Another black Sunday in Kano

...towards a better life for the people

**

VOL. 25: NO. 61612

PIB: C'ttee to submit report in 10 days •P.6

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

A G M — Deputy Group Managing Director, Herbert Wigwe; Group Managing Director/ CEO, Aigboje AigImoukhuede and Gbenga Oyebode, Chairman, at Access Bank Plc 23rd Annual General Meeting held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on Friday.

Disambiguating the •P.41 “Lagos church bomber”

ANOTHER BLACK SUNDAY IN KANO:

Two Profs, 18 others killed in church blast •Attackers threw bombs on worshippers at Bayero University

•Nigeria now laughing-stock — Mark

BY ABDULSALAM MUHAMMAD

K

ANO—TWENTY persons were killed yesterday, including two university professors with several others injured when gunmen armed with bombs attacked St Stephen Catholic Continues on page 5

Private sector set for showdown with NASS over tax audit •P.17

Mr & Mrs

BOMB BLAST AT BUK—A seriously injured victim of the BUK bomb attack being taken out from an ambulance outside the emergency unit at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital Kano, yesterday. Inset: Gate of BUK. Photos: AFP.

Auto crash: They Jonathan meets Tinubu, Fashola, were after my life — Oshiomhole •P 11 Akiolu in Lagos •P.7

Aregbesola Vs Omisore

•P.13

2 — Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012 — 3

4 — Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012—5

POCKET CARTOON

Two profs, 18 others die in church blast Continues from Page 1 Chaplain, Bayero University, Kano. The attack occurred at Theatre Two, near Sports Complex, at the old Campus of the institution as Christian worshippers were holding Sunday services. Vanguard gathered that two professors, one identified as Prof.

Ayodele of the Chemistry Department and Andrew Leo of the Library Department, were among the dead.

The university’s Public Relations Officer, Malam Zaharadeen, confirmed the death of the professors.

An eye witness told Vanguard that the attackers who were armed with Improvised Explosive Devices arrived the Theatre hall of the university at about 8.45a m in a car and two motorcycles and took positions at all the exit points after which they threw the bomb devices into the hall.

When the bombs exploded, it caused stampede and when the worshippers attempted to escape from the hall, the gunmen who had positioned themselves at exit points opened fire on them.

According to one witness, “they first attacked the open-air service outside the faculty of medicine.

They threw in explosives and fired shots, causing a stampede among

worshippers. They now pursued them, shooting them with guns. They also attacked another service at the sporting complex.”

A witness who said he was at the sporting complex at the time of the attack reported hearing gunshots outside while they were praying. “Then there was pandemonium,” he said, adding that he later saw two men outside shooting indiscriminately.

The source explained that scores of others including women and children were injured and taken to hospitals for medical attention.

Musical instruments and half-eaten meals could be seen at the site of one of the services.

A crowd later gathered at a Kano hospital waiting to hear news about friends or family.

A member of the rescue team who pleaded anonymity told Vanguard that, “ we have recovered 18 dead bodies so far and have transfered same to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital.”

At the time of this report, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

JTF spokesman, Lt Ikediche Iweha confirmed the incident but referred Vanguard to confirm the casualty figures from the university authority. The JTF spokesman, said military operatives had

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Whenever you feel like criticizing any one...just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had —Scott Fitzgerald.

R

EMEZ Sasson, beautifully illustrates how we can awaken the gem of light from within in his writings: “Your thoughts and feelings create your attitude, and the sort and frequency of the mental and emotional vibrations that you transmit from your mind which create the atmosphere around you.

People who are in your proximity sense this atmosphere and are affected by it. This atmosphere also determines their attitude towards you.”

One of the reasons for these happenings is because you are affected by the positive or negative mental and emotional vibrations transmitted from the minds of people around you. Try cultivating the habit of being around cheerful people; they inspire in you a state of joy, and elation of inner peace.

You can become a positive force that affects and transforms your environment and the people around you. You can do so by being careful and aware of the thoughts you think and the feelings you experience. This is not an easy task, and requires attention, discipline and perseverance.

been deployed to the area to restore order.

Iweha, however, refused to give further details, saying: “I can’t give you in details of what happened as our people are now at the scene of the incident.”

When contacted, BUK Public Relations Officer, Malam Zaharadeen said: “JTF has taken over the process and we will give you details as soon as they hand over.”

On his part, the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Kano Chapter, Rev Ransom Bello while confirming the incident expressed fear that dozens might have been affected.

According to Rev Bello, “the Commissioner of Police has put me on notice about the ugly incident in BUK old campus but yet to confirm the casualty figure".

Rev Bello stated that “it was morning mass and I have this feeling that dozens might have been affected but we are waiting for final figure from the security forces.”

Nigerians react to Kano bomb blast Meantime,the Coordinator, Patriotic Alliance of Nigeria (PAN), Chief Maxi Okwu, has advised the Federal Government not to negotiate with any armed sect. Okwu, whose organisation comprised members of opposition political parties, made the call yesterday in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) while reacting to Sunday’s bomb attack in Kano.

“Globally, nations no longer negotiate with terrorists. The hammer must fall heavily on the sect and especially their political sponsors whose sole aim is to destabilise the nation.

“These bomb attacks have gone out of hand and the sect has continued to thrive because of their sponsors,“ Okwu said.

Mr Tony Uranta, the Executive Secretary of the United Niger Delta Energy Development Security Strategy (UNDEDSS), said that the Federal Government should abandon any

planned negotiations with the sect.

“We demand that the Federal Government must cease every move toward holding talks with these monsters unless and until they abandon this callously inhumane modus operandi that has claimed thousands of innocent lives.

“There is no justification for the existence of the sect.

Enough is enough as Nigeria belongs to all,“ he said.

The President of Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, AlhajiYerimma Shetima, said, “the perpetrators and their sponsors must be traced and brought to book.“

It is sad and unfortunate —Gov Kwankwaso Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso who cut short his official visit to Abuja on Sunday and visited the venue of the attack described it as sad and unfortunate. He

was conducted round by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) Professor Yahuza Bello and said “this is sad and unfortunate against the backdrop that the attack is coming at a point peace is gradually returning to the commercial city”.

The governor announced that the state government will be responsible for the medical bills of those injured and receiving treatment at the hospital, adding that a notice to this effect has been served to all Chief Medical Directors of existing private and

public health institutions in the state.

Kwankwaso who commiserated with the university community assured that his administration will exploit available option to forestall a reoccurrence.

In a speech earlier, the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics, Professor Yahuza Bello explained that some worshippers were attacked at an indoor sports hall, while another set of worshippers were attacked in an open space outside Dandatti Abdulqadir Hall which is currently undergoing renovation.

Insecurity: Nigeria has become laughing-stock —Mark

BY HENRY UMORU

A

BUJA—SENATE President David Mark said, yesterday, that with the unabating wave of terrorism by an Islamic sect where scores of lives have been lost with property destroyed, Nigeria has now become a laughing stock among the comity of nations.

The Senate President who reiterated that the act is condemnable, uncalled for and clearly avoidable, stressed that no matter the level of anger or grievances in a man’s mind, taking the life of another cannot provide a solution, adding, "this is ungodly. It is inhuman and does not enjoy the support of any right-thinking member of the society.”

Reacting to the latest bomb attack at Bayero

University, Kano in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, Senator Mark who called on religious leaders across the divide to unite against these forces of evil, said, "we must collectively rise against the perpetrators of violence taking the lives of our people and property at will unchallenged, because no one knows the next victim.”

He also tasked the security operatives to collaborate with one another and redefine their strategies that would bring positive results, just as he sympathized with the victims and asked all Nigerians to brace up to the challenge in order to stop this menace.

Meanwhile, Senator Mark has sent a message of condolence to the governor of Edo

State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole over the fatal accident at Auchi which claimed the lives of three journalists and left several others injured.

In the condolence message, Senator Mark prayed for the soul of the deceased and quick recovery of the injured, adding that the deceased died in their line of duty and tasked the gover nor, the managements of Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Independent Television ( ITV) to ensure that the victims did not die in vain.

Senator Mark also consoled the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on the death of their colleagues and enjoined them not to be deterred by the set back as the nation still relies on them to provide the needed road map for socio- economic and p o l i t i c a l transformation.

6—VANGUARD, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE, TONY EDIKE, BEN AGANDE & PETER DURU

L

AGOS — NATIONAL Security Adviser, NSA, General Andrew Azazi (rtd), yesterday received more knocks and praises in equal measure for attributing the strong wind of insecurity blowing across the land to the zoning and power sharing arrangement of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

While the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) and members of the House of Representatives on the banner of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) hailed Azazi, former Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, asked the NSA to resign and save the present Federal Government more embarrassment.

Indeed, the ACN concurred that the issue was embarrassing and lampooned the PDP-led Federal Government for handling a serous national issue with naivety.

Tsav asks Azazi to resign To Tsav, Aziza should quit his position and save the present Federal Government more embarrassment.

In a text massage to Vanguard yesterday, Tsav faulted Azazi’s resort to making such a public utterance on the matter.

His words: “The remark credited to the NSA, Gen. Aziza, that the PDP was responsible for the insurgence of Boko Haram through their zoning arrangement could be true based on intelligence available to him, but the public utterance by the NSA is irresponsibly faulty. The only honourable option left for him is to throw in the towel and resign. He has no business in government. He even appears not interested or dedicated to his job.

“Rather than open his mouth too wide, we expected the NSA to advise the President and the Federal Government on this rather than go public, an act which is capable of not only over heating the polity but also encouraging Boko Haram and their sponsors to continue in their nefarious acts.”

ACN Reps hail Azazi Speaking on the issue, members of the ACN in the House of Representatives hailed Azazi for his frank assessment of the PDP-led government, saying he should be commended for his courage and not condemned.

In interviews with Vanguard, the lawmakers said

what the NSA said was a well known fact by other political parties and Nigerians, which has been validated by an inner member of government.

According to the Minority Whip of the House, Samson Osagie, “he merely spoke the truth and he should be applauded. Besides, there is inextricable link between government policies exemplified by a party that has held the country by its jugular and the reaction of the people who are bearing the brunt of inequitable and excruciating policies of the ruling party. Azazi spoke frankly.”

Also, the Minority Leader of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, said: “Azazi has not said anything we didn’t know or haven’t said.

For Pally Iriase, with the revelation by the NSA, “the truth is coming out at last.

We have always believed that until Nigerians free themselves democratically from the vice grip of this monster called PDP, we will not experience peace and progress."

NSA, PDP have brought shame to Nigeria — ACN Reacting, the ACN in a statement, yesterday, by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the shame brought on Nigeria by this public spat was not so much in the contents of their statements but in the fact that a ruling party and a top political appointee of the central government it controls could be so naive and uncouth over a serious national security issue. ‘’We have said it several times that the PDP and the government it controls at the centre are clueless, confused and totally incapable of piloting the affairs of this nation. Is there any better evidence of this cluelessness than what Nigerians are witnessing now?

"It does not matter how much the President tries to engage in damage control over the statement credited to his NSA, or the ever-so knee-jerk and poorlythought-out reaction of the sinking behemoth called the PDP, the reality is that the NSA’s shocking comments reflect the thinking in the highest echelon of the Jonathan administration, that the crooked politics of the PDP is behind the Boko Haram crisis, and that it has escalated because a son of the South-South is sitting in Aso Rock."

CNPP hails Azazi’s ‘uncommon courage’ The CNPP hailed what it described as the “uncommon courage” of General Azazi for hitting the nail on the head, telling the PDP the bitter truth that the party by conduct was “undemo-

From right: Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Ms Amal Pepple; Vice President Namadi Sambo and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Lands, Housing & Urban Development, Mr. Ibrahim Mahe during the laying of foundation stone of new federal secretariat in Gombe, Gombe State, weekend.

COMMENT ON PDP ZONING, INSECURITY:

Tsav calls for Azazi's resignation zNSA, PDP 've brought shame to Nigeria — ACN cratic, despotic and unabashedly exclusive.”

The group said Jonathan and his party should honourably accept the responsibility that the fierce struggle for power — do-or-die – “is the root cause of the fault lines dislocating our democracy.”

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Osita Okechukwu, the CNPP said: “We have no doubt that General Azazi, as a core trained, intelligent officer must have closely observed how since inception PDP had manipulated its primary elections and indeed general elections, alienated its members and a critical segment of the polity, contrary to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria."

These undemocratic and unconstitutional acts, without doubt, breed acrimony and simulate insecurity.

This is the General’s message.

“In this context, we caution the PDP to neither dump the message nor the messenger; rather PDP should carefully dissect, analyze and reflect on the message placed on marble

by Gen. Azazi. How can PDP innocently claim to be the strongest catalyst for unity and progress of Nigeria when the security and welfare of the people have nose-dived, the society is polarized down the line and Nigeria is dangerously sliding into a failed state?

The PDP should please peruse the National Bureau of Statistics 2009 Report to

determine whether Nigerians in spite of unprec-

edented oil revenue is better today than in 1999.”

