Boko Haram: Thousands flee to Cameroon

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62221

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N150

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2014

Nasarawa Assembly to serve Al-Makura fresh impeachment notice 15

Inside tomorrow

EBOLA: States 8 declare total war, map out strategies

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Boko Haram: Thousands

flee to Cameroon

•Sect conscripts youths to fight Nigerian, Cameroonian troops •200 youths resist, join other displaced persons in Cameroon •Why military finds it difficult to dislodge terrorists in Borno

ENUGU:

Nwoye takes over today as Dep Gov 41

5 die after dog meat delicacy in C-River 6 MEETING—Vice President Namadi Sambo (l) listening to the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, while the DG Budget, Mr. Bright Okogwu (2l) and the DG, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Alhaji Aminu Diko (r) watch after a meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, weekend. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

By Kingsley Omonobi, Ndahi Marama, with Agency reports

M

AIDUGURI— FOLLOWING sustained Boko Haram attacks in the NorthEastern part of the country, thousands of Continues on Page 5

COLUMNISTS:

Will dollar allocation induce capital P.40 flight?

Boko Haram is winning •P.45 propaganda war

Mr & Mrs

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POCKET CARTOON

Youths resist conscription

EBOLA —A girl washes her hands with chlorined water before entering the Restoration Baptist Church for Sunday mass in Monrovia, Liberia, during which Reverend Joseph G. Johnson delivered a speech about the Ebola virus, yesterday. Photo: AFP.

Boko Haram: Thousands flee to Cameroron Continues from page 1 Nigerians have been forced to flee their homes, swamping towns in the north of neighbouring Cameroon, authorities said yesterday.

This came as Boko Haram terrorists, for three days, laid siege to Gamboru town, forcefully conscripting youths to fight both the Nigerian and Cameroonian troops. They were said to have killed those who resisted them.

After the three-day attack, 29 persons were killed, while 215 of the youths, who fled to Cameroon to escape the forceful conscription, have recounted their ordeals in the hands of the insurgents.

A Cameroonian police officer told AFP on condition of anonymity that: “We’ve been flooded here in Mora by Cameroonians and Nigerians fleeing Boko Haram. The day before yesterday (Friday), there were already more than 10,000 people in Mora. Not a day goes by without more people coming.”

The number of internally displaced people in Nigeria and those who have crossed its borders into Cameroon, Niger and Chad because of the militant violence has been increasing, with no end in sight to the insurgency.

The United Nations’

humanitarian office (OCHA) said on August 5 that Boko Haram attacks have forced nearly 650,000 people from their homes in the North-East states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.

The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has said that nearly 11,500 fled Gwoza, also in Borno State, when militants seized the town on August 7. Boko Haram has since declared Gwoza part of an Islamic caliphate.

Cameroon registers displaced persons The Cameroonian police officer said registration of the displaced persons had begun in Mora, while the nearby town of Kolofata had seen more than 6,000 arrive.

“People are everywhere: in schools, under trees and in the markets,” he added.

“They ’re all coming from Cameroonian and Nigerian villages in the Kerawa area.”

Kerawa straddles the border and has come under attack in recent days by Boko Haram, forcing the residents to flee on foot.

Cameroon state radio said the withdrawal of its soldiers had led to a mass exodus of civilians, adding that more than

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6,000 people had taken flight and were now based in the Kolofata state school, with 2,000 others around Mora.

Gamboru Ngala residents, who fled across the border to the Cameroon town of Fotokol, said on Saturday that the militants had begun to kill people “like chickens,” despite initially targeting only the police and military.

The spokesman for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Maiduguri also claimed militant fighters had carried out atrocities against Christians in the town of Madagali, in Adamawa State, but there was no independent corroboration.

Cameroon security sources said Gamboru Ngala was bombed from the air on Saturday night, but it was unclear whether it was a Nigerian or Cameroonian air force operation.

The terrorists operating on several motorcycles stormed Gamboru and moved from house to house, searching for youths who refused to flee after last Monday’s attack that claimed 25 lives.

Gamboru is a border town, and 138 kilometres North East of Maiduguri, the state capital.

Just last Thursday, a group of terrorists invaded Jibwhuwhi and Dalwa villages in Hawul Local Government Area of the state killing 14 residents before setting ablaze their houses, shops and churches, as there were no military troops despite outcry by the residents of Hawul on the continuous attacks and killings in the council.

Over 200 Gambouru youths have, however, resisted forceful conscriptions by Boko Haram as they fled to the Cameroonian border town of Fotokol and three other villages yesterday morning.

The youths, according to one of them who remained anonymous, fled because they did not want to be conscripted by the Boko Haram sect to fight both the Nigerian and Cameroonian troops in the border areas and in Gambouru town.

According to one of the youths: “I had no alternative, other than to join my colleagues by dawn yesterday to flee for our safety. These gunmen had been telling us to join them to fight our soldiers here and at the borders with Cameroon and Chad; after promising us some money and rifles 'to do the work of God'. But some of us decided to take our fate in our hands by fleeing to Cameroon. By noon yesterday (Sunday), about 215 of us converged on Fotokol with broken limbs and bruises, while fleeing to cross the River and bushes with desert tracks. Once they sighted you fleeing, they shoot you, as we have refused to join them,” lamented the youth.

He said the targets of the insurgents were to “forcefully conscript” youths between the ages of 18 and 25 who are conversant with Gamboru and its border areas with Cameroon.

“They were asking all of us here in Cameroon to join them; and fight the soldiers, but we collectively decided not to, because these gunmen can never be trusted. It has happened not only in Gamboru, but most of the Borno towns and villages were attacked with the displacement of many residents and villagers,” said the youth in telephone interview from Fotokol.

He said as they reached the border town of Fotokol, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jet hovered over Gamboru town three times, but due to the mixture of innocent civilians and the terrorists in the town, and to avoid killing of innocent people, the fighter jet had to bombard an outskirt with plumes of smoke into the sky for ten minutes.

“We had feared that the town was bombarded, by the military to reclaim our town, but

one of my parents called me on phone that they were safe; and there was no bombing from the fighter jet that flew on Sunday (yesterday) morning,” said the youth.

A military source, who spoke on reports that the terrorists raided communities around Gamboru, conscripting youths into their sect, said that it had been their strategy.

He, however, noted that strategies that cannot be disclosed were being worked out to handle the situation.

Aerial surveillance in northern Borno Military sources in Maiduguri, yesterday, also said that the aerial surveillance in northern Borno was part of the military operations to reclaim the border town with Cameroon. The military source was, however, unable to give details of the ongoing military operations launched, yesterday.

A resident who prefrred to be and annonymous, who hid in a ceiling for three days, also said the terrorists had been forcing the residents to join the Islamist sect's fight, while those who refused to join were shot dead or had their throats slit in the presence of members of their families.

According to him: “Our people have no option other than to submit to God’s destiny and mercies. Since last Monday’s attacks, we had been hiding in ceilings of buildings and underground water reservoirs without food and water.

But the insurgents were adamant and ruthless threatening us to either be conscripted and fight against the troops in Gamboru or be killed”, said the resident in a telephone interview yesterday.

On how residents were forcefully conscripted, he said: “Since last Monday’s attacks,

these sect boys have been going from house to house in search of residents in hiding.

Once they caught one resident, they would hand N5,000 cash and an AK 47 rifle and ask him to join them to fight the soldiers in Gamboru or risk his life” He said: “Residents, who refused to join the insurgents, were summarily executed using gun or knives and swords”. He added that with the massive killings and threats, several youths had joined the insurgents in the last five days, after they captured the border town with Cameroon on Monday, August 25, 2014.

Supplies of food and water, he said had been cut off, as the insurgents had already destroyed the Dikwa-Gamboru/ Ngala Bridge last June, while the 102-kilometre Mafa-Dikwa-Gamboru road was a no-go area as the insurgents have taken over the border route to Cameroon.

Confirming the continuous presence of insurgents, a security source in Maiduguri yesterday said that after killing 27 terror suspects in last Monday’s attack, those that survived retreated into the town to join those who were hiding among residents.

“This was why, it could take some time to reclaim this town, as the insurgents had been adopting guerrilla warfare by living among residents to prevent being hit by the military,” said the source, yesterday.

Meanwhile, there were indications in Abuja weekend that the latest of the set of fighter aircraft ordered by the Federal Government with which the armed forces will launch a final onslaught against the Boko Haram terrorists would start arriving the country this week.

6—Vanguard , MONDAY MONDAY,, SEPTEMBEER 1, 2014

Police nab leader of Ondo petrol station robbers

By Dayo Johnson

5 die after dog meat delicacy in C-River O

By Emma Una

GOJA — A man, two of his children and two others were confirmed dead, Friday, in Uchenyim village, North Ukelle, Cross River State after eating a delicacy prepared with dog meat.

According to one Ugbem

Onawo, "the dog was fond of eating eggs and one of the villagers allegedly laced some newly laid eggs with Gamalin 20 and the dog ate the eggs and fell ill. When it was about to die, the owner killed it and prepared a delicacy with it of which the

victims consumed."

After consuming the delicacy, they took ill and were rushed to a local health centre but were confirmed dead on arrival at the health centre.

Hon Frank Ugbem, councillor representing

A

KURE — DETECTIVES in Ondo State, weekend, arrested the leader of a five-member robbery gang who robbed a filling station in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

The filling station which is located at Km 5 Akure/ Owo expressway was invaded by the gang at about 4pm.

Vanguard gathered that the leader of the gang, Abraham Haruna, of 15, FCE Street, Okene, Kogi State was arrested following a distress call to the Oba Ile Police station.

On the receipt of the information, the Policemen mobilised to the scene and on sighting the policemen, the suspects fled into nearby bush.

Police source said they were given a hot chase and following a thorough search, the leader of the gang was arrested .

When he was searched, N41,000 and one mobile phone were recovered from him.

However, the manager of the robbed filling station, Adedeji Olarewaju, told newsmen that the robbers snatched N151,000 from the pump attendant.

Olarewaju said in a bid to escape, the leader of the gang shot sporadically into the air.

In another development, two suspected motorcycle thieves, Monday Gabriel and Segun Olawale, of 15, Damusegun Street, Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State have been arrested in Igbara Oke area of the state.

They were arrested by a patrol team in Igbara Oke Division while they were en-route Ibuji/Igbara Odo road.

Contacted, the Police image maker, Wole Ogodo, confirmed the arrest of the suspect who led the robbers to the filling station in Akure. Ogodo said efforts were on to track down the fleeing suspects.

He also said the suspects who stole motorcycle had confessed that the motorcycle was stolen from Idi-Ayunre, Ibadan, Oyo State, adding that the suspects and exhibit will soon be transferred to Oyo State where the case had earlier been reported.

Wanikade Ward in Yala Local Government Area legislature said the tragedy was painful and that he has sent a delegation to console the bereaved families.

He said all the dead have been buried in accordance within the tradition of the Ukelle people.

How fraudsters hypnotise, fleece Abeokuta residents

By Daud Olatunji

A An accident involving an articulated truck whose container fell on two commercial buses at Agric Bus Stop, Ikorodu, Lagos on Friday claiming two lives. Photo: Ovadje Elliot

Lagos police arrest 2 car snatchers

By Ifeanyi Okolie

L

AGOS — OPERATIVES of the Special-Anti Robbery Squad, SARS, at the Lagos State Police Command, yesterday, said it arrested two car snatchers who have been terrorizing Lagos and Ogun states.

The suspects, identified as Musibau Ayinde and Isiaka Afolabi, met their Waterloo penultimate Monday when SARS operatives led by Abba Kyari, rounded them up at Ojuelegba area of the state.

Sources disclosed that the suspects, who were said to have carried out series of robbery and car snatching operations in the states, were allegedly recruited by one Baba Ibeji.

The source also said the Baba Ibeji used to procure arms and ammunition for the gang.

According to the source, “one Baba Ibeji bought guns for them and in the process of using the gun, police arrested them.”

Ayinde, 25, who said he used to reside at 2, Oko Baba Street, Oyingbo, a native of Kwara State and a generator mechanic confessed to the crime, saying: “It was one guy in our area called Baba Ibeji, whom we used to work with that implicated me.

“About three years ago, he bought two guns for us. He is my boss. He had taken us to two places to snatch cars. The first time, he took us to Ifonyin in Ogun State for operation and we took a Camry car from a pastor.

"The second one, we robbed Acura Legend in the same Ogun State. He only paid us for the

The suspects Camry, but the Acura, he did not give us a dime. This was what brought about our misunderstanding.

"It was this misunderstanding that made him to give us out for arrest. He paid us only N80,000 in the first operation. We were three that carried out the operation. The third person was his friend.

"After the second robbery, his friend took the guns and disappeared. So we had misunderstanding with Baba Ibeji and stopped working for him.

"But surprisingly after a long time, he called me on phone. I don’t know how he got my new number. I did not know he was arranging for my arrest. He said he was still around in case there was any business. I told him I

did not have any because I no longer engage in robbery."

Isiaka, 28, from Offa, Kwara State, and resident of 42, Jebba Street, Oyingbo, married newly with a child collaborated Ayinde's confession.

He said he was arrested for robbery, adding that one of his friends, Musbau, invited him and told him that Baba Ibeji asked him to come and collect some money.

“I and Musbau were working for Baba Ibeji. We only worked for him twice. He was the one who bought the guns for us. That was between 2004 and 2007. It was a long time ago.

Deputy Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Police Command, Lelma Kolle who confirmed the arrests said efforts were on to arrest other members of the gang.

BEOKUTA — THE Ogun State Police Command said it has arrested three suspected fraudsters who reportedly hypnotise their victims and fleece them of their belongings at Ibara area of Abeokuta.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Muyiwa Adejobi, in a statement said Olabode Toyese, Abayomi Odeleye and Kezeem Adeyemo were arrested by detectives attached to Ibara Division of the command, when a woman who was duped by them reported her ordeal to the police.

Adejobi said the suspects had collected some amount of money and valuables from her and many others before they were apprehended.

According to him, the suspects operated in commercial taxis branded in Ogun State colours.

He said: “They look for passengers and lure them into discussions on dirty or attractive dubious business which will eventually compel any ‘careless’ passenger to partake in the discussion and will eventually lead to their being duped.

“They have been in the business for a very long time. The kingpin confessed that he used to operate in Lagos before he moved down to Abeokuta."

He said the suspects had confessed to the crime and many others and currently are assisting the command in its investigation.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikemefuna Okoye, urged the people of the state to beware of those who might bring them enticing business proposals but would end up duping them.

Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2014—7

EBOLA: European ship-owners increase freight rates on Nigeria-bound cargoes . . .impose surcharge on crew, vessels

By Godwin Oritse

FOLLOWING THE out-break of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease in West Africa, European ship-owners have increased freight rates on cargoes and imposed surcharge on crew and vessels coming to Nigeria and other countries battling to contain the virus.

Disclosing this at the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, NCS, in Lagos, President of the Chamber, Chief Adebayo Sarumi, said Nigerian importers expressed fears over a likely increase in the freight rate of cargoes to Nigeria as a result of the presence of Ebola virus in the country.

Sarumi said the fears had become a reality as the insurance rates had been increased, while surcharges had also been imposed.

Commenting on the increased freight rate, Director General of the Chamber, Mrs. Ify Akerele confirmed the development, saying the situation was very bad because Ebola was real.

Akerele explained that rates had been increased because Nigeria had become a high risk area, urging that government must do everything possible to bring the situation completely under control.

“It is a tight situation, we can only complain, but there is nothing we can do, all hands must be on deck to contain the virus.

“The man that took the virus to Port Harcourt has further compounded the problem, we were almost bringing it to an end,” she said.

The chamber’s boss, however, blamed the foreigners of wanting to take advantage of the situation to increase rates, adding that the same was done during the unrest in the Niger Delta.

She said that despite the Niger Delta situation, they were still

coming, and had chosen to increase the freight rates once more because of the presence of Ebola in the country.

She also disclosed that Chamber will initiate moves with relevant government authorities to negotiate the increase in freight rates with the foreigners.

“We will use the forthcoming African Maritime Summit coming up this month to discuss the issue of negotiation with the

European ship owners,” she stressed.

