You lied, Okonjo-Iweala tells Oshiomhole

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62439

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

One month after, APC rates Buhari high ALLEGED $2.1bn WITHDRAWAL:

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You lied, Okonjo-Iweala tells Oshiomhole

By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief & Simon Ebegbulem

Show authorization letter on how money was spent, Oshiomhole retorts Oshiomhole and others failed before, they will fail again— Okonjo-Iweala 9 CBN extends BVN registration to Oct 31

JEGA BOWS OUT OF INEC

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B U J A — IMMEDIATE past Co-ordinating Minister for the Economy & Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, yesterday described as “false and malicious,” the allegation by Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, that she spent $2.1 billion from the Excess Crude Account, ECA, without authorization.

Speaking through her Media Adviser, Mr. Paul Nwabuikwu, in Abuja, the ex-minister said that there was no unauthorized

Continues on Page 5

Help! We need basic amenities, Anambra communities beg Obiano e id ns I e Se

Mr & Mrs

OUT: Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega (right) handing over to Alhaji Ahmed Wali during the handover ceremony at the commission’s Headquarters in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

COLUMNIST: Federalism APC and the death and religion in wish turned Nigeria •P.19 •P.17 prophesy C M Y K

INEC: Drama as Buhari overrules Jega 9 on handover

2 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015 — 3

C M Y K

4 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015—5

POCKET CARTOON

PRESENTATION—From left: Deputy Managing Director, Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) Mr Isa Inuwa; Group Managing Director, NNPC, Dr Joseph Dawha and Managing Director, LNG, Mr Babs Omotowa, presenting souvenir to President Muhammadu Buhari during a meeting with them at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday.

You lied, Okonjo-Iweala tells Oshiomhole Continues from Page 1 expenditure from the ECA under her watch in the Finance Ministry.

According to her, decisions on withdrawals from the ECA were discussed at monthly meetings of the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee, FAAC, attended by Finance Commissioners from the 36 states.

It will be recalled that after the National Economic Council meeting on Monday, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State told newsmen that “Dr Okonjo-Iweala reported

by November 2014 that we had $4.1bn. Today, the Accountant-General’s office reported that we

have $2.0bn which means the minister spent $2.1bn without authority of the NEC and that money was not distributed to states, it was not paid to the three tiers of government”. The ‘unauthorized’ spending, according to the economic council is among the anomalies discovered in the management of the nation’s economy between 2012 and May 2015.

Denying the allegation however, Dr OkonjoIweala said: “It is curious that in their desperation to use the esteemed National Economic Council for political and personal vendetta, the persons behind these allegations

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Picture the abundance you desire freely flowing directly to you. Refuse to do anything or have any thought that compromises your alignment with the source— Wayne Dyer

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LESSON from a course in miracle reveals that infinite patience produces immediate results.

To be infinitely patient means to have an absolute knowing within you that you are in vibrational harmony with the all-creating force that intended you here. You are in fact a co-creator of your life.

You know that the right people will show up on divinely ordained schedule. According to Wayne Dyer, attempting to rush the schedule based on your own timetable is akin to getting down on your knees and tugging at emerging tulips shoot, insisting that you need the flower now. Remember, it is a law of life that creation reveals its secrets by and by not according to your agenda.

Know this too, the immediate gain you’ll receive from your infinite patience is a deep sense of peace.

When you experience inner peace, it brings contentment and this means you’ll stop making incessant demands and you’ll start being on the lookout for the right person to connect the missing dots in your life.

acted as if the constitutionally-recognized FAAC, a potent expression of Nigeria’s fiscal federalism, does not exist.

“But Nigerians know that collective revenues, allocations and expenditures of the three tiers of government are the concern of the monthly FAAC meetings,” the minister said.

They failed before, they will fail again — Okonjo-Iweala She added that Governor Oshiomhole and some others like him, had made futile efforts at rubbishing her in the past and that the current effort would fail like the ones before it.

According to her, “it is clear that this is the latest chapter of a political witch-hunt by elements who are attempting to use the respected National Economic Council for ignoble purposes having failed abysmally in their previous attempts to tar the Okonjo-Iweala name.

“It will be recalled that one of such attempts took place in May when some of these governors, hiding under the auspices of the Nigerian Governors Forum, asked Okonjo-Iweala to explain $20 billion alleged to be missing from the same ECA. “The Finance Ministry subsequently issued a news release and published an advertorial in national newspapers on May 25, 2015, giving details of what the Federal Government and

states received from the ECA in the last four years. It also provided details of the use of the funds for payment of petrol subsidies for the Nigerian public and SURE-P allocations to the three tiers for development purposes.

“After the publication, the accusers lost their voice. But the latest allegations show that these persons are still in the business of throwing up wild, unsubstantiated figures to damage Okonjo-Iweala’s name.

For instance, within the last few months, Governor Oshiomhole and his fellow travellers have asked OkonjoIweala to account for “missing” $30 billion, $20 billion and now $2.1 billion. What they don’t seem to understand is that the strategy has lost all credibility because the falsehood is clear for all to see,” she said.

She wondered how some governors who fought the Federal Government's efforts to leave robust savings in the ECA and even took the Federal Government to court over the matter now turn around to make such unfounded allegations. She also acknowledged the efforts of governors who are working hard to overcome the current revenue challenges facing their states without resorting to character assassination and blame games.

The former minister also said she pioneered the practice of publishing monthly updates of all allocations to different tiers of government in order to empower Nigerians with information and knowledge of government revenues and expenditure.

“This enabled the Nigerian public to ask questions about the utilization of these resources. Of course many elected and appointed public officials were not happy with this development”, she

claimed.

Publishing government revenues and expenditure, Dr. OkonjoIweala, said, continued till the end of the Goodluck Jonathan administration as well as periodic updates on the Excess Crude Account, subsidy payments for verified claims by oil marketers for fuel imports and SURE-P payments to the three tiers of government.

She insisted that the idea that she spent $2.1 billion without authorization “is simply not credible given that details of government receipts and expenditure are public knowledge”.

Oshiomhole throws fresh challenge Following Dr OkonjoIweala’s denial, Governor Oshiomhole has therefore challenged her to publish letter of authority as to how six billion dollars of excess crude taxes from the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas and other funds were transferred to the consolidated Federal funds. Stating that all the information released to the public by the National Economic Council was obtained from the AccountantGeneral’s office, Governor Oshiomhole declared that his committee is inviting the former minister to tell

Nigerians how excess crude funds and other allocations were disbursed in the last four years.

He said : “She should publish the letter or instrument of authority as to how the excess crude fund and fund from other sources such as NIMASA and about $6bn paid as taxes from NLNG as well as the remittance for four years were paid but not transferred to the consolidated federal funds.

“The funds belong to the three tiers of government and she should produce monthly statements of accruals and the distributions.

Authorization of funds are not verbal matters, there must be approvals and that is what we are asking for.

“My committee will invite her and allow her ample opportunity to reply to each of the charges against her office and NNPC as coordinating minister.

She will also be required to justify billions of naira and dollars she granted as waivers, that should have flowed into the f e d e r a t i o n ’ s consolidated revenue fund.

“There is no hiding place now. Everyone must now answer his/her father’s name. Bold face will not suffice. She will be invited to exercise her right to fair hearing” .

APC crisis: Akande’s letter to form subject of discussion

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

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BUJA—THE controversial open letter recently written by the former interim national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Bisi Akande is to form the working paper for Friday ’s National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting of the party.

High level sources in the party said yesterday that Akande’s letter had

added ‘salt to injury,’ and worsened the crisis in the party. The former chairman had in his letter chronicled the processes that led to the birth of APC down to the current crisis, and eventually tagged it a northern conspiracy against the Yoruba in the Southwest.

Noting that the “ war” centered on who controls the party’s machinery in preparation for 2019 elections, Akande had warned that if urgent

steps were not taken to resolve the differences, it could lead to the party’s disintegration.

He also feared about the capacity of the leadership of the party to resolve the crisis due to the dimension it had assumed.

But speaking to Vanguard, a high level source in the party decried the bluntness of the former chairman, saying the statement was unbecoming of an elder statesman like Akande.

6—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

Police kill cult member, arrest others in Imo O

By Chidi Nkwopara

WERRI—THE alleged leader of a 15-member gang of the notorious Neo Black Movement, also known as Black Axe, said to be terrorizing Egbu in Owerri North local government area of Imo State, has been gunned down by the police.

According to a press statement signed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Andrew Enwerem, the gang leader, Chimaobi Iheme, popularly known as Saka, was killed last Sunday during a gun battle with the police, while two of his gang members were arrested.

“The operation was sequel to an information received that cult members, numbering about 15, were terrorizing Egbu community, near Egbu Girls’ Secondary School,” the PPRO said.

He said operatives of the command immediately swung into action but met a stiff opposition from the group, as they were armed.

“The cultists engaged the police operatives in an exchange of gun fire. Two of the cult members received gunshot wounds and were arrested. ‘’Others escaped, while their

leader gave up the ghost while receiving medical treatment,” the PPRO stated.

Mr. Enwerem gave the names of the two arrested cultists as 25-year-old Opara Chinwekene and 24-year-old Amarikwa Tochukwu Franklyn, both of Mpama, Egbu.

Vanguard gathered that the items recovered from the cultists included three locally made pistols, seven live cartridges, four expended cartridges, two cutlasses, one small axe, six cell phones, one tricycle and one motorcycle.

While appealing to parents and

guardians to closely monitor their children and wards, the PPRO also called on members of the public to promptly report any unusual event happening around them to the nearest police station for necessary action.

PROTEST: Victims of forced eviction whose buildings were allegedly demolished on Agip/ Eagle Island waterfront in Port Harcourt, during a protest at the National Human Rights Commission's office in Port Harcourt, yesterday. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke.

Controversy trails death of housewife after birth of twins L

By Esther Onyegbula

AGOS—CONTROVERSY is currently trailing the death of a housewife, Joy Bakare, 35, after she gave birth on Aya-Oye Street, Ejiigbo, a suburb of Lagos.

The housewife reportedly died mysteriously a few days after she was delivered of a set of twins.

It was alleged that after she got pregnant, her married lover, identified simply as Fatai, took her to the home of a single mother (names withheld) in Aya-Oye Street, Ejigbo, to cover up the shame.

Vanguard learned that Joy already had three children from her estranged husband who resides in Surulere area before she became pregnant for Fatai who resides at Abaranje in Ikotun area.

It was gathered that a few days after she was delivered of the babies in a hospital and was brought back to the woman’s flat, she was found dead after foaming from her mouth on a bed in one of

the rooms in the flat.

A neighbour, Iya Kubirat, who spoke to Vanguard, said: “I can’t say what was responsible for her death because the incident occurred a few days after she was delivered of the babies in a hospital and was brought back to the woman’s flat. She was found dead, foaming in her mouth on top of a bed in one of the rooms in the flat.

"When the woman who harboured her in the flat heard the babies crying, she went to

Joy’s room to find out what was happening only to discover that Joy was dead. She raised an alarm which attracted neighbours.

I was among the people who rushed to the flat. The cause of Joy ’s death could not be immediately ascertained as there was no report of autopsy from any doctor.”

However, trouble started after the woman who harboured Joy contacted her husband and family members and they rejected her corpse. She then contacted Fatai who later went to the place and

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AGOS—A teenager, Akinmuyiwa Apara, has been arraigned before an Oshodi Magistrate’s Court in Lagos for allegedly assaulting one Abbey Jonathan by stabbing him with a bottle on

By Onozure Dania

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A G O S — MAGISTRATE Modupe Opeagbe of an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court has sentenced two men to two years imprisonment without an option of fine, for pleading guilty to stealing of a phone worth N100,000.

The convicts, Fatai Lamidi, 25, and Mohammed Kareem, 22, were arraigned on June 26, 2015, on a two-count charge boardering on conspiracy and stealing preferred against them by the police.

Magistrate Opeagbe jailed them after finding them guilty of the crime, stating that they were to serve the sentence concurrently.

The prosecutor, Oje Uagbale, had told the court during the arraignment of the convicts that they committed the crime on June 22, 2015, at CMS Bridge on Lagos Island.

He said the duo and others still at large, stole a Samsung Galaxy Tab worth N100,000, belonging to one Daniel Okeke.

The prosecutor had also said the offence was punishable under sections 409 and 285 (1) of the criminal law of Lagos State 2011.

Before the sentence yesterday, the charge was read to the defendants again and the first convict pleaded guilty, while the second pleaded not guilty.

But the first convict insisted that they were both guilty of the offences against them as the second convict was part of them.

Mandators' Victor Essiet, one other arraigned over $86,376 fraud to the charges read to them offence is contrary to section Ikeja Magistrate’s Court for 312 (1)(a)(b) and punishable

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By Jane Echewodo

AGOS—THE police in Lagos have arraigned 50- year-old Raggae music star, Victor Essiet, of The Mandators fame, and one Patricia Enobong before an

allegedly obtaining $86,376 under false pretence.

They are facing a threecount charge of conspiracy, felony, stealing and obtaining money under false pretence.

But they pleaded not guilty

Teenager docked for stabbing man with bottle

By Bartholomew Madukwe

also refused to take responsibility for her burial.

It was gathered that Fatai explained that he did not marry her as his wife and as such, would not accept the corpse for burial, even though he was the father of the twins.

The deceased's corpse was later deposited at Isolo General Hospital mortuary after Joy’s elder sister arrived.

Meanwhile, the twin babies were handed over to Fatai who took them to his house at Ikotun.

2 men jailed for stealing phone

his head, with intent to steal.

The accused, whose address is unknown, was said to have stolen N2,500 and one smart phone valued at N28,000, property of Jonathan.

Apara was said to have committed the alleged

offence at Apakun under bridge on International Airport Road, Mafoluku Oshodi area of Lagos State.

He was arraigned by the police on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit felony to wit stealing, assault and stealing.

in the court.

Police prosecutor, Superintendent of Police Samson Ekikere, had told the court, presided over by Magistrate Aje Afunwa, that the defendants committed the alleged offences in October 2009 at Adeniran Ogunsanya, Surulere, Lagos.

He said the defendants obtained the said sum from one Etim Maurice through Standard Chartered Bank under the false pretence of buying and delivering five Mack 4 trucks made to carry his goods.

According to Ekikere, the

under section 312(3) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.

After their plea was taken, Magistrate Afunwa, however, granted them bail in the sum of N5 million with two sureties who must be blood relation, gainfully employed and have verifiable addresses.

She further ordered that the defendants should not travel outside Lagos without the approval of the court and asked one of the defendants to deposit his international passport with the court.

The Magistrate adjourned the matter till October 28, 2015, for trial.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015—7

Agent allegedly defrauds 25 accommodation seekers of N2.6m

By Daud Olatunji

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BEOKUTA—OGUN State Police Command, yesterday, arraigned a 33-yearold estate agent, Kehinde Fatunse, before an Abeokuta Chief Magistrate’s court for allegedly defrauding 25 accommodation seekers of N2.6 million.

The accused, who is facing a 44-count charge of fraud and theft, pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Inspector Sunday Eigbejiale, told the court that the accused committed the offences between March and May this year at Oke-Sokori, Abeokuta.

He said the accused obtained N2.6 million from 25 persons under the pretence of renting out a room and parlour, and a self-contain apartment to them.

Eigbejiale said: “The accused has been defrauding innocent accommodation seekers by

taking them to the same one room and parlour self-contain.

He has collected money from 25 people to rent them the same apartment.

“When a lot of report reached the Police about the accused, the bank into which the victims paid the money was contacted.

“Fatunse was apprehended through a tip-off by the bank, when he came to withdraw money from the account.”

The prosecutor argued that

the offence contravened Sections 390 (9) and 383 of the Criminal Laws of Ogun, 2006.

The defence counsel, Mr. Femi Meyile, applied for the bail of the accused on liberal terms and assured the court that he would not jump bail.

Chief Magistrate Anthony Araba granted the accused bail in the sum of N500,000 with three sureties in like sum.

He adjourned the case to August 3 for definite hearing.

7 women arrested in Ondo for prostitution, child trafficking

By Dayo Johnson

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KURE—SEVEN women have been arrested by Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Ondo State command, for alleged prostitution and child trafficking.

The suspects were arrested at a brothel on Car Street, Akure, the state capital.

The suspects were paraded by the command after they were arrested for trafficking a girl, Faith Ekepemephia, from her home town in Akwa Ibom to Akure, for prostitution.

According to the command’s Public Relations Officer, Kayode Balogun, officials of the agency got wind of the incident after complaints from some church members.

Balogun added that the suspects had been handed over to officials of National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, for further investigation.

‘How I was lured into prostitution’

Narrating her ordeal when the suspects were paraded, the victim, Faith Ekpemephia, said she was lured from her home town in Akwa Ibom to Akure under the guise of serving as a maid.

Faith said she later discovered she had been recruited to engage in prostitution in a hotel in Akure.

She said: “A girl from my village in Akwa Ibom, who resides in Akure, Ondo State, told me that one madam she currently works with needed the service of a house help.

“The girl said I would be helping the madam do house chores and will be paid monthly.”

Faith said when she arrived Akure penultimate Tuesday, she was lodged in a brothel and was introduced into prostitution.

She said: “I arrived Akure last Tuesday for the house help job only to be lodged in a hotel. It was later that I discovered that I have been lured into

threatened me.”

Faith said she had to run away from the hotel as she was tired of the situation.

She said: “The woman always

collected the service money from me any time I meet with a man. I have made up to N6,000 and slept with more than three men since my arrival.”

Wife of former Bayelsa Speaker kidnapped

By Samuel Oyadongha

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E N A G O A — UNIDENTIFIED gunmen have kidnapped Madam Martha Binabo, wife of former Speaker of Bayelsa State House of Assembly and former Acting Governor, Rt. Hon. Nestor Binabo.

The incident, the latest in the series of high profile kidnappings in the riverine area, occurred at Agbura on the outskirts of Yenagoa, the state capital.

The victim, aged 48, was abducted Monday in front of the company where she is a director, at about 11.30a.m. by five armed men clad in military fatigues.

The gunmen were said to have

lured their victim outside the company’s gate for a talk only to force her into a waiting car, which drove towards Otuokpoti sand dump.

The getaway car was later abandoned and set ablaze at Otuokpoti sand dump water front by the gunmen, who escaped into the creeks with their victim in a waiting speedboat.

Confirming the incident, Bayelsa Police Public Relations Officer, Asinim Butswat, said: “On June 29, at about 11:30a.m., five unknown gunmen dressed in military camouflage, went to the premises of Seleyibo MultiGlobal Co Ltd., at Agbura, in Yenagoa Local Government Area.

By Tom Moses

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YO—NO fewer than 20 residential houses have been submerged and over 1,000 people rendered homeless by a three-day downpour at Afaha IkotEyo Edo in Esit Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom.

The Village Head of Afaha Ikot Eyo Edo, Chief Samuel Ikene, said: “The downpour started on Sunday. Some people have packed their property to the neighbouring village for shelter. We do not have a place to sleep and even clothes to wear.”

Aside from the 20 residential buildings that were submerged, he said over 1,000 people had been rendered homeless in the aftermath of the rains.

The monarch lamented that the flood, which he blamed on lack of good drainage system in the area, also destroyed farmlands.

Soldier dismissed over robbery allegation

PARADED: The suspects paraded in Akure, yesterday. prostitution.

“I cried and told them that I want to go back to my village as this was not the type of work she told me about, but she

Flood renders 1,000 homeless in Akwa Ibom

“They called the director of the company, one Madam Martha Nestor Binabor, aged 48, outside the company’s gate for a talk.

“They forced her into an ashcoloured Toyota Camr y, registration number unknown, chassis number JTDBE32K620105302, and drove to Otuokpoti Sand Dump in Ogbia Local Government Area.

“They set the Toyota Camry ablaze, took the victim into a waiting speedboat and sped off to an unknown destination.”

According to Bustwat, the Marine Police, JTF, antikidnapping unit have been alerted and a massive manhunt launched to rescue the victim and arrest the abductors.

By Evelyn Usman

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ANCE Corporal Itugbu Augustine Omorodion of 14 Brigade, Ohafia, Abia State, who was arrested over a case of robbery two weeks ago in Aba area of the state, has been dismissed from Nigerian Army.

His dismissal was announced after a court martial at the 14 Brigade, Monday.

Omorodion was arrested by police in Aba, for allegedly robbing a 21year-old boy.

He was alleged to have attacked one Ebuka with a dagger and robbed him of N250,000 meant to be deposited for his boss in one of the banks along Faulks Road, Aba. The boy raised alarm, which attracted passers-by, who alerted men of the Police Mobile Force on patrol in the area.

When he was handed over to Army authorities in Abia, it was discovered that he had no business being in Aba at the time he was alleged to have committed the crime.

8—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

One month in office: APC rates Buhari high Lists achievements Urges Nigerians to await more unfolding events

By Ikenna Asomba

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AGOS — THE All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday x-rayed President Muhammadu Buhari’s one month in office and concluded that he had hit the ground running with what he achieved.

National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who spoke at a parley with newsmen in Lagos argued that contrary to what was being peddled in some quarters, there had been motion and movement in President Buhari’s first month in office and urged Nigerians to prepare for events that would unfold in the days ahead in the anti-corruption fight of the President Buhari administration.

Said he: “Nigerians should grab a front row seat so they can watch clearly as events unfold in the ring of anti-corruption fight in the days ahead. It will no longer be business as usual as the Buhari administration seeks to make sure that every kobo of national funds is spent for the benefit of Nigerians, not to fill the deep pockets of a few fat cats.

“The rot met by the Buhari administration is sickening, and the President is working hard to plug all loopholes for siphoning public funds, in addition to recovering looted public funds.”

Buhari's achievements

He said thanks to the painstaking efforts of President Buhari, Nigerians now know that out of N8.1 trillion generated by the NNPC in three years, N3.8 trillion was not remitted to the Federation Account.

"Nigerians now know that the cash in the Excess Crude Account has been depleted by $2 billion without explanation. A panel of four governors has been set up to investigate what happened to the money that was not remitted to the Federation Account,” Mohammed said.

He said it was noteworthy that some Western nations had also assured the Buhari administration of all possible assistance in its efforts to recover the billions of Naira spirited away from the public till by public officers in the past.

The APC spokesman said that this was just the beginning of the fight against corruption, urging Nigerians to await more unfolding events.

On insecurity and terrorism

He argued that President Buhari, in the last one month, had also hit the ground running in tackling insecurity and fighting terrorism.

He said: "The President travelled to Chad and Niger, and then hosted a summit of the Lake Chad

Basin Commission that comprised Cameroon, Chad and Niger, with Benin also invited.

"The result is the decision to deploy the Multi National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), with headquarters in N’Djamena, Chad, on July 30 to pep up the fight against Boko Haram.

"President Buhari has also rallied the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) to work with Nigeria in battling the Boko Haram insurgency.

"A joint summit of leaders of both economic blocs is to be held shortly to concretise these

efforts that will complement the one by Nigeria and its neighbours.

"President Buhari also travelled to Germany to meet with G7 leaders to present to them a wish list that included getting their support for the battle against Boko Haram. The leaders of the countries affected by the Boko Haram insurgency have compiled their requirements which are being forwarded to the G7 for appropriate action.

"While waiting for that, the US has announced a $5 million assistance for the fight against insurgency and the relocation by the Nigerian military of the command centre to Maiduguri.

These are no mean achievements."

Nigeria back tocomity of respected nations

Mohammed also said that the Buhari administration had availed itself creditably within one month of assuming office by bringing Nigeria back to the comity of respected nations.

He said that some leaders who once shunned Nigeria had been inviting President Buhari to visit their countries.

He said: "The latest is the US President Barack Obama, who will play host to our President at the White House on July 20.

There is no better indication of how much Nigeria is regaining its lost glory than the recent election of former Agriculture Minister, Mr Akinwumi

Adesina as the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB)."

Seeks a little more patience

Mohammed noted that in spite of the laudable achievements of the Buhari administration in the last one month, Nigerians were right to demand even a faster pace.

He said: "Nigerians are right and justified in their expectations.

All we ask for is a little more patience, a little more understanding and continuous support for the Buhari administration.

"We in the APC hereby assure our compatriots, who have expressed their concerns in recent times, that there is no cause for alarm. The Buhari administration is willing, determined and able to effect the change that Nigerians voted for, despite the initial challenges."

NERC blames DISCOs for poor implementation of metering scheme

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BUJA — THE Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, yesterday in Abuja, blamed some Distribution Companies (DISCOs) for poor implementation of the Credited Advance Payment for Metering Implementation, CAPMI. CAPMI provides a platform for willing customers to pay the cost of the meter into a dedicated account jointly managed by the DISCOs and meter Vendor/Installer.

Chairman of NERC, Dr Sam Amadi, who disclosed this at a news conference, said that the scheme had suffered in spite of the willingness of consumers to cue in.

He said: “The CAPMI scheme has suffered poor implementation in spite of customers’ willingness to make advance payment for meters. Although some customers paid for meters, some DISCOs did not provide meters as expected to those who paid."

He said other distribution companies failed to make adjustments in their billing software to make the mandatory refunds, six months after installation of CAPMI meters.

Amadi said that the commission was proposing to exempt unmetered customers from paying electricity bills due to alleged reluctance of distribution companies to fully carry out their metering plans.

He explained that the

VISIT: Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki (middle); French Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Denys Gaver (right) and Sen. Danjuma Goje during a courtesy visit by the French envoy to the Senate President in Abuja, yesterday. proposal followed a recent decision to cap the maximum charges that an electricity distribution company can levy on its unmetered customers.

Amadi said the decision was aimed at making the DISCOs engage in widespread metering of electricity consumers in their networks.

He, however, said that the proposal would be subjected to scrutiny by industry operators.

According to him, after a 16month grace, any DISCO who failed to exercise full metering plans would lose revenues from consumers.

“There are three-pronged

approaches to this; one is that there is a moratorium between now and the next four months for the capping of estimated revenue to start.

“After four months, you have an extra 12 months within which to meter all customers who are on your network.

“After the 12 months and four months which is 16 months, every unmetered customer will no longer pay electricity bills until he is metered.

“As at today, over 50 per cent of all the registered customers are either unmetered or have non-

functional meters,” Amadi said.

Amadi said that it was not aimed at hurting stakeholders in the sector, but to get every plddddddddddddddddddayer in the electricity industry to be active to his responsibilities.

He enjoined distribution companies to report customers who by-passed or cloned meters and tampered with electrical installations, to the Police.

“We call on the police authorities to step up prevention and prosecution of criminal activities in the electricity market,“he said.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015—9

INEC: Drama as Buhari overrules Jega on handover Appoints Mrs Zakari as acting chair Nigeria’s future is bright, says Jega

By Jude Opara

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BUJA — IT was the end of an era, yesterday, when the former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof.

Attahiru Jega, formally handed over to Amb. Ahmed Wali as acting chairman of the electoral body.

Following the handover, Jega said the future of the country and the commission were in safe hands.

However, after about eight hours as acting chairman, Wali was replaced as acting chairman

by President Muhammadu Buhari who designated another national commissioner, Mrs. Amina Bala Zakari as acting chairman.

Jega, who was appointed five years ago by former President Goodluck Jonathan, bowed out with six national commissioners who were appointed the same day with him.

The commissioners who retired with Jega yesterday were Col. M.K. Hammanga (Adamawa), Dr Ishmael Igbani (Rivers), Prof. Lai Olurode (Osun), Dame Gladys Nwafor (Abia), Mrs Thelma Iremiren (Delta) and Dr Nuru Yakubu (Yobe).

The future is bright —Jega

Speaking with newsmen shortly after he bowed out, Jega expressed appreciation for the opportunity given to him and other INEC management staff to serve the country.

He said: “We feel great; we thank God Almighty for the opportunity to serve the country.

The future is bright for the commission and the country.”

Though the brief hand-over ceremony was a closed-door event, secretary to the commission, Augusta Ogakwu, told Vanguard that it was just for the former chairman to hand over to another person since the Federal Government has not appointed a substantive chairman for the commission.

She explained that Wali was selected because his tenure will expire on August 11 with the hope that by then the government may have taken a decision on who to give the responsibility of running the commission for the next five years.

The secretary also revealed that in his farewell message, Jega urged the commission to ensure that whatever thing that has been gained in election management must not be allowed to go down because the people of Nigeria and indeed the world must have taken interest in the country’s election

management system.

She said: “It was just a brief ceremony for the chairman to hand over to one of the commissioners, Amb. Wali, whose tenure will expire on August 11 and the Chairman has handed over to him pending the appointment of a substantive chairman by the

government or pending when his tenure expires but we believe that we will soon hear from the government what will happen next."

Following the handover to Wali, the Head of Service of the federation, Mr Danladi Kifasi in a statement announced President Buhari’s decision to

appoint Mrs. Zakari as acting national chairman of the commission. He said the appointment is with effect from June 30, 2015 until the appointment of a substantive chairman.

Mrs Zakari is senior to Wali and she is due for retirement July 31.

Some customers at a bank for the verification exercise in Abuja, yesterday, before the extension of the deadline by the CBN. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

CBN extends BVN registration deadline to Oct 31

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By Babajide Komolafe

AGOS — THE Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN), yesterday extended the deadline for customers to enrol for the Bank Verification Number (BVN) by four months till October 31, 2015.

Director, Banking and Payments System Department, CBN, Mr. Dipo Fatokun, announced the extension in a circular to the public.

The circular stated: “You would recall that as part of its effort in the implementation of the Bank Verification Number (BVN) project, the Central Bank of Nigeria issued circulars stipulating milestones for the successful completion of the project. One of such milestones was that

by June 30, all Deposit Money Banks (DMB) customers should have the BVN. Any bank customer without the BVN attached to the account would be deemed to have inadequate requirement with respect to the Know Your Customer (KYC) guidelines.

"It has come to our notice that the BVN registration has elicited tremendous interest from the Nigerian banks’ customers who crowded the bank halls, in order to beat deadline. Furthermore, there is need to give Nigerian banks’ customers in diaspora, ample time to enrol on the

programme. The guideline for their enrolment is being finalised and will be released soon.

"In view of the foregoing, it has become imperative for the bank to extend the timeline for all bank customers to have the BVN. The deadline for enrolment is hereby extended from June 30, 2015 to October 31, 2015. This extension is expected to facilitate a smooth completion of the registration exercise.”

The BVN was introduced by the CBN and was launched February 14 last year. It is the registration of customers in the financial system using biometric technology. The objective of the BVN initiative is to protect bank customers, reduce fraud and further strengthen the Nigerian banking system.

In order to beat the June 30 initial deadline banks customers had trooped to their branches to enrol for the BVN. In LAGOS, when Vanguard visited some banks in Lagos, it was discovered that there were huge turnout of bank customers for the exercise.

At Coconut branch of Guaranty Trust Bank, for instance, many customers turned out for the exercise as indicated by the long queue at the branch.

One of the bank’s customers who had spent at least two hours on the queue, Friday Awhotu, said with the number of people yet to register, it was unlikely that all customers would be enrolled before the 30 June deadline, unless there is an extension.

At Ibafon branch of Access Bank which Vanguard also visited, there was however low turn out of customers for the exercise.

Meanwhile, at the Union Bank branch in the same area, there was another crowd of customers on a long queue waiting to be enrolled.

One of the customers on the queue, Mr. Idoko Napoleon, told Vanguard: “I hope this exercise does not end tomorrow, because most people might not be able to enrol. More so, what shall become the fate of those who have travelled out of the country?”

I n ABUJA, a chaotic situation was recorded in premises of most banks in Abuja, yesterday, as hundreds of customers besieged their banks in a bid to beat the deadline for the BVN enrolment.

Also, customers that have more than one bank account were also seen with pieces of white papers where the banks where they had registered wrote their unique BVN numbers to take to other banks to key in.

In most banking halls including Zenith, UBA, Diamond, GTB, FirstBank, Union Bank, Ecobank in the Area 3, 7 and 8, Garki, Wuse and Kubwa, bank workers had difficulty controlling the crowd created by the BVN enrolment, as most customers expressed fears that they might not be able to access their monies after the expiration of the deadline, yesterday.

My govt'll ensure protection of pipelines —Buhari

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

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BUJA — President Mohammadu Buhari has assured that his government would ensure adequate protection of oil and gas installations across the country to prevent vandalism, oil theft and piracy.

He said that the country has lost so much to the vices, stressing that the situation has tremendously affected the economic fortunes of the county.

He stated that his administration will undertake appropriate reforms and implement fresh policies to boost national income from oil and gas production.

Buhari gave the assurance at separate meetings he held with delegations from ExxonMobil and the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Company (NLNG) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to him, the removal of bureaucratic bottlenecks created by multiple government agencies that currently impede the operations of companies in the oil and gas sector would be one of the reforms to be undertaken by his administration.

“It is the responsibility of the Federal Government to secure the environment. The vandalism of oil installations and pipelines, piracy, oil theft and the fall in the international price of oil have made our economic situation very disturbing.

“This government will do all within its powers to secure the environment and encourage more investments in the oil sector,”Buhari said.

The president also promised to make Nigeria’s oil and gas industry more competitive in the globally global oil market.

Assuring the NLNG delegation of expanding the total production capacity of the company, the President regretted that political squabbles and interference in the past had prevented it from attaining its full potentials.

The NLNG delegation included the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr Joseph Dawha and the Managing Director of NLNG, Mr. Babs Omotowa while Exxon-Mobil delegation was led by its Managing Director, Mr Nolan O’Neal.

Earlier, Omotowa appealed to the President to help actualize Train 7 of the NLNG, saying it would create additional 18,000 construction jobs and an additional three billion dollars dividend to government when operational.

10 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

Airtel now 3rd largest operator world-wide

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HARTI Airtel (Airtel), a telecommunications service provider with operations in 20 countries across South Asia and Africa, yesterday said that it has become the third largest mobile operator in the world in terms of subscribers. As per the latest data published

by WCIS, Airtel with over 303 million mobile subscribers across its operations, has moved up one position in the global rankings.

Airtel began operations in November 1995 in New Delhi (India) and in less than two decades it has emerged as one of the top brands in the emerging markets with an unmatched scale and diversity of operations. The company pioneered the low-cost business model based on outsourcing that has allowed it to expand its services rapidly and give customers affordable access to mobile telephony.

Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman, Bharti Airtel, said; “This is a major landmark in the journey of Airtel and underlines the strength of our business model and our brand that is loved by customers across 20 countries.''

CCC has no lawful pastor, says BoT member

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AGOS—A member of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) Board of Trustee, Evangelist Samson Banjo, yesterday said that the church did not have a “lawful and duly accredited” pastor.

Banjo, who is also a member of the Pastor- inCouncil of the church, said this while briefing newsmen at its National Headquarters, Makoko, Yaba, Lagos.

He described as “fake, not genuine and an exercise in futility for any person or group of persons to recognise Evang. Tosho Oshoffa, as the pastor or leader of the church.

“Any assertion, representation, claims and pretention by any person or persons including the illadvised and baseless selfdeclaration of Oshoffa to leadership of the church is fake,” he stressed.

TINUBU VS AIT: Court adjourns 150bn libel suit till Sept

By Abdulwahab Abdulah & Bartholomew Madukwe

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AGOS—JUSTICE Iyabo Akinkugbe of an Ikeja High Court yesterday fixed September 30 for further direction on the court processes served by counsel in a N150 billion libel suit filed by former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, against African Independent Television (AIT).

Tinubu had instituted the suit against Daar Communications Plc, owners of AIT, for airing a documentary titled “Lion of Bourdilion”.