Auto crash claims 12 in Zamfara

G

BY SAMINU IBRAHIM

USAU— TWELVE persons were feared dead in a ghastly motor accident early morning, yesterday, at Konan Bitto in Talata Mafara, the headquarters of Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The accident reportedly involved a Mitsubishi truck with Kano registration number XK 898 DAL and was heading to Sokoto before the crash at 5.42am Vanguard gathered that the truck had 45 passengers on board and was reportedly

coming from Minna, Niger State before the accident.

The driver was alleged to have slept off and lost control of the vehicle before it swerved into the bush.

Speaking with Vanguard, Sector Commander Federal Road Safety Commission FRSC, Alhaji Garba Muhammad Ibrahim, confirmed the accident, saying the dead bodies were released to relatives for burial, while the 33 persons with various degree of injuries had been taken to Talata Mafara General Hospital for treatment.

PIB: C'ttee to submit report in 10 days

BY CLARA NWACHUKWU, WASHINGTON DC

W

ASHINGTON DC— THE Senator Udoma Udo Udoma-led Special Taskforce on Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, is expected to submit its report on the Bill within then next 10 days, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, has said.

The minister disclosed this during an interactive session at Howard University, where she was conferred with the Centennial Professional Excellence Award on Government Affairs and Corporate Management by the Howard University in Washington DC, United States, weekend.

In response to a question on the continued delay in the passage of the PIB, the minister explained that the process had taken this long because the bill needed to be rejigged to reflect current realities.

She said: “Within the next 10 days, the PIB committee will conclude its findings and submit it’s report to me.

The process has taken this long because we needed to look more critically with some of the provisions of the bill, especially the fiscal regime. This is why we invited all the stakeholders whose input will be incorporated to discuss various issues in the bill.”

Lull in investments

The minister argued that there was no question of holding unto the bill for

longer than necessary because its delay in passage had taken a toll on investments in the industry.

She said: “It is important for us to pass the bill because if not, it will impact negatively on investments in the upstream petroleum sector, particularly in the deep offshore area where a lot of investment decisions have been put on hold.”

After years of delay, the PIB could not be passed in the 6th National Assembly on account of varied political interests, and protests by multinational oil companies against the fiscal terms that would guide future oil and gas operations in Nigeria.

Federal Government had sought to increase its take from the petroleum sector, which constitutes the bulk of its revenues (90 per cent),

thereby increasing the contribution of the sector to the nation’s gross domestic product, GDP, which is currently below 40 per cent.

However, the oil companies protested that the new fiscal terms will dip too much into their earnings and profits, a development that made them restrict fresh investments in the sector to the barest to compel government to rescind the decision.

Inauguration of committee

At the inauguration of the eight man Special Taskforce and Technical Subcommittee, which was given a 30 day tenure to conclude its findings and report on January 19, the minister charged members to do a thorough work.

VANGUARD, MONIDAY, APRIL 30, 2012—7

FCMB disengages 550 Finbank staff, as merger ends

BY OMOH GABRIEL, 320 staff of FCMB were earlier disengaged in BUSINESS EDITOR

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GMD/CEO, UBA, Mr. Phillips Oduoza (2nd right); CEO, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema (2nd left); Deputy Managing Director, UBA, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka (1st left) and Chief Finance Officer, UBA, Mr. Ugo Nwaghodoh at the floor of NSE during the UBA’s presentation of The Facts Behind The Figure, in Lagos.

Jonathan consults with Tinubu, Fashola, Akiolu

BY DAPO AKINREFON

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AGOS — PRESI DENT Goodluck Jonathan, weekend, met with national leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria and former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu behind closed doors.

The meeting in State House, Marina, Lagos took place as President Jonathan returned from Ivory Coast where he joined other regional leaders for an emergency summit of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS. The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has, however, dismissed any political benefit for Jonathan from associating with Tinubu, describing the former Lagos State Governor as more of a liability than an asset for the President’s political calculations.

A reliable source told Vanguard that besides Tinubu, others at the meeting were Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State; the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Dimeji Bankole.

The meeting followed increasing talks on the President’s future which has seen a number of his associates advocating a second term for Jonathan

AGOS— FIRST City Monument Bank, FCMB, in its acquisition bid of Finbank will today determine the fate of about 550 staff of Finbank whose services overlapped with employees of FCMB. The 550 staff will be given the option to resign and pursue any other career of their choice through the generous severance package being worked out by the management of the two banks.

The package, apart from the financial provisions for those affected, also has counselling and training session that would enable them adapt to a new environment and possibly a small business of their own.

Giving the hint of the progress of the merger between FCMB and Finbank, Managing Director of FCMB, Mr. Ladi Balogun, said in the process of trying to achieve the synergy of the two banks, the decision was taken to close a number of branches of Finbank that were considered not to be viable.

Finbank, he said, had a total branch network of 183 and 44 of these branches will be shut down based on the fact that some of them are close to FCMB branches that are profit making and those in some other places that are not profitable. He disclosed that

who first stepped into office in 2010 to complete the four-year tenure of his former boss, late President Umaru Yar‘Adua.

Weekend’s meeting aroused interest in political circles following speculations that Asiwaju Tinubu, just like Jonathan, could also be contesting the next presidential election in 2015.

come to see Tinubu regarding 2015. The President may have met a liability rather than an asset in the forthcoming election. The truth is that the Lagos PDP is better positioned that we do not need anybody outside the party to win elections.

"However, the Lagos PDP expects that whatever lobbying any member of the party is involved in will not override the interest of the

Lagos PDP reacts

El-Rufai backs Azazi on comment

Reacting to the meeting, the Lagos State PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr Taofik Gani, said even while he was not in a position to confirm the motive behind the meeting, he nevertheless affirmed that the party in the state would not be deterred in its resolve to claim the state come 2015.

Gani said: “PDP is not a party of vendetta as far as we are concerned. I am not in a position to confirm the motive behind the meeting, but I know that there are other national pressing issues. For instance, the issue of Boko Haram warrants everybody to join hands to fight. I remember recently that the former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu said something on that and so the President must have come to meet him to see whether he has any position on that.”

While appealing to the president to tread with caution, he said: “It is a risky position if the president has

zSays only God can save Nigeria from PDP

BY HENRY UMORU

A

BUJA — FORMER Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, yesterday, threw his weight behind the embattled National Security Adviser, General Andrew Owoye Azazi (rtd), saying he only confirmed what some people have been saying that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is the cause of all politically-related violence and terrorism in the country.

Speaking exclusively with Vanguard on his reaction to Azazi’s statement that the menace of insecurity and series of attacks in Nigeria by the Boko Haram sect could be traced to the zoning policy of the PDP, ElRufai said the extra-judicial murder of the Boko

party. In Lagos PDP, it is our interest to claim Lagos State from ACN and so, we will not compromise and jeopardize that interest.”

It would be recalled that the president had, recently, told an Abuja High Court that the provisions of the 1999 constitution pertaining to his chances to contest the 2015 election were clear.

Haram leadership during the late Umaru Yar ’Adua’s PDP regime laid the foundations for the nation’s current insecurity problem.

According to El-Rufai, a former member of PDP and now a stalwart of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, "Azazi merely confirmed the three things that we have known all along about the PDP and Jonathan administration, that the PDP is the root of all politically-related violence and terrorism in the country. It was the extra-judicial murder of the Boko Haram leadership during the Yar ’Adua’s PDP regime that laid the foundations of our current insecurity.

"The way the party disrespects its constitution, rules and regulations as confirmed by the last sham and show of

shame that it called national convention has completed the emergence of an exclusionary, undemocratic party controlled by Jonathan and the governors. ‘’Since its officers and political office holders emerged from rigged processes of imposition and intimidation, they have neither the burden of accountability nor conscience. They get into office not to serve the people but to serve their personal interests.

"The sum total of all these are political division in the country and looting of the treasury as the main occupations of the PDP apparatchiks. The cocktail of political exclusion, impunity, lack of democracy and social injustice lead to insurgency and crimes.

Only God can save us from the evil the PDP has turned into.”

preparation for the merger and integration of the two banks.

He said: “The bank’s customers have been fully briefed and we are engaged in what we call below the line communication with them and also communicate with them directly.

“We believe that the process has gone very smoothly. Unfortunately about 550 Finbank staff have been given the opportunity to resign, that 550 have almost unanimously taken up the opportunity of the offer to resign. That is a relatively small number when you compare to other banks that have gone through this exercise.

“We are retaining 70 per cent of the staff of Finbank, we also ensure we put in place very robust welfare package for those that will be affected. It includes training budget, which will be used to help prepare them if they want to go into entrepreneurship or if they want to continue in the banking industry; proper counselling, to make sure that the process is well managed and does not create too much shock for them. We have ensured that we have paid very healthy severance package when compared with what has been done by other banks.

“We have retained medical insurance for all employees and four children and we have allowed them to keep all the assets of the banks that they have— their cars, generators and so forth. Of course, any benefits that they are entitled to prior to this exercise, such as gratuity has also been retained. Why staff rationalization is necessary in any merger exercise that one may do is important that we do it with human face; we believe we have done that.

“We have been very pain taking in selecting that that will be affected and we believe that the number 550 was the optimum number; we believe that in terms of the labour market in the next five year this merger will create multiple jobs than it has destroyed. In the areas where we will be standing, we will still be recruiting.

“A lot of the redundancy and the branches that have been closed came about because of overlap between FCMB and Finbank branches; branches that were considered not viable and could not be turned around. These were the major driver for this closure."

8— Vanguard , MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

APGA, HASP appeal to Lagos doctors to end strike

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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AGOS—ALL Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Lagos State chapter and Humanity Services Projects, HSP, have called on the striking doctors in the public hospitals in the state to get back to work in the interest of the suffering masses.

APGA, in a statement by its Chairman, Prince Adeshina Olayokun, stressed the need for the state government and doctors to come to common term speedily, so that the adverse effects of the strike would not be too severe on the masses.

He said: “Because the medical well-being of the masses in the state is pertinent and imperative, in view of these; we are appealing to the two concerned parties, Lagos State Government and the

Lagos State Medical Doctors not to take it with levity.''

Similarly, Mr. Linus Okoroji, Chief Executive Officer of HASP, expressed concern over the incessant strike by the doctors in public hospitals in the state , saying, “ we reiterate in unequivocal terms our position that it is evil for doctors to jeopardise peoples’ access to their most essential service.

Enough is enough of punishing the traumatied common people of Lagos State.

“It is our take that for anyone to engage in this most essential h u m a n i t a r i a n profession,he or she must understand its real meaning and implications. ''In real terms, doctors are supposed partners with God in the maintenance and saving of human lives! God cannot go on strike.”

A'Court confirms Olukolu authentic ACN candidate

BY INNOCENT ANABA

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AGOS—THE Court of Appeal, Lagos, has confirmed Mr. Ganiyu Olukolu as the authentic candidate of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, for Amuwo-Odofin Federal Constituency seat in Lagos.

The appellate court held that Olukolu won the primary election conducted

by ACN on January 12, 2011 with 61 votes as against four votes secured by his opponent, Susan Olley.

After the primary election, ACN forwarded the name of Olley to Independent National Electoral Commission, as its candidate for the general elections held in April 2011.

However, Olukolu approached the Federal High Court, Abuja, challenging the substitution of his name by the party.

Trial judge at the lower court, Justice Bilikisu Aliyu, then restrained INEC, its

officials, agents, servants, privies or anyone acting on its behalf from recognising, accepting, dealing with or giving nomination forms to Olley as ACN candidate to contest the election.

But the matter was remitted to the Ikeja division of the court, where trial judge, Justice Steven Adah, also entering judgment in favour of Olukolu.

But Olley and ACN challenged same at the appellate court and asked the court to upturn the decision of the lower court.

The Appeal Court justices, in their judgment, held that Olukolu deserved to be the candidate of ACN, having passed the requirements prescribed by the constitution and Electoral Act. The court also confirmed him the candidate of the party for the said election.

Olukolu had, in the suit at the lower court, argued that Olley was imposed as the candidate of the party for the Amuwo-Odofin Federal Constituency.

Iba Olodumare for launch D A M O L A Adesina’sYoruba version of her gospel album, The Praise of the Father, entitled, Iba Olodumare,

will be launched tomorrow at Coral Reef, Ikoya Avenue, off Mcpherson Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Group urges Jonathan to punish corrupt officers

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

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AGOS—NETWORK on Police Reform in Nigeria, NOPRIN, a civil society group, yesterday, expressed fears over President Goodluck Jonathan’s courage to i m p l e m e n t recommendations of the various probes carried out in the country, and bring those indicted to book.

At a briefing, in Lagos, on the launch of two new books, “Waiting for

Justice” and “Through the Lens of the Media,” NOPRIN's programme Co-ordinator, Mr. Okechukwu Nwanguma, the President’s body language obviously demonstrates his lack of will and courage to bring to book, those found culpable in the recent probe of oil subsidy by the House of Representatives, noting that some of those indicted were very close to the President.

He said: “We salute the House of Representatives

Committee led by Farouk Lawan for conducting the probe on the petroleum sector with such forensic precision and patriotic efficiency. We salute the committee’s patriotism in resisting dubious pressure to compromise and its courage to eventually submit the report.”

