Oyegun, SGF, Ohanaze, others react

...towards a better life for the people

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VOL. 25: NO. 62483

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

64m Nigerians DONU KOGBARA: suffer from mental We're on top illness — Prof. Nebo of kidnap 38

APPOINTMENTS:

— Rivers CP

6

Oyegun, SGF, Ohanaeze, others react

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

•Buhari'll balance appointments — Oyegun •Our appointments not on ethnic, religious basis — SGF •Be calm, don't bicker, Ohanaeze tells Ndigbo 15

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BUJA — MORE r e a c t i o n s yesterday continued to trail the last set of appointments made by President Muhammadu Buhari, as Igbo sociocultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo called on its members to remain calm "in the present circumstance of

Continues on Page 5

Lack of fiscal directives behind current economic woes — CBN 9

Mr & Mrs SWEARING-IN—From left: Special Adviser (Media) to the President, Mr. Femi Adesina; National Security Adviser, MajorGeneral Babagana Monguno (retd); Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; President Muhammadu Buhari and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Mr. David Lawal, during the swearing-in of the SGF and two principal officers of the Presidency at the State House, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

COLUMNIST:

No social amenities, no vote, Bayelsa community tells gov See Inside C M Y K

Finishing well: The

As US college students Osoba example •P.41 return to class

•P.17

2 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, SETEMBER 1, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SETEMBER 1, 2015—3

C M Y K

4 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, SETEMBER 1, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015—5

POCKET CARTOON Senator Ita S.J. Enang as Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate) and Suleiman A. Kawu as Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives).

Buhari'll balance appointments, says Oyegun

UNITED NATIONS—Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki with Secretary General of United Nations, Ban Ki Moon at the first day of the 4th United Nations Conference for Parliamentary Heads in New York.

Appointments: Ohanaeze, SGF, Oyegun, others react Continues from page 1 unexplainable and skewed pattern of appointments which has completely excluded Ndigbo."

Also, National Chairman of the ruling APC, Chief John OdigieOyegun reassured the

nation that the President will balance the appointments in the fullness of time, saying "the balancing must happen when the political appointments are being made." This came as Secretary to the Government of the

IT'S UP TO YOU

BY AYO ADIO EVER judge a fish by is ability to climb the wall; it will spend its whole life feeling stupid.

We are all gifted in different ways but social conformity steals our uniqueness. A pregnant woman is never intimidated by the baby of another woman.

It’s up to you.

N

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

We rise by lifting others — Robert Ingersoll

T

HE moment one chooses to be pure and unclouded in all things, they become nurtured in Divine Love, and always to a gentle awakening and a fuller realization of their spirituality and connection with life. Such a person becomes fully present; this state of being is the awareness of recognizing the beauty and goodness in yourself and others. In many ways, this is what being Godlike is about.

Federation, Mr David Lawal, said his appointment and that of others "were not products of ethnic and religious sentiments."

It will be recalled that the President last Thursday appointed Mr David Lawal as Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, while he had earlier on May 31 and July 13 appointed Mr Femi Adesina and Mr Babagana Monguno as Special Adviser and National Security Adviser respectively.

Others appointed on Thursday included Alhaji Abba Kyari as Chief of Staff to the President; Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (rtd.) as new Comptroller-General, Nigerian Customs Service; Mr. Kure Martin Abeshi, ComptrollerGeneral, Nigerian Immigration Service;

National Chairman of the governing All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr John OdigieOyegun, yesterday, enjoined Nigerians not to bicker over the development, and assured that the President will balance appointments across all the geo-political regions.

He stated that most of the appointments made so far were the personal staff of the president.

Oyegun spoke, yesterday, in Abuja when he received a delegation from MBO Dynamic Support Group, led by its national coordinator, Usman Ibrahim at the party ’s national secretariat.

Speaking on the uproar generated by the appointments, Oyegun said: “There have been a lot of unfortunate misinformation and uproar against appointments at this stage. We have two sets of appointments that have taken place. One set is the personal privilege of Mr. President, as far as his personal staff are concerned.

“The other set has to do with a few important and strategic persons that are going to help him either in the fight against corruption or the fight against insurgency in the North-east, but this is not where to play the political balancing game.

These are serious appointments and the President has the right to appoint those he has confidence in because these are the areas where he has made promises to Nigerians.

“But we have thousands of political appointments and he has just made a few appointments while thousands are still waiting. The balancing must happen when the political appointments are being made but we

must not at this particular point in time, with the few appointments, say that one must be from the North, one must be from South or from the East; not at this stage.

“So, one must make that clear at this stage.

Nobody, no leader can disadvantage any part of this nation, that will not happen."

Also speaking on the anti-corruption fight of President Buhari, the national chairman stated that only the guilty would be afraid of probes.

“If a particular group has ruled for 16 years, then who is guilty of corruption? And all the fight, witch-hunting are neither here nor there.

What is important is that everybody who has a skeleton in his cupboard, is the one who has something to fear, if you do not have any skeleton in your cupboard, you go to sleep and sleep very sound but of course if you have, you will pretend and try to divert attention,” he said.

Our appointments not on ethnic, religious basis —SGF Meanwhile, the newly appointed Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Mr David Lawal, has said his appointment and others were not products of ethnic and religious sentiments.

He spoke after being sworn-in alongside the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno and the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa on Monday.

President Buhari who presided over the

swearing-in of the new appointees did not speak, but speaking to State House Correspondents later, the new SGF who represented others promised to uphold the integrity of their offices to ensure that a new Nigeria emerges under the present government.

His words: “We want to thank God for granting the President the vision, wisdom, kindness and boldness to consider us worthy for positions of responsibilities.

“We did not have to pass examination to get appointed into these positions not because of our tribes, or our faith, or our political groups that we were considered worthy for these positions.

“If it is such, I am sure none of us would have been considered worthy of these appointments.

We appreciate the President and we appreciate God who has blessed us with these privileged appointments.

“It is a privilege to serve Nigerians in these capacities at this point in time. Nigeria is at the threshold of achieving greatness and it is our honour and privilege to be senior members of the team that will propel the country to this greatness.

“We have in you and the Vice-President leaders that lead by example, leaders that are focused, whose goal is to build a Nigeria where there is liberty, security, economic prosperity and the rule of law.

“We are grateful that we are part of the team to deliver this goal.

Accept our assurances that by the grace of God, we will not fail our country, we will not fail ourselves, our families and our friends. By the grace of God, we will not fail you either. We will strive at all times to serve our country and to serve you with excellence, hard work and integrity.”

6—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

Masquerades flog pastors, worshippers in Ondo

3 killed, 121 arrested as rival cults clash in Abeokuta

By Dayo Johnson

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KURE—A Church service was reportedly disrupted by four masquerades, who flogged pastors and worshippers at Epinmi Akoko area of Ondo State, Sunday.

One of the masqueraders, Tunde Arohunmolase, was, however, arrested, while others fled.

A police source said the masqueraders invade the Christ Apostolic Church in the town while the service was ongoing. Two of the pastors were reportedly injured.

Vanguard learned that when the masqueraders arrived the church premises, they were challenged by some of the church workers, who were subsequently overpowered. While other worshippers fled, the masqueraders allegedly descended on the pastors.

Vanguard leaned that the matter was later reported at the police station, following which one of the suspects was apprehended and detectives are investigating the reason for the attack.

Man charged with stealing church's musical equipment

By Bartholomew Madukwe

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N Isolo Magistrate’s Court in Lagos has remanded in prison custody a 26-year-old man, Cheka Samuel, for allegedly stealing musical instruments belonging to a church.

Presiding Magistrate, Mrs Joy Ugbomoiko, after granting the accused bail in the sum of N50,000 with one surety in like sum, ordered that he be remanded in prison custody at Kirikiri, pending when he will perfect his bail.

However, when the charge was read to the accused, he pleaded not guilty.

During interrogation at Ajao Estate Police Division, the accused allegedly revealed that he had no intention to steal the instruments, but was compelled to do so because he did not find any money in the offering box.

By Daud Olatunji

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B E O K U T A — PANDEMONIUM broke out in some parts of Abeokuta, such as Iberekodo, Ago-Odo, Elega and Adatan yesterday, as two rival cult groups clashed, leaving three persons dead, including a newly-wedded man.

The clash, which started around 7a.m., lasted for three hours as residents and shop owners hurriedly closed their doors and stayed in-doors for hours till normalcy returned to the areas.

At the end of the clash, said to have erupted at a pub inside the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta, last Friday, three people had been killed.

Vanguard gathered that the cultists, who wore masks during the clash, severed the right palm of one Babatunde Alamutu and went away with the limb after they had mutilated the body and slashed his throat.

Investigations revealed that Alamutu was a leader of Eiye Confraternity, who was reported to have shot at a member of Aiye Confraternity. However, the bullet did not penetrate the target.

Alamutu, who was popularly known as Emir, was reportedly attacked immediately after his wedding introduction held at Elega Junction in the area.

Vanguard checks revealed that there was a reprisal attack by members of Eiye Confraternity, who stormed Ago-Odo around 7.30a.m. and reportedly killed two other persons.

One of the victims, whose name could not be ascertained at press time, was also killed in the same manner as Alamutu, while his remains was reportedly thrown into nearby Ogun River.

Security operatives

Security operatives, including men of the Department of State Services, DSS; men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, and scores of policemen, were led to the scene by Abeokuta Area Commander, Presley Dodeh, and the

Divisional Police Officer of Adatan, Ogunjobi Tolani.

The operatives, who drove into the scene in 14 Hilux vans and Armoured Personnel Carrier, APC, later raided a house believed to belong to a kingpin of Aiye, and a member of Oodua Peoples Congress, Najimu Sodolamu.

Najimu’s aged father, Musibau Sodolamu, his fourth wife, identified as Iya Azeez, and an unidentified elder sister were arrested in the process.

Three buildings at Sodolamu’s compound were completely razed, while no fewer than 10 vehicles were vandalized.

While confirming the incident, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Muyiwa Adejobi, said only one person was killed,

Remains of property after the cult war and security personnel patrolling the area. PHOTOS: Daud Olatunji. identified as Babatunde Alamutu, 32.

According to him, many people have been arrested in connection with the incident.

He said: “Altogether, we have been able to arrest more than 100 cultists between yesterday

and today (yesterday). So, we confirm that one Alamutu died during the cult clash this morning (yesterday).

“We have not ascertained the cult groups that clashed. After proper investigations, the CP is going to hold a press briefing.”

DONU KOGBARA'S KIDNAP: We're on top of the situation— River's CP

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT— ABOUT 24 hours after the abduction of Vanguard columnist, Donu Kogbara, the kidnappers are yet established contact with the family.

Sympathizers thronged her Nkpogu residence yesterday to pray with the family for her safe release. Some of the sympathizers advised against a media chat with the mother, who appeared to be an octogenarian.

They told the family that the kidnappers had not contacted the family at press time.

Meanwhile, outgoing Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Ezike, said police were already working on what he described as theories around the abduction, which he would not want to share with the public.

Ezike said the police were relying on preliminary investigation gathered when they visited the compound of the hostage.

While urging the public to assist with any useful information that could aide the police secure her release, the

police boss also enjoined the media to demonstrate ‘controlled report’ on the issue, stressing that those behind the abduction were not normal human beings.

He said: “I was with the family the other day. We have taken preliminaries from the compound; we are working on a few theories. The details we may not make public. ‘’We call for support of all and sundry and we beg for reporting that will not be hurting to her.

We call for controlled reporting.

Because we are dealing with people who take drugs. They are human beings wearing animal garment. We are on top of the situation.”

Wike reacts

Governor Nyesom Wike described the abduction as very sad, expressing hope that she would be released in good health.

The governor, who spoke through his media aide, Mr Opunabo Nko-Tariah, said security in the state was almost crippled by the long closure of courts under the previous administration, noting that he had introduced measures to

start redressing the problem.

He said with the new antikidnap law in place in the state, kidnappers would be forced to flee the state.

He said: “Government is sad over the abduction of Donu, but expressed hope that she will be released pronto and in good health. Government also believes that with the new law on kidnapping, very soon kidnappers will find the state too hot for them.”

APC laments

The All Progressive Congress, APC, in Rivers State in a statement by its state Publicity Secretary, Mr. Chris Finebone, said: “The All Progressives Congress, APC, Rivers State chapter, is in great pains over the abduction of renowned essayist, columnist, Ms Donu Kogbara last Sunday, in Port Harcourt by unknown gunmen.

“The several efforts made by the previous administration, which significantly brought criminality to its lowest ebb across the state, have now been reversed in just three months of the administration of Governor Nyesom Wike.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015—7

Man allegedly dupes policemen with fake Aderanti's Facebook account It's my elder brother; he used my account—SUSPECT

By Esther Onyegbula

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OLICEMEN attached to Lagos State Police Command have arrested a young man, identified as Agubosin Ifeanyi Friday, for allegedly impersonating the former Lagos State Commissioner of police, Mr. Kayode Aderanti.

It was gathered that the suspect allegedly set up a false Facebook account in Aderanti’s name, where he allegedly defrauded unsuspecting policemen and members of the public.

Vanguard learned that the suspect allegedly posted a bank account on the Facebook account, urging policemen who wanted to get juicy posting to pay N30,000 and N50,000, while those

seeking promotion were to pay much higher fees based on negotiation.

The Facebook page, according to a victim, also urged members of the public to part with money for petition signing and investigation of their cases.

It was learned that policemen fell for the fraud and paid the agreed money. However, the fraudulent deal was exposed when a policeman, who claimed he paid N30,000, went to report to the former police boss that he was yet to be posted.

Police investigation led to the arrest of the suspect through his bank details.

A policeman, who fell for the scam, said: “I thought it was an authentic Facebook page when I saw the CP

Aderanti’s pictures on it.

I did not know it was a scam.”

The suspect, a secondary school leaver, has been transferred to Force Headquarters, Abuja, for further investigation.