According to him, the documentary which aired on the television station was libellous and aimed at tarnishing his image.

During yesterday’s proceeding, counsel to AIT, Mr Jeffrey Kadiri, told the court that he had filed all the necessary pleadings in the matter.

Responding, Tinubu’s counsel, Mr Ademola Adesiyun, asked the court in a motion dated June 26 for extension of time in which to file a reply to AIT’s statement of defence and counterclaim.

In the counter-claim, AIT listed its Chairman emeritus, Chief Raymond Dokpesi and seven others as witnesses to

VISIT: Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State (right) receiving a plaque from the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Usman Jibrin (left) during his visit to the Chief of Naval Staff at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja on Monday testify against Tinubu.

Others listed to testify were Namure Edoimioya, Chief Medan Tenke, Ajibola Adewusi, Olumide Idowu, Chief Stanley Odidi, Engr.

Nwabueze and Dr Stanley Bassey.

The broadcast outfit also denied each and every allegation of facts as contained in the claimant’s amended statement of claim.

Meanwhile, Dokpesi, in his

statement on oath, averred that Tinubu’s claim was founded on a non-existent ground because the said documentary was not titled “The Lion of Bourdilon”, but “Unmasking the Real Tinubu”.

He also averred that the documentary, in his honest opinion, was not false and was not aired out of malice to the person of the claimant.

Dokpesi said AIT, as a member of the Fourth Estate of the Realm, was empowered by Section 22 of the Constitution to at all times, hold those in government accountable and responsible to the people of Nigeria.

He further averred that the content of the documentary were facts which had been in the public domain for over two decades.

Lagos collaborates with Navy on security

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AGOS—GOVERNOR Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State yesterday paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Usman Oyibe Jibrin, harping on the need for the Navy to assist the state in the fight against crime.

The governor, who spoke at Defence Headquarters, Abuja expressed his displeasure over the unfortunate and current spate of robberies in Lagos State within a week into his administration, which informed his urgent audience with the Chief of Naval Staff.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Habib Aruna, the Governor said Lagos being the foremost commercial hub of the country is strategic and cannot be a breeding ground for criminals.

Bandits struck at two different financial institutions within Ikorodu community last Wednesday and carted away an undisclosed amount of money before fleeing via the waterways.

According to the governor, his administration has resolved to evolve strategies that will frontally confront insecurity through collaborative efforts of the state government, the private sector and security agencies, lamenting the increase in armed robbery.

He praised the efforts of the Nigerian Navy in tackling crim-

inal activities in parts of the state.

In his response, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin, who was flanked by other senior officers of the Nigeria Navy, congratulated the Governor on his

election and inauguration.

The CNS said Lagos State being the major operational hub of the Nigerian Navy as a coastal state with vast maritime potentials cannot be allowed to be

a haven for criminals.

The Naval boss said there is the need for combined use of security forces on air, waters and on the ground for effective control of crime in the state.

N125BN FRAUD: Court fixes Oct for Atuche, Ojo case

By Innocent Anaba

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High Court sitting in Lagos.

The charge preferred against the Atuche and Ojo before the Federal High Court, allegedly contravene Section 14(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act and Section 516 of the Crim-

AGOS—A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, adjourned till October 28 and 29, 2015 for resumption in the trial of former Managing Director of Bank PHB now Keystone Bank Plc, Mr. Francis Atuche, and former Managing Director of the defunct Spring Bank Plc, Mr. Charles Ojo. The two former bank MDs are standing trial before Justice Saidu Saliu. They are being prosecuted By Abdulwahab Abdulah by the Economic and Financial & Bartholomew Madukwe Crimes Commission, EFCC, on an AGOS West Peoples Dem amended 45-count charge of alocratic Party, PDP, candidate leged N125 billion fraud, conspiracy, reckless granting and approv- in the March 28 senatorial elecal of loans and money laundering tion, Mr. Segun Adewale yesterbetween September 1, 2006 and day, closed his case, urging the tribunal to declare him winner.

2009.

Adewale, popularly known as But they had pleaded not guilty to all the 45 counts, and they are Aeroland testified before the three-man tribunal headed by Juscurrently on bail.

Atuche and some of his aides tice Sylvanus Orji.

He told the Lagos State Nationwere recently discharged on another alleged fraud levelled al Assembly Election Petition Triagainst them by the anti-graft bunal sitting in Ikeja that the elecagency, EFCC, by a Lagos State tion was rigged for the All Pro-

inal Code Act Cap 38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. While offence of reckless granting of loans contravene Section 7(1)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act and punishable under section 7(2)(b).

AEROLAND VS YAYI: Adewale urges court to declare him winner

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gressives Congress APC’s candidate, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, declared winner by INEC. He had in his petition prayed the tribunal to nullify the declaration of Senator Adeola popularly known as Yayi as winner of the March 28, 2015 election.

He brought nobody to support his claim.

Being cross examined by counsel to Adeola (Yayi), APC and INEC, Adewale insisted that he won the election, adding the result got from the agent coupon from his agents clearly showed that he won the election.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015 — 11

Osun pays Nov, Dec salary arrears Cuts political office holders' pay by half Osun civil society demands Justice Folahanmi's probe

By Gbenga Olarinoye

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SOGBO—OSUN State government has announced a fifty per cent cut in salaries and allowances of all political office holders in the state even as it commenced process of paying the salaries of civil servants in the state.

In a statement by Semiu Okan-

lawon Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Office of the Governor, the government said it is paying the balance of November and and full December salary arrears owed its workers.

The statement further read that the government, while saddened and troubled by the turn of events in the financial status of the state and the country at large, is taking

responsibility for the unfortunate problem and is prepared to meet the challenge head-on.

“Since the inception of this government, we have treated the resources under our control with the utmost respect and disbursed them diligently for the greater benefits of our people. Our mandate had always been to use our God-given wealth to bridge the

TRAINING: From left; Mrs. Bola Kazeem (OGBC) Mr. Wole Sokunbi, State Chairman NUJ, Mr. Sola Babalola, State Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA) and Alhaji Fatai Salami State Chairman, Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria, (HEREFON) at the HEREFON/NOA one-day media strategy engagement training on Health Sector Reform, held at Basic Trust Center, Oke Ilewo, Abeokuta, yesterday. Photo by Wunmi Akinola.

Killers of FUTA’s ex-VC won’t go free – MIMIKO

By Dayo Johnson

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KURE—WORRIED by the gruesome murder of the former Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Akure, FUTA, Prof. Albert

Ilemobade by his aides, Governor Olusegun Mimiko yesterday declared that the perpetrators will not go unpunished.

The governor spoke when he led the state delegation on a condolence visit to the family

Govs must be prudent to save Nigeria — AJIBOLA

By Daud Olatunji

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BEOKUTA—A former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Bola Ajibola (SAN), has advised that state governors and federal legislators to effect a drastic reduction in their spending to save Nigeria from capitulating under the stress of financial crisis.

The former World Court judge, who spoke with newsmen in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, shortly after this year’s Ramadan lecture organised by the Islamic Mission for Africa , also described as “cosmetic and window-dressing” the recent salary cut of some state governors

and reduction in the jumbo allowances of National Assembly members.

The lecture tagged “World peace: Islamic injunctions and the roles of Muslims” was attended by notable personalities, including the Secretary-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, Chief Imam of Egbaland, Sheikh Liadi Orunsolu, and Imam of Islamic Centre for Dawah and Research, Dr Ibrahim Mustapha.

Some state governors had announced a reduction in their salaries and the number of ministries in their respective states to save cost following the inability of several state governments to pay workers’ salaries.

of the deceased at his Ijapo residence in Akure.

Dr Mimiko, who was accompanied by member of the Ondo State Executive, Director of State Security Services, Christian Ojobor, representative of the State Commissioner of Police among others said the deceased lived a life worthy of celebration.

He described the deceased Professor of Veterinary Medicine as a man who devoted his life to the service of humanity.

Dr Mimiko however decried the manner of the exit of the late former vice chancellor.

He commended the efforts of the security agents in the state for getting to the root of the incident.

The governor, who later visited the generator house where the corpse of the deceased was kept by the culprits enjoined people to always look into the profile and details of whoever they want to engage as domestic workers.

The first son of the deceased, Prof Adesola Ilemobade, who responded on behalf of the family appreciated the governor and his team for the visit.

Adesola said his father was a great man who raised a heritage that will be religiously followed by the children.

gap between the downtrodden and the government.

“It is very unfortunate that we find ourselves unable to pay our workers their due wages for several months when, in the past, we stood for paying on or before the 25th of each month. We thank the ever understanding workers of our state for their patience as we go through this most trying time.

“However, we are glad to announce that we have commenced the process of paying for the balance of November and full December salary arrears for all our workers across the state and the process should be concluded by Friday, July 3rd, 2015. We are able to do this because our partners and creditors have faith in us and we have proven to be responsible and trustworthy.

“We must emphasise at this point: We are not out of the woods yet!

Our finances took a dive because we were hit by the shock of the sudden and massive drop in global oil prices while Nigeria also had a Federal Government that failed in its primary responsibility to secure our people and our commonwealth.

“Therefore, we hereby announce a 50 per cent cut to the salaries and allowances of all political office holders and appointees. This is one of the many steps we are taking to ensure the sustenance of our collective. We are also calling on our people to join us and do their part in carrying the weight of change.

“As we proceed on this journey of self-discovery, we hope to put more and more of our people to work by attracting productive investments to our state. The better part of our resources will go to funding capital projects that will create employment and unlock wealth. Osun State will rise from this situation and prosper like never before,” it added.

Osun civil society demands Justice Folahanmi’s probe

Meantime, a coalition of civil society groups in Osun state has petitioned the National Judicial Council NJC, demanding for investigation of Justice Oloyede Folahanmi over her demand for the impeachment of Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

Justice Folahanmi had sent a 36 pages petition to the Osun state House of Assembly, accusing Aregbesola of mismanagement of the state resources.

The Osun Civil Societies Coalition OCSC, in a four-page letter sent to the Secretary of the NJC, yesterday, said that Justice Folahanmi’s action was strange and unexpected of a judicial officer who knows the nitty-gritty of law.

Besides, the OCSC also called on the Osun State House of Assembly to thoroughly investigate all the allegations raised by Justice Folahanmi in her petition, just as he urged the house not to hesitate to impeach Aregbesola if truly he had committed impeachable offences as alleged.

APC, Fayose bicker over ‘legacy projects’

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OR the umpteenth time, the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ekiti State and Governor Ayodele Fayose are in a dingdong, following allegations that the governor had abandoned the legacy projects of his predecessor, Kayode Fayemi.

The Ekiti APC Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, said it was a disservice to Ekiti people for Governor Fayose to abandon the legacy projects of his predecessor, Kayode Fayemi, simply because he wants to rubbish his (Fayemi) administration.

According to Olatunbosun, among the legacy projects Fayose had abandoned were the Oba Adejugbe Hospital, Funmi Olayinka Civic Centre, Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort, Ekitiparapo Pavilion, adding that the governor has also diverted funds meant for the dualisation of Ikere to Ondo State boundary road contract to private pockets.

Reacting, the Ekiti State Government said Governor Fayose will not spend the State’s scarce resources on execution of white elephant projects, describing most of the unfinished projects of Fayemi’s administration as “wasteful spending of public fund.”

The Special Assistant to the governor on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, said it was shameful that the APC Spokesperson, Taiwo Olatunbosun could gleefully claim that the Fayemiled government commissioned an uncompleted Oba Adejugbe General Hospital, Ado-Ekiti.

According to Olatunbosun: “Oba Adejugbe Hospital was completed and commissioned by the Fayemi administration while contract for equipping the hospital was already awarded but Fayose on assumption of office cancelled the contract and has abandoned the hospital to be overgrown with weeds.

“It will be unfortunate and sheer waste of resources if Oba Adejugbe Hospital is left to rot away because of this thought by Fayose that the project belonged to Fayemi instead of Ekiti people that are to benefit high profile healthcare which the hospital and the adjoining chest clinic are to provide.”

12—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

Ogedegbe: Soldiers disrupt peaceful protest, seize 4 family members

By Emma Amaize & Godwin Oghre

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GHARA—SOLDIERS, yesterday, arrested four persons and disrupted a peaceful protest by the people of Oghara in Ethiope-West Local Government Area, Delta State, over alleged extra-judicial killing of the chairman of the town’s vigilante group, late Mr. Benson Ogedegbe.

The arrest of Mr. Lawrence Eyaufe, Mr. Ejiro Efetebor and others, all members of the Ogedegbe family, caused fresh panic in Oghara, because police reportedly approved the protest by the family in collaboration with a civil society group, Oghara Centre for Justice and Development, led by Rev David Ugolor.

It was a ding-dong battle between the soldiers and the villagers, as the military men, who carted away the handbills, banners and other printed materials for the protest, chased away the protesters from the Ethiope-West Local Government Area secretariat, where they converged for the take-off of the protest.

Mrs. Endurance Ogedegbe, widow of the slain Ogedegbe, her children and other family members, fled to Oghara Police station, when the rampaging soldiers stormed the protest venue.

When Vanguard visited the police station, it was crowded by protesters while heavily armed soldiers in several Hilux vans were seen patrolling the Oghara dual carriageway, to stop the protest.

A senior police officer who spoke on condition of anonymity, condemned the soldiers’ act, saying that it was illegal and unconstitutional because the Police had permitted the proposed

peaceful protest by the Ogedegbe family.

He said: “The state Police Commissioner is aware of the peaceful protest by the family of Ogedegbe and he has approved it. I do not know why the soldiers should stop them. Arrest and detention is entirely the function of the Police, not soldiers. Why should they beat up a person and stop him from crying?”

At press time, a bewildered

Mrs. Ogedegbe, told Vanguard: “They arrested Mr. Lawrence Eyaufe, Mr. Ejiro Efetobor and two others, whose names I cannot immediately remember. As you can see, the whole family is scattered now.”

Efforts to reach the Commanding Officer, 19 Battalion, Nigeria Army, Koko Barracks, Warri North council, incharge of Oghara, Lt. Col. Aminu Umar, were unsuccessful.

VISIT: Managing Director, Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals Company, Mr Manish Mundra (left), and Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, during the governor's investment promotion visit to the company yesterday.

Don't force Oyegun out of office, Benin Aborigines urge APC

By Gabriel Enogholase

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ENIN—FOLLOWING the leadership crisis rocking the National Assembly and the call by some governors of All Progressives Congress, APC, on the National Chairman of the party, Chief John OdigieOyegun, to resign his position over bribery allegation, Assembly of Benin Aborigines has called on the leadership of the party to resist any attempt to force Oyegun to resign, just a month after the inauguration of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government.

It also advised stakeholders of

C M Y K

the party to tread with caution on the plan to force the National Chairman to resign, insisting that the APC must learn from the mistakes of its predecessors in office as the management of victory was very crucial in running a good democratic government and sustaining it.

The Assembly of Benin Aborigines in a statement in Benin, Edo State, yesterday by its chairman, Prince Solomon Ebuwa, appealed to the entire membership of the APC to shun any tendency that would undermine public interest but to form a platform on which public confidence would be built.

“The change envisaged by the Nigerian people cannot be effectively realised and institutionalised if the ruling party does not conduct its affairs differently from the past,” it said.

Ebuwa commended Mr. Femi Gbajiabiamila for stepping down

his personal ambition and embracing national interest by supporting Mr. Yakubu Dogara’s election as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, adding that this singular action can be described as worthy of emulation.

NIMASA has no business training cadets —Shipowners Association

By Ifeyinwa Obi

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RESIDENT of Shipowners Association of Nigeria, SOAN, Mr Greg Ogbeifun, has said that Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, has no business training cadets.

He said that NIMASA should support shipowners, Maritime Academy, Oron, Maritime University and other international schools with affiliations, which can give credible support to the existing programme.

Speaking at the 2015 World

Seafarers Day organised by the Maritime Reporters Association, MARAN, in Lagos, he said: “The statutory role of NIMASA cannot be over emphasised. Being an agency that is saddled with the responsibility of maritime labour, it has to do more than it is doing at the moment.

“The National Seafarers Development Programme, NSDP, which has seen many young Nigerians beginning a career in seafaring is a commendable one, but fails to meet the yearning of the maritime sector for qualified seafarers due to defects in the programme."

Revoke BEDC’s licence, NGO urges FG

By Ochuko Akuopha

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LEH—MIFFED by what it described as the ineffectve services and outrageous estimated bills being imposed on electricity consumers by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC, a nong o v e r n m e n t a l organisation, Nigeria United Front, NUF, yesterday, urged the Federal Government to revoke the operational licence of the company.

Fielding questions from newsmen in Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area, Delta State, President of the NGO, Mr. Johnbull Okoro, said: “Even when there is no power supply, BEDC still brings electricity bills and forces customers to pay for services not rendered.

This has crippled business activities that solely rely on power.

“Instead of giving out prepaid meters free of charge to their customers, they are compelling customers to pay for the meters."

Madam Odekhian for burial

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A D A M Osenemhen Odekhian of Ugboha, Edo State, is dead, aged 85.

Service of songs holds tomorrow at her residence in Idegun Ugboha. Interment comes up July 3 at the same venue after a requiem mass at St. Dennis Catholic Church, Ugboha, followed by entertainment of guests on July 4, and thanksgiving service at St. Dennis Catholic Church, Ugboha, Edo State on July 5.

Late Madam Odekhian

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015—13

344 sacked lecturers of Rivers Poly beg for reinstatement

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT—THE 344 lecturers of Rivers State Polytechnic who were relieved of their employment recently have again appealed to the state governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike, to reconsider the action of the government, saying that their employment followed due process.

The sacked lecturers, in a statement in Port Harcourt, yesterday, said that their recruitment process started on September 9, 2013 with advertorial in the state owned newspaper.

They said that between February and December, 2014 interviews were conducted for them according to their departments.

The sacked lecturers said they had resumed at their various departments and participated in the last semester examinations before the issue of the sack came up.

“We, the recruited members of staff of Rivers State Polytechnic, Bori, hereby humbly appeal for your intervention over the unlawful, wrongful and illegal termination of our employment.

“Our employment and recruitment processes started on September 9, 2013, when Rivers

State Polytechnic, Bori, advertised for vacancies.

Subsequently, interviews were conducted for shortlisted applicants within the months of February and December 2014, based on schools and department schedules.

“Thereafter, selected candidates were issued with

appointment letters by the Polytechnic’s acting Registrar, A. O. Edeh; documentation and Biometric data captured with the Rivers State Head of Service, wherein we were issued with identification cards with Rivers State Staff numbers.

“Since then, we have all assumed duties at our various

departments, where we (lecturers) participated in the then on-going first semester examination in the school.

“With utmost humility and due respect, we wish to state clearly that our employment was not hurriedly carried out as its processes dated back to September 2013," they said.

SCREENING: From left: Chief Fidelis Tilijie, Chiedu Ebie, Mrs Mary Iyasere and Chief James Augoye, all Delta State commissioner nominees during the screening process at the state House of Assembly, in Asaba, yeterday. Photo Nath Onojake.

Rivers Assembly gives Wike approval to borrow another N20bn

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT— RIVERS State House of Assembly, yesterday, gave approval to the state governor, Mr Nyesom Wike, to borrow another N20 billion from Access Bank, thus bringing the total money so far borrowed by the state government to N30 billion.

The governor, in his letter to the House, said the loan would be repaid from internally generated revenue, adding that it would be used to complete roads started by the previous government in the state.

The 29 state lawmakers voted in support when the Speaker of the House, Ikwuinyi Ibani, raised the matter on the floor.

The Speaker said the governor took time to explain what the money was meant for, adding that it was the duty of the House to always know what every kobo would be used for.

Some of the lawmakers who spoke lauded the governor for his efforts so far to fix roads in the state.

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The House also conferred recognition on deposed Celestine Omehia as a former governor of the state.

Speaker Ibani recalled that Omehia proclaimed the 6th

Assembly when he was governor.

He explained that the House was not reversing the judgment of the Supreme Court which sacked Omehia as

governor of the state in 2007, saying that the House would only recognise him as governor for the period he served.

Delta tribunal to hear PDP's preliminary objections alongside APC, LP petitions

By Festus Ahon

A

SABA—DELTA STATE Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba, yesterday, ruled that all preliminary objections will be heard alongside the substantive petitions filed by the governorship candidates of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor and that of the Labour Party, LP, Chief Great Ogboru.

Emerhor and Ogboru are challenging the declaration of Dr Ifeanyi Okowa of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as winner of the governorship election in the state by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. Ruling on the arguments of counsel in respect of the preliminary objections, the threeman tribunal headed by Justice Nasir Gunmi, said that all

applications would be entertained alongside the substantive petitions.

Gunmi said: “It is better for all the issues to be looked into, including the issues raised in the objections. Any aggrieved party can take issues to the Court of Appeal. The tribunal has resolved that the various preliminary objections filed by the respondents appear to prevent the hearing of the petitions on merit, hence the preliminary objections should be collapsed into the main trial of the substantive suit.”

PDP, through its lead counsel, Dr. Alex Iziyon, SAN, in the preliminary objection is challenging the jurisdiction of the tribunal to hear the petition, praying the tribunal to conduct a pre-trial hearing to look into fundamental nature of the objection or dismiss the entire

petition because the petitioners had not followed due process.

But lead counsel to the APC, Chief Thomson Okpoko, SAN, argued that the purpose of every tribunal was only to do justice and that justice is done when the complainant is heard on merit, urging the tribunal to allow the preliminary objections to be taken with the substantive petitions.

A-Ibom Assembly constitutes house c'ttees

By Chioma Onuegbu

U

YO—SPEAKER of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Mr. Aniekan Uko, during, yesterday's plenary, announced the leadership of the 26 standing committees and their deputies of the Assembly.

According to the Speaker, the committee on InterGovernmental Policy and Special Matters has Gabriel Toby, representing Etim Ekpo/Ika state constituency as Chairman and Aniekan Bassey as deputy, while Committee on Women Affairs and Social Welfare has Mrs. Felicia Bassey, representing Okobo state constituency as Chairman and Mrs. Mfon Ekong as deputy.

Also the Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs has Idongesit Ntekpere as Chairman, Nse Ntuen of Essien Udim constituency as the deputy while Committee on Boundary and Conflict Resolution has Bassey Ekong as Chairman and Felicia Bassey as deputy.

Returning member representing Nsit Ubium state constituency, Onofiok Luke, was announced as Chairman of Committee on Education and Emmanuel Ekpenyong of Ini state constituency, as deputy, while the Speaker, Aniekan Uko of Ibesikpo Asutan, is Chairman Advisory Committee on Parliamentary Matters and Asuquo Archibong of Orueffiong/Oruko as deputy.

Others are David Lawrence, Chairman, Committee on Environment and Mark Eset from Nsit Atai state constituency as deputy while Committee on Health has Mfon Ekong as Chairman and Nse Ntuen as deputy.

14—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

Governorship: Kogi Central, West team up to fight Kogi East anyone from the area who takes up the offer of a running mate to a candidate from the Igala area.

Noting that the two districts EADING POLITICAL and contributed more than 70% of the industry players from Kogi income to the state and with a Central and West senatorial combined population of 55% of the districts have teamed up to state, they noted the irony that challenge the domination of the they were only getting less than Igala speaking Kogi East 20% of political appointments with senatorial district in the Kogi East alone getting 80%. forthcoming governorship Among the political gladiators election in the state. present at the meeting co-chaired The stakeholders including by former Minister of Health serving and former members of Professor Eyitayo Lambo, were HAND-OVER: From left, Registrar, National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, Mrs. the National Assembly, former Professor Yusuf Aliyu and Alhaji Josephine Akinyemi; Vice Chancellor, Professor Vincent Tenebe; Executive Director, Zenith ministers, among others, pledged Idris Tawari, Senators Dino Bank Plc, Mr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, and Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, NOUN, that the two districts would Melaye, Salihu Ohize, Rep. Professor Victor Adedipe, during the formal hand-over of the renovated section of NOUN present a single governorship Kabir Ajanah, Dr. Tom Adaba, candidate for the election. retired DIG of Police, among classrooms at McCarthy Street, Lagos Island.

They also vowed to disown others.

A communiqué on the meeting noted thus: “The meeting reviewed the current social, economic and political situation in the state since its creation 24 years ago and came to the

By Michael Eboh metropolis, with some Central Business District, painful conclusion that Kogi having to spend several while motorists had State has not lived up to the AMADAN IS a month of reflection, giving and hours before they could started to express panic expectations of its founding devotion. It is not a month for the gluttons. There UEL SCARCITY, purchase the product. about the recurrence of fathers. are traditions, values and objectives of the blessed month.

"It has been starved of y e s t e r d a y , Long queues of another scarcity.

We have earlier discussed sahur but in order to elucidate economic and political resurfaced in Abuja, with on a question on sahur, I found it necessary to share it in motorists were seen at the One of the motorists this column. It is one of the blessings of the month. There long queues at almost all NNPC mega filling expressed surprise over development as a result of is no act, in any manner of fasting like we have in Islam the petrol stations, as station on the Kubwa the return of the queue unconscionable level of and with particular reference to sahur. It is Allah’s favour motorists faced Expressway, spilling onto and called on the Federal marginalization and bestowed to fasting Muslims to be blessed as they eat difficulties in buying the the major road, thereby, Government to oppression of the people of sahur. As He provides the food, He further blesses anyone commodity.

Central and Western causing chaotic traffic. immediately nip the who wakes up in the first rays of dawn to eat the same senatorial districts.

This was even as the Also, there were long situation in the bud before food for fasting purpose. The philosophy behind it is wake “Available statistics clearly Nigerian National queues of motorists in it escalates. up before dawn and commune with Allah to kick-start show that while Kogi Petroleum Corporation, petrol stations across the your fast. Therefore, it does not matter whether you take Central and West senatorial NNPC, stated that it had heavy food or not, what matters is your sincere devotion districts account for 55 per to obey Him. A cup of water could serve as your sahur if stepped up efforts to cent of the population and you do not have anything or appetite for food. That cup of maintain stability in the about 85 per cent of the water for sahur is blessed and better than anyone who supply and distribution of fasted without taking anything. The Prophet (s.a.w) was petroleum products internally generated reported by Anas to have said: “Eat something for sahur nationwide. revenue, political and However, his PR OLA ADEOLA, the even if it is a date. For there is in it barakah.” (Al_Bukhari public service The NNPC, in a Deputy Chairman consultant, Jimi Disu appointments and Muslim) Isn’t it great that Allah is rewarding us for statement by its Group and eating? of the committee on the confirmed over the recruitments as well as General Manager, Group A lot of people though find it difficult to wake up and Victims Support Fund, phone that he had eat before the wee hours and so would like to skip sahur. Public Affairs Division, set up by the immediate indeed resigned from the resources allocation have been monopolized by the It is advisable to drink enough water at sahur if you can’t Mr. Ohi Alegbe, disclosed past administration to committee.

Eastern senatorial district to that it had enough stock eat to keep you hydrated throughout the day. Don't forget “He believes that he pool together resources the extent of at least 80 per that fasting is not a punishment; Islam is a religion of of petrol to service the has done enough to ease, and Allah does not intend for us hardship (Al- country for 25 days at a and provide support to stabilize the place and cent with Central and Baqarah 2:185). national consumption rate victims of Boko Haram get the committee going, Western senatorial districts The prophet taught his companions and by extension, of 40 million litres per day insurgency and other having to share less than every Muslim that they should begin their fasting by even as it had stepped up similar clashes, has and he has moved on,” 20 per cent. said Mr. Disu. taking something. It does not necessarily have to be heavy product distribution to resigned.

“The Forum noted that meal, in fact, over-eating negates the spirit of fasting. It is Mr. Adeola, a former since its creation in 1991, petroleum marketers and advised to wake in the pre-dawn period to appropriately Vi c e - P r e s i d e n t i a l Kogi State has been grossly kick-start fasting by eating sahur among other things. NNPC retail outlets candidate of the defunct and willfully mismanaged across the country.

Eat moderately even as you remember those who could by successive governments While calling on Action Congress of not afford a meal for that purpose. Some people have Nigeria, ACN, who with absolutely nothing to members of the public to asked whether there is need to wake up for sahur if one his show for the trillions of has nothing to eat. What is, however, appropriate is to refrain from panic buying, tendered last wake up, carry out other activities of the Ramadan night the NNPC said it had resignation, naira that have accrued to to the and when it is time for sahur, get some water to drink. In sufficient stock of petrol at Monday, the state from federal of the it, there is barakah. allocation and internally its coastal depots in Port Chairman It should be noted that there is no sin in not waking up Harcourt, Warri, and committee, Theophilus generated revenue. for sahur if it was done inadvertently, however, the inability Danjuma, did not give “That any person from Calabar besides the stock to take sahur does not vitiate fast. The point we are any reason for quitting either Kogi Central or Kogi it holds in the national emphasising here is that even as you eat, you must not the committee.

West who accepts a deputy strategic reserves. eat so heavily until you become inactive to do other things Mr. Adeola could not be governorship position from Despite assurances by for the day. It is not the opportunity to store your bowels reached for comment as Kogi East is on his or her with food that will take you for another 12 hours or so, but the NNPC, large number own and will be treated by to reflect and feel the pulse of those who have not. of motorists were seen at he was said to be out of Mr. Adeola Ramadan Kereem! the two districts as a traitor. fuel stations in the the country.

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

L

Fuel queues resurface in Abuja

Why you don’t have to skip sahur

R

...We've products to last 25 days —NNPC

F

Fola Adeola resigns from Victims Support Fund

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015—15

Publish full details of Imo’s finances without delay, Ihedioha tells Gov Okorocha Stories by Chidi Nkwopara

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W E R R I — GOVERNORSHIP candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the last election, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, has again challenged Governor Rochas Okorocha to stop his oratory and publish full details of the state’s finances without further delay.

This came on a day, Governor, Okorocha assured Imo people that the state will soon enjoy steady power supply.

Ihedioha also challenged the governor to publish for public consumption the reports of SURE-P, NDDC and River Basin Authority, with a view to getting Imo people know who truly allocated or applied public funds in the interest of the people.

The former lawmaker threw the challenge through his media aide, Mr. Chibuike Onyeukwu, while reacting to the governor’s recent media attack on him.

Governor Okorocha not only challenged Ihedioha to tell Imo people what he achieved in the National Assembly but also questioned the role of the former speaker in the application of funds of the Federal Government agencies.

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Ihedioha said the governor should not seek to divert public attention and sweep under the carpet issues of lack of accountability and transparency that had marred his administration and personal lifestyle.

He particularly mentioned the multi-billion naira Spibat Estate in Owerri, private jets and other choice property acquired by the governor since he assumed office as Imo State governor.

On the governor’s threat that he would be forced to publish the records of these federal government agencies, Ihedioha said: “Please, go ahead and publish the records of funds and projects of these agencies in juxtaposition to your stewardship in the state, so that Imo people can know who truly have their interest at heart and who indeed, stole and misapplied public funds meant to improve their lives.”

Ihedioha wondered why a simple and legitimate demand that the governor should make public the account details of the state, return alleged looted funds and bail the citizenry from famine, turned out to be an insult on the governor.

Meanwhile, the governor , who promised the state steady power supply, failed to explain how he

would achieve the lofty idea, however, said efforts were being intensified to bring the epileptic power supply in the state to an end.

He recounted with glee, his trips to Turkey and Moscow, noting that he was in those

countries to ensure he delivered on his campaign promises of creating jobs and establishing industries in the state.

On the vexed issue of irregular payment of workers' salaries, the governor assured that the trend would now change.

He urged them to be more committed to their jobs to enable them justify their salaries.

He also disclosed that the government of All Progressives Congress, APC, would introduce free education at all levels in the country.

Get Aba working, you won’t need federal allocations, NBA chairman tells Ikpeazu

By Ugochukwu Alaribe

A

BA—CHAIRMAN of Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Aba branch, Sir Chidozie Ogunji, has said if Governor Okezie Ikpeazu could fulfil his promise of renewal of infrastructure and boost trade and commerce in Aba to get the city working again, he would discover that resources from Aba could run Abia State effectively without relying on federal allocations.

In a chat with Vanguard in Aba, Ogunji posited that if Aba was fixed, the city had the potentials to generate huge Internally Generated Revenue which would be far in excess

of federal allocations, stressing that the governor must plug revenue leakages.

He said: “I think the governor has started on a good note by his efforts to rehabilitate roads and open some of these areas. He can change the face of Aba and make sure that touts are pushed out and ensure that infrastructure is working well and turn Aba into a mega city.

Investors will come and businesses will begin to thrive in the city. ‘’Again, the problem of illegal revenue agents and touting should be given a serious attention because most of these revenues they collect end up in private pockets.

He must make haste to block

revenue leakages to get funds for development purposes.”

He urged the governor to cut the high cost of government in the state by not recycling some names who have refused to engage themselves in any other work than relying on government as well as scrapping Ministries, Department and Agencies, MDAs, with similar functions.

The NBA chairman also lamented that the courts had been on strike and called on the governor to ensure the problems was resolved.

“It is an infringement on the rights of the people to have the courts shut down. Governor Ikpeazu should do everything within his means to ensure that the courts are opened."

16—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

Anambra petty traders protest excessive levies

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

N

NEWI—PET TY traders at Awada, Anambra State, yesterday, took to the streets to protest excessive levies imposed by both the state and Ndemili North Local Governments.

The traders, acting under the platform of Live and Let Live Store Users Association, LALUA, a conglomeration of residents doing business in shop under residential buildings, wielded placards with inscriptions denouncing excessive taxation.

Some of the placards read: “We say no to excessive levies at Awada” Monkey de work, Babop on dey chop,” “Enough of intimidation and harassment by revenue agents who beat us”, “We say no to N5,000 Science and Technology levy” and “Governor Obiano where are you when your people are being chased out of business with levies” and many others.

The protesters who were joined by some elderly men and women of about 60 to 65 years old, marched through major streets in the town.

Property worth millions missing from Imo Assemly complex

By Chidi Nkwopara

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C M Y K

W E R R I — PROPERTY worth millions of naira have reportedly disappeared from Imo State House of Assembly complex during the recent renovation carried out in the legislature by the state government.

Investigations revealed that some of the items that inexplicably developed wings while the renovation lasted included aluminium roofing sheets, cars, refrigerators, flat screen television sets and a host of other household and office furniture.

A staff of the legislature who spoke on strict grounds of anonymity, confirmed that a lot of items, including electrical and electronic gadgets, were moved from the top floor to the ground floor, before the renovation started.

APC's plot to remove Deputy Senate President, futile —SEN OHUABUNWA

By Anayo Okoli

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MUAHIA—SENATOR Mao Ohuabunwa has said the plot by the ruling All

Progressives Congress, APC, to remove the Deputy Senate President, Dr. Ike Ekweremadu, would end in futility, noting that only the Senate that elected him had the constitutional powers to

do so.

Ohuabunwa, who represents Abia North senatorial district, also dismissed the insinuation that there was crisis in the Senate and his party, the Peoples Democratic

VISIT: Abia State governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu (middle), flanked from left, by General overseer of Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor Williams Kumuyi and his wife, Esther; deputy governor, Hon. Udeh Okochukwu, and Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Martins Azubuike, during a courtesy visit by Pastor Kumuyi and his team to the governor, in Umuahia.

Party, PDP, adding that there was no crisis in either the PDP or the Senate.

He warned those stoking the crisis in the National Assembly to have a rethink in the interest of the nation.

According to Ohuabunwa, the interest of the nation should be paramount in the consideration.

He said members of the National Assembly were committed to work hard to make Nigeria better for all, irrespective of tribe or religion.