NOPRIN, meanwhile, condemned the use of police to intimidate Dr. Chidi Odinkalu, Chairman, Governing Council of National

Human Rights Commission, NHRC, and State Security Service, SSS’s man-hunt on the Convener of United Action for Democracy, Jaye Gaskia, after he allegedly commenced mass mobilisation of Nigerians to prevail on the executive to assure the arrest and prosecution of all persons and bodies implicated in corruption in the country.

Resist plan to cow the press, labour urges Nigerians

BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG

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AGOS—MARITIME Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, weekend, called on Nigerians to rise up against attempts to muzzle the press, following last Thursday’s attacks on three media houses in Abuja and Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, right, and Dr. Jeanne Kaduna, describing the Toungara, during a lecture by the minister at Howard University to mark 100 attacks as callous and senseless. years of the school in the United States.

In a statement, President-General of MWUN, Mr. Emmanuel Nted, lamented that the attacks on ThisDay, Sun and Moment newspapers, which he noted were latest assault on the media and journalists after the killing of Channels Television and Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, staff.

Nted called on the security agencies to live up to their constitutional responsibilities and save the nation from the evil trend it was witnessing daily.

He called on northern AWARD: Minister of Petroleum, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, being presented a gift by President of Howard University, Mr. Sidney Ribeau, accompanied by state governors and Secretary of Energy, Steven Chu, Mrs. Vicky Bailey and Dr. Jeanne Toungara religious leaders in the region to do more to bring after a lecture by the minister. the activities of the gunmen to a stop before it degenerates into ethnic and religious crises.

He said: “We condemn

BY IFEYINWA OBI the amount was billion revenue last year, in strongest terms, the generated from duties, targets N9.6 billion this orgy of violence now fines, levies and value year. plaguing the nation, ADAGRY—SEME added tax, VAT, on goods Meanwhile, the especially the northern Border Command of imported through the National Drug Law parts of the country.

Nigeria Customs Service, border post.

Enforcement Agency, ''Thursday’s attacks on NCS, said it generated He added that the NDLEA, Seme Border ThisDay, Sun and N685.9 million revenue in command recorded 13 Command, said it had Moment newspapers in March. seizures, whose duty paid arrested a blacksmith, one Abuja and Kaduna Alhaji Sadiq Sahabi, the value was N2.7 million Mr. Akeem Badmus, for respectively, has added Command’s Area during the month. allegedly importing another dimension to the Comptroller, said, He said the command, Indian hemp, weighing activities of the attackers. weekend, in Lagos, that which generated N6.9 2.4kgs.

Seme customs rakes in N686m

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VANGUARD , MONDAY, APRIL 30,2012 —9

Oni vows to retake S-West from ACN, LP

BY DAYO JOHNSON

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SOLIDARITY VISIT: From left, Orangun of Ila, Oba Wahab Oyedotun; Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran; Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Akirun of Ikirun, Oba Rauf Adedeji and others during a solidarity visit of traditional rulers in Osun State to the governor at Government House, Osogbo, yesterday.

PDP urges probe of ACN youths' aborted trip to Cuba

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BADAN—THE SouthWest chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has asked security agencies to go beyond just stopping the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, youths' visit to Cuba, saying; “The youths should be investigated to know the level of their involvement and knowledge of the main mission for the trip.”

Security agents at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, last Thursday night, reportedly stopped no fewer than 50 youths from embarking on the trip, allegedly sponsored

by Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State.

It was gathered that the youths were on their way to Cuba for the May Day celebration as every year, labour leaders, activists and students go to Cuba

for May Day celebration.

It will be recalled that PDP had alleged that 50 youths were going to Cuba for militancy training.

However, in a statement, PDP Zonal Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kayode Babade, alleged that: “As against claim by the ACN government in Osun State that the trip was for

student activists to witness the May Day celebration in Cuba, we have information that only seven out of the over 50 youths billed to embark on the trip were students.

Other youths that were part of the trip were drawn from Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states and they are not student-activists.”

KURE—THE National ViceChairman of the Peoples' Democratic Party, PDP, in South-West, Chief Segun Oni, weekend, in Ondo State, declared that the party would reclaim the region from and the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, and the Labour Party, LP. But, Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State said he would not be distracted by the antics of the opposition in his quest to develop the state.

Oni, who was in Akure, during his tour of the party in the zone, accused the ACN government in the zone of plunging it into underdevelopment, describing the party as rudderless.

The vice-chairman said

Alasoadura to contest Ondo guber poll

BY DAYO JOHNSON

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KURE—A FORMER Commissioner for Finance under the

20 Ekiti varsity students caught with fake exam permits

BY GBENGAARIYIBI

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DO-EKITI—NO fewer than 20 parttime students of Ekiti State University, EKSU, were, Friday, caught with with fake examination clearance papers during the ongoing first semester examination.

The development led to the suspension of the

examination on the ground of alleged failure of the students to.pay their school fees.

According to the Director of Part-Time Programme, Professor Edward Ogunleye, the alleged culprits were caught during the screening of students who have paid their fees.

In a desperate bid to partake in the examination, some students forged exam

the perceived lack of performance of ACN governors would be the basis for PDP to regain the states it lost.

He said: “PDP remains the only credible alternative to ‘rudderless ACN who have plunged the zone back into underdevelopment.”

He, however, warned party members against action that could lead to the disintegration of the party and said discipline must be maintained by the rank and file of party members.

Oni gave the factional leadership of the party in Ondo State ultimatum to withdraw its suit in the court for peace to reign in the party, saying “it is after the withdrawal of the suit in the court that the party would negotiate with them.”

Meantime, Gov. Mimiko said he would not be distracted by the antics of

permits which they smuggled to the hall.

Having found out that a lot of the students were yet to pay their fees, the management of the university decided to stop those who were yet to pay their fees from sitting for the exam This led to a violent protest by the students and the destruction of some property by the parttime students.

immediate past administration of Dr. Olusegun Agagu in Ondo State, Chief Tayo Alasoadura, has declared his intention to contest the October 20 governorship election in the state with a pledge to create a special office for youths.

Alasodura, who is contesting on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, lamented the rate of unemployment in the country.

He said there was need for the establishment of Ministry of Youth Affairs to take over issues affecting youths who constitute a larger percentage of the population of the state.

the opposition in his resolve to make the 18 local government areas of the state feel his developmental agenda.

Osun CAN, Muslims back Aregbesola

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

O

S O G B O — CHRISTIAN Association of Nigeria, CAN, and Osun State Muslim Community, OSMC, have declared support for Governor Rauf A r e g b e s o l a ’ s administration in the state, saying they would not allow anybody or organisation to disrupt the peaceful co-existence between members of the two religious bodies in the state.

The two religious groups which spoke differently in Osogbo, weekend, condemned attempt by some people to cause disharmony between them over the recent security report allegedly indicting Aregbesola over alleged attempt to islamise the state.

At a briefing in Osogbo, Chairman of CAN in the state, Evangelist Abraham Aladeseye, said Christians and Muslims in the state were living peacefully without any breach to the peace.

In a statement, OSMC's President, Alhaji Salahudeen Olayiwola and Assistant Secretary, Alhaji Hashim Olapade, cautioned the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the South-West to stop campaign of calumny which could degenerate into religious crisis.

C M Y K C M Y K

10—Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

Aginighan lauds creation of Ijaw Ministry in Bayelsa

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

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ORT HAR C O U R T — FOUNDING Secretary, Ijaw National Congress, INC and former Executive Director Finance and Administration, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Pastor Power Aginighan, has hailed the constitution of the Ministry of Culture and Ijaw National Affairs in Bayelsa State.

Describing the devel-

opment as an initiative that adequately positions the Ijaw nation in the country, Pastor Aginighan, commended Governor Seriake Dickson for his bold action.

He said: “I wish to place on record my appreciation of the bold steps taken by Governor Dickson, since he assumed office, to reposition Bayelsa State as the glory of all lands and the home of the Ijaw, Nigeria’s most deprived ethnic nationality."

Subsidy scam: We were cleared—Rainoil VISIT: From left: Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mohammed Indabawa; Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohamed Abubakar and King T. Princewill, Chairman, Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council, during the IG's visit to the state.

Auto crash: Four killed in Cross River

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

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ALABAR—FOUR persons were feared dead in a ghastly

motor accident involving a taxi and a trailer at 8 Miles, an outskirt of Calabar metropolis, Cross River State.

According to an eye witness, the four occu-

pants of the taxi, an Audi Salon car, including the driver died on the spot, weekend, when the accident occurred.

It was gathered that the taxi, which was heading to Calabar, ran under a stationary trailer while trying to avoid a head on collision with two trailers loaded with cement, while trying to overtake each other, thereby occupying the entire road.

The accident led to a traffic gridlock for over one hour.

It was gathered that men of the Federal Road Safety Commission, who arrived the scene shortly after the accident occured, had hectic time hacking off parts of the vehicle to remove the victims.

Confirming the report, Sate Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Hogan Bassey, said information available to him was that only one person died.

When reminded that the state radio station, Cross River Broadcasting Corporation had reported that four persons died, the PPRO, said perhaps the other three may have died on their way to hospital.

Meanwhile, Director General of Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Vincent Aquah, who visited the accident scene described it as disheartening.

Aquah advised motorists to be cautious when on the road to avoid accidents that could maim or cause loss of lives.

R

AINOIL Limited, a major player in the oil and gas downstream sector, has denied any wrongdoing in the controversial subsidy payment regime.

The company said that the report presented by the Farouk Lawan-led House of Representatives’ Ad-hoc committee

Security: Students urge Northern leaders to assist FG

BY FESTUS AHON

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GHELLI—NA TIONAL Association of Delta State Students, NADESSTU, has called on Northern leaders to assist the Federal Government in putting a stop to the violence being perpetrated in that part of the country.

President of

W

their execlusion from the programme.

He said: "The Itsekiri could no longer come to terms with the level of injustice being perpetrated by the Presidency as far as the amnesty programme was concerned.”

He said that Itsekiri youths were asked to lay down their arms with a promise that their youths and children would be gainfully engaged to divert their attention from violence, but that since the amnesty programme started, the Presidency had excluded Itsekiri people from the programme.

NADESSUT’s Senate, Mr. Orhe Erigba, in a statement, yesterday, condemned the continues killing of innocent Nigerians, saying, “I want to urge all Northern leaders to assist the President to put a stop to these senseless killings as the country stands a chance of disintegration, if this wanton killings were not stopped."

‘Don't politicise amnesty programme'

BY DAPO AKINREFON

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IGER Delta Na tionalities Forum

Itsekiri youths allege exclusion from amnesty programme ARRI—ITSEKIRI youths, under the umbrella of Itsekiri Development Congress, IDC, have cried out against what they described as "selective and deliberate exclusion" of Itsekiri former militants in Niger Delta from the current amnesty programmes, particularly the different training programmes which former agitators in the region are undergoing both locally and abroad.

IDC’s Secretary, Mr. Solomon Iwetan, who briefing newsmen at the end of the group’s consultative meeting in Warri, expressed dissatisfaction with

investigating the implementation of the subsidy administration exonerated it from any misdeeds Rainoil was reported as one of 45 oil companies that refused to submit papers and ignored the subsidy probe panel to defend their level of involvement in the fuel subsidy bazaar.

He explained that the amnesty programme is, “exclusively concentrated on taking care of the Ijaw and all calls and pleas to redress the anomaly were to no avail.”

He said the Itsekiri could not come to terms with the current execution of the programme as no single youth from the different Itsekiri groups of the former agitators, who officially submitted thousands of arms and ammunitions through Itsekiri National Youth Council, INYC, to the then Amnesty Committee had been considered for any of the training programmes.

has warned that the amnesty programme should not be politised, saying that the scheme was aimed at youth development and empowerment in the region.

Chairman of the forum, Mr. Manager Seigha, flayed opponents of the amnesty programme, which he said remains a successful initiative of the late President Umaru Ya r ’ A d u a / G o o d l u c k Jonathan administration.

He said: “We have realised that some disgruntled persons have been using the media to give uninformed position on the amnesty programme, as if it was a fight between Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN."

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012—11

Fuel subsidy scam: Group lauds Jonathan’s resolve to punish indicted persons

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Y

E N A G O A — SOUTH-South Elements Progressive Union, SSEPU, has commended President Goodluck Jonathan’s resolve to punish all those indicted in the report of the House of Representatives Committee that investigated the subsidy regime in the country.

Lamenting the inherent rot in the implementation of the subsidy regime, National Chairman of SSEPU, Mr. Joseph AmCONVOCATION: Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufai, Minister of Education, (left) and Mr. Nyesom Wike, Minister of State for Education, during the 28th Convocation of the University of Port Harcourt . Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke.

Auto crash: They were after my life —Oshiomhole …As detectives commence investigation

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ENIN—GOVER NOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, yesterday, said weekend's accident involving his convoy, in which three journalists lost their lives, was an attempt on his life, as the tipper driver rammed into his official vehicle, while the car he personally drove, escaped by the whiskers.

Oshiomhole, who spoke on the accident at Government House, Benin City, lamented that it took him and other survivors close to 40 minutes to remove the journalists from their mangled bus.

