu, said he has been very impressed with the two new goalies, Isah Danladi of Sharks fc and Golden Eaglets Sunday Alampasu. “They have been wonderful along with Dan Akpeyi and Chigozie Agbim, they can even challenge for World Cup places, but it might be too early in the day, so let’s keep our fingers crossed for now”.

watching in Iran had a disrupted view of the draw - with every shot of Lima cut out - as standard practice in the country is to censor or blur any unacceptable female clothing.

The host of one of the state TV channels in Iran Adel Ferdosipour said: “To be honest with you, the dress of the lady who presents the show does not meet our broadcasting guidelines at all.”

Lima - who previously starred in a steamy advert with her partner - was even told to wear a hijab so the nation could see the event, as negative comments poured in.

It was a complete contrast to the rest of the world, with most unsurprisingly very complimentary about her appearance.

World Cup. ‘’He is talented and has the knack for scoring goals as well as being a team player. He can play at the big stage’’, Amuneke said.

Super Eagles trainer, Stephen Keshi named Iheanacho and two of his teammates from the victorious Under-17 squad, Dele Alampasu and Taiwo Awoniyi in his 30-man squad for the CHAN and insists that they have a chance of making the squad to Brazil.

“Everything depends on them. If they can prove themselves and show that they can make it at this level, then we will take it up from there,” Keshi

The CHAN is a competition for players who exclusively ply their trade domestically and Keshi says his sights will be on talent who can force their way into the squad that will represent Nigeria in Brazil next year.

“The CHAN is a good opportunity for the homebased players to exhibit themselves before the World Cup. “It will boost their confidence so we will see what happens,” he said.

Nigeria have been drawn in Group A of the CHAN alongside South Africa, Mali and Mozambique. The Super Eagles will open their campaign against Mali on January 11 in Cape Town.

60 — Vanguard, THURSDAY DECEMBER 12, 2013

Drogba inspires Galatasaray to last 16 D IDIER Drogba sets up Wesley Sneijder ’s goal in 1-0 win over Juventus to see Galatasaray reach the UEFA Champions League last 16.

Galatasaray exchange places with the Italian champions to sneak that second last 16 slot from Group B. Wednesdays match Istanbul was the restart of Tuesdays abandoned match at the same venue after a hail storm for the game to be called off in the 31st minute.

Like on Tuesday, Galatasaray showed very little that they could pull it off against Juventus who sporadically attacked knowing they needed just a draw to reach the last 16.

Juventus best chance came in the 15th m i n u t e o n Tu e s d a y w h e n 15 Fernando Llorente shot on the quick flew just high after a Arturo Vidal delivery.

EAL Madrid’s Cris tiano Ronaldo set a Champions League group phase scoring record on Tuesday as Bayer Leverkusen and Olympiakos Piraeus reached the last 16 and snow forced Galatasaray ’s match with Juventus to be abandoned.

Holders Bayern Munich’s record-breaking run of 10 consecutive Champions League wins came to an unceremonious end after

D’ banj, Lagbaja, P-Square, Zeynab, to entertain

A

CELEBRATION . . . Galatasaray’s Wesley Sneijder (front) celebrates his goal with his teammate Didier Drogba during their UEFA Champions League group B match against Juventus at Turk Telekom Arena in Istanbul. Photo: AFP

Ronaldo sets record, Bayern through R

2013 GLO CAF AWARDS

Manchester City staged a memorable fightback after conceding two early goals to win 3-2 at the Allianz Arena.

However, Bayern still won Group D with City finishing in second place.

Prolific Ronaldo took his tally to nine for the campaign in Real’s 2-0 win at FC Copenhagen, with the nine-time champions also setting an all-time record in European competitions

by netting in 31 successive matches.

Ronaldo, in his first game back since sustaining a muscle strain on November 23, scored with a simple close-range finish three minutes after the break, Real’s second after Luka Modric’s delightful opener.

Bayern manager Pep Guardiola suffered only his second loss in 25 matches since taking over from Jupp Heynckes.

•Ronaldo

Gerrard out for six weeks

L

•Gerrard

IVERPOOL captain Steven Gerrard has been ruled out for up to six weeks with a hamstring injury.

Gerrard suffered the injury when attempting a shot during last weekend’s 4-1 win over West Ham and had to be substituted after 56 minutes.

The 33-year-old underwent a scan on Monday, which confirmed that the midfielder will be sidelined for at least a month.

Gerrard will miss some key Premier League games for Liverpool during a busy Christmas pe-

riod.

The Reds travel to Tottenham on Sunday before hosting Cardiff on December, 21 and they then face tricky trips to Manchester City and Chelsea on December 26 and 29respectively.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is already without striker Daniel Sturridge, who was ruled out for up to eight weeks after suffering an ankle injury in training last month.

Gerrard has made 17 appearances for Liverpool this season, scoring three goals.

S the countdown to 2013 Glo – Caf Awards begins, top artistes from different parts of the world have been lined up to light up the Awards night holding in Lagos, Nigeria, on 9th January, 2014.

Prominent on the list is the masked artiste from Nigeria, Lagbaja who is expected to keep the night alive with his AfroCalypso genre of music, a product of various influences ranging from traditional yoruba music to Jazz. The masked one is expected to enliven the hall with his scintillating dance steps and rhythmic saxophone.

P-Square, the identical twin brothers will also entertain the crowd at the event. P-square ´s

music is Afro centric; it combines western and African rhythms in creating a marvelous blend of R&B, Hip Hop and Dancehall songs.