Meanwhile, Ohuabunwa, whose election is being challenged at the tribunal by the former governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, and Chief David Onuoha, has expressed confidence that his mandate would remain intact.

Reacting to statements by Onuoha that he would reclaim his mandate, Ohuabunwa retorted: “Which mandate is he talking about? Is it the one the people have freely given to me.”

He expressed confidence in the ability of the tribunal to deliver justice.

The tribunal has, however, adjourned to Friday, July 3, 2015, to hear motions challenging the competence of the petition brought by the 1st Respondent.

B/HARAM PRISONERS: More protest in Anambra

By Enyim Enyim & Chimaobi Nwaiwu

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RADERS AND residents of Ekwulobia in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, yesterday, closed shops and businesses in protest against alleged transfer of Boko Haram

detainees to the Prisons in the town on Sunday night.

Traders in Onitsha had last weekend protested for the same reason, despite assurances by the prisons authorities that there was no such plan.

The protesters displayed placards with inscriptions as

“Ekwulobia town doesn’t need Boko Haram prisoners” “Please save our state from Boko Haram insurgents” “Why Ekwulobia of all the towns, Why Anambra State of all the states”, The protesting traders and residents in Ekwulobia and old Aguata Local Government and

APC not against appointment of Ebonyi chief judge's wife

By Peter Okutu

A

BAKALIKI—EBONYI State chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, has dissociated itself from media reports that the party was against the appointment of wife of the state Chief Judge, Mrs Lillian Nwankwo, as chairman of the state Local Government Service Commission, LSGC, by the present administration.

State chairman of the party, Ben Nwobasi, who issued the refutal, dismissed the report as the

handiwork of mischief makers out to destabilize and distract the party from its focus in overthrowing the PDP government in the state in 2019.

The party in a statement signed by the chairman and secretary, Pastor Victor Elem, said “the authors of the report are not known to Ebonyi State chapter of APC and there is one state executive of the party that is led

by Ben Nwobasi”.

The party decried the use of impersonators or fictitious names to convey the idea that the APC in the state condemned the chief

judge’s wife appointment.

Meanwhile, the National President of Ebonyi State Progressives Youths Movement, PYM, Comrade Ejike Nwafor, has alleged that some stakeholders in the party were responsible for the crisis rocking the party.

He noted that the youths were completely behind Nwobasi’s executive of the party, describing the other faction, led by Pastor Eze Nwachukwu Eze, as an impostor and unknown to the National Working Committee of the party.

Orumba North and South were joined in the protest by members of South East Markets Amalgamated Traders Association, SEMATAS. Addressing the protesters, President-General of SEMATAS, Chief Okwudili Ezenwankwo, and Coordinator South East Markets Amalgamated Traders Association, Chief Gozie Akudolu, said South East zone needed no more trouble.

Ezenwankwo said: ‘’We have confirmed that the story of bringing Boko Haram detainees after our protest and closing of markets in Onitsha last Saturday is true, the detainees were said to have been sent on last Sunday night, the prison officials in Ekwulobia confirmed the story for us and we are not happy.

“They are 49 detainees, they were brought on Sunda, June 28 night under tight security, our worry is that we will be having their friends visiting them in the prisons and they will be coming with all types of dangerous plans, before you know it we will be talking of jail breaks and if iit happens we are in trouble.

Squatters get 7 days to vacate abandoned Enyimba Hotel

By Anayo Okoli

U

MUAHIA—ABIA State government has given squatters at the abandoned seven-storey Enyimba Hotel complex, Aba, seven days to vacate the place for rehabilitation.

For over 20 years, the structure, located at the Water Side area of

the commercial city, was abandoned and turned to homes for all manner of human beings who just covered the doors and windows.

Former governor, Theodore Orji had wanted to rehabilitate and put the place into use but was encumbered until he left office.

His successor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has renewed

government’s interest in the place, with a view to make it a viable, functional five star hotel.

Consequently, the government has directed all the illegal occupants to vacate the place, saying relevant government agencies would soon embark on work there.

A statement by the governor’s spokesman, Mr. Godwin Adindu,

said aside from Enyimba Hotel, other abandoned projects in Aba metropolis would also be rehabilitated.

“As part of the policy on Aba urban renewal, the state government will be embarking on a massive infrastructure rehabilitation of government buildings and all abandoned projects in the Aba metropolis."

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015 — 17

T

HE Supreme Court decided to legalise same sex marriages across America. Let me say now that this article is in no way asking for the legalisation of same sex marriages in Nigeria or in Africa. I feel we have far more fundamental things to be preoccupied with, if I am to be honest, as the most basic rights and liberties have not been secured for the majority.

This is why when same sex relations were banned in Nigeria, I for one was surprised: like legislators setting up committees to work on their clothing allowances etc., we never seem to get our priorities right in Nigeria. Banning gay relationships or even talking about their existence is the least of Nigeria’s problems. Gay relationships do not stop children from attending school or our youth from getting jobs, corruption does and it is a far worse enemy than what consenting adults choose to do (and not eleven year olds unlike the Senate’s nod towards sexual relations with children). But what I find most interesting about the legalisation of same sex marriages in America is the implication for the relationship between church and state (or the absence thereof) and the contrasts one can draw with what obtains in Nigeria.

The founding fathers of America refused an “established religion”, that is a religion officially supported, protected and even funded by government.

Rather, they preferred the state “tolerate” religion, that is, accept it’s presence in society but without deferring to it. In Nigeria, many state governments pay for pilgrims to go to Jerusalem or to Mecca and government is frequently involved in religious programs of all sorts. There is no official religion in Nigeria yet religion is omnipresent in our politics and society and quite a few religious leaders have made a lot of money from this. I am not of course asking Nigerians to separate religion from their lives. I am however asking that we separate government from it.

A lot happens in Nigeria, under the guise of religion, cultural practice or traditions which government shies away from condemning, forgetting that Nigeria has no official religion so our government owes nothing to religious leaders but owes everything to Nigerians whose rights and safety it was sworn in to protect. Having said that, due to the peculiarities of Nigeria, government does, it seems, owe a lot to religious leaders: pastors campaign for presidents and governors and many Nigerians follow said “prophets” blindly.

Nigerian governments have C M Y K

tprincewill@yahoo.co.uk

Federalism and religion in Nigeria

not have the strength or the will to question. If we are serious about reform in this country we need to go back to the very beginning and reassess or redress the fundamentally illogical practices we have long accepted. Federalism is one such topic we must quickly decide upon as although we call ourselves a federation, for all intents and purposes we do not operate like one.

Most of our states are necessary only on paper and the prevalence of religious leaders and traditional courts in our political life is honestly contrary to the nature and philosophy of federalism.

Yakubu Dogara

President Muhammadu Buhari

•Saraki, Senate President

•Dogara, Speaker

been timid and quite frankly close to incompetent when it comes to public policy (which differs from politicking) and in so many areas. Under the guise of federalism and each state deciding for itself, we have made so many mistakes (or rather allowed power hungry, greedy men and women to do as they please).

One such mistake is allowing the implementation of Sharia law in our country. There cannot be two courts in a supposedly secular country and although Obasanjo seems to have joined “team change”, we cannot forget the wrongs he either

personally did or that he allowed under his watch which have led to the chaotic situation we find ourselves in today. Indirectly, sharia and traditional courts, the omnipresence of religion in our social and political life emboldened and encouraged pseudoreligious groups such as Boko Haram to spew hatred and dangerous ideologies.

Currently there seems to be no real constitutionally established balance between federal and state governments in Nigeria. In the United States, gay marriage could be voted in by the Supreme court because the Federal Government can intervene if it believes states violate any constitutionally secured rights. Now that Sharia law is so well implemented, most people cannot even conceive or imagine a debate to justify or explain its removal. Religious law and not secular law, guides most of what obtains in Nigeria.

This isn’t right. The government and not any religious institution should define what is possible or impossible, acceptable or unacceptable in Nigeria. We have left the North (and the people in the South who see this region as backwards), to believe that anything can happen there as “that’s how they want it”, the same way we all believe anything, no matter how unjustifiable, intolerable or simply morally wrong, can happen in Nigeria which is why Saraki’s emergence as Senate president shocked few people.

In jurisprudence textbooks they say federalism is about

“dual sovereignty, shared authority ” between federal and state governments, to avoid the concentration of power. Yet in Nigeria, state governments look to the centre to pay their bills, even though they create little wealth and can barely justify their existence to the people whose lives they don’t impact outside of the electoral calendar. If the whole point of federalism is to protect citizens from “arbitrary power ” then how was Sharia, a religious court based on exactly that, allowed to thrive and spread to so many states ? The state exists to secure personal freedom, yet the manner in which we practise religion in this country, be it Christianity or Islam, is not only intolerant and intrusive but quite frankly repressive.

I would like now to call on our judges, who have done so well under the brilliant stewardship of Justice Mahmood Mohamed, chief justice of Nigeria, in preventing unending politically motivated election petitions and tribunals. But beyond elections, where is judicial activism in Nigeria?

Judges have a responsibility to invalidate all laws that do not conform to the Constitution and there are many with strange, inhumane provisions like the sexual offences bill which I hope the President doesn’t sign as it stipulates that children over 11 years old are of age to consent to sexual relations. Public sentiments in Nigeria are many times, uninformed and politically motivated, cloaked in false religious perceptions, which many do

Religious law and not secular law, guides most of what obtains in Nigeria; this isn’t right; the government and not any religious institution should define what is possible or impossible, acceptable or unacceptable in Nigeria

Lawmakers throwing chairs and punches over the distribution of offices, this is money politics at its best, not the change Nigerians v o t e d f o r. H o n o u r a b l e Yakubu Dogara’s refusal to accept the list of names his party sent to him to occupy the offices of majority leader etc. further points to the fact that many within the APC, particularly those who were once part of the PDP are not on the same page as President Buhari or the citizenry who endorsed the change mantra. Honourable Dogara says the list didn’t respect the principle of zoning. Zoning is anti change: it does not allow the best and the brightest to shine, instead it pursues antiquated ethnic agendas.

Zoning is a false federalism that divides rather than unites us. We must review our understanding of federalism and push for constitutional reforms without which development will be difficult.

Ministerial nominees

The President is right to cut down the cost of governance and definitely cannot appoint ministers till he assesses the real financial state of existing agencies and their usefulness but his media aides must do a better job of explaining his thinking to Nigerians.

Otherwise, we fall prey to political job seekers and their noise making, urging Buhari to appoint their own boys. Buhari the democrat must be as tough as Buhari the general in order to succeed. Let’s give him time, if only because he is truly on his own: most of his party men do not wish to see him succeed as change is only in the interest of the Nigerian people.

Ta b i a Pr i n c e w i l l i s a strategic communications consultant and public policy analyst. She is also the cohost and executive producer of a talk show, WALK THE TA L K w h i c h a i r s o n Channels TV.

18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015 WHEN former President Goodluck Jonathan and General Muhammadu Buhari emerged as the presidential candidates of the two major political parties – the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) respectively, it was taken for granted that the government that would assume office on May 29th 2015 would start work immediately. The reason behind this was simple: both men had occupied the highest office in the land and would not need to learn from the scratch on the job.

One month after President Buhari was swornin, he has yet to set up his cabinet of ministers.

Expectations of an early action on this were dashed when, over the past weekend, the Presidency disclosed that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) should not be expected before September, 2015. In other words, about the first 100 days of the new regime would be spent under a virtual “Sole Administrator” of the Federation. Even though the crisis-riddled two chambers of the National Assembly are already active, their own contributions to governance

Buhari’s Delayed Cabinet will be restricted. As the Executive Branch has not been fully reconstituted, the lawmakers will not be able to effectively exercise their oversight functions and track government programmes, policies and spending.

Presidency sources declared that the delay is necessitated by need for a “painstaking” homework to tackle what they described as the “deep rot” left behind by the previous administration. The president has said that former government officials who made away with government funds will be forced to return them. There are also indications that the number of ministries, departments and agencies will be reduced. If that is the case, then it is understandable that the rationalisation has to

be completed before appointments are made.

But still, we believe that three months is a long time. The only way to vitiate the anxiety of waiting that long for effective governance to start is to provide the general public with regular, useful information about what the president and his team are doing. Nigerians must be carried along in whatever fundamental changes the president wishes to make. Regular briefings will help generate the public support for government policies.

The long wait puts Nigeria at the risk of wasting almost the whole of this year, since the first four months were wasted in politicking and transition. Given the economic situation in the country, the unyielding challenge posed by the Boko Haram terrorism and the exploding crime of kidnapping around the country, government must wake up to its obligations to the people.

We look forward to the early return of government action to abandoned project sites and the galvanisation of all activities that will get the economy going once again.

OPINION

APC: Of the voice of Jacob and hidden hands

By Gbenga Alaba

S

INCE Senator Bukola Saraki and Hon. Yakubu Dogara emerged Senate President and Speaker, House of Representatives respectively, several narratives have emerged to justify, reject or accommodate what transpired on that June 9th morning. From the Presidency to the All Progressive Congress(APC) to the usual band of armchair critics that thicken the public space, the reactions have been swift.

Perhaps, the most truculent of the narratives is the one purveyed by APC chieftains that Dogara and Saraki repudiated their party position and insisted on standing for election. Standing logic on its head, the narratives continues that the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives went ahead to stand for elections when the party had “selected” its preferred candidates in a mock election boycotted by both and devoid of the APC vaunted claim to inclusiveness.

Those who push this argument that APC’s ‘position’ should have prevailed are right up to a point. In the absence of independent candidacy, all elected officials owe allegiance to the party on whose platform they were elected.

However, that is assuming that the posturing by APC since Saraki and

Dogara’s emergence represents the real position of all party stakeholders or that its preferred candidates, Senator Lawan and Hon. Gbajabiamila emerged through an inclusive process.

Is it a case of the hand of Jacob and the voice of Esau? Or is the APC structure smarting on behalf of a few leaders who pursued a personal vendetta against Saraki and Dogara but failed? Can we situate the hue and cry over Saraki and Dogara in the context of a battle for supremacy in the APC whose leaders seem reluctant to recognise that President Muhammadu Buhari is the party leader by reason of his position as number one citizen?

Clearly, the APC position does not reflect broad-based opinion in the party neither was the process leading to the adoption of the position participatory or inclusive. I will explain. In the run-up to the last general elections, APC positioned itself, among

It is clear that the APC’s decision to present Lawan and Gbajabiamila for the leadership of the 8th National Assembly was anything but inclusive or participatory

others, as a better alternative to the impunity that triggered crises in the then ruling party PDP and diminished the Jonathan administration.

As the narrative went, the APC abhorred such impunity and imposition. Instead, it will make inclusiveness the hallmark of its party and government should it win the elections. The subsequent presidential primaries appeared to support that position. Among Nigerians, the expectation was that this participatory process would continue and present a refreshing departure from the norm.

Disappointingly, the APC’s anointing of its candidates for the Senate Presidency and Speaker of the House of Representatives was anything but inclusive.

Instead, what the nation has been regaled with is the decision of a few individuals packaged as the party’s position. And the evidence is telling.

Like most parties, the APC has several decision-making structures through which it governs the party. These include the party’s National Executive Council, (NEC), the National Working Committee (NWC) and the party’s Board of Trustees (BOT). If, as the party will have us believe, the decision to foist Senator Lawan and Hon. Gbajabiamila on the Senate and the House of Representatives respectively was party’s decision, when did the NWC, NEC and BOT meet to decide and ratify that position? Who participated in those meetings? At what meeting did the APC and its 59 Senators, for example, meet to cede the Senate Presidency to Senator Lawan?

As a part given to profuse publicity, there are no way these decision-making organs of the APC met without Nigerians knowing or being informed of its decision directly or subtly.

From the foregoing, it is clear that the APC’s decision to present Lawan and Gbajabiamila for the leadership of the 8th National Assembly was anything but inclusive or participatory. Rather, I hold that only handful of its leadership manipulated the process to exclude Saraki and Dogara in a classic case of personal vendetta and cronyism. Although we hear the APC voice in its posturing about the party supremacy, there are clearly a few individuals controlling events from behind the scene.

Individuals whose agenda is being pushed as party position and whose machinations are precipitating crises in the National Assembly.

While the Saraki and Dogara will have earned more legitimacy if all National Assembly members had attended its inauguration and elections on that day, both men were validly elected as the party has affirmed despite its huffing and puffing. It is time national prevails over the a few individuals’ interest. Our legislature has asserted its independent right to elect its leaders. APC stakeholders should rally round the leadership of the National Assembly and, to use a hackneyed expression, move the nation forward. Let the will of Nigerians prevail over the machinations of a few.

*Mr. Alaba,a political analyst, wrote from Abuja.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015—19 —19 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com

APC and the death wish turned prophecy ARLIER this year, in the survived. Adesanmi became the wake of the rather obliging commentator and E comprehensive defeat of the dutifully called him a bastard Peoples Democratic Party in the 2015 polls, Nigerian academic and Sahara Reporters columnist, Pius Adesanmi, had rechristened Doyin Okupe, presidential aide on media to Goodluck Jonathan, by turning ‘bastard’ into a proper noun and making it one of his middle names. Thus he called the voluble Jonathan stalwart, Doyin Bastard Okupe. Adesanmi might not have been a fan of the Goodluck Jonathan administration, to say nothing of Doyin Okupe himself in his capacity as a Jonathan spokesperson or politician. But he was not being tactlessly irreverent or rude when he called Okupe a bastard. Rather, he only tried to do the very thing Mr. Okupe had asked for many months before the 2015 polls, specifically shortly after the birth of the All Progressives Congress.

Okupe could not see anything good coming out of the coalition that resulted in the party. He had, therefore, in true Yoruba fashion and in a moment of political excess asked that he be called a bastard if the party

after the APC coalition not only survived but appeared to have consolidated its arrival with its emphatic defeat of the PDP at the polls.

Okupe was not alone in his prediction that the APC would not survive given the diverse political background of the politicians that came together to form the party and their wildly disparate interests. Many Nigerians had similar thoughts.

As we all know, politicians from no less than five political groups, namely the Action Congress of Nigeria, Congress for Progressive Change, Peoples Democratic Party, All Nigeria’s Peoples Party and All Progressives Grand Alliance, came together to form the APC. Quite a sizeable number of the politicians that made up the coalition were disaffected members of the PDP and other parties that existed before the formation of the APC. Many of this people had ambition to hold elective offices which their former parties could not guarantee for different reasons, leading to their mass exit. It was therefore easy for any

close observer, especially one like Okupe that should be familiar with the selfish nature of the Nigerian politician (a nature that would rather see them destroy anything that does not serve their personal interest at the expense of whatever ideal they may claim drives their ambition) as to see the germ that would destroy the party in its very foundation.

So strong must have been the belief in the PDP that the APC would not survive its formative months that the party decided not to campaign at all for the 2015 polls. Otherwise, it anchored its re-election agenda on well packaged negative adverts and campaign of personal attacks and insults directed at leaders of the APC, their religious, business and family links. By the time the PDP woke up to the smell of the coffee, matters had in fact come to a desperate head and it was just a few weeks from an ignominious defeat. It sought to buffer this by issuing desperate calls for shifts in the electoral date for both genuine and largely self-serving reasons, the most credible of which was the Permanent

Except both men at the centre of the current rebellion intend to return to the PDP, their present stance cannot be in their long term interest or in the interest of their party

Ogogoro deaths and proposed ban on local gin

By Chukwuma Nwaonicha

T

HE recent outbreak of deaths of over 60 persons arising from the consumption of local gin (Ogogoro) is outrageous and scaring, noting that local gin has been in consumption in years without such detrimental effect. The locally produced gin was linked to deaths in Rivers and Ondo States. The authorities concerned in the affected States and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC should act fast in order to prevent the spread of the deadly gin to other states or the ugly incident repeating its self again.

I believe that the gin may be intentionally poisoned or highly contaminated during production processes. If the deaths occurred due to contamination, then the producers in the two States might have used the same process in making the gin, employing the same catalyst instead of yeast.

It is important to understand or know the following analysis below in order to address this important issue of killer Ogogoro in these States. Ethanol, also commonly called ethyl alcohol, drinking alcohol, or simply alcohol is the principal type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages, produced by the fermentation of sugar by yeast. The composition of Ogogoro is ethanol and water otherwise it is contaminated or denatured alcohol (denatured alcohol also called methylated spirits is ethanol that has additives to make it poisonous and unfit for consumption). Ethanol is denatured with methanol or other compounds to prevent

C M Y K

people from consuming it. Methanol is extremely poisonous (it is poisonous to the central nervous system and causes blindness, coma, and death). Methanol is the simplest alcohol, and is a light, volatile, colourless, flammable liquid with a distinctive odour very similar to that of ethanol (drinking alcohol). However, unlike ethanol, methanol is highly toxic and unfit for consumption. At room temperature, it is a polar liquid, and is used as an antifreeze, pesticide, solvent, fuel, and as a denaturant for ethanol.

Alcohol is a neurotoxic psychoactive drug and one of the oldest recreational drugs used by humans. As noted, it can cause alcohol intoxication when consumed in sufficient quantity. Ethanol is known to act as central nervous system depressant and has significant psychoactive effects in sublethal doses.

Based on its abilities to alter human consciousness, ethanol is considered a psychoactive drug. The amount of ethanol in the body is typically quantified

by Blood Alcohol Content (BAC), which is taken as weight of ethanol per unit volume of blood. Small doses of ethanol, in general, produce euphoria and relaxation; people

Alcohol is a neurotoxic psychoactive drug and one of the oldest recreational drugs used by humans

Voter’s Card issue. The shift of the election date from February 14 to March 28 was the clear gain of these anxiety-suffused prayers for shifts in the electoral calendar.

After the APC won the elections, very dire pictures were painted of what that victory portended for the country by many Nigerians sympathetic to the cause of the PDP. They were led in their excoriation of the APC by vocal media commentators.

While many of these commentators tried to sound clinical, dispassionate and unmotivated by selfish considerations, it was clear they were not happy the APC ran the PDP out of Aso Rock Villa. In the weeks since the APC won the 2015 presidential election, they had got into making more severe predictions that are in fact expressions of death wishes that began as mere wishful thinking, of what would become of the coalition that gave birth to the APC and the APC as a party in particular, and what the party’s leadership implicates for the country in general.

They made and are still making so much soap and lather over minor issues. Every misstep of the APC becomes grist for their death wish as they dredge up additional reasons why the party’s emergence does not signal any change from the worthless ways of the PDP. They made a mountain out of the mole hill of the wristwatch the president’s wife wore to her husband’s inauguration, of the president’s age, his looking on to western powers for support; his failure to appoint ministers or declare his assets publicly. There might be or have been very good reasons to express these fears but many of those expressing them appear to be open or closet supporters of

experiencing these symptoms tend to become talkative and less inhibited, and may exhibit poor judgment. At higher dosages (BAC greater than 1 g/L), ethanol acts as a central nervous system depressant, producing at progressively higher dosages, impaired sensory and motor function, slowed cognition, stupefaction, unconsciousness, and possible death. Ethanol is commonly consumed as a recreational drug, especially while socialising, due to its psychoactive effects.

An alcoholic beverage is a drink which contains a substantial amount of the psychoactive drug ethanol. Drinking plays an important social role in most cultures. Alcohol has potential for abuse and physical dependence. Almost all countries have laws regulating their production, sale, and consumption, and some countries ban such activities entirely. However, alcoholic beverages are legal in most parts of the world. The global alcoholic beverages industry exceeded $1 trillion in 2014.

Alcohol is one of the most widely used recreational drugs in the world.

Discovery of late Stone Age jugs suggest that intentionally fermented beverages existed at least as early as the Neolithic period. Alcohol is use in many other fields: in medical as antiseptic, antitussive and antidote. Alcohol is also used as feedstock for fuel production - engine fuel (the largest single use of alcohol is as an engine fuel and fuel additive), fuel cells, rocket, household heating, and as a solvent among others.

There are essentially three methods used to produce ethanol: (1) the synthetic route-manufacturing of ethanol from ethene using steam, (2) production from sugars and starches by fermentation, using yeasts and (3) production from biomass waste, using bacteria.

Fermentation has been carried out for millions of years and is the traditional

the PDP out to see the promise represented by the APC flounder.

It didn’t look like their wish would be fulfilled anytime soon given the manner members of the APC came together as one to defeat the PDP by burying their differences. They appeared on course to navigate the treacherous path of survival in the few weeks after taking control of the country’s leadership. Everything, indeed, seemed on course to ensure the party’s survival as it formally took over control of governance.

But that was before Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara decided to form an alliance with their former comrades in the PDP, taking on the leadership of the APC in a fierce battle to determine who controls the National Assembly.

When these two rebels outsmarted their colleagues and party to emerge President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively, one thought this a bold and positive step to rein in the overbearing control of their party leadership. That kind of control can only lead to the kind of harmful unanimity that ensured the PDP’s unchallenged mismanagement of the country for more than one and a half decades. But the picture that is gradually emerging since then (with the unseemly and foolish fight over appointment of principal officers of the National Assembly, and Saraki and Dogara’s role in it) is one of total anarchy and chaotic break from party control. Except both men at the centre of the current rebellion intend to return to the PDP, their present stance cannot be in their long term interest or in the interest of their party. They are set on the path of destruction, first of their party, themselves and ultimately their country.

method of common alcohol production.

Most of the world's ethanol is produced by fermentation, using crops such as sugar cane, sugar beet, corn, rice, palm wine, and cassava among others. Municipal waste can also be used as feedstock, reducing landfill disposal and turning rubbish into a valuable product.

Fermentation is a complex series of reactions that convert carbohydrates, mainly sugars and starches, into ethanol and carbon dioxide. It works best at temperatures in the range 25°C - 37°C in the absence of oxygen (anaerobic), and will produce aqueous solutions of up to 14% ethanol. Higher alcohol contents require further distillation. Highly concentrated alcohol or pure alcohol with trace amount of water (absolute alcohol) is always diluted with water for better consumption or safe consumption.

Alcoholic fermentation, also referred to as ethanol fermentation, is a biological process in which molecules such as glucose, fructose and sucrose are converted into cellular energy and thereby produces ethanol and carbon dioxide as metabolic waste products.

Because yeasts perform this conversion in the absence of oxygen, alcoholic fermentation is considered an anaerobic process.

As stated above, the production of ethanol from starch or sugar-based feedstock is among man's earliest processing of value-added agricultural products. Sugar can be obtained either directly from sugar cane, sugar beet, or sweet sorghum, or derived from the conversion of starch contained in starchy plants, such as cereal grains (e.g. wheat, corn, and barley), millets, roots and tuber crops (e.g. potato, cassava), and palm wine among others.

Continues tomorrow on page 18 •Dr. Nwaonicha, a clergy, wrote from Lagos.

20—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

Governors’ inability to pay salaries

By Ebele Orakpo

“

*Tankers free....Berger end of Oshodi-Apapa Expressway on Sunday. Photo: Olasunkanmi Akoni

Exit of tankers from Oshodi-Apapa Expressway:

Motorists say it’s not yet Uhuru

By Bose Adelaja

M

OST motorists and other road users were pleasantly surprised when they were confronted by a tankersfree Apapa-Oshodi Expressway on Sunday. The surprise continued the following day. Indeed what they saw was more than a surprise, it was more like a miracle.

A miracle because since the beginning of the year, the Sanya/Rainbow to Mile Two/ Berger stretch of the OshodiApapa expressway had been a traffic nightmare to road users, no thanks to the horde of fuel tankers that usually clogged up the road on their way to the various tank farms located along the expressway, Kirikiri and environs. The situation took a turn for the worse within the last two months as the tankers and other articulated vehicles virtually seized the entire stretch of the road, thus completely arresting the flow of traffic.

It was a painful experience for motorists plying that route.

And more so for commuters, especially travellers who made the mistake of daring the gridlock. Indeed, many of them had tales of woe to tell. This was the case of a lady who last plied the road in 2009. She travelled from far away Maiduguri to Lagos to felicitate with her aunt who lives in Tin Can/Coconut area. The aunt had given birth to a set of twins after 12 years of waiting. Both were overjoyed at the development and so forgot to discuss the traffic situation on the Apapa/Oshodi expressway during their telephone conversation.

On arriving Mile 2 Underbridge around 2.45pm a couple of days ago, Chichi Oliseh, was overwhelmed by the volume of traffic she met there.

She soon boarded a commercial bus going to Tin Can. Several hours later, the bus was still trapped in the traffic gridlock.

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When this reporter called around 6pm to inquire if Chichi had arrived Tin Can, her response was a tale of her bitter experience on the traffic situation. ‘’My sister, you won’t believe we are still at Warehouse(Bus-stop); this road was not like this when I came here few years ago,...’’ she lamented.

Several reasons had been adduced for the persistent traffic chaos in this axis of the road. The most common is the indiscriminate parking of tankers and other articulated vehicles on both the expressway and service lanes.

Apart from the frustration of being trapped in the gridlock, motorists and road users had on many occasions fallen victims of robbery attacks, vandalisation of vehicles and auto crashes.

After months of persistent gridlock on the road, respite, however, came the way of road users after a visit by the Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwumi Ambode, who issued a directive to the tanker drivers to vacate the road with immediate effect.

The governor had on Thursday June 25, 2015 led some top officials of the state government and security agencies on an on-the-spot assessment of major traffic points in the area after which a special task force was set up to ensure 24 hours surveillance of traffic flow. He

Residents of Kirikiri, Ajegunle and some motorists have said that they are not convinced that tanker drivers will obey the ultimatum to steer clear of the road

stressed that the state traffic law should be strictly enforced.

Obviously in response to this, the Second Rainbow to Coconut area which was prone to gridlock had since Sunday been completely rid of the usual traffic snarl, thus engendering a feeling that a miracle had taken place.

But there is already misgiving that the miracle may be short-lived. In fact, residents of Kirikiri, Ajegunle and their environs, including some motorists and commuters, have said that they are not convinced that tanker drivers will obey the ultimatum to steer clear of the road; at least not for long. Some suggested that the best way out was for government to re-visit the rail system and water ways, engage in road rehabilitation as well as ensure that traffic law enforcement agents are alive to their responsibilities.

And true to their misgivings, the tankers returned on Tuesday, occupying two lanes of the road at Berger.

Collapsed sections of road at Cele to Ilasamaja

Apart from that, residents and motorists would want government to fix the dilapidated portions of the expressway from Cele Bus-stop to the Ilasamaja area of the expressway which have for the past two weeks been causing persistent traffic snarl in the area, usually between 2pm and 10pm.

Former Chairman of Osho Drive Community Development Association Nwogu Emmanuel said: ‘’The gridlock has been terrible. Because of it many car owners have parked their vehicles at home and now depend on Okada as a means of transportation. How are we sure the ultimatum will not be like the previous ones?’’

Meanwhile, Chairman Association of Maritime Truck Owners AMATO Chief Remi Ogunbemi expressed optimism that expected cooperation between the Federal and Lagos State governments will go a long way in bringing the problem to an end.

The National Public Relations Officer of Petroleum Tanker Drivers, PTD, Mr Adebayo Atanda, said his members will comply with directive by the state government. ‘’The tankers were asked to return to their respective locations and to come out only when it’s their turn to load.

To ensure compliance, our union has set up a special task force which is working hand-in-hand with government to restore sanity on the road,’’ he said.

These governors are funny. For goodness sake, if you can’t do your job as a governor, resign!” said Tim this Tuesday morning in the Apapa-bound bus.

“Sharing of oil money has made many of them so lazy, they can’t even think of how to generate funds to run their states.”

Said Eka: In the first instance, it was because of the free oil money that they came to power. Many of these politicians would not have ventured into politics because they are bereft of ideas. They see governance as an avenue to get rich quick and to be honest, that is what it is in Nigeria. Just get into one elective post and you are made for life even if you are there for only a month. Ordinary local council chairman becomes a billionaire overnight. That is the way it is here.”

“The governors should stop complaining and do their homework. If they lack ideas about what to do, I think I have an idea. First, those with private jets should sell them, add the money to the security votes and pay salaries,” said TJ. “How will they sell their private jets and use the money for the state?” asked Blessing.

“Of course, we know that none of them acquired the jets with their personal funds. Those with mansions acquired with public funds should be made to sell them and use the money for the state. The change should start from there. No need to go cap in hand begging for bailout,” said Eka. “Kai, to be honest, our politicians have finished us, not just the governors; what about the lawmakers?” asked Rose.

“Don’t even go there. Can you imagine the bogus allowances Governors plus their armed robber’s salary?” asked Tim. should stop “Armed robber’s salary? Which complaining one be that?” asked Blessing.

Replied Tim: “Armed robber’s and do their salary means they earn so much homework; for doing so little. And by the way, they are never owed. Imagine the first, those N8.64 billion wardrobe allowance with private as per superstars!”

“Of course they are superstars,” jets should replied TJ. sell them “Shebi the Deputy House of Reps Speaker said the N150 billion budget of the National Assembly has been slashed to N120 billion in 2015 budget,” said Eka. “My stomach churned as I read that story. He said the 469 members of NASS have five aides each, ie 496 X 5 = 2, 480 aides. There are also NASS technocrats and their staffers being paid from the N150 billion,” said Rose.

“Pure madness! What do they need five aides each for? Three drivers – one for Oga, one for madam and one for kids; then cook and one utility aide. Are they saying that if they were paying these aides from their pockets they would employ five? And what is the work of the technocrats?” asked Mercy.

Said Rose: “It’s a means of siphoning money.

Everybody’s money is nobody’s money so they use it anyhow. I heard each lawmaker gets the money and pays the aides whatever they deem fit. For instance, they may budget N150,000 for the driver, the Oga gets the N150,000 but pays the driver N50,000 and pockets N100,000. They say they are copying the US, how many US senators have so many aides?”

“As per wardrobe allowance, they should sew khaki uniforms for them; fitted tops and trousers for men and skirts and tops for women. After all, if they were made to wear fitted uniforms in 2012, Mr. Lawan Farouk would not have been able to hide his $3 million bribery money given by Femi Otedola in his babanriga and cap,” said Mercy.

“We will get it right only when the oppressed masses fight the oppressors instead of themselves. Look at small Chad, just because Boko guys struck in their town, they decided to ban the use of full Moslem veil under which some Boko members hide to commit atrocities.

You know such will never happen in Nigeria. They will cry blue murder, discrimination, etc., to the detriment of the larger society. May God help us,” said Eka.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

—21

ISPS Code: Terminal port facilities escape NIMASA’s sanctions

By Godwin Oritse

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MEETING: From left: Chief Olusegun Osunkeye, President, Society for Corporate Governance (SCGN), presenting a plaque of the society to the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) MD/CE, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, during the 2015 Executive Breakfast meeting of SCGN in Lagos.

Customs scraps use of DTIs this week

By Godfrey Bivbere & Chizoba Nwaizu

T

he Nigeria Customs Service, NCS will this week end the use of Direct Traders Input (DTI) cafes following high level of abuse the system has been subjected to.

DTI cafes have come under frequent scrutiny since they were established in 2008 for allegedly being used to perpetuate economic fraud.

National President of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, told journalists in Lagos that the decision was arrived at after consultation between ANLCA and the Customs management.

He explained that licensed owners would begin to input their import clearance documents from their offices as a means of curbing the abuse which the introduction of DTIs have been subjected to.

According to him, “It is not only the issue of “use your license” but these people have perfected the act of using the cyber cafes to hack your licenses for Customs declaration and once Customs discover it, they hold on to your license and they

either withdraw it from you or they suspend it. When that is done, you come back to suffer for what you know nothing about and because they know that in the shipping company and terminal your staff signature has already been registered. Once it gets to this stage, they will no longer use your company which they used for Customs declaration. So the process of delivery of cargo, the company for Customs is different from the company for the shipping company and terminal operators.