Meanwhile, a crack team of detectives is investigating the ghastly motor accident, in which three journalist lost their lives on the WarrakeAuchi Road, Etsako West Local Government Area of the state.

Olatunji Jacob and George Okosun, both of Independent Television, ITV, and Fidelis Ohani camera man attached to African Independent Television, AIT and a driver attached to the state Government House, Samson Inobemhe, lost their lives.

Oshiomhole, yesterday, said: “I wept when I saw the way the journalists were trapped.”

He condoled with the Nigeria Union of Journalists,NUJ, on the loss of its members.

He said he had been receiving messages that officials of his government were targets of assassination and kidnap before the tragic incident.

“If I was in the regular jeep (my official car), the guy would have hit me.

I was in a small car which I decided to drive myself.

The tipper pushed that jeep off the road and then crashed into the bus conveying the journalists.

“It is a straight road, so if he lost control, he would have swerved into the bush. When I asked the motor boy yesterday (Sunday) where the driver was, he said he opened the door of the vehicle and fled. He claimed the driver just said he should follow him. I then asked him if he was not under 18 and why follow a man to another local government area without asking questions.

“Well, we have asked

the State Security Service, SSS and the police to investigate the accident, but before we knew it, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was already issuing condolence message. I haven’t cried for a long time but when I saw the ITV man (George Okosun) and then the AIT man (Fidelis Ohane), I wept. From the time of my campaign in 2006, they had followed me all the way through the judicial process until now and they all have families, young families. We well get to the root of the matter.

“The truck hit them head on and smashed the bus. To open it, they had to use axe to cut the bus. You saw people bleeding but you couldn’t get them out; some, we had to loosen the bolts of the seat to remove them. For about 40 minutes, we were trying to get them out but God took control."

Meanwhile, at press time,the Chief Detail to the governor and other security operatives, in the convoy were also receiving treatment at the intensive unit of the Benin Central Hospital.

Vanguard learnt that the crack team of detectives, including officers drawn from the State Security Services, SSS, have commenced investigation into the accident in order to ascertain whether it was a planned attempt on the governor ’s life.

A top security officer, who craved anonymity, told Vanguard: “We are worried because the governor was not in his usual car but was in a BMW Station Wagon in front of the convoy while his usual vehicle was right behind the BMW. So the report was that the tipper rammed into the convoy hitting what was supposed to be the governor ’s usual vehicle.

“It meant that something could have happened to the governor, if he was in his usual car."

....As Edo PDP, NMA commiserate with involving the gov- Camera man with AIT, Oshiomhole dent, ernor's convoy, weekend. Fidelis Ohani.

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

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ENIN—PEOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, Edo State chapter, yesterday, commiserated with Governor Adams Oshiomhole and the people of the state on the death of three journalists in a ghastly road acci-

State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Matthew Urhoghide, also commiserate with the state chapter of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN; the Independent Television, ITV and Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, on the death of the journalists, which included two ITV staff, Olatunji Jacob and George Okosun and a

PDP wished speedy recovery for those who sustained injuries in the accident and prayed God to grant the departed souls eternal rest and their families, the fortitude to bear the painful loss. The Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Edo State branch, also commiserated with NUJ over the unfortunate accident.

bakederimo, urged the President to carry out a mass purge and prosecution of all indicted government officials along with their collaborators in the private sector.

Ambakederimo, in an interview in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, commended President Jonathan for not interfering with the work of the Farouk Lawan-led House of Representatives Committee, saying it was an indication of his preparedness to cleanse the rot in the system and bring the culprits to book.

Burutu DPP inaugurates 11-man caretaker committee

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URUTU Local Gov ernment Area chapter of Democratic Peoples Party, DPP, Delta State, weekend, inaugurated an 11-man caretaker committee, to oversee its affairs until a congress was conducted.

Mr. Prince Owei and Mr. Owoso Amakefe, were inaugurated as chairman and vice chairman, respectively.

Mr. Felix Hitler is Secretary; Mr. Stephen Ekpokpo, Treasurer; Mrs. Upstair Uyasi, Woman Leader and Mr. Obulu Jones, Youth Leader.

Others are, Mr. Aretendeghan Gogoye, Public Relations Officer; Mr. Ebikorode Okodi, Mr. Samuel Luatuni and Chief Baro, members.

Mr. David, state Secretary of the party, charged the caretaker committee to bring back aggrieved members to the party.

He called on Burutu DPP to rally round the caretaker committee to enable them succeed, adding that it was the only way the party could win elections in the council.

12—Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

Reps pass law on discriminating against disabled

BY BEN AGANDE

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BUJA—HOUSE of Representatives has passed a law which makes it a crime for any individual or corporate organisation to discriminate against person with disabilities either in terms of employment or making public offices inaccessible to people with disabilities.

The bill sponsored by Abike Dabiri-Erewa seeks to “Ensure Full Integration of Nigerians with Disability into the Society and Eliminate All Forms of Discrimination Against Them”.

The bill prescribes punishment for offenders ranging from prison term or payment of fines as the case may be.

The bill provides that “Persons with disabilities shall have the right to work, on an equal basis with others; this includes the right to opportunity to gain a living by work

freely chosen or accepted in a labour market and work environment that is open”.

Section 60(1) of the Bill states that: “No employer or his agent or purported agent shall discriminate against a person with disability in any manner whatsoever and in particular but not limited to: (a) a job application procedure”.

In order to ensure easy access for people with disabilities to promotion like their able counterpart, the bill further prescribes that the disabled worker must not be denied “access or limiting the employee’s access to opportunity for promotion, advancement, transfer or training, or to any other benefit associated with employment”.

It also recommended that every public office buildings should create special parking spaces, special stair cases or lifts for the disabled among several other provisions.

DPO shot dead by gunmen in Enugu

BY TONY EDIKE

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N U G U — DIVISIONAL Police Officer, DPO incharge of Oji River Police Division in Enugu State, Mr Okey Ofoedu, has been shot dead on Saturday by unknown gunmen.

The incident occurred at Ojinator, a village on Oji River-Awka Old Road, while the deceased DPO was returning to his office after an engagement.

Vanguard learnt that the assailants numbering four and operating in a Passat car were said to have trailed the police officer to where he was shot at 6.30 pm. He was said to have been shot several times and lost control of his car in the process.

He reportedly died from the gunshot wounds before he could be revived by sympathizers, who rushed to the scene shortly after the incident.

State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, who confirmed the shooting of the DPO in a statement

yesterday, said the command had commenced full scale investigations into the incident with a view to apprehending the assailants.

“SP Okey Ofoedu and also DPO in-charge Oji River police Division Enugu State met his untimely death at Ojinator

on Awka/Oji River Old Road by Roi filling station at 1830hrs of April 28, 2012 while he was returning from an engagement and heading to his office,” Amaraizu said.

According to him, reports reaching the command indicated that Ofoedu’s assailants numbering about

four, had trailed him to a point at Ojinator and shot him several times.

‘The DPO was hit by the bullet and attempts made to revive him proved abortive as the doctor on duty at a nearby hospital, where he was rushed to later confirmed him dead,” he added.

From left: Engr. Uwem Ubia, General Manager, PSC, NNPC and NAPIMS; Guest of Honour, Mr. Xinmin wu Philip, Chairman, Addax Petroleum and Mr. Cornelius Zegelaar, MD, Addax during the commemoration of Nigerian oil and gas content award in Lagos Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor

Orji recalls suspended 8 commissioners, political appointees

BY ANAYO OKOLI

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MUAHIA— GOVERNOR Theodore Orji, yesterday, recalled the eight suspended commissioners and 17 local government transition committee chairmen.

The governor also recalled some other political appointees he suspended two months ago for security lapses during the lying-instate of late Dim Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu in Aba, the commercial capital of the state.

Governor Orji announced the lifting the suspension on the affected officials, at a meeting he separately held with them at Government House, Umuahia.

However, feelers from the government indicate that some of the commissioner and the two newly nominees may swap ministries.

Meanwhile, the governor has appointed a new Chief of Staff. He is Dr. Cosmos Ndukwe, who until the appointment was the General Manager of the

state environmental agency, ASEPA. He was replaced at the agency by Mr. Ikechukwu Apugo.

Orji was quoted as admonishing returning commissioners and council chairmen to brace up and work hard as he was in a hurry to see that infrastructural changes gets to all parts of the state.

Minister launches youth agric devt project today

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BUJA—MINISTER for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina will today launch the youth Commercial Agriculture

Programme in Ado -Ekiti, m Ekiti State.

The programme, which is a landmark effort is getting the youths involved in agriculture as a business engagement rather than development programme, will be hosted by Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Agric Minister, Mr. Matthew Haruna, Dr. Adesina remarked that the programme is an indication of renewed synergy between the Federal and state governments, while assuring that the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, is also cooperating with his ministry to provide lowinterest loans for Nigerian farmers.

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012—13

Aregbesola vs Omisore •Aregbesola is witch-hunting our leaders– Osun PDP •Ooni should call Omisore to order – Ife lawmakers •Family ready to apologise on the Senator’s behalf Former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Iyiola Omisore, was last week reported to have warned of likely attack on Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s convoy, if he refused to stop using members of the Jama’at Ta’awunil Muslimeen (Tawun) as his security aides.

According to the reports, Omisore while speaking with journalists in Ile-Ife, Osun State, was quoted as saying it was embarrassing for the governor to go about with “thugs” under the aegis of Tawun, while doing away with the police and men of the State Security Service, SSS, who should be in charge of his security.

The controversy that trailed the development has refused to abate as Osun PDP is of the opinion that the state government is out to witch-hunt its party leaders while political office holders and members of the National Assembly from Ife Federal constituency have called on the Ile-Ife monarch, the Ooni of Ife, to call Omisore to order

T

HE Osun State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, accused Governor Aregbesola led Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, government of alleged plot to witch-hunt PDP leaders in the state, especially Senator Omisore by fabricating lies against him and influencing the state Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Kalafite Adeyemi to arrest him.

Speaking on behalf of the party in Osogbo, its Director of Media and Strategy, Prince Diran Odeyemi, said that the Aregbesola’s government latest plot to cook lies against Omisore and induce the state Commissioner of Police to arrest him has been exposed. The PDP then urged the state commissioner of police to resist the inducement from the state government on the matter.

It’s cheap blackmail Shelle, Lagos PDP boss Reacting to the alleged threat

by Senator Omisore, Chairman of the PDP in Lagos State, Captain Tunji Shelle (rtd) said: “It is all cheap blackmail against Sen Omisore. He (Aregbesola) knows that he wants to Islamise the people of Osun State by changing their culture and orientation, but that is left for him and his conscience to judge. In a way to avoid the issue he is resorting to blackmail. But I don’t want to comment more than this.”

Ife lawmakers want Ooni to warn Omisore Meantime, political office holders and members of the National Assembly from Ife

According to him, Omisore dynasty in Ile-Ife is a noble family who had made various contributions in commerce and politics both in the state and in Nigeria and would not seat and allow the personal ambition of individual to damage the reputation and image of the family.

His words: “If truly Senator Omisore made such a threat I think it is a wrong signal to the younger Omisores because this could be an hindrance to future Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun political aspirations and this certainly is not a good development. Senator Omisore was deputy governor for years and a senator of Federal Republic of Nigeria for eight years, he should know better what government is all about. The office Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the governor should be respected.

Federal constituency have equal before the law.”

“Let him come out and clear asked the Department of State “We expect the Department of himself better because his deSecurity, DSS, and the Police to State Security Service and the nial of the report is not enough. investigate the controversial Police to confirm or deny this al- He has the opportunity to desecurity report which linked legation since the operatives re- fend himself before the family Osun State Governor, Ogbeni pot to them. They also have to takes any position. Omisore is Rauf Aregbesola, with the al- clear the air on the alleged se- a noble family, we are a peaceleged secession plan and islam- curity report credited to them. ful family, we are a loving famization of the state. Similarly, This will further allay the peothe politicians also asked the se- ples’ fear of partiality of the curity agencies in both Osun State Security apparatus in this State and Abuja to invite Sena- matter. We may enquire rather tor Iyiola Omisore for question- rhetorically is Omisore the only ing over a statement credited to Ife indigene in Osun PDP? Why him that he would attack Gov- is he creating the impression ernor Aregbesola’s convoy if Ar- that Ifes are anti ACN governegbesola refuses to stop using ment as led by Ogbeni Rauf Armembers of an Islamic sect egbesola.” called TAWUN as his security ‘Omisore family ready to aides instead of the government apologise on Senator’s behalf' ily. Iyiola Omisore is not the first security agents.