According to the suspects, “I am a secondary school leaver. I wrote the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB, examination and I have written post-UME to gain admission into the university.

“I do not know anything about the Facebook account. It was my brother, a university undergraduate, that implicated me because the account he used is mine.

“It was after I was arrested that I got to know the crime he committed.

He has been on the run since my arrest.”

Lawyer accused of abusing 9-yr-old-girl re-arraigned

By Onozure Dania

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AGOS—THE 40-yearold lawyer, Chika Uzoamaka, who was alleged to have sexually assaulted a nine-yearold girl (names withheld) was yesterday rearraigned before a Tinubu Magistrate’s Court.

The defendant is facing a four-count charge

bordering on sexual assault and an indecent act preferred against him by the police.

The prosecutor, Sergeant Aondohemba Koti, told the court that the defendant committed the alleged offence on August 12, at about 12:45p.m. at the magistrate’s courtroom 4, Tinubu, on Lagos Island.

He said that the

3 policemen missing after shootout with pipeline vandals

By Evelyn Usman & Bose Adelaja

T

HREE policemen were, yesterday, feared killed during a shootout with pipeline vandals at Olanukan village, in Ishawo Agric area of Ikorodu, Lagos.

Meanwhile, the body of one of the vandals, said to have been gunned down during the gun battle, was dragged into the vandals vehicle as they zoomed off the scene.

A Corporal, identified simply as Yerima, who sustained bullet wounds was said to be responding to treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

It was learned that

between 3a.m. and 6a.m., a tanker fullyloaded with suspected stolen petroleum product siphoned from Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, pipeline around OkeOko, was flagged down by the policemen.

An argument ensued during which the driver was said to have made several calls to their colleagues.

On arrival, the vandals opened fire on the policemen.

Sources hinted that the three policemen felled by the vandals’ bullets were dragged into their operational vehicle, alongside their dead colleague.

defendant sexually assaulted the little girl by penetrating her anus and virginal without her consent, adding that he wilfully and without an excuse perpetrated an indecent act in a public place.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

According to the prosecutor, the offences are punishable under Sections 259, 261, 263 (1) and 134 (1) of the criminal law of Lagos State 2011.

Magistrate L. A. Owolabi granted him bail in the sum of N400,000, with two responsible sureties, who are 40 years old, in like sum.

According to Owolabi, one of the sureties must be a lawyer with 10 years experience, with a verifiable address by prosecutor.

The magistrate ordered that N100,000 should be deposited in the court’s registrar’s account.

The magistrate further adjourned the matter till September 14 for mention and ordered that the amended charge be taken to the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, for advice.

8—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

OIL CRASH: OPEC ready to negotiate with other producers

By Clara Nwachukwu

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IL producers’ cartel, Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, has expressed a willingness to enter into dialogue with other global producers in a bid to salvage the continued fall in oil prices.

OPEC, which accounts for 40 percent of global oil supply, however, reiterated that such discussions will be on its terms, as it “will protect its own interests,” since “the international oil market, which involves many vested interests (are also) looking to defend their respective positions.”

OPEC has consistently refused to cut production since the bears run on oil prices, which snowballed to a six-year low last week, but recovered slightly at the close of trading yesterday, with Brent crude, similar to Nigeria’s Bonny Light, closing above $52.21/ barrel, and U.S. crude $47.88, according to Reuters.

However, Nigeria cannot benefit much from the price gains as long as about 240,000 barrels of daily production remain shut in due to pipelines break.

Excess supply has weighed on oil, with OPEC’s forecasts pointing to an oversupply of more than two million barrels daily, Reuters said.

As a result, OPEC in its current bulletin posted on its website on yesterday, the talk with other producers will have “to be on a level playing field,” as the economies, especially Nigeria, “rely heavily on this one precious resource.”

The cartel also noted that history had repeatedly shown that when it comes to “something as complex and intricate as the international oil market, it is rarely going to be plain sailing,” which underscores the introduction to the Bulletin, entitled Cooperation Holds the Key to Oil’s Future.

Auditors probe ex-minister's travelling allowance Allegedly approved N20.8m for ‘ghost’ officials

By Soni Daniel, Northern Region Editor

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BUJA—A former Works Minister under the Jonathan administration may be recalled to refund hundreds of millions of Naira of public funds, which he and his family members allegedly wasted under the guise of attending official trips while in office.

Already, federal auditors looking into the books of the ministry, have discovered shocking details of how the minister siphoned millions of Naira in the name of sending top officials of the ministry abroad for official functions.

The checks have also unearthed how the minister signed and collected millions of Naira for what auditors describe as ‘ghost’ representatives of the Works Ministry.

In a particular case, the said minister had smuggled the names of his wife and her sister into the official delegation of the ministry for a women’s leadership training

programme in Dubai, United Arab Emirate and caused the ministry to pay for the full cost of their week-long stay in that country.

Details of the expenditure, which Vanguard obtained yesterday, indicated that the ministry paid of N6.5 million to the delegation that included the minister’s wife, her sister and three female officials.

Apart from smuggling his wife and sister’s names into the official delegation, the minister also designated his wife and sister as the leader and deputy leader of the delegation to Dubai and approved Business Class tickets for them, while the three other delegates from the ministry sat in Economy.

While the minister ’s wife was paid N1,475,023, her sister received N1,474,023 for the trip, which lasted from December 5 to 10, 2011.

Ticket money

Each of them spent N496,023 for the business

class ticket, while each of the three other official delegate paid N250,000 for their economy class tickets.

In approving the names of the delegates, the minister used the initials of his wife and sister ’s names apparently to conceal their identities, but the account and audit personnel wrote the two names in full at the point of preparing the voucher and paying them, thereby exposing the politician.

In another trip, which the minister said he attended in Paris, France that same year, he requested for N20.2 million as ‘supplementary allowance’ for four ‘additional stakeholders’ to join him on the trip but did not disclose who they were even though the money was withdrawn from the ministry’s account.

The minister had written to the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, asking him to approve money for the additional stakeholders who

were to participate in the World Infrastructure Summit in Paris and the approval was granted him within a day.

The four undisclosed stakeholders got N4,057,220 for estacode, N5,433,400 for flight tickets and spent N10.8 million on participation fees for the one week stay in Paris.

However, auditors are angry that the names of the beneficiaries were not disclosed and would want the former minister to account for the huge amount, which he approved.

A source in the ministry told Vanguard that the auditors would soon invite the former minister to account for the money, but did not say when he was likely to be summoned.

The discovery is coming at a time the former ministers have written to President Buhari, asking him not to label them as corrupt, since they did their best for the country.

The former ministers also asked Buhari to give them due respect and credit for what they did well for the country during their tenure instead of vilification.

FOMWAN CONFAB: From left—Alhaji Mohammed Sa’ad Abubakar, Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs; Mallam Yusuf Ali (SAN), Ilorin-based legal practitioner, and Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State, at the 30th annual national conference of the Federation of Muslim Women Association in Nigeria, FOMWAN, at the University of Ilorin.

PDP @ 17: Lists achievements, identifies why founding members left

By Henry Umoru

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BUJA—THE PEOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, marked 17 years of its existence with a low-key event at its Wadata Plaza, Abuja National Secretariat.

Briefing journalists in Abuja, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, who catalogued the achievements of the party in its 17 years of existence, said it lost some of its founding and leading members because they

could not withstand what he termed stiff competition within the party and some mistakes the party made.

Metuh who tagged his speech PDP At 17 Still The Only True National Party, said that in spite of the exit of some of its founders and leaders, the party was still in line with the vision and mission of its founding fathers.

He listed the achievements of the PDP-led administrations in economy, transportation, agriculture, healthcare, rule of

law, entrenching democracy among others and wondered why the eletorate rejected the party at the polls in 2015.

PDP pioneer members and leaders, who left the party at different times include former National Chairmen, Audu Ogbeh, Barnabas Gemade and Abubakar Kawu Baraje, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu and Alhaji Yahaya Kwande.

Others are former PDP

National Secretary, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former governors Rotimi Amaechi, Rivers; Musa Kwankwaso, Kano; Aliyu Wamakko, Sokoto; Murtala Nyako, Adamawa; Kwara state governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed; Senate President, Bukola Saraki; Kebbi State, Senator Atiku Bagudu; Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir ElRufai and their Benue State counterpart, Samuel Ortom, among others also dumped PDP just before the March/April elections.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015—9

Why there's improved power supply —PERM SEC

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

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CONTRACT: Chief Bassey Edem, National President of Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA (4th left); Mr. Iman Nashe, Director, Xmatrix 369 Limited (3rd left); flanked by some exco members, at the NACCIMA contract signing ceremony in Lagos.

Lack of fiscal directives behind current economic woes—CBN

By Emeka Anaeto, Economy Editor

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HE Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN),has indicated that fiscal policy gaps and other factors outside its control have constrained the ability of its policies to have an impact on price stability in the economy.

The apex bank in its post Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) report expressed worry at the developments in the inflationary pressure since this year amidst its monetary policies aimed at curtailing excess liquidity, one of the main drivers of inflationary pressures.

In the report CBN stated ‘’the drivers of the current upward inflationary spiral were of a transient nature and mostly outside the direct control of monetary policy. Consequently, the opportunity for further policy manoeuvre remains largely constrained in the absence of supporting fiscal measures’’.

This would mark the first official position of the apex bank in the emerging economic challenges that appeared to have defied all its efforts in recent months in the area of macroeconomic management.

The general statement of the MPC by the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, urged for coordination of monetary, fiscal and structural policies to stimulate output growth, and stabilize the exchange rate.

The last MPC meeting had expressed concern about the gradual but steady increase in headline inflation up to June 2015, and noted that this reflected a rise in both the core and food components of inflation.

Core inflation rose to 8.4 per cent in June from 8.3 per cent in May, and food inflation increased to 10.0 per cent from 9.8 per cent, over the same period. The Committee observed that the uptick in year-to-date inflation rates was traceable to transient factors such as energy, arising from scarcity of petroleum products around the country, poor electricity supply and increased demand for transportation and food, from the build-up to the general elections and the ensuing Easter and Sallah celebrations.

The Committee reiterated its commitment to price stability, and observed that monetary policy would remain tight because of the high liquidity in the system.

Meanwhile, according to the statement, Broad money supply (M2) declined by 0.61 percent in June 2015, below the level at end-December 2014.

The modest decline in money supply reflected the decreases in the net foreign assets of 16.15 per cent and other assets (net) of 21.40 per cent.

During the period under review, money market interest rates were relatively volatile, owing to fluctuations in banking system liquidity.

Average inter-bank call and OBB rates opened at 6.55 and 6.45 per cent on 1st July, 2015 and closed at 26.51 and 21.00 per cent, respectively, on July 23, 2015. Average inter-bank call and OBB rates for the period were 9.83 and 10.23 per cent, respectively.

The seven month steady rise

in headline inflation, measured by the Year-on-Year (YoY) change in the All-items Consumer Price Index (CPI), appeared to have been tamed as figures announced two weeks ago by National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) put inflation rate for July 2015 at 9.2 per cent, same as in June.

Headline inflation has been on steady rise since December 2014.

NBS report for July showed a slower increase in price level during the month in Food & Beverages; Utilities & Other Fuels; and Furnishings & Household Equipment Maintenance divisions.

Also, the report shows food inflation remained steady at 10.0 per cent in July, the same rate recorded in June.

According to the NBS, high imported food prices and demand from the Ramadan period contributed to the rise in prices in the sub-index, while slower increase in the prices of meats, fish, fruits, and tubers moderated the pace of the increase during the period.

However, core inflation which is the price of all items excluding the price of agricultural produce inched up further by 40 basis points to 8.8 per cent in July, from 8.4per cent in June. According to the NBS, the increase was contributed by the rise in prices in the Transportation, Education, and Miscellaneous Goods & Services divisions.

In its reactions to the inflation report WSTC Financial Services, a Lagos based investment house, stated ‘’we expect reduced system liquidity resulting from

the tight monetary policy stance of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and shrinking consumer spending (an offshoot of dwindling public revenue

B U J A — PERMANENT Secretary, Ministry of Power, Godknows Igali, has dismissed the insinuation that increased rain fall was responsible for the improved electricity supply across the country.

He said that no single case of gas pipeline vandalism had been recorded since President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office three months ago.

He told journalists at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, that the current administration had redoubled efforts at engaging communities and stakeholders to allow peace to reign, saying it had resulted in increased gas supplies and improved power supply nationwide currently at 4,600 megawatts.

Court strikes out forgery suit against Saraki, Ekweremadu

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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BUJA—JUSTICE Ademola Adeniyi of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, yesterday, struck out the suit that sought to remove the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu from office on the premise that the Senate Standing Orders 2015, that produced them, was forged.

Justice Adeniyi terminated further hearing on the matter after the plaintiffs who are five Senators Abu Ibrahim, Kabir Marafa, Ajayi Boroffice, Olugbenga Ashafa and Suleiman Hunkuni, applied to withdraw the suit.

At the resumed sitting on the case yesterday, the plaintiffs, through their lawyer Chief Mamman Osuman (SAN), said their decision to discontinue further hearing on the matter was in view of the fact that the essence of the suit had been overtaken by events.

They noted that the Senate leadership under Saraki and Ekweremadu, despite the pendency of the suit, had carried out several legislative actions, among which they said included the constitution of different committees for

the 8th Senate.

Following their application, Justice Adeniyi, in a short ruling yesterday, struck out the suit.

Meanwhile, none of the defendants sent a legal representation before the court yesterday.

Specifically, the plaintiffs had prayed the court to stop both Saraki and Ekweremadu from further exercising the powers of the Senate President and Deputy Senate President, respectively.

In their suit marked FHC/ABJ/ CS/651/2015, the plaintiffs, all members of All Progressives Congress, APC, also urged the court to stop the two defendants from relying on the provisions of the alleged forged Senate Standing Orders 2015, to conduct the affairs of the Senate.