Their songs cut across various age genders and geographical boundaries, making them one of the most popular and sought after artistes in Africa.

Since the release of the Get Squared and Game Over album, they have performed in several major concerts all around the world.

Also billed to perform at the event is singing sensation and Glo Ambassador in Benin Republic, Zeynab who, as usual will thrill the audience with her unique style.

NYG: Boxing coaches threaten boycott over ineligible athlete

T

HERE was a mild drama on Wednesday at the boxing arena of the on-going National Youth Games (NYG) in Abuja as boxing coaches threatened to boycott their bouts.

The uproar was as a result of the continuous fielding of an ineligible boxer, Abdullahi Sani, from Kano state.

It was understood that Sani had been fielded by his coach, Shehu Ubale, in a male 51 kg quarterfinal bout against Egbulonu Nnamdi from Abia

whom he (Sani) eventually beat.

But his ineligibility was not noticed then by his opponent and games officials.

However, Sani went on to step into the ring for a semi-finals bout against Lawson Shakini from Osun, thus sparking off a protest by other coaches.

Amade Idenyi, President, Nigeria Boxing Coaches Association (NBCA) said that Sani’s coach, Ubale had violated the coaches’ agreement for the games.

Team Delta wins final of female basketball event

T

HE Delta female Basketball team on Wednesday emerged champions in the female category of the basketball event at the ongoing National Youth Games (NYG) in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Delta team thrashed its counterpart from Abia, 72-22, in a match that appeared too simple for the Asaba team.

Delta which had earli-

er on Tuesday defeated Taraba, 38-26, to qualify for the event’s final, was on rampage throughout the match.

Delta’s coach, Gbugbemi Fregene, said after the match that he was not surprised about the win because his team prepared well for the NYG. “I was not surprised that we won this match because we had adequate preparations for the Games.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013—61

C M Y K

62— Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013

C M Y K

Vanguard, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013—63

C M Y K

V anguard anguard,, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013

Brazil World Cup

WAGs allowed in Italy’s camp O

FFICIALS say it is a tradition of Italian sport to give players freedom and the boss believes wives and

girlfriends’ presence in Brazil will cut down tension Italy’s football coach Continues on Page 59

Iheanacho good to play in Brazil — Amuneke T

HE best player at the 2013 Fifa Under-17 World Cup, Kelechi Iheanacho could be the shock inclusion in the Super Eagles squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil.

Iheanacho is currently in Abuja training with the Eagles preparing for the 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in South Africa.

Former African Footballer of the Year, Emmanuel Amuneke, a member of the coaching crew of the Golden Eaglets, thinks that the youngster could be an exception to play in the Continues on Page 59

Keshi rejoins Eagles today S

UPER Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, is expected to rejoin the squad today after a hectic World Cup draw schedule that was rounded off with a search for the team’s permanent camp in Brazil last week.

Assistant Coach, Dan Amokachi, said Keshi will join the rest of the squad today to continue with the training schedule that has been on for three days, noting that all invited players

have acquitted themselves well.

Speaking at the weekly media parley, Amokachi said all players including the three Golden Eaglets stars invited have shown t r e m e n d o u s determination to be part of the final 23 man squad for South Africa 2014 tournament. “All the players including the young Eaglets have been tremendous at training sessions and I personally will not be surprised if they make

•Keshi the final squad for the CHAN tournament, but we will have to wait for Continues on Page 59

Enyeama targets ‘long stay’ at Lille — P.59

•Iheanacho

QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 2 Seraph (5) 7 Go by (4) 8 Collision (6) 9 Turning-point (5) 11 Immerse (3) 13 Silent (3) 15 Paradise (4) 16 Mine (3) 18 Tot (4) 19 Discussed (7) 20 Unfortunately (4) 22 Insect (4) 23 Snuggled (7) 25 Fabric (4) 27 Longing (3) 28 Employer (4) 30 Sheep (3) 31 Agent (3) 33 Worship (5) 36 Restraint (6) 37 Fortune (4) 38 Spot (5)

DOWN 1 Swift (5) 2 Tree (3) 3 Firearm (3) 4 Untruth (3) 5 Fitting (3) 6 Scour (5) 10 Flippant (4) 11 Rout (7) 12 Expiation (7) 13 Mania (7) 14 Riddle (7) 16 Trivial (5) 17 Accepted (5) 18 Plead (3) 21 Observe (3) 24 Loan (4) 26 Dreadful (5) 29 Era (5) 32 Married (3) 33 Donkey (3) 34 Poem (3) 35 Moose (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Cheat 5, Savour 8, Basin 10, Abrupt 11, Aped 14, Pirate 15, Wavered 18, Get 19, Red 21, Deft 23, Lever 24, Wasp 27, Did 29, Hop 31, Lurcher 32, Reeled 34, Dine 35, Elicit 38, Laden 39, Repeal 40, Egret.

DOWN: 2, Hub 3, Abused 4, Tap 5, Snap 6, Veered 7, Relent 9, Steered 12, Pig 13, Date 16, Aura 17, Devil 20, Deduced 22, Face 24, Warder 25, Shed 26, Polite 28, Acting 30, Pen 33, Dell 36, Lee 37, Ire.

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.

Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Phone: Newsroom: 018773962. Deputy Editor: 01-8944295. Advert Dept: 01-7924470; Hotline: 01-8737028; Abuja: 09-2341102, 09-2342704. E-mail: editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, letters@vanguardngr.com. Advert:advertproduction@yahoo.com Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Editor: MIDENO BAYAGBON. Phone: 01-7742861, All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.

C M Y K