A member of Omisore’s fami- politician in the family. We have Briefing newsmen in Osogbo, ly, Hon. Abayomi Omisore, has Ahmadu Omisore who was a spokesman of the group, Sena- advised Sen. Iyiola Omisore to member of House of Representor Babajide Omoworare own up and apologise if he tru- tatives in the Second Republic.” flanked by Hon Rotimi Mak- ly threatened the life of Osun Monarchs condemn plot, visit inde called on the royal father state governor, Mr Rauf Areg- Aregbesola of Ile-Ife, Oba Okunade Siju- besola. Speaking with newsTraditional rulers in Osun wade, the Ile-Ife traditional men in Osogbo, weekend, Omi- State condemned attempts by council, prominent and influen- sore, a former secretary of Amu- some opposition politicians to tial indigenes of the town to call wo/Odofin Local Government plunge the state into crisis. The Senator Omisore to order. area of Lagos State stated that monarchs, who paid a solidariHis words: “We implore the if Sen. Omisore takes the path ty visit to the Governor, Ogbeni security agencies in the state of honour the whole family was Rauf Aregbesola, at the Governand in Abuja not to treat his prepared to apologise to the ment House, Osogbo, said they threat with kids’ gloves but in- governor on his behalf. were disappointed by the ruvite Senator Iyiola Omisore, inHe said the situation became moured tension which the enevestigate this threat as would be confusing when after Sen. Omi- mies of the state orchestrated in done to anybody else and make sore had denied the report of a section of the media about two their findings public. Only then the threat on the governor they weeks ago. They described as will they put our minds at rest later read the full interview in falsehood the allegation that the that there is still rule of law in a national newspaper where the governor wanted to Islamise the Nigeria and that we are all senator did make the statement.

state, saying the perpetrators of the rumour and the phantom security reports are only crying wolf where there was none.

In an address read by His Royal Highness, Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran, on behalf of the monarchs, they expressed their approval of the governor’s leadership style, saying since he arrived the state, he has given it a new lease of life. Aromolaran said: “We view with disgust rumours by some people. It is a lie. We are the custodians of the grassroots. All the allegations are false. We say without equivocation that the generality of the people are with you. Since a year and half ago, the state has been peaceful. All religious groups have also denied the rumour of Islamisation of the people of the state. The welfare of the state is paramount in our mind. We pray that you will steer the ship of the state to happy isle.”

Responding, Aregbesola stated that if not for the intervention of God, the state would have been engulfed in crisis of

We may enquire rather rhetorically is Omisore the only Ife indigene in Osun PDP? Why is he creating the impression that Ifes are anti ACN government as led by Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola

,

BY LEKE ADESERI, South West Regional Editor, GBENGA OLARINOYE & DAPO AKINREFON

Senator Iyiola Omisore

,

immense proportion by now. He thanked the traditional rulers for their unflinching support not only during these trying times but always. He also commended the people of the state their steadfastness and belief in his government. He said: “But for God’s intervention, those did what they did, demonstrated that they did not mean well for the state.”

Other monarchs at the meeting include the Akirun of Ikirun, Oba Rauf Adedeji; Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun Laroye; Oragun of Ila Orangun, Oba Wahab Oyedotun; Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Ashiru Olatoye; Olufon of Ifon-Osun, Oba Moruf Magbagbeola and others.

14 — Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012—15

Subsidy probe: Reps to investigate NPA

BY BEN AGANDE

A

BUJA—FOLLOWING indictment of the Nigerian Ports Authority by the Faruk Lawan Committee on the management of subsidy, the House of Representatives, is to beam its searchlight on activities of the NPA to determine how its operations have been run in the last 12 years.

In its recommendation which was adopted by the House last week, the Faruk Lawan Committee recommended that the “failure of the Nigerian Ports Authority to provide this committee the vital vessels data particularly the IMO numbers is an indication that either the NPA has a very poor record keeping system or that it was a deliberate ploy to cover up the collusion between its officials and importers. We recommend an investigation into the operations and activities of this authority’” It also added that “the port operations of the NPA be investigated with a view to determining the extent to which its officials are involved in the classification of marine areas for reception of Nigerian bound petroleum products as “offshore Cotonou and “offshore Lome’ in the face of evidence that these vessels never berthed at those ports.”

Consequently, the House has directed its committee on Marine Transport to carry out a thorough probe of the NPA. Vanguard gathered that areas that will form the fulcrum of the investigation include reported breach of national security due to alleged importation of arms

and ammunition which are discharged at private jetties instead of the ports supervised by the NPA, The investigation will also focus on mid stream discharge of petroleum products and goods which denied the country huge amount of revenue and

N line with its repositioning process for greater performance, the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, has redeployed two Zonal Commanding Officers, 13 Sector Commanders and 84 Unit Commanders.

According to a statement

by Bisi Kazeem, Deputy Corps Public Education Officer, eight of the 13 Sector Commanders, were newly appointed while five were redeployed. Of the eight sector commanders, six were appointed directly from the Commission’s Management.

who confirmed the proposed investigation to Vanguard added that his committee will ensure that loopholes are blocked by the parliament in order to ensure that government maximises its revenue for the development of the country.

Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa of Kaduna State( 3rd left) cutting the tape to declare the 33rd Kaduna International Trade Fair open, President KADCCIMA, Malam Umar Yahaya (right) and Mrs Amina Yakowa in Kaduna on Saturday. Photo: Olu Ajayi

Agric Ministry queried over non-usage of 400 tractors zAs Reps order recovery of 3 missing tractors

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

A

BUJA—THE AuditorGeneral to the Federation Office weekend queried the Ministry of Agriculture over the nonusage of 400 tractors for a period of four years and ordered recovery of three missing tractors alleged to have grown wings from a storage facility in Owerri.

The AGF in a 2008 audit report had indicted the

FRSC redeploys officers

I

activities of unscrupulous importers and ineffective implementation of regulations with regards to the operations of private jetties leading to huge loss of revenue to the government.

Chairman of Marine Transport, Ifeanyi Uguanyi

Jonas Agwu, a Corps Commander in charge of Lagos Sector Command, has been appointed new Corps Public Education Officer at the National Headquarters, Abuja.

His appointment was part of a general redeployment of senior officers of the Corps to various formations of the FRSC. Nseobong Akpabio, a Corps Commander who held fort as Corps Public Education Officer, has swapped position with Agwu, taking over as Lagos Sector Commander.

Ministry of Agriculture where it was alleged that the ministry refused to put to use 400 tractors purchased by the Federal Government for farming purposes.

In a meeting with members of the House Committee on Public Accounts, officials of the ministry accepted the fact that the said 400 tractors were not actually used instead they were kept in storage facilities located in Abuja, Owerri, Enugu and Ibadan.

On the three missing tractors which the Chairman of PAC, Rep Solomon Adeola Olamikan demanded their whereabouts, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Ezekiel Oyemomi said the three tractors were recovered and returned to one of the storage facilities in Ibadan.

Not satisfied with the Permanent Secretary’s explanation, Olamikan demanded for documented evidence or physical inspection of the tractors by auditors within the next seven days or the ministry would face sanctions.

Don't blame Jonathan for our socio-economic problems — Kukah

BY VICTORIA OJEME

B

ISHOP of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, weekend, dismissed as incorrect insinuations of failure of leadership on the part of President Goodluck Jonathan for many socioeconomic woes besetting the country.

Speaking at the Nigerian Leadership Initiative, NLI, forum organised by First Bank PLC, with the theme, “Power without Authority: Leadership Crisis in Nigeria”, Bishop Kukah said the religious, economic and political issues constantly confronting the country, is as a result of the inability of successive governments to confer authority.

He said, “the problems of Nigeria are not caused by Jonathan but the rot is happening at his time. We have become comfortable in the rot that we are in because, the things Nigerians have got used to are things that are

absolutely unacceptable in other parts of the world.”

According to him, “we live in an environment where the abnormalities of yesterday have become normal. Our leaders are accidental tourists, we have never had a President who has name recognition so, where we find ourselves in Nigeria today is not an accident, we need to go back. Nigeria is notorious for never concluding a debate, they simply push it aside,” the Catholic clergy added.

He, however, expressed optimism over the transformation agenda of the present administration saying that “all the materials available should be enough for that transformation to take place”.

Bishop Kukah further canvassed urgent need to change the leadership pattern of Nigeria if the country wants to make head way, saying, ”there is a sense of emergency about changing leadership pattern in the country".

16 — Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012 RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan is livid over comments of his National Security Adviser, General Andrew Owoeye Azazi, that decisions of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, were responsible for the increase in violence.

Jonathan’s tempered reaction in alluding to the possibility of Azazi having been misunderstood could be an interim p o s i t i o n .

Azazi speaking at the second South-South Economic Summit in Asaba, said: “The issue of violence did not increase in Nigeria until when there was a declaration by the current President that he was going to contest. PDP got it wrong from the beginning. The party started by saying Mr. A can rule, and Mr. B cannot rule, according to PDP conventions, rules and regulations and not according to the Constitution. That created the climate for what is happening. Is it possible that somebody was thinking that only Mr. A could win, and if he did not win, he could cause a problem in the society?”

Was Azazi wrong in saying PDP placed its conventions above the Constitution? No, but Nigerians want to see him doing more

P

Azazi bombs PDP

than pointing out the source or the sources of insecurity. We cannot arrest PDP. Has he done anything about the individuals responsible for the party’s decisions?

“I don’t believe undemocratic practices in the PDP could give rise to Boko Haram or any other groups. So probably people need to ask NSA to explain what he really meant,” Jonathan said. Everybody, except the President, understood the NSA. He was clear about the undemocratic practices of PDP and their consequences.

Former President Ibrahim Babangida last month rated PDP undemocratic after its national convention that produced national officers, the same path the party has followed since inception.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, was less indulging in

condemning Azazi. “ Appointees of government should navigate only on the terrain where their authority would not be humbled by superior knowledge so as to avoid attracting undeserving and unnecessary ill-feelings for their principal.”

None of these positions would improve our security. The President insists insecurity is a global challenge and Nigeria could not escape it. Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo re-stated the position at the Asaba summit. Is that the final position?

What worries Nigerians is that neither the blame sharing, nor the promises to act decisively on insecurity, has worked. The current interest flows from last week’s bombing of media houses. Silence and inaction would soon ensue until another incident.

The present debate will distract any purposeful efforts to tackle insecurity.

Whether it is PDP or disgruntled groups that are bombing Nigeria, the task remains — stop the bombs.

Nobody seems to be doing that which is what really worries Nigerians.

OPINION

BY EDO ODUEME

I

T is a well known fact that education contains the essential ingredients for the advancement of any society (the preservation of lives of members, maintenance of social structure, promotion of social change and development). History has shown that from ancient times, societies have benefited immensely from well-executed educational plans (where education is tailored to match the realities and need of the times).

In pre-colonial Africa for instance, education which was carried out mainly through informal means produced young individuals who were able to fit properly into the respective societies because there was no separation between education and productive activities.

In Nigeria today, it does not appear as if education occupies the pride of place that is given to it in other societies. If indeed education plays such important roles in the nation as attested to by history, why then does the Nigerian nation not take this all important sector seriously and give it all the attention it deserves?

Are we in Nigeria so out of touch with reality that we have failed to appreciate the fact that education remains the only means by which societies lay solid foundation for their future? The above questions and many more have been bugging my mind after reading disheartening reports in the media in the past weeks of how really bad things are in the sector. If indeed these reports are anything to go by, then the future of this country is in dire strait. Nigerian education has fallen to ruins and no level is being spared.

In the past half decade or so, there have been reports of dismal performances by students in the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations nationwide. Year in, year out, reports of mass failure in national examinations do not fail to reach us.

This past year’s (2011) statistics on these national examinations have been particularly disturbing – West African Examination

Let's

save

our

future

Council, WAEC, recorded a dismal 30% pass (including Maths and English) in the exam; the National Examination Council, NECO, on its part recoded distant 10% pass. This year’s (2012)Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations, UTME, results did not also fail to follow the trend of woeful performance as only about 50% of the candidates scored up to 50% and above (of the total mark).

Reports of half-baked graduates being churned out of our tertiary institutions also abound. Media reports are awash with stories of ill-equipped graduates. The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, publicly admitted that indeed all is not well with our educational system when he was reported to have said recently at a convocation ceremony in one of the Eastern Nigerian universities that no Nigerian university is among the top tier providers of tertiary education in Africa, not to mention globally. This situation is alarming. Yet we have not stopped to ask ourselves why this steady pattern of decline in the quality of education in our dear country.

E

ven as bad as things seem, the government of the day does not appear to have any clue on how to halt this drift. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, at the Civil Society/Stakeholders Conference recently in Abuja confirmed Federal Government’s inability to contain the situation when he reportedly lamented about the noncommensurate achievement (in the sector) after over N13 trillion spent on education by government between 1999 and now. Why is FG appearing so helpless? Are there no agencies of government that can ensure prudent use of funds released for specific purposes? At this rate, can we afford to allow the endemic problem of corruption (that has bedevilled all sectors of our economy), destroy our educational sector while we fold our

now hands and watch?

In another forum (this time at a fund-raising luncheon of the University of Jos), the SGF announced again that the FG can no longer fully fund public universities in the country. Recall also that the FG has also proposed to hand off the management of the few Unity Schools (FG owned secondary schools). Right now our public primary schools are being (mis)managed by the LGs. Pray tell me what then is priority of our government, if not education?