Equally joined as defendants in the suit were the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate itself and the National Assembly.

The plaintiffs were all members of the ‘Unity Forum’ in the Senate that supported Ahmed Lawan to emerge as the Senate President in the election that was won by Saraki on June 9.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole, who earlier presided over the matter as a vacation judge, had in a ruling he delivered on July 28, declined to issue an interim order of injunction against Saraki and Ekweremadu.

10 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

Woman nabbed for burning 16-yr-old niece with hot iron

By Esther Onyegbula

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AGOS—A middleaged woman has been arrested by the Police in Lagos for allegedly using hot pressing iron to inflict injuries on a 16-year-old girl, Bimpe Badmus, at Ogunjirin Street, Ketu, Lagos.

It was learned that the suspect, an aunt to the victim, used hot iron to burn Bimpe severally after one of their neighbours called Khadijah, told her that the victim was sleeping with the landlady’s son.

It was gathered that Bimpe’s aunt reportedly asked her friends Khadijah and one Iya Daniel, to hold the victim’s hands and legs while she used the hot iron to burn her severally.

According to a neighbour (names withheld) who witnessed the incident, “It was Khadijah that told Bimpe’s aunt that she was sleeping with the landlady’s son. Khadijah brought the hot iron from her room and gave it to Miss Badmus’ aunt while she and Iya Daniel held her neck. ‘’It was when they chased her out that other neighbours rescued her.

When residents couldn’t stand the horrible situation, they took them to Ketu divisional police station.”

Reacting, Tope Abimbola, a relative of the landlady said: “Before they were taken to the police station, Bimpe was in pains. I thought she was going to die. I quickly went to a nearby pharmacy to get ointment to relief the pain. It was really painful.”

Denying the original allegation, the victim said: “The landlady’s son has never slept with me.

I am really in pains. I can’t even go home because I don’t know what will happen. While they tortured me, they kept asking so many questions. I pray God heals me fast.”

Vanguard learned that Bimpe is currently responding to treatment in a hospital in Ikeja.

INSECURITY: Ambode warns schools against kidnappers

By Monsuru Olowoopejo

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AGOS—GOVERNOR Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has warned principals, head-teachers and proprietors of public and private schools in the state to adhere to security measures in their schools to avoid kidnapping and other illicit acts by criminals.

This was disclosed by the Director-General of the Office of Education Quality Assurance, OEQA, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo yesterday, during a one-day workshop for Principals and Headteachers in Education District 1, in Agege.

Soyombo said the workshop was one of the platforms the state government intended to use to sensitize schools managers.

The Director-General explained that the governor’s directive was to ensure that security of lives and properties in the schools are achieved, saying “we want schools in Lagos to be above their counterparts in other states.”

According to her, “the management of every school must be security conscious at the moment. We do not want anyone to come into our schools and take

HANDING-OVER: From right: Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule, deputy governor of Lagos State, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State; Oba Hakeem Adesanya, Alara of Ilara, Epe; Chief Lateef Ajose, Opeluwa of Lagos, representing Oba of Lagos and Senator Ganiyu Solomon, All Progressives Congress chieftain, during the official handing-over of 15 Mobile Intensive Care Unit and 26, Transport Ambulances, at Lagos House, yesterday. Photo by Bunmi Azeez. away our children. We expect that anyone coming into the school must come with an identity card or any form of recognition before he or she is allowed into the school premises.”

She stressed that security officials at schools entrances must provide a register for visitors to

LASU external students protest delayed results, others

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AGOS—EXTERNAL students of the Lagos State University, LASU, yesterday protested the delay in the release of their results and certificates in the past eight years.

According to the students spokesman, Abiodun Esinlokun, a student of Ikoyi study centre of the programme; ‘’Since the Lagos State University management instituted the external programme, it has not put the students at heart, rather the management is after the fees.

“We have students who are supposed to have graduated since 2004, who are yet to see their results due to lack of commitment and sincerity by the school management” He listed other challenges being faced by the concerned students as; “Delay in academic sessions (nine months per semester); non-release of result from 100 level till date, no admission letter, constraints on students academic profiles, missing scripts, among others.”

Esinlokun said series of letters were dispatched to the director of the programme, Prof.

Olatunji Abanikanda, without positive response.

His words “The Director has refused to listen to us and threatened not to release the

delayed results if we keep disturbing him. What he keeps telling us is to pay our fees. We have done that and he still has not released our results”.

The National Universities Commission, NUC, has instructed all universities offering external programmes to scrap them before 2016.

The students noted that they pay N98,000 while full time students pay N25,000.

fill and state their mission.

However, Soyombo affirmed that the proprietors and principals must ensure that the school environment is conducive for learn.

His words “Every child must be catered for by the teachers.

That is the vision of the state governor. Irrespective of the school that a child attends; he must be properly catered for. We were doing better in our schools before. But we cannot rely on past glories. There must be an improvement. And this is the time for us to raise the standard of education in the state.

Speaking on the workshop, she said “The workshop is to prepare the teachers ahead and principals of schools for what the standard should be in the schools.”

The Director-General added that; “The workshop has afforded us the opportunity to inform those who are the main stakeholders in the schools on

Ambode commissions 20 ambulances, 14 intensive care units

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

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AGOS—AS part of measures to enhance prompt response to emergencies, Governor Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos State, yesterday, commissioned 20 ambulances and 14 Mobile Intensive Care Units.

Similarly, he also handed over to police authorities 10 Hilux vehicles and 12 patrol motorcycles to boost efficient policing of the state.

The latest donation brings to 33 the number of MICUs free emergency services to residents either through direct contact or

the use of 112 toll-free line.

According to Ambode, at the event in Ikeja, the gesture was in fulfilment of his promise to implement programmes that make life better for the people.

...Begins council staff evaluation

Meantime, as part of the ongoing reform in the state civil service, Lagos State Local Government Service Commission, LGSC, has commenced collation of promotion and conversion examination results of local government staff in the state.

what the state government's expectations are in the education sector. We do not want to have schools where children are segregated but where all children are catered for.”

PIRACY: NCC, Lagos arrest 26, impound 7,000 films

By Monsuru Olowoopejo

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AGOS—AT least 26 suspected pirates and 7,000 copies of pirated films, especially pornographic films were confiscated by the Nigeria Copyright Commission and Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board during a three-day antipiracy raid across the state.

The three-day raid, which was carried out in collaboration with the Yoruba Movie Producers/ Marketers Association of Nigeria covered Iyana-Ipaja, Agege, Oshodi, Ijora, Orile Iganmu and Obalende.

Executive Secretary of the LSFVCB, Mr. Bamidele Balogun who disclosed this yesterday, said the raid was part of the continuous effort to rid the State of the sale of pirated and unclassified movies asserting that those that were caught during the raids will be tried and brought to justice.

Balogun stated that the State Government was concerned that Nigerian artistes were not getting maximum benefits from their works and this posed a serious challenge.

He maintained that piracy is a greatest enemy of creative industry which must be defeated for the film industry as well as legitimate practitioners to grow.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015 — 11

Buhari is President of the North – FAYOSE

By Rotimi Olaleye

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D O - E K I T I — GOVERNOR Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has said a critical look at President Muhammadu Buhari's operation since his emergence on May 29 portrays him as a president of Northern Nigeria only.

Fayose, who described such development as tainted in ethnic and tribal colouration, said that if such steps are not immediately addressed for equity and justice, it could threaten the unity of Nigeria.

Fayose explained that appointments made by President Buhari has showed an agenda for a deliberate “Nothernisation of Nigeria,” In his words, “appointments made by the President so far negate the principle of federal character and it appears the unity in diversity of Nigeria is being taken for granted by the President.”

According to a statement issued yesterday, by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Fayose said it was wrong for President Buhari to have made 31 major appointments and only seven will come from the South while 24 were from the North.

According to the statement; “To my mind, these lopsided appointments skewed in favour of the North is a reminder of President Buhari’s tenure as

Military Head of State and I hope the President is not seeing Nigeria of today as that of 1984 because doing so will mean that he has turned himself to a northern president, thereby justifying his notion that those who gave him 97 percent votes must get more benefits than those who gave him five percent votes.’’

31 workers in trouble over lateness

Meantime, no fewer than 31 civil servants, who cut across various ministries and

departments in Ekiti State, were yesterday, punished by Governor Ayo Fayose, for coming late to work.

The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, in a statement said Fayose’s visit which exposed the late comers, was part of unscheduled visits the governor would be paying to government offices.

The governor, who stormed the state Secretariat at 8:00am, in an unmarked car and without the usual convoy and aides, ordered the gates of the Secretariat locked after him.

IOD MEMBERS EVENING: From left; Managing Consultant, Resort Consult Ltd, Mr. Femi Ekundayo; Guest Speaker/Executive Secretary and Member BoT, Lakaji Development Alliance, Mr. Henrii Nwanguma; President/Chairman of Governing Council, Institute of Directors Nigeria (IoD), Mr. Yemi Akeju; DG/CEO, IoD, Mr. Victor Banjo and Chairman, IoD Abuja, Chief Rex Onyeabo, during the August Members’ Evening of IoD, held at IoD Secretariat, Ikoyi, Lagos. Photo by Akeem Salau.

Cuban envoy visits Osun over Ooni’s demise

By Gbenga Olarinoye

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SOGBO—GOVERNOR Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, yesterday acknowledged the Republic of Cuba as a nation that has demonstrated high capacity for international human compassion based on humanitarian commitment to the development of mankind.

The governor made this

disclosure when the Ambassador of The Republic of Cuba to Nigeria, Mr. Carlos Trejo Soza paid a condolence visit to the governor on the demise of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade at the Government House in Osogbo.

Aregbesola commended the Cuban government for its prompt response on the fight against the deadly epidemic of

Ebola virus in West Africa.

He noted that the government of Osun was elated when all the religious associations in Cuba wrote to commiserate with the state on the demise of the monarch which included; Council of Elder Priests of Ifa of the Republic of Cuba, Council of Elder Priests Oba - Oriaye of Cuba and Council of Elder Iyalochas Priestesses of the

24TH ANNIVERSARY: Osun Assembly urges blockage of revenue leaks il servants over the rate of parti- come a thing of worry.

By Gbenga Olarinoye

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SOGBO—OSUN State House of Assembly, yesterday harped on the need to block all avenues through which resources are wasted to ensure steady growth for the state.

The lawmakers disclosed this while reviewing the last 24 years of the state's existence at a special session held to mark 24th anniversary of its creation.

They urged parastatals of government in the state to work out ways of eliminating wastages.

The lawmakers also called for re-orientation and attitude of civ-

The unsuspecting civil servants walked into the waiting hands of the governor, who kept watch at the gate.

Over 30 late comers were apprehended by the Governor, who immediately directed that a disciplinary committee be set up to try them with appropriate sanctions.

Expressing displeasure at the lacklustre attitude of civil servants in the state, Fayose warned them against act of lateness and truancy.

He ordered his aides and the Head of Service to take down the names of the affected workers, adding that stern disciplinary action must be taken against them.

sanship, expressing worry that the level of partisanship has negated the principle of the ethics of their job.

Commenting, the Speaker, Najeem Salaam said, “The waste of government must be reduced , so that we will focus on things that would improve the social benefit for our people.

“Political functionaries and technocrats must be called upon to look into this and be ready to develop the state together. It is a collective responsibility that we must all join hands to achieve.

“Also, the attitude of our workforce and the orientation has to be changed. The rate of partisanship of workers has be-

“The ethics of civil service that they should not be partisan seems to have faded out.

Republic of Cuba.

Others according to him are; Council of Elders, Babalochas, Priests of Cuba, Council of Elder Arará Priests of Cuba and Council of Priests Chiefs of Cabildos of the Republic of Cuba.

Aregbesola stated that he shared in the ideologies of the Republic of Cuba, saying, in his political consciousness, Cuba is the focus of his activism.

Speaking earlier, the Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Carlos Soza noted that he is in Osun to pay tribute over the demise of the late Ooni of Ife, who he described as a father of the world.

The Cuban Ambassador was accompanied by the Deputy head of Cuban Commission to Nigeria, Mrs. Miriam Morales Palmero and the wife of the Ambassador, Mrs. Nelba Peirg Morales.

Ondo internal revenue workers shun competency test

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KURE—WORKERS in the Ondo State Board of Internal Revenue, BIR, yesterday rejected the planned competency test organised by the board.

The workers under the aegis of Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, JNC, directed its members not to show up for the test which would have started today.

The rejection was one of the resolutions of the meeting of the leadership of JNC held in Akure where the welfare of workers in the state workforce were discussed.

The JNC Chairman, Sunday Adeleye and Secretary, Wole Akinlolu has written a letter to the BIR Chairman, Mr Akin Akinterinwa with a declaration “We say no to competency test”.

In the letter, JNC described the proposed test as ill-conceived and booby trap for the staff for the management to achieve ulterior motive saying the organised labour has no confidence in the competency test being masterminded by the Chairman of BIR. The council stated that as a political office holder, the chairman has no right to enter into any alliance with any consultant to conduct any test in order to retrench which is surreptitious to retrenchment in the public service.

“We wish to state in clear, unambiguous and unqualified terms that under no circumstances should workers in any sector of the state public service, especially Board of Internal revenue be subjected to such a ridiculous test.

“All workers in the State Public Service were recruited following due process. They were interviewed (written/oral) and adjudged competent before recruitment into the service,'' it stated.

DCSL holds seminar on audit performance

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CSL Corporate Service Limited will on September 9 and 10 respectively, 2015 in Lagos, hold a seminar on corporate governance series theme “Improving the Performance of The Audit Committee” for audit fraternity.

The seminar is intended for persons involved with audit functions in both public and private companies, including directors, shareholders, and

members of audit committees, internal and external auditors and compliance officers.

Participants who attend the seminar are expected to take away an understanding of the relationship between external auditors, the board, the audit committee and management as well as practical ways of ensuring that the independence of the external auditor is maintained.