Also commenting on the increase, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Mr. Hassan Bello said that increment was brought to the Council’s notice a few days ago.

Hassan explained that the foreign ship-owners had a penchant for increasing rates at the slightest opportunity, adding that the recent increment in rates was unjustifiable.

SEMINAR: Some of board members lecturing Lagos State intending 2014 Hajj pilgrims on performance of Hajj, during the one-day seminar, at Blue Roof, LTV-8, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

He said the Council would use instruments of the International Maritime Organisation, IMO, to contest the increment in rates.

“It has just come to our notice but not officially, I know that the penchant is for carriers to raise all sorts of premiums at any given opportunity.

“I remember the war risk clause which was slapped on cargo on the pretence that Nigeria was at war, these are unjustifiable surcharges.

“We are going to use the Global Shippers' Forum to talk the issues,” Hassan added.

Speaking on implication of the increased rates on the economy, Mr. Lucky Amiwero, a logistics expert and President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, NCMDLCA, said the increment would result in increased cost of goods and services as importers will transfer the increased cost to the consumers.

Amiwero explained that the increment was not justifiable, since ship crew often left their vessels, adding that freight could only be increased on the ground of congestion and poor port operation.

“Will the ship-owners increase freight rates in the United States because there is HIV\AIDS in America, so they cannot do that on health ground,” he declared.

ADAMAWA GUBER: PDP clears Acting Governor, Fintiri 'It's victory for PDP, democracy, Adamawa people'

By Henry Umoru

A

BUJA — BARELY 16 hours after it disqualified the acting governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, from contesting the October 11 gubernatorial byelection in Adamawa State, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, cleared him to contest the election.

With this development, the Acting Governor of Adamawa State will now join the other 13 aspirants, who were cleared on Saturday to participate in the September 6 primary election of PDP for the emergence of the party’s candidate for the October 11 gubernatorial election in Adamawa State.

The PDP after reviewing its earlier disqualification by the five member screening Committee headed by former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ibrahim Mantu, made a sudden change, faulting the Saturday’s position.

The PDP appeal panel headed

by Senator James Manager which sat at the party’s national secretariat for two and a half hours said section 191(2) of the 1999 Constitution which the

screening panel relied upon to disqualify Fintiri does not in any way affect his right to contest the by-election.

Addressing journalists after the sitting, the panel Chairman and Chairman, Senate Committee on Niger Delta, Senator James Manager, Delta North, said: “We have looked at section 191(2) which the screening panel relied on to disqualify the acting governor as well as the entire gamut of the constitution of Nigerian the Electoral Act and the constitution of the PDP; we have come to the irresistible conclusion that the provision as

quoted by the screening committee does not affect the right of the acting governor to contest the election.

“Our decision is unanimous because all members of this appeal panel have signed it. That is why we have issued him a provisional clearance certificate.

“Section 191 (2) does not affect the applicant to participate in the election. This decision was unanimously taken by us. We are issuing a provisional clearance to the applicant.

“Almost all of us are meeting the acting governor for the first time and the decision to clear him was

taken based on what was before us and not taken for any primordial reason.”

The five- member Screening Panel headed by Mantu was set up by the National Working Committee, NWC to screen the aspirants who purchased the expression of interest and nomination forms. Besides Senator Ibrahim Mantu, other members of the Committee were former Senate Leader, Teslim Folarin; Amina Jambo; Mai Adamu Mustapha and Salisu Dabo who was absent.

Some members of the Appeal Panel were the Secretary, PDP

Board of Trustees, BoT, Senator Walid Jubrin, National Vice Chairmen, South West, South South; South East, among others.

Reacting to the development, an excited Fintiri, who spoke with journalists at PDP National Secretariat, yesterday, described his clearance by the Appeal Panel as a victory for the PDP, democracy and Adamawa people.

On how he felt yesterday after he was screened out, the acting governor said “I felt normal because it is one of the hurdles in politics, you must pass through certain negative hurdles to reach the promised land.

BOKO HARAM: FG must show political will to eliminate menace —AVM Audu-Bida .Wants FG to shut borders over Ebola spread

By Kingsley Omonobi

A

BUJA — THE Federal Government has been told that its failure to exhibit strong political will in dealing with the Boko Haram insurgency in the country was responsible for the group assuming that they are gaining a upper hand.

Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Audu-Bida (rtd), who made the

disclosure, weekend, also described the Nigerian Military as a competent force with the training, desire and capability that only needs the political support and motivation to defeat terrorism in the country.

The former Director General of National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, noted that the Nigerian Airforce on its part is fully capable of

dealing with the situation once and for all if allowed to.

AVM Audu Bida who was speaking on the activities of The International Emergency Management Society, TIEMS, with regards to managing disasters more proactively in the North eastern region of the country, expressed sadness about the mayhem and wanton killings as well as senseless destruction

going on in the Northeast His words: “It is a sad thing that the terrorists group can hold usto ransom in this country with the capability of armed forces, whose exploits in Liberia and SierraLeone has remained a world record till today.”

On Ebola virus, AVM AuduBida, said the "Government should take a cautionary step by closing all the borders until the situation is stabilised."

8 — Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2014

EBOLA: States declare total war, map out strategies By our reporters

F

OLLOWING THE spread of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, to Rivers State leading to the death of one person, infection of one and isolation of 200 others, many states have declared total war against the dreaded and deadly disease.

According to Vanguard checks, a host of them have mapped out measures to prevent the disease from spreading and what to do if it happens. The measures include creating isolation and surveillance centres, raising emergency teams, procuring equipment, manning borders and creating awareness committees.

Yobe raises 12-man c’ttee In Yobe, the state government has constituted a 12-man committee. Governor Ibrahim Gaidam charged the committee headed by the Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Idi Gubana to map out modalities to check the spread of the disease, and measures for enlightening Yobe people on how to keep their environment clean.

Oyo creates isolation ward at UCH In Oyo, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has created an isolation ward at the University College Hospital, UCH to treat any reported case.

Also, a 24-hour monitoring and tracking of suspected cases in all the 33 local councils of the state has been intensified, according to the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin.

Ogun creates isolation centres, trains workers, procures equipment In a bid to prevent the outbreak of Ebola in Ogun State, the state government said it has put in place some preventive measures.

According to the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Olaokun Soyinka, three isolation centres have been established in the three senatorial districts of the state and there are plans to establish isolation centres in all the 20 local councils of the state.

We’re battle ready —Kogi govt Amid comments by a nongovernmental organisation, the Initiative for Grass-roots Advancement, INGRA, that there are gaps in governments’ preparations and in our health system, the Kogi State government has said that it is ready and prepared to tackle any occurrence of the disease in the state.

INGRA Executive Director, Hamza Aliyu specifically questioned the Kogi State government: “How much have been released for procurement of safety health kits for health workers? What trainings have been organised for health workers on early diagnosis of the disease?

What insurance policy are in place for health workers who will bear the brunt of the infection? What laws have been put in place to ensure proper handling of

deceased patients?"

Responding to these questions, the state government said it has established an Emergency Rapid Response Team to curtail any occurrence of the disease in the state. The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Idris Omede said the committee is to ensure that the state is not affected by the disease.

Bayelsa trains health workers, creates 103 surveillance centres Bayelsa State government has urged the people of the state not to panic as proactive measures have been put in place to check the spread of the disease.

Governor Dickson, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, anchored the appeal for calm on the proximity of Bayelsa to Rivers State, coupled with the fact that the people of the two states share a common historical and cultural heritage.

Dickson said distribution of protective materials such as sanitizers, body gears, hand gloves were on-going and major isolation centres have already been set up at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri, and the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa as well as other smaller units across the state for the containment of the virus.

Cross River raises border monitoring team RUMOURS on social media about the presence of an Ebola patient at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, UCTH, last Thursday sent jitters into the hearts of many residents of the city.

According to the rumour, an Ebola victim from Port Harcourt was spotted in Calabar and was immediately rushed to UCTH for treatment and that the patient was abandoned by medical doctors for fear of being infected while other medical workers hurriedly closed offices.

Speaking on rumour, UCTH Chief Medical Director, CMD, Dr. Thomas Agan, stated that “there is no case of Ebola in Calabar, even at that, UCTH had just concluded training of staff on how to handle Ebola out-break in the state.

In like manner, the Cross River Commissioner for Health, Dr. Mrs. Angela Eyo-Ita, said the state has taken pre-emptive measures to combat the deadly virus by posting officials of the ministry to man border posts in the state including sea port and airport.

Jigawa inaugurates prevention committee To boost the war against Ebola, Jigawa State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tafida Abubakar, said the government has inaugurated prevention committees in the nine Gunduma health system councils across the 27 local government areas of the state.

He explained that the committees have been charged with sensitising all health workers in their domain and enlightening the general public about the Ebola

Virus and they are to work with chairmen of the local councils in their domain and report developments to the state ministry of health.

Plateau gets inter-ministerial team The Plateau State government has said it is ready to combat the virus as it has put in place an interministerial committee to synergise on intensive awareness and timely medical care in case of any out-break of the EVD and trained health workers in the 17 local government areas of the state.

Confirming the state’s preparedness, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Fom Dakwak told Vanguard that what is necessary is being done to educate the citizens on the nature of the virus.

Ondo embarks on aggressive awareness Ondo State Ministry of Health has organised a sensitisation workshop for public health practitioners and aggressive awareness to sensitise the people on the causes, mode of transmission and preventive measures against the virus.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dayo Adeyanju,who made the disclosure, urged health workers to be vigilant and apply standard prevention measures consistently.

According to him, the state has selected three well-equipped centres in the three Senatorial Districts namely: The Federal Medical Centre, Owo, State Specialist Hospital, Akure and the General Hospital, Okitipupa to curtail any occurrence of the deadly disease.

Delta intensifies surveillance at Asaba International Airport In Delta, the government called for absolute vigilance and intensified surveillance at the Asaba International Airport.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, while commenting on the out-break of Ebola in Port

Harcourt, Rivers State, said he would leave no stone unturned to ensure total safety of residents in the state adding that he has set seven isolation centres.

Addressing newsmen in Asaba sometime ago, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Otumara named the hospitals designated as referral and special care centres as follows: Warri Central hospital, Ughelli Central hospital, Sapele Central hospital, Agbor Central Hospital, Oleh Central Hospital, Eku Baptist Government hospital and Delta State University Teaching hospital, DELSUTH, Oghara.

Ekiti raises ministerial c’ttee In like manner, the Ekiti State government has set up a 30-man multi-ministerial committee, according to the Commissioner for Health, Professor Olusola Fasubaa, who disclosed that selected hospital wards in three General hospitals spread across the three senatorial districts of the state at Ode, Ifaki and Okemesi have been identified and set aside as case management centres to handle cases of possible spread of the disease in the state.

Abia establishes isolation centres In Abia, the government has designated five places to treatment and management of Ebola cases. They are located in Aba, Ohafia, Umuahia, Uzuakoli and Ukwa West.

Besides, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ogechukwu Ogah has organised training for some health personnel in the state on how to avoid and manage the virus. He has also held meetings with morticians on the need to demand death certificates before keeping any corpse in their mortuaries.

Adamawa equip six hospitals To combat Ebola in Adamawa, the Commissioner for Health, Mr. Felix Tangwami, told Vanguard that two hospitals in each of the

CEREMONY: Former Chief of Defence Staff and Chairman SURE-P, Gen. Martin Luther Agwai (rtd); Sen. Abdul Ahmed Ningi, Deputy Senate Leader and President, Nigeria Hockey Federation, and Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, during the closing ceremony of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan National Hockey Super League, in Kaduna, weekend.

three senatorial districts have been equipped and trained medical personnel have been assigned to man them.

Benue bans conveyance of corpses As part of efforts to check the spread of EVD, the Benue state government has placed a ban on the conveyance of corpses and movement of same into the state from any part of the country.

Two isolation wards have also been designated at the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Makurdi and the Benue State University Teaching Hospitals, BSUTH, for the treatment of infected persons in the state.

The Benue state Director of Public Health, Dr. Joseph Kumba who spoke on behalf of the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Orduen Abunku, made this known yesterday in a telephone interview with Vanguard in Makurdi, the state capital, adding that medical personnel had also been employed by the state to man the centres.

Edo includes road transport union in committee In Edo State, the has included the leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in the Ebola Rapid Response Committee it set up last week.

The state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Louis Odion who disclosed this weekend, said since the state is a gateway to the North and the South East, there was need to include the road transport union so as to be watchful of the passengers that come into the state and those that pass through.

Osun gets inter-ministerial team, 4 centres On the same score, the Osun State government has set up an inter-ministerial committee comprising the ministries of health, environment, water resources, culture and tourism, information, women and children affairs to prevent the spread of EVD in the state.

The committee, according to the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon. Sunday Akere is to embark on the sensitisation of the people of the state on the need to ensure a clean environment and to promptly report any trace of Ebola case to the government.

44 councils partner with monarchs in Kano In Kano, the 44 local councils have entered into partnership with traditional rulers and health workers in the state to effectively counter the spread of EVD and create more awareness on the danger of the disease.

The chairman, Kano Chapter, Association of Local Government of Nigeria, ALGON, Alhaji Sule Garo stated that to further strengthen the synergy with the state government, all the 44 local governments in the state had perfected plan to do cluster-tocluster awareness creation campaigns on the dangers of the disease.

Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2014 —9

EBOLA: FG summons emergency meeting ...As Enemuo's widow test positive

By Sola Ogundipe, Chioma Obinna & Gabriel Olawale

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BUJA—AN emergency National Council on Health, NCH, meeting is holding today in Abuja following the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, outside Lagos.

The meeting will be the third in series since the outbreak of the disease in West Africa.

This came as widow of Dr Ike Enemuo, who died of Ebola in Port Harcourt has also tested positive to the virus.

The NCH, which is the highest decision making body on health issues in Nigeria comprises the Minister of Health, the Minister of State for Health, all state Commissioners for Health and Permanent Secretaries Ministry of Health of the 36 states, and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. Vanguard gathered that deliberations are expected to focus on ongoing efforts to check the spread of the virus.

It was learnt that the meeting was called to address the outbreak of EVD in Port Harcourt, Rivers State and to avoid further spread to neighbouring states.

A source from the Federal Ministry of Health said the Council is expected to deliberate extensively on strategies to contain further spread of EVD even beyond primary and secondary case of the index (first) case, Patrick Sawyer.

At the last NCH, which held

early August in Abuja, the body resolved that all corpses should be accompanied with death certificates and that all the states should enact legislation to support the resolution.

It also resolved that corpses of all persons confirmed to have died of EVD must be disposed off according to the standard of the World Health Organisation, WHO. The body equally directed that transportation of corpses into the country as well as interstate be banned until further notice except with approved waivers issued by Federal Ministry of health.

It is not unlikely the council will investigate circumstances surrounding the escape of a primary contact from the isolation centre in Lagos to Port Harcourt.

Widow of Enemuo tests positive to Ebola Meanwhile, widow of Dr Ike Enemuo, who died of Ebola in Port Harcourt has also tested positive to the virus, Rivers State government has announced.

Making the announcement in Port Harcourt, Commissioner for health, Sampson Parker, said test results showed that Mrs Enemuo had the disease, which claimed the life of her husband,

Dr Enemuo, on August 22.

Late Enemuo was said to have fallen ill and died after treating an ECOWAS official who travelled to Port Harcourt after having contact with Patrick sawyer who imported the virus into the country.

Sampson said three patients; another doctor, a pharmacist and a woman who had contact with Enemuo at the hospital where he died — had been taken to a specialist treatment centre outside the city.

According to him, “the widow is now at an isolation unit in Lagos. They have not been confirmed (as having Ebola) and we are waiting for the result of the investigation.

VISIT: From left; Treasurer, Eko Club, AbdulSalam Babajide Cole; Vice President, AbdulWazee Alli-Balogun; Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro; President, Babatunde Faruk Grillo; General Secretary, Sanni Adele; and Assistant Social Secretary, Hakeem Amode, when executive members of Eko Club paid a visit to the minister yesterday.

Fashola charges FG on revival of rail system

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

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AGOS—GOVERNOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, yesterday, urged the Federal Government to step up the revival of rail system in the country for efficient and effective transportation of goods and services rather than procurement of coaches alone.