“That is the scam that has been going on but from what we have done with customs and have been adopted by the Secretary General of the World Customs Organisation, WCO. It is only ANLCA that has interfaced with all these international organisation, and has already accepted that that is the way we are going to do our business,” he concluded.

Recall that the Comptroller General of Customs, Dikko Abdullahi, had earlier said when the set of DTI cafes were commissioned in Lagos on July 10, 2008, that it was part of efforts to bring all stakeholders involved in cargo clearance under one community, where all processes

are electronically-driven.

The Customs boss noted: “It allows Importers or their agents to access the Customs ASYCUDA server and make their declarations directly without being physically present at any Customs ports.”

But since they commenced operation, several of the cafes have been accused of being used for fraudulent practices.

Abdullahi, had vowed in 2011 to hold accountable any DTI operator through whose cafés containers were illegally removed from the port without the payment of appropriate fees and duties.

According to the Customs boss, some of the cafes had also been involved in identity theft.

Usually authoritative sources said that the NCS would henceforth grant Direct Trader Input access only to licensed Customs agents.

Efforts to get the Public Relations Officer of Customs, Wale Adeniyi and his assistant Joseph Attah, to confirm exactly when the ban on use of DTIs will commence this week proved abortive as neither of them picked up their calls when Vanguard tried to contact them on phone.

OME terminal operators that have fallen short of the requirement of the implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security, (ISPS) Code have escaped the sledge hammer of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA).

NIMASA is the Designated Authority appointed during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan to implement the ISPS Code in Nigeria.

Disclosing this at the monthly meeting of the Port Facility Security Officers, (PFSO) Forum, an official of NIMASA warned that any terminal operator found wanting with regards to the ISPS Code implementation will not be spared. The official noted that the agency has been busy to ensure that terminals enforce the Code in their facilities.

Part of the report reads: “The Designated Authority had been busy on enforcements on Facilities and Terminals. Some of them were lucky to have escaped fines. The DA deals with both the managements and the PFSOs of Terminal/ Facilities and as such there should be serious implementation of the ‘’CODE” by the PFSOs and the documentation of every discussion with their managements on the implementations of the code; that the DA position on non-implementations should also be communicated to them.”

The DA’s representative encouraged the members of the Forum to live up to their expectations and endeavour to avoid fines for non-compliance.

He also appealed to them to communicate every challenge in enforcing compliance to Committee with a view to receiving prompt attention.

Speaking in similar vein, Chairman of the Forum, Mr. Suberu Anataku commended the DA’s representative for their regular attendance of the Forum and their timely advice.

Anataku assured the DA that members of the Forum will continue to give what support in ensuring a safer and more secured port environment.

$130.90

-0.80

$3,300.00

-36. 00

$12.19

0.37

$63.10

1.09

58.83 CURRENCY BUYING DOLLAR POUNDS EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL KRONA SDR

0.50

CENTRAL

195.9 196.4 5 307.955 308.7408 218.2296 218.7864 210.1791 210.7154 1.5946 1.5987 0.3154 0.3254 274.2648 274.9647 31.5937 31.6748 52.2505 52.3839 29.2458 29.3205 274.957 275.6586

196.95 309.5266 219.3432 211.2517 1.6028 0.3354 275.6645 31.7559 52.5172 29.3951 276.3602

CBN Exchange Rate as at 30/ 06 /15

22 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015 The Association continued to make giant strides in the implementation of the Nigerian Insurance Industry Database (NIID) even as the Association is not relenting in its efforts to extend the areas to be covered by the device

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INSURAN

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CIIN advocates insurance as cornerstone of current administration

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resident of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, CIIN, Mr. Bola Temowo is advocating that insurance should be made the cornerstone of the nation’s economic vision of the present administration.

Temowo, who made the appeal at a press briefing in Lagos, stated that this is expedient because risk management and mitigation is the fulcrum of enduring economic growth.

Temowo said, “We are all cognizant of the fact that the insurance industry should be the catalyst for economic growth as obtainable in other climes.

Regrettably, this has not been the case in the country, even though we are on the part to progress. Many reasons have been adduced for this impeded growth, among which is the seeming lack of cohesion amongst all the industry operators. We have realized that no tangible development can be achieved when all the operators row in different directions. The Insurance Industry Consultative Council, IICC is concerned and has been working to put paid to this and project the industry cohesively.”

According to Temowo said, the IICC has therefore set an agenda to improve the presence of the insurance industry as a holistic entity for the purpose of strategic policy engagement of relevant stakeholders.

Temowo said that the IICC was established to act as the unifying voice of the insurance industry, representing the industry on national issues affecting the insurance industry; to be a clearing house for information about the insurance industry; act as an interfacing body between the industry and other parties as well as overseeing the resolution of intra and inter sectorial conflicts.

He said that the IICC is chaired by the President of the Institute and has members from all sectors of the industry namely, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN); Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA); Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) as well as Institute of Loss Adjusters of Nigeria (ILAN).

Commenting on the insurance industry mega conference, Temowo said that the industry had endeavoured to organise a common insurance industry conference in the past without success.

However, the IICC resolved to hold an annual mega conference of the Industry. This position was taken as the first step towards bringing the entire industry together to act together and speak with one voice.

Temowo said, “The maiden edition of the Annual Mega Conference is scheduled to hold from Sunday, 26th July, 2015 to Tuesday, 28th July, 2015 at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton, Abuja. The theme of the Conference “Developing insurance business for national growth” was informed by the need to upscale the capacity of the insurance industry for effective performance and improved contribution to the growth of the Nigerian Gross Domestic Product, which is receiving the coordinated attention of the industry. The emergence of new ideas to improve the relevance of the industry in all facets of the nation’s economy is a focal point of the Conference.

It also represents a platform for all stakeholders to discuss topical issues affecting the insurance industry, the financial services sector and the national economy.

Send comments & enquiries to insuranceandyou@yahoo.com C M Y K

BRIEFING: From left: Director General, Nigerian Insurers Association, Mr Sunday Thomas; Insurance Industry Mega Conference Planning Committee, Mrs Funmi BabingtonAshaye; Chairman of the Insurance Industry Consultative Council, Mr Bola Temowo and Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers, Mr Fatai Adegbenro, during a media briefing for the 2015 maiden insurance industry mega conference, in Lagos.

Buy genuine insurance, NIA urges motorists Stories by Rosemary Onuoha

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he Nigerian Insurers Association, NIA has appealed to motorists to make sure that they buy

genuine insurance certificates from insurance companies, brokers or accredited agents.

The Association charged motorists to resist the temptation of patronising touts, and other

unauthorised sources as they do not sell genuine motor certificates and cannot be guaranteed any benefit in the event of a loss.

Chairman of NIA, Mr. Godwin Wiggle who stated this at a press briefing held

CBU collaborates with BOI to enhance SME development

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he Bank of Industry, BOI, has accepted to work in concert with the Catholic Brothers United (CBU) in the latter’s planned empowerment programme for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SME’s) in the country.

The CBU, which is a sociospiritual organisation of the St. Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland, Lagos, has concluded arrangement to host a one day conference, titled, ‘Enhancing Small and Medium Scale Businesses; a viable tool for poverty eradication,’ as part of its contribution to support governments efforts at developing the sector in order to create jobs for Nigerians.

The conference, which is the 16th of the series of such initiative by the association, was specifically proposed to generate discourse on the

myriad of challenges faced by SME’s in the country.

Considering the importance of the sector to national development, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BOI, Mr. Olaoluwa, has accepted to be the guest speaker at the conference scheduled to hold on the 2nd of August, 2015.

Olaoluwa while accepting to grace the occasion reiterated the banks commitment to enhancing productivity of the SME’s.

Commenting on the coming conference, President of the CBU, Mr Emmanuel Uwukhor, said the initiative aims at providing a forum for SME’s to fully understand the inventiveness of the bank.

Uwukhor, deprecated lack of full knowledge of the banks operations by some SME’s which prompted the

craving of the association to create a satisfactory platform for parties to share knowledge and take advantage of the intercession activity of the bank to grow and sustain their business.

According to him, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are critical to the development of any economy as they possess great potentials for employment generation, improvement of local technology, output diversification, development of indigenous entrepreneurship and forward integration with large-scale industries. He however regretted that in Nigeria, there has been gross under performance of the SMEs sub-sector which has undermined its contribution to economic growth and development.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

at the NIA secretariat in Lagos stated that members are adapting to the changing dynamics of insurance operations as a lot have happened to redefine the shape of insurance business by way of NAICOM regulations, guidelines and circulars.

According to Wiggle, the Association is not resting on its oars but constantly engaging NAICOM and other regulators whose oversight functions impact on their business to ensure smooth transition and hitch free implementation.

Highlighting some of the achievements of the Association in the past one year, Wiggle said that, the Association continued to make giant strides in the implementation of the Nigerian Insurance Industry Database (NIID) even as the Association is not relenting in its efforts to extend the areas to be covered by the device.

Wiggle said, “More verification devices were distributed to member companies to enhance their marketing activities. As a fall- out of the public acceptance of the device, the number of uploads has increased significantly over the past few years. As at May 2015, over 3million vehicles have been uploaded by the 41 member companies underwriting motor

The Association will continue its drive to extend the states covered by the NIID device in order to bring more motor vehicles into the NIID net insurance business. The Association will continue its drive to extend the states covered by the NIID device in order to bring more motor vehicles into the NIID net.”

On the marine module of the NIID, Wiggle said that following the observed leakages in marine business, the NIID was extended to curb the fraud of fake marine certificates. The marine module of the NIID has become fully functional and member companies have started uploading their marine certificates.

He said, “The Association has sustained engagement with the relevant stakeholders such as CIBN, NCRIB, Nigerian Customs Service and NAICOM to seek their support for the initiative. We intend to reach out to other relevant institutions. The aim is to

NAICOM approves Lasaco Assurance 2014 accounts

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he National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, has approved the 2014 reports and accounts of Lasaco Assurance Plc. This is contained in a press statement released by the company that the regulatory authority lived up to its commitment of giving speedy approval for accounts that are well presented in compliance with International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS).

The highlight of the Accounts shows that the Company recorded a gross premium income of N5.6b against N4.9b in 2013. In the same vein, Lasaco witnessed a profit before tax of N525m against N412m made in 2013. Its profit after tax rose to N445m against N275m recorded in 2013. The Company grew its earnings per share from N00.4 in 2013 to N00.6 in the year under review. The Company settled N1.8b in claims and insurance benefits in 2014 and its operating expenses for the year 2014 amounted to N1.54b representing a decrease of N211million compared to prior year of N1.75b.

Group Managing Director of the Company, Mr. Olusola Ladipo-Ajayi explained that the company’s performance in the 2014 financial year was a reflection of team work and strategic deployment of resources, points out that the recent restructuring by the Company is paying up.

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CE & YOU

plug the leakages in import business resulting in loss of billions of naira premium accruable to the insurance industry. I am indeed delighted to report that till date, over 7,000 marine policies had been uploaded.

This attests to the general acceptability of this project and the need to support it in the interest of the industry and the national economy.”

On the Energy and Allied Insurance pool of Nigeria, EAIPN, Wiggle said, “In furtherance of the Association’s desire to further take advantage of the Nigerian Content Act 2010, curb capital flight, build local capacity in oil and gas underwriting and increase retention of oil business locally, the Energy And Allied Insurance Pool of Nigeria promoted by the Association has become fully operational.

The Technical Management Board led by a past chairman of the association, Mr. Wole Oshin has been inaugurated while Africa Re has been appointed as the Pool Manager.

Twenty (20) member companies have so far subscribed to the Pool.

On the relationship with NAICOM, Wiggle said, “The Association made input into the various guidelines and circulars released by NAICOM to enhance greater market discipline, promote ethical conduct and position the market to cope with the changing dynamics of business and in line with global best practices. Our Association will increase its interface with all relevant government regulatory agencies to ensure that members are treated fairly and in line with the law.”

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More verification devices were distributed to member companies to enhance their marketing activities.

As a fall-out of the public acceptance of the device, the number of uploads has increased significantly over the past few years

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SA pays N566.65m consolidated claims in Q1

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anagement of Standard Alliance Insurance Plc has said that it paid out a consolidated claims totalling N566.65 million to its affected policyholders during the first quarter of its operations this year.

In a statement, the company whose new management team is led by Mr. Bode Akinboye, also said that it has engaged Mr. Olukolajo Ezekiel, a longstanding insurance professional, to drive its underwriting and claims administration to clients’ all time expectations.

A breakdown of the consolidated sum shows that Standard Alliance paid N278.64m while its life subsidiary, Standard Alliance Life Assurance Ltd, was responsible for N288.01m balance.

The claims were paid out to affected policyholders spread across fire, marine, motor, oil and gas, general accident and engineering classes of general insurance as well as the group and individual life policies.

The company’s Group Managing Director, Mr. Bode Akinboye, who gave these details explained further that a total consolidated sum of N719.56m was paid out by the company and its subsidiary as claims to affected general and life policyholders during the corresponding period in 2014.

Akinboye underscored the importance the company attaches to prompt claims settlement, noting that “We recognize the fact that the survival or acceptance, progress and reputation of any underwriting company are a function of its consistent ability to respond to claims issues promptly and that is why we give any claims reported all the prompt attention to the satisfaction of our affected policyholders.”

COURTESY VISIT – From left: NICON Insurance Limited’s Managing Director, Mr. Bayode Samuel; Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Fola Daniel; Deputy Commissioner for Insurance, (Finance and Administration), Mr George Onekhena and NICON Insurance’s Acting Executive Director (Finance and Administration), Mr. Stephen Ojo during NICON Insurance Limited’s visit to National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) in Abuja.

24 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

Unquoted companies, their shareholders and the public

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ESSAY COMPETITION: From left, Business Development Manager, Skye Bank Plc, Mrs Cherly Orhadje; winner of the Skye Rainbow essay competition, Master Adedeji Adesida; Regional Director, Ikeja, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Wole Aderinkomi; and the winner’s mother, Mrs Mary Adesida, during the presentation of cheque to Master Adesida in Lagos.

CIS supports NSE’s plan to start trading in derivatives T

he Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) has thrown its weight behind the plan by the Nigerian Stock Exchange NSE to commence trading in derivatives. The NSE’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Oscar Onyema announced recently that the NSE would commence trading in Naira futures in 2017 in order to help investors hedge against movements in the local currency.

Responding to media enquires, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of CIS, Mr Adedeji Ajadi described the planned introduction of derivative trading as a welcome development and long anticipated. Ajadi explained that currency derivatives are strong components of risk

management and potential instruments for creating liquidity either on an organised exchange or Overthe Counter (OTC) market.

“Currency derivatives are very efficient risk management instruments. They also provide alternative options for hedging, speculation and leverage.

Trading on derivatives would enhance the capacity of market participants to minimise their risk, take advantage of mispricing of assets and potentially make more profits from the capital and money market”, Ajadi said.

Onyema had at a recent interview in London noted that it would be awesome if the Exchange could trade NairaDollar denominated contracts.

“Futures and options contracts are asset classes that would be

beneficial to foreign investors. The NSE might offer some futures by the end of 2017. Commenting further, Ajadi explained that the proposed trading in derivatives would deepen the market as a whole since it has capacity to widen the variety of instruments and contracts that can be traded.

“Therefore, the planned introduction of currency derivatives (Naira-Dollars options or futures by the NSE is a welcome development that the market has anticipated for quite some time. I believe local and foreign investor alike would be excited about this positive development” he said.

Vono repositions, assures shareholders of improved performance

Beta Computers boosts SMEs with POS, accounting solutions

By Emeka Aginam

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o gain access to critical information technology solutions needed to control and manage operations efficiently and effectively, Beta Computers Limited has reiterated its commitment to offer flexible payment options and outsourcing for companies and organizations acquiring Point of Sale and Accounting (POSACTS) management solutions.

Beta Computers is a leading provider of accounting and Point of Sales management solutions to both SMEs and large enterprises.

The Managing Director of C M Y K

Beta Computers, Mr. Will Anyaegbunam who disclosed this to Technology Journalists in Lagos said that the decision to provide the option of POS and Accounting Solution acquisition as a recurring services based expense rather than a capital expense was informed on the need to increase access to critical management solution by many organizations especially to those in the SME sector to whom access to capital is a major obstacle to growth.

“So organizations now have a choice to either pay instalmentally over a fixed period of between 3 to 12 months to own their own POSACTS solution or to never own but continuously have

access to the solution as a service just like they pay monthly for their internet or security guards services” he said.

With Beta’s POSACTS 12000 scheme, according to A n y a e g b u n a m , organizations, especially small and medium enterprises, SMEs, will have the opportunity to strategically and economically own or access IT solutions that would avail them with their industry specific IT hard and Software solutions they need for critical insight and effective control of their businesses.

here are a number of business activity that we are companies with significant familiar with and for which total capital employed but licences are granted is the which companies are not listed banking industry. Banks are on the Nigerian Stock required to display their audited Exchange, NSE. Besides their statements of financial position registration under the and comprehensive income at Companies and Allied Matters their branches. Banks receive Act, these companies operate deposits from the public and the in areas such as banking, statements are expected to assure telecommunications, crude oil the public that their deposits are exploration and the electric safe. However, we have power sector in which areas witnessed bank failures with the companies require the shareholders losing all their grant of licences from investments and depositors government agencies before struggling over time to recover the companies can operate. their deposits through the Some of these companies are Nigerian Deposit Insurance offering very important services Corporation. to the public but there is very It would therefore be useful if the little information available to telecommunications companies the public relating their and others who operate with charges to the efficiency of the licences are made to display/ services they offer. publish their financial Starting with the statements. telecommunications Recently, there companies which have been provide GSM complaints about We have services, there is amounts witnessed bank the an apparent charged for digital lowering of prices television services. failures with as the companies I hope the shareholders move from one complainants promotion to losing all their have been able to another. MTN gather information investments Communications with which to back Nigeria is a part their and depositors up of the MTN complaints before struggling over the Consumer Group which has its headquarters time to recover P r o t e c t i o n in South Africa Council. their deposits and operates in Significantly, some several countries through NDIC of the banks have which include invested in the Ghana and Iran. shares of the The MTN Group telecommunications publishes its companies and accounts as a South African there is little indication that the company and about 36% of its banks have received dividends total revenue is from its payments for their investments.

Nigerian operations. There Also, the banks in consortium have been suggestions that have granted huge loans to the these telecommunications telecommunications companies. companies should be listed on The banks are quoted companies the NSE. However, what whilst the telecommunications would be in best interest of the companies are unquoted and Nigerian investor, to invest in there are concerns about what the MTN Group or in MTN should be the relationship Communications Nigeria? between a quoted company The other telecommunications whose financial statements are companies have not displayed public and an unquoted their financial statements and company whose financial our primary concerns are the performance is not public. Any quality of services and the company can run into difficulties prices paid for the services of over one inappropriate these companies. There are a investment decision and the number of elements to the banks should consider carefully licences granted for a business their investments in the activity. In the first place, a telecommunications companies. licence guarantees the market If the telecommunications for the company granted the companies are sufficiently licence. In the second place, prosperous that they do not need the licence holder is expected the cheaper funds from the to provide efficient services at capital market, the companies reasonable prices. The should operate as they are.

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015—25

DIARY ICT

Africa Cape Town, South Africa July 15-16, 2015

•Payment cards

Preview This wall paper will save you from bombs

Sure, the idea of a bulletrepelling wallpaper may sound silly, since your thick walls are already meant to serve as barriers to threats, after all. This wallpaper, though, won’t just protect you from gunfire, it will also act as a protective net, catching all the debris, in case someone decides to shoot an RPG or detonate a bomb right on the side of your house.

Developed by US Army researchers, the Ballistic Wallpaper is meant for use by troops in the field, who could use the additional fortification to erstwhile unreinforced living structures and temporary shelters. Made from Kevlar fiber threads enclosed in a flexible plastic film, the wall cover can be applied onto the side of any vertical structure, ready to take the brunt of the force when the wall takes serious damage to keep everyone C M Y K

BY LAJU IREN

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T would definitely be out of place to say that the just concluded Card, ATM and Mobile Expo 2015 which held in Lagos recently did not live up to its name. However, a mere observer would wonder why for a three-day event called the ‘Card Expo,’ the emphasis was not just on the physical, plastic cards but also on contactless, cardless payments as well. One major theme that seemed to run through the programme from the opening ceremony down to the various forums and payment pitches is this: the future of the card just might be cardless.

Mastercard’s Vice President and Area Head for West Africa, Omokehinde Ojomuyide is quick to say that the stakeholders must begin to think digitally. Her words: “Everything affecting everyday life will soon be a payment device. The lines between digital and physical are blurred. The future of payments is digital. Mobile is just one way.”

There were indeed many ways showcased at the Expo. And that must have pleased the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, who said the CBN was particular about creating a conducive environment for innovation, which is essential to achieving our vision of a payment system. His words: “We do not view innovation as an enemy of regulation, rather we seek to achieve payment system development and widespread adoption through innovative payment system solutions. Our vision is the enhance the payment

I N S I D E

Telecom sector contribution to GDP drops by 0.8% in Q1 2015 PAGE 26

CARD EXPO 2015:

The future isn’t just cashless, but cardless system to facilitate economic activities by providing safe and efficient mechanisms for making and receiving payments with minimum risks to the Central Bank, the payment service providers and the end users.”

Emefiele, represented by the director of the CBN’s Banking and Payment System, Mr. Dipo Fatokun said that the apex bank’s vision of the development of the country’s payment system is along eight specific verticals which include:

Why we’re investigating Multichoice — CPC PAGE 27

We do not v i e w innovation as an enemy o f regulation, rather we seek to a c h i e v e payment s y s t e m development

Smart Cities, Agriculture, Transportation, education, epayments, Government Flows, Health, Direct Debits and Hotels and entertainment. These are anchored on the evolution and development of e-payment solutions. We therefore expect innovations to be in tandem with our vision of supporting these verticals.

He added: “We are creating an environment to boost innovation rather than stiffle it. Innovators can therefore rest assured that we will bring about policies that will enhance competition, collaboration and cooperation in the payment ecosystem in Nigeria.”

Secure ID’s new token card is definitely one that will enhance competition among stakeholders.

Managing Director, Kofo Akinkugbe speaking on the innovation said: “It’s like a normal card. When one Continues on page 28

26 — VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

Let Me Distribute becomes Sony Mobile's sole distributor in Nigeria

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ONY Mobile Communications has announced the appointment of digital equipment distributors, Let Me Distribute (LMD) as new sole distributor for the Nigerian market.

Although the two companies signed the agreement last year, LMD will now be the only authorized distributors for Sony Mobile Xperia Range of Smartphones and tablets.

This is also as it entrusts Ensure Services with the responsibility to take care of all after-sales services for all Xperia products.

Announcing the deal, Sony Mobile Communications Country Manager Nigeria, Mr Younes Cherkaoui, said: “We are very happy to partner with Let Me Distribute as our only authorized partner for the very vast Nigerian market and we are confident that they have what it takes to service the needs of all our customers across the Nigerian market.

“LMD has a very good knowledge of the Nigerian market and has the capacity to cover the whole market”.

Meanwhile, he revealed that Sony Mobile continue to unveil latest innovations and avail Nigerians the opportunity to own latest Xperia models and technology at affordable costs.

Sony Mobile Communications is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation, a leading global innovator of audio, video, game, communications, key device and information technology products for both the consumer and professional markets.

Through its Xperia smartphone portfolio, Sony Mobile has released the best of Sony technology, premium content and services, and easy connectivity to Sony ’s world of networked entertainment experiences to many Nigerian consumers •Xperia smartphone

By Emmanuel Elebeke

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he Nigerian Telecommunications sector witnessed a 0.8 per cent marginal decline in the first quarter of 2015.

In the latest quarterly report released by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, the sector contributed N1,344,489.25 million (8.38%) to total economic output for the opening quarter of 2015, in real terms, as against 8.46 per cent recorded in 2014.

The opening quarter NBS said, recorded a real growth rate of 5.36 per cent, a rise of 0.61 per cent points from the 2014 average growth rate, which was 4.75 per cent According to the report, the share of telecommunications in real GDP has fluctuated between a relatively narrow margin between 2010 and Q1 of 2015, peaking at 9.32 per cent in Q1 of 2010, and reaching a low of 7.68 per cent in Q3 of 2012.

However, it noted that the annual averages of the growth showed steady marginal declines; from 9.03 per cent of real GDP in 2010, it declined to 8.68 per cent in 2011, with marginal declines of 0.04 per cent points in 2012, 0.07 per cent points in 2013 and 0.11 per cent points in 2014.

Total Subscriber base 2002-2014 The report showed that the total number of subscribers in the Nigeria’s telecom sector between 2002 and 2014 has been increasing rapidly over the period of review.

From just 2.27 million registered lines in 2002, there were 127.61 million in 20141, indicating an annual growth average of 46.29 per cent between 2002-2014, with the highest rate recorded in 2004 at 153.65 per cent, whilst 2011 saw the lowest rise, of 8.53 per cent.

The 8.97 per cent growth recorded in 2014, NBS said, •Telecom mast represented an additional 11.44 million subscribers in that year alone.

The report showed that the nation’s teledensity has grown roughly equally to that of subscription rates, imply that subscription has grown at a similar rate to population growth.

However, there is no limit to the number of subscriptions per person, meaning that growth in subscribers was some individuals or even businesses may Multiple Access (CDMA) with mainly driven by Globacom, 1.54 per cent of the total, whist have two or more lines, inflating the figure which recorded an average rate to make it appear that a larger portion of fixed wire and wireless make of 1.45 per cent over the period, up 0.09 per cent and 0.04 per the population has access to mobile phones. followed by Etisalat with 1.37 The study revealed that in the month of cent respectively. per cent and Airtel with 1.29 A total of 143,057,324 April 2015, mobile subscribers using GSM per cent, whilst MTN recorded subscribers were registered dominated the market, with 98.34 per cent the lowest average monthly with GSM technology to the of the total, followed by Code Division and fournetworks of MTN, Etisalat, growth in subscribers at 0.44 Globacom and Airtel as of per cent.

The greatest monthly growth April 2015.

From all indication, MTN rate of the four networks was

By Agbolade Omowole @iamagbolade dominated the number of recorded for Globacom in July subscriptions, with 61,218,803 of 2014, in which the number subscribers or 42.84 per cent of of subscribers increased by 1,637,543 or 6.37 per cent. the total number.

The lowest rate was recorded Globacom followed with 21.00 for Airtel, in which in July of per cent, whilst Airtel came 2014, 436,260 or 1.72 per cent third at 20.48 per cent and Etisalat was fourth with 15.69 fewer subscribers were recorded.

If a question will get a lot of people’s attention per cent.

If you are active on Facebook, few things in a social gathering, it will get their attention The report indicated that probably would make you more excited than Mobile subscribers for on Facebook. since May of 2014, monthly seeing new comments on your status update.

Entertain: There are three goals of growth in GSM subscribers has CDMA Why get more comment? Getting more Of the 2,234,302 mobile communication: to persuade, entertain or to averaged 0.95 per cent, with the comments on your post on Facebook can help in subscribers using CDMA inform people.

Of these three, entertaining greatest increase being increasing engagement, involvement and posts get the most comments. recorded in December of 2014 technology in the system, credibility. It gives you some psychological social Anything that you post that makes people at 1.97 per cent and the lowest 2,220,069 (99.36%) were with advantage in the long run. happy and make them smile is entertaining. in July of the same year at - Visafone as of April 2015, whilst Getting more comments on your post may serve the remaining 14,233 (0.64%) Share your lifestyle.

Share what you’re doing 0.43 per cent. as some form of social proof. It gives social proof from time to time on Facebook. Share what you According to NBS, the were with Multilinks. that your post is worth reading. I recently did a The total monthly growth rate think and how you feel. post about Governor Adams Oshoimole’s wedding between the May 2014 and Ask thought provoking questions: Experts and it got about 79 meaningful comments.

April 2015 period averaged say if you ask the right questions, you will get If you ever wish to get more people to comment he study 0.68 per cent. the right answer. on your Facebook posts, here are 7 simple things revealed that in According to the NBS, this People like to feel that their input and to do. was completely driven by the month of suggestions are important. By asking questions Be Likeable: People do business with you 90% growth in Visafone subscribers, on Facebook, you make your readers think of April 2015, of the time because of you, not because of the which recorded an average of themselves as contributors, participants, and composition of the sales pitch or the beautiful mobile 0.76 per cent growth, whilst that boosts their bruised and swollen ego. graphics. subscribers Multilinks recorded negative Share human interest stories. I have If you can get people to like, then you can get growth of 7.00 per cent. learnt from experience that most people on using GSM them to buy from you.

The findings showed that social media are not interested in rocketConnect: This is done by ‘inboxing’ fans and dominated the Multilinks recorded negative science. Most people go to social media to friends on Facebook. They should see you as a market, with growth in every month of unwind and connect. friend not a boss who does not care about them. review, with a total decline of 98.34 per cent of Human interest stories are more appealing Be Sociable: People are on social networking 17,597 subscribers between to people on social media and if you can elicit sites to be social. Think about a social gathering the total May 2014 and April 2015. fear, joy or anxiety through your post, comments and the kind of conversation that will get people’s will roll in. attention in such gatherings.

Telecom sector contribution to GDP drops by 0.8% in Q1 2015

SOCIETY & SOCIAL MEDIA

7 pragmatic ways to get more comments on Facebook

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C M Y K

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015—27

Why we’re investigating Multichoice — CPC

By Prince Osuagwu

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HE Consumer Protection Council, CPC, has said that its aim of investigating activities and services of Digital Satellite Television, DSTV, was not to upturn the judgment of the court which ruled in favour of Multichoice Nigeria on the recent price increase saga, but to give attention to barrage of reports reaching its offices alleging unsatisfactory service offerings by the PayTv operator.

Head of the CPC Lagos Office, Mr Tam Tamunokobia, in a telephone conversation with Hi-Tech on Monday, said that although the court had ruled that price hike was a contractual agreement between the operator and its subscribers which also gives the subscribers liberty to withdraw from using the services when the prices are not comfortable for them, the commission would however not dismiss the barrage of complaints pouring into its offices on daily basis alleging unsatisfactory service offerings by the operator.

“You may be aware that the court ruled in their favour on the price increase case but we will not throw the concerns and complaints of million Nigerians away. So we have decided to extend the investigation beyond the price increase. For instance there are allegations of poor decoder swap deals, constant loss of signals and undue disconnection before due date of subscription, among others.

We will look into all these and what our investigations reveal, will determine the line of action we will take” Tamunokobia said.

Recall that Multichoice

Nigeria had introduced a 20 per cent hike in the fees charged subscribers for using the DSTV service to take effect from April 1, 2015.

However, two Lagos-based lawyers, Oluyinka Oyeniji and Osasuyi Adebayo, quickly initiated a class action on behalf of millions of Nigerians who criticised the new subscription rates as exploitative and insensitive.

The two lawyers had sought the order of the court to stop MultiChoice or its agents from implementing the price increase and also asked the court to compel the National Broadcasting Commission to take steps to monitor and regulate MultiChoice operations in Nigerian to ensure that it does not hike their fees arbitrarily.

The two applicants said they were expecting the NBC to ensure that they compel DSTV to deal with Nigerians the same way DSTV deals with other subscribers in other parts of the continent where MultiChoice operates, by ensuring that the pay-per-view scheme was introduced in the country.

It was an arragement they argued, would ensure that Nigerian subscribers to DSTV would only pay for programmes actually watched, as is the case in South Africa.

Objecting to the application, counsel to MultiChoice, Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), urged the court to deny the plaintiffs their demands and discountenance their pleas, reminding the court that it did not have the legal authority to regulate what the company decides to charge its customers for its services.

But despite getting judgment

• Dupe Atoki in her favour it appears Multichoice may still battle the dissatisfaction of many DSTV subscribers for a long time.

Many subscribers who are miffed over the increase still believe that the PayTV operator could still be in business if it reviews its prices a bit downwards. Some of them described the increase as lack of respect and regard for its Nigerian subscribers since according to them; it does not arbitrarily increase prices in South Africa.

Tamunokobia revealed that the CPC has served Multichoice with a written notice of investigation and was waiting for the company’s reply.

Hi-Tech gathered that part of the notice, signed by the council’s Director General, Mrs. Dupe Atoki, spelt out that many subscribers had complained of “poor quality of service such as incessant disruption of service without compensation while subscription is current; wrongful abrupt disconnection of service during subsisting subscriptions; monthly subscriptions lasting less than 30 days; and poor redress mechanism and customer services.”

Others, it said, include “advertisements on customer care lines at the expense of consumers; poor implementation of decoder swap policy; and effecting price increase for subscriptions despite payment before due date of increase.”

MTN’s 21 Days of Y’ello Care winds down with echoes of By CSR adopted the theme, “Investing in quiz competition amongst seven schools, Prince Osuagwu

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s MTN, drew the curtains to this year ’s annual staff volunteerism programme, 21 Days of Y’ello Care, there were echoes of sound Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR the stock of positive impact of the programme was taken.

This year’s programme which focused on education, engaged the Nigerian operation in a number of activities focusing on inculcating the reading culture in the Nigerian child.

The annual programme was initiated by the MTN Group in 2007 to encourage MTN staff in all its 21 operations in Africa, Asia and the Middle East to volunteer their resources, time and skills to assist others and the communities they live and work in.

This year ’s initiative had C M Y K

Education for All,” which was in consonance with the global movement to make education accessible and compulsory for all and sundry across the world.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Michael Ikpoki said that the last 21 days were quite eventful and fostered conducive environment for learning in schools.

“Seventeen digital libraries were set up in primary and secondary schools across the six geo-political zones in Nigeria.

Training and empowerment seminars were conducted for one hundred teachers of the Lagos State Ministry of Education and a book reading session was organized for students to imbibe the reading habit in them,”, Ikpoki added.

A major highlight of the closing ceremony was a keenly contested

which was eventually won by Gbaja Girls Secondary School and New Era Girls Secondary School, both located in Surulere, Lagos. Each school received Laptops loaded with MTN’s educational bundle.

Other activities included the visit to nine orphanages and motherless babies home in the six geopolitical zones of the country donating household and food items such as nutritional drinks, foodstuff, and mosquito nets among other things. MTNers also provided the children with basic amenities to not only sustain them in the homes, but to keep them happy and catered for. Other educational materials were donated while the senior management staff of the centres also encouraged and mentored the students on their desired career paths.

MTN through the programme, contributed its quota towards improving educational standards, providing an enabling environment for learning and instilling the pivotal role of education in the development of the nation.

28— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

By SOLOMON NWOKE

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he NOC recently constituted new commissions ahead of the forthcoming All Africa Games in Congo Brazaville and Rio 2016 Olympics with you as the head of the Technical Commission, could you tell us what that entails being the head of the technical committee and what your terms of reference are?

The NOC as you said rightly constituted committees/ Commissions and their chairmen last Thursday and I was lucky or privileged or rather, challenged to be the chairman of the technical commission. It’ s great responsibility but I am further gladdened by the number of people we have at the committee. We have about 18 very knowledgeable people on the committee including a lot of federation presidents and some professors who I think will add a lot of value to the committee.