“Key compliance and statutory

requirements of audit committee members and practical steps to dealing with the challenges associated with such requirements; an understanding of the role of internal auditors, audit committee members and the external auditor as gatekeeper; effective tools for evaluating the risk governance framework are some of the skills participant are expected to acquaint themselves with”, DCSL said in a statement.

12—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

BAYELSA APC GOV PRIMARIES: Alaibe, 9 others

pick nomination forms Y

Samuel Oyadongha

ENAGOA —FORMER Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, Chief Timi Alaibe, was among the 10 persons that have procured the expression of interest and nomination forms to contest the governorship primaries of the All Progressive Congress, APC in Bayelsa State.

Also, to contest the primaries are former Bayelsa Housing and Lands Commissioner, Austin Ogionwo, former state PDP chairman, Col Sam Inokoba (rtd), former member of House of Representatives, Warman Ogoriba and former Secretary to State Government, Senator Felix Oboro.

Others include former Commissioner for Local Government, Chief Godknows Powell, former Chief of Staff to Governor Seriake Dickson, Chief Dikivie Ikhiogha, former member, House of Representatives, Christopher Enai and the immediate past senator representing Bayelsa East Senatorial district, Senator Clever Ikisikpo.

According to party sources, former Governor Timipre Sylva and leader of the APC in the state, has also paid for the expression

of interest/nomination forms but is yet to pick up same from the national secretariat of the party.

It was gathered from a party source that Alaibe’s form, were procured by elders and stakeholders from the state under the aegis of Bayelsa Change Project.

According to the party source, “This afternoon (yesterday), some elders picked up the nomination

form for presentation to Chief Alaibe at the APC national secretariat. The group of over 48 was led by Senator John Brambaifa.

Others include Chief Alex Ekiotenne, Dr Stella Dorgu, Chief O’Lord Michael Bassuo.”

Senator Brambaifa was quoted to have thanked the leadership of the APC for “Its very organised process of hitch-free candidates selection and assured that the

people of Bayelsa State are poised for a change and the APC as a family will work collectively to achieve that.

“Governance has failed in Bayelsa and we need to act now to leave a credible legacy for our children,” he said.

Confirming the development, yesterday, a member of Bayelsa elders, Patterson Ogon, said the group of elders was led by Senator Brambaifa.

Editor, Saturday Vanguard Newspaper, Mr Onochie Anibeze (right), receiving a souvenir from Mr. Akin Jimoh, founder, Devcoms (3rd left); Mr Bolaji Adepegba, Lead Consultant, Quoruz and Associate member of Development Communications Networks (Devcoms) team (left) and Mr. Ayo Adebusoye, Lagos civil society partnership, during the official visit to Vanguard newspapers' head office, Apapa, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Akeem Salau.

More protests trail composition of new DESOPADEC board

By Emma Amaize & Perez Brisibe

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GHELLI—MORE oil producing communities in Delta State, have continued to react to the recently constituted Governing Board of Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission, DESOPADEC, with threats to shut oil facilities in their domains.

Adding their voice to the agitations, youths from Udu Local Government Area of the state have threatened to shut down oil wells in their communities if the state governor fails to review the appointment of the member representing the area on the board of the commission.

Also, Ijaw people in state have accused Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of shortcharging the ethnic group in the composition of the new board of DESOPADEC. Chairman of Kokokodiagbene, community, a riverside oil community in Warri South West Local Government Area, Mr Sheriff Mulade, said, yesterday, that it was unfair for Ijaw, the highest oil producing tribe in the state to have only two slots in the 14-member board.

He insisted that the appointment of a former Chevron Staff, Chief Phillip Gbasin, who is Executive Director, Social Service, DESOPADEC and Chief

Favour Izoukumor, was not commensurate with Ijaw contribution, which he put at 30

per cent of the total production by production quantum assigned the state. to Ijaw was meant to deprive Mulade said that the 27 per cent the ethnic group of its benefits.

Buhari's appointment based on merit —OSHIOMHOLE Simon Ebegbulem &Chris Ochayi

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BUJA—GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has urged Nigerians to encourage the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to confront the problems militating against the nation by appointing persons based on merit and not ethnicity.

Oshiomhole stated this while commending the President on the appointments of the Chief of Staff, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and others made so far, in a statement by his

Chief Press Secretary, Peter Okhiria.

According to Oshiomhole, “The Nigerian nation has come to a point where we have to use the best hands to confront the peculiarity of our problems. It is not all the time we descend to the level of geopolitical balancing; we need to employ unusual methods to solve an unusual problem. The level of decay in the country at present requires very seasoned hands and incorruptible Nigerians that will help translate the APC agenda of change for the benefit of all Nigerians.

“We must not reduce governance to political patronage of bread and butter.

The governor congratulates the Chief of Staff, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Comptroller General of Customs, all of who he had very close relationship with and whose credentials stand tall among their compeers. He wishes them well in their new jobs of helping to sanitize a system that has become so rotten and corrupt as a result of manifest incompetence and mismanagement."

NPDC workers want contractors sacked over non-payment of salaries

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By Gabriel Enogholase

ENIN—WORKERS at the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, Ughelli Pumping Stations, UPS and OML 30, yesterday, protested at the Benin, Edo State premises of the company,

demanding he disengagement of some of the contractors in charge of the flow stations due to their inability to pay their salaries and allowances as at when due.

The protesting workers, who were at the NPDC headquarters under the aegis of Urhobo and Isoko

Community Welfare Association, OML 30, accused the contractors of delaying their salaries and allowances.

At press time, a meeting between representatives of the workers and the management of the NPDC was going on.

EPZ: Okpeleama Community sends SOS to Buhari, Okowa

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KPELEAMA— OKPELEAMA community in Delta State, has said that its people have been languishing in pains from dislocated economy since it complied with the order by former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan-led Delta State Government to vacate part of their land for the Export Processing Zone, EPZ, project.

A land revocation document signed by former Governor Uduaghan dated November 11, 2013 asked Okpeleama dwellers to vacate a portion of Kpokpo/ Okpeleama land not less than 335.554 hectares for purposes of the Deep Sea Port of the EPZ project.

In a Save Our Souls by Yabrade Moses and Abednego Douperegha, Okpeleama community appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari and GovernorIfeanyiOkowatocome to their aid by paying compensation for land acquired and for them to get employments and empowerment in keeping with the Local Content Act like other land stakeholders of the EPZ project.

LG boss lauds Okowa on Ebosa's appointment

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ARRI—WARRI North Local Government Area, Delta State, Chairman, Mr. Francis Maku-Eyituoyor has lauded Governor Ifeanyi Okowa over the appointment of Mr. Godwin Ebosa as chairman of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC. He also commended the governor for his commitment to raise the bar of development for the people as the state marks the 24th anniversary of its creation.

Maku-Eyituoyor said that as a former council chairman with a radiant antecedence in the private sector, Ebosa has the experience of managing, financial, human and material resources efficiently, attributes , which he will bring to bear in administering the affairs of the commission to the satisfaction of oil bearing communities and the state government.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015—13

Amaechi challenges Wike to publish statements of govt accounts Says he left N7.5bn cash in IGR and others totalling N8bn

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ORT HARCOURT— FORMER Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, has challenged his successorin office, Governor Nyesom Wike to publish the statements of government accounts with Skye Bank, FAAC, Zenith Bank and Access Bank, insisting that about N7.5 billion cash was left as balance in the state Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, as at May 29, 2015, alongside money in other accounts, totalling N8 billion.

Amaechi in a statement, yesterday, by his media aide, said: “Our attention has been drawn to comments by Governor Wike, where he attempted to justify his sham probe of the immediate past governor of the state and distort our statement on the amount of money Amaechi left in the state treasury.

“However, what the public may not know is that Wike’s deceptive probe of Amaechi is a distraction to entertain and keep the public focus on his circus show, while he siphons and salt away billions of naira from the state treasury.

From the moment he stepped into Government House, Port Harcourt, Wike has run a government of lies, deception and fraud.

“Wike claimed he met a completely empty treasury. That again is another big lie and grand deception to steal state funds. We have said that Amaechi left billions of naira and we even went ahead to mention the banks

and give the names of the accounts the money were, as at May 29, 2015.

“We repeat that N7.5 billion cash was left behind as balance in the state Internally Generated Revenue account with Skye Bank, FAAC account with Zenith Bank, balance with Access Bank and funds in the State reserve fund account in First Bank. This is besides other balance in the state

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AGOS—THE ljaw have described the father of Senator James Manager as a blessing to the Niger Delta, who gave the region a son that has brought physical development to the region.

In a tribute by the Coordinator of Ijaw Monitoring Group, IMG, Mr Joseph Evah, the group expressed appreciation to the late elder statesman for encouraging his son to serve his people through politics.

“Today, the history of the first multi-billion naira bridge that adored the skyline of the Western Ijaw Division builtby Governor James Ibori at Bomadi for the Ijaw to open-up the creeks to urban development will not be

C M Y K

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HIEF Martin Eseigbe, the Arala of Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State is dead, aged 76 years.

Service of songs holds Thursday, September 3, at Ihumudumu Primary School, Ekpoma, while funeral service will take place the next day at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Ekpoma.

Thereafter, interment at his residence behind Okpeho International Hotel, Opposite Big Joe Motors, Ekpoma.

Entertainment follows immediately at the same primary school.

Late Martin Eseigbe

MEETING: Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara with Speaker of Chinese Parliament, Mr. Zhang Dejiang, during a meeting at the United Nations, New York, US on Sunday.

Police kill 2 robbery suspects in Delta

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By Emma Amaize

SABA—POLICE in Delta State have shot dead two

Ijaw group mourns Emiemokumor

By Tare Youdeowei

Government House account with Zenith Bank and other government ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs accounts, like the Bureau for Public Procurement, BPP. Amaechi left N939m in the Commercial Agric Credit Scheme Account in Zenith Bank.

“By the time you pull all these together, we are looking at readily available cash in the region of N8

billion to N10 billion left for the Wike administration. We have mentioned banks, account names and funds left in the accounts. These are facts that cannot be distorted by Wike.

“If Wike says he’s not lying that he met an empty treasury, we challenge him to publish the statements of these government accountsthatwehavementionedand other Rivers State Government ministries,departmentsandagencies, MDAsaccountsasatMay29toprove his claim and show the public that Amaechi left an empty treasury for him."

Chief Martin Eseigbe for burial

complete without the role played by Senator Manager.

“We are proud that Pa Emiemokumor gave birth to an indomitable politician, whowhenheemerged,wassaddledwith the burden of leadership and he tackled the challenges with extreme courage as apoliticalleaderwhoismorefamiliarwith the yearnings of his people. He later broke down barriers and with his influence, built network of bridges and roads inside the creeks so that the Ijaw nation can drive cars on theirwaterwaysintheirlife time,” IMG said.

The Ijaw group commiserated with the peopleofOgbeinamaand Manager family for the transition of their great communityleader.

members of a robbery gang, which laid ambush for a police patrol team at Okpara Island community, near Isiokolo, and shot a vigilance group member.

It was learned that the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Isiokolo Division, led the team in pursuit of the bandits after he received a distress call from the manager of Aleakue Filling Station, Okpara, Paul Baraua that robbers raided at the fuel outlet.

However, before the patrol team got to the scene, the hoodlums had left, but an informant recognised one of the hoodlums and led policemen to arrest the criminal.

Delta State Police spokesperson, Celestina Kalu, who confirmed the shootout, said “The suspect confessed to the crime and volunteered to lead a combined team of policemen and vigilante for the arrest of the rest gangsters at Okpara Island.

“The hoodlums who unknowingly laid ambush for the security team suddenly opened fire on them and wounded one of the vigilante men. In the shootout, two of the armed bandits were fatally wounded and they gave up the ghost on the way to the hospital,” she added.

Pa Lucas Kogoro goes home

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A Lucas Kogoro (82) of Okpe Local Government Area in Delta State is dead. There will be service of songs on Thursday, September 3, at Old Ogorode Road, Sapele.

Funeral service will hold at Bethel Baptist Church, 1 Oghene Road, Sapele.

He will be buried in his country home at ArhagbaOkpe.

Late Lucas Kogoro

Ex-Commissioner lauds Delta Speaker

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SABA—SPEAKER of Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Monday Igbuya, has been commended for his sterling qualities.

Former commissioner representing Ndokwa on the board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas C o m m i s s i o n , DESOPADEC, Rev. Chukwudi Eke, who made the commendation during the commemoration of Igbuya’s birthday, described him as a

seasoned politician and passionate grassroots leader, whose love for his people earned him landslide victory in the past elections. He noted that he was the mouthpiece for the oppressed and less privileged.

Praying God to grant Igbuya wisdom and strength to excel in his office as the Speaker of the state Assembly, Eke wished him many more years in productive service to Delta and Nigerians.

14 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

CONFERENCE: From Mr. Abasi-Ekong Udobang, Portfolio Manager, Education, MTN Foundation; Prof. Julius Okojie, Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, NUC; Ms. Nonny Ugboma, Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation; and Mr. Dennis Okoro, Director MTN Foundation at the NUC Conference on Technology-Assisted Learning in Abuja.

MEETING: From left: Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, chairman, Badagry Ship Repair and Maritime Engineering Company (BSMEC), Mr. Harm Blaauw, Regional Director, Africa, Damen Shipyards Group and Mr. Laolu Saraki, Project Director, BSMEC during a meeting in Holland to discuss collaboration between BSMEC and Damen on the LNG ship repair project to be sited at Badagry.

NPA workers raise alarm over revenue leakages at seaports currently have more senior

W

ORKERS of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) have raised an alarm over increasing revenue leakages at the nation seaports. This is even as the workers urged the agency to recruit lower cadre workers to monitor revenue collection by terminal operators at the ports.