The governor spoke when he led some members of the State Executive Council, SEC, on an inspection of the abandoned Nigerian Railway Corporation Port Work Yard at Marine Beach Apapa, Lagos,where coaches and derelict rail tracks are lying fallow.

The yard it was gathered, served as the middle point for distribution of goods, especially petroleum products up till mid 80s when it was constructed by the colonialists.

According to Fashola, the prevailing challenges facing road transportation in Apapa axis necessitated the visit aimed at assessing the opportunities that could be harnessed vis-a-viz

reducing the dependence on road for transportation of goods out of Lagos.

He said: “This was where goods were evacuated and transported by rail, so we did not need to fuel, and kill people on the road. That is why we have tankers, containers taking over the road instead of the rail transport system. We came here to the maintenance yard to see what really the situation is and how we can get this back working and let the Federal Government hopefully, see what we are seeing and the best way we can make it useful to the economy. I do not know the last time it worked, I do not know what work they do but it is (rail system) clearly a connection between a robust and reliable means of transportation and also economic growth.

“This is industrial sector; this is where the oil and gas sector is and goods and services. The Unipetrol tankers and Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, used to move petroleum products in this country through this point.

That is what we must get back to.

I came here to get a feel of the reality, and look at the way forward and the way forward is that this is a matter within the authority of the Federal Government this is their asset. I will send a report of what I have seen, what is possible and what realities are and what we can do

with it. So, it is not enough to buy coaches and say you have revived rail, how many coaches are running?, and until we can move heavy cargoes, containers, fuel on our existing rail networks, then we are far from it, that is economic transformation. So, we cannot abandon this project.”

Customs intercepts 22 new smuggled vehicles in Lagos

By Ifeyinwa Obi

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AGOS—A daring attempt by triggerhappy smugglers to take advantage of weekend activities to smuggle 22 brand new vehicles into Lagos State, has been frustrated by operatives of the Federal Operations Unit, FOU, Zone ‘A’, Nigeria Customs Service, NCS. The seizure of the vehicles after a gun battle with the suspected smugglers, it was learnt, followed the renewed determination of the Unit’s new Comptroller, Usman Turaki, to make business difficult for smugglers and their activities.

The 22 brand new vehicles, which were intercepted by the Unit around 11:45am at Ikoyi/ Victoria Island axis of Lagos, comprise 19 Toyota Hilux pickup trucks, two IsuzuDMAX jeeps and one Toyota Land Cr uiser GRX 2014 model.

The vehicles were valued at N186, 474,128.00.

The FOU Zone ‘A’ Comptroller said the seizure was the outcome of meticulous intelligence gathering and subsequent ambush by the Unit’s operatives.

Turaki explained that FOU Zone ‘A’ operatives had trailed the suspected smugglers from an unapproved route, but could not intercept the convoy there to avoid casualties.

Forum mobilises 13m Nigerians to support govt

By Franklin Alli

N

IGERIAN Young Professionals Forum, NYPF, weekend, said it had mobilised over thirteen million young Nigerians to support government in its efforts at improving the Nigerian society, economically socially and politically.

Accordingly, the organisation has floated an educational intervention scheme to help students and schools in rural areas of the country to benefit from its educational materials and scholarships.

Chairman /founder of NYPF,

Moses Siloko Siasia, disclosed this during a social gathering organized by the forum for media executives in the print, electronic and the internet.

Among dignitaries at the event included Mr. Shola Omole, Director General NTA and Martins Oloja, Editor of The Guardian.

According to him, NYPF is a non-governmental organisation made up of young, dynamic and upwardly mobile individuals whose aim is to support governments at all level to build a sustainable future for the country and her youth. A nation that doesn’t take care of its

youths has planned to fail. So far, we have unified over thirteen million young professionals at home and abroad to use their skills, talents, resources to make positive impact on the society. As at July 2014, we have been able to reach over 2,800 students in 40 schools through our education intervention scheme. Our plan is to reach 150,000 primary and secondary schools in rural areas

by July 2015.”

Mr Omole in a good will message, commended the youth organisation for their vision and mission as well as “the fire of passion running in you to make a change.”

10 — Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2014

Ebola: NYSC plans screening centres in orientation camps

PDP accuses Fayemi of disposing state assets ...It's untrue — GOVT

By Gbenga Ariyibi

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sensible government could say because it is leaving office and start selling properties of the state. Such allegation is senseless and unsubstantiated and should not be taken seriously.”

However, the PDP listed the affected property to include pieces of land and houses at Irewolede Estate Phases I and II, Ado-Ekiti, as well as pieces of land and houses at Obasanjo Housing Estate, Ikere Road, Ado-Ekiti, while vehicles and state property

in Abuja and Lagos.

PDP statement alleged “Now, a plot of land at Irewolede Phase II and Obasanjo Estate is being sold to Fayemi’s cronies at a very ridiculous price of N200,000, while the houses at Irewolede Phase I are being allocated to political appointees and Fayemi’s cronies at a give away price of N6 million instead of the N12 million placed on the property by

official valuer. By selling the lands, Fayemi is denying Ekiti people the opportunity of getting the FMBN facility with which the in-coming PDP government will be used to build houses at the Estates and sold to the people at affordable prices. ''Even Fayemi’s aides who bought property at Irewolede Phase I in 2012 are now being asked to pay N6 million as against N12 million that the building was allocated to them.

KURE—THE Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, BrigadierGeneral Johnson Olawumi weekend said the Corps would set up Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, screening centres in orientation camps across the country to check the spread of the dreaded EVD. He said already, the corps had taken measures to ensure the safety of the corp members and staff of the organisation during the orientation camps programme.

The NYSC DG was in Akure, Ondo state capital for the inauguration of the NYSC/State governments collaboration on monthly environmental exercise According to him, the corps was determined to ensure that corps members deployed to various states of the country were free from the deadly virus.

DO EKITI—EKITI State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has again accused the outgoing Kayode Fayemi-led administration of illegally disposing state assetswithin and outside the state, vowing to review all alleged illegal sales and transactions when it assumes office next month.

PDP in a statement weekend by its State Publicity Secretary, Pastor Kola Oluwawole, claimed the outgoing government had extended its illegal action to Lagos and Abuja disposing off assets including vehicles to All Progressives Congress, APC, members at ridiculous prices .

But the outgoing government reacting through the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Tayo Ekundayo, dismissed PDP accusation as untrue, calling on PDP to come with concrete fact to substantiate its allegation.

According to him, “it is not true, they should show proof. I am not aware of such and if they are sure of their fact, they should wait till October 16 when they will take over and revoke such property. But I don’t think a

Be good ambassadors, Alaafin tasks Yoruba in UK

FG wasting N3.4bn monthly on idle Ajaokuta Steel workers — AMCON BOSS

By Dayo Johnson

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By Ola Ajayi

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BADAN—ALAAFIN of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, yesterday charged all Yoruba residents in United Kingdom to portray the Yorubas and the country in positive light.

The monarch, who said the United Kingdom had been instrumental to the education of many Nigerians, expressed delight that most of the beneficiaries of the education, used it to advance the cause of independence for Nigeria.

The Oba recalled the outstanding efforts of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the development of the country.

Oba Adeyemi, during his acceptance speech after being conferred with an award by the Oyo State Council, OSC, in conjunction with ArRahman Association in the UK, said, “the aim of the ‘Egbe’ was to galvanise the Yoruba Nation into action.''

By Demola Akinyemi

I

LORIN—CHAIRMAN, Assets Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON, Alhaji Kola Belgore, weekend in Ilorin, Kwara State, claimed the federal government was wasting N3.4 billion monthly to pay the salaries of workers who were doing nothing at the Ajaokuta Steel Complex, ASC, in Kogi, State.

Belgore was a guest lecturer at a social gathering organised by immediate past president, of the Alumni Association of National Institute, AANI, Alhaji Jani Ibrahim, for newly promoted members of Nigeria Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, from kwara state.

The honourees are Corps Marshall of Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi, Vice President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Issa Aremu, Assistant Comptroller General of Nigerian Immigration Service, Mr. Bode Opadiran, Corps Commander of Nigeria Medical Corps, Major General Shina Ogunbiyi and the Registrar of Council for Registration of Engineering in Nigeria, COREN, Engineer Kamila Maliki.

INVESTITURE: E d o Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Louis Odion (right), receiving a commemorative plague during his investiture as a Fellow of Nigerian Guild of Editor (FNGE), from Chief Bonnie Iwuoha at the c l o s i n g ceremony of the Guild's national convention in Katsina on Saturday.

Belgore who lamented that despite the huge potentials of ASC, it remained unproductive, claimed “There are 2500 engines mounted and 6000 employees, and we are paying them N3.4billion as salaries. That is what we paying them for doing nothing monthly.”

The AMCON chairman however boasted that he had successfully managed the company which today had asset of N6 trillion through prudent leadership.

Belgore also blamed the unemployment problem on closure of companies and businesses in the country, stressing that the country was importing fuel despite being an oil-producing country, insisting that it was making Nigeria a laughing stock among comity of nations.

According to him, “the honest truth is that we are not happy and if here we say we are happy, it is because most of us are in a comfort zone of the society, we are privileged in the society. If we ask the masses of this country who are downtrodden, they would tell you they are not happy with the situation of the country. The country is virtually static. Things are not moving in the right

direction and everybody is keeping quiet. It has nothing to do with politics; it has to do with our collective interest. “God endowed Nigeria very well

with human, material resources yet we are seriously under performing as a nation. We must wake up and try to do something to move us in the right direction.

“The nation is blessed with petrol and yet we are importing fuel in the country.''

Bishop Okafor's death jolts Catholics offered prayers yesterday for the repose of his soul, describing him WKA—THE death of as one of the most hard working the Emeritus Bishop of Bishops Awka had had.

Awka Diocese, Most Reverend Former governor of Anambra Simon Okafor, jolted Catholic State, Mr. Peter Obi, who was close faithful in the Diocese as priests to the Bishop during his lifetime, that celebrated Masses expressed grief and sadness on his yesterday announced his death, regretting that his demise demise. had eclipsed the joy of having a The Bishop died on Friday new Auxiliary Bishop, Most Rev. night, the same day an Auxiliary Dr. Jonas Benson Okoye.

Bishop, Bishop Jonas Benson Obi, who described the late Okoye, was consecrated at St Bishop Simon Okafor as a lion of Patrick’s Cathedral in the faith who showed apostolic zeal Anambra State capital for Awka and commitment to the work of Diocese. He was 79. evangelization and propagation of Since his retirement some the gospel, urged other men of God years ago, the late Bishop to follow his example at all times Okafor resided at St. Thomas for the greater good of Anambra Aquinas, GRA, Awka.

State, Nigeria and humanity at He had been sick for some large. time which was why he was He expressed happiness that unable to attend the his successors in the Diocese consecration of Bishop have continued his good work Okoye on Friday. and prayed the Almighty to Many parishes in the Diocese grant him eternal rest.

By Vincent Ujumadu

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Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2014 — 11

12—Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2014

NIS honours Akpabio

Man arrested over N1b agric loan scam in Bayelsa

By Samuel Oyadongha

By Tom Moses

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YO — Nigeria Institute of Surveyors, NIS, has conferred on Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State a honorary fellow of the institute in appreciation of his unrivalled developmental strides as governor of Akwa Ibom State.

President of NIS, Mr. Bern Akhigbe, conferred the honour on Akpabio during an investiture ceremony of 25 new fellows of the body held weekend in Uyo. Akigbe said members of the Executive Council, past presidents and Board of Fellows of the NIS decided to induct Governor Akpabio into their fold after thorough assessment of the activities, programmes and achievements recorded by him in the past seven years.

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ENAGOA — SECURITY operatives have arrested a middle aged man for alleged involvement in issuance of dud cheques to farmers in Bayelsa State for a N1 billion Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN agricultural loan empowerment scheme for farmers in the country.

The suspect, identified as Programme Coordinator of an agriculture outfit (names withheld), was accused of allegedly defrauding unsuspecting farmers in the state of huge sums of money.

It was learnt that the suspect was arrested when the cheques he issued to his victims were rejected by commercial banks in the state.

The unsuspecting farmers were allegedly asked to pay 25 per cent of the sum they intend to take as loan before they could access the funds.

One of the victims, Mrs Preye Joseph, said the suspect conducted the exercise in all the eight local government areas of the state, adding: “When it was time to pay the supposed loan, he kept

shifting the date.”

She said they (farmers) got fed up with his stories to the point they had to mount pressure on him to issue the chuques that exposed his dirty deal.

She said: “I paid N250,000

to access N1 million. When the time came to access the money, he would say ‘hold on’ that he is still working on it. That was the story he told us until, due to pressure, he issued the cheques that landed him in cell.”

Another recipient of the dud cheque, Mr. Mor ris Funpere, said: “He got himself into trouble when he was carried away by the monies people were giving him. He thought he could do it and get away with it.”

Anger in Bayelsa oil community as soldiers thwart peace meeting

By Samuel Oyadongha

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ENAGOA — ELDERS and indigenes of Peremabiri community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, weekend, expressed anger over the soldiers attached to the Joint Task Force, JTF code named Operation Pulo Shield, who stopped them from visiting their community for a scheduled peace meeting on the lingering leadership crisis in the area.

The aggrieved indigenes, who had left Yenagoa in five

speedboats, were on their way to the meeting allegedly initiated by the state government for all stakeholders in the community to support the dissolution of the Community Development Committee, CDC, and resolve the lingering crisis in the community.

An indigene of Peremabiri community, Chief Clifford Ogoro, who confirmed the development, said they had no choice but to return to Yenagoa in the interest of peace since they were denied access to the

community, same day the meeting was to have been held at 8 a.m.

Lamenting the action of the soldiers, he said: "We were mandated by representatives of the governor and Commissioner of Police to resolve crisis in Peremabiri.

“In the course of several meetings with the Commissioner of Police, it was agreed that the two factions would meet at Peremabiri to forge a way forward so as to maintain peace and harmony in the community."

NEPC, Customs collaborate to facilitate trade

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HE quest to shore up the nation’s revenue base through the promotion of export trade has received a boost as the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC and the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, agreed to further strengthen relationships of the two agencies by working to facilitate trade.

This was disclosed by the Executive Director/CEO of NEPC, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, while on a courtesy visit to the Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC, Alhaji Abdullahi Inde in Abuja.

Awolowo explained that

to realise the objectives of the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan, NIRP, the council will plan with all relevant stakeholders in the sector to proffer strategies on how the sector could contribute significantly to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP. He said: “This informed our earlier visits to agencies such as Nigerian ExportImport Bank, NEXIM; Nigerian Export Processing Zone Authority, NEPZA; Raw Materials Research and Development Council, RMRDC, among others when I assumed duty.”

On the outstanding

claims of some Export Expansion Grant, EEG beneficiaries, Awolowo solicited the cooperation of the Nigeria Customs Service given their role in the implementation of the scheme, which is targeted at increasing the volume of Nigeria’s non-oil exports in the international market.

Responding, Alhaji Inde assured Awolowo that the Customs was willing to partner the council to realise its mandate, as “both agencies must properly synergize on related functions to achieve the common target of establishing a flourishing economy.”

Tension in Agenebode as Weppa community demands autonomy

By Simon Ebegbulem

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ENIN CITY—THERE is tension in Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, following the demand by the people of Weppa, one of the clans that make up the Weppa Wanno Kingdom that government should grant them an autonomous identity after declaring that they were no longer part of Weppa Wanno Kingdom.

The community said it took the decision due to alleged undue interference in the performance of their customary festival by the Okumagbe of Weppa Wanno Kingdom, Dr

George Egabor.

Crisis allegedly broke out in the community last Thursday when some women from Weppa, who were said to have gone to the Agenebode market to perform certain annual ritual were allegedly “beaten, harassed and manhandled” by some persons in the community.

Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the palace, Chief Pius Ozekhome, were unsuccessful but the traditional ruler, Egabor denied the allegation, saying: “Nobody was attacked. I am not a violent person, I am a man of peace, whoever is doing that is playing to the gallery.”