In terms of sports the technical committee is the most important maybe, next to the finance committee in the Olympic spectrum. We are to come up with some policies on selection criteria on how our athletes can be best prepared for optimum performance at major games especially. We are also to draw up a policy on what we will do with our juniors to the senior level. So it’s a lot of responsibility, but like I said in that inauguration last Thursday, committees like that don’t just function they have to be marginally funded for us to get the proper frame work needed to get things started. So I’m open with the NOC president who is an IOC member who understands what it entails that once we get started.

We are to have our first meeting next week. Before long we will be able to come up with a frame work for the All Africa Games coming up in the next two and half months.

So how does the NOC committees and the rest work with the ministerial committee for the All Africa Games?

I am also a member of the ministerial committee so is the vice chairman of the technical commission. So whatever we do will not be negligent of what the ministerial committee is doing, I fact it will only add.

Whatever we plan at the LOC level at the NOC technical commission will only add to the technical committee.

You know you cannot divorce the NOC from the National Sports Commission in Nigeria. The two must work together and so, I think it’s not a parallel structure in any way. Our committee will C M Y K

Igali raises alarm over lack of AAG: competitions

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HAIRMAN of the Technical Commission of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Honourable Daniel Igali has predicted a bright outing for Team Nigeria athletes in the forthcoming All Africa Games in Congo Brazaville in September. He predicted that the Nigeria will be among the top finishers in the chase for medals at the Games. In this interview with Solomon Nwoke, Honourable Igali, who is also the President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation speaks more about his wrestlers and Team Nigeria in general

•Blessing Okagbare add to what the ministerial committee will do.

Primarily, you are the president of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation ( NWF) and wrestlers for the AAG have not been selected because the competition which should have served as trials for selection has not been held since last year.

What plan is on ground for the competition and how do you intend to overcome the financial challenge you have?

We are working with some people right now to see how we can source funds independent of government.

Those things take a while and so our primary source of fund would still be the federal government, National Sports Commission and of course some state governments who have been very supportive, like the Bayelsa state government and the government of Delta state and we are also talking to Ondo state government that has two of our gold medalists at the Commonwealth Games level. Those are the states that can help you achieve some of the goals that you want to achieve.

Now coming back to your question of not having competition this year, we are open to having a competition next month (July) and hopefully by the middle of end next month to have our national championships and trials for the All Africa Games.

We are looking at having a tournament in Romania by the second week of July and right after that we are going to set our selection criteria. I am hoping that has to take place because we have no choice. If we are lucky to have Governor Dickson Classics, then we use that as our

I would prefer a situation where as at the end of June my athletes should have had about 30 matches national classics then we get to Abuja to have our selection.

Is Governor Dickson classics coming before the All Africa Games? Is that what you are saying. . . . . . .?

Igali ( cuts in) we must have the classics before the All Africa Games and it can’t be after July and we must have the selected in July.

And you are liaising with the governor on this?

We are hoping that the tournament takes place in July because like you know it’s been postponed twice. We have had fruitful discussions and I think it’s not lack of zeal on his part, now that the elections are over and since it’s an annual tournament and it’s in his name that means we should be able to have it in July.

We do know that you have been financing this federation from your pocket for some time, but the NSC came up at a time that they have released over two hundred million Naira to some of the federations, did your federation benefit from this for your programmes?

You know most times, the NSC funds programmes directly, so if a team is travelling to an African

championships and money is released for that it also counts as support to the federation. So I wouldn’t know exactly how much that got to wrestling, but you know we have a big team and if you go, for instance, we went to African championship a couple of weeks ago and we travelled with a team of about 30 persons and were there for 10 days with visas, air tickets and other logistics. Let’s say everything gulped about N30 million just for one competition. So if the NSC say they spent about N200 million, you can’t fault them if one African Championship for wrestling alone can gulp up to N30million. A soccer team going somewhere with 37 people, and so on. About six to seven teams could take up that amount of money. So I wouldn’t be surprised if that is the case.

Technically speaking, do we have a team on ground for wrestling?

Yes, we have a national team, we just came back from the African championships and I didn’t pick the people from Chad or Niger Republic.

They are Nigerians.

Can you vouch on their current form?

The team in my opinion is the best we have in this country now and until we have our national championships. The best

•Daniel Amas (standing)

•Hon Igali athletes, as we speak now are the people that went to compete at the African Championships.

The All Africa Games is about two months away from now, how long time do you think you have to prepare your team?

Ideally, because we haven’t really competed this year, I would prefer a situation where as at the end of June my athletes should have had about 30 matches. Now the person that had the most matches was Amas had about five matches and

BLOODY . . .: Efe Ajagba of Nigeria (right) punishes Paul Schafer of South Africa during the last commonwealth Games in Glasgow

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015 — 29

Rangers coach wants to extend fine run against Pillars

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that is not where I would want them to be. So if we should look at an ideal situation, I think they would still have needed about 35 to 40 matches, so that would be say about six months of preparation.

Let’s also look at the signals from the ministerial committee, we are still awaiting the announcement of the new minister of sports, the NSC and NOC are doing one thing or the other, if you check out all of these, the signals from NOC and NSC even from the Bayelsa state government, what are your fears?

Well if we are to be waiting for the preparedness of the NSC or state, we wouldn’t have attended these championships.

As a federation, we have always been bringing the athletes together. Most times in Yanegoa because that’s where I stay and we are able to manage to keep them together and train together at least a minimum of two weeks before we go to any championship. So we will not wait for them, I have already told the national team that the last week of June they need to all be in Yanegoa. I want us to have a preparatory camp before the main camp that would be organized by the NSC. Wrestling is one of the ‘A’ grade sports, we have athletics, wrestling, weightlifting, Badminton and the others. So we have original plans that this first week of July we’ll be in camp, it hasn’t come yet. I don’t know if its late because I am not someone who believes that athletes should be in camp for three or four months because sometimes, it kills the rationale behind it. I was an athletes and I never was in camp at any time for more than three weeks. You must have a reason for a camp, you camp and you compete and you camp again and compete.

But staying in camp for six months and that is the mentality we have come to adopt.

•Continues next week C M Y K

ANGERS coach Imama Amapakabo has said he hopes his team extend their fine run in the Nigeria league when they welcome champions Kano Pillars to Enugu today.

Amapakabo has led Rangers to three wins in four matches since he replaced former boss Kelechi Emeteole, who was asked to step aside by management of the Enugu club.

“It is just going to be another game (vs Pillars)

and we shall give it all it deserves to wrestle the maximum points at stake,” said the young coach.

“Pillars are a good side and we shall give them that respect but ensure the business is done on the pitch to keep hopes alive.”

However, despite ‘The Flying Antelopes’ remarkable run under his watch, Amapakabo insisted he will not make any promises as regards how Rangers will fare this season.

Copa America: Hosts Chile reach final

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hile took another step towards their dream of winning a first Copa America on home soil with a 2-1 win over Peru but Eduardo Vargas’ match-winning double was overshadowed by

an early refereeing decision that turned the game the hosts’ way.

Carlos Zambrano’s harsh sending off for a high tackle after 20 minutes was the second game in a row that

Chile’s rivals have been hit with controversial red cards.

The decision was a hard one to swallow for Peru, who in spite of being underdogs had started well in front of a capacity crowd at Santiago’s National Stadium.

Peru refused to cave in after Zambrano’s dismissal and matched their hosts in a pulsating first half.

It looked like the teams would go in all square at half time but Chile took the lead when striker Vargas poked the ball home from three yards after an Alexis Sanchez cross had come back off the post.

Everton eye move for £8million Leeds star

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VERTON are considering a move for Leeds United Sam defender Sam Byram.

Byram The 21-year-old has been a long term target for the Toffees, and the Daily Mailreports Leeds are unwilling to listen to offers under •Abdennour £8million.

Manchester United are desperate to lure Seamus Coleman away from Goodison Park, and while Roberto Martinez is reluctant to lose the Republic of Ireland EWCASTLE United have identified international, he is already Monaco centre-back Aymen Abdennour as eyeing a potential one of their chief defensive targets this summer replacement.

– although it seems that the Tunisian Byram came through the international does not want to move to Tyneside. ranks at Elland Road and Reports last week claimed that the Magpies has since become a key had opened the expected bidding war for the figure in the first-team set centre-back by offering 17 million (£12 million) up, appearing in 36 of the for the Tunisian international – although club’s 46 games in Monaco want north of £15 million. theChampionship last The 25-year-old centre-back has been on season.

Newcastle’s radar for several seasons having impressed at Toulouse and then Monaco in Uwe Rosler’s side Ligue 1 but there are a long list of suitors finished 15th in the second queuing up to entice him away from the Stade tier of English football Louis II – including Arsenal, Barcelona, last time out, though Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Byram is hopeful the side Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan. can chase promotion next

Newcastle move for £15 million defender

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Arsenal, Chelsea battle to sign £24m-rated Ghana star •Asamoah

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RSENAL and Chelsea are ready to battle it out over the signing of £24m-rated Juventus midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah this summer, according to the Daily Star.

Asamoah made his name at Udinese where he became an integral part of the team having been handed the captains armband at just 22 and his impressive form led to a bigmoney move to Juventus in 2012.

The Ghana international enjoyed an encouraging start to life in Turin as he was a regular during the Italian giants successive Serie A title wins in 2013 and 2014 but he was restricted to making just 10 appearances last season due to a serious knee injury.

The 26-year-old did return to play the full ninety minutes against Napoli in Juve’s penultimate league game but was subsequently left out of their squad for the Champions League final defeat to Barcelona.

Despite on-going concerns over his long-term fitness, it appears Asamoah has done enough to catch the eye of two of England’s biggest clubs with the Daily Star are citing reports coming from Italy which claim that Arsenal and Chelsea are both showing a keen interest in signing the player this summer.

30 — VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

Hadiza Bala Usman N

•Serena Williams

asir El-Rufai, governor of Kaduna state, has appointed Hadiza Bala Usman as his chief of staff and this has caused her to be the most discussed woman on the Nigerian cyberspace.

Bala Usman is a notable figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC), where she served in a number of committees and capacities, key among, which are administrative secretary of the Buhari presidential campaign organisation, secretary of the APC elections planning committee, and member of the APC strategy committee. She was also director of finance in the Nasir El-Rufai campaign organisation, and later the Kaduna state APC campaign council. The Zaria-born activist came into national reckoning in April 2014 when she started the #Bringbackourgirls (BBOG) movement to pressure the government into stepping up

efforts towards the quick rescue of more than 200 schoolgirls abducted from their hostel at Chibok, Borno state.

The group, which she co-founded with Obiageli Ezekwesili, former minister of education, faced stiff opposition from the past government of Goodluck Jonathan.

Owing to her membership of the APC, the Jonathan government discredited the group as working for •Hadiza Bala Usman t h e opposition and accused it of plotting to 2014 by Financial Times (FT) bring down the while CNN named her as the administration. For her most inspiring woman of 2014. humanitarian efforts, the Ezekwesili has expressed business administration delight with Hadiza’s graduate was named one of appointment. the most influential women of

ms a li il W a n e r e S

Nkiru

Amunudu

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erena Williams has announced plans to study medicine after retiring. Apparently the 20-time grand slam champion has been studying for a pre-med degree at the University of Massachusetts. Her latest academic exploration, which comes after previous courses in fashion and business management, was prompted by the auto-immune condition – Sjogren’s syndrome – that has afflicted her sister and closest companion Venus.

After what my sister went through, I wanted to really focus on holistic medicine. And then I was really interested in learning things from the earth that can heal us. There’s so much cancer that is going around now and also when I go to Africa, with the work I do with my schools there, it’s very useful to have something like that.

Williams is studying online for the moment, although she points out that the university is on its summer break at the moment, so she is taking the opportunity to catch up on her Netflix viewing instead.

As with everything to do with Serena Williams, blogosphere is interested.

Rolari Segun I

t’s wedding bells as well in the household of legendary musician and social crusader Fela. Rolari Femi Segun, the first grandchild of Late Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and only child of Yeni Kuti got marr i e d t o Australian Benedict Jacka last weekend at a grand traditional marriage ceremony held at the New Afrika Shrine.

Pictures appearing on blogosphere saw the Segun and Kuti families receiving the Jacka family from England to perform the traditional rites.

The wedding, which had yellow and white as the colours of the day, attracted dignitaries from government, business and entertainment circles. Benedict, in his early 30s, is a British author while Rolari is daughter of C M Y K

Yeni Kuti and the late Femi Segun who died in a motorbike accident in Lagos last year.

Nothing but love for the Kuti family on the Nigerian blogosphere.

•Rolari Segun

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•Ajibola Ajimobi

peaking of love, Nona Adimora has posted pictures of her socialite and style icon sister Nkiru Anumudu being fed pounded yam and vegetable soup at a party, on social media by hubby, Willie.

•Nkiru Amunudu She writes: Love Nwantiti! Pa Willy feeding his wife at Senator Annie Okonkwo’s party!

Commentators are bowled over by the open display of affection amongst the ‘oldies’. One writes- Pa Willie, you are the man!

Ajibola Janet Jackson Ajimobi T

he Nigerian blogosphere is in a wedding mood as it appears the daughter of the Oyo State governor, Abiola Ajimobi, is trending.

Some commentators, mostly female, seem delighted that Ajibola Ajimobi, daughter of Abiola Ajimobi, got engaged at her birthday dinner to her loving boyfriend Ayo, in a public ceremony last week. The sister of the bride to be was instrumental in planning the secret surprise - the proposal.

A picture is circulating of the newly engaged couple, Ayo and Jibola laughing on inauguration day, celebrating her father’s second term in office as he made history- it was the first time an incumbent governor had been re-elected in the state.

While everyone loves a good old big state wedding, many commentators have Oyo civil servants on their mind as the State owes many months’ salaries to their workers.

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fter disappearing for what seems like eons, the little princess of the blighted Jackson family made a grand appearance this week as she picks up the Ultimate Icon: Music Dance Visual Award at the BET Awards in California this weekend.

Attendees say she didn’t perform.

It’s been a very long journey to this moment. My heart is so full. Thank you, God, for making everything possible. I’m so grateful for the support you’ve always given me, to my beautiful mother and beautiful father, and to my entire family. Your love is unbreakable.

Many thanks to Jimmy and Terry for our incredible history and to everyone who performed in the tribute tonight. Twenty five years ago, we created Rhythm Nation hoping the world would be a better place, but today there is even more to be done. Last but not least to my loving husband and to all the fans, I’ve missed you so much and I love you so much. Thank you! Thank you, BET •Janet Jackson

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015—31

At 25, I own a group of companies — Omonike Fowowe, President, EMR Group

By Kehinde Ajose

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lthough her results and achievements belies her age especially in an era where young women aren’t too clear about what they want from life, 25 years old Omonike is an entrepreneur who has built a plethora of marketing communications and humanitarian brands under her company.Express Multi Concept Resources(EMR) Group Ltd was founded and established in 2011.Her main objective is helping organizations become more visible and accessible to their customers via using the internet and several other veritable channels. The beautiful entrepreneur who is a graduate of Redeemers University,opens up on how she has been able to build EMR Group into a formidable brand What prompted you to go into business?

My mum's influence was what prompted me into business.When she was the Zonal Director, FRCN, Enugu, she gave me small jobs to do for her which I completed successfully.After my service year in 2011,there wasn’t any attractive job to do . So I then decided to set up my own marketing company by embarking on the business registration.

What was your growing up like and how did it influence your career path?

Growing up was rough and exciting.

I went though hard times but I had the most supportive and strongest woman ever as a mother. She raised my brothers and I to be independent. She always said nobody knows what will happen tomorrow. So from a very tender age, I began to do a lot of things by myself .This has helped me in running my business.People marvel at the fact that I am just 25 and I own a group of companies.Its the grace of God that has kept me.I am privileged to be trained by a single mum who is also very successful in her own career.

What exactly do you do at EMR? We are a general services and IntegratedMarketing Communications (IMC) company .The subsidiary under EMR Group .are masters in sales promotions,sales & distributions ,product activations,sales reps hiring & training ,online brand management,digital marketing. We also own a website platform which specializes in brand management,marketing strategy,digital media and social media management with over 10,000

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My goal is simple, I want to work hard so my kids will enjoy more than I did.

As a woman, if you can’t work for somebody else, you can start a small venture

unique visits daily.

What was your seed capital?

My seed capital was zero.I will say this because I didn’t have any huge funds to start with.We started by making money from the services we rendered and that’s how it has always been.EMR has grown bigger than me.We are thinking of expanding by inviting interested investors into our company. We have bigger projects that we can no longer handle by ourselves due to capital, but for now we are doing good.

What is your opinion about women venturing into business?

It’s a great idea. I don’t feel comfortable seeing a woman jobless.I have always wanted to make my own money and spend it the way I want .I don’t like begging or asking people for money .The last time I collected money from my mum was during my convocation at Redeemers University.Immediately I started my NYSC at Access Bank PLC, the money I earned was enough and I managed and I invested every little money I got into my business .Every woman needs to work, it is very important.People

ask me why I am working so hard ,I tell them If I didn’t want to work and be rich, all I needed to do was to go find a rich man who will marry me and provide for my needs. I won’t hustle.Things have changed .Children’s school fees has gone higher .You cant put all the responsibilities on the man. Seeing my mum fend for us all and others has shaped my thinking of being a hardworking woman .My goal is simple, I want to work hard so my kids will enjoy more than I did. As a woman,if you can’t work for somebody else, you can start a small venture. It is not always smooth ,but as time goes on, things will become better. I am happy watching female CEOs. They inspire me to do more and I always try my possible best to assist them where I know my help is needed.

What will you regard as the highest point of your business?

The highest point of my business occurred when I walked into a place and heard people talk about my company.They didn’t know I own the company. When you get to a place and people speak of your company in a good light, it means you are doing something unique and different .We have had so many feasible high points. I am a success when my client’s brand is doing well.

What will you regard as the lowest point of your business?

The recent economy crisis hasn’t been favourable to us especially having to deal with the shift of elections and the scare that came with it .We are thankful to God that the elections happened peacefully.

What challenges are peculiar to your line of business?

Having to deal with unsuccessful campaigns has been a challenge.You brainstorm over a campaign and put in a lot of efforts and it doesn’t scale through.That is discouraging.Imagine a situation whereby efforts have gone into a campaign, clients funds have gone down too, but I always tell my team that there is always a lesson to be learnt in every challenge.Brands also find it difficult to pay huge amounts of money when it comes to employing the services of a digital media and marketing company like ours.

Whose advice has been instrumental to your career and who gave it?

I have been given lots of advices,but one person that keeps on pushing me whenever I get tired is Femi Aderigbibe,popularly known has Kwame.He has been a mentor from my University days .He supports us everytime. Kwame literally brought me out of my shell.He made me realize the importance of telling my story to inspire young women like me.

What advice would you give someone who wants to follow your footsteps?

Never stop .Don’t give up.You need to keep working and always keep your head up .It is imperative to always invest in your business.

Sometimes I feel like giving up, but when I look at our achievements so far and the people who look up to me as a role model, I keep working till I get what I want.

Someone somewhere is watching and appreciating what you do .You are your own star, keep shining.

32 — VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

C M Y K

VOL. 1 NO 39

WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

the Ubo River that gave them access temporarily against when they had no access, but said the culvert had to give way for a modern bridge and good road to enable them enjoy like other communities in Anambra.

Igboanugo, who is also the Chairman of Orumba North Association of Town Unions, ONATU, spoke when the Presidents-General of the 16 communities in Orumba North visited his community.

He said he wrote a personal letter to Governor Obiano on the need to do the 7.5 kilometre road to Ogboji across the bridge with three other culverts. He appealed passionately to the state government, especially with the promise from Her Excellency, Chief Ebere Obiano during her tour of local government areas that the road would be done before next tour of council areas.

Though the Secretary General of Ndiokpaleke, S.O.N. Okeke was bitter that there is no secondary school in his community, no organized market and no electricity as the one they had was shoddily done and never gave them the joy of saying they had electricity. He said for several months now they had not seen electricity.

He lamented too of the lack of roads and other basic amenities in his community and appealed for quick g o v e r n m e n t intervention. He said their market square is nothing to write home about hence worsened by lack of roads.

And this reporter visited the market, but found no human beings there, it could

Help! We need basic amenities, Anambra communities beg Obiano

By OBIALUNAMMA NWADIOGBU

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Mining right tears Umunneochi apart Page 2

Nigeria’s problem is bad leadership Page 3 —Asiegbu

Woman, son in police net for using hot iron on house-helps Page 5 C M Y K

KWULOBIA—FOUR rural communities in Orumba North Local Government Area, Anambra State are in search of government's attention. They lacked everything from good healthcare to schools and the worst is water, not to talk of roads and electricity.

The communities are Ndiokolo, Ndiokpaleke, Awa and Ndikelionwu.

These communities are endowed with massive agricultural land even with a World Bank project located in the boundary of Ndiokolo and Ndiokpaleke with Ogboji community. It is the same at Ndikelionwu and Awa, yet they lack basic amenities and the worst are access road and potable water.

President General of Ndiokpaleke Town Union, Hon. Ernest Elochukwu Igboanugo addressing newsmen at a collapsed bridge built in 1980, lamented the level of neglect and abandonment his community had suffered as they have written several letters to the leadership of Orumba North Local Government, including the present Chairman Okey Enekwe and present Anambra State government led by Governor Willie Obiano to no avail.

Igbanugo had before the visit met with the Presidents-General of the 16 communities in Orumba North and they decided to articulate the areas of need community by community before the state governor and even write for explanation

or attention for redress in areas where they were not satisfied in case of abandoned projects. They had visited four of the 16 communities.

He said whenever it rained, the river would over-flow Ubo Bridge, making movements utmost impossible, and at times it took days to subside. He said "Ndiokolo and Ndiokpaleke are suffering lack of government presence." He, however, thanked the ex-Governor Peter Obi administration that did a culvert over

We are in a hole and trapped. It gets worst during rainy season.

May the governor, Chief Willie Obiano remember us to relieve us from this hole. We are great farmers, but we have no bridges, no roads, no water, no electricity, nothing yet, and we are citizens of Anambra State. We produce yam, rice, cassava, palm wine, palm fruits to the extent that we harvest up to 300 bags any day we harvest, plantain, banana and all kinds of fruits and grains abound

be best described as a market without human beings.

The Kpoko Bridge between Ndiokolo and Ndiokpaleke could not carry two vehicles at a time and if it rained nobody could leave or come into the community.

On his part the President-General of Ndiokolo, Chief Hyginus Anike represented by the Secretary General, Tony Alukwe said the only major thing that would give his people a sense of belonging "is a motorable road and functional electricity before other things."

At the palace of the Igwe of Ndiokolo, Eze Chima Okoli, the monarch said: ‘’ We are in a hole and trapped. It gets worst during rainy season. May the governor, Chief Willie Obiano remember us to relieve us from this hole. We are great farmers, but we have no bridges, no roads, no water, no electricity, nothing yet, and we are citizens of Anambra State. We produce yam, rice, cassava, palm wine, palm fruits to the extent that we harvest up to 300 bags any day we harvest, plantain, banana and all kinds of fruits and grains abound. ‘’We drink from the stream and the borehole they did for us is a fake borehole.

We thank the state government for building a health centre and we have drugs there, but we need a standard hospital. The government abandoned a primary school project here at Igwebuike Migrant School Ndiokolo. The problem of government is lack of supervision.

These electric poles you are seeing are useless, they conduct no electricity. Once or twice a year they would flash the light.

Is that electricity?

Continues on Pg 4

2 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

Dietitians brainstorm on importance of diets in healthcare system . Inaugurate Anambra Dietitians Association of Nigeria branch at NAUTH

BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO

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NITSHA AUTHORITIES of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, NAUTH, Nnewi, Anambra State, in line with the report of the study group of the World Health Organization, WHO on diet, nutrition and prevention of non communicable diseases have identified diet as one of the major factors now linked to a wide range of diseases.

This identification is coming on the heels of yesterday’s inauguration of Anambra state chapter of Dietitians Association of Nigeria at NAUTH, Nnewi.

The event which attracted Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State, National President of Dietitians Association of Nigeria, Professor E.K. Ngwu, the NAUTH Chief Medical Director, Professor A.O. Igwegbe, Chairman of Medical and Advisory Committee (CMAC) of the NAUTH, Dr. E.E. Afiadigwe, doctors from other fields of specialization in NAUTH and other stakeholders in the health sector.

Addressing the audience, Professor Igwegbe said that the importance of the dietitians in the health sector and maintenance of a healthy society could not be over emphasized.

He said without dietitians people would not be able to know the food that could help fight diseases and the ones that could cause ill-health. He urged the newly inaugurated executive of the association at the hospital not to relent in its effort towards the realization of a healthy society through balanced and healthy diets.

Governor Obiano who was represented by his Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joe Akabike said the State government was highly indebted to NAUTH as the only Federal Government health institution in Anambra, adding that the State was ready to give Anambra people health in its proper definition and promised to support dietitians association in

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Anambra to achieve its objectives in the health sector.

Governor Obiano identified wrong dietory condition as one of the factors responsible for reduction of life expectancy in Nigeria which he said, according to health indices, was pegged at 49 years

I humbly solicit for the entire management staff and government of Anambra State to enable dietitians effectively function in the fight against the upsurge dietrelated noncommunicable diseases such as obesity, diabetes cardiovascular diseases

From left Prof Anthony Igwegbe, CMD, NAUTH, Nnewi and Anambra Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joe Akabike

“whereas a country like Japan has up to 87 years life expectancy.”

As for Professor Ngwu, Anambra State and other States of the federation, essentially need to enhance the efficiency of health workforce as well as increase the scope and quality of service delivery in health facilities.

“On behalf of the national body, I humbly solicit for the continued support of the Chief Medical Director of the NAUTH, Professor A.O. Igwegbe, and the entire management staff and government of Anambra State to enable dietitians effectively function in the fight against the upsurge diet-related noncommunicable diseases such as obesity, diabetes cardiovascular diseases,” Prof Ngwu appealed while inaugurating the Anambra exco of the dietitians association.

She further appealed to Prof Igwegbe to approve internship training in NAUTH in other to enhance the training and practice of dietetics.

The Head of Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, NAUTH, Nnewi who is the chairperson of the newly inaugurated association, Dietitian (Mrs) M.J.Umeh described diet as the best medicine, adding that the roles of dietitians in planning and execution of all nutrition education programmes for the public could never be over overemphasized.

All that was required, she said, was a team work and collaboration with government and other health professionals.

•Prof E.K. Ngwu, National President Dietitians Association of Nigeria

Mining right tears Umunneochi apart

•One of the quarry sites in the community

By ANAYO OKOLI

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MUAHIA-TENSION is rising and peace is threatened in granite and stone rich community of Umunneochi. This is because the raging dispute over who operates at the Agu-Okeakpu mining field in Amaubiri village in Lokpaukwu Umuchieze community of Umunneochi Local Government Area of the State seems

to have no end yet.

Even a new twist has developed on the matter as the company which earlier operated in the field and which contract was said to have expired, Allied Bond Nigeria Limited, has denied that its contract has expired, insisting that it still has a valid contract to mine on the disputed field.

There is therefore urgent call from well meaning indigenes of the area for the Federal Ministry of Mines and Power

to resolve the dispute to avoid looming bloodbath in the community as tension is rising on daily basis.

The owners of the mine field, 35 families, from the community had invited bids from two other companies, a Lebanese company, Asphalt Unity Construction Company Limited and Pioneer Sinochino Investment Ventures Limited, a Chinese company, to take over the field following the said expiration of their agreement with Allied Bond Nigeria Limited.

But one of the firms in the bid, Pioneer Sinochino claimed that it has already got mining permission from the Federal Mining authorities to operate on the field following the alleged expiration of Allied Bond contract.

However in the course of opening the bid, the land owners were divided over which of the two companies, Asphalt Unity and Pioneer Sinochino, to operate on the field. In fact, huge sums of money were alleged to have exchanged hands between

the two companies and the land owners in form of bribe to gain support for the field said to be very rich in high quality stones and granite.

This process of selecting the firm to operate on the field nearly tore the dusty community apart until the idea of using democratic process to choose one through election was mooted.

This idea made the firms to pump more money to influence the decision of the land owners.

When the voting was conducted on the supervision of two traditional rulers and a lawyer, Asphalt Unity won but those in favour of Pioneer Sinochino rejected the outcome thereby putting the said election in jeopardy.

As the democratic process did not work, the matter was taken to the just ended 5th Abia State House of Assembly which after investigation gave Pioneer Sinochino to goahead to operate on the mine field, saying it found out that it has the authentic mandate of the Federal Ministry of Mines to operate there.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015 — 3

By UGOCHUKWU ALARIBE

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BA-VETERAN actor, Ejike Asiegbu says the problem of Nigeria has remained bad leadership which militates against her development.

Asiegbu who spoke at the South East zonal launch of the national campaign, ‘My African Union, My Future, supported by State of the Union, SOTU, Project, in Umuahia, lamented the inability of Nigerians to ask questions even with the FOI, about how they are being governed as well as hold government accountable on what they are doing to address the problems of the society.

The popular actor, who is an Ambassador of SOTU, charged Nigerians to speak out against bad governance and stop worshipping leaders when they don’t deserve it.

“We must initiate a new beginning, a new consciousness, a new re-awakening to make our society better. Just like the Americans say, we must begin to ask what we can do for our country and not what our country can do for us. If we can develop the culture of asking questions on what our representatives and the government are doing, we will find out that they will have no choice than to work in the best interest of the people.”

•Ejike Asiegbu speaking at the event

“We must initiate a new beginning, a new consciousness, a new re-awakening to make our society better. If we can develop the culture of asking questions on what our representatives and the government are doing, we will find out that they will have no choice than to work in the best interest of the people

Nigeria’s problem is bad leadership —Asiegbu Earlier in his address at the programme supported by the State of the Union, SOTU, Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISL AC, Auwal Ibrahim Musa represented by Okeke Anya, said the SOTU Project is a Campaign, wholly

NGO provides free medical service to Ovim in Isiukwuato LGA

By ANAYO OKOLI

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MUAHIA—SUCCOUR came the way of people of Ovim in Isiukwuato Local Government Area of Abia State, when a Non Governmental Organization, Mission Africa, provided them with free medical service.

The NGO also provided the

community educational facilities.

Over 500 given eye glasses and many others passed through several medical tests to ascertain what their state of health was before they were treated. Well over one thousand indigenes of the community benefited from the free health service by the NGO which operates in over nine African countries.

According to Mrs. Ndudi

Chuku, the Executive Director of Mission Africa, the focus of the organization in Nigeria is on health and education as well as poverty alleviation.

“We are doing free medical outreach to the people of this village, both parents and family members.

“Our connection here is that we also have twenty students on our scholarship programme. And we

developed by Africans to improve citizens’ engagement in policy development and monitoring state compliance with African Union decisions.

He described SOTU as a coalition of civil society organizations (CSOs)

working across various areas on the African continent that advocate for the ratification, domestication and implementation of key African Union, AU, conventions and legal instruments.

have had them on our programme since 2013.

“Every year, Mission Africa has 50 students on our scholarship programme. When a student qualifies, we take care of them from JS – 1 to SS – 3, so we have 20 of our students in this particular village, Ovim”, Chuku explained. On the free medical service, she explained that the Mission’s medical outreach are carried out where NGO has relationship or connections, saying that they really admired how the people of Ovim welcomed and appreciated them.

“It is for this reason that we decided to bring free medical outreach to them so that both our students and their parents will be healthy because we know that if you are not a healthy student, you can’t focus on education”, Chuku said.

According to her, the team came with over 30 volunteers, including professional eye doctors, Medical Doctors, Medical Lab Technicians and registered Nurses.

“All of us are working in collaboration with the people of this community because they have given us about twelve retired registered nurses to work with us and we are very happy

with them”, Chuku noted.

On how the students were selected for the scholarships, the Executive Director said that they collaborate with the development Union of every community they go to.

“The student might be an orphan, one that is very poor. You know here you go to school when your family can afford to send you to school. When it is time to pay fees, if you don’t have money, you are kicked out of school.

“Some of the students we gave scholarship have stayed out of school for a whole year, some of them have stayed out of school two years, some for two terms out of three in a whole year, so the people in the village are the ones who advocate for the students, because we don’t live here, we are not even from here, they are the ones that will say this one has stayed out of school for one year, help them.

“We just look for the poor, we don’t sponsor kids, we don’t give scholarships to kids in the city or kids in private schools. We only give scholarships to kids in the villages, who are the poorest of the poor, just to make sure that they finish high school,” Chuku explained.

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4 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY,

JULY 1, 2015

Enugu residents lament disappearance of motorised sweeping trucks

•Some of the grounded motorised sweeping trucks at ESWAMA office

By FRANCIS IGATA

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NUGU-RESIDENTS in Enugu State have expressed dismay over the disappearance of motorized sweeping trucks, purchased by past administration of former Governor Sullivan Chime.

Chimes’ administration had purchased the trucks last year to boost efforts of Enugu State Waste Management Agency, ESWAMA, to keep Enugu metropolis clean.

The trucks were meant to complement the manual

sweeping of major roads in the metropolis which was hitherto, done by women for a paltry fee.

South East Voice investigation revealed that the trucks have been grounded at ESWAMA office following inability of the former administration to repair and maintain the trucks.

Outcry trails wasteful purchase A cross-section of residents had expressed apprehension on sighting the motorized

•A woman sweeping Abakiliki road, Enugu sweeping trucks, noting that the trucks will not be maintained and serviced which eventually played out even though, billions of tax payers' monies were expended in the purchase.

Mr. Ike Egwuo regretted few days after the trucks were seen sweeping major streets of the metropolis, they, however, parked up in a twinkle of an eye.

He said: ”Government is used to embarking on wasteful purchases. Those trucks must have cost billions of Naria. Look at it, few days after, the trucks have parked up.

“They may not have trained the

A cross-section of residents had expressed apprehension on sighting the motorized sweeping trucks, noting that the trucks will not be maintained and serviced which eventually played out even though, billions of tax payers' monies were expended in the purchase

manpower on operations and maintenance of the trucks. Those trucks would equally have a challenge of accessing spareparts when they break down.

Now they have reverted to manual sweeping because the purchase of the trucks is an exercise in futility.

“Some government officials and friends have used the purchase to make huge sums of money. I had always known it will be a white elephant project.

Now, they have reverted to the women who used to do the sweeping for a paltry fee.”

Help! We need basic amenities, Anambra communities beg Obiano Continues from pg 1

The Regent of the community, Sir Cyril Aniche took this reporter to a stream he called Iyi-Ahuhu which he said is their source of drinking water, but lamented that the stream dries up during dry season. He said if government listens and works on the road across the Iyi-Ahuhu, it would be easier route to Ufuma through Ogboji to Ndiokpalaeke through Aghomili River. He said the bridge across Iyi-Ahuhu was done by community efforts, but had collapsed and needed urgent replacement.

At Awa, their highly educated President-General, Prof. Obiajulu Obikeze, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, Anambra State would not want to discuss other pressing issues of his community as the "greatest headache they have is lack of access road."

Prof. Obikeze hammered on the need for the state government to graciously extend a spur to Awa-Aghommili road on the ongoing road construction from Amansi in Awka North through Ntuko in Awka South to Ndiukwenu-Awa-Ufuma, all in Orumba North awarded by C M Y K

former Governor Peter Obi. He said the need became expedient as majority of the Awa people use the route most as the closest.

He lamented that the community had not had electricity in the last six months, which was crippling activities of artisans in the community. He said the community built a health centre, but handed it over to the state, and now lamenting the level of activities there as most of the officials posted there had deserted without anybody reprimanding them or sending a replacement.