The President of the NPA branch of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Mr. Adeleke Sanni revealed that the agency is losing billions in revenue because there is no proper monitoring of revenue collection by terminal operators at the ports due to a shortage of workforce on the part of the NPA. According to him, “The staff strength at the NPA is currently not in favour of lower cadre workers, who ordinarily should be on the field to monitor revenue generation at the ports. We

cadre staffs who are always sitting in the offices.

“The senior staff and the management team stays back in the office to make decisions but the lower cadre workers are on the field, inside the ports to monitor how money comes in. They are the ones who do the major work because the art of generating revenue for the Federal Government takes place in the ports, not in the offices.

“But the numbers of lower cadre workers who we depend on to do the major work is very low compared to the numbers of senior cadre workers who sits back in the offices.

“Last year, the agency did interview for the employment of workers, but till date we have not heard anything about that interview. There is need for the agency to employ more hands in-order to avoid revenue leakages at the ports.

Archos wins innovative smartphone award

B

ARELY six months of its operation in Nigeria, Smart brand, Archos has won the most innovative smart phone award.

The award was given to the brand by Technology Africa,the organizers of the The Titans of Tech annual Awards.

Don Pedro Aganbi, Managing Director, Technology Africa, the brand owners of Titans of technology award, said that he has consistedly monitored Archos and has discovered that the brand

is innovative and is always coming up with sleek designs.

Ademola Olukotun, the Country Manager of Archos, while receiving the award during the ceremony, said that he was delighted for the recognition and thanked Nigerians for believing in the Archos brand and their patronage that has been encouraging.

He further said in his speech that this year ’s award is a landmark award and very important to the company because it is the 10th year of the award.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015—15

SKEWED APPOINTMENTS

Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Okorocha, appeal for calm

By Chidi Nkwopara & Francis Igata

E

NUGU—FOLLOWING the outrageous outcries that have greeted the recent appointments made by President Muhammadu Buhari,Secretary General,apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Joe Nwaorgu, has called on Ndigbo to remain calm in the present circumstance of unexplainable and skewed pattern of appointments which has completely excluded Ndigbo from key strategic positions in the Federal Government.

Speaking with Journalists in Enugu,yesterday, against the backdrop of the appointment of principal officers in the presidency and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Dr. Nwaorgu said that the call for Ndigbo to remain calm had become necessary because of the numerous telephone calls from Ndigbo all over Nigeria and in the Diaspora expressing shock and disbelief at the appointments.

He said that some Igbo who have telephoned on the issue had queried “whether Ndigbo are still regarded as part of Nigeria.”

The Ohanaeze Secretary General requested Ndigbo not to overreact either by word or otherwise to this ugly situation of total exclusion.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo urges Ndigbo to continue to be nation builders anywhere they are and not to be downcast by what has happened.

“Ohanaeze strongly believes that a President of Nigeria is the president for all Nigerians and that equity and fair-play for all Nigerians will be respected,” Nwaorgu said.

Also speaking in the same vein on telephone from Abuja, Monday, a former Minister of Health, Professor A.B.C Nwosu said that he was not surprised that the appointments excluded Ndigbo.

He stated that “Ndigbo should not be troubled by this development because they have seen and survived worse situations in Nigeria and there is no cause for mourning the present development.

“Ndigbo should continue to be strong and committed to nation building and await the envisaged remedial action as stated by the presidency even though, personally, I do not see any position that will equal the position of the Secretary to Government of the Federation and its centrality in the exercise of federal power in Nigeria.”

Prof. Nwosu advised that upon conclusion of major appointments, Ohanaeze Ndigbo in consultation with Igbo organizations like Aka Ikenga, Ndigbo Lagos, World Igbo Congress, Igbo World C M Y K

Assembly, Izu Umunna, Igbo Leaders of Thought and so on should summon a meeting of Igbo leaders and elders to review the situation.

Meantime, the Imo State Governor and Chairman, All

Progressives Congress, APC, Governors' Forum, Rochas Okorocha has reacted to the appointments stating that the President has the right to make appointments that would make him succeed and nobody should

dictate to him who he should appoint .

The governor spoke weekend at the end of his meeting with select stakeholders in the state, urging them to continue their support for APC governments at all levels.

VISIT: From left, Deputy Head of Mission, Irish Embassy in Nigeria, Mr. Eoghan McSwiney; Chief Executive Officer, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Peter Ndegwa; Irish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Sean Hoy, and Mr. Sesan Sobowale, Corporate Relations Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, during a working visit to Guinness Nigeria by the Irish Ambassador.

...Appointments not acceptable to us, says woman leader

By Innocent Onoja NNEWI—THE Woman Leader of pan –Igbo socio cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Mrs Calista Adimachukwu has expressed great and deep displeasure over President Buhari’s latest appointments for the position of the the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF and others postions.

In a statement she issued recently, Chief Mrs Adimachukwu noted that God has given the people of Nigeria everything a nation needs inorder to be successful but when the leaders fail to harness the most important resources like human resources,nation building is at stake.

“Mr. President’s ways of harnessing these resources especially the human aspect is biased, vindictive, and unacceptable to Ndigbo both in Nigeria and in diaspora”.

She asserted that the appointments are not in accordance with the Nigerian constitution.

The ex- LG boss noted that the appointments by President Buhari were lopsided and demanded to know how a country with diverse ethnicity and socio cultural backgrounds should apportion power to a few people from the same region without considering other regions especially the Southeast.

“We all know that integration is very important in every nation’s building but with lopsidedness and tribalism on the side of Mr. President, there will be grave consequences if the President continues this way. "On this note, you can see clearly that Mr. President had demonstrated his deep hatred for Ndigbo, even after he had said he belongs to nobody but belongs to everybody”.

The statement further read: Nigerian is too big for only one region to rule and we Ndigbo see this platitude from Mr. President as tribalism and we will never keep quiet while our position and future are being taken away without consideration."

Umuchukwu gets first Awka Diocesan priest

H

ISTORY WAS made in Umuchukwu town at the weekend as their son, Rev. Fr. Kingsley Ibeh was ordained a Catholic priest by the Auxiliary Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Jonas Benson Okoye at St. Jude’s Catholic Church, Umuchukwu.

During the homily, Bishop Okoye reminded the new priest about the cardinal mission of the Priest in the light of the Second Vatican Council.

He pointed out to him the need to be prayerful at all times, minister to the people of God and guide them to holiness as well as remain obedient to the Bishop and his successors.

The Bishop commended the people of Umuchukwu, especially the USA-based Dr. Godwin Maduka, who had done so much for the town. He also commended the former governor of the State, Mr. Peter Obi for his selfless service to the state.

16— Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

Edo gov tasks employers, labour on industrial survival agenda

BY Victor AhiumaYoung

3 feared dead, 20 injured as pro-Biafra group, securitymen clash

By Vincent Ujumadu

A

WKA—THREE persons were feared dead and about twenty others wounded on Sunday when members of a new pro- Biafra group, the Independent People of Biafra

(IPOB) and security operatives engaged in a shootout in Onitsha.

It was not clear what caused the trouble, but one of the injured persons, Mr. Chinwendu Ikechukwu said the group was carrying out an evangelism programme on the need for people to embrace Biafra Republic

in parts of Nkpor , Idemili North local government area after their routine meeting, adding that it was while they were on the street that security operatives opened fire on them.

He said: “On reaching Okpoko junction, we were accosted by a detachment of policemen who

B

ENIN-CITY— GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, yesterday, in Benin City, advised employers and organised labour to strategise and come up with a common agenda to be presented to President Muhammadu Buhari towards reviving closed factories and sustain existing ones for jobs and wealth creation.

Oshiomhole at the opening ceremony of the 24th Annual Industrial Relations Seminar of National Union of Chemical Footwear Rubber Leather and Non- Metallic Products Employees, NUCFRLANMPE, holding in Benin City, urged employers’ body and organised labour to do so as soon as possible before politicians take over the president.

Represented by the Commissioner for Special duties, Mr. Didid Adodo, the governor said the employers’ body either through the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, NECA, or Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, and labour must collaborate to ensure bailout for industrialisation and revival of the real sector of the economy as done by President Barrack Obama of the United States of America, after the economic meltdown of 2008.

He said “Employers and labour should present a common agenda to the president for revival of industries, for jobs to be created which will automatically create wealth.

"Labour and employers should discuss with government on how to improve power supply, end smuggling of finished products into the country, and create other conducive environment for local production to strive.

“There is also the need to strategise on how to end casualization, outsourcing and contract staffing of workers and other unfair labour practices."

C M Y K

CONFERENCE: From left, Prince Goodluck Obi, Chairman, Campaign for Democracy, South West; Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, President, Women Arise & Campaign for Democracy; Ayodele Akele, Chairman, Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Organisation, GAFAMORG; Venerable Folorunso Oginni, Treasurer, Gafamorg at the press conference to kick-start the Chief Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Programme, organized by GAFAMORG, at the National Secretariat of PENGASSAN, in lagos, yesterday.

fired tear gas on our members numbering about 5000,but they later allowed us to go since we were non violent.

“However, on reaching Uga junction close to the Niger Bridge Head,, the Naval men on duty there opened fire on us. In our defenseless state, three of our members were shot dead while about twenty others sustained injuries. Even the police who initially allowed us to go later joined in shooting our members.”

According to him, the injured persons were initially rushed to the nearby Paragon Hospital, Fegge before they were distributed to other hospitals.

The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Okechukwu Ali however denied the involvement of police in the shooting, adding that the police were in a ‘Show of Force’ operation in Onitsha as at the time of the incident.

“We never shot at the group, even though the law of the land has outlawed all pro -Biafran groups,” he said.

Also, a naval officer who refused to give his name said the group was lying, insisting that nobody died. According to him, “if they claim that three of their members died, they should provide their bodies.

N140bn spent on 2nd Niger Bridge, Oshiomhole insists G

OVERNOR ADAMS Oshiomhole of Edo State, has insisted that he will not back down on his claim that the Jonathan administration expended N140 billion on the yet to be completed 2nd Niger Bridge in Anambra State.

Similarly, the governor has stood his ground that the sum of $700 million was surreptitiously moved from the Sovereign Wealth Fund, SWF, for the same bridge, which has not risen above the foundation stage.

Oshiomhole, who made the claims in reaction to denials by former Works Minister, Mike Onolememen, asked him to apologise to Nigerians over his misdeeds as a minister.

In a statement released by the governor in Abuja, yesterday, Oshiomhole asked the former minister to direct his energy to the managers of the SWF, who had depleted the savings on the claim that the money was meant for the controversial bridge rather than attacking him.

Oshiomhole’s statement which was signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Peter Okhiria, was made available to Vanguard

in Abuja, yesterday.

“They told our committee that about $700m dollars were taken from the Sovereign Wealth Fund for the Second Niger Bridge project.

“Rather than crucify Comrade Oshiomhole for the disclosure, former Minister of Works should direct his energy and explanation to the managers of the Sovereign Wealth Fund who have depleted the savings on the explanation that it was meant for the 2nd Niger Bridge.

“Fully aware that not much has been achieved on that project, Onolememen and the managers of the Sovereign Wealth Funds should explain to Nigerians what really transpired instead of asking Comrade Oshiomhole to apologize to Nigerians.

“The real people, who should apologise to Nigerians for their many sins against the country are those who expended so much of our resources without any corresponding achievements to show for it.”

According to Oshiomhole, any right thinking Nigerian should be ashamed of the state of Nigerian roads, especially

with the enormous resources budgeted for road rehabilitation and construction.

The governor regretted that rather than build new roads and rehabilitate them, the Ministry of Works under the former minister vandalised existing roads and made them almost impassable.

The governor said: “In Edo State, the Aduwawa end of the Benin-Auchi Road is almost impassable, especially during this rainy season. As we speak, erosion has cut off the BeninAuchi road into two and motorists are going through hell

passing through that road.

“What about Benin-Abraka Road; it is one hell of a road completely abandoned and vandalized. In the name of politics, they came trying to impress Edo people, but ended up depressing all of us.

“When we complained of utter neglect of Edo State in the scheme of things, they hurriedly brought caterpillars to site and vandalize the roads, pretending to be working.

“If you visit Federal Government roads today in Edo State, especially Uromi-Agbor road, a major highway connecting the eastern part of the country, you will weep for Edo people.

Okolugbo felicitates with Ochor over DESOPADEC job SIR KENNY Okolugbo has felicitated with Mr. Chris Ochor, who was appointed an Executive Director in Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, to represent Ndokwa nation.

Okolugbo, the former representatives of Ndokwa on the Commission’s board, who recorded landmark achievements, said: “Your appointment is a greater calling

to serve the people.

“Having been a Special Assistant to the Governor, an honourable member of Delta State House of Assembly, one-time commissioner and a transition chairman, qualify you to indeed take the Ndokwa nation and DESOPADEC to a greater level, where the oil-producing areas would continue to have a sense of belonging.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015 — 17

Finishing well: The Osoba example

progressives were meeting in Awolowo residence.

There was a mild drama at the inauguration of Governor Ibikunle Amosun when he was being sworn in 2011.The seat next to Amosun was tagged for the Don until a former Governor went there and put Osoba's name where they reserved for the Don muttering "even in Ogun state".

I knew from that day that it was just a matter of time. The rest as they say is history. It got to a point that Aremo could take

A

REMO Olusegun Osoba is known as one of the most celebrated journalists of the old era alive in Nigeria today. He was a hardworking and very mercurial practitioner of journalism and media manager who brought great panache to the industry in his active years in journalism.

He was editor of Daily Times the medium by which anything newspaper was called in the rural communities in those days. His days as the Managing Director of Daily Sketch still remain indelible.

He was one of the few media gurus who worked closely with the sage Obafemi Awolowo and were like ex-officios of Papa's political establishment.

The first hand information acquired in the process has made him an archivist of a sort for that movement and at every critical moment when the falsifier of Owu goes on his historical vogage, Aremo is always on hand to flog him with the merciless rod of truth .The latest was the foul yawning of the Ebora on the making of a Yoruba Leader.