But narrating the incident to newsmen, chief priest of the kingdom, Chief Akhamiokhor Egiebade, said: “The chief priest of the kingdom normally emerges from three ruling houses, Agiere, Iviamadi and Otaokwi and he is saddled with the responsibility of fixing date for our annual festival (Ukpe) according to the custom and tradition of Weppa Wanno.

“August every year is our festival, the year since we migrated from Benin and after the festival, the women needed to have their own title and after they take title, there is a final celebration which they have to perform at the market."

Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2014—13

APGA faction dumps Lagos APC

Okorocha eyes presidency

By Chidi Nkwopara

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WERRI — IMO State governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, said, weekend, that he was seriously considering the option of taking a shot at the presidency, following pressures from indigenes of the state.

Okorocha, who stated this while fielding questions from journalists in Owerri, also boasted that he was sure to record victory for All Progressives Congress, APC, if he was given the party’s ticket ahead of the 2015 general elections.

The governor described the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as an embodiment of unprogressive minds, who have taken the country several years backward because of poverty of vision.

“I am considering taking a shot at the presidency because the pressure is too high and I believe I have the capacity to transform

our country for the better,” Okorocha said.

He gave a graphic account of monies accruing to some states from the Federation Account in the past three years, noting that only N179 billion had so far accrued to Imo State.

Continuing, Okorocha described it as “a sharp contrast to the intimidating and unbelievable figures that accrued to such states as Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Delta and Lagos states.”

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BA — THE senator representing Abia Central senatorial district in the Senate, Nkechi Nwaogu, weekend, said she survived an assassination attempt on her and other members of his campaign team.

The incident, it was gathered, occurred while the serving senator and the only woman in the Abia guber race, was returning to Aba after paying homage to Eze Enweremadu in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area, whose community held their annual new yam festival.

The situation, according to sources, could have been worse, but for the security details' high sense of professionalism.

Narrating her story to journalists at her Okpu Umuobo residence, Senator Nwaorgu

VISIT: From left, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, CEO of Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC, and Alhaji Abdullahi Inde, Comptroller General of Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, during a courtesy visit by the NEPC CEO.

BOUNDARY DISPUTE: Ebonyi, Cross River govts set up 84-man Joint Govs' C'ttee

By Peter Okutu

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BAKALIKI — EBONYI and Cross River state governments, weekend, constituted an 84-man Joint Governors’ Committee to resolve the protracted

Senator Nwogu escapes assassination

By Eric Ugbor

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explained: “We were coming back from an event on Enugu/Port Harcourt Expressway and on getting to Uratta/Akpaekpu junction in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government, a car blocked us right at the middle of the expressway and there were other saloon cars lined up at the middle of the ever busy expressway with the sole aim to prevent us from finding any alternative route.

"And when we got closer and they realised it was our convoy, they started shooting.

“The hoodlums had been there waiting for us. They trailed us from that vicinity of Eze Enweremmadu’s palace. We saw a car blocking the expressway and this was at about 6.45p.m.

“It is an attempted assassination."

boundary dispute existing between both states.

The committee’s terms of reference include determining the immediate and remote causes behind the age-long boundary dispute.

The committee is also to determine the factors responsible for the failure of previous peace initiatives in the affected states and propose a lasting panacea to the disputes.

The committee commenced its activities in Calabar under the leadership of Ebonyi and Cross River states’ deputy governors, Engr. Dave Umahi, and Mr. Efiok Cobham, respectively.

Accordingly, the committee is to set up a conflict resolution mechanisms for the communities in each sector, with a view to maintaining a peaceful co-existence.

The committee is to submit detailed report and recommendations to the governors of both states on or before November 30, 2014.

In a communique signed by the deputy governors of both

states and their AttorneysGeneral, the committee appreciated the prevailing peace between the communities in recent times.

The communique urged the borderline communities to continue to live in harmony as the creation of states was not intended to divide brothers and sisters.

At the end of the meeting, Engr. Umahi told reporters that peace was paramount to both states and could not be compromised.

“I implore the committee to fuse together as a common body in relationship and understanding in the discharge of their task.

Also, Cobham of Cross River on his own part, hinted that the demeanour exhibited at the meeting was a sign that both states were now fully disposed to peace.

According to him, the boundary dispute had impeded the cordial relationship between border communities of both states.

S-East govs demand cargo section for Enugu international airport

By Tony Edike

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NUGU — THE governors of the South East states, yesterday, urged the Federal Government to establish a cargo section at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu.

Rising from the meeting of the Forum of the South Est Governors held at the Government House, Enugu, the governors said the call became imperative to enable businessmen from the zone bring in their goods through the airport which was built only for passengers.

The governors, who deliberated on the Ebola scourge , commended the Federal and state governments for their efforts to arrest the scourge across the country.

The governors resolved that a meeting of the South East Elders Forum in the next three weeks will discuss issues concerning the zone.

HAIRMAN OF All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, in Lagos State, Prince Adesina Olayokun, weekend, led a faction of the party out of All Progessives Congress, APC, citing unfulfilled promises made to them by party hierarchy in Lagos State.

Prior to the pull-out from APC, the APGA members were those led to the APC

by Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, who is the present leader of the APC in the South East.

In a statement issued in Lagos after a crucial meeting of the group, the APGA chairman said that along with State/South West women leader, Hon. (Mrs.) Oby Ezena, and more than 2,000 other members of APGA in Lagos State, they were dumping APC to return to their party, following series of unfulfilled promises made to them by APC hierarchy at the peak of the merger of the three political parties.

Anglican Church, community at war over school ownership

By Anayo Okoli

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MUAHIA — UNLESS Abia State government intervened quickly, Umuopara in Umuahia South Local Government Area of the state and the Anglican Church may engage in a bloody clash over dispute on the ownership of a secondary school in the community.

Already, tension is high in the community as each of the parties is laying claims to be the rightful owner of the school.

Abia State government had last year, decided to hand over some selected schools to their former missionary owners and handed over Umuopara Community School to the Anglican Church.

The church took over the school, like others handed over to various churches.

However, Umuopara suddenly came up to oppose the hand-over done over a year ago.

The community had, in fact, been on public radio announcing its opposition to the take-over of the school by the church.

14 — Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2014

Insecurity: Free, fair elections doubtful next year — NGE K

AT S I N A — T H E Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, has said that the high level insecurity, insurgency and kidnappings in the country would not guarantee free, fair and credible elections in 2015.

Rising from its 10th All Nigerian Editors Conference, ANEC, in Katsina, Katsina State, at the weekend, the NGE in a communique issued at the end of the 4-day conference, said the current state of insecurity must be addressed to strengthen the nation’s democracy and instil good governance.

The communique, signed by NGE President, Femi Adesina, and General Secretary, Isaac Ighure, read: “That the Editors have a great role to play in promoting national discourse towards strengthening national unity, peace, harmony as well as

political, social, economic growth and prosperity.

“That the Nigerian Editor should continue to promote the nation’s fledgling democracy and help in enthroning good governance in our country.

“That the Editor should continue to promote free and fair elections, which are key to the promotion and sustenance of democratic culture in the society through vigorous dissemination of information to the citizens.

“That the high level of insecurity, insurgency and kidnappings across the country which create atmosphere of fear and apprehension, cannot guarantee free, fair and credible elections in 2015.

“That to strengthen the nation’s democracy and instill good governance, the current state of insecurity must be addressed with

a view to creating conducive environment for development.

“That the Independent National Electoral Commission should be adequately funded, to enable the commission conduct free, fair and credible elections in 2015 and beyond.

“That to ensure sustenance of good governance, the media must set a generally acceptable performance index to gauge the performance of governments at all levels, in the provision of basic amenities and infrastructure to the citizens.

“The Guild urged members of the profession to adhere to the code of journalism ethics in the discharge of their responsibilities, while advocating for a code of conduct for the media in covering the 2015 general elections.

“The NGE calls on politicians to shun hate speech, unguarded utterances, name calling, and other anti-social behaviors while using the media to canvass for public support.

“The Guild commends the government and people of Katsina State for their warmth and hospitality, and for their contributions to the overall successful hosting of the conference.”

The conference, with the theme, Credible Elections and Good Governance: Role of the Editor, which held between Wednesday 27 and Saturday, 30, August 2014, had in attendance over 250 editors from both print and electronic media.

Also in attendance were the Katsina State governor, Ibrahim Shema; former governor of Kano State and Minister of Education, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau; former governor of Ogun State, Chief Segun Osoba; Chairman of Jaiz Bank, Alhaji Umaru Mutallab, who delivered the keynote address at the opening ceremony and the National President of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Malam Muhammed Garba.

2015: America committed to credible polls in Nigeria — US ENVOY ...Pledges support to rescue Chibok girls

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

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BUJA—AHEAD of the 2015 general elections in Nigeria, the United States’ Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. James Entwistle, has said his country was committed to free, fair, credible and non-violent elections in Nigeria.

Entwistle also reiterated the readiness of the US to assist Nigeria find the abducted Chibok girls in Borno State.

The envoy disclosed this during his visit to the national leadership of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Abuja, where he was received by the party’s national chairman, Mr. John OdigieOyegun, weekend.

He said genuine elections were the hallmark of democracy which the American government championed.

Entwhistle said his visit should not be seen as any kind of support to either APC or other parties, saying the US was not interested in any candidates of the parties during the elections, but to

ensure a credible process.

“I have been the United States Ambassador to this country since November 2013. I am coming round to talk to political parties because of the deep commitment my country has to democracy and elections, not just in the US or Nigeria, but all over the world.

“Democracy is much more than elections, but without elections, there is no democracy because election is the cornerstone. I have been frequently asked who the US is supporting for the February 2015 elections and my answer has always been that the US supports the Nigerian people in their quest for a credible, transparent election they want and deserve.

“So, we are not here to support anybody or any candidate, but to support a credible process in which the Nigerian people can freely express their wishes. That is why we provide support to INEC and civil societies as we get ready for this election.''

CJN intervenes in JUSUN, FG crisis

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

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BUJA—THE Chief Justice of Nigeria CJN, Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar, has called on all stakeholders that participated in the signing of Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, to respect the agreement and the court judgment to avert disruption of judicial activities at the end of the forty five days given in the MoU. The intervention of the CJN came on the heels of the renewed threat by JUSUN to resume strike after the expiration of the forty five days (which is September 15) accepted by all stakeholders, including the Accountant-

General of the Federation and Minister of Finance to resolve all disagreements as well as implement all agreements.

But after the emergency National Executive Council, NEC, meeting of the union at Labour House in Abuja weekend, JUSUN expressed reservation about and condemnation of failure of the stakeholders, including Accountant –General and others to respect the MoU they signed with JUSUN freely.

Consequently, the union resolved to resume its suspended strike by October 2, 2014, if stakeholders refused to comply with the court judgment and MoU of January 13, 2014 and August 1, 2014, respectively.

Jonathan's re-election a must — INC

By Chris Ochayi

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B U JA — I JAW National Congress, INC, has asked President Goodluck Jonathan to declare now his intention to run for a second tenure in the 2015 presidential election.

The congress noted that the delay by Dr. Jonathan to declare his re-election bid was giving underserved impulsion to some groups as the Northern Elders Forum, NEF, to say the President should forget about his recontesting, if the Chibok girls were not freed by October.

Acting National President of INC, Engr. Charles Ambaiowei, who said this during the inauguration ceremony of the new executive of Abuja chapter of Ijaw National Congress, said it was compulsory that the incumbent must run for a second tenure in 2015.

He said: “Congress hereby strongly urge President Goodluck Jonathan to declare to contest for the 2015 presidential election now because delay in this regard is giving underserved impetus to groups like, the Northern Elders Forum, NEF, who declared that in case of the non-release of the Chibok girls by October, the President forfeits any option of re-contesting.

“The INC violently disagrees with the position of the NEF and further believes that their position can neither fall the heavens nor bring the Nigeria roof over our heads in this democratic dispensation.”

Ambaiowei, irked by the position of NEF, queried: “Who is speaking from that tower of Babel? We are talking about a constitutional guarantee that the president has. And in as much as we are all deeply sympathetic and hurt that young girls are abducted and held hostage by cannibals in the form of the Boko Haram.

“That aspect of their not being released by our military and other security forces of this country, even though we know they have the capacity but we are only trying to minimise collateral damage. This minuscule issue cannot overshadow the overall achievements President Jonathan.''

Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2014 — 15

Nasarawa Assembly to serve Al-Makura fresh impeachment notice

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By Abel Daniel

AFIA— INDICATIONS, weekend, emerged that members of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly were set to reissue Governor Umaru Tanko AlMakura another impeachment notice any moment from today.

This followed alleged constitutional breach by Chief Judge of the state, Justice

Suleiman Dikko, in the composition of the probe panel that earlier cleared the governor of any wrong doing in the first impeachment notice.

Vanguard gathered that National Judicial Council, NJC, had been petitioned, accusing Justice Dikko of contravening Section 188(5) of the 1999 constitution by appointing two

partisan politicians and public office holder on the probe panel.

The Assembly was also said to have drawn the attention of the NJC on other added issues on professional misconduct where the CJ was allegedly found culpable.

The petition includes a case whose judgment has been allegedly stalled by the CJ for

over three years since the final submission by counsel as against the stipulated three months, citing personal interest as the motive behind the miscarriage of justice.

It is being romoured that the CJ is expected to vacate office within the week either through suspension or any other means to pave the way for a new CJ

Additional allegations

ANAP blames building collapse on quacks, govt

By Boluwaji Obahopo

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From left: Immediate Past President, Alumni Association of National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Alhaji Jani Ibrahim; Corps Marshal and Chief Executive, Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi and Secretary-General, AAIN/Vice-President, Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Issa Aremu at a luncheon for the newly promoted members of the AANI, Kwara State chapter, in Ilorin.

expected to constitute a new panel of investigation.

The source, however, assured that the lawmakers were not going to interfere with the composition of the panel, but would object to any case of constitutional breach aimed at giving any party an undue advantage over another.

OKOJA — THE Association of Nigerian Architectural Professional, ANAP, weekend, blamed rising cases of building collapse in the country on low level of professionalism in the building industry.

Secretary General of the association, Dr. Oloruntoba Kayode, who spoke during the association's National Executive Council, NEC, meeting in Lokoja, said there were several quacks in the building industry leading to construction of substandard buildings.

He said the association was out principally to safeguard the environment especially against building collapse, and "we are also out to fill the gap in the level of professionals in building industry so as to make the environment healthy.

Also, in the new petition to be served on Governor Al-Makura, findings revealed that additional allegations have been raised against the embattled governor who only a month ago had impeachment case against him by the same Assembly thrown out for want of evidence.

Al-Makura is alleged, in the new petition, to have spent over N300 million in excess of the N100 million approved by the lawmakers for Justice ministry for the execution of the Justice Joseph Fola Gbadeyan panel of inquiry into Alakyo killing of security operatives and other matters connected therewith.

It was claimed that as at the time of constituting the panel, over N26 million had been expended wondering how government financed the panel to the tune of N400 million.

16 — Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2014 IT is more than eight months since four reportorial staff members of popular Middle-East based Al Jazeera Network were arrested, detained, tried and jailed by the authorities in Egypt for allegedly broadcasting false news and conspiring with the banned Islamist Muslim Brotherhood.

In December 2013, correspondent, Peter Greste, and producers, Mohammed Fahmy and Baher Mohammed, were clamped in detention. Earlier, another Al Jazeera journalist, Abdullah Al Shami, had been hauled into the slammer, and began a protracted hunger strike on January 23 rd 2014.

On June 24th, 2014, a judge sentenced the journalists to jail terms ranging from seven to ten years, including those who were sentenced in absentia; a verdict that shocked media advocates around the world, including Reporters Without Borders and Committee to Protect Journalists.

Al Jazeera issued several statements in defence of its staff, saying the accusations were trumped up based on written statements of staff of Egyptian state television, which they were unable to

Free Al Jazeera repor s in Egyp reportter ers Egyptt substantiate in court.

The television network has since launched a worldwide campaign for pressure to be brought to bear on the Egyptian government to let its staff go, and the #FreeAJStaff has recorded over 800 million hits in more than 30 countries.

We are lending our voice to this campaign.