He lamented lack of experience and quality and that nurses and other medical staff are never in the health centre, adding that the health centre had only one matron. He suggested total overhaul and strict implementation of government policies to enable the health centre become viable, since that was the much alongside other amenities the populace would benefit for voting the people in power.

Reacting, the local government Chairman, Chief Okey Enekwa admitted the deprivation in the two communities, Ndiokolo and Ndiokpaleke, but commended the state government led by Governor Willie Obiano for the

•Link road into Awa junction "numerous roads and infrastructure his government is doing in Orumba North."

He appealed to the Governor to use his mantra to upgrade the communities of Ndiokpaleke and Ndiokolo as they lacked all basic amenities, especially their bridges which always got swallowed up whenever it rained. He lamented also the situation at Ndikelionwu and Awa where he appealed to the governor, Chief Willie Obiano, to intervene.

At Ndikelionwu the traditional ruler, Eze Chukwuemeka Ike lamented that Obiano was looking for land for

agriculture "when only his community’s land is enough for the entire agricultural projects in the state, but lack of accessible roads makes it a dilemma."

He said the community still lacked some basic amenities as there was no hospital, and lack of electricity supply had frustrated some artisans out of the community, and the welders had sent SOS to him on electricity as they were running out of business.

The President-General of Ndikelionwu, Chief Okechukwu Okereke said the people would be very appreciative of the Obiano administration if

remembered now with basic amenities. He said his community has major challenge of road infrastructure and a Bridge across Odor River to connect their people together as they have been cut off for long.

He said "though the Odor River is mystical, a bridge across it as it was done by former Governor Peter Obi at Awgbu section would have made the difference." He lamented that Emeka Aforka started the bridge construction which was publicly said to have consumed N68 million, but there was nothing on ground and their raised hope was dashed again.

But for a student, Master Okoli Chukwuanoli from Ndikelionwu, said they trek daily about three hours at minimum to get to their school Ikpa Ogbueke Secondary School, Ndikelionwu, as no Okada or commercial vehicles could access the location.

He even informed that they pay between N500 to N600 from Eke-Awgbu to Aronota junction before you start the trekking to complete the journey or "if you are lucky to get Okada that will agree to convey you at N200 from Ameteani."

He also said they lacked teachers, having only six now, and nothing else.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015 — 5

•Women making hair-do at Aba Mega Mall

•Aba mega mall

Aba Mega Mall offers free hair care services to over 2,000 women

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n a bid to attract traffic to the mall, the management of Aba Mega Mall, Aba, Abia State, penultimate weekend, offered free hair care services to over 2,000 women in the city.

Managing Director, Aba Mega Mall, Ugo Umeseaka said the free hair care services being held in conjunction with the state chapter of the Nigerian Association of Hair Dressers and Cosmetologists, NASHCO, was part of the mall’s social responsibility of maintaining a relationship

We are offering free hair-do to over 2,000 women and creating more awareness that we are fully open for business. A lot of people have been coming here to host one event or the other. We have a recreational centre, beauty shop, amusement park, game shop and a cinema hall

with the community as well as sustaining the awareness that the facility was open for business.

He disclosed that the mall was offering a wide range of services, including thrilling shopping experiences to customers.

“We are offering free hairdo to over 2,000 women in Aba and creating more awareness that we are fully open for business. People have been buying and selling.

A lot of people have been coming here to host one event

or the other. We have a recreational centre, beauty shop, amusement park, game shop and a cinema hall where people can stay and watch movies. The hotel project is going on; so with all these facilities, shopping becomes an experience that will always be willing to relive,” Umeseaka said.

South East Voice observed that sellers of hair care products mounted stands where they made brisk businesses marketing their

products.

Over 1,500 women were on queue waiting to be attended to as the various stylists displayed their skills during the second day of the one week event.

Speaking at the occasion, President of the Abia state chapter of NASHCO, Lolo Doris Emelogu said her group is partnering with Aba Mega Mall to promote hair care services in the city.

She commended the management of the Mega Mall for providing the opportunity to offer free hair care services to the community.

In a chat with South East Voice , a cross-section of women who had their hair-do at the mall, including Comfort Udensi, a graduate of accountancy, described it as a thrilling experience where they combined shopping with fixing their hair at the mall.

According to them: “It is thrilling to have our hair-do at the Aba Mega Mall where we also had the opportunity to shop. We really enjoyed ourselves.”

Woman, son in police net for using hot iron on house-helps •Wounds inflicted on Hope and Ngozi Ajunwa

By UGOCHUKWU ALARIBE

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BA—THE Police in Abia State have arrested a woman, Mrs. Agnes Uchendu and her son, Ikechukwu

Uchendu for using hot iron on their house-helps in Umuahia.

A Police source told South East Voice that the Uchendus who reside at 50 Arochukwu Street, Umuahia, were in the habit of assaulting

Agnes and her son, Ikechukwu, who confessed to the crime during interrogation by the police, said they inflicted injuries on the victims because they stole N100 kept in the house the house-helps: Hope Ajunwa, 11, and Ngozi Ajunwa, 9, who live with them.

Acting on a petition by the International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, Abia State chapter, led by Florence

Igwe, the police swooped into action and arrested Agnes and her son, Ikechukwu.

South East Voice gathered that Ngozi had injuries on the sole of her foot and other parts of the body while Hope is suffering from

a big wound on her right leg which was inflicted on them by the suspects with a hot electric iron.

According to the source, Agnes and her son, Ikechukwu, who confessed to the crime during interrogation by the police, said they inflicted injuries on the victims because they stole N100 kept in the house.

Spokesman of the Abia State Police Command, Onyeke Udeviotu Ezekiel, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP, who confir med the incident, said the victims have been referred to the Police Clinic in Umuahia for medical attention while the suspects would be charged to court "as soon as investigations are concluded."

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6 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

Why Nigeria College

By CHINONSO ALOZIE, OWERRI

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he Registrar of the Nigeria College of Optometrists, Prof.

Uche Ikonne has said that the college was established because it wanted to encourage the opticians to bring professionalism into their practice.

He stated this recently in Owerri, during the college annual conference and lectures with the theme: 'Advancing professionalism through Clinical Research.'

“The fellowship has astronomically lifted the optometrists in Nigeria from the basal status of a mere clinician in the public health institutions to a consultant status and from a stagnated classroom teacher to the apex rank of a tertiary institution administrator,” Ikonne said.

He said that the college had seven faculties, Primary Care Optometry, Cornea and Contact Lens Practice, Low Vision and Rehabilitative Optometry, Ocular Health, Public Health Optometry, Orthoptics Paediatric Optometry and that the college derived it legal status from the Optometrist and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria, adding that the 11 foundation fellows graduated in 2003 and later the second set of the

college graduated four years later when the college was inaugurated on September7, 2008.

On the history of the college, Ikonne said, “ it is the Nigeria College of Optometrists which was conceived towards the end of last millennium through the inspirational advice and directives of Prof. F.C. Akpuaka, the then provost, College of Medicine and Health Science, Health Sciences, Abia State University, adding that

of Optometrists was established — Registrar "Akpuaka was concerned about the growth of the profession and staff of the Department of Optometry in Abia State University and drew inference

from the inception of the specialist (fellowship) training in the established sister professions.”

In conclusion, he said that

in the event 12 graduands of the college will be convoking and would be deployed to the various faculties of the college.

The fellowship has astronomically lifted the optometrists in Nigeria from the basal status of a mere clinician in the public health institutions to a consultant status and from a stagnated classroom teacher to the apex rank of a tertiary institution administrator •The graduands

Butchers entreat Obiano, CP to rescue them from Awka North LG chairman

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

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WKA—BUTCHERS at Amansea, Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State under the aegis of National Union of Butchers, currently waging a battle with the chairman of Awka North Local Government, Mr. Cosmas Okonkwo over revenue payment, have protested to Governor Willie Obiano and the state Commissioner of Police, appealing to them to come to their rescue.

They are complaining that the local government chairman was trying to force them out of business through exorbitant levies, adding that despite a promise by the chairman to provide social amenities at the Amansea Abattoir, popularly known as Chisom Butchers, he had not done anything at the abattoir.

The climax, they said, was when the chairman allegedly led people suspected to be

•The butchers thugs to the abattoir during which the butchers lost N18.7 million they jointly raised for the purchase of cows from the northern part of the country.

They also claimed that 16 cows kept at the abattoir for slaughter disappeared after the visit of the chairman and his men.

In the petition entitled, ‘Threat to peace, law and

order by chairman and officials of Awka North Local Government,’ written on behalf of the butchers by their lawyer, Chief E.C. Okechukwu, they said that they have operated at the Amansea Abattoir for the past 15 years without any molestation until Okonkwo became the local government chairman in 2013.

Before the petition, the local

government chairman had in an ultimatum given to the butchers, warned that they would face any action if they refused to pay to the local government.

The letter, signed by the local chairman himself read: “You are mandated to pay your debt with the Awka North Local Government on or before seven days from the date of this letter or face any action.”

Faulting the chairman, the union said that butchers in Anambra State have religiously been paying agreed fees, not withstanding that neither the state government, nor Awka North Local Government had provided any facility as agreed between the union and the state government.

They said: “On assumption of office in 2013 as the chairman of Awka North Local Government, Cosmas Okonkwo jacked up the slaughter fee to N300 per cow unilaterally and when we protested, he promised to provide the facilities within

three months, but has failed to do so.

“Five months after the payment of the jacked up fees and failure of the local government to provide the facilities, we informed the local government of our inability to continue payment of the new fees.

“When the local government chairman wrote us ordering that we must pay the new fees or face any action, we reminded him that any action taken against us would violate existing Federal High Court order that butchers should not be disturbed at the site until the determination of the suit that had been pending since 2010.

“Surprisingly, the local government chairman sent his revenue generating agents who demanded N800,000 environmental fee from us.

Notwithstanding the existing court order, Cosmas Okonkwo has resorted to executive lawlessness by repeatedly sending the police and his revenue agents to threaten us.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015 — 7

Industrializing Enugu State Chief Eugene Ngozichukwuka Ibeaham, is a L a g o s - b a s e d industrialist. He hails from Agbadana- Achi in Oji-River L.G.A, Enugu State. He pioneered the first Agric. International Market in the East of the Niger. He spoke on the way forward towards industrializing Enugu State, the challenges and prospects.

Excerpts:

N

EW GOVERNMENT in Enugu State.

We are happy with the new set up in Enugu State particularly, the peaceful transition. We are happy that Enugu did not witness the chaos that typifies elections in the country and it goes a long way to show that the new governor is widely accepted and he is, no doubt, the people’s choice. It was an overwhelming victory and we thank God for that.

Advice over the development of the State I will advise the new government to recognise that the state is predominantly a civil servant state. We have little or no industrial base and that accounts for the teeming number of the unemployed in the state.

I will advise him to focus attention on commerce and industry. We all know that in the East, we are all mostly into commerce.

We should borrow a leaf from viable states like Anambra and Lagos. If you look deeply, you will see that these states are booming because of their industrial base. They are able to forge ahead without getting anything from oil revenue and they are boosting their internally generated revenue tremendously. If you look at Anambra, for instance, they have geared all efforts towards developing their markets and industrial base.

You can only get viable industries where there are big markets. My candid advice to Enugu State government is to do a thorough assessment of existing markets and see how to make them flourish. They should endeavour to create enabling environment for such markets to develop by providing water boreholes, creating access roads and electricity, among others. This is the best way of attracting investors to such markets.

My contribution towards the industrial development of the state I had the vision to contribute my humble quota towards the industrial development of the state long time ago. That was why I established Agric International Market on EnuguOnitsha Expressway. It lies in the border town between Anambra and Enugu states If you go to the place, you will see a very good table land which spreads towards, Achi, Nsukka, Ninth-Mile, then on the other border towns of Amansee. I

started it because it will boost sales for our people and others.

It will help farmers and producers of other goods to sell their wares.

That is the most veritable way of ensuring that local producers and farmers have ready markets for their products.

Such venture will also create easy markets for both international and tarns-national traders.

For instance, if all the necessities are provided in that international market, traders from Benue, Northern states and even beyond who throng Onitsha and Nnewi to buy goods will easily find veritable market there. It may even compete favourably with such big markets because, if traders from such far places will find all they need from a nearby location, they will not hesitate in getting it from the place and by so doing, commerce and industry will get a ready boost.

Revenue realised from such transactions will, definitely, help the teeming unemployed youths in our state. It will also boost internally generated revenue. Why is it that a state like Lagos is not complaining like others? Do you know how much they realise from Alaba International market and others that abound there?

It will open up a lot of development in a state like ours.

Commitments in the market so far You cannot quantify what I have committed into the market so far, monetarily. However, our main problem currently is the lack of essentials like, tarring the link road with the old Enugu road, provision of water boreholes in the market, provision of transformers to ensure steady electricity supply, among others. We have been able to build a forward base in the market. That is where the soldiers that provide constant and adequate security along Enugu – Onitsha expressway use as their base. It was commissioned by MajorGeneral Olaniyi of the 82 division. Trade and commerce are thriving there.

All we are asking for is just government presence for the market to achieve its optimum capacity and provide succour for our people. The greatest problem we have there now is tarring the link road between the expressway and the old road. It will not only help in ensuring easy access way into the international market but help the soldiers in providing security on the expressway.

This is why we are calling on the new government in the state to come to our aid urgently because that is the best way of showing our people that they are poised for action in terms of developing the state, industrially.

I assure you that if government is able to identify with such ventures and readily offer assistance, more will spring up

We can create Lagos, Onitsha, Nnewi here – Industrialist Ibeaham

The Agric International Market, Enugu-Onitsha Expressway. and it will definitely assist in boosting their revenue. Even the local government council will benefit a lot from there because it will be yielding revenue for them. Development of industrial base is a sure way of providing employment.

It is high time we began to show our people how to fish and not to give them fish. I am one of the traders that pioneered

If we are able to block the huge sum of money that bypass our state for others, even if we cannot get all, we would divide it with them. Those state governments that cannot pay their civil servants have failed woefully to create jobs.

And the easiest way of creating jobs is by looking inwards through ventures like this market we are talking about.

Government should be ever ready to encourage entrepreneurs without strings attached.

Chief Eugene Ibeaham, a Lagos-based industrialist ASPANDA and other major markets in Lagos.

That is why I want to bring my vast experience to bear in my state and with the present government which we know is poised to help the masses, things will soon change for the better in the state. All aspects of trading thrive in that market. This is because the moment they provide all those necessities and the market kicks off in earnest, they will benefit heavily.

Advice to government If you notice the pattern of governance in Nigeria today, every time, they start with feasibility studies which at the end of the day, end up to be mere paper works. In Enugu State, we all know we do not have population. So, if we must

The military presence on the expressway for security

industrialize, you must look for a way of increasing our population. If we develop such market, now that a lot of our people are returning from the north as a result of Boko Haram, they will not hesitate in building one industry or the other and this will definitely provide jobs and increase our population.

This is one of the pathways towards industrialization. If you go to Nnewi, you will see big industries located in even residential areas and people throng the place from all over the country and beyond. It is noteworthy that those that rush to Lagos, Onitsha, Nnewi and other big markets pass through Enugu State. Why can't we utilize the opportunity and make them patronize us in our own market?

If we are able to block the huge sum of money that bypass our state for others, even if we cannot get all, we would divide it with them. Those state governments that cannot pay their civil servants have failed woefully to create jobs. And the easiest way of creating jobs is by looking inwards through ventures like this market we are talking about.

Government should be ever ready to encourage entrepreneurs without strings attached.

Governors should also learn how to manage their funds efficiently.

8 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY,

JULY 1, 2015

Red Cross states 7 fundamental principles at world red cross day

By NWABUEZE OKONKWO

O

NITSHA— THE Nigerian Red Cross Society, NRCS, Anambra State chapter has restated its determination to continue to abide by its seven fundamental principles, as adopted for the movement during its 1965 international conference in Vienna, Austria.

According to the state chairman of the society, Justice Paul Obidigwe, the seven principles included humility, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality, as the core of all Red Cross and Red Crescent thinking, policies and actions.

In his message during this year’s World Red Cross Day in Awka, Anambra state capital, Justice Obidigwe, who is the immediate past Chief Judge of Anambra State, noted that the need for the principles is fully expressed in Henry Dunant’s 'Memory of Solferino' of 1892, where he appealed for some international principles that make basis for the association (referring to the national relief committees) He said in humility, the International Red Cross and

Red Crescent Movement were born of a desire to bring assistance without discrimination to the wounded on the battle-field, endeavours in its national and international capacity, to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found, adding that its purpose was to protect life and health and to ensure respect for the human being.

Obidigwe mentioned some of their activities in the state to include disaster preparedness/ response, disaster prevention/ mitigation, prison sanitation programme, prison welfare and highlights of prisoners’ plights during Chief Judges’ visits, HIV/AIDS project, peer education, polio eradication programme, national immunization programme, environmental disaster eradication programme, first aid services, road safety campaigns, youths' activities, motherless and abandoned babies projects, Ebola Virus Disease and simulations, among others.

He also marshalled out their work plan for the year, including their world HIV/AIDS Day celebration, World First Aid Day celebration, NYSC batch ‘B’ Independence day celebration, world volunteers day, among

Members of the Red Cross

The seven principles included humility, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality, as the core of all Red Cross and Red Crescent thinking, policies and actions.

others.

In his remarks, the state vice chairman, Prof. Peter Emeka Katchy, highlighted some of their operations in the state, including Ogbaru flood disaster of 1997, Umuleri/Aguleri/Umuoba-Anam communal conflict of 1999 and the provisions of relief materials and conflict resolution through alternative to violence programme, AVP, as well as the unification festival of the three warring communities in December, 2004.

Katchy also recalled that the society had responded with blankets, treated mosquito nets, drugs, among others, during the July/October, 2007 flood

disaster in 45 communities of Anambra East and West local government areas, adding that it also monitored the presidential and national assembly elections of April 21, 2007 and provided first aid assistance for the electorate during the election periods.

He also mentioned NkporObosi communal conflict of May 2008 which caused destruction of property worth millions of naira, rapid response to Umunya multiple fire disaster, Obosi youths internal conflict, Nkpor youths internal conflict, rapid response to Holy Ghost Catholic Church, Uke stampede, among others.

Onyemaechi Foundation begins serial visits to destitute homes

By NWABUEZE OKONKWO

•Seeks assistance to complete N10m skill acquisition, rehabilitation centre

O

N I T S H A — ONYEMAECHI Hope for the Helpless Foundation, a non-governmental, voluntary and charity organization has at last commenced its proposed serial visits to destitute homes in various parts of its base, South East states.

Already, the foundation has so far visited Red Cross Motherless Babies home and Onitsha North Motherless Babies Home and has lined up other destitute homes for subsequent visits in due course.

Coordinator of the Foundation, Okenwa Onyema, who disclosed this in Onitsha, Anambra State during one of their visits, said the foundation, which is nongovernmental, voluntary and charitable has a mission to touch lives and change the world for better for the needy.

He said that apart from serving as a rehabilitation and skill acquisition centre, it would also serve as a catalyst for the advancement of human interest and the service of God and humanity.

He, however, identified their major needs as plots of land in C M Y K

•Okenwa Onyema, Coordinator of the Foundation

•Onitsha North Motherless Babies Homes and Red Cross Motherless Babies Home, Onitsha various states of the South-East zone, building materials and financial assistance, from public and private spirited individuals and even from banks and other financial institutions to enable them build more rehabilitation homes and skill acquisition

centres for the less-privileged ones in the society Onyema noted that with this development, "hope is gradually rising for the sick, poor and lessprivileged persons in the South East geo-political zone and beyond," as their N10 million skill

acquisition and rehabilitation centre being erected at Amagunze in Nkanu Local Government Area of Enugu State, by Onyemaechi Hope for the Helpless Foundation, for the rehabilitation and training of destitutes and less-privileged ones in the society would soon get to completion stage.

According to him: “The centre which is now at the roofing stage and when completed, is expected to harbour more than 100 inmates who would be trained in various skills and commissioned with soft loans that would lead

them to a brighter future.

He noted that the Foundation members are now visiting hospitals, paying medical bills for the down trodden and doing other charity works, adding that so far, they had visited the sick at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, NAUTH, Nnewi and other public and private hospitals and paid bills for the less-privileged ones among them and at the same time, given soft loans without collateral to some.

According to Okenwa: “Last Sunday of every month is our Hospital visitation day when we visit hospitals and motherless babies homes in our society. We help the sick who cannot afford their bills for the treatment of their sicknesses. We also raise funds for charity and donate gifts, clothes, provisions, food items and cash to the children in the motherless babies homes. We also support them prayerfully with good counselling and advice. This programme has helped a lot of people.”

He, therefore, made a passionate appeal to public spirited individuals and groups to partner with the foundation, support its programmes through donations, as any good amount from peoples’ hearts can save lives."

VANGU ARD, WEDNESD A Y, JUL Y 1, 2015—33 ANGUARD, WEDNESDA JULY

She’ll expect sex on this vacation

Will I get pregnant the first time?

Dear Bunmi, I will be celebrating my 18th birthday soon. I have been going out with my boyfriend for some time now and I am still a virgin. However, I have promised to have sex with him after my 18th birthday and have told him to buy some condoms as I don’t want to be saddled with an unwanted pregnancy.

I am still a student and my parents are old-fashioned, so I can’t ask my mum about contraception. My boyfriend

said I shouldn’t worry as I couldn’t possibly get pregnant the first time I have sex.

Is he right?

Blanca, by e-mail.

Dear Blanca, There is absolutely nothing stopping you from getting pregnant when you have sex, be it your first or your 100th.

When puberty begins, your ovaries start producing eggs.

The result? Your first period.

Apart from the odd occasion,

everyone who has a period produces an egg, and so there’s always a chance of getting pregnant.

So until you make a solid arrangement with your boyfriend as to the best form of contraception to adopt, I would put sex on hold for now if I were you. 18 is a bit too young to be anxious about sex.

If your boyfriend keeps on putting on the pressure, dump him and look for a more patient man.

Should I call off the engagement?

Dear Bunmi, I am in my 40s and set to get married to a divorced man in the same age bracket. It would be a first marriage for me though I have a daughter and my fiancé had three kids from his first marriage.

I ran into Mike, a thirtysomething year-old-man at a party and we got on very well.

He knew my fiancé. In fact, he said they were second cousins.

We’ve had a couple of outings and he is an amazing lover. But it’s not all about sex; he makes me laugh, and I feel young with him. I’m no longer in love with my fiancé and would love to leave him, but I’m scared the relationship with this other man won’t last due to the age difference.

Biona, by e-mail.

Dear Biona, It’s flattering to have a man that much younger show you some attention. True, you might have discovered your spiritual soul-mate, but you need to think carefully about what you’re doing. This isn’t just any other man, this is his cousin.

Imagine how upset he will be when he finds out. People have affairs for many different reasons. Sometimes, it is to hasten the end of a failing relationship, sometimes it is a moment of madness or a need for some attention.

You may have found true love, but be sure before you throw away your relationship.

If you decide you really want to get out of your engagement, your fiancé may not need to know you’ve been unfaithful with a family member at first.

Your new relationship should be able to survive a few quiet months as you finish your old liaison. Then once the dust has settled, you’ll be free to be open about your new love. Just because he’s younger does not mean your love can’t survive,

but you have to remember he’s got a lot of living to do to catch up with you.

Be prepared for some criticism

from his family at first, but stick together and you’ll win them over when they see that you’re happy.

Dear Bunmi, I had a car accident four months ago which damaged my back and badly broke my leg. My long term girlfriend has been very supportive, but obviously our sex life has been non-existent. We’re due to go on our annual vacation soon and I intend to seek further medical help.

My girlfriend is really excited about this holiday. She keeps showing me sexy underwear she’s bought for our holiday and I feel sorry I wouldn’t be up to the sex she’s obviously looking forward to.

How can I tell her I am too tired for sex?

Tony, by e-mail.

Dear Tony, You must tell her how you feel before you leave or she’ll feel totally rejected and upset when her dreams fall flat.

While full sex may not be an option, you could kiss, cuddle or even enjoy foreplay with a little oral sex.

Let her know you need to slowly build up a sex life again. It will take time but have fun exploring each other until you get back on track.

I’m obsessed with sex Dear Bunmi, I’m 26 years old and single with a job I love. My problem is sex— I’m obsessed with it and think about it all the time.

I find myself fantasising about women I meet on the bus or in the street.

Sometimes I’m late for work because I’m looking at girls in magazines at home and wanking off.

What can I do?

Jacob, bye-mail.

orgasm, the brain releases feel good endorphins, which can give you a temporary high if you’re feeling stressed or down.

The danger is sex then becomes an easy release from these problems rather than dealing with their root cause.

You need to find an experienced counsellor you can talk to. In the meantime, get a grip on your emotions; don’t keep those magazines where they could be easily accessible to you.

Find a girlfriend and go out more.

married last month.

I love this man and I’m happy at this second chance of marital bliss.

My problem now is my friends, especially those who knew me with my first husband.

They believe I was rushed off my feet and they seem awkward whenever they see us together. How can I help them accept my new husband?

Celestine, by e-mail.

awkwardness could be protectiveness.

You may feel certain you’ve done the right thing, but they might need some convincing your man is going to treat you in the way you deserve.

Expect them to be a little sceptical and judgmental— it’s normal. It means they love you.

Don’t force your new husband down their throat— simply let them all get to know each other naturally. Also, spend time with them without him so they can ask you questions about how it’s all going and feel reassured you really are OK. The happier they see you are over time, the more they’ll relax.

When puberty begins, Dear Jacob, are currently locked in your ovaries start producing a You very destructive cycle. At eggs. The result? Your first period. Apart from the odd My ex’s friends resent occasion, everyone who has my new husband a period produces an egg, Dear Bunmi, really assess your man. They I got divorced four years ago took time to get used to you after nine years of marriage, being alone after your and so there’s always a but my ex and I still have divorce, rather than being mutual friends. When I met a part of a twosome they loved. chance of getting new man early last year, I They’ll take time to get used made sure it was a private to seeing you with someone pregnant courtship. We eventually got else. I believe a lot of the I don’t want to be used again Dear Bunmi, I’m 23 and I’ve never really gone steady with a man. The men I met at work and outings just want sex. I sometimes have sex with them on first date because I know that’s all they want from me.

I have sex once a week with different men. This makes me feel dirty and cheap, but it’s the only time I feel wanted. I would like to meet a man who wants to go out with me, not just to have sex. I want to feel loved, not used.

Joan, by e-mail.

Dear Joan, All of us, men as well as women, are likely to feel cheated and used if we have sex when what we need is love.

A man always wants to have sex with an attractive woman— and the sooner the better— yet, his romantic and sexual desire

for a woman is heightened, not dampened when she asks that love should grow between them first.

The more a man wants sex, the more patiently he will await her consent— and the more his desire and love for her will grow. You, therefore, have everything to gain and nothing to lose by asking a man to respect your need to wait before having sex.

Your giving in to men, who are hungry for sex, should stop as trading sex for attention will erode your selfesteem.

So stop the demeaning behaviour. Don’t have sex with a man again until you find the one who can offer you the love and commitment that a woman needs.

Sex will then be a wonderful and extraordinary experience for both of you.

Dear Celestine, You need to give your friends time to get used to your new husband. You had a very short courtship and that means little or no time for your friends to

Share your problems and release your burden. Write now to Dear Bunmi, Vanguard Newspapers, P.M.B 1007, Apapa, Lagos, or bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

34—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

BAYELSA:

Who is ditching Dickson?

WITH the Bayelsa State governorship election slated for November drawing near, political alignments and realignments have heightened in the predominantly riverine state as those opposed to the re-election of Governor Seriake Dickson are stocking their arsenal to scuttle his return bid.

By Samuel Oyadongha

G

OVERNOR Dickson is, however, determined to break the second term jinx.

No governor since the creation of the state has served two full terms as all former governors have had their second terms truncated for one reason or the other.

Surprisingly, the battle for the soul of the state is coming from within his own party, the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, a development that has been exacerbated by the party’s of the presidency. The result is the whittling of the overbearing influence of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s over the politics of the state.

If Jonathan had won the presidential polls, the state governorship election would have been a done deal for his protégé, Arc Reuben Okoya, a calm politician and close associate of the former President and not his former aide on Domestic Matters, Dr. Waripamowei Dudafa as had been severally reported.

Though the claim could not be substantiated, the source said “the PDP ticket would have been handed to Arc Okoya from Yenagoa local government area and not Dudafa as most Bayelsans had thought. The incumbent who also rode to office at the behest of the former President would have been given the Sylva type of treatment by shutting him out of the party primaries.”

While Okoya has maintained a studied silence in the wake of the exit of the former president from office,

•Jonathan: Influence in Bayelsa is now limited

some associates and friends of Jonathan who rode on his back to prominence and who ordinarily should have remained to salvage the troubled PDP family and strengthen the home base have suddenly seen the need to defect to the opposition All Progressive Congress APC in the state to actualize their ambition.

The loss of the PDP at the centre and exit of Jonathan from the Presidency has no doubt altered the political equation of the state, a development that is expected to throw up many candidates to challenge the sitting governor as against the previous practice where Bayelsans in deference to the former President go with whoever he supports from within his own party.

Aside, the relatively unknown Moses Siasia, who perhaps is the first to publicly declare his intention to take

Penultimate week those opposed to Governor Dickson from his own ruling PDP met at the home of a former number two citizen of the state to map out strategies on how to scuttle his return bid

•Dickson: Man on the saddle

•Alaibe: Opposition gathering around him over Dickson’s job, no other known candidate has formally come out to challenge the incumbent.

Siasia, a businessman and chairman of Nigerian Young Professionals Group has been talking of his ambition to replace his kinsman, Dickson, as governor.

But speculations are rife in town that consultations are ongoing among the various political divide in the state on how best to tackle the incumbent who from all indications is in control of the state PDP machinery.

The political actors in the state have in the last couple of days been locked into series of nocturnal meetings strategizing on the way forward. While the governor’s camp is working round the clock to return their principal, citing projects on ground as

yardstick to gauge his performance, opponents within the party are especially embittered by allegation that the governor’s departure from the culture of patronage that had persisted before his advent.

Penultimate week those opposed to Governor Dickson from his own ruling PDP met at the home of a former number two citizen of the state to map out strategies on how to scuttle his return bid.

The meeting, held at the residence of a chieftain of the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, TAN, reportedly deliberated on the forthcoming governorship election and the need for antiDickson forces to unite and present a formidable front against him.

A former Security Adviser to former Governor Jonathan in

the period between 2005 and 2007 was said to have presided over the meeting which also had in attendance, former senators, former members of the state House of Assembly and former commissioners in Dickson administration among other past political office holders at the state and national level.

While some politicians within the fold claimed that the meeting was convened at the instance of concerned politicians within and outside the state, others claimed that the group which is moving en mass to the APC is to ensure that a formidable candidate is presented to wrestle power from the incumbent.

A reliable source at the meeting, said the meeting was attended by over 16 political groups and some loyalists of the former president. The meeting, it was also gathered, resolved to set up a Steering and Contact Committee.

Vanguard reliably learnt that the anti-Dickson forces resolve to move to the opposition party when it became clear that Dickson control the PDP structure and may clinch the party ticket as the leadership of the party may resort to giving him the right of first refusal should he declare his interest to contest the November poll.

This permutation, it was gathered, may have influenced the flurry of defection of PDP members to the opposition APC which by virtue of its controlling the central government is at the moment the beautiful bride in

Continues on page 35

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015—35

in the Lagos State cabinet.

You don’t sacrifice experience; you don’t also sacrifice competence on the altar of politics. So, for some of these things, you do some strategic balancing for your administration to take-off well.

So, there are certain things you don’t just sacrifice at the beginning and I think His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel has started well and has done well so far and he will succeed because Senator Akpabio will be at the other end to give him the requisite support and advice that will help him to succeed because this is one candidate that he believes in and he did not mince words to Akwa-Ibom people that this is one man that would be a good governor.

He used to describe him as a worthy successor and a worthy brother, so, I know that to that extent, things are working well and will work better and better.

It’s not true Akpabio and Udom have started fighting — UMANAH MR. Aniekan Umanah, former Commissioner for Information in the Chief Godswill Akpabio’s administration commissioner-designate in the Udom Emmanuel’s administration in this interview berates the judiciary for relocating the Akwa-Ibom State Elections Petitions Tribunal from the state to Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) saying it is totally uncalled for. He also reacts to the claims of rancour in the relationship between the former State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio and his successor, Governor Udom Emmanuel. Excerpts:

R

By Tom Moses

UMOURS are rife to the fact that the relationship between your former boss, Chief Godswill Akpabio and his successor has collapsed because of the over-bearing pressure mounted by Akpabio on Governor Udom Emmanuel on certain issues, how true are these rumours?

I’ll like to say that contrary to all the false news making the rounds, there is no feud between Chief Godswill Akpabio, the immediate past Governor of Akwa-Ibom State and his successor, Governor Udom Emmanuel, there is no feud whatsoever.

These are two brothers and two stakeholders who are working together for the interest of the state, to ensure the continued development of the state.

Recall Governor Udom Emmanuel had made it clear that when he comes on board, he would drive the sustainability programmes of

the administration to ensure that the legacies of Governor Akpabio’s administration are sustained and taken to the next level and of course, he has started very well, he is consulting very well, he is constituting the requisite framework for the take-off of his administration and don’t forget, we are only talking about an administration less

•Umanah: There is no feud between these two gentlemen

It is totally senseless and uncalled for to relocate the tribunal to Abuja.

The Electoral Act is very clear on it so, for me, it is an unconstitutional act

than a month old but people and politicians are throwing spanners from different corners and so but that is incorrect.

There is no feud between these two gentlemen. All I know is that the two gentlemen are working seriously to ensure that AkwaIbom continues to grow.

But it is alleged that the imposition of Akpabio’s men on Udom is against the agitation for fresh hands in

government. What is your reaction?

I will also like to disabuse the minds of the people on the issue of the nomination of commissioners. Clearly, it is the governor ’s prerequisite and right to decide who to nominate to go for clearance for appointment into his cabinet and I think he has started well because, looking at antecedents, if you take a look at Lagos State from 1999, there are people who started with Tinubu who are till today

BAYELSA: Ditching Dickson?

Continues from page 34 the country.

The former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Timi Alaibe who to a large extent has stayed away from the politics of the state to purse his private business sources told Vanguard, is being wooed by the elders and political leaders from the state to contest the election. But the platform for Alaibe has not been decided.

Alaibe is believed to have the political savvy to tackle the incumbent due to his popularity among the people. But his financial capacity at the present time is another matter.

The former banker cum politician, Ambassador Emmanuel Otiotio, also

a former PDP governorship aspirant, according to political analysts, remains one of a few with a blueprint on how to tackle the developmental needs of the oil and gas rich but underdeveloped state.

Those speculated to be interested in the APC governorship ticket include former Governor Timipre Sylva, who was denied a second term ticket by the national leadership of his former party, the PDP at the instance of former President Jonathan.

Though Sylva has not formally declared his intention, he has repeatedly sounded it loud and clear that he is constitutionally qualified to contest the forthcoming polls having done just a tenure.

A former Chief of Staff in the Dickson Government House, Chief Diekivie Ikiogha who penultimate

Saturday joined the APC is also believed to be interested in the coveted office.

A godson to former First Lady, Patience Jonathan, Dr. Waripamowei Dudafa is believed to be pushing his aspiration on the platform of the All Progressive Grand Alliance APGA. With the recurring “godfather” syndrome almost eliminated with the defeat of the PDP at the centre and the corresponding surge in the popularity of the APC, the PDP will be banking on its structures and past glory to clinch the polls.