To safeguard the future of this nation, we must demand that our representatives in government live up their responsibilities. We may need to remind our government (in the three tiers) that the provision of education to its citizens remains their primary responsibility and that they cannot shirk this responsibility. A cursory look at the situation reveals that the neglect of public school system at the foundation stage is at the root of the low quality education obtainable in this country. I make bold to say without any fear of contradiction that the few young Nigerians who have been recording brilliant results and achieving success in their various fields of endeavours are mostly products of private primary and secondary schools. But in a country where a greater number of the populace are poor how many parents can afford to send their children to these expensive private schools.

Beyond the public relations’ packages in the media for some states governments, (on how much they have improved education in their states), a close look at the real situation on ground reveals otherwise. Except for a very few states in the country, the condition of public schools is pathetic – lack of conducive learning environment, lack of learning materials and aids, dilapidated structures and classrooms. *Mrs. Odueme, a public affair analyst, wrote from Lagos.

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012—49

They can also report to the judge that Ismail had been acting abnormally. It is the duty of the judge to order the Police to refer Ismail to a certified mental hospital and report findings back to him.

That way, the Police will be sure to bring the case back to court for the judge to decide whether to send Ismail to prison or medical attention or both.

The danger in the step police want to take (sending him to a mental hospital without court orders) is that if indeed Ismail is an agent provocateur in the payroll of a “prominent Nigerian” a top official of the Police (or cohort of the terrorist network) can easily be compromised and thrown off the investigation.

Ismail will be allowed to go free, having successfully conducted a testrun of evil acts to come. Even if the

S

Ismail a suicide bomber?

I

n the first place, why should both the Police and journalists conclude that Olasunkanmi Ismail was a suspected “suicide” bomber?

Assuming that he actually came to plant a bomb, does that make him a “suicide” bomber? Methinks, surely not. A person can plant a bomb and detonate it from a safe distance. He intends to kill others but he does not want to die. He is not a suicide bomber, even if the bomb accidentally explodes on him and he dies. A suicide bomber wants to die taking as many of his perceived enemies with him as possible. He would not wait to be caught and lynched by a mob. He would simply detonate the device, killing himself and the prospective mob. Since Ismail did nothing of the

Disambiguating the “Lagos church bomber” sort, he could not have been a suicide bomber. It was a grave misnomer for him to be dubbed as such by journalists and the Police. It was even a graver disservice to society that no editor was able to apprehend this malapropism before it made its way to the public arena.

I must commend Rev Ogunsiji for being a good Christian and citizen by preventing the lynching of Ismail, opting to invite the Police. If Ismail had been lynched the story would be inconclusive, and the uncertainty as to whether the terrorist bombers have arrived in Lagos would be heightened.

Though he is keeping sealed lips and acting mad, a living Ismail will eventually be able to lead the Police to the “prominent Nigerian” who

A blast outside St.Theresa's church near the FCT, Abuja recently.

,

ECURITY (including general police work) and journalism belong to professions closely associated with dogs. In the first year of mass communication at the university you are taught that a good newsman must have “nose for the news”. Top dogs such as hyenas and wolves can smell carcasses from a mile off.

The journalist and the police officer are trained to see themselves as “watchdogs” of society. As if to press the matter directly home, policemen and dogs are often trained to work together towards apprehension of criminals. As “dogs”, journalists and policemen are expected to have the additional capacity to be very suspicious of any information and assert the tenacity to pursue leads and clues until they can exhaustively rule out foul play, particularly when it comes to reporting or dealing with crime or alleged crime, especially these days of violent crimes.

Last week, the newspapers were awash with stories of a man (“suicide bomber ” as some newspapers put it!) caught while attempting to plant a suspected explosive device in the premises of a Methodist Church in an Ikorodu suburb. Following an alarm that was raised, a 26 year-old man whose name was given as Olasunkanmi Ismail was apprehended by an irate mob.

Caught in the man’s possession was a bottle with an inscription: “press in case of emergency”, which was suspected to be an explosive. He was reported to have “confessed” to having been sent by “a prominent Nigerian” to bomb the church.

As irate mobs usually do, Ismail would have been lynched but for the timely intervention of the Church’s Presbyter (Vicar), Rev Matthew Ogunsiji, who instead opted to hand him over to the Police. According to the story, when the Police Bomb Squad examined the object it was found to be harmless. After detaining the suspect for a night, the Police was reported to have decided to refer him to a mental hospital because he spoke incoherently and generally behaved like a mentally-ill person. The Police, having found the object to be “no substance of threat” dismissed the incident as a hoax and as usual, asked members of the public to go about their normal duties. Newsmen reported that members of the man’s family “confirmed” that Ismail had been a mental case for quite some time.

Now, let us process (disambiguate) this information and see if the Police and reporters, as “ watchdogs of society” handled it the way they should have done. Later we will discuss why this story which is already being dismissed as a harmless incident must be taken with the seriousness befitting of an early warning signal.

If terrorists begin to hit Lagos they will be hitting people, not impersonal government targets. And people could react by isolating the Boko Haram “types” for reprisal. The country will never be the same if and when terrorist’s bombs come down to Lagos

reportedly sent him.

Now comes the issue of whether Ismail was “mad” or not. That he was acting erratically and talking incoherently, or that his family members confirmed him to be mentally unsound does not portray any conclusive picture of Ismail’s sanity status. We all watch Nollywood movies everyday and see how easy it is for anyone to play mad and do so convincingly. One of the greatest acts of madness ever seen (by me) in Nollywood was played by no other than ace singer, Onyeka Onwenu! The easiest alibi that comes to anyone caught committing high crimes is mental illness.

Wrong step in the right direction

,

T

he Police reported they would send Ismail to a mental hospital to ascertain the real state of his sanity.

That is the wrong step in the right direction. Surely, a certified mental institution, such as the Psychiatric Hospital in Yaba, can unravel the mystery of Ismail’s sanity. They have the equipment and the qualified scientists to ascertain that. The right procedure was for the Police to immediately charge Ismail to court for creating a bomb scare and threatening public peace (and any other charges).

Re: Abuja, corruption is your name N

IGERIAN thieves - when they loot the money, they keep it in SWITZERLAND. When sick, they go to GERMANY. When investing, they go to AMERICA. When buying mansions, they visit LONDON. When shopping they go to DUBAI. When on holidays, they visit PARIS or the BAHAMAS. When educating their children, they select EUROPE. When praying, they go to SAUDI ARABIA or JERUSALEM. BUT, when they DIE, they all want to be BURIED in NIGERIA. FUNNY HOW THEY TURN OUR GREAT NIGERIA INTO CEMETERY!?

By: Sherman Source: People and Politics, Vanguard Online; Monday, April 23rd 2012

Join our online conversation today. Publish yourself! OPENING SOON: Our People and Politics BLOG! Everything you ever read right here!

Police are serious about following the case to logical conclusion after Ismail’s mental examination, they would still take him to court. And a thorough judge would still order a medical examination conducted under court orders before sending Ismail to jail, mental home or both.

It is important for us to know if (and when) Boko Haram terrorists start targeting Lagos. It is foolish for us, through the naïve and unprofessional conduct of journalists and Policemen, to start insinuating they have arrived when they have not, or that they have not arrived when they have. If they could hit Abuja, they can hit Lagos, perhaps even more tellingly. However, Abuja and Lagos are not the same in character.

Abuja is an artificial city, with mere “mammy” markets and supermarkets, not big markets or industries or productive private businesses. It only has lots of portfolio businesses chasing after government contracts. It is full of government establishments, which Boko Haram likes to target.

On the other hand, Lagos is full of private businesses, industries and markets of international status but rapidly diminishing (federal) governmental presence. If terrorists begin to hit Lagos they will be hitting people, not impersonal government targets. And people could react by isolating the Boko Haram “types” for reprisal. The country will never be the same if and when terrorist’s bombs come down to Lagos.

It is important that we do not leave this matter with the Police. Let the State Security Services move in, working with the Army Joint Task Force (JTF). They will be able to get Ismail to tell the truth about his misadventure in Ikorodu. We can then plug this incident into the national terror tapestry and see if it fits in.

The Ismail saga is of intense security interest and must be comprehensively and decisively interrogated at the highest possible level.

50 — Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012 — 51

52 — Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012 — 53

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54 — Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

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Regional integration my foot — Bode George •How we are dressing up our rascals in PDP •Says PDP BoT chair is not zoned ERSTWHILE Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olabode Ibiyinka George has seen the best and worst of times in his political odyssey -from the pinnacle of political mastership to the loneliness of confinement. In all, Bode George as he is well known is unchanged in his passions, pursuits and politics as he recently demonstrated in this encounter with Vanguard in his Ikoyi, Lagos office.

In the extensive interview he discusses, albeit with reluctance the wave of crises in the Lagos chapter of the PDP, the permutations on the chairmanship of the BoT of the PDP and dismisses with ignominy the plans for regional integration by the Southwest Governors of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN. Excerpts:

BY DAPO AKINREFON

Y

OU have been accused of allegedly installing the state executive of the PDP in Lagos State. How true is this?

You know some people talk a lot of trash, jobless people who have no commitment, who have no loyalty to this party. How could I single handedly install the whole executive of the party in Lagos state?

Is it a personal party?

How many of those members do I even know?

Even the ones in my local government, do I know them? I have passed that level of idiocy, where you put yourself on Monday movies. I think they are confused because you see, in politics, like my grand mother and my grand father will say, politics is about people. So, if you think you are a leader, it means people are with you.

If you say you are a leader when there are no followers, then who are you leading? There are 245 wards in Lagos State, what is my ambition?

Am I contesting for something that I have to be campaigning there?

First among equals This leadership thing, when we started the fight, Chief Dapo Sarumi was the first among equals, but he left the party, and so naturally I was there. Way back in 1999, 1998, I became vice chairman of the party in year 2000. In fact, 1999 December. Where were these people? We were there trying to bring people in, woo them to come and join the party.

Leadership is not something you just pluck from the tree; why say that Chief Bode George is a leader because he controls this and controls that; he is seen as first among the

rest and that’s all.

If you examine those people, I don’t want to start mentioning their names, because you now make them important, a person who cannot be accepted of his own worth and then comes to the centre and says they are this and they are that.

By the grace of God Almighty and the power of the people, I went on as the vice chairman for four years, served as deputy national chairman of the party in the south; then became deputy national chairman for the whole country.

So we have been all over, I ran national conventions more than four times, became the Director-General of the campaign that brought Yar’Adua into office.

I am talking about those people who have not even left their villages and are talking about installing someone. There is fairness in the party, I believe so much in them, justice and fairness are the key words, and once you have the

basics, that’s the foundation of building the party structure.

I think they must be making me bigger than I am, but they are a bunch of laughing stock.

The people who are committed to the party, are committed, those who are loyal to the party are loyal.

But you have these jokers here, they don’t think about that, they want to be this, they want to be that; they want to be chairman.

Why waste energy on unnecessary issues, when my major concern is on how to reclaim the Southwest from the ACN. But we gathered that the Vice chairman of the party in South West, Engineer Segun Oni, was in Lagos to settle disputes between you and...

(Cuts in) What are we fighting about? Am I the chairman of the party? Because of the position I have held, I remain a member of the National Caucus, I remain a member of the Board of Trustees of the PDP for life, and I remain a member of the National Executive for life, as long as I remain in PDP. Because I am alive, I am a member of those bodies. So who is fighting who? What are we fighting for? We brought them to join the PDP, I accepted them; they came with their roughness, and we are trying to shape them into the real culture of the PDP. You know, some of these people are so formed in their own dirty ways, which is not acceptable in the party.

The laws of the party are there. So Segun Oni didn’t come to say who is fighting who? Like I told you, the fight should be against the opposition.

Segun Oni also came over to see what was on ground, and he was assertive that this kind of behaviour, which has been exhibited by these clowns, is not acceptable by the culture of the party, and this is what we’ve

Continues on page 56

56—Vanguard, MONDAY,

APRIL 30, 2012

PDP BoT chair is not zoned —George been singing all along. But you know, somebody was there encouraging them, and that is why they have lasted this long.

I didn’t make the constitution of the party, they have flaunted every page of that constitution.

If you have an organization without laws, but if you have laws and they don’t obey the laws, and you don’t discipline, that’s what you will find, we are all getting ready to fight the enemy, but I tell you, there are two different categories of these jokers.

You have some who are traitors; they fly by night and pretend to be with you in the day time, they are not members of this party they pretend. All their tentacles, all their kith and kin are in the other parties; one whose son is a Personal Assistant to Governor Fashola, and he is pretending that he is in the party, he wants to be chairman of the party, isn’t that a joke?

God Almighty will descend on these characters, because of the sweat and the blood of those people who are committed and loyal to this party. God will show them up and deal ruthlessly with them, that’s my prayer.

Now that is the category of pretenders. Now the other category are some who rushed, all they want is national government, even to go to their wards and mange the people in their wards, they can’t do, they are acting big men, they carry Agbada around, on the day of election they are sleeping. These are not politicians, but they are politricians.

Intelligence and brain Everybody is expected to go to their wards, practice what you know there, support the people with what God has given you; if you have money, help the party, if you have the intelligence and brain, help the party; if you have the physical strength, help the party, it doesn’t have to be money alone. So, these are the two categories of jokers.