We are definitely against jour nalists getting involved in the internal politics of a country trapped in the kind of revolutionary turmoil that Egypt is just recently recovering from. We will not condone media practitioners getting mixed up with the activities of dangerous political outfits like the highly repressive Muslim Brotherhood, whose brief reign in Egypt

led to the oppression of religious minorities and unbroken waves of unrests.

We are gravely concerned that the highhandedness with which the Egyptian authorities have handled the case will embolden regimes around the world to stand between the people and their right to know what is happening in their country.

We kick against any attempt to maintain an attitude of hostility towards newsmen or endanger their safety, as it does not augur well for a world order in which free flow and sharing of information has come to be taken as a human right.

The trial of the Al Jazeera journalists did not meet the minimum standards in fair hearing and adequate assessment of evidence adduced in their defence. The sentencing itself was draconian and unacceptable in a democratic society.

Now that the volatile situation in Egypt is under control, the regime will do well to demonstrate its goodwill by releasing the Al Jazeera journalists. It will help in further healing the wounds in Egypt and reassuring the world at large that the regime in power is more civilised and exemplary than the Muslim Brotherhood.

OPINION

By Dele Akinola

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ONOUR, discipline, incorruptibility, patriotism and courage all ran, simultaneously, in her DNA, yes in DNA Dora Nkem Akunyili. Reigning female world leaders like Angela Merkel of Germany, Dilma Rousseff of Brazil, Christina de Kirchner of Argentina and Helen JohnsonSirleaf of Liberia are perhaps no match for her in all the indices. If all were individual sporting events in an Olympic Games, she would stand in pole position to clinch all gold medals!

Even the amazons that have come and gone would freeze with envy wherever they are, either here with us or in the great beyond.

The combination of modern world's first female head of government, Sirimavo Bandaranaike and her daughter, Chandrika Kumaratunga of Sri Lanka would have been hard put to it to match Dora's grit and guts.

The first and only woman in the world to defeat an incumbent president, Violeta Chamorro of Nicaragua would have bowed before her in the command of national and international attention.

The "Woman of the Millennium" after whom the largest university in the world was named, Indira Gandhi of India would have hardly ranked above Nkem in the command of mass appeal. Longest-serving British Prime Minister of the 20th Century, Margaret Thatcher and the grandmother of the Jewish people who nonetheless was "the best man in government," Golda Meir of Israel (both of them custodians of the iconic title "Iron Lady") would have taken from her

For Dora Akunyili, a tribute priceless lessons in fearlessness and willpower. The other "Iron Lady" and charismatic symbol of woman empowerment, Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan would have found her a difficult nut to crack in the deployment of initiative and demonstration of astuteness.

Time Person of the Year 1986 who stood out as the most prominent figure of the year's People Power Revolution and country's first President without any political experience, Corazon Acquino of the Philippines would not have outshined Akunyili in the ability to surmount and survive persistent attempts by evil plotters. The other Filipino amazon and Professor of Economics, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, would not have outclassed her in erudition and scholarship.

All these women of "timber and calibre" who had at one time or the other held the destiny of their nations in their tender feminine hand would have had to be at their very best to match the moral, intellectual and administrative credentials of the best female president Nigeria never had.

In my "If Abiola were Igbo" of December, 2013, with specific reference to Prof Akunyili, I submitted that "Nigeria could boast of women of compelling attributes capable of rubbing shoulders with these global amazons and the most appealing examples at the moment are perhaps those of Igbo extraction!" As only a Director-General, not an executive president, the multiple international award winner demonstrated,

conclusively, that the size of a nation was no bigger challenge than elsewhere in confronting the cankers and monsters inhibiting national development. She did at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, what any head of government anywhere in the world, armed with the requisite political will, was supposed to be doing in their respective villas. Her inimitable courage in confronting even ruthless political god-fathers was a study in the ultimate in manliness.

Prof Akunyili was, more than a man, a terrorist - terrorist of a different brand. Unlike Abubakar Shekau, she terrorised the guilty and protected the innocent. As a suicide bomber who, unlike Shekau's men and kidwomen, never got blown up in action, she detonated bombs at the warehouses of fake drugs merchants and mopped up landmines laid by them at pharmacy stores for the poor innocent millions. The one who, unlike a glut of others, was truly and genuinely worthy of her national honour of OFR, typified a classical example of the kind of terrorist the civilized world in general and Nigeria in particular urgently require.

In the process, Nigeria's own "best man in government" laid down a legacy for reigning and aspiring leaders at all levels in Nigeria and beyond by fearlessly confronting challenges and checkmating problems she did not create. Auntie Dora did not create the problem of fake drugs. That problem, most probably, had been there before she was born.

But with her courageous and decisive actions, she demonstrated beyond question that if her duties on her beat were all about solving problems she created, there would be no need for here services in the first place.

Vintage Dora! Her DNA never synchronized with that of Nigeria's political leaders who, reveling with flamboyance in criminal shamelessness, make curious and mind-boggling but heartily-embraced defections to soft-landing. The woman of courage whose sincerity and strong will propelled her, like Jerry Rawlings, to sparing no one including her own blood, would agonize at how any genuine war on the political and economic evils plaguing the country could be prosecuted in such dubious circumstances. While they play politics of no permanent friends and foes but permanent self-interest, she dedicated her entire life to permanent national interest.

Her only enemies were the criminals and crime barons whose evil and blood "business" she terrorized.

DNA came, saw and conquered! She even conquered cancer and death, succumbing only to the conquest of her Creator, who, in His omniscience, only called her home before she would be done in by a nation most given to rubbishing her finest characters. She could have lost any election only because the country she found herself in was not ready for men and women of her tribe.

Humanity has suffered no loss because incredibly virtuous mortals like her, by general rule, hardly ever live long. *Mr. Akinola, a social critic, wrote from Lagos.

Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2014—41

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NUGU—THE new Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Rev. Raphael Nwoye, will be sworn in today inside the Executive Council chamber, even as the last may not have been heard concerning the impeachment of the former Deputy Governor, Sunday Onyebuchi by the State House of Assembly.

Governor Sullivan Chime delivered a master stroke with the appointment of the new deputy governor, an outcome of a consultation between Chime and stakeholders from Nkanu East Local Government Area which included Pastor Sam Iyiogwe, the Council chairman and Mr. Chijioke Nwachukwu, the Local Government chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Nwoye and the impeached Onyebuchi hail from the same clan in Isiogbo Nara of Nkanu East. Both, it was gathered, are somewhat related. Many observers have commended Chime for retaining the seat not only in the same local government area but in the same community.

Today, the people are bracing up for the reign of Nwoye which will bring fresh perspectives to governance in

Enugu: Nwoye takes over today as Dep Gov zFresh facts emerge on Onyebuchi’s impeachment the state, especially with his experience as a former council boss, an ex-commissioner and a cleric.

But the last may not have been heard of the cold relationship between Chime and his erstwhile deputy which culminated in Onyebuchi’s ouster. But behind all the brouhaha of running a poultry, one of the major reasons why the former deputy governor was sacked was due largely to his blunt refusal to represent his boss at state and national functions.

Chime himself told the state PDP caucus on July 26, 2014 that his deputy had made it a habit to refuse to represent him at functions or carry out other directives. According to the governor, “over time, my deputy (Onyebuchi) was finding it difficult to represent me at functions even when so clearly directed. He saw representing me as a favour and not a constitutional duty.

“The one that broke the camel’s back was the meeting of the South-East Governors Forum. When I got a message from our (Forum) chairman,

Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State that he had scheduled a meeting during my vacation, I reached across to my director of protocol and directed him to ask the deputy governor to represent me at the meeting.

“I was quite shocked when he called back later to say that my deputy said he wasn’t going to represent me at the meeting because I did not tell him that I was travelling. I was taken aback because not only did I tell him, I also announced it to the entire executive council members and it was part of the media briefing at the end of that Exco meeting.

Meanwhile, my deputy was part of the meeting.

“I said I wasn’t interested in who said what and then asked my director of protocol to prepare a manifest detailing that he was to represent me and send same to him. True to his word, my deputy didn’t show up. He preferred to go and play football on that Sunday.”

Insubordination

Of course, there were other instances of the insubordination of Onyebuchi and refusal to take directives from Chime. “He (Onyebuchi) always gave excuses of being sick at many other times he was asked to represent the governor but w h a t happened in those times was that other officers of government would be sent to cover the s a m e functions. The difference this time around t h a t Onyebuchi plainly sent words back to me that he was not going to be at the South-East Governors F o r u m meeting. He carried out the threat.”

On his return from his two-week vacation, Onyebuchi approached the governor to ask for permission to t r a v e l overseas. At this juncture, Chime, as he told the

Impeached Onyebuchi caucus, asked his former deputy why he thought he should grant him the request to travel. “But he hit back and asked me to also give him one reason why I should not grant him the permission to travel,” Chime told the caucus members.

It was at this point that the governor told the then deputy governor that it was obvious they could both not work together again.

According to Chime, “there’s no way you can allow someone as important as your deputy stand behind you when he is obviously working against you; not at this time that we’re going into (electoral) battles.”

One other clear case of Onyebuchi’s unwillingness to play any other meaningful role, as Vanguard learnt, was during the last campaigns for the December Local Government polls, the fourth to be conducted by the Chime administration.

Chime led other government and party functionaries in the campaigns across the seventeen local government areas.

However, Onyebuchi gave an excuse that he was ill and did not take part in any of the campaigns except the last one in Chime’s Udi Local Government Area. Meanwhile, he was attending other social events even outside the state during this period. The embarrassment was more telling when the campaign train visited Onyebuchi’s Nkanu East Council where the programme had to be adjusted because the then deputy governor was not around to address his people.

With these developments, it was predictable that the parting of ways between Chime and Onyebuchi was imminent.

Curiously, Onyebuchi has continued to allege that he was impeached because of his interest to contest the Enugu East senatorial election.

Sympathy

His mission was to whip up sympathy and cause as much confusion that would compel the public to mount pressures on the House to drop the charges or for the investigative panel to set him free.

Senator Ken Nnamani, the former President of the Senate

put the matter in proper perspective in an interview published in Vanguard Newspapers on August 29, 2014. “I am from that senatorial zone,” said Nnamani “and the deputy governor is not a threat to anybody’s political ambition. He has never vied for councillorship, he has never vied for election before. All of a sudden, he thinks he has become a threat in a senatorial race, it is most unfortunate. I don’t think there is any relationship between his so-called ambition of wanting to become a Senator and his predicament.

He is not a threat to anybody at all and I am sure he knows that himself. I don’t see how he could have jumped and won a senatorial seat. Based on what? It is not possible. In a free and fair election, he cannot consider himself a threat to anyone.”

Onyebuchi's defence

Again, in his defence to the charge of running a commercial poultry in his official quarters at the Government House, Onyebuchi claimed that Governor Chime was running a bigger poultry in his own residence. He also alleged that in his capacity as Acting Governor (while Chime was on leave), he (Onyebuchi) had received and approved a memo from the Chief of Staff for the release of funds for the maintenance of the Governor’s “ poultry and piggery”.

According to our Government House source, “this is yet another lie told by the former deputy governor because no such memo was ever written and we challenge him to produce a copy especially because he admitted that copies of all other documents he attended to as acting governor were still in his custody.”

Also, Onyebuchi had made huge efforts to create the impression that he was impeached for owning a poultry farm. His offence was not that he operated such a poultry farm but that he did so within his official residential quarters in violation of laws of the state where he is the number two citizen. He had also refused to relocate the birds when the relevant government agencies and personnel went to plead with him to do so.

According to Chukwudi Achife, the chief press secretary to Chime, “the deputy governor’s claims that Governor Chime runs a poultry in the Governor ’s Lodge is most unfortunate and surprising. This is because it is patently untrue and the deputy governor knows better.

“It is important to clarify that the said Agric unit is not within the Governor ’s residential premises but a unit in Government House which has other units like the Press unit, drivers unit, among others."

42 — Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2014

Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2014 — 43

44 — Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2014

C M Y K

Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2014—45

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OKO HARAM is, perhaps, the luckiest insurgent group operating in the world right now. It has at its easy disposal, an array of foot soldiers and avenues for the dissemination of its propaganda; that mind game of war and politics which, when effectively deployed, wears down the enemy before the weapons of military destruction arrive to finish him off.

Though Boko Haram is clearly the most murderous and merciless Islamist group, comparable only to its Al Shabbab confederates in Somalia and East Africa and Islamic State (IS) in Syria and Iraq, it enjoys the unmerited advantage of its friends and foes offering themselves as witting and unwitting agents in its effort to create confusion and fear to facilitate its dream Islamic Caliphate in the Muslim North of Nigeria. Just take a look at these sample scenarios.

An unnamed source in the #Bring Back Our Girls (#BBOG) campaigning for the rescue of the over 200 Chibok school girls still languishing in the Boko Haram den, came out with the

Boko Haram is winning propaganda war State Governor, Alhaji Nmodu Sheriff, whom he accused of setting up Boko Haram in order to win elections and suppress political opponents.

Sheriff ’s case is already well documented. In fact, I have said so on this forum, and I voiced the same opinion when I met with Sheriff ’s now estranged political godson, Governor

Ihejirika comes from a part of Nigeria that is proud of their Christian/African background, but which is liberal enough to respect the rights of Muslims to their faith so long as they remain law abiding and peace-loving

,

disclosure that the insurgents have no less than 50,000 members in their camp, and all of them are “desperate” to be deployed as suicide bombers. The source did not tell us how it got the number of Boko Haram members desperate to die as suicide bombers, but the effect of this “disclosure” only serves to create fear in the average consumer of this unsubstantiated claim. Boko Haram couldn’t have done it better if they had pushed out this information as part of their arsenal of terror on the populace.

The biggest topic in town has to do with another, perhaps more dangerous disclosure by Australian Boko Haram negotiator, Stephen Davis, whose interview with Arise TV on Thursday, August 28th went wild on the Net. In a nutshell, Davis accused three major political players as being responsible for what Boko Haram has become. The first person he mentioned was former Borno

,

Kashim Shettima of Borno in the presence of other journalists of mainly northern extraction in Abuja about two years ago. When I said it, there was pindrop silence, as if I had said something abominable, and the governor quickly defended Sheriff. I was dumbfounded when I noticed that most of my colleagues nodded at every word he uttered in Sheriff ’s defence. I was truly an odd man out Sheriff did what every governor elected in 1999 did in order to stay in power till 2007. It also happened in the Niger Delta, and resulted in the militancy over there that ended with the Amnesty programme. So, it is no news. What confounds me was the fact that Sheriff and other co-founders and backers of full-blown Boko Haram were allowed to roam free rather than being made to face the wrath of the law by the federal government under the watch of President Goodluck

Jonathan. To this end, I share the view that, for reasons best known to him, President Jonathan has been rather tepid in dealing with the insurgency. As the leader, he must share the blame, irrespective of the strategic reasons behind allowing Boko Haram to grow from a rag-tag band of Islamist agitators to become a potent military force able to seize portions of Nigeria’s territory and declare an Islamic Caliphate.

Dr. Davis got more controversial when he, surprisingly, accused a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Azubuike Ihejirika, of being one of the ”sponsors” of Boko Haram. I listened carefully through his interview and read the transcript of it in print. I could not see any convincing justification of that rather wild claim, except that battle plans against the insurgents were often called off at last minutes for no apparent reasons. He could not substantiate the claim that the former COAS was responsible for the alleged acquisition of Nigerian military hardware by Boko Haram.

Ihejirika 'sponsoring' Boko Haram

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his accusation of Ihejirika “sponsoring” Boko Haram flies in the face of Nigeria’s history and Ihejirika’s personal cosmology. Ihejirika is an Igbo man and a Christian. He is an enemy of everything that Boko Haram stands for. If there is anyone who will like to finish Boko Haram today, it is someone in the cosmological mold of General Ihejirika. Just think of it: what will motivate an Ihejirika to empower Islamist Boko Haram with Nigeria’s military equipment under his care?

Would he like to live under an Islamised Nigeria? Would he like to be forcibly converted to Islam? Definitely not.