The topsy-turvy political atmosphere has made it that Dickson is fighting what is perhaps the greatest political battle of his life.

But what of the recycling of political appointees that it doesn’t share the goods round everyone?

That is for those who think that appointment is for wealth-making. Political appointment first, is for you to come and work for the state.

So, that is a misnomer and this misnomer must be corrected in the brains of people to first understand that competence and capacity to what you are bringing to the table matters. So, please, these distractions are not necessary at all; they are not necessary.

What is your comment on the relocation of the Elections Petition Tribunal from the state to Abuja?

It is totally senseless and uncalled for to relocate the tribunal to Abuja. The Electoral Act is very clear on it so, for me, it is an unconstitutional act which should be treated as such because it is an aberration. On what grounds are you relocating the tribunal? Is Akwa-Ibom at war that the tribunal should be relocated?

It is all part of the plot and scheme by some people.

The elections petitions tribunal should sit here or why have they not moved the one in Lagos? Why have they not moved those of other states to Abuja? Why Akwa-Ibom?

Why Rivers?

I urge the judiciary not to allow itself to be used by political interests or groups to further their aggrandizements against Akwa-Ibom and other PDP states that they are targeting.

36—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

Why we don’t change parties in Enugu — Ogbodo DEACON Okey Ogbodo, is presently the secretary of the Enugu State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and was at various times Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Lands, Housing and Urban Development, during the administration of Chimaroke Nnamani between 1999 and 2007. In his earlier years, he was a banker, trade unionist, businessman, and now “Minister of the Gospel”.

Deacon Ogbodo spoke to reporters in the Enugu State capital on a wide range of issues, including his rumoured interest in the chairmanship position of PDP in the state. Excerpts:

E

NUGU has remained a strong PDP State, up to the last general election, despite steady incursions by the APC and the APGA into the South East, … what’s the secret?

It boils down, in part, to leadership and further to the Igbo-man’s famed reputation as a good follower of a credibleleadership–aleadershipone can identify as one’s own. Over the years, PDP leadership in Enugu State has been strong and unwavering, right from the top to bottom; from the major stakeholders, to the leader who is usually the Governor, and down to the wards where you have highly mobilized officers committed to working for the party.

And then, do not forget the question of service delivery; what we usually refer to as “dividends of democracy”. If successive State administrations have been acquitting themselves in areas provision of service and conducive platform for the people and goodwill to thrive, the people hardly ask for more. Provision of democratic dividends engenders further mass followership. It breeds goodwill and can only strengthen a political party.

That has been the lot of PDP in Enugu State. Our leaders are on record as having done their bit, given the various circumstances under which they operated. Jumping ship, that is, changing political party is not done for the sake of it; you have to ensure that where you are going is better than where you were coming from.

What is your view on the immediate past administration in the State led by Sullivan Chime?

I would have preferred you narrow your question down to a specific area, but be that as it may, let me attempt to give you what I’ll regard as an overview, in my own estimation: He came across throughout his tenures as a focused leader. He had just a four-point agenda, which was manageable, not the usually omnibus, unrealistic targets which new governments usually advertise on assumption of office. And he appeared to have kept faith with his programme, followed them diligently and had quite an eventful era. The road network in the state got much better under him, especially the intra-

township road. He delivered a brand new state secretariat, a masterpiece really. Security during his administration also got good grades, etc. I am a good party man, and I can only have kind words for a PDP administration.

What are you expecting under the new Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi government?

I don’t have any doubts as to his ability or commitment to deliver even beyond people’s expectation. We were schoolmates at St. Theresa’s College, Nsukka, so Gburugburu as

he’s fondly called, is well primed to excel. His choice by our party, the PDP was a master stroke and there was hardly any whimper from any quarters. The only person who had issues with his emergence merely cited perceived technical reasons; he never doubted the governor’s superior following within the party or even beyond. We are all so full of hope and expectations that Gburugburu will acquit himself and our party gallantly at the end of the day.

What is your stake as a loyal party man in the new dispensation?

I am a loyal party man like I have told you before; everybody who ran election under the PDP banner had my support. There are always other platforms on which we can serve the party and our people. The challenge I consider myself fully conditioned for now is a chance to lead the PDP in the state as chairman, and to help position and strengthen our great party, in the face of emerging new political scenarios.

To sustain the present overwhelming support which the PDP now enjoys in the State and

•Ogbodo: Enugu is consistent with PDP also to guarantee future electoral victory, there is a challenge for the party to develop a better capacity in running our State with its diversity and size. It stands to reason that the would-be PDP State Chairman, should come equipped with sound administrative and leadership skills.

The right candidate should be a

person with a broad world view, a detribalized and God-fearing person who has the humility to serve, the patience to listen and learn; the strength of character to be firm, fair and decisive and the capacity to deliver results and above all, his loyalty and allegiance to the party and incumbent government should not be in doubt.

Party supremacy should not be taken to Reps chamber— Ajulo, LP scribe

By Dapo Akinrefon

DR. Olukayode Ajulo is the National Secretary of the Labour Party, LP. In this interview, he describes last week’s commotion that engulfed the House of Representatives as a shameful act. He also speaks on the role of LP as an opposition party and Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s emergence as chairman of the Peoples Demcoratic Party, PDP, Governors’ Forum.

Excerpts:

W

HAT do you make of last week’s commotion in the House of Representatives?

It is shameful. When you talk of party supremacy, there should be a divide. There should be a line where party supremacy should be drawn. Party supremacy should not be taken to the floor of the House. The APC should know that they are not the only ones in the House.

The PDP has members, APGA has members. Anyway, this is the first time they got the victory and it is getting to their heads.

They (APC) seem to have an exaggerated opinion of their importance in the National Assembly. Imagine the PDP writing to the Senate President on who should emerge as principal officers, that can be

•Ajulo: Buhari started slow discussed at the party caucus level.

How would you rate the Buhari administration so far?

I know you are aware by now that President Buhari was not our candidate at the Labour Party.

However, as true patriots and stakeholders in the democratic process, I hold that the season of politicking is over and the season of policies and policing has commenced. So, I would say it is too early to rate him.

But he started on a slow pace and he has no time for honeymoon.

Nigerians are waiting for the miracles APC promised and it is not his to now after the election to advice us not to expect the miracles again.

President Buhari, in his inaugural address and

subsequent speeches, stressed that the job of rebuilding Nigeria is not his alone. What is your take on it?

I call him to walk the talk by inviting all leaders of the four major political parties who have members who were elected into offices for consultations and cooperation on how to navigate the stormy waters in which the nation is presently anchored, the turn out of events leading to the emergence of Senator Bukola Saraki and Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara is a clear indication that APC cannot do it all alone.

Your party is perceived to be an appendage of the PDP, what does the LP stand for?

We have a watchdog duty to perform as Buhari administration undertakes the business of governance, it is my sincere desire that President Buhari succeeds in the task given to him because it goes without saying that a success for his administration is a success for all Nigerians, and for Nigeria herself.

There have been rumours that smaller parties like LP may merge with the PDP ahead of the next general elections. What is your take on this?

You know, I find it laughable that some people would try to classify Labour Party as a “small” party. It is not only just laughable; it is very erroneous.

The rumour of an impending merger was started by

mischievous persons who were unsure about the fate of the PDP in the wake of their loss at the polls. A merger with the PDP? We have addressed this rumour before, and I now say it again: the Labour Party has no intention of merging with any other party. We are confident about our identity as the foremost opposition party in Nigeria, and our purpose to offer credible and constructive criticism to the new administration.

How do you see Dr Segun Mimiko's emergence as chairman of the PDP Governor’s Forum?

From a neutral standpoint, I think it is a good development for the governor and for the people of Ondo State. Whatever brings glory to the people of Ondo State is always a welcome development.

What is your take on the inability of some states to pay workers salaries?

The situation is unfortunate, it is unexplainable and I am more particular in what’s happening in Osun State imagine owing workers up to 8 months salaries and going to 9 months while some are owed 12 months pension, this is worrisome, its worst than Boko Haram insurgency.

The situation in Osun and Benue States call for declaration of state of Emergency. Federal Government should not shy away from taking over.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015—37

NCC to sanction network providers performing below standard

By Festus Ahon

A

S A B A — A Commissioner in the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Dr Michael Onyia, has said that the commission will not relent in sanctioning service providers whose performance falls below expectation.

He urged the media to showcase the positive aspect of the Global System Mobile, GSM, telecommunication service providers rather than focus only on their challenges.

Onyia, at the 74th edition of a consumer outreach programme, organised by NCC in Asaba, Delta State, charged consumers to explore opportunities available in the Information Communication Technology, ICT, in the country.

He said that focusing on the areas of strength would enable consumers key into opportunities to better their living.

ERA/FoEN urges shift from fossil dependency to renewable energy

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

E N I N — EXECUTIVE Director of Action/Friends of the Earth, ERA/FoEN, Dr. Godwin Ojo, has stressed the need for a move from fossil dependency to a renewable source of energy with a view to curbing its devastating effects on the environment.

He disclosed that 70 percent of the 170 million population of Nigeria depends on wood for their energy needs, adding that this has accounted for over 35 percent of the world deforestation rate.

Ojo, at the 5th Renewable Energy workshop organised by the group in Benin, Edo State, yesterday, urged Nigerians to discountenance the imposed historical energy colonialism syndrome where gigantic infrastructure, huge capital and personnel were the signs of development.

He attributed the current energy problem in the country to the lack of vision to achieve the right energy mix from renewable sources.

Saying that the challenges of the service providers were obvious, he said the NCC has set up Key Performance Indicators, KPI, which it would strictly monitor to ensure that consumers get improved services in the country.

He said that the cardinal provision of the NCC Act was to ensure that consumers were not exploited by the service providers.

He said: “Although we know

the challenges of the service providers, NCC has insisted that consumers must be happy by ensuring that all service providers establish functional care centres where consumers' complaints are addressed.

“The media should also showcase the positive side of the service providers to enable the consumers take advantage of the ICT.” On his part, Director, Public Affairs, NCC, Mr Tony Ojobo, noted that successes have

been recorded since the inception of GSM in the country.

He urged Nigerians to take advantage of the global market through the online businesses made available by the telecommunication networks in the country, Ojobo said though there are challenges, there is no doubt that so much value has been added to the lives of average Nigerians through telecommunication.

SWEARING-IN: Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State (left), with Mr Lucky Wasa after the latter was sworn in as Permanent Secretary in Edo State Civil Service, at Government House, Benin City, yesterday.

Ayade tackles ghost workers with table payment

By Emma Una

C

ALABAR—GOVERNOR Ben Ayade of Cross River State has ordered an on the spot cash payment of primary school teachers and local government workers to checkmate the high incidence of ghost workers and fraudulent deductions by paying authorities.

Governor Ayade, in a chat with journalists in his office, said it was unacceptable that a person would commit himself to work for government for 30 days and at the end of the month he is not paid his salary, a situation that would cause unnecessary suffering to his family.

He said that he was not aware that while the backlog of salaries for civil servants was cleared, primary school teachers and council workers were not paid, adding that the situation had prompted the need for the directive to pay those set of workers within the week, but through table payment to eliminate the incidence of ghost

workers and unnecessary deductions on salaries.

He said: “I have articulated the documentation and payment process for council workers and primary school teachers to begin this week with the April salary through on the

spot table payment in the presence of forensic data system to capture each payment in order to address the high incidence of ghost workers and illegal deductions while the May and June salaries will come next week.”

Okowa won’t fail Deltans —Odogwu

By Akpokona Omafuaire

W

ARRI—A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Burutu Local Government Area, Delta State, Mr. Tam Odogwu, has expressed confidence in the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, assuring Deltans that they would not be disappointed by the governor.

Odogwu, in Warri, yesterday, said that the new government in the state has better plans to take Delta beyond its present level, adding that the new

leadership in the state was capable of meeting the aspirations of the people.

He said: “I want to congratulate Governor Okowa and his deputy, Kingsley Otuaro, on their taking over the mantle of leadership in the state, as they will take Delta to an enviable height.

“I want to assure Deltans that their vote was divinely directed as these two great sons of the state will not disappoint them."

He assured Deltans that their dreams and aspirations will be actualised in no distant time under Okowa.

Be benevolent in governance, APC chieftain urges Okowa

By Perez Brisibe

U

GHELLI—A chieftain of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Delta State, Elder Jonathan Ugu, has urged the state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, not to see himself as a governor of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, but a governor for all Deltans irrespective of political affiliation.

Speaking, yesterday, in Ughelli on their expectations from Okowa, Ugu said that though the state chapter of the party was not expecting too much from him, in the spirit of the governor ’s mantra of prosperity for all Deltans, he should be benevolent in governance by putting party lines aside in the discharge of his duties.

Victims of demolitions in Rivers protest delay in compensation

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By Davies Iheamnachor

ORT HARCOURT— OVER 3,000 residents, forced out of their homes as a result of the demolitions at Agip and Eagle Island waterfronts by the Rivers State Government have protested the alleged delay in the payment of their compensation.

The residents, yesterday, stormed the office of National Human Right Commission, NHRC on Aba-Port Harcourt road, with placards bearing different inscriptions, as they marched from EagleIsland to Rumuola to seek justice over their destroyed homes and property.

The protesters said since 2004 when their houses were demolished by the state government they have been frustrated as they have no house to live in. They are, therefore, demanding immediate payment of damages from the state government for their demolished buildings.

38 — VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

B/HARAM PRISONERS: Protest in Anambra

sponsored by state govt —APC

By Enyim Enyim

O

NITSHA—All Progressives Congress, APC, in Anambra State has accused the state government of allegedly sponsoring last weekend’s demonstration by traders over alleged transfer of Boko Haram prisoners to the state.

A statement by the state chairman of the party, Mr. Emeka

Ibeh, described as baseless and unfounded the rumour that the Federal Government had ordered the transfer of Boko Haram prisoners to the state.

But the Senior Special Assistant on Media to Governor Willie Obiano, Mr. James Eze, in a swift reaction, described the allegation as untrue and urged the general public to disregard it.

The traders on the order of the state government, had to close

their shops to protest alleged transfer of Boko Haram prisoners to the state for 24 hours thereby paralyzing business activities in the state. “ We are of the opinion that even if such directive was given by the Federal Government, though without conceding, what is expected of a responsible state government is to employ dialogue or use any other processes known to law, but not to engineer crisis

APGA expresses worry over FG’s slow pace

By Vincent Ujumadu

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WKA—THE National Executive Committee, NEC, of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, has expressed concern over what it described as the slow and somewhat unsettled disposition of the government led by All Progressives Congress, APC, to critical national issues that required immediate attention.

The party, through its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Ifeatu Obiokoye, said in Awka, yesterday, that the NEC of APGA believed that it was time for the Federal Government to move the nation forward in the larger interest of Nigerian people who had been going though trying times.

Obiokoye said: “We, in APGA, remain convinced that the only hallmark for good governance, capable of meeting the yearnings of the Nigerian people, is one founded on unquestionable commitment and determination to nationbuilding and based on concrete and discernible programmes.

“APGA is disturbed about the

slow and somewhat unsettled disposition of the Federal Government to critical national issues that require immediate engagement.

“No doubt, it will take sometime to clear the mess inflicted on the economy of this nation by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, - led government. Nonetheless, the patience of Nigerians should not be taken for granted by the APC -led government at the centre.”

He said the NEC of APGA was committed to re-branding the party to ensure it continued its role as a viable and credible alternative in the national political scheme, assuring Nigerians that APGA would surely evolve from a regional concern to an emerging national party with a commitment towards providing a credible platform based on true democratic principles and ideals.

in the state. Any government that does this deserves to be condemned and not commended. “ APC wishes to dissociate itself from the very selfish decision loaded with avoidable instigation of Anambra public against the law, good conscience and reasons,” Ibeh said.

He advised all APC members in the state to take every reasonable step to protect the party, themselves and their property against any premeditated hate or campaign or attendant actions masterminded by the APGA-led government in Anambra State.

“There is no directive issuing from the Nigeria prisons service or any other arm of government of the Federal Government of Nigeria that Boko Haram convicts are to be sent to Anambra State,” he said.

The party advised the state governor, Dr. Willie Obiano, to concentrate on governance and desist from using sensitive issues as Boko Haram in the name of politics.

He cautioned the governor not to heat up the polity.

Bank customers in Enugu cry out as BVN deadline elapses

By Francis Igata

E

NUGU—THOUSANDS of bank customers in Enugu metropolis, yesterday, gnashed their teeth over undue stress occasioned by the registration of Bank Verification Number, BVN. This is even as traffic gridlock built up at major roads leading to banks, as customers made frantic efforts to meet up with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, deadline for customers to enrol on BVN which expired

yesterday.

At Zenith Bank,Presidential Road, customers were seen sitting on road pavements in the scorching sun, waiting to register for the BVN. Although the bank provided some seats for its customers to decongest its hall to enable other customers transact businesses freely, the crowd at the bank was unprecedented.

Mrs.Uche Ndu, who had registered, lamented that she was yet to received an alert from the bank confirming her registration.

She said: “I have done the

biometric capture, having filled the form. I have not received the text message. I came to see if I can get it but the crowd is terrible. ‘’I need to submit the number to meet up with the deadline which has proved near impossible because of the crowd.

“From the look of things, CBN should extend the deadline because most customers have not registered. It is only one officer that is attending to all these customers. That is why the process is too slow. They should recruit more hands in matters of urgency like this.’’

SARPA elects team to forestal losses in power sector

By Chris Onuoha

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HE SOUTHERN African Revenue Protection Association, SARPA, Africa’s representative of the International Revenue Protection Association Board, IURPA, has elected a five-member executive at its operational base in Port Harcourt to oversee the activities of boards in the power sector in Nigeria.

The five-man executive nominated by different electricity distribution company in Nigeria and endorsed by SARPA technical advisor, Mr. Rens Bimdeman, includes, Jon Abbas, Chief Executive Officer of Port Harcourt Electrical Distribution, PHED, as Chairman, Abimbola Odubiyi, Executive Director, Regulatory and Shareholders’ Relations, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, as deputy chairman, Ernest Edgar, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, Benin Electricity Distribution, BEDC, as second deputy chairman.

Similarly, Jerry Ehanmo, Executive Assistant, PHED, was elected as secretary, while Daniel Das, SARPA Nigerian branch, is the coordinator.

Chairman, Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, in a speech on the occasion, noted that the viability and survival of every business laid in its ability to protect its revenue.

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

On President Buhari’s delay in naming ministers

D

oes it mean that he must clean up the mess before he appoints his ministers even if it takes one year? What has mess got to do with appointing ministers? He claims that he met empty treasury while the last regime said it left 30 billion dollars? Mr. Dike Paulinus, Worker C M Y K

O

n delay of President Buhari to choose his ministers, I think the idea of being careful should not be over-emphasised, bearing in mind that it is the same reason given when his government was sacked as a military leader. -Mr. Richardson Iheme, Businessman

I

t is only a fool of the highest order that will pray for Buhari, or anybody for that matter who is the President of his country, to fail.

Why? If this man fails, it is not him in reality that fails but the country. Miss Anasithesia Ezeka, worker

I

f there is an improved electricity supply and people are now determined to go to work, despite that ministers are not there yet, then there is just no cause for alarm. The big question should be whether we need some of these ministries? -Miss Blessing Ukoma, Graduate

H

ow did PMB fix the e l e c t r i c i t y problem(s) of Nigeria, within 30 days with no ministers appointed and with virtual empty treasury? Having waited 16 years to be president, he knows exactly what Nigeria needs. -Mr. Osagie Ukpebor, Cameraman

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resident Buhari has not done anything in the last 30 days to be assessed as working or not working, and he should let Nigerians know who his minsters are. Nigerians are used to fanning the egos of political leaders, thereby confusing them. -Mr. Kazeem Aremu, Businessman

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015 — 39

Plateau LG boss, deputy axed over alleged financial misconduct

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

J

OS—THE Chairman of Shendam local government area of Plateau State, Mr. Kemi Nshe and his Deputy, Mr. Noel Nkup have been suspended by the Legislative Council of the local government area shortly after the day’s deliberation by the councillors.

In the letter of suspension signed by the 13 councillors and delivered to the Chairman, the councillors accused the Chairman of committing offences bordering on financial misconduct.

The letter read in part, “That you, the Chairman of Shendam local government council, Hon. Nicholas Kemi Nshe is guilty of gross misconduct and financial misappropriation.

“That you, the Deputy Chairman of Shendam local government, Hon. Noel Nkup in your capacity as the supervisory councillor for works is guilty of gross misconduct and financial misappropriation."

Borno plans doctors, nurses' quarters for village health care centre

By Ndahi Marama

M

AIDUGURI— GOVERNOR Kashim Shettima yesterday ordered the immediate construction of houses for medical doctors and nurses working at Auno Primary Healthcare Centre, located in Auno village of Konduga local government area of Borno State.

The Governor gave the order while inspecting ongoing reconstruction and expansion works at the primary healthcare centre which included complete remodelling, increase of beds capacity, creation of additional sections, modern roofing, provision of POP ceiling, fencing, water supply and supply of medical equipment.

Shettima said there was need to provide shelter for workers at the hospital in order to cater for those working at night to address the health needs of the villagers and to equally encourage the medical workers by addressing their basic needs.

Kwankwaso seeks court order restraining EFCC from arresting him

By Abdulsalam Muhammad

K

ANO—THE immediate past governor of Kano State, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso has approached a Gezawa High court seeking an injunction restraining the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, from arresting him.

The turn of event for Kwankwaso, a two-term governor of the state might not be unconnected with a petition by Kano pensioners to the anti corruption agency accusing him of applying underhand tactics in the management of pension funds.

The petition filed on their behalf by Bashir Nasir &Co and signed by A. B.Bulama Esq alleged that the former Governor deposited the sum of N2 billion in Kano branch of the defunct Euro Bank Plc, adding that soon after the deposit was made, the bank went into liquidation.

MEETING: Mr. Austin Okere, Founder and CEO, Computer Warehouse Group, CWG Plc (left) and Mr. Abubakar Jimoh, CEO, Associated Discount House Limited, ADHL, at a meeting to celebrate ADHL’s successful migration to Finacle 10 banking application, in Lagos.

According to the petition, Kwankwaso refused to follow up

Tribunal dismisses Ortom’s motion challenging jurisdiction

By Peter Duru

M

AKURDI—THE Benue State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, presided over by Justice Elizabeth Karatu, yesterday, dismissed the motion raised by Governor Samuel Ortom, challenging the jurisdiction of the tribunal to entertain the suit.

Counsel to Governor Ortom, Chief Adeniyi Akintola, SAN, had through a motion on notice, asked the court to dismiss the suit brought before it by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate at the last

election, Terhemen Tarzoor, challenging the election of Governor Ortom, on the ground that it was an abuse of court process.

However, counsel to Tarzoor, Mrs. Joy Adesina argued that the motion raised by the respondent was intended to prolong the suit and by so doing frustrate the process. She insisted that all motions raised should be heard alongside the substantive suit.

Citing Paragraph 12(5) of the First Schedule of the 2014 Electoral Act, Mrs. Adesina stated that the provision was intended to checkmate “acts of mischief” in the adjudication of tribunal cases.

the claim of the deposit from the NDIC. The petitioner said the action of the former governor was a flagrant violation of the provisions of Kano state pension and gratuity law.

Penultimate week, officials of key ministries that included the incumbent Accountant General of the state, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance and his counterpart at the Ministry of Works were quizzed by EFCC in connection with the petition.

Kwankwaso who has been hibernating in Abuja since he handed over power to Abdullahi Umar Ganduje was believed to have left behind over N300billion liability that included N199 million unpaid advert bill.

A notice filed by Kwankwaso’s Attorney has been received by the Gezawa High court registry and the court has subsequently fixed tomorrow for hearing.

Abubakar pledges to boost water supply in Bauchi

By Suzan Edeh

B

AUCHI—GOVERNOR Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi State has pledged to improve and upgrade the state water supply system within his first hundred days in office.

Governor Abubakar, who made the pledge yesterday during an unscheduled visit to the Gubi dam treatment plant in Bauchi lamented that he took over the mantle of leadership under very difficult circumstances in the state.

He said: “One of the first priority of any responsible government is to improve the standard of living of its citizens through the provision of adequate water supply. Water is

important to the people of the state because they use it to meet their domestic needs. In this light,the world bank-assisted project on water will be studied with a view to implementing it in the state.”

The governor warned members of the public against encroaching and erecting structures on water pipelines and installations, saying anybody caught will be made to face the full wrath of the law.

Kumuyi to visit Adamawa July 14

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By Umar Yusuf

OLA—GENERAL Overseer of the Deeper Life Church Worldwide, Pastor William Kumuyi is due in Adamawa State on July 14 on a four-day pastoral visit. Tagged ‘Total Recovery and Restoration” the special prayer sessions is scheduled to hold in Yola, the State Capital, Numan and Mayo Belwa.

Announcing the programme of events for the visit in Yola Tuesday, the General Coordinator of the planned programme, Pastor Adeniyi Hassan disclosed that Kumuyi will be coming to Adamawa state to pray for the people and government.

He stated that after the visit, sorrow and other evils that have bedevilled the state will become a thing of the past.

N10bn revenue expected from seized Kano textiles —CUSTOMS

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By Ifeyinwa Obi

HE Nigeria Customs Service said it has commenced assessment of Customs duty and other charges on textile materials currently in detention in Kano, even as the exercise coordinated by a Special Task Force comprising operatives of the NCS and the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, is expected to rake in N10b billion revenue into government coffers.

In a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Wale Adeniyi, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dikko Inde Abdullahi, was quoted to have given the directive to collect duty on the textile products.

The directive, Dikko said came after consultations with the Federal Government and importers of the items. The imported items are currently discharged in warehouses sealed by the Service in various areas of Kano metropolis.

He said: ‘’In the first warehouse opened for the exercise, 14 importers turned up for assessment and duty payment for their textile items valued at about N1.5 billion in the first week. The importers were expected to pay a combined import duty of N373, 307, 242.16.

The assessment also showed that the goods are liable to the following additional charges: N26,569,253.73 for 7% surcharge; N14,243,212.64 for 1% CISS levy; N6,767,022.49 for 0.5% ETLS levy; N59,154,231.65 for Textile levy; and N95,527,905.15 for Value Added Tax.

40 — VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

ADADEVOH: Mr. Bankole Cardoso, son of late Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh, and Chairman, Board of Trustees, Doctor Ameyo Stella Adadevoh Health Trust, DRASA Trust, with students of Green Springs School, during the It Starts With Me campaign in Lagos.

UI LECTURE: From left— Professor Tomilayo Adekanye, First African female Professor of Agricuture Economics; Professor Alaba Ogunsanwo, Chairman of occasion; Dr. Tunji Olaopa, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communication, and Guest Speaker; Emeritus Professors, Bayo Adekanye, Bunmi Ayoade, and Yinka Fasuyi, President, Ibadan Business School, at a public lecture in honour of Adekanye and Ayoade by the Department of Political Science, University of Ibadan.

IFTAR: From left— Mr. Olanrewaju Suraju, Chairman, HEDA Resource Centre; Dr. Muiz Banire, National Legal Adviser, All Progressives Congress, APC, host; and Ustaz Mustafa Jamiu Olasunkanmi, President, Advocates of Peace Foundation, during the Iftar (breaking of fast) with Dr. Banire and media in Lagos. PHOTO: Bunmi Azeez.

CPN: Governor Abiola Ajumobi of Oyo State (2nd right); Mr. Ibukunolu Ashamu, Chairman, Ashmart Holdings Ltd (2nd left), and others, at an event in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Sikiru Shehu, Registrar/ Secretary, Council of Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria, CPN, (left) and Professor Vincent Asor, newly-elected President/ Chairman of Council, CPN, at the council's head office in Lagos. PHOTO: Emeka Aginam.

WINNER: From left— Mr. Femi Ajala, Product Manager, Astymin; Mr. Friday Enaholo, Marketing Manager, Fidson Healthcare Plc; Mr. Fijabi Adebayo, winner, MyAstymin UCL Predict and Win Contest, and Mr. Oladimeji Oduyebo, Corporate Services Manager, Fidson Healthcare Plc, during the grand prize presentation of Samsung LED TV to the winner in Lagos.

CHILDREN CARE: The management team of Sumec, manufacturers of Sumec Firman and Firman power generating set, donating items to Compassionate Orphanage and Citadel of Grace Orphanage in Lagos during its 2015 Children Care programme.

FORUM: From left— Osaheni Ogunbor, Group Executive Director, Operation & Projects, Nosak Group; Tony Nsitem, MD, Elton Ventures; Joseph Oboko, Chief Operating Officer, Nosak Group; Augustine Onwuka, MD, Danberton International Company Nigeria Ltd, and Osagie Ogunbor, Group Executive Director, Corporate Services, Nosak Group, at the customers’ interactive forum of Grand Petroleum and Chemical Limited, in Lagos.

CPN:

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Continues from page 40 High Court to strike it down in view of Article 18(3) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act (Cap A9) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 which has imposed a duty on the Government of Nigeria to ensure the elimination of every discrimination against women and ensure the protection of the rights of the woman and the child, as stipulated in international declarations and conventions.”

The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team also took a swipe at certain provisions of the bill.

The team specifically condemned the sections which sought to make a distinction in the ages of children. Same as the section that sought to give a statutory defence for sexual offences against a child on the grounds of purported deceit by the child, which causes an accused person to believe that the child is above 18, when the act of defiling the child is committed.

The anti-rape bill stipulated a punishment of life imprisonment for any individual found guilty of rape or sexual intercourse with a child and 14 years imprisonment for sexual abuse.

Speaking for the Group, the Permanent Secretary and Solicitor General of Lagos State, Mr Lawal Pedro, SAN, said the team identified certain sections it wants amended or cancelled from the bill.

The identified provisions, according to Pedro, are inconsistent with the provisions of Section 1 of the Child Rights Act which provided that “in every action concerning a child, the best interest of the child shall be the primary consideration”.

The Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team also requested for the ejection from the bill, the provisions of Section 9 which introduced the offence of gang rape, observing that prosecution under the Section may be problematic.

More criticisms

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arents, teachers, activists, religious and community leaders have also expressed dissatisfaction with the age

*The Ejigbo rape suspects as paraded by Police of consent provision in the Bill.

A social commentator and past President, Nigerian Bar Association NBA, Ikeja Branch Mr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani, questioned the passage of the bill and called on Mr President to examine it properly before signing it into law.

According to Ubani, the Bill if signed by Mr President will defy the international standard code of law which puts the sexual consent age at 18. ‘’Are you sure such a Bill was passed by the Senate? I doubt it because it will go against international standard code which puts the age of consent at 18.But if Nigeria should decide to lower it to 11, I wonder what we are aiming at?” he said.

Corroborating Ubani’s view, the helmsman of Humanity Foundation for Peace and Development, Mr Adenigba Henry said the Bill failed to examine certain factors about child development.

He argued that the health status and other factors were not put into consideration before the age of consent was arrived at. ‘’I think Nigeria is just stepping into a democratic development and we expect a more concrete polity to be put in place to give us exactly what we need. The Bill shows how primitive the government is. If the sexual age is pegged at 11, are they saying a child should be married out at such age?

Every child has the right to survival, development, protection and participation.

When they were promulgating that law, did they invite children to participate in such discussion? Was a survey or research carried out to give them (the children) a voice before passing the law?’’ he queried.

Henry argued that children should have been consulted before the passage of the Bill to know what exactly they want as regards sexuality. He noted

that it is wrong to push this kind of law down people’s throat. ‘’If they only take a look at the Northern states and feel a child should be married out at the age of 11, what happens to those in the South West and South East parts of the country.

This should be determined by many factors- the structure, morphology, stature and experience. Mostly in the North, children are married out at a tender age when the body morphology cannot cope and this affects the state of health of such children. Are they putting their health into consideration or they are being forced or coerced?’’

Under-aged marriages

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By your robust advocacy against the bill preventing sexual abuses of children, you foreclose the future of children in this society

he distinguishing aspect of the age of consent laws is that the person below the minimum age is regarded as the victim, and their sex partner as the offender.

In the Northern parts of Nigeria, children are usually married out at a tender age. Not much is known about why some elderly men prefer to marry children but such decisions are always frowned at in Nigeria. A classical case played out about five years ago, when a senator and former governor of Zamfara State, Nigeria, Ahmed Sani Yerima got married to a 14-year-old Egyptian girl. The controversy generated by the marriage prompted officials of the National Agency for Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and other Related Matters, NAPTIP, to wade into the mater. The Yerima case is one among several cases of underaged children being given out in marriage to persons who could be their grandpas.

Sponsor of bill justifies its passage

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ustifying the Bill, its sponsor, Mrs Chris Anyanwu, stated that when implemented, it would mitigate the sufferings of parents by reducing their fear of what happens to their children in their absence – at schools, in the play grounds, in the neighbourhoods, and in

religious spaces.

In an open letter to allay the fears of Prof Soyinka, the respected journalist/senator described the Nobel Laureate’s opposition to the Bill as one borne out of misinformation.

“You have been misled by the misinformation circulated by someone who could not read or comprehend a legal draft; someone who did not have the patience to read through a proposal, see what was recommended and what was finally accepted. You were misled by someone who deliberately distorted the content of one of the most profound bills ever passed by the Nigerian legislature, scandalised the proponent and the institution for reasons that you and I may not know,” she said.

Mrs. Anyanwu said by passing the bill, the 7th Senate had kept faith with the people of Nigeria by providing the cover of protection under which Nigerian children can live normal lives of fulfillment without fear. “By your robust advocacy against the bill preventing sexual abuses of children, you foreclose the future of children in this society,” the former Senator said.

In her reaction, the Lagos State Cordinator of Child Protection Network, Ngozi Ekwerike-Okora, said issues relating to the Bill should not be over-flogged. ‘’ I was in a meeting when you sent a text message about the Bill and I shared the text with the house but one of the judges present at the meeting advised we should not over-flog the issue yet because it will not work,’’ she said.

46—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

Ebola returns to Liberia four months after clearance

By Gabriel Olawale, with agency report

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HE corpse of a 17-year-old boy has tested positive for Ebola in Liberia, the country’s deputy Health Minister said late Monday. He added that no other case had been reported.

Tolbert Nyenswah, who is also head of the country’s Ebola response, told newsmen that the teenager died June 24 in Nedowein, a town situated close to the country’s international airport, about 48 kilometres south of the capital, and was given a safe burial the next day.

Liberia had been the country hardest hit by last year’s Ebola outbreak in West Africa. The World Health Organisation, WHO, declared Liberia Ebolafree on May 9 after the country went 42 days without reporting a case.

Nyenswah said: “We have said over and over again that there was the possibility of a resurgence of the virus in Liberia. But our capacity is very strong.”

The deadly virus, which has killed over 11,100 people mostly in West Africa in its worst outbreak ever, is hanging on stubbornly in Guinea, where the Ebola outbreak was first reported in March 2014, and in Sierra

Leone.

It was not known how the 17year-old contracted Ebola. The town where the teenager died is far from the borders with Sierra Leone and Guinea, so Nyenswah said they were investigating whether his case might be linked to travel.

Specimens were taken from the corpse before burial, and the tests later came back positive.

“The only complication is that the person died before we tested the body as part of our surveillance system of testing living and dead people,”

Nyenswah said.

Nyenswah said teams are already doing contact tracing in the Nedowein area.

“There is no need for pandemonium; people should go about their normal business,” he said.