So for me, for Southwest, we need a complete x-ray of what happened to us. Where were we in 1998, 1999 up to 2003? What did we do to win the hearts and mind of the Yoruba people, and they willingly voted for us; what did we do till 2007 and this last election. There is no action without a reaction, something happened, we are all intelligent people, educated, we are not going to be like idiots who will not know how to conceptualize.

Yoruba politics is very sophisticated, definitely, something went wrong, what went wrong? Let’s find out, we have the grace of one year for us to seriously examine ourselves, honestly, truthfully call a spade

of our own democratic practices and that is why democracy has been sustained without a break since 1999 because every zone will have a representation at the top level.

These are my own personal views about it. It is a club of elders that have achieved so much in their life time. I have been lucky having been deputy vice chairman, I am a member for the rest of my life, as long as I remain a member of PDP. *Olabode George..we need a complete xray of what happened in South west How does the party intend to reconcile Somebody tried to start re- aggrieved members in the a spade and tell ourselves some home truth. I told Oni, if he is writing the constitution and region? ready, we are ready. Let us take giving them more power; thank We have suggested that there it stage by stage. Do an analysis, God that has been expunged, are members of the BoT in each were we sleeping on watch? Why there is only one president and state, he can call them to assist did the people not vote for us? leader. in resolving all those problems.

The office of chairman and When I look right across the Was it a combination of rigging, or a combination of judicial secretary of the BOT, are not South West, what I see is rascality?

Now adding and subtracting when you are not INEC. They where adding and subtracting to give judgment! Why do we go to the polls then? It is for INEC to add and subtract, not the Court of Appeal. So if we look at what went wrong. Was it the attitude of the man who was the representative of the Yorubas?

What happened?

The resignation of former zoned, they are not part of ambitious people struggling, they President Olusegun Obasanjo zoning scheme at all. In fact, want to become governor. as chairman Board of Trustees because it is a special club of Let’s stabilize the platform on of the PDP took the party by elders who are experienced, you which you want to be launched surprise especially the South have rotational members, and before you start jumping, I want west. Will the region still retain you have people who are to be this I want to be that. Join the seat or will it be rezoned? permanent members. hands with us let’s build the The BoT is the club of the Then you have those who have platform, and I think that is what elders; the club of people with been chairmen of the party, we are going to do. gray hair, people with deputy chairmen of the party What is your position on the experience, political juggernauts (National), National Chairmen, planned effort by governors of who are fair minded. vice national chairmen, then the South west to introduce There are two major functions National Secretary, Deputy regional integration for the of the Board of Trustees: the first National Chairmen and also development of the zone? major function is that they hold those who have been Senate Maybe they don’t understand in trust all the assets of the party presidents, and Speakers of the the definition of integration. You for legal purposes.

House of Representatives. These know they are not at par in terms The second function is that: they are all permanent members for of development, education, are mediators in terms of crisis. life as long as they remain in infrastructure, human Because of their wealth of PDP. I told you it is not zoned; development, agriculture, they experience, they are elders of the when we meet, we conduct are at different levels. What do party and that is why you cannot election to elect who the you want to integrate? You easily be a member until you are 50 chairman will be, and I said thank integrate people of like minds years old. The older you are, the God this particular portion that and equal level, otherwise what more acceptable. Another major they said only former presidents they would have is what they call function is for them to moderate can be has been expunged. osmosis. between the legislative and the There is no restriction. On Those with higher level of executive arms. getting there, the club of elders development will be brought They are supposed to intervene look at you and see if you can down to come and join all the and bring moderation so that lead they will vote. They will also loafers, and then everybody will things do not run out of control; elect the secretary, but because collapse. Let every state have a outside that, there are no other of the nature of this country, measure of standard under jobs for the BoT. zoning issues have become part which you can develop at your

,

Continues from page 55

These jokers who are talking about regional integration want to pull away, I believe in this same entity called Nigeria and it will remain so

,

own pace.

I will take the measurement of Baba Awolowo. Baba Awo provided virtually everything, there was scholarship programme there was education, he was the best. So what happened was that we allowed these loafers, they have had this high sounding syllabus (regional integration), regional integration my foot. Do they even know what it is? Look at it, from Delta to Edo, back to Ondo, one man managed it and with good people he had as members of his cabinet too.

Are you saying that the planned regional integration is a hoax?

These jokers who are talking about regional integration want to pull away. I believe in this same entity called Nigeria and it will remain so. Of course, it was an artificial creation; the concept at that time is different from the concept now.

At that time, regional premiers were very powerful, they took care of your bill, they developed education, agriculture, infrastructure, everything, it was your premier. In 1966 when the military came, all that regional thing disappeared.

Change in concept Now, what should an educated man do? Once there is a change in concept, you must go back to your drawing board, and reconfigure yourself to meet issues at a time. Now that was what PDP provided in 2003 to the Western zone.

The race for 2015 has begun and the north has warned President Jonathan not to run for office. How would you respond to this?

I believe president Jonathan’s major concern now, is how he could reach the 10,000 mega watts of power utilization in Nigeria. How would these millions of youthful graduates get jobs so that you don’t have an idle hand as the devil’s workshop.

How would he improve on the infrastructure of this county?

How would he encourage investors to come back to Nigeria, how will there be political stability in this country.

I believe those are very vital issues burning in his mind. For me, you know he would have to show that, to say this is what I have done, all those promises during his campaign, that he said he would do, those are really serious issues.

I saw his statement where he said that the budget for next year will be done by June or July, because there is no time. I don’t want to join the bank for that kind of discussion. I believe that we will be tuned up, when all these things are done.

I believe those are the issues on his front burner. I was the director of Yar’ Adua’s campaign.

If anybody told us that he won’t last the first year, who would have believed it?

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012 — 57

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012 — 58

Vanguard, MOND AY, APRIL 30, 2012 — 59 MONDA

Akwa Ibom to host NOC’s AGM

T

Saudi accepts Bin Laden’s family as refugees

S

AUDI Arabia has allowed the three widows and children of slain al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden entrance into the kingdom on humanitarian grounds, a Saudi-owned daily reported.

Citing a senior Saudi official, the London-based Asharq al-Awsat said the kingdom “dealt with bin Laden’s wives on humanitarian grounds’’, adding that authorities were confident that they and the children “were not involved in’’ the operations of the extremist group.

The widows - two Saudis and a Yemeni - arrived on Friday with their 10 children, after being expelled from Pakistan, Mohammed Naji Allaw, head of the Yemeni nongovernmental group Hood said.

Saudi Arabia has kept totally silent on the issue

and so far has not officially confirmed their arrival.

Yemen’s ambassador to Islamabad, Abdo Abdulrahman, however told the newspaper “bin Laden’s family arrived in Saudi Arabia on Friday morning ... on a private plane provided by the bin Laden family’’.

Gadhafi gave $66.3m to Sarkozy’s 2007 campaign – Report

T

HE campaign of French presidential front-runner Francois Hollande called for a criminal investigation into President Nicolas Sarkozy after a media report Saturday accused the president of taking 50 million euros ($66.3 million) for his 2007 campaign from then-Libyan strongman Moammar Gadhafi.

Mediapart, a French online magazine,

UK aid worker found murdered in Pakistan

A

BRITISH aid work er has been found murdered almost four months after he was kidnapped in Pakistan, the Foreign Office has confirmed.

Khalil Rasjed Dale, 60, was managing an International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) health programme in the southwestern city of Quetta when he was seized by gunmen on January 5.

Police in Quetta said Mr Dale’s body was found on Sunday morning wrapped in white plastic and dumped in a roadside orchard on the outskirts of the city.

His name was written on the plastic with a black marker, and a note was found in his pocket.

Quetta police chief Ahsan Mahboob said the

note read: “This is the body of Khalil who we have slaughtered for not paying a ransom amount.”

Early reports said he had been beheaded but police later said Mr Dale’s throat had been slit.

A

claimed in its report to have a Gadhafi government document, detailing an agreement to fund the campaign. The alleged document, dated December 10, 2006, states that then-Libyan intelligence chief Moussa Koussa authorized secret payments to Sarkozy through an intermediary, Mediapart reports.

CNN was not immediately able to confirm the authenticity of the published document.

Sarkozy has dismissed the allegation as “grotesque.”

During a television interview aired by TF1 last month, Sarkozy addressed the accusation, which has surfaced periodically since at least last year: “If (Gadhafi) had funded (my campaign), frankly, I would not have been very grateful,” he said.

Sudan declares emergency on border with South

S

UDAN has report edly declared a state of emergency along its border with South Sudan after weeks of clashes.

The decree will apply in the border districts of the South Kordofan, White Nile and Sennar states, according to the state-run Suna news agency.

Meanwhile, South

Priest in gay porn probe leaves parish N Irish priest at the center of a gay porn controversy has asked to leave his parish and take sabbatical leave from the priesthood, he said Sunday.

Father Martin McVeigh has admitted he destroyed a memory stick containing “inappropriate imagery ” ahead of a church investigation into

He said Amal alSadaa, the Yemeni wife who fathered five of bin Laden’s children and is said to have been his favourite, left Pakistan on Yemeni travel documents and “could return to Yemen’’ after a brief visit with her husband’s extended family.

reports he accidentally showed pictures of naked men to parents of children preparing for their First Holy Communion.

The incident happened at the start of a PowerPoint presentation at a grade school in Pomeroy, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland in March, said the leader of the Catholic Church in Ireland, Cardinal Sean Brady.

Sudan has said it is willing to pull its police forces out of the disputed Abyei border region.

The current clashes began earlier this month when South Sudan occupied the Heglig oilfield area for 10 days.

The state of emergency “gives the right to the president and anyone with his mandate” to establish special courts, in consultation with the chief justice, according to Suna.

There were fresh skirmishes between the two countries’ forces on Sunday, reports the BBC’s Andrew Harding from the Sudan-South Sudan border.

South Sudanese forces fired at helicopter gunships, prompting Sudanese artillery to respond, our correspondent says.

HE Annual General Meeting of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC, has been scheduled to take place in the oil-rich Uyo in Akwa Ibom State from May 24 – 26.

The Executive Board of the NOC announced Uyo as the venue of the AGM after its meeting of of 26th April, 2012 at its headquarters at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

Sports-loving Governor of Akwa Ibom, Obong Godswill Akpabio will declare the meeting open with Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi as the Special Guest of Honour.

President of NOC, Engr Sani M. Ndanusa said that Akwa Ibom State was chosen be-

cause of its rich cultural heritage as well as the state’s Tourism signature which has singled it out as a Tourist destination in the country. During the AGM, the stakeholders will pay a courtesy visit on the Governor while Golfer will also take time to tee off at the lush green Golf resort.

During the meeting in Lagos, a six member Committee was set-up by the Executive Board headed by Alhaji Yusuf Dauda and Emma Nweri as Secretary to ensure that the AGM would be a success. Other members of the Committee include Patrick Ukah(Chairman Marketing Commission of NOC, Major General Minimah(President of Boxing), Chimdi

Nigeria Continues from BP occasions.

Two flags and colours dominated the atmosphere. They were those of USA and Jamaica.

Any other country that wanted to be noticed had to do that on the tracks.

Nigeria lined out their relay teams. But at the end of the day, they needed to do more to be noticed. They needed more to join the league of London Olympic gold chasers.

Tobi Ogumola, Godday James, Obinna Metu and Saul Weigopwa ran a very disappointing 3.009 in the 4x400m to place last in their race and 13 out of the 14 countries that ran the event here. Even some High school teams returned better times. In the 4x100 men, Nigeria

ran 39.98 to place 5th.

Peter Emelieze, Benjamin Adukwu, Obinna Metu and Ogho Egwero ran the relay. These times will not get them places in the London Olympics and their search and quest for qualification will continue in the races ahead.

But Innocent Egbunike, the Nigerian coach, must make changes if he hopes to qualify. The way his men ran the relays showed that they lacked the fire those running great times can boast of.

Nigeria’s female teams have a different story.

They have already qualified for the Olympics and what they need is to better their times and be in good shape for the Olympics.

Agnes Osazuwa,

•Governor Akpabio Ejiogu(President Weightlifting) and Tony Ubani.

Alhaji Yusuf who is also the President of Handball Federation assured that his Committee would ensure that the AGM would be a massive success.

Gloria Atuma, Damola Osayomi gave such hope with their 3rd placing in the 4x100m event.

They returned a time of 43.92 behind Jamaica’s 43.31 for the second place and USA’s 42.19 for the first position.

The 4x400m women team disappointed too.

But their past performances have put them in good stead for an Olympic outing otherwise what they did at the Penn Relays fell short of expectation. They were 5th with 3.031. Idara Otu, Ajoke Odumosu, Magret Etim and Bukola Abongoloko did not fair well.

“I think that these athletes will do better with time. I’m assuring you that things will change before the Olympics,” Gabriel Okon said in their Marriot Hotel moments after the races.

Ocean Boys attacked!