Ihejirika comes from a part of Nigeria that is proud of their Christian/African background, but which is liberal enough to respect the rights of Muslims to their faith so long as they remain law abiding and peace-loving. One of the factors that sustained the Biafra war for 30 months was the Igbos’ fear of being islamised by the federal forces mistakenly thought to be a jihad being prosecuted by Hausa/ Muslims.

Rather than helping the Islamists gain ground, the impression we were given before Davis’ toxic allegation, was that Ihejirika actually decimated the ranks of Boko Haram and drove them to the fringes of Lake Chad and Sambisa Forest, where, due to difficult terrain, it requires modern military equipment to flush them out. Not long ago, the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) actually accused Ihejirika of committing “ war crimes” by permitting extra-judicial killing of captured Boko Haram fighters. They threatened to take him to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

It is obvious that the hitches in deploying troops to fight Boko Haram arose from internal sabotage in the army, perpetrated by northern Muslim elements that have sympathy for their “brother Muslims” in Boko Haram. It was through these people that Boko Haram gained inside information about troop deployments and easy access to our military armouries. This is also responsible for the frequent mutinies and protests in the army. It created a climate of difficulties for military campaigns to be carried out.

Boko Haram and its supporters and sympathisers among the politicians and those with easy access to the social media, added to their foreign paid agents such as Dr. Stephen Davis, are exploiting every opportunity to create confusion and diversions to give room for Boko Haram to expand.

Unfortunately, we have a president who is unwilling to crack down on enemies of the nation, perhaps because of the mistaken belief that it will injure his 2015 re-election bid.

It is the steady growth of Boko Haram that will not only endanger the 2015 plans of politicians, but can easily truncate our democracy. Ask Mali’s former President Amadu Toumani Toure. Crush Boko Haram and its cohorts and 2015 becomes and easy ride. The military emasculated Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, and today, the country has come back to normal. It is a lesson worth learning.

OPINION

By Folabi Jimoh

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N the heat of the global human carnage that was the Second World War, Britain's famed politician and wartime leader, Winston Churchill, gave a significant new insight into the affairs of humankind. He facilitated our capacity to see that every human being, irrespective of his stations in life, must have some moments in his existence that can truly be adjudged to be 'his finest hour'. The only difference is that, more often than not,famous men and women enjoy the privilege of public inquest and assessment into their lives such that it is they alone who are most frequently thought to have such moments in their lives.

But the truth is that such moments of indisputably outstanding performance in whatever one does is far from being the exclusive preserve of the famous and the celebrated of human species. Rather, even the most lowly placed and unassuming do have such moments in their lives. The crucial distinction is the fact that such moments in the lives of the ordinary man are unknown to the public and are therefore left unsung.

But then it is one of those uncanny sociological realities of human life that we cannot all have the same share of limelight and public glory. It does not mean that many of us do not have achievements in our little lives that are worthy of celebration; it is just that most of us will have such achievements unnoticed and uncelebrated. But this would not also detract from the truth that the famous and the celebrateddo have achievements to their credit that are worthy of laudation. And so it is with the Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola -a man whose character qualities have earned him a deserved place in the sun.

At a distance, he is most likely to give you an impression of a non-personable individual and one of those typical ilk

Aregbesola's finest hour of Nigerian politicians. But a close contact with him would reveal a man of strong character and amiability. One who knows exactly what he wants and goes for it. He aims high and matches those high aims with steely determination and doggedness. He is an engaging speaker whose high intellect contrasts sharply with what you tend to see from afar.He is a man of deep conviction who stubbornly clings unto his beliefs.

Perhaps, this explains why he has the capacity to attract opposite emotions in equal measure of intensity. Those who love him are unflinching loyal. Those who don't are diehard opponents. But in fairness to the man, and contrary to what one might be tempted to deduce from his political activist posture, he is someone with genuinely accommodating spirit. He engages with the people across all social strata right from the political 'treetop' to the grassroots.

All of these have come into play in his political career in recent years. His rise to the governorship seat occurred in extraordinary circumstancesthat were filled with mortal dangers and high-wire political intrigues. It took over three years of resolute and relentless battle through the courts to prove his victory at the 2011 polls. His re-election for a second term of office on Saturday August 9, 2014 happened in no less intriguing political fashion.

The election was a battle for the soul of Osun and by extension that of Nigeria in its present political configuration. In a significant way the Osun governorship election outcome would affect the electoral contest for Aso Rock in 2015 between the two leading political parties in the country, the PDP and the APC. Accordingly, having achieved a largely unforeseen victory at the Ekiti

gubernatorial poll barely two months ago, the PDP became emboldened to emasculate the APC in its strongest-hold, the South-West, which would have been achieved with victory in Osun.

Hence, the PDP-led Federal Government threw everything at it, including placing Osun under a security lockdown, not to mention the inexplicable and inexcusable arrests of APC party functionaries, along with members of Aregbesola's cabinet on the night preceding the election.

But the people of Osun stood firm. They did not succumb to intimidation and the Federal Government's unwarranted show of force. They voted massively for the incumbent to reaffirm his genuine popularity among his people.

But Aregbesola's greatest moment was to come the day after the election on Sunday when he rode triumphantly to the Nelson Mandela Freedom Square to address his supporters. Incidentally, he was formally declared the winner by INEC on that Sunday morning after hours of waiting. The announcement was greeted by a spontaneous outburst and tumultuous gathering of mammoth crowds all over Osogbo who then converged on the Olaiya intersection as the Governor's convoy emerged from Okefia Roundabout.

It was some of the biggest crowd I have yet seen assemble just to welcome only one man. As I watched the man and his crowd inch their way towards Freedom Park at Old Garage, I remembered those memorable words of Churchill's.

However, as humans, it is in our nature that until we actually cease to breathe, it is difficult to definitively say that we've had our most glorious moments. So Aregbesola may yet have greater days of glory ahead of him. *Mr. Jimoh, a graduate student of politics , wrote from University of Ibadan, Oyo State.

46 — V anguard Vanguard anguard,, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2014

BRIEFS

UK may block return of jihadists

Pakistani protests turn deadly •As prime minister refuses to resign

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AKISTANI protesters flooded onto Constitution Avenue in Islamabad for another day of demonstrations yesterday, demanding a solution to the growing political crisis wracking the country.

At least three people have died in the fighting so far, according to Dr. Ayesha Isani, the spokeswoman for the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad.

Local news crews, including cameramen from three different channels, were attacked by police trying to disperse protesters Sunday.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is vowing to remain on the job, despite the violent demonstrations against his government.

Security is tight on Constitution Avenue, Pakistan’s main political artery, where the nation’s major state institutions, including Parliament and the Supreme Court, are located.

Protesters again

M German federal chancellor Angela Merkel, arrives for a press meeting, as part of a European Union summit yesterday at the EU Headquarters in Brussels. Photo: AFP

threatened to march on the prime minister’s house in Islamabad, as they did Saturday.

Sharif has failed to negotiate a solution with the protesters and last week asked the military for help brokering an end to the crisis.

About 450 people have been injured in clashes, according to the Pakistan Institute of Medical

Sciences and Polytechnic Hospital.

Pakistan’s defense minister defended the use of tear gas.

“Tear gas is a normal practice undertaken all over the world to disperse a crowd. It is something that is an alternative to using force,” Minister Khawaja Asif said. “The situation had precipitated to a point that if action had

and armed volunteers have broken through the Islamic State group siege on the town of Amerli lo-

cated between Baghdad, and the northern city of Kirkuk.

Iraqi forces and the

A lucky few residents of Amerli being evacuated in Iraqi military helicopters

not been taken then it would have been a free fall for the government.”

At least 8,000 people have rallied in the city’s center after allegations of vote-rigging during last year ’s election.

Negotiations between Sharif’s government and his opponents, some of whom are calling for his resignation, have reached an impasse.

a r m e d volunteers entered the city on Sunday, where at leat 12,000 people have been trapped for over two months with dwindling food and water.

“Our forces entered Amerli and broke the siege,” security spokesman Lieutenant General Qassem Atta told the AFP news agency.

On Saturday, the US military attacked Islamic State positions and airdropped humanitarian aid to the trapped civilians, mostly Shia Turkmen minority.

Reports on Sunday said more aid was dropped from British, French and Australian planes.

Putin wants statehood for eastern Ukraine

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USSIAN President Vladimir Putin has called for talks to discuss “statehood” for eastern Ukraine.

He said the issue needed to be discussed to ensure the interests of local people “are definitely upheld”.

RITISH-born jihadists in Iraq and Syria could be temporarily banned from returning to the UK under plans being considered by the government.

The BBC understands UK nationals suspected of being involved in terror acts would be allowed to keep their British citizenship. But they would be prevented from re-entering the UK for a period of time.

David Cameron will set out plans to counter the threat posed by Islamic State militants to MPs on Monday. At least 500 people from the UK are thought to have gone to fight in Syria, although ministers say they do not know the exact number.

The number of people arrested in the UK for Syriarelated activity stands at 69, according to a recent briefing by senior police officers.

Libya: Armed faction takes over U.S. embassy in Tripoli

Iraq breaks Islamic State siege of Amerli G OVERNMENT forces mainly composed of Kurdish Peshmerga fighters

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His comments came after the EU gave Russia a one-week ultimatum to reverse course in Ukraine or face sanctions.

Russia denies Western accusations that its forces illegally crossed into eastern Ukraine to sup-

port separatists there.

“Russia cannot stand aside when people are being shot at almost at point blank,” he added, describing the rebels’ actions as “the natural reaction of people who are defending their rights”.

He dismissed the EU’s

threat of further sanctions, accusing the EU of “backing a coup d’etat” in Ukraine.

The West, Mr Putin said, should have foreseen Russia’s reaction to the situation, adding it was impossible to predict how the crisis would end.

EMBERS of a Libyan militia have taken over an annex of the U.S. embassy in Tripoli but have not broken into the main compound where the United States evacuated all of its staff last month, U.S. officials said yesterdaya.

A YouTube video showed the breach of the vacated diplomatic facility by an armed group from the northwestern city of Misrata, with dozens of fighters seen crowding around a swimming pool and some diving in from the balcony of a nearby building.It was not immediately known how close the annex, apparently made up of diplomatic residences, is to the embassy itself.Libya has been rocked by the worst factional violence since the 2011 fall of Muammar Gaddafi, and a Misrata-led alliance, part of it which is Islamist-leaning, now controls the capital.

China denies Hong Kong full democracy

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HINA has endorsed a framework for the first direct election in Hong Kong in two years, but stopped short of allowing citizens of the special administrative region from directly nominating candidates, which activists have been demanding.

The National People’s Congress Standing Committee decided on Sunday that the city’s next Chief Executive will be elected by popular vote in 2017, “upon nomination by a ‘broadly representative’ committee”, the official news agency Xinhua reported.

S/Africa tackles Lesotho coup crisis

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ESOTHO’s Deputy Prime Minister Mothet Joa Metsing says he has been invited to South Africa for talks after an alleged coup sent the country’s prime minister fleeing to the same country.

“It is through the invitation of the South African president,” Metsing told the AFP news agency about the planned meeting, adding that he did not have information about the agenda nor who else would attend.

Metsing has taken charge of the government after Prime Minister Thomas Thabane fled the country, accusing the army of staging a coup, a minister said on Sunday, according to the Reuters news agency.

Israel shoots down drone near Syrian border

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SRAEL has shot down an unmanned aerial ve hicle that entered Israeli airspace near the Syrian border on Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces confirmed.

The drone was destroyed by a Patriot surface-toair missile over Quneitra in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, IDF spokesman Lt. Col. Peter Lerner said.

“In spite of the IDF’s sensitivity to recent occurrences in the proximity of the border, we have repeatedly stated that we will respond to any breach of Israel’s sovereignty and will continue to act to maintain safety and security to the civilians of the State of Israel,” Lerner added.

Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2014 —47

Infant seeks N2.4m for corrective heart surgery T

BY GABRIEL OLAWALE

HE prayer of every couple is the blessing of the fruit of the womb.

When this prayer was answered for the family of Henry and Oluchi Mekwunye, and Master Emmanuel was born, little did anyone realise that he came with a health challenge.

When Emmanuel was about eight months old, the family began to notice sudden cough, loss of appetite, and continuous breathing at high frequency.

Diagnosis

This became unbearable for the family and they decided to seek medical help. It was after a chest xRay at the Lagos state University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, that it was disclosed that Emmanuel is battling with hole-in-the-heart condition known in medical parlance as tetralogy of fallot. This marked the beginning of struggle for the family.

A medical doctor explained that Tetralogy of Fallot is a condition caused by a combination of four heart defects that are present at birth. These defects, which affect the structure of the heart, cause oxygen-poor blood to flow out of the heart and into the rest of the body. Infants and children with tetralogy of Fallot usually have bluetinged skin because their blood doesn't

carry enough oxygen.

Further, it was gathered that Tetralogy of Fallot is often diagnosed during infancy or soon after. However, the condition may not be detected until later in life, depending on the severity of the defects and symptoms.

Sometimes, babies with tetralogy of Fallot have episodes called Tet spells caused by a rapid drop in the amount of oxygen in the blood. Tet spells are more common in young infants, around 2 to 4 months old.

Treatment

It was also gathered that all babies with tetralogy of Fallot need corrective surgery. Without treatment, a baby may not grow and develop properly. He or she is also at increased risk of serious complications over time, which may result in death or disability by early adulthood.

However, with early diagnosis followed by appropriate treatment, most children with the conditionlive relatively normal lives, though they'll need regular medical care and may have restrictions on exercise.

Appeal

Henry who approached Vanguard Health Features in a sober mood now hangs his hope on benevolent Nigerians. He narrated his plight.

•Emmanuel Mekwunye "My son, Emmanuel, has been diagnosed with the failing heart condition, which according to the cardiologist is due to a hole in his heart and other complications.

Emmanuel is presently on admission at the hospital and has been on oxygen support since the complications worsened. “He has been referred to a hospital in Dubai where we were told to raise N3 million. Presently after selling some of my things combined with my savings, I have being able to raise N600,000. What is left presently for the money to be completed is N2.4 million.

Emmanuel has been on oxygen for some

Eve’s Desire tackles low libido in women

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ATA from research suggests that 43 percent of women and 31 percent of men report some degree of sexual dysfunction yet it is a topic many people especially women are hesitant or embarrassed to discuss.

Sexual problems occur in adults of all ages but in women many factors can contribute to low libido, including a lack of desire, including hormonal changes, medical conditions and treatments,

depression, pregnancy, stress, and fatigue.

Boredom with regular sexual routines also may contribute to a lack of enthusiasm for sex, as can lifestyle factors, such as careers and the care of children.

Fortunately, most cases of sexual dysfunction are treatable, as it was highlighted last week during the Pharmacy Week of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN, Lagos state branch.

In a presentation at the event Managing

FROM LEFT: Managing Director, Sylken Limited, Mr. Uche Nwana; Chairman, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN, Lagos State Branch, Mr. Gbenga Olubowale; Marketing Manager, Sylken Ltd., Mrs. Maryjoe Ihejirika and Registrar, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, PCN, Mr. Elijah Mohammed, at the presentation of Adam's and Eve's Desire in Lagos.

Director, Sylken Limited, Mr. Uche Nwana decried the culture of silence around the problem in Nigeria.

“Low libido is a common problem among women, in terms of sexual performance and it often affects marriages because those affected don’t speak out. It is actually a family affair.

“We are here to carry out a campaign on breaking the silence around low libido and to highlight the facts surrounding this issue. That is why we are targeting couples.

It is essential for the man to be carried along even though there is already a product in the market specifically designed for men, but because of the yearning of the women, we brought in to introduce another natural libido boosting supplement called Nature’s Field Eve’s Desire, Eve’s Desire to take care of women’s issues.

Earlier, the Marketing Manager, Sylken Ltd., Mrs. Maryjoe Ihejirika who gave an educational talk on management of sexual dysfunction and role of dietary supplement said most women cannot speak out about sexual dysfunction due to cultural values.

“This formulation to improve the issues of sexual dysfunction. Some women have cases of poor libido, poor vaginal lubrication and inability to attain orgasm. The role of supplements is to aid achievement of these three vital aspects for good sexual function.