He called the Ebola testing

of the young man’s corpse “a success story for our surveillance system.”

United Nations SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-Moon had warned earlier this month that as long as there is one Ebola case in West Africa “all countries are at risk.”

… as Cuba eliminates mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis in 2013. But intensified efforts “Cuba’s achievement

By Sola Ogundipe, Chioma Obinna & Gabriel Olawale

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HE World Health Organisation, WHO, has validated Cuba as the first country in the world to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis.

In a statement yesterday, Director General of WHO, Dr. Margaret Chan, described the feat as “a major victory in our long fight against HIV and sexually transmitted infections, and an important step towards having an AIDSfree generation.

“Eliminating transmission of a virus is one of the greatest public health achievements

possible.”

Also speaking, Executive Director of UNAIDS, Michel Sidibé, said: “This is a celebration for Cuba and a celebration for children and families everywhere.

“It shows that ending the AIDS epidemic is possible and we expect Cuba to be the first of many countries coming forward to seek validation that they have ended their epidemics among children.”

Pan American Health Organisation, PAHO, Director, Dr. Carissa Etienne, said: “Cuba’s success demonstrates that universal access and universal health coverage are feasible and the key to success, even against challenges as daunting as HIV.

today provides inspiration for other countries to advance towards elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis.”

Statistics

In 2013, only two babies were born with HIV in Cuba, and only five babies were born with congenital syphilis. Every year, globally, an estimated 1.4 million women living with HIV become pregnant.

Untreated, they have a 15 to 45 percent chance of transmitting the virus to their children during pregnancy, labour, delivery or breastfeeding.

However, that risk drops to just over one percent if antiretroviral medicines are given to both mothers and c h i l d r e n throughout the stages, when infection can occur.

The number of children born annually with HIV has almost halved since 2009— down from 400,000 in 2009 to 240,000

will be required to reach the global target of less than 40,000 new child infections per year this year.

Nearly one million pregnant women worldwide are infected with syphilis annually. This can result in early fetal loss and stillbirth, neonatal death, lowbirth-weight infants and serious neonatal infections.

However, simple cost-effective screening and treatment options during pregnancy, such as penicillin, can eliminate most of these complications.

In 2014, WHO and key partners published guidance on global processes and criteria for validation of elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis, which outlines the validation process and the different indicators countries need to meet.

As treatment for prevention of mother-to-child-transmission is not 100 percent effective, elimination of transmission is defined as a reduction of transmission to such a low level that it no longer constitutes a public health problem.

An international expert mission convened by PAHO/WHO visited Cuba in March to validate the progress toward the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis.

Illoh commends NASS on Labour Safety Bill

By Oboh Agbonkhese

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HE Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour, Dr. Clement Illoh, has described passage of Labour Safety and Health Bill by the National Assembly as a good development, saying it would enhance regulation of the world of works in an age of technological change, globalisation, labour migration flow and social pressure factors.

Speaking at the revalidation training workshop and certification exercise for approved persons for inspection of lifting equipment in Lagos, Dr. Illoh said if given assent by President Muhammadu Buhari, the bill would improve coverage and regulation, as labour protection needs to keep pace with the transformation in the world of works.

In a keynote address delivered on his behalf by Mrs Nosifat Arogunde, Director, Occupational Safety and Health, Illoh said: “This revalidation programme is designed to capture the contributions of various stakeholders to improve the process of inspection.

“At the end of this programme, the ministry will inaugurate a committee on the formulation of technical guidelines and codes of practice to uphold professional ethics.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015 — 47

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48— VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1 , 2015

Indonesian military plane crash kills 74

A

Iran, world powers shift deal date to July 7 I

RAN and six world powers gave themselves an extra week to reach a final nuclear accord after it became clear they would miss a deadline yesterday, with U.S. and Iranian officials sounding upbeat even though obstacles remain.

With all sides accepting that yesterday’s original deadline would come and go without an agreement, Iran and the six powers agreed to extend an interim accord until July 7 in order to have more time to negotiate a comprehensive agreement.

Under the interim agreement, reached in November 2013 and known as the Joint Plan of Action, Iran agreed to take some steps to constrain its nuclear program in exchange for limited relief from economic sanctions ahead of talks on a final deal.

Western countries have imposed sanctions on Iran which they suspect of seeking the capability to make a nuclear weapon. Tehran says its nuclear program is peaceful.

A successful negotiation would help ease dec-

•US Secretary of State John Kerry (left) and Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi hold talks in Geneva to harrow nuclear gaps ades of hostility between Iran and the United States, but many U.S. allies in the region, including Israel and Saudi Arabia, are skeptical, as are some hardliners in both

Washington and Tehran.

“The P5+1 and Iran have decided to extend the measures under the Joint Plan of Action until July 7 to allow more time for negotiations to reach

a long-term solution ... on the Iran nuclear issue,” said Marie Harf, senior adviser for strategic communications at the U.S. State Department.

Gov Christie joins the presidential race

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EW Jersey Gov. Chris Christie prepared yesterday to launch his 2016 campaign for president, telling his most loyal supporters that he’s ready to begin what he called a “noble” effort to “lead our country and to

•Christie

change the world.”The Republican governor is set to kick off his campaign yesterday morning in the gymnasium of his old high school in the town of Livingston, New Jersey, where he experienced some of his first political victories in student politics.

“The idea of going back to where you were when you were 15, or 16, or 17 years old, and to be able to stand in front of that group of people and offer yourself to the presidency is a really, really amazing moment,” Christie said in a private call with donors, friends and outof-state supporters a few hours before his official announcement.Christie called on them to “to have confidence” going for-

ward.

In the years since, he won re-election with ease, but also struggled toThe revive“P5+1” the state’s mormajor ibund economy and fought with the state’s Democratic-controlled legislature over pensions and the state budget.

While Christie’s turn as head of the Republican Governors Association was widely viewed as a success in the 2014 midterm elections, he’s also faced the fallout from the actions of three former aides, charged with creating politically motivated traffic jams to retaliate against a Democratic mayor who declined to endorse Christie’s re-election.

Default looms on Greek debt crisis REECE is set to nancing deal.

G default on a reGreece’s banks and payment to the Interna- the stock market are tional Monetary Fund due yesterday, which also marks the expiry of its bailout program.

That puts the debtstrapped country on the edge of fiscal collapse and raises the chances it could eventually leave the European Union — a “Grexit”.

Talks between Athens and its lenders broke down after Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said a referendum on whether to accept terms demanded by its international creditors will be held on Sunday. But on Tuesday, hopes rose that the two sides would return to the negotiating table after reports Tsipras has spoken to the president of the European Commission about a last-minute fi-

closed and are expected to remain shut until after the referendum.

U.K. regulators have also asked for trade in the country ’s bonds to be halted, Tradeweb says.

•Apprehensive members of Greece public read newspaper to catch latest news on the Debt crisis.

Russia investigates Khodorkovsky for murder

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NVESTIGATORS announced they were reviving a criminal probe into the 1998 murder amid efforts by Khodorkovsky, ex-owner of the former oil company Yukos, to challenge President Vladimir Putin’s grip on power from his self-imposed exile in Switzerland.

The Investigative Committee, which reports directly to Putin, said it had obtained new evidence

enabling it to re-open a probe into the murder of Vladimir Petukhov, mayor of Nefteyugansk where Yukos’s biggest unit was based.

“According to the information now available to the Investigative Committee, Yukos chief Mikhail Khodorkovsky might have personally ordered this murder and a number of other extremely serious crimes,” Investigative Committee spokesman

Vladimir Markin said, without elaborating on the additional allegations.

Investigators plan to question a number of witnesses and suspects, Markin said in a statement, adding that Khodorkovsky will “most likely be among them.”

The fact that Khodorkovsky resides in Switzerland will not be an obstacle to conducting the investigation, he added.

N Indonesian air force transport plane carrying military personnel and their families plowed into a residential neighborhood in the country’s third-largest city of Medan shortly after takeoff on yesterday, killing more than 70.

Rescue teams were using heavy machinery to remove the mangled wreckage of the C-130 Hercules as they searched the rubble of a building shattered by the impact. Witness accounts suggest the plane suffered an engine fire before crashing.

Air force spokesman Rear Marshal Dwi Badarmanto said 74 bodies

have been recovered so far. He said about 30 of the dead have been identified and include air force personnel and members of their families.

Air force officials say there may have been more than 100 people on the C-130. They say there is little hope of finding survivors. It is unclear how many people on the ground were killed.

The crash of the transport plane, which had been in service since 1964, occurred not long before midday and just two minutes after it took off from Soewondo air force base.

Obama’s approval rating hits two-year high

F

OLLOWING what was perhaps the most remarkable week in Barack Obama’s presidency — one in which he secured an important victory in Congress on trade, was handed two historic Supreme Court wins (on health care and gay marriage), and delivered a moving eulogy at the funeral of the Rev. Clementa Pinckney, leading mourners in singing “Amazing Grace” — his approval rating is at a twoyear high.

According to a new CNN/ORC poll released Tuesday, 50 percent of Americans approve of the way Obama is handling his presidency — which is up 5 points over the most recent survey and his

•Obama highest approval rating since May 2013.

The survey found that 47 percent disapprove of President Obama, which is down 5 points since May (when 52 percent disapproved of his handling of the presidency) and marks just the second time in two years his disapproval rating has fallen below 50 percent.

Study links 184,000 annual death rate to sugary drinks

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UGARY drinks cause 184,000 deaths worldwide annually, including 25,000 deaths in the United States, according to a new study.

The finding — a revised estimate of numbers first presented at a scientific meeting in 2013 — represents a tally of deaths from diabetes, heart disease and cancer that scientists say can be directly attributed to the consumption of sweetened sodas, fruit drinks, sports/energy drinks and iced teas.

The numbers imply that sugary drinks can cause as

many deaths annually as the flu.

“It should be a global priority to substantially reduce or eliminate sugar-sweetened beverages from the diet,” said Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, senior author of the study and dean of the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University in Massachusetts.

There is evidence that sugary drinks contribute to obesity and that obesity contributes to people’s risk of these diseases, Mozaffarian said.

Heat wave: France, UK raise alarm

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mass of hot air moving north from Africa is driving up temperatures in western Europe, with France on Tuesday becoming the latest to endure unusual heat.

France’s southwestern Gironde region sweltered in 42 degrees Celsius (107 Fahrenheit), a day after Cordoba in southern Spain recorded nearly 44 C (111 F).

Paris introduced special heat wave measures.

They included opening air-conditioned rooms to the public and phoning people who might be especially vulnerable to the heat, primarily the elderly and those who can’t leave their homes for medical reasons.

Authorities warned that temperatures could surpass those of 2003, when thousands of people died — many of them retirees who had been left alone while younger relatives vacationed.

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015 — 49

Jihadist group claims Mali attacks

Italy begins recovery of 800 migrant bodies from Med shipwreck HE Italian navy said it T had begun efforts to recover the bodies of some 800 migrants killed in a shipwreck in the Mediterranean in April, as authorities rescued another 4,400 people making the dangerous sea journey to Europe.

The April 18 tragedy was the deadliest sinking in the sea between Europe and Africa in decades and sparked international calls for reinforced efforts to deal with the growing migrant crisis.

“The navy... has begun the recovery of bodies outside the trawler that sank on April 18... from a depth of around 380 metres (1,246 feet),” the navy said on Twitter.

Only 28 people survived the shipwreck at the time, out of an estimated 800 on board when the vessel set sail from Libya.

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi last month announced that he wanted the wreck to be brought to the surface and victims’ bodies returned to their families for burial, saying the country could not “bury its conscience at a depth of 387 metres”.

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IHADIST group Ansar Dine yesterday claimed responsibility for two weekend attacks in Mali near the borders with Mauritania and Ivory Coast, and threatened to strike both countries.

Three soldiers and nine militants were killed on Saturday as a military camp came under attack in the town of Nara, according to the government, while public and police buildings were ransacked in Fakola on Sunday.

“We are claiming the attack at Nara and the one at Fakola — Islamic lands — to punish the enemies

of Islam,” Ismael Khalil, a radical preacher and member of Ansar Dine, said by telephone.

He added that the militants would “multiply the attacks in Ivory Coast, Mali and Mauritania, countries that work with the enemies of Islam”.

Little is known about Khalil but a Malian security source said he attended Koranic school in the central region of Mopti before visiting Saudi Arabia and Nigeria and eventually joining up with Ansar Dine leader Iyad Ag Ghaly in northern Mali in 2012.

Amnesty slams Egypt over arrests of youths

A •Italian Red Cross personnel prepare to give first aid to shipwrecked migrants as they arrive in the Italian port of Augusta in Sicily recently.

Liberia quarantines new Ebola cases

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IBERIAN authorities yesterday quarantined an area where the corpse of a 17-year-old boy was found with Ebola. There are fears that this West African country could face another outbreak of the disease nearly two months after being declared Ebola-free.

“Liberia has got a reinfection of Ebola,” Tolbert

Nyenswah, deputy health minister and head of Liberia’s Ebola response team, told The Associated Press.

The boy died at his home and was buried safely to avoid spread of the disease, said Nyenswah.

The Nedowein area where he died is close to Liberia’s

international airport, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) south of the capital, Monrovia.

Teams are investigating how the boy became infected, Nyenswah said.

The area is not near Liberia’s borders with Sierra Leone and Guinea, neighboring countries that still have Ebola cases.

MNESTY International has accused the Egyptian authorities of jailing young activists to quell unrest under one of the toughest crackdowns in the country’s history.

In a report released yesterday called “Generation Jail: Egypt’s youth go from protest to prison,” Amnesty looked at the cases of 14 young people among thousands it said were arbitrarily imprisoned in Egypt in the past two years in connection with protests.

Amnesty and other human rights groups

have criticized what they call repressive policies under Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who as army chief toppled Islamist President Mohamed Mursi in 2013 after mass protests against his rule.

“By relentlessly targeting Egypt’s youth activists, the authorities are crushing an entire generation’s hopes for a brighter future,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, deputy director of the Middle East and North Africa program at Amnesty International.

50—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

Babalakin @ 55: From vilification to vindication

Courtney Ltd had on LagosI b a d a n expressway and the alleged charges of m o n e y laundering against him by the Economic and Financial C r i m e s Commission.

By Umar Alli

A

S he turns 55 today, he must have a special reason to be grateful to his Maker, the Almighty Allah. After almost two years of intense vilification in the hands of people of power, Dr. Bolanle Olawale Babalakin, SAN, must be looking forward to heave a sigh of relief this year, hopefully, from the mountainous hurdles deliberately hurled in his way.

His story looks like the typical case of how Nigeria does not often like to appreciate exceptional breeds that are succeeding in their chosen fields.

But for Babalakin, who cut his legal teeth under the great ‘Timi the Law’ (late Chief Rotimi Williams) this may be about to change as fresh facts emerge and the truth is being established in the matter in which he is being tried in court.

Not a few people know that Babalakin’s name is associated with the legal profession and ingenious business enterprise. As a lawyer with a very high intellectual acumen, he is one name that young lawyers flock to in cutting their teeth in the profession. I am aware that his firm, Babalakin & Co has more than 60 lawyers who are among the best paid in the profession and some of whom have risen to the highest echelon of legal practice through Babalakin’s active support. For several years, his chamber has published an annual Law Report. For this Cambridge-trained legal colossus, there must always be a trace of scholarship and intellect in whatever he touches.

The second terminal of the Muritala Muhammed Airport (MMA2), built and operated by Babalakin’s Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd, is not just an example of how private initiatives can rescue government from difficult and capital-intensive projects but is also a unique example of how to run a business with respect for best global practices. In its eight year, MMA2 remains the only private airport terminal in the whole of Africa; is described as the cleanest public space in the whole of Lagos and more importantly is adjudged as the only airport in Nigeria that has met global standard.

Pillar of Education in Nigeria

In recent years, if he was not attending to legal services or nurturing enduring business projects, Babalakin would be found attending to the needy, be they individuals or even government.

To many stakeholders in the ivory tower, he was the Pillar of Education in Nigeria, on account of his undisguised passion and commitment to excellence in that crucial sector. As the Chairman

Last hope of the ordinary man Dr. Bolanle Babalakin of Committee of Pro-Chancellors between 2009 and 2013, during which period he was also the proChancellor of the University of Maiduguri as well as the Chairman of the Implementation Monitoring Committee of the 2009 Agreements between the Federal Government and university-based unions, Nigeria did not witness any industrial action.

So impressed with his achievements and record of selfless service as the proChancellor of UNIMAID that the authorities of the institution once said that Dr. Babalakin “built more structures in the university during his four-year tenure than was achieved since the establishment of the university 38 years ago.”

He was saluted for leading from the front by denying himself all the allowances due to him. He did not collect a kobo from the university as he repeatedly said that Nigerians needed to sacrifice in order to reposition the education sector.

You would not need to be so close to him to appreciate how Law, business and humanitarian services pre-occupied this proud alumnus of Government College, Ibadan until his concession agreement that Bi-

Day of reckoning for the wicked might just be near. And this is why it has become imperative to urge Babalakin not to be deterred and broken

All the three issues appear related if one chooses to interrogate them closely. A clear case of witch-hunt and abuse of power will almost certainly be detected. One would see an ingenious businessman being vilified just for succeeding in ventures that mere opportunists won’t dare to discover or explore. But in each case, the Law, Babalakin’s dependable recourse, has always proven worthy as the last hope of the ordinary man. It did in September last year when the Court saved MMA2 from the pangs of Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) which wanted to appoint a Receiver/Manager on the airport terminal on account of contentious debts. It was as logical as it was commonsensical that a government agent cannot be alleging a N50bn debt let alone take over the facilities of an investor that is being owed a sum of N132bn by the same government that caused the private investor to lose huge revenue resulting in ability to fulfill its loan obligations.

The court came to the rescue because an individual had the courage to confront a bully.

Yet, a more glaring vindication came his way in February this year when a Lagos High Court discharged the case by EFCC against Babalakin for lack of merit. One would think that the adversaries would relent. Nay! They chose not to appeal the judgment instead and curiously too, re-filed the same case before another judge, pushing desperately to try Babalakin all over again… over allegations of assisting former Delta State governor James Ibori to launder money; the same case that a court of competent jurisdiction had found no merit in.

Why are they seeking to destroy Babalakin? Why are they desperate to destroy a man of intellect, vision and courage whose contribution to national development is felt daily by millions of people?

However, the truth has a way of imposing itself. Could it, therefore, be the way of truth and

vindication that made the office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice to receive a wise counsel from within its own fold, cautioning that instituting a fresh trial of Dr. Babalakin on the same money laundering allegation would amount to an abuse of court process and that the case, if it had been filed at all, ought to be withdrawn without delay?

As if to finally vindicate this great man of industry with a large heart, it was reported that the London Metropolitan Police, which was erroneously thought to be looking for him in London, has indeed sent the report of its investigation on the Ibori saga to the Minister of Justice and nowhere in the report did either Babalakin’s name or any of his companies appear among those suspected to be involved in the alleged money laundering.

How else can a man be so blessed and vindicated? What else do they want from this man?

But the traducers think they can continue with the impunity of old at a time when the country now breathes fresh air, with the hope that the perfidious past will soon be history? A close interrogation of Babalakin’s travails will reveal a link between the untidy manner in which Bi-Courtney was robbed of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway concession and the trumped-up charges of money laundering by EFCC. It may well turn out that those behind these travails overrated their ability to cheat, manipulate the system and perpetrate their relevance.

Day of reckoning for the wicked might just be near

Day of reckoning for the wicked might just be near. And this is why it has become imperative to urge Babalakin not to be deterred and broken. He is a shining example of how an investor can make a great impact in the life of a nation. He deserves encouragement.

He has never stopped being a cheerful giver, anyway. In March, more than 10,000 people benefitted from his free eye check-up and treatment in Zaria.

That was reminiscent of a similar philanthropic gesture he did in Osun and Ondo States a few years ago. Many more are silent beneficiary of his humanitarian causes, particularly in matters of education and health. Such great men of honour should not be allowed to fall victim of a few despicable men foisting impunity on the system.

Dr. Babalakin is lucky to often have his birthday celebrated during the holy month of Ramadan. The hand of the Almighty is unmistakable in his matter. He should persevere and stay on the path of honour. Days of perfidy might just be over, almost.

Dr. Alli, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Abuja

Oil firm targets customers’ satisfaction

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AGOS— GRAND Petroleum and Chemical Limited, a subsidiary of Nosak Group, has extolled customers' loyalties and promised to always maintain standard and quality of its products in the downstream sector of the economy despite all odds.

Speaking to journalists recently during an interactive forum with its customers to express their gratitude, Group Executive Director, Corporate Services, Mr. Osagie Ogunbor said: "We are striving to ensure we satisfy our customers with quality products, competitive price, standard packaging despite stiff competition from multinational oil giants in downstream sector. We are planning to build on our strength by carving a niche market for our company as a local content player.”

Ogunbor further explained that the company has no plan to increase current daily production capacity which stands at 75,000 litre/day of lubricant but rather to consolidate on the capacity to meet customers increasing demand and also strive to maintain a market leader in the lubricant sector.

Babcock varsity deploys TCR academic solution for e-learning

By Emeka Aginam

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ABCOCK University, Ogun State has raised the bar in information technology, IT, education by deploying Total Classroom Revolution, TCR, solution for e-learning.

The solution when fully deployed would wirelessly connect all undergraduates, post graduates and certificate students; lecturers , school administrators and parents to classrooms, chapel, halls of residence , library, and cafeteria in a campus-wide Platform.

Two topmost Nigerian banks, it was learnt, are providing the financial power to the consortium handling the project.

However, the project will see the deployment of 12,000 customised Babcock Learning Tablets (BLT) for students with 32 Gigabit android powered 10.1 inch tablets.

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VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

Ogba, Nesiama, Wophil vie for IAAF seats A

THLETICS Federation of Nigeria (AFN) president,Solomon Ogba is in the running for one of the nine individual IAAF Council member seats when elections come up on the first day of the 50th IAAF Congress scheduled for Beijing, China on August 19-20 2015.

Ogba’s name was among the 39 listed by the IAAF in its official newsletter released Tuesday in Monaco as contestants in the elections.

The former Delta state sports commissioner however, has a tough battle to confront as he faces such credible,famous Olympians as Namibia’s Frankie Fredericks (double sprints silver medallists at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta; Nawal El Moutawakel of Morocco who won the 400m hurdles gold at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics,Bahama’s Pauline DavisThompson,Abby Hoffman of Canada,Alberto Juantorena Danger of Portugal,Kenya’s Isaiah Kiplagat,Momar Mbaye and Theophile Montcho of Senegal and Benin Republic respectively as

well as Irena Szewinska of Poland amongst other heavyweights former track and field internationals.

Also in the running for a seat in the IAAF Technical Committee is Navy Commodore Omatseye Nesiama, AFN technical director.

Former General Secretary of the AFN,Maria Wophil is also in the race to become the chairperson of the IAAF Women’s Committee.

Worphil,adjudged one of the most successful accounting officers the AFN has ever had is currently a member of the committee. She is also vying for a return as a member if she fails to clinch the ultimate ticket in Beijing.

Odunlami seals Casablanca move

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I G E R I A international Kunle Odunlami is inching closer to being unveiled by Raja Casablanca after the central defender completed and passed his medical examination with flying colours.

If there is no last minute changeofplans,theSunshine Stars stopper will append his signature to at least a two year contract before the next 48 hours.

“Kunle passed his Raja medical. Three medical examinations were set with three specialist doctors in Morocco, “ Joel Buade, Odunlami’s intermediary, said.

Ogba (r), Nesiama gunning for IAAF seat

Ronaldo a ´possibility´ for Danjuma calls Oshoala, 34 others for Sweden-based Portugal´s Olympics squad Harcourt for the first leg and E/Guinea of the third round of forward, Sarah Michael.

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UPER Falcons interim coach, Chris Danjuma has called up 35 players in preparation for the 2016 Olympics qualifying fixture against Equatorial Guinea.

The players are to report to Abuja camp on today ahead of the team’s departure to Port

qualifiers on July 18. The return leg comes up in Bata on August 02.

The players listed include Sweden-based defender, Faith Ikidi, goalkeepers Tochukwu Oluehi and Sandra Chiichii, centre-back Joy Jegede, midfielders Amarachi Okoronkwo, Osarenoma Igbinovia

Others are goalkeepers, Precious Dede and Ibubeleye Whyte, defenders Onome Ebi, Osinachi Ohale, Ngozi Ebere, Evelyn Nwabuoku, Blessing Edoho and Josephine Chukwunonye, midfielders Halimat Ayinde, Onyinyechi Ohadugha, Ngozi Okobi and Cecilia Nku, and forwards, Asisat Oshoala, Francisca Ordega, Esther Sunday, Desire Oparanozie and Loveth Ayila, who were in the team that lost out at group phase of the Fifa Women’s World Cup in Canada.

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HE president of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has acknowledged captain Cristiano Ronaldo could be an option for their 2016 Olympics squad.

Real Madrid star Ronaldo would be eligible to feature in the under-23 competition as one of three permitted overage players.

And FPF chief Fernando Gomes acknowledged there is a chance the Ballon d’Or winner, who will

be 31 when the competition begins on August 3, could be selected.

“It is a possibility,” Gomes told Globoesporte.

“We can bring three players aged over 23.

Cristiano is one of those being considered, but we have not yet sat down to discuss it.”

Bolt

Continues from BP

Super Falcons forward Asisat Oshoala (L) fights for the ball with Sweden’s goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl during a Group D match of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The match ended 3-3

Keshi Continues from BP that resulted in the Nigeria Football Federation setting up a committee to investigate him.

Followingtheexamination of 59 applications, the FIFappointed committee has selected Portuguese coach Paulo Duarte, Polish manager Henryk Kasperczak and the French trio of Patrice Neveu, Frédéric Antonetti and

Michel Dussuyer.

A former coach of French Ligue 1 sides Bastia, SaintEtienne, Nice and Rennes, Antonetti is the only selected candidate with no continental experience.

CS Sfaxien manager Duarte has previously been in charge of Burkina Faso and Gabon, Neveu of Niger, Guinea, DR Congo and Mauritania, Kasperczak of

Côte d’Ivoire, Tunisia, Morocco, Mali and Senegal, and Dussuyer of Guinea and Benin.

This five-man shortlist will further be reduced to three ahead of the final appointment.

Former Elephants boss Hervé Renard led Côte d’Ivoire to their first AFCON title in 23 years in Equatorial Guinea in February, before joining French heavyweight Lille three months later.

injury to his left leg. ‘’I’m disappointed not to be able to compete in Paris and Lausanne,’’ Bolt said in a statement on his website. ‘’I love running at these meetings but at the moment I am unable to compete at 100 percent.

I look forward to getting back into full training as soon as possible.’’

The statement said the 28-year-old ‘’has been feeling discomfort in his left leg since his last competition which has restricted his training.’’

Bolt’s last race was a 200 meters in New York on June 13 that he described as ‘’really bad.’’ His time of 20.29 was more than a second off his world record of 19.19. He said then that

he felt good physically and was bewildered why he ran what he called ‘’probably one of the worst turns I’ve ever had in my entire life.’’

Bolt also was a noshow at the Jamaica trials last week where he had been expected to sharpen his sprinting form against the likes of Asafa Powell and Yohan Blake.

Bolt’s agent, Ricky Simms, said then that the 100- and 200-meter world record holder was never certain to run at the trials and suggested that Bolt’s coach, Glen Mills, instead preferred him to train rather than race ahead of the Paris meet on Saturday and the Lausanne event on July 9.

•Ronaldo

Federer Continues from BP Wawrinka.

Federer dominated with his first serve, as he always has on grass, winning 85% of his first serve points. He was aggressive coming forward to the net 28 times and winning 19 of those points, and he was tidy with his groundstrokes hitting 23 winners to just 10 unforced errors.

“I played as freely as I could and quite aggressively,” Federer said in his post-match interview. “I’m happy to win like that.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015 — 53

Transfer market.... Transfer market....

Pogba: Barca, Juve agree $100m fee B

ARCELONA have reportedly agreed a $100million (about N19.9b) deal with Juventus to sign Paul Pogba - with the deal scheduled to go through in the summer of 2016.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, a lunch held between officials from the two clubs ended with an consensus over the transfer which, due to Barcelona’s transfer embargo, will go through next summer and enable Pogba to spend one more season in Turin.

Barca will reportedly pay just shy of $90m for the France international, with a further $11m in add-ons.

It is thought Manchester City were prepared to hand over $112m for Pogba, but the former Manchester

United player reportedly has his heart set on a move to Catalonia.

Barca presidential candidate Joan Laporta told Spanish radio station Cadena Cope that he is the man to

bring Pogba to Camp Nou. Laporta is hoping to return to Barca’s top post on July 18 and is one of five candidates in the running to replace Josep Maria Bartomeu,

•Workhorse... Paul Pogba going to Barca

Let me go to Man. United, Ramos tells Real

S

•Old Trafford Calling... Sergio Ramos

Mikel falls into Inter focus I NTER Milan have expressed an interest in Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel as backup in case they fail to sign Felipe Melo from Galatasaray.

The Nigerian struggled to make an impact in Jose Mourinho’s first team last season following the brilliant form of fellow holding midfielder Nemanja Matic.

Blues boss Mourinho is keen to try and keep Mikel, but knows it will be hard to try and persuade the 28-yearold to settle for a place on the bench at Stamford Bridge.

Mikel missed a large

who is standing for reelection.

“The key to his signing is (Pogba’s agent) Mino Raiola,” Laporta said.

“It’s true that I have a very good relationship with him and I believe that if I become president, Pogba will play at Barcelona.”

Laporta insists, however, that the deal is not finalized.

chunk of Chelsea’s Premier League title winning season between February and April after undergoing knee surgery, but remains one of the west London club’s most experienced players

having signed from Lyn Oslo in 2006.

He was reported to have agreed terms with Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates. A move that has already been welcomed by Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan.

ERGIO Ramos has told Real Madrid that he wants to join Manchester United this summer.

United made an opening bid of £28.3million (about 8.9b) for the Spain international last week which was rejected by Madrid. However, after being informed of the offer, Ramos has made it clear to Madrid that he wants them to negotiate with United and reach a suitable agreement for his transfer to Old Trafford.

The development has shocked Madrid who expected the Ramos affair to end with a revised contract offer

but they now realise they have underestimated his frustration.

United’s opening offer of £28.3million for the 29-year-old was firmly rejected by Madrid Ramos has a buy-out clause of £142million but believes United’s offer represents good value

Wolfsburg warn de Bruyne’s suitors

W

OLFSBURG have issued a ‘hands off ’ message to the clubs chasing Kevin de Bruyne by insisting their Belgium midfielder is not for sale.

Dzeko denies Roma link E

DIN Dzeko’s agent has denied reports that he has held transfer talks with Roma and said the striker does not want to leave Manchester City.

Giallorossi midfielder Miralem Pjanic said earlier this week that

his Bosnia and Herzegovina compatriot would go “running” to Roma, with the Italian press fuelling speculation that Dzeko would join the club as part of a deal that would see playmaker Adem Ljajic move to City.

However, Dzeko’s agent Irfan Redzepagic brushed aside those claims and said he has had no contact with last season’s Serie A runners up.

“I was frankly surprised

by Pjanic’s comments, unless he knows something that I don’t,” Redzepagic told Italian radio station Rete Sport.

“I have had no contact with Roma, nor am I aware of any talks

for a player of his age and considering he has two years left on contract.

Madrid will attempt to appease Ramos over his contract but his brother and agent Rene is understood to have intimated to the club hierarchy that the opportunity for that has

•Dzeko between the two clubs.

“It’s not a financial issue, he simply doesn’t want to leave the Citizens.”

Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint- Germain have all been linked to the former Chelsea midfielder who helped Wolfsburg to finish as runners-up last season and scored in their German Cup final win over Borussia Dortmund.

De Bruyne has a contract with Wolfsburg until 2019 and the club’s director of sport Klaus Allofs says they want to sit down and offer him an improved deal to keep him in Lower Saxony.

Cabaye links up with Pardew at Palace

Y

•Fed up with the Blues... Mikel C M Y K

OHAN Cabaye is close to agreeing to join Crystal Palace as he wants to work with boss Alan Pardew again.

The former Newcastle midfielder is ready to return to the Premier League this summer after his spell at PSG in his native France.

But Cabaye, 29, was unable to command a regular starting role at the French champs following a £19million

switch from Newcastle under Pardew in January 2014.

Now he is available for a cut-price fee and keen to link up with Pardew at Selhurst Park.

M i r r o r S p o r t understands a deal is set to be done in the next week in time for the Eagles’ pre-season.

But Pardew is having a tougher time in his bid for No.1 striking target Charlie Austin who has several clubs after him including West Brom.

•Cabaye

54 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015 — 55

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015

Wimbledon: Federer dominates in straight sets

S

EVEN-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer cruised past Damir

Côte d’Ivoire drops Keshi, shortlists 5

Dzumhur in his opening round match with a straight set (6-1, 6-3, 6-3) victory.

Federer, who has always been at his best on the grass courts at Wimbledon, looked terrific in his first match since losing in the French Open quarterfinals to eventual champion Stan Continues on Page 52

•Federer

T

HE Côte d’Ivoire Football Federation has announced a fiveman short list to replace Hervé Renard at the helm of the senior national team.

Prominent among the dropped coaches is Super Eagles Coach Stephen Keshi whose shortlist in the Ivorian job sparked controversy Continues on Page 52

•Keshi

Bolt suffers Beijing 2015 set back U

SAIN Bolt has pulled out from this month’s Diamond League meetings in Paris and Lausanne, dealing a blow to his title defense and preparations for the world championships in August.

Bolt is hampered by an Continues on Page 52

TODAY'S

•Bolt

PUZZLE

CHAMPION'S STUFF: Serena Williams after winning the first set Monday against Margarita Gasparyan.

Williams had been close to trailing by 0-4.

QUICK CROSSWORD

FRI DAY'S FRIDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Choose (6) 5 Empty (4) 8 Harmonium (5) 9 Steal (3) 10 Naked (4) 11 Family (4) 12 Composition (5) 13 Overseas (6) 16 Symbol (4) 18 Stuff (4) 20 Consumed (3) 22 Fate (3) 23 Longing (3) 24 Jetty (4) 25 Detail (4) 28 Deflect (6) 30 Twist (5) 32 Foundation (4) 33 Close (4) 34 Vehicle (3) 35 Barrier (5) 36 Burden (4) 37 Card-game (6)

DOWN 1 Scatter (6) 2 Free (8) 3 Sailcloth (6) 4 Offered (9) 6 Sole (4) 7 Sand-hill (4) 8 Poem (3) 14 Industry (9) 15 Male (3) 17 Obtained (3) 19 Reticent (8) 20 Objective (3) 19 Built (7) 26 Reflect (6) 27 Posture (6) 29 Spoken (4) 30 Settee (4) 31 Tiny (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Keep 4, Cup 6, Late 9, Air 10, Children 11, Glee 14, Rub 16, Gross 19, Espoused 21, Merit 23, Demanded 24, Wrath 27, Tin 31, Edit 33, Initiate 34, Ill 35, Poke 36, Ash 37, Dupe.

DOWN: 2, Echo 3, Pull 4, Caroused 5, Pant 6, Larger 7, Ail 8, Tress 12, Renew 13, Opera 14, Rum 15, Beret 17, Outdo 18, Shade 20, Diminish 22, Tan 25, Radio 26, Title 28, Diva 29, Mind 30, Stop 32, Ilk.

How to Play Sudoku

P

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

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

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

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C M Y K