T

HE assistant coach and a defender of visiting soccer club Ocean Boys were taken to hospital in serious condition after being attacked in the dressing room ahead of a league game with local side Sharks, officials said. Two other team members were bruised and bloodied in the attack, they said. “”We were in the dressing room preparing to warm-up when their fans entered and attacked us,” Ocean Boys media officer Eddy Ohis said. Officials said assistant coach Timi Akosubo and defender Anthony Nwodo were in a serious condition. The Premier League game was called off. The attack was the latest incident in a growing spiral of violence in the professional game in Nigeria, which has included at-

tacks on referees by spectators and crowd invasions of pitches in which visiting players are targeted. There was widespread condemnation of Sunday’s incident but the Nigerian Premier League (NPL) said it was waiting for a report before commenting. Philip Obaji of

the ‘Football without Violence’ campaign said: “”Such a situation is unacceptable. This is an attack not only on innocent people but on the image of the NPL and we call for a full investigation and holding those responsible to account.”

US scholarship awaits youths in MTN football scheme

T

ALENTED Nigerian youths, gifted with soccer skills, stand the chance of winning scholarships to American Universities. The initiative to be driven under the MTN Football Scholar, will focus on football and academics. It seeks to actualize the positive aspirations of Nigerian youths for international sports and academics.

Amongst the criteria required to be enlisted for the program, candidates, who must be males of Nigerian citizenship, between the ages of 15-18 years, must be currently enrolled in either SS2, SS3, or in the alternative, must have graduated from secondary school by 2011

60 — Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012 — 61

62 — Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

J

OHN Muinjo is the Chairman of the Namibia Football Association. He was in Cairo last week for the FIFA Workshop for Elite Match Commissioners in Africa and that is where I met him.

Namibia you will recall, will be facing Nigeria in the world Cup elimination and John and his secretary Rukoro Barry wanted to know where the match will hold in June.

I said to him that I was not in a position to tell, that the Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Federation was on his way to Cairo and that he was better placed to inform him.

By the way, why was he interested in the venue?

Because according to him, there was ‘war’ going on in Nigeria and they were ready to offer Nigeria an alternative Venue. “ It will not be a bad thing to play both legs in Windhoek you know?” even CAF is aware that there is a problem in Nigeria and either we just play one leg, or we offer you another venue” He joked.

I educated Mr Muinjo. That there was no war in Nigeria, that as I was talking to him, three of Nigeria’s Clubs were involved in Continental competitions and they were using three different venues, so there was no cause for alarm as teams have come in and departed without any cause for concern.

He was still eager to see the Secretary General of the NFF, he was interested in the venue so that they know how to fly in etc.

Back home, I met news of the NFF contemplating whether to use Kaduna or Abuja, I heard about inspection visits to Ibadan and Calabar and also read how the Chairman of the security sub committee of the NFF Chief Effiong Johnson has categorically con-

Namibia offers stadium to Eagles cluded that the match will not hold in Kaduna.

Let this issue not be politicized to the detriment of the team. Caution, caution please.

Whatever venue we decide on, we should do so in a hurry, given the experience of the Kano venue that cost us a world Cup qualification. Whatever venue we decide on, we have to ensure that our team will not be visitors to same and should be given the benefit of constant practice on it.

One factor that bothers me is the decision to use natural grass. I am one of those who does not buy this idea of the Eagles playing better on natural grass.

Perhaps this held water when all our players were imported from the European leagues.

Now that we have decided to use a good dose of domestic players Coach Keshi should decide and quick too what percentage, because I am aware, ninety per cent of our domestic players play on artificial

turf…..Warri Wolves, Sunshine, Sharks, Rangers, Kano Plillars, Shooting, Kwara United, Gombe United……just name it If therefore, Coach Keshi ( Given his Rwanda experience ) is planning to use as many as fifty per cent of the domestic lads then he may well be on the path of making the venue more comfortable to his opponents.

In brief, I have been struggling to say that the politics of venue also plays an important part in the match.

In June, what is the weather like in Namibia, what venue in Nigeria will destabilize them while not hurting our boys? Where do they source their players, abroad? If so will artificial turf make them uncomfortable advantage our players?

What about crowd support? Government support?

So much to consider before that important decision is made, and soon too to enable our team move out of their Abuja camp to their new abode for “acclimatization”.

ALL HAIL KANO PILLARS Last week, a reader sent a text to draw my attention to the wonderful support Kano Pillars gets at home, and that I did not do them credit in my piece. I apologized and promised that this week, I will laud the supporters of Kano Pillars who have also stood behind their team and in their numbers too.

GOAL OF THE SEASON? Today I expect a Manchester United player to score a goal that will contest for a goal of the season award as they rout Manchester City on their way to OUR historic 20th l league title. Until then let me salute the third Suarez goal against Norwich. Simply out of this world.

See you next week

Torres hits hattrick as Blues crush QPR Ronaldo leads Real

F

ERNANDO Torres scored a brilliant hattrick to boost Chelsea’s hopes of a top-four finish and pile the misery on relegation-threatened QPR. Daniel Sturridge scored after 45 seconds before John Terry headed home and Torres struck twice as Chelsea swept into a 4-0 lead after 25 minutes.

Torres sealed his hattrick after the break, with Florent Malouda making it 6-0 before Djibril Cisse’s consolation.

It moves Chelsea up to fifth, with QPR above the drop zone on goal difference.

Playing with the sort of confidence and ability which persuaded Blues

owner Roman Abramovich to pay £50m for his services, Torres ripped the Rangers defence to pieces with his direct running and clinical finishing.

Clearly buoyed by his goal against Barcelona in the Champions League, he continually latched on to clever, probing through balls from Juan Mata, Salomon Kalou and Sturridge.

And if the Champions League victory over Barcelona was built on solid foundations, this demolition was more to do with sheer skill and class.

From the moment Sturridge cut inside and fired home from 25 yards, there was only going to be one winner.

to brink of La Liga title

C

BANG BANG BANG TORRES........Chelsea’s Fernando Torres (right) celebrates after scoring his third goal with John Terry during yesterday’s Premier League match against QPR at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea won 6-1. PHOTO: AFP

Martinez hails Moses, others W

CELEBRATIONS....Eagles forward, Victor Moses joins Wigan teammates to celebrate Franco di Santo’s goal against Newcastle on April 28. Wigan won 4-0, with Moses scoring two goals.

IGAN Athletic boss Roberto Martinez has hailed the style his side having been performing with in recent weeks despite being in the midst of a relegation battle.

The Latics picked up another valuable three points on Saturday as they hammered fourth-place Newcastle United 4-0 at the DW Stadium, with a fine performance from the Lancashire outfit.

Wigan have recorded victories over Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Newcastle, with

three points now separating themselves from the relegation zone.

He said: “It is very important. The manner in which you win games gives you a future way to

win games.The lads are just great. Moses is doing well. I was impressed with his performance.

“There is a lot of work during the season.

“What is developing in the season is a lot of hard work and good attitude and responsibility from the players.”

RISTIANO Ronaldo struck his 43rd league goal of the campaign to set Real Madrid on their way to a 3-0 home win over Sevilla on Sunday that put them within a whisker of a first La Liga title in four years.

It was a much-needed return to winning ways for Jose Mourinho’s side after the shock of Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final elimination by Bayern Munich.

Karim Benzema contributed a quickfire double early in the second half as Real moved on to 91 points with three games left, with Barca, whose three-year stranglehold on the Spanish title is almost certainly drawing to an end, 10 adrift on 81.

The holders were also dumped out of Europe in midweek, losing 3-2 on aggregate to Chelsea on Tuesday.

Juve move closer to Serie A glory

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IRKO Vucinic got two, opening and completing the scoring, while Marco Borriello and Arturo Vidal were also on target as Juve retained their threepoint lead over AC Milan at the top.

Second-bottom Novara are almost down, though, this defeat leaving them eight points from safety with three games left.

Juve were quick to establish their superiority with Borriello shooting

narrowly wide and Vidal also trying his luck before Vucinic opened the scoring in the 16th minute. The Montenegrin fired high into the roof of the net from inside the area following Andrea Pirlo’s free-kick.

Vanguard, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012 — 63

VANGUARD, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

Mancity’s one shot at glory R

O B E R T O MANCINI admits his Manchester City team have one chance at glory today.

The Italian has been saying for weeks the title race is “finished’ as

•Penn Relays

Olympics: Nigeria sends poor signals Premier League Chelsea 6 QPR 1 Tottenham 2 B/Burn 0 Everton 4 Fulham 0 Norwich 0 Liverpool 3 Stoke 1 Arsenal 1 Sunderland 2 Bolton 2 Swansea 4 Wolves 4 West Brom 0 Aston Villa 0 Wigan 4 Newcastle 0

Italian Serie A

Bologna 3 Genoa 2 Atalanta2 Fiorentina 0 Inter Milan2 Cesena 1 Lecce 1 Parma 2 Novara 0 Juventus 4 Siena1 AC Milan 4 Cagliari 0 Chievo 0 Palermo 1 Catania 1 Roma 2 Napoli 2

Blessing Okagbare (L), Damola Osayomi, Gloria Asumnu and Agnes Osazuwa

BY ONOCHIE ANIBEZE in USA

I

N the cold weather of University of Pennsylvania the atmosphere was electric.

The 49,000 crowd made it so.

Among them was the Prime Minister of Jamaica Portia Simpson.

TODAY'S

She was here to support Jamiaican teams and was cheered when her presence was acknowledged. It was standing ovation. The athletes also received their own inspiring ovation.

This is one of the homes of track and field, the Penn Relays. On Saturday, the fans had a

PUZZLES

lot to cheer. They enjoyed the races, cheered the athletes and cheered themselves too.

Yes, each time a cycle of Mexican waves ended the fans clapped for themselves, something that the soccer fans may have to adopt to add to the colour of atmospherics on great Continues on page 59 FRIDAY'S

ANSWERS

Spanish La Liga

R/Madrid 3 Sevilla 0 Zaragoza 2 Athletic Bilbao 0 Espanyol 0 S/Gijon 3 Getafe 1 Mallorca 3 Levante 3 Granada 1 Sociedad 3 Santander 0 Villarreal 1 Osasuna 1 Nigeria Premier League Kwara Utd 2 Wikki 1 3SC 2 Pillars 1 Dolphin 1 Enyimba 1 Lobi 1 Jigawa 0 Rangers 3 Gombe 0 R/Stars 2 Kad Utd. 2

there was no chance of c a t c h i n g Manchester United.

But he now says the Manchester derby at the Etihad will be an all or nothing clash for his Sky Blues.

A victory in the clash — which M a n c i n i compared to a Champions League final — will take City ahead of their neighbours on goal difference with just two matches to play.

He said: “We have one chance.

I think that it will be difficult because we play three difficult games and they play this, then two easy ones.

“It is like one final. It is like a Champions League final. You can lose because you don’t play against a small team.

“We were there for 28 games. It is not easy to be there for all of the championship. It is important to be in the first position at the end of the season.”

Alex Ferguson has described this as the biggest derby of his 25 years in charge and his opposite number can see what he means.

He said: “I agree with what Sir Alex says because I think after 50 years Manchester

United and Manchester City will play for a title so I agree with him.”

Mancini has moved to take the pressure off his team by saying they will not be favourites — even if they do end today’s night on top of the table.

The City boss added: “I think they have more chance than us because after we play the derby we take on Newcastle.

That will be a very tough game.

“They have had a fantastic season, have a fantastic manager and are going for the Champions League.

“Then we play QPR and they will probably be coming here needing to win.

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Record (4) 4 Sink (3) 6 Cry (4) 8 Posture’(6) 9 Clothes (6) 10 Rank (3) 12 Brush (5) 14 Series (5) 15 Spoon (5) 18 Strict (6) 20 Gorge (6) 24 Tend (5) .

26 Fresher (5) 28 Cost (5) 30 Fix (3) 32 Fruit (6) 33 Harmony (6) 34 Theme (4) 35 Sprite (3) 36 Require (4)

DOWN 2 Bury (5) 3 Comfort (7) 4 Prophet(4) 5 Shine (4)· 6.Observe (5) 7 Issue (7) 11 Bird (3) 12 Coach (3) 13 Spoil (3) 16 Lair. (3) 17 Stray (3) 19 Raise (7) 21 Serpent (3) 22 Translation (7) 23 Stretch (3) 25 Employ (3) 27 Precise (5) 29 Near (5) 30 Wan (4) 31 Chasm (4)

FRIDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 2, Seedy 7, Sited 8, Unfit 10, Widen 12, Can 13, Sheet 15, Recited 17, Near 19, Got 20, Debated 23, Over 25, Dupe 26, Delayed 30, Mat 31, Detest 34, Groomed 37,’Petty 38, Ear 39, Demon 40, Harsh 41, Sober 42, Order.

How to Play Sudoku

THE VIGILANTE

DOWN: l, Lithe 2, Sewer 3, Edited 4, Deer 5, Incited 6, Miner 9, Fat 11, Negated 13, Snoop 14, Eased 16, Cot 18, Rebated 21, Testy 24, Remorse 27, Lam 28, Depose 29, Dream 32, Tenor 33, Oar 36, Dear

e-mail: rowolove@yahoo.co.uk

Place a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two of the same number).

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (also nine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can appear twice in any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, division or multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

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