“We went into a formulatuion, that has every thing to aid sexual happiness. It is to keep the home and let not our women suffer in silence without speaking out,” she affirmed.

weeks now to aid his breathing."

A Consultant at the Department of Paediatrics at LASUTH, Dr. Barakat Animashaun, is convinced that Emmanuel's ailment is curable.

But Emmanuel "Since the hospital lacks the facility for the surgery, it was agreed that Emmanuel should be taken to Rak Hospital in Ras Al-Khaimh, United Arab Emirates for the treatment, which would cost N3.0 million.

Emmanuel’s mother, Oluchi, who burst into tears as she bemoaned her family's helplessness, said: "I know if my son is not treated with utmost urgency, it may affect other organs in his body.

She expressed worry that he has rapidly lost weight.

“His tongue and lips have turned black. Each time he coughs, he throws up. I have no job, let alone bank savings.

How are we going to raise such money since we have nothing to put on sale?

“My only child is my life; God, please help me," she lamented.

Henry is an employee of a chemical company in Lagos struggling to make ends meet. The family is looking up to well-meaning Nigerians, government and non-governmental organisations for help.

If you are moved to assist, kindly contact 08028828518, 08183027367 or send donations to Emmanuel Obinna Mekwunye, Access Bank Plc, No: 0690421712.

WHO road map on Ebola

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S the total cases of Ebola in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and Nigeria stand at 3,069, including 1,552 deaths the World Health Organisation has issued a road map to scale up international response to the Ebola outbreak in the sub region.

The aim is to stop ongoing Ebola transmission worldwide within 6–9 months, while rapidly managing the consequences of any further international spread. It also recognises the need to address, in parallel, the outbreak’s broader socioeconomic impact.

48—Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMPER 1, 2014

Confab report is the only thing that can save Nigeria — Olu Falae •PDP/APC two sides of the same coin •Plans alliance with Osoba, others to form alternative to PDP, APC

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HIEF Olu Falae, a former Secretary to the Federal Government led the Southwest delegation to the just concluded National Conference. In this interview, the former presidential candidate of the defunct All People’s Party, APP, explains how and why the confab succeeded. He debunks insinuations that the conference was influenced by external forces. Speaking on ways the outcome of the exercise can be implemented, the former Finance Minister says it should be subjected to a referendum. Excerpts:

Belt but it is considered to be part of the North. We knew that delegates from these states plus the southern region would command a very size able majority at the conference.

If that was carefully managed, we would be able to get through most of the things that were important, provided of course we succeeded in putting together a consensus programme. So building the consensus package was the main task that we had.

Despite all the threats and negative press statements by some people and interviews, not once did we have any walk out, not once did we have any division. There were plenty of shouting and rowdy sessions but when it came to the votes, the ayes had it on most of the occasions. All the time, it was voice votes.

By Dapo Akinrefon

W

HILE the n a t i o n a l conference lasted, what were your fears?

Let me be honest with you, I never had any fears.

Why? What was I to fear? Was it fear that the conference might break up? Or fear that we would not be able to achieve any result? I never had any fear.

Beyond the uncertainty that surrounds a new venture or

•Falae: The Confab was a huge success and bringing into reality the prediction that Nigeria will disintegrate about this time.

So, in the light of all that, I never felt that there was any real danger of the conference crumbling.

How were you able to

,

Jonathan never approached me or anybody to give him a third term

undertaking, there is no absolute certainty until it is achieved. Beyond that, I had no additional fear. I felt within me that nobody would really want to wreck or ruin that conference because most of us know that Nigeria was and is still in a bad shape. The conference holds out, perhaps the only possible way out of that predicament.

Therefore, to sabotage or destroy the conference, would mean more or less Nigeria committing suicide

,

resolve the contentious issues that faced the conference?

Well, I think the most contentious issue was the issue of what would constitute a valid decision. Would it be two thirds majority or seventy five per cent as some people wanted it to be. That was very contentious. First of all I felt, along with many others, that the conventional method that is decisive, even in our constitution, is two thirds majority.

We felt two thirds majority was enough to make a matter acceptable to the whole country and there were others, especially from the core north, who felt it should be 75 per cent (but) we felt that percentage was unusual and unnecessarily excessive.

The debate went back and footpath and finally the leadership of the conference invited some of us into discussions and there, we were able to insist on consensus. I in particular, insisted that it should be consensus and that if we failed to reach a consensus, we should be locked up in a room until we reached a consensus. In a family, you vote because there will be winners and losers and the losers would feel uncomfortable.

However, we finally agreed on 70 per cent. Many people felt that would be difficult to achieve but I did not think so because I am an active member of the Southern Nigeria Peoples Assembly which came into existence in the last three years. We felt

there were problems peculiar to the South and there was need for us to meet from time to time to discuss those issues.

Finally, we were able to agree to form the Southern Nigeria Peoples Assembly with headquarters in Uyo, Akwa Ibom. All that was happening before the conference idea surfaced.

By the time the conference was announced, the three southern zones had been able to achieve a considerable degree of rapport. We were bonding together and we discovered that some of our problems were similar. So it was easy therefore to harmonise our programmes before going to the conference.

That meant we would have a solid group that would back whatever issues that would be canvassed at the conference.

We also knew that the number of delegates from the South would not be sufficient to achieve whatever we wanted to achieve.

So we reached out to the North, they call it the Middle-

Would you say that the conference was a success?

It was a huge success. Before we went, Tinubu said it was unnecessary and that it was a jamboree. Later, some people from his party said we were going to the conference to cook up a third term for Jonathan, which I said in an interview to be an insult.

Jonathan never approached me or anybody to give him a third term. What should I be doing a job for which I was not invited? In any case, at my age, how can I be part of an action that would amount to a violation of the constitution and something that is anti democratic?

Was there any external influence?

I say to you as a Christian that not once did I have the slightest indication that anybody was trying to influence anyone. The president left us to do our work. Even when the issue of 70 per cent was becoming problematic, the president asked us to resolve it among ourselves.

When the leadership of the conference tried to get his support on what to do, he said if the ground cannot resolve

Continues on page 50

Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2014 — 49

50—Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMPER 1, 2014

Continues from page 48

to me, it is a mystery. I suspect there is a conspiracy of silence.

In other words, it will not surprise me if Boko Haram has collaborators among the leadership of the Northern part of Nigeria. I am surprised also that since the western powers said they were gong to help, we have since not found the girls. I am surprised that nothing has happened, there is an eerie silence about it, really it is a puzzle.

the problems of Nigeria, then there was no future. He said if he could solve the problems, then why did he invite us?

Everybody now agrees that the government did not set up the conference to achieve any particular objective and that the government never tried to influence us on any issue. They never tried it, not once.

Is it true that the Southwest was unable to push for its agenda owing to disagreement among the delegates from the region?

Not at all. We achieved most items on the agenda. We did not achieve two things. We wanted regionalism, but the committee that dealt with the matter, the Restructuring Committee, was opposed to it.

Why? Because there was opposition from all over Nigeria. Both the core North and the Middle-Belt do not want regions because they felt that would return them back to Kaduna. In the Southeast, Ebonyi said they were not returning to Enugu. Rivers State also said they were not interested in the idea. In the southwest, there were some initial resistance but it was later abandoned.

So it was clear that the overwhelming majority was against regionalism, however, I want to say that we still got 75 per cent of all that we wanted. Having prevented us from getting the region, they were ready to give us any other thing we wanted. If you ask me, I would say that it was probably a better approach.

You can see now that we did not get regionalism not because there was disagreement in the southwest delegation, but because the rest of Nigeria was not prepared.

There were those who saw the idea of a region as a signal that the Yorubas wanted to leave Nigeria and once we leave, Nigeria will disintegrate. I say we will be last to leave Nigeria because we have no other country, we have made huge sacrifices for Nigeria. If we leave this country, where are we going to?

Was there a point that some of the governors that were opposed to the conference made attempts to influence or sabotage the conference?

I am not aware. If there was, I am not aware. I did my job and I got cooperation from everybody.

How optimistic are you that the outcome of the

What signal is the recent take over of some northern communities

by Boko Haram sending?

It means it is another ISIS, they want to take over and set up another Taliban type of government like what ISIS is trying to do in northern Iraq and Syria. It is left for us to move quickly and eradicate these people before they become too difficult to handle.

•Falae

PDP/APC two sides of the same coin – Falae conference will be implemented?

Let me tell you first of all that what I believe is that in life everybody or group has an assignment. We had our own assignment and by the grace of God, we have done it. If the report does not exist, there will be nothing to implement, so we have taken an essential first step by giving Nigeria a consensus document. It contains measures, which I believe if well implemented, will change Nigeria forever.

Will it be implemented? No one can say for sure because until it happens, nothing is certain. However, I believe there is an excellent chance that it will be implemented.

Why? First of all, everybody has something for him or for her in that report. Each state can have its own constitution, its own police force, can have its own prison service, can create its own local governments and in addition, in the economic domain, solid minerals that had been the exclusive preserve of the federal government since

independence, have now been brought to the concurrent list.

States can now create employment and develop their own states.

With all that, it liberates everybody, it opens up the political domain for people to develop themselves. Why should anybody go and sabotage the implementation of such a potentially beneficial report? In any case, I see this report as the only positive thing that is happening in our country today. This is something positive and beneficial that can guarantee our stability, prosperity and create jobs for our people and also make the state government less dependent on federal revenue.

For these reasons, in a rational and reasonable society, I expect that there will be enthusiasm in wanting to implement the report.

I believe that the president who set up the conference, wanted change and in his closing remarks, he made it plain that the people of Nigeria and the National Assembly should be involved in implementing the report.

People have asked does it mean he will send the report to the National Assembly? I do not think so because contained in the report as recommendations. We are not a committee of the National Assembly that will report to the National Assembly. I don’t think the president has the powers to approve everything we have done. Clearly, our recommendations are to the people of Nigeria and the way to get them to approve the report is to arrange a referendum.

If the referendum approves these recommendations, then that becomes the approved drafting instructions to a new constitution.

Away from the national conference, what is your take in the ultimatum given to President Goodluck Jonathan over the abducted Chibok girls?

I don’t get involved in such matters. President Jonathan is the one who knows how to deal with the ultimatum given to him. If you want to know my views about the Chibok girls,

What should Nigerians expect from your party, the Social Democratic Party? Are you forming an alliance?

There is an alliance, I am going to Abuja on Wednesday to sign the Memorandum of Understanding with a number of parties like PRP, Hope.

Accord Party has been participating in the discussions, I hope they will sign the MOU. I have spoken with the chairman of APGA, he is interested in the alliance and not a merger.

The National Conscience Party of late Gani Fawehinmi have been part and parcel of the discussions and there were several parties that were deregistered who will collapse into the alliance. It is an alliance of parties, civil society organisations and important individuals.

I can mention Chief Segun Osoba, former governor of Ogun State, he has participated in the discussions. We believe that if we are able to bring it up together and formally, we can then present ourselves as the third alternative. We want to present ourselves as the credible alternative to the PDP and APC. I believe if we are able to do that, we will do fairly well in the next elections.

We are offering ourselves as the credible alternative because it is our view that the PDP and APC are two sides of the same coin. They have the same rigging tradition, thieving tradition and so, Nigerians should regard them as two sides of the same coin.

Nigerians now need an alternative in terms of morality, corruption, centrality of the wealth of the people in the affairs of government, this is what we represent. The difference is clear. We will make it clearer still as we unveil ourselves.

Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2014 — 51

52 — Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2014 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 TAURUS: You’ll tend to become both creative and persuasive to the administration of others. Then those who’ve been resisting secret love may slip suddenly and become excited.

GEMINI: Even if opposition persists, supports you are getting from the influential people will be enough to see you through. Yet, the more cooperative you are the better.

CANCER: Your creativity quotient within your working arena will today be enhanced. You’ll be blamed if you keep official issues secrets from your challenges at work.

LEO: After a few tension soaked days, you’ll have the needed opportunity to look through windows of the world and have your way as well. Magnetic and/or magic days is predicted for lovers today.

VIRGO: Even if you continue to work under pressure via increased workload, you will have good results to show for your efforts today. Be steadfast.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

B

IOLOGICALLY speaking, life is simply possessing the ability to breath, to talk, to laugh, to walk, to eat, to see, to touch etc. It is being able to do

What Is Life? — 1 anything associated with life and living.

It is a fact of s o m e o n e ’ s existence.

Everyday we wake up in the morning we go to

TERROR MUDA

work, go to our offices, or go to the market and at the end of the day we close from whatever we are doing and go back to home.

in “Never say goodbye”

That’s life for you.

Just as we come back home after day ’s work, we should also have it at the back of our mind that one day we will die and go back home to our Creator to whom we will render account.

By Lanre Kehinde

LIBRA: Promise made to genuine personalities should be kept if not because of today but for better tomorrow. Be reasonable and clean.

SCORPIO: Those of you willing to let go hard feelings at work are for a progressive day to the betterment of your finances. Let go yesterday, move ahead.

SAGITTARIUS: Once again, you’ll have the needed opportunity to assert yourself to the administration of others.

Both love and financial success can be yours with efforts.

Reason with your tried and trusted friends.

CAPRICORN: You can make it a successful day with positive approach on your part. You will be in a better position to defuse tension within your working arena. Try to be more ambitious.

AQUARIUS Yes! You’re not scared a bit even, when opposition and/or competition come your way but, if you give in to diplomatic approach, you’ll fare better today.

PISCES: Pressure that came your way suddenly will give way unexpectedly, today, to the betterment of your course.

The more financially ambitious you are today, the better for you. Be steadfast.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

ARIES: You sincerely believe in intelligent argument or discussion. And if you allow your ability to be diplomatic come to play today, you’ll be better for it. Enjoy your love life.

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send yyour our dat th ttoo the As tr ological datee and place of bir birth Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007,

What’s my Horoscope?

Dear Joshua, Kindly tell me how the planets lined up when I was born and the day of the week I was born but don’t publish my date of birth.. Please tell me my full horoscope Anonymous. Nigeria Dear Anonymous You were born on a Sunday.

YOUR HOROSCOPE DATA Day of Birth = Sunday Sun Sign = Scorpio. Sun in Zero Degree of Scorpio Moon Sign = Libra: Moon in 5th Degree of Libra Mercury in 12th Degree of Scorpio Venus in Zero Degree of Sagittarius Mars in 1st Degree of Aquarius Jupiter in 29th Degree of Cancer Saturn in 10th Degree of Scorpio Uranus in 27th Degree of Cancer Neptune in 25th Degree of Libra Pluto in 26th Degree of Leo North Node in 8th Degree of Capricorn South Node in 8th Degree of Cancer No planet in earth spar sign, one in available, two in fire, three in air, four in cardinal, fixed and water star signs hosted five planets each.

PHYSICAL INFLUENCE = 50% NON-PHYSICAL INFLUENCE =50% PLANET AT HOME = NONE ANALYSIS OF THE HOROSCOPE DATA You are both an intelligent and emotional person. And as there was planet at home when you were born, too many ideas will always struggle for prominent place in your mind, thus decision making is difficult but most times, your intelligence comes to the rescue.

Certainly, you appear to other as a gentle person who can be mistaken for soft fellow but your inner-self is the personality with a steel like will power.

You are the consistent type who may find it difficult to change once you have made up your mind as indicated by distribution of the planets as written out in paragraph two of this exercise.

One major challenge you have been battling for a very long time is constant worries, some times, necessarily and the other time, uncalled for, as indicated by conjunction Mercury and Saturn formed when you were born.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

V anguard anguard,, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2014 — 53

Vanguard CLASSIFIED OYIBOCHA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Edith O. Oyibocha, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Edith O. Etadafe. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IKRUMALE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss I k r u m a l e Ogheneluevware Okeme, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Uzezi Ogheneluevware Okeme. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

SALIU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Saliu Modupe Brenda, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Alabi Modupe Brenda. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NJOKU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Gladys Akudo Njoku, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Gladys Akudo Ironali. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NDUKA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nduka Adaku, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Aririatu Francisca Adaku. All former documents remain valid.

Federal Polytechnic Auchi and the general public please take note.