By the time the grandmaster waded in, the boisterous general literally "pick am for race" unable to "dey kampe" again. May the tribe of Osoba never go into extinction.

It is the tragic twist to our political trajectory that has pushed the kind of values Osoba represents in Yorubaland to the background while elevating the weird mercantile politics of strange children.

Strange children For a while, many thought Aremo had also surrendered his conscience at the altar of Baal in Bourdillon in the years he had to be pragmatic and play what Yoruba call we eat what is available if what we normally eat is no longer in supply.

But that phase did not kill the innate and essential Osoba and the Don was not totally at peace with him. He was however tolerated because he brought on board what all the heist cannot buy: a good name and historical links with the legacy they are appropriating.

I recall one meeting a group I belonged to had with the former AD governors in Lagos years back. It was so enervating as Osoba went down historical lane to draw from his witness to progressive history. When it C M Y K

His group lost the elections but they won their dignity.

Aremo today is in a better stead than those who won elections but didn't win power Aremo Olusegun Osoba appeared the husband of Beere was becoming the toast of the day,the Don also tried to chime

in. All he could say was that he was part of those carrying crates of Coke to Ikenne when the

it no more and he had to pull his supporters out of the ACN / APC. They moved to the unknown SDP and campaigned like never before in all nooks and crannies of Ogun state. There wasn't much electoral dividend to all the efforts given the sham nature of our electoral process.

They were up against the most sophisticated rigging machine the south west has ever known in history. A machinery that ensured those who had packed out of government houses months before elections returned with landslide. Those who were owing salaries for months were waving brooms in victory in celebration of the conquest of our people.

But Akinrogun has carried himself graciously ever after. He has not displayed any streak of opportunism as he goes on his life at peace with his conscience and God. His group lost the elections but they won their dignity. Aremo today is in a better stead than those who won elections but didn't win power.

There comes a time when a man should know that what is left is not worth having. Aremo knew that moment and that is why he has finished well even if he ends his political career today.

••Justice Oloyede and Osun Skelewu Orchestra

By Ifeoluwa Y Laroosin ‘I am propelled by the desire to see the pains of my fellow human beings ameliorated and to possibly, help take away the reproach of our state as “a bankrupt” and “a failed state”. Justice Oloyede Olamide Folahanmi.

I

T is well over one year since the governorship elections in Osun state. The campaign was fierce and contested. Omisore-led PDP in Osun state identified the urgent need for a ‘Rescue Mission’, calling for prosperity and development that leave no one behind. On the other hand, Rauf Aregbesola celebrated his ‘achievements’ in four years, dancing from local government to local governments of chants of ‘Aregbe l’ekan si (Aregbe once again). The rest of the story is history, as the electoral commission declared him winner of the elections and the Supreme Court based on the evidence before it has asserted that victory.

Our votes, whether they counted or not, is not the matter of the moment.

Beyond the campaign and our one vote, there is a valid expectation that the commitments of the elections and the denial of all the campaign allegations of Omisore’s PDP will play themselves out in good governance and sustained progress. Sadly this has not been the case. Civil servants and pensioners have not been paid.

The allegations of reckless

financial management and fraudulent procurement practices are not false. Federal allocations were received and diverted to personal purses and indeed many of the proposed infrastructure touted during the campaign are nowhere to be found. The N8.4 billion Opon Imo (Tablet of Knowledge) is no longer in any institution in the state. The school feeding programme and the perverse ‘OYES’ initiative are all gone with the wind of ‘skelewu dancing’. So bad is the situation that Osun state has been described as being in a humanitarian crisis, with religious organisations and many local charities as well as private donations directed at its citizens.

Although the Governor had on national television asserted that he has no solution, he hangs on to power, converting his sacked commissioners to consultants and continuing his lavish ‘skelewu dancing’ at his daughter ’s wedding which he chose to hold in Lagos, far away from his people in Osun State!

A response in the public space is required, as well as action where appropriate

One lady did have the moral courage to speak out and stand tall! Justice Oloyede Olamide Folahanmi in a letter to the House of Assembly, raised several issues that she as both a citizen and leader in Osun state felt that those elected in the State Assembly need to pay attention to. Prior to petitioning the State Assembly, Justice Folahanmi had tried without success to have audience with the Governor to discuss her many concerns.

Silence of good men Several appointments were reneged. In her petition, Justice Folahanmi asserts: ‘I verily believe, that the desired power, prestige and good image for our country that the majority yearns for can only be achieved when we all cooperate to fight ineptitude, corruption, greed and abuse of entrusted power in governance. I am also convinced of the fact that loving one’s brethren means doing that which will benefit them, which includes having them corrected and/or punished if they refuse to understand and persist in acts which are damaging to others beside themselves’.

It is indeed widely acclaimed that evil persists, only when supported by the silence of good men.

Highlights of Justice Folahanmi’s petition include (please note that this is not an exhaustive list): i. Failure of the governor to pay 8-11 months of pensions,salaries

and allowances to workers while personally enjoying outrageous emoluments and perks of office. ii. Borrowing beyond the capacity of the state to repay iii. Embarking on bogus and extravagant projects to siphon state resources Since she has raised these issues, Justice Folahanmi has been the object of attack and not reward. Rather than the EFCC inviting Rauf Aregebsola to respond to these questions of large scale fraud and financial mismanagement, it is Justice Folahanmi that has been under perverse scrutiny, in both her official and personal space.

Leading legal luminaries who should protect public accountability have called her to question in the most bizarre of all the interventions.

The State Assembly has denied her, and the public access to the response of the Governor. It matters not whether the petition is written by the Governor’s political adversaries or not. The important thing is that we all know that Osun state and its people are in dire straits, workers and pensioners are unpaid and the Governor should be held to public accountability. Justice Oloyede has articulated the grave situation of the state. A response in the public space is required, as well as action where appropriate.

Freedom of Information is a mirage without responsibility to answer and obligation to act. We all would like to know.

•Ifeoluwa Y Laroosin sent this piece from Ede, Osun state.

To be concluded.

18 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, SETEMBER 1, 2015 WEDNESDAY, August 19, 2015, Nigeria joined the rest of the global community to mark World Humanitarian Day. For obvious reasons, the country readily identified with the celebration which had as its theme, Inspiring the World’s Humanity. Apart from the fact that Nigeria is a major contributor to global humanitarian causes, the country is said to currently harbour some 3.3 million internally displaced persons, which is considered the third highest in the world.

The figure represents those displaced on account of attacks by armed Islamist group, Boko Haram, counterinsurgency efforts of the military in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States as well as religious/communal violence in the Middle Belt zone. There are also other factors which include flooding and desertification.

It has been established that only about six per cent of the IDPs are those who fled their homes due to inter-communal clashes and natural disasters.

Adequate care for displaced persons Frequent brutal attacks by insurgents in Nigeria’s North East accounts for a significant percentage of the internally displaced in the country.

Indeed at the World Humanitarian Day celebration in Abuja, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Daouda Toure, informed that 1.5 million persons in the country have so far been displaced by terrorist activities and pleaded for more resources to meet their needs. According to him: “(Available resources are) not commensurate with the situation on ground as the crisis in the North-East

is not publicised enough”.

It is obvious that government will need to adopt more proactive measures to check the alarming rise in the population of IDPs in Nigeria. It should also compel the Nigerian Immigration Service and the security agencies to intensify efforts towards identifying genuine Nigerian displaced persons to prevent foreigners with questionable intents and even terrorists and suicide bombers from infiltrating the camps and causing havoc to lives and property.

With the telling effects of the mili-

OPINION Ogoni clean up: A promise kept(2) Continued from yesterrday's pg 20

By Chukwudi Enekwechi

B

Y Mr. President approving an initial $10 million to be contributed by the oil companies operating in the area within a period of 30 days, he has demonstrated in concrete terms government’s avowed commitment towards ameliorating the environmental problems besetting the Niger Delta.

There is no gainsaying that this part of Nigeria has borne the major burden of oil exploration, and the decision to pay attention to their plight is commendable.

To successfully tackle the environmental problems of Ogoni land and Niger Delta in general, there is the need for a coordinated approach by all stakeholders. Oil companies, local communities, states and local governments, civil society organisations must pull resources together to restore the environment.

The Buhari administration has demonstrated clearly that it is willing and able to carry all Nigerians along in C M Y K

its policies and programmes. It takes a man with fidelity to keep promises that were made during political campaigns.

I believe that with his methodical approach, President Buhari will eventually address various issues affecting the six geo-political zones of the country.

Also, the composition of members

With these proactive moves by the Federal Government, it is expected that all stakeholders, especially the major oil companies who caused the problems in the first instance will cooperate fully to ensure the realisation of the Federal Government plan

HYPREP which comprises two members of the community, oil companies and NNPC will have between the four members, one representative each from the Federal Ministries of Petroleum and Environment the “impacted” state – Rivers and a Project Manager to head the secretariat will form the membership of the governing council of the newly constituted Hydrocarbon Pollution Restoration Project (HYPREP).

By all means, this is a formidable team that can turn around the fortunes oil polluted communities, especially Ogoniland which has become the focal point of the effects of environmental degradation in that of the country. It is also gratifying that the various groups, especially the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni people, MOSOP has appreciated the effort of the Buhari administration in addressing the concerns of the region.

Worthy of mention also is the role of the United Nations Environmental Programme in arriving at a workable solution on the environmental degradation of Ogoni land. Their involvement stemmed from the request

tary campaigns, more efforts must be directed at the IDP camps round the clock to keep unwanted elements at bay. At the same time, the federal government should evolve a coordinated system of effective humanitarian responses at all levels of governance, as well as contributions from the private sector, religious charities and the international community towards maintaining basic services in the IDP camps. They must be properly catered for, and an orderly process of returning them to their communities after the defeat of insurgency, mapped out.

Given the changing complexity of modern society, it is pertinent for Nigeria to set up a permanent commission to look after citizens routinely uprooted from their homes by factors beyond their control and provide the financial and logistic frameworks to respond to such circumstances beyond the temporary efforts of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

of ex-president Obasanjo in July 2006 to carry out a comprehensive assessment of the environmental and public health impacts of oil contamination in Ogoni land and Rivers State, with options for remediation.

UNEP did a comprehensive assessment of the affected areas by deploying their specialised manpower and eventually came up with work plans and realisable budgets for the clean-up to the Federal Government in 2007.

With these proactive moves by the Federal Government, it is expected that all stakeholders, especially the major oil companies who caused the problems in the first instance will cooperate fully to ensure the realisation of the Federal Government plan. Government should also go a step further to make the Programme all inclusive by incorporating all the affected communities.

On a general note, we can easily draw conclusion that President Buhari as a man of fidelity has kept his promise to clean up Ogoniland, and this is the case in all other sectors as he has continued to live up to Nigerians’ expectations.

Concluded •Mr. Enekwechi, a journalist, wrote from Abuja.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015— —19

Still on legislators allowances

By Sunny Ikhioya

T

HE news of the Senators rejection of a cut in their allowances did not come as a surprise to those keen National Assembly observers. When it comes to matters concerning money, our politicians have proved themselves to be the same; their selfish interests comes first, they never yield ground. The recent revelations concerning the activities of the past Lagos and Rivers state governments indicate that corruption does not reside in the abode of one party, the anticorruption drive must therefore target a pot-pouri of all. Good enough,there appears to be a few good ones amongst them like Ben Murray Bruce who is been making 'common sense' for sometime now. But such are in a miserable minority.

The question is: If the National Assembly's budget was in the region of 15billion naira in 1999/2000 and has risen to 150billion naira at current budget estimate, how did things get to this state?

It must be noted that our legislators got the Executive arm of government to accede to their demands through various forms of subtle blackmail demands and threats. Even ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo watched idly

as legislators appropriated constituency projects and allowances.

Why must constituency projects be given to legislators when there are professional construction firms in abundance, coupled with governments' public works departments that can handle these functions? If legislators execute projects, who does over sight supervisory functions of projects at the community levels? No wonder, there are a deluge of abandoned and sub standard projects across the country.

This is the contradiction we are faced with as a nation. We cannot move ahead this way. Our legislators have become so used to enjoying their spoils of office and would stop at nothing to resist cuts in their allowances. But, can we make them back down for a cost reduction, inspite of their stiff resistance?

I believe it can be done, but we have to look at what gave birth to this attitude of primitive wealth accumulation in the first place and to trace our journey back to 1999, when the new democratic dispensation took off.

What factors have made these ordinarily hard working and supposed honourables join the gang up in the despoliation of our economy? If the causes are identified, the solution to the problems is just round the

corner. In addition to the above, we must go back to what used to be done before the coming of the present political dispensation; what body was responsible for maintenance of government projects? What body was responsible for community projects? Which body supervised dispensation of cash to the legislators? How frequently were House members' trip abroad?

Were monies given to legislators subject to controls in the form of returns of expenses? How open was the National Assembly's account to public scrutiny? These are the questions that we require answers to.

Also to note is the extent to which the National Assembly can exert pressure on the Executive, because, we have observed since 1999, that the House is not favourably disposed towards granting the executive’s request without a reciprocal gesture that will be to their own benefit. There were many

Neither the kettle nor the pot, had the courage to bring the other to justice

NASS crisis and politics of you don hit my car!

By Dumebi Onwordi-Okonji

I

SAW it differently. We have been long on this, sometimes, misbegotten journey without any destination in sight from 1999 to 2015, for instance. Our arrivals and departures have always revealed mirages and milestones and other unchartered routes not previously spotted in the electronic trackers of our political voyage.

The desired salvation, pardon the religious connotation, is always in the future – in the future that has appeared perpetually impossible to transform into reality.