OMOVEH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Joyce Oke Omoveh, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Joyce Omeresan Martey. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AY O B A H A N — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Success Ayobahan now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Success K . O. O m o d a m w e n (Nee Ayobahan). All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OMU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Omu Adueyomamebe Oghenefego, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. O n o v i r a k p o Adueyomamebe Oghenefego.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

MODUM—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Modum Uche Ifeoma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Uche Ifeoma ModumPietzsch. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

MOYE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Moye Loveth Chukwudumebi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Odebala Loveth Chukwudumebi. All former documents remain valid.

National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and general public please take note.

AVRUKPERE — I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Avr ukpere Faith Ojiyovwi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Faith Eruke-Ituru. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKATO—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okato Uwomakomai Arvins, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Odele Uwomakomai Arvins. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

G O R D O N — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Gordon Chinonye Oghenetega, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Enateri Chinonye Oghenetega.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

O K A F O R — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Grace Ngozi Okafor, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Grace Ngozi Okpala. All former documents remain valid. Faculty Of Hymanities, Abia State University Uturu and general public please take note.

ILIBOKUN—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Malvis Omamuzo Ilibokun, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Malvis Omamuzo Edema. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

JOHN—I, formerly known and addressed as John Ojo Omorovbiye, now wish to be known and addressed as Ojo Jennifer Omorovbiye.

All former documents remain valid. Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi and general public please take note.

AKPOH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Sylvia Ononhinosen Akpoh, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Sylvia O n o n h i n o s e n Idierukevbe. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ADOGHOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Stella Omamoke Adoghor, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Stella Omamoke Aphirhevwe. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

FATUNLA—We, for merly known and addressed as Fatunla Olajire Olalekan, Fatunla Precious Amen, Fatunla Elijah Olafimihan, Fatunla Lemuel Eniola, now wish to be known and addressed as Jordan Olajire Olalekan, Jordan Precious A., Jordan Elijah Olafimihan, Jordan Lemuel Eniola. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

UBANI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Kelechi Cynthia Ubani, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Kelechi Cynthia Orhoevwri. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OVIRY—I, formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Siker’Oghene Favour Oviry, now wish to be known and addressed as Princess Siker ’Oghene Hephzibah Favour Okpalefe. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OSERI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oseri Beauty Akpovire, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ekah Beauty Akpovire. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

O KO R O K PA — I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Okorokpa Faith Omorherere, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Eseoghene Faith Omorherere. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

B E N S O N — I , formerly known and addressed as Benson Sonia Ejiro, now wish to be known and addressed as Ileleji Sonia Ejiro. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

IGBUYA —I, Igbuya Diemi Esther, formerly known as Akpotor Diemi Esther, wish to be known and address as Igbuya Diemi Esther. All documents bearing my name remain valid. General public please take note.

O R U N G B E M I —I , formerly known and addressed as Miss Ayodamola Odun Orungbemi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ayodamola Odun Olanrewaju.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

ONUADOR—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Onuador Goodness Kelechi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ibeakalam Goodness Kelechi. All former documents remain valid.

Nursing Council of Nigeria, Imo State University, Owerri and general public please take note.

PIPPAH—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Evelyn Ogheneochuko Pippah, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Evelyn Ogheneochuko Nwabueze. All former documents remain valid. U.S Embassy and the general public please take note.

UZOMA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Uzoma Leticia Ngozi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Meregini Leticia Ngozi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OBIMMA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Obimma Helen Onyemaechi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oyibo Helen Onyemaechi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

NLEMCHUKWU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Uchechi Justina Nlemchukwu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. O s e m e k e Chukwunwike Justina Uchechi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IGBINI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Onome Igbini, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onome Emejor. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKEKE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Blessing Chinyere Okeke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chinyere Blessing Ahiakwo. All former documents remain valid. Federal College of Education Technical, Omoku and the general public please take note.

MOHAMMED—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Marian Mohammed, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Marian Akpoteheri. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AKPOILI—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Akpoili Tina Ereremena, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oboro Tina .E. Akpoili.

All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

OKEKE—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Doris Ogochukwu Okeke, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Doris Ogochukwu Okeke. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AWOSIKA—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Omolara Tomike Awosika, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Omolara Tomike Coker. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

IWEGBU—I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Iwegbu Nnebuife Helen, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Efetobo Nnebuife Helen. All former documents remain valid. Delta State University Abraka, Delta State Sports Commission, Asaba and the general public please take note.

VANGUARD'S LAGOS OFFICE YOU CAN B O O K Y O U R A D V E R T S AT OU R L A G O S I S L A N D O F FI C E : VA N G U A R D M E D I A L I M I T E D (LAGOS OFFICE) K I O S K 4 8 , E A S T PAV I L I O N TBS, LAGOS.

54 — Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2014

Serena: Wo m e n able to play five sets

Mourinho hails Costa

F

OLLOWING a tough 63, 63 win over lefty Varvara Lepchenko in the US Open third round, tournament top seed Serena Williams admitted that she’s more than open to having women play best-of-5 set

C

HELSEA manager Jose Mourinho hailed Diego Costa as the complete striker after his side’s 6-3 Premier League win over Everton but is concerned opponents will try to get the Spain international sent off. Brazil-born Costa scored twice in a thrilling match at Goodison Park to take his tally to four goals in three games, and maintained Chelsea’s winning start to the season.

“It was the complete performance of a striker,” Mourinho said. “The perfect performance in every aspect. “In the first half he was tackling, he recovers balls, he holds the ball, and his movement was quality.

Everything was really good.

“Diego had three chances and he scored two goals. He is a good finisher and he gives us a lot. In the end we are killers in attack.”

Leicester hold Arsenal

Djokovic gives singer the spotlight ling’s 9-year-old daugh-

L

EONARDO Ulloa’s second goal in successive home games gave Leicester a deserved point against Arsenal.

Alexis Sanchez turned in his first Arsenal league goal from close range after Yaya Sanogo had bundled the ball past keeper Kasper Schmeichel.

But Nigel Pearson’s promoted side were soon level as Argentine Ulloa climbed above Laurent Koscielny to head in.

Remy signs for Chelsea

C

HELSEA have completed the signing of Loic Remy from QPR on a four-year contract.

The France international striker has put pen to paper on a deal until the summer of 2018, after Chelsea activated a £10.5million release clause in the 27-year-old’s contract.

C M Y K

matches at the Slams.

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: We don’t mind playing five sets,” Serena said. “We’ve offered to play five sets. The tournaments don’t want us to play five sets. We’re ready, willing, and able to play five sets.”

•Diego Costa

Liverpool outclass Tottenham 3-0

M

ARIO BALO TELLI impressed on his Liverpool debut but it was fellow new boy Alberto Moreno who netted a stunner.

The £12m left-back stripped Andros Townsend of the ball and ran from his own half before rifling into the bottom corner.

His second-half strike Liverpool’s third - inflicted yet more home misery on Spurs.

They were smashed 5-0 the last time the two sides met at White Hart Lane and the Kop were well worth their convincing win again.

Raheem Sterling netted an opener in the first half but they could have had more through Balotelli.

N

OVAK Djoko vic used some of his spotlight as the world’s top tennis player to let another light shine.

Djokovic, who often stays during the U.S. Open at the home of friend Gordon Uehling, ended his post-match news conference Saturday by inviting Ueh-

•Djokovic

ter up to the lectern next to him.

“If you don’t mind, this is a first-time experience for my dear friend, Zia,” Djokovic told reporters after his straight-set victory over Sam Querrey.

“She’s a musician. She’s a prodigy, a future star and this is a very valuable experience for her. So please do ask one question.”

Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2014 — 55

Musa nets double in CSKA’s big win A

HMED Musa, re paid the faith shown by CSKA Moscow manager, Leonid Slutsky, to play him as a centre forward by scoring twice in Sunday’s Russia Premier League match against FC Rostov.

Musa’s goals helped the Moscow club to a 60 rout of FC Rostov inside the Arena Khimki.

The former Kano Pillars winger scored the first of his two goals in the 52nd minute after Bebras Natcho had given CSKA the lead just before the break.

The 21-year-old, for his first goal, struck the ball powerfully with his right foot from outside of the box to the bottom right corner of Stipe Pletikosa in goal for FC Rostov.

Seven minutes later, Musa made the scoreline 4-0 in favour of CSKA after Natcho got the third in the 54th minute.

Musa’s second goal of the day was from close range when he hit the ball down the centre of FC Rostov’s goal from Mario Fernandes’s cross.

Roman Eremenko and Natcho scored CSKA’s fifth and sixth goals to complete the humiliation of FC Rostov as Musa made way for Vitinho in between the goals.

BY JUDE OPARA, Abuja

A

new club named after President Goodluck Jonathan has been registered to compete in the 2014/2015 season of the Nigeria Nation Wide League.

Proprietor of the club Barr. Chukwuemeka Kanu told journalists in Abuja that the registration of GEJ FC was done after some supporters and admires of President Jonathan decided to float the team to reciprocate the efforts of the present administration in the development of sports and football in particular in the country.

Kanu further argued that going by the support of the President for sports development, many young Nigerians have been provided with job opportunities, stating that with the advent of the GEJ FC, more talented youths would have sustainable means of livelihood.

According to him, the

Utaka scores as Turkish club lose at home all stakeholders say remains the only genuine election to the various offices of the Nigeria Football Federation.

•Erstwhile NFF President, Aminu Maigari, we gathered may not stand for re-election as the race to the Glass House would be between Shehu Dikko, Chris Giwa, Delta FA Chairman, Melvin Amaju Pinnick and Mainasara Iloh. Pinnick’s entry into the race may also bring about peace to the troubled football house as many stakeholders have been clamouring for a candidate with proven track records.

Amaju had indeed got sponsors to scramble for all programs of the Delta FA without resorting for money from the State Government unlike other state FAs.

team which is domiciled in Abuja the federal capital will however recruit its players from all the six geo-political zones of the country adding that it will set up academies and training camps in all the six geopolitical zones of the country to serve as its feeder teams.

“We are determined to guide the GEJ FC to the elite division as soon as we start from the nationwide league season of 2014/2015. Already the team is registered with the NFF and for a start we are going to have 25 players who will be the pioneer players and I want to assure you that this team will measure up against any other of its kind anywhere in the world” Kanu assured.

He also said that while the team will be camping in a four star hotel at the moment, efforts are in top gear to complete the construction of its permanent camp which he said is situated at the outskirts of Abuja, the Nigerian capital.

Igbokwe wants Giwa to vacate office

•Musa

Football crisis Continues from BP 1 if Nigeria do not want to risk a ban.

•‘’We will not recognise the outcome of the Giwa elections and should there still be persons claiming to have been elected and occupying the NFF offices at midnight on Monday September 1 2014, we will bring the case to the appropriate FIFA body for sanctions which may include the suspension of the NNF, the FIFA letter read.

•Though Chris Giwa remains resolute to see out his mandate which he described as an act of God, Sports Vanguard gathered that Sports Minister Tammy Danagogo may play the joker by telling him to tarry and try out his luck in the elections of September 4 which FIFA and

GEJ FC comes alive in Abuja

J

OHN Utaka scored on the opening day of the Turkish league season but his club Sivasspor fell 2-1 at home to Gaziantepspor.

Utaka opened scoring in the 52nd minute for the club handled by former Brazil great Roberto Carlos, before the visitors netted twice late on to win the game.

Last season, the 32year-old Utaka overcame a long-term groin injury to score nine goals in 21 matches for Sivasspor, who placed a decent

fifth in the Turkish top flight.

HAIRMAN of N F F D i s c i p l i n a r y Committee and Secretary of South

Obudu mountain race gets Nov.8 date

T

HE Local Organis ing Committee for the Obudu international mountain race and the African mountain running championships has announced Saturday November 8, 2014 for this year ’s two-in-one race.

Yobo Continues from BP Joseph Yobo successfully served Fenerbahce. The Football Federation of Turkey has brought about the restriction of foreign players as mandatory as of today so our paths (with

C

Yobo) is separated. Fenerbahçe Sports Club Board of Directors on Sunday, 31 August, 2014 before a match will reward Joseph Yobo with a plaque of appreciation,” Fenerbahce stated on their official website.

Speaking at the end of its meeting in Calabar at the weekend, the State Commissioner for Youth & Sports,Patrick Ugbe who is also the vice Chairman of the LOC revealed that this year ’s race will be unique.

‘The 10th edition of the annual Obudu international mountain race and the sixth African mountain running championships will hold on Saturday November 8 at the Obudu ranch resort in Obudu,’began Ugbe who has been a strong part of the race since its inaugural edition in 2005.

East football s t a k e h o l d e r s conference, Barrister Iyke Igbokwe has called on all Nigerians to prevail on Chris Giwa to immediately vacate the NFF Secretariat.

Igbokwe argued that Giwa was illegally elected and should give way to the genuine President of the Nigeria Football Federation which election comes up in Abuja on September 4. ‘’Nigerians should ask Chris Giwa who elected him. This is because 39 out of 44 voting delegates such as the Nigeria Referees, Coaches Association, Players Union, the Nigerian major leagues(4) and 33 state football Association who should vote in any NFF board election, are saying that they did not elect him. Who then elected Giwa?’’, Igbokwe asked.

VANGUARD, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2014

Fenerbahce part ways with Yobo F ORMER skipper of the Super Eagles, Joseph Yobo, is now a free agent from Turkish Super Lig club, Fenerbahce confirmed that he has been released.

The club claims it parted ways with the defender, because of restriction in the number of foreign players.

Yobo is now expected to be honoured at Fener’s first game of the season against Karabukspor.

“Since the 2010-2011 season, Nigerian player

Football crisis:

Continues on page 55

FIFA's deadline expires today •Mainasara

•Danagogo may intervene •Dikko, Amaju, Mainasara, Giwa fight for NFF Presidency

T

•Danagogo body, through a letter signed by Jerome Val-

•Amaju cke, had warned that Giwa-led executive

•Giwa

RESULTS

BY TONY UBANI HERE are very strong indications that Sports Minister Tammy Danagogo may waive off the impending FIFA hammer that looms over Nigerian football by midnight today if Chris Giwa refuses to vacate office by midnight. The World soccer-ruling

•Yobo

•Dikko should vacate office by midnight of September Continues on page 55

EPL Aston Villa Tottenham Leicester

2 0 1

Hull Liverpool Arsenal

1 3 1

SERIE A AC Milan Atalanta

3 0

Lazio Verona

1 0

BUNDESLIGA Mainz Freiburg

0 0

Hannover 0 Mochenglabach

FRENCH LIGUE I Bordeaux Metz

1 2

Bastia Lyon

1 1

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Outcome (6) 5 Harvest (4) 8 Plunged (5) 9 Spoil (3) 10 Intelligence (4) 11 Pleasant (4) 12 Heron (5) 13 Mend (6) 16 Minus (4) 18 Unfortunately (4) 20 Wager (3) 22 Rug (3) 23 Record (3) 24 Pale (4) 25 Imitated (4) 28 Discussion (6) 30 Backbone (5) 32 Foundation (4) 33 Caribou (4) 34 Wrath (3) 35 Flat (5) 36 Fastened (4) 37 Alter (6)

DOWN 1 Observe (6) 2 Undressed (8) 3 Seed (6) 4 Appalled (9) 5 Renovation (7) 6 Revise (4) 7 Jetty (4) 8 Owing (3) 14 Rest (9) 15 Label (3) 17 Weaken (3) 19 Site (8) 20 Counter (3) 21 Enticed (7) 26 Scarcity (6) 27 Ebb (6) 29 Worry (4) 30 Only (4) 31 Fish (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 3, Leave 9, Ambler 10, Intact 11, Gaped 12, Idol 15, Loaf 17, Citadel 20, Elf 21, Regal 23, Plea 25, Solo 26, Rival 28, Sty 30, Located 33, Peer 35, Ludo 36, Teeth 38, Larder 39, Eating 40, Abort.

DOWN: 1, Magic 2, Abbot 3, Leg 4, Eraser 5, View 6, End 7, Canoe 8, Staff 13, Dispute 14, Layer 16, Allowed 18, Legal 19, Has 22, Local 24, Ail 27, Loiter 28, Spilt 29, Yearn 31, Tunic 32, Dodge 34, Herb 36, Tea 37, Hat.

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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