In the years, and from the political experiences, before the 2015 elections, 2015 was marked and preserved as another stopover that would afford the nation the opportunity to reset all the apparatus of our journey in the hope that with a renewed consciousness we would push or guide the workings of our nation into greater efficiency, perhaps, for the first time in our sociopolitical memory. The troubles and struggles of electing or re-electing the right and qualified persons were simply Olympian in quality and magnitude. It was reckoned that the centrality of the game of politics to the nature and texture of our democratic survival was no longer an exclusive preoccupation of the professional politician but also of any Nigerian who had life in him anywhere in the world.

However, it looked quite bad that it became an inauspicious time to stand for any interest in the political or electioneering space even for an ordinary electorate. Lives were lost here and there but the anonymity of the social media played a significant role lending some impetus to the erstwhile voiceless electorate who waylaid their own political villains or engaged in political grandstanding for their heroes. The atmosphere was critically charged but when all the equations in the democratic calculations and miscalculations had been sorted, we were left with victorious

C M Y K

politicians and groups who were returned as the answers or quod erat demonstrandum of all our pretences and commitments to a better political dispensation. For the newcomer politicians, victory must have come at a high emotional cost; paradoxically, a possible honeymoon quickly faded into the rising urgency of delivering value to their constituencies.

The campaigns and choices were made in the avowed hope that the time had come to mean well for Nigeria; the time to shame political personalities, browbeat them into obscurity and scuttle interests whose leanings and orientations have always portended grave and indescribable danger for the polity. The promises and counterpromises were encapsulated in CHANGE and CONTINUITY, two words that presented a paradoxical understanding and deployment of their meanings and intentions. One man’s change obviously became another man’s continuity; and those who clamoured CHANGE in one context frantically urged CONTINUITY in another. But the electorate progressed and managed intentions as they unfolded and there was no doubt that the general atmosphere was one of a sweeping, umbrella

The outcome of the youdon-hit-my-car road rage at NASS among other negative portrayals was the aura of go-slowness that gathered around the president who was or is being accused of suffering from political inertia

instances under President Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan and when it comes down to this, the House members are united across party lines.

So, what gave birth to this insatiable craze for money and power? The answer is in the manner we conduct our politics, right from the grassroots to the federal level. There is always somebody to settle or bribe; the party godfathers, party executives, and the gullible electorate. Nobody gets elected without heavy monetary investments and as soon as they get into positions, recouping the investments becomes their immediate priority. Some even go as far as collecting loans to prosecute election. Of course, when they get there, they have to pay back the loans. Secondly, because of their greed and insatiable appetite, our legislators are always on the look out for bigger positions, the higher the position, the more the demands financially. This was what affected Farouk Lawan’s House committee probe of the oil subsidy regime. Not the least is the absence of a firm and clean Executive to checkmate the excesses of the legislators. The executives of the Obasanjo and Jonathan eras were heavily compromised and so, were in no position to demand for equity and therefore the legislators followed suit and got away with their loots. So we had a corrupt government through and through. Neither the kettle nor the pot, had the courage to bring the other to justice.

commitment to what some have now differentiated as the real change. The emerging order is thus different from the political CHANGE massively campaigned for earlier this year; it is a sort of transmogrification that tends to consume even those who clamoured for it but at the same time nursed the hidden agenda to take us back once they gained victory to the place and phase we desired to consign to the receptacle of our democratic failures.

With elections and selections into leadership positions in the National Assembly yet to be conducted at the time, we imagined it was not hallelujah days.

Experience offered us very little in our expectation of what was coming for it was never reckoned that such a process in the hallowed chambers would be such a gridlock believing that the major hurdles for the nation had been scaled at the general elections. The entrenchment of House leaders, however, proved problematic and eventually delayed our national destiny in a manner that became highly embarrassing and served as a potential discredit to the wholesale emotional investments that yielded an evolving political renaissance.

The drama that unfolded in the buildup to the emergence of leaderships at the National Assembly bears episodic reruns.

The intrigues and horse-trading upset calculations and caused far-reaching disappointed expectations for particular interests and groups. It was protested that ‘party supremacy’ had been grossly undermined. As a nation, our political procession was halted. From all indications the vehicle conveying certain sensibilities had been smashed in a political accident of sorts. The resultant outburst of the starryeyed propagators of such interests evoked the typical you-don-hit-my-car road rage in the city of Lagos. Once that collusion of interest happened, the polity was threatened so much so that all highways leading to the mainstream of our expectations were literally barricaded. They called it crisis choosing to avoid the proper name for such naked gangsterism! The nation was plunged into a waiting game while pregnant silences and inflammatory utterances filled the political space. Of course, the scenario represented a democratic pathos against the

Now that we have a government that has integrity as its mantra, will they be able to ask the legislators to strictly face their legislative assignments and allow the executive to do the implementation? Stop foreign training/seminars unless they are able to sponsor themselves?

Allow the executive to execute community projects while the legislators carry out their over sight functions as should be? Be strict with campaign expenses that breed corruption? Impose strict budget and budgetary controls for all Assembly members and staff? The staff is prone to wasteful spending because of the attitude of the politicians. Will the executive be able to stop the House members from going to government organisations and agencies to 'extort' money? Will they be able to stop the House from inflating annual budgets when it gets to them? Will they be able to cut the unnecessary and over bloated allowances that the House is now used to?

Now that we have a president that has not been tainted by corruption- so to speak- will he be willing to relate with the National Assembly with integrity and openness, so that there will be no need for crooked paths to the passage of our laws?

These are the questions President Buhari must address or find answers to. *Mr. Ikhioya, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Lagos.

seemingly overwhelming success in the elections that held earlier in the year.

The outcome of the you-don-hit-my-car road rage at NASS among other negative portrayals was the aura of go-slowness that gathered around the president who was or is being accused of suffering from political inertia. To drive the frustration home, Nigerians have likened him to the barber’s chair, destined to constant motion without movement. After several weeks of such political hiatus and intrigues, however, the party in power gave the waiting nation a wry, cynical smile and announced that the crisis had been amicably resolved. That was not a strange outcome going by the highlights of our democratic experience. For all practical purposes, the nation was kept waiting while the damage done to the egos of the dramatis personae in the collision of interests was being fixed. More than we may be willing to admit, the body language indicated that to a great extent there is more than one ignition key to the engine room of our new democratic contraption.

Appointments have been slow and laboured and the national assembly appears bogged down in a myriad of self-absorbing challenges. Ironically, the reality of a cabinet as an integral part of governance has been kept in abeyance, a development construed as one of the negatives from the you-don-hit-my-car imbroglio.

In the final analysis, the roads ahead look free and well paved for effectiveness. The nation appears poised to go the distance in the hope that familiar and strange speed breakers will not surface once again on our path to political epiphany. These crises in their various manifestations have, however, raised the alert level of the nation; numerous spotlights are being beamed on any conceivable move or intention, and every Nigerian has become a potential whistleblower, literarily speaking.

The crises have set us back but at the same time reordered our pattern of political vigilance. The ills and challenges inherited from the last dispensation seem to have become the contrived blueprint of the new democratic order.

•Mr. Onwordi-Okonji, a copywriter, wrote from Lagos.

20—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

crashed into were all on fire, including the plane. But we were able to rescue a girl, who was a house help of Lt. Col Girema. Her face was badly hit by a propeller and she was covered all over in blood. But we got her out. The officer came out unhurt, but very shocked and confused.

“The most annoying aspect was that when our fire fighting vehicle came, it was almost empty. After about five minutes, they said that the water in the truck had finished and they went back to refill. People were throwing sand and water, but it was of little use. Thankfully another fire fighting vehicle from outside the barracks came and put out the fire. But by then it was too late.

Suara... The pilot

Dropping a passenger

*Hassana and her son Boifa

Air Force Plane crash: Heart-breaking revelations of an air tragedy

By Luka Binniyat, Kaduna

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HE crash of a Dornier 228 light Air Force plane at the Ribadu Military Cantonments Kaduna on Saturday is one of the latest tragedies to befall the nation. It occurred 17 days after a helicopter belonging to Bristow Helicopters crashed into the Lagos Lagoon, killing seven of the 12 persons on board. In-between, the lives of several Nigerians have been cut short through fatal road crashes and bombings carried out by the murderous Islamic militants, Boko Haram, in the North East.

While a shocked nation tried to come to terms with the Air Force plane crash, the identities of those on board were not immediately made public. But Vanguard Metro, VM, can

Suara in ceremonial dress C M Y K

confirm based on investigation that the pilot was Squadron Leader Kunle Suara whose age was given as 34 years old.

He was said to be one of the best pilots in the Nigerian Air Force. He was married to Mayowa, a post-graduate student with the Ahmadu Bello University, ABU. They had been married for five years and had no child, according to VM findings in Kaduna. The co-pilot was identified as Flight Lieutenant I. Onarino.

Curious revelation Madam Hassana Musa, wife of Wing Commander I. B Musa who also perished in the crash, was the daughter of a late Wing Commander, who was killed when Nigerian Air Force C-130 transport plane carrying top military officers crashed in Ejigbo near Lagos, minutes after leaving the Lagos airport. All passengers died in the crash; 173 bodies were later found while 27 were declared missing.

The late Hassana originally hailed from Kano State while her husband, Musa, was from Adamawa State. She was with her five-year-old son and a nephew of her husband who was said to be just seven when both died in the early morning disaster.

Also among the victims was the wife of Wing Commander M. Aliyu. A curious revelation in VM investigation is the fact that Lt. Col Girema, who lives in one of the two buildings on which the plane crashed, had lived in three previous houses

at the cantonment, and all had been gutted by fire. He had just moved to the new house at 7, Gen. Eramobo Street, in the senior officers part of the cantonment about a month ago.

An eyewitness of the crash who spoke to VM on condition of anonynity narrated how it happened: “I was out that morning washing my dad’s car when I heard the noise of an aircraft coming almost directly downwards towards me. I heard a woman, who was also outside at the time, and close to our house screaming: ‘Blood of Jesus! Blood of Jesus! Blood of Jesus!!’.

“It was too late for me to move anywhere. I just stood there.

The plane came, and suddenly rose up again, and it brush the top of some trees. Then less than a second I heard a loud crash as it landed just a few metres from here. I still cannot believe what happened. Suddenly, there was panic all over the barracks. But I was too shocked to move. It took me quite sometimes to compose myself and move there,” he said.

Another source, a soldier in the cantonment and who also asked that his name be not mentioned for fear of being sanctioned said: “When the plane crashed, we were among the first to come for the rescue.

But the two houses on which it

I’m very sad about what happened to Suara; he was one of the best pilots in the Air Force; he was a very confident, very skilled pilot; he was also a nice, religious and considerate person; no one can replace him *Scene of the crash

“I want to add that we were all surprised when the Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen. Tukur Buratai showed up here just about an hour after the crash.

He came with the GOC and another Army General. We are very proud of him, because he showed how much he cared about about his soldiers”.

According VM findings, the plane was on its way to Abuja, where it was supposed to drop a passenger, before heading for Warri to drop the others.

“I am very sad about what happed to Suara,” an Air Force Pilot, confided to VM yesterday at the Nigeria Air Force Base, Mando Kaduna.

“He was one of the best pilots in the Air Force. He was a very confident, very skilled pilot. He was also a nice, religious and considerate person. No one can replace him,” he said.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

EXHIBITION - From left, Vitapur Nigeria Ltd’s Sales Engineer, Mr. Steve Amedu, Managing Director, Mr Akin Oladiran, Technical Consultant to Vitapur, Mr.Sarel Nel and Head, sales and Marketing, Mr.Yemi Mafikoya at Archibuilt 2015 Exhibition in Abuja.

It’s N220 to the dollar as Hajj, school fees fuel forex demand Confirming this development to Vanguard, President, Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Alh. Aminu Gwadabe stated, “The demand is very high and the buyers willing to pick dollars at any available price. Also the demand of dollars by importers is increasing at an alarming rate.”

Managing Director/ Chief Executive, H.J Trust

By Babajide Komolafe THE naira depreciated by N5 to N220 per dollar yesterday in the parallel market as dollar demand to fund hajj pilgrimage and payment of school fees increased demand for the United States currency.

From an average of N215 per dollar at the close of business on Friday, the parallel market exchange rate rose sharply to N220 per dollar yesterday, in Lagos and Abuja.

$3,079.00

-33.00

$10.81

-0.16

$48.58

43.97 CURRENCY

BUYING

-1.47

-1.25

CENTRAL

196 196.5 POUNDS 302.8788 303.6515 EURO 221.4604 222.0254 FRANC 205.1926 205.7161 YEN 1.6301 1.6342 CFA 0.3216 0.3316 WAUA 277.1776 277.8847 RENMINBI 30.5916 30.6701 RIYAL 52.236 52.3693 SDR 276.262 276.9668 KRONA 29.6736 29.7493

197 304.4241 222.5903 206.2395 1.6384 0.3416 278.5918 30.7486 52.5205 277.6715 29.825

CBN Exchange Rate as at 31/ 08 /15

C M Y K

A BDC operator in Abuja who spoke to Vanguard on condition of anonymity said there is also huge demand for payment of school fees abroad. He noted that recent restrictions on dollar deposit and withdrawal from domiciliary account, has compelled people with children schooling abroad to visit the parallel market to buy dollars or pounds to pay school fees.

Investigations however reveal that it is very difficult and expensive to source dollars into domiciliary accounts through transfers

her foreign currency cash or the Naira equivalent.

For the avoidance of doubt, only wire transfers to and from Domiciliary Accounts are henceforth permissible.

Domiciliary account “The CBN advises individuals that wish to source foreign currency for eligible and legitimate purposes such as BTA, PTA medical, mortgage, school fees, goods etc. to do so through recognised channels with the use of Form ‘A’ for “invisible” and Form ‘M’ for ‘visible’ transactions. By this circular, those who deposited foreign currencies into their accounts before the directive will now have to withdraw the cash as they are not going to be allowed to transfer the funds.”

Investigations however reveal that it is very difficult and expensive to source dollars into domiciliary accounts through transfers.

Besides the documentation requirements, such dollars are sold at N230 per dollar and above, making the parallel market with dollars trading below N220 last week, more attractive to buy dollars by such parents.

Electricity: CPC summons DISCOs over ‘crazy bills’

I

DOLLAR

BDC, Mr. Harrison Owoh, said there is huge demand from those going for the Hajj pilgrimage. He noted that 66,000 people were approved for the Hajj while the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) approved maximum sale of $1000 to each pilgrim at N160 per dollar. But each of them needs about $6000 for the pilgrimage hence they are in the market to source for the balance.

It would be recalled that on August 5th, the CBN banned cash deposit of foreign currency into domiciliary accounts. In a circular signed by Mr. Olalekan Gbadamosi, Director, Trade and Exchange Department, CBN, the apex bank said that payment into and withdrawal from domiciliary accounts would be limited to transfers.

The circular stated, “In its continued efforts to stop illicit financial flows in the Nigerian banking system which aligns with the anti-money Laundering stance of the Federal Government, the CBN hereby prohibits from the date of this circular the acceptance of foreign currency cash deposits by DMBs. “For foreign currency cash lodgements made prior to the date of this circular, the account holder has the option to either withdraw his or

— 21

NUNDATED with consumer complaints, the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) has summoned all electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs) in the country to a hearing on alleged outrageous billings, based on estimated consumption.

The Council, in response to numerous complaints on estimated billings and non-provision of meters, summoned each of the distribution companies. It warned that absence by any of the companies at the hearing would be regarded as a violation of its enabling Act. The consumer protection agency, in a circular dated August 26, 2015 and signed by its Director General, Mrs. Dupe Atoki, fixed Monday, September 7, 2015 for the hearing on these issues.

The circular stated that the agency “has been inundated with complaints commonly referred to as ‘crazy billing’, by which Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs) are alleged to

arbitrarily determine consumption level of consumers of electricity and bill them accordingly”, adding that it also “received complaints that many consumers have paid for meters for periods spanning over 12 months, but are yet to be supplied same by their respective DISCOs”.

It pointed out that pursuant to these complaints, it has decided to commence investigation to “enable your organisation as well as other DISCOs make representation and individually state your position regarding the said complaints, particularly as they affect consumers in the area of your coverage.

Status report “You are, therefore, by this letter summoned to attend, make representation and submit a status report on the aforementioned complaints in your area of coverage, including any other document or evidence, to support your position at the hearing”, the Council

declared.

CPC, in its letter, cautioned the DISCOs to be “guided by Section 18 of the CPC Act that criminalises disobedience of summon, which includes neglect or refusal to attend and testify before the Council or to answer any lawful enquiry or to produce any document as may be required”, advising the companies to “note that, whether you attend or not, far reaching decisions, which may be of consequence to your operations, may be taken after the hearing”.

The Council’s action is in line with the dictates of its mandate, which empowers it to provide speedy redress to consumer complaints, ensure that consumers’ interest receive due consideration at appropriate forum and provide redress to obnoxious practices or the unscrupulous exploitation of consumers by companies, firms, trade association or individual.

22 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

,

TOP 10 PERFORMING STOCKS

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

D

INVESTOR' ,

If you don’t register for the BVN by October 31st, you will not be able to receive money into your account or withdraw from it

ANGOTE Sugar Refinery Plc led other top performing equities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, last week with the share price rising by 20.80 per cent or N1.25 to close at N7.26 from N6.01 per share. Skye Bank Plc trailed closely behind, rising by 17.59 per cent or N0.35 to close at N2.34 from N1.99 the previous week.

Wema Bank, Forte Oil and Guinness Nigeria Plc closed as the last three on the top five gainers’ list as their share prices rose by 11.25 percent or N0.09, 9.27 per cent or N21.19, and 6.73 per cent or N8.01 to close at N0.89, N249.89 and N127.01 respectively.

Fidelity Bank emerged the sixth most active, adding 4.80 per cent or N0.06 to its share price to close at N1.31 from N1.25; Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc ranked seventh, appreciating by 3.94 per cent or N0.71 to close at N18.71 from N18.00; Paints and Coatings Plc, which led the pack last week, followed with 3.64 per cent or N0.04 to close at N1.14 from N1.10, Associated Bus Company, ABC Plc gained 1.89 per cent or N0.01 to close at N0.54 from N0.53, while Costain (West Africa) plc advanced by 1.75 per cent or N0.01 to close at N0.58 from N0.57 per share.

Dangote Sugar Refinery (DSR), which led the pack last week, has been struggling with depressed financials. The half year financial statement to June 2015 in the public domain was a continuation of the losing streak. The company’s profit before tax for the period fell by 4.5 per cent to .8 billion, as against N10.3 billion i n 2014, while profit after tax was N6.3 billion, compared with N6.8 billion in 2014, representing 7.4 per cent decline However, its revenue for the same period increased marginally by three per cent to N51.1 billion in 2015 from N49.6 billion posted in the corresponding period of 2014.

With half year sugar production at its Savannah Plant at 6,610 tonnes, up from 6,245 tonnes, while refinery production at Apapa was 361,083 tonnes, the company said its main target

in the second half of the year is to increase production and improve distribution to match the increasing demand from customers. The company recently got the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) food safety management systems certification (NIS ISO 22000:2005). The certification is the third in the series of ISO certification on Quality, Process Safety/Security and Food Safety, achieved by the Sugar Refinery, and thus making it the only sugar organization in the country with three ISO certifications.

Skye Bank, the second on the list, announced recently that it has gone into a consultancy partnership with International Finance Corporation (IFC) to evolve an effective lending framework for medium, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The objective of the partnership, according to the bank, is to produce a new lending framework for SMEs that de-emphasises reliability

Before the October deadline for BVN (3)

By Babajide Komolafe

‘I

F you don’t register for the Biometric Verification Number (BVN) before the October 31st deadline, nothing will happen to you”.

This statement was made by Jimoh Musa, Deputy Director, Banking and Payment System Department, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), while addressing finance journalists last week Friday at the bimonthly forum of the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN).

The gathering was taken aback by the statement. To aggravate their consternation, Musa repeated the statement, paused, and added, “But you will not be able to access your account.” A wave of laughter erupted across the hall.

The focus of the August bimonthly forum was “A review of Development in the Epayment Industry in 2015”.

The Guest Speaker was Mr. Dipo Fatokun, Director, Banking and Payment System Department, CBN, and he was represented by Musa.

Since the BVN was the most

topical issue in the first half of 2015, it was expected that discussion on the initiative would feature prominently at the forum.

After the preambles about the rationale for the BVN, Musa emphasised the need for bank customers to register for the BVN before the deadline, rather than wait for few days to the deadline, resulting into rowdy banking halls. His comments and emphasis on the implication of not registering

The number of customers that have registered for the BVN increased by one million from 18 million in July to 19 million in August

for the BVN, however filled a major hole in the communication of the BVN to customers. He said, “If you don’t register for the BVN by October 31st, you will not be able to receive money into your account or withdraw from it.

You will not be able to operate the account”.

Registering for the BVN That is why the media should help us spread this message to the public so that they would register for the BVN on time.

The media should not wait till one week to the deadline before doing a countdown, the countdown should begin now, and it should be everyday”.

Good talk. But the industry should take responsibility for the countdown. The industry, led by the CBN should develop publicity materials that would run on daily or weekly basis across the major print and electronic print media. This should be complemented with countdown messages embedded in text and email alerts banks send to their customers, as well as banners

MARKET NEWS on collateral by focusing primarily on evaluating business viability. Based on the new framework, when a business passes the viability test, the bank can consider nontraditional collateral options outside real estate to reduce the difficulty faced by business owners in their bid to secure credit facilities from banks. Its available half year financial reports and accounts showed that the bank grossed N85.2 billion for the half year ended June 30, 2015. The result shows an increase of 33 per cent over the N63.9 billion recorded during the corresponding period in 2014. Along with other positive fundamentals, the bank’s shareholders’ funds grew from N131 billion in 2014 to N141 billion during the period under review, representing a growth of seven per cent. The profit before tax grew from N7.3 billion in the preceding year to N10.7 billion in the year in review, representing an increase of 47 per cent. Also, its net interest income grew to N30.2 billion as against N25.5 billion in 2014, representing a growth of 18 per cent.

NSE achieves ISO 27001:2013 certification

T

HE Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has announced that it has achieved the ISO27001:2013 Certification, the most stringent global standard for Information Security.

The award, which was received from the British Standard Institute (BSI), working with Digital Encode in Nigeria, is sequent to a series of rigorous and extensive audit of the Exchange’s information management systems and processes.

ISO 27001:2013 will give both the NSE and its stakeholders the confidence to trust the Exchange with the safe-keeping and processing of their information as well as ensure that appropriate controls are in place to prevent (wherever possible) and manage risks in the unlikely event of a breach.

Commenting on the achievement, Mr. Oscar N. Onyema, CEO, NSE said: “ISO Certification is an important reference for many international

organisations and I am extremely proud of the Exchange to have achieved this feat, a further testament to our commitment to deploy robust information management systems, policies and processes across our service value chain in line with global standards.

As ISO 27001 is the most stringent certification for information security controls, I congratulate my colleagues who worked diligently to get this recognition.”

Mr. Ade Bajomo, Executive Director, Market Operations and Technology, NSE said: “We are particularly pleased to be the first

ISO 27001:2013 will give both the NSE and its stakeholders the confidence to trust the Exchange with the safe-keeping and processing of their information

Exchange in Africa with this certification, showing our ongoing commitment to information management leadership and attainment of best-in-class operations.

As the investing public continues to use data and information to drive insights and investment in the capital markets, security of information will remain on the front burner and the Exchange will continue to adopt market leading approaches and controls in this area.

“The achievement of the ISO 27001:2013 Certification required the application of more than 100 different controls across 14 categories with the goal of providing a model for establishing, implementing, operating, monitoring, and maintaining a robust Information Security Management System.

It has re-affirmed our ability to undertake the seamless integration of people, processes and technology to drive our market.” says Head, Information Security, Mrs Favour FemiOyewole.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015 — 23

with countdown messages prominently displayed in banking halls.

Most importantly, the countdown messages should emphasise the fact that customers that fail to register for the BVN by October 31st would not be able to operate their account.

One of the revelations from forum is the fact that more bank customers have registered for the BVN. Musa

disclosed that the number of customers that have registered for the BVN increased by one million from 18 million in July to 19 million in August.

These include all the journalists at the forum. Thus, Musa was preaching to the converted.

To be continued next week (Send comments and enquiries to vanguardinvestorsforum@gmail.com)

,

'S FORUM

It is time we disabuse the minds of our citizens that politics is lucrative and make it known as the art of services to the nation and for only those that are ready to serve us

,

INVESTORS SPEAK

Presidency should set up committee to check NASS – Shareholders’ activist A popular investor and shareholders’ activist, Alhaji Gbadebo Olatokunbo, penultimate week, wrote to investors’ forum, demanding the presidency to set up “committee of prudent managers” to serve as a check on the excesses of the National Assembly (NASS). Concerned Olatokunbo said that the refusal of the NASS to reconsider the desire of the citizens would force the citizens described as employers to fix emoluments for the NASS who he described as employees. Excerpt:

By Providence Obuh

I

President, Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN), John Ehiguese; Director, Corporate Communications & CSR, Airtel Nigeria, Emeka Oparah; Vice President,(PRCAN), Muyiwa Akintunde, at PRCAN’s second monthly breakfast meeting in Lagos.

ICSAN moves against mediocrity among Nigerian business workers

By Ediri Ejoh HE Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria, ICSAN, has charged Nigerians on the need to continuously pursue excellence in their workplace, even as it frowns at mediocrity that has remained the problem among workers.

This call was made during the ICSAN business meeting, tagged: ‘Harnessing the Business Values of the Chartered Secretary and Administrator’. The guest speaker, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of International Packaging Industry and former Treasurer of the institute, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Essien-Akpan, who made this assertion, said Nigerians employees are not mere workers that engage on the duties ascribed them, but are supposed to add value in their workplace.

According to her, “value added chartered secretaries are supposed to love their work, pursue the higher meaning of their job, build a library of heroic books, networking and write a legacy statement.

This and more are the bedrock to harness the potential of a chartered secretaries and administrators.

“Also, it is expedient for employee to be adventurous personnel and volunteer to see opportunities regardless of the challenges.”

Essien- Akpan, however argued that the

T

knowledge acquired from exposures birth expertise whenever opportunities presents itself.

She further stated that there are three kinds of individuals in every organisation: entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs and grunts.

While entrepreneur is one who organises, manages and assumes the risks of a business, intrapreneur is one who behaves like an entrepreneur, while working within a large organisation,” she explained.

Excessive complaint She said that grunts are people who excessively complain of the adverse work conditions in their workplace so much that they do not see the opportunities that exist in such organisation.

“Organisations value people who act as entrepreneurs, while working in large corporations,” Essien-Akpan said.

Also speaking, the discussant, Mrs. Benedicta Shadare, said that chartered secretaries should imbibe the change agenda, stating that exceptional chartered secretaries are innovators.

She said; “Chartered secretaries are expected to have a share value for themselves, refusing to compromise ethics that would dent their image and limit the chance of maximizing opportunities in the nearest future.

AM of the candid opinion that, if the members of the National Assembly, NASS, are the representatives of the citizens, then they should be subjected to the citizens wishe and opinion on their work and pay.

Since we have given the NASS the opportunity to reconsider the scaling down on the huge emoluments made to be paid to themselves by themselves and they have refused to do the desire of we the citizens, then we shall have to do the needful in the interest of our country’s resources,by fixing the Gbadebo Olatokunbo emoluments as their employer and owner of the entity known as Nigeria,which were entrusted NASS members be reduced by 3/4, to them, the NASS. meaning that they will be collecting 1/4 Working-calender: I am of the of ” their self-imposed-current-salary/ opinion that their job should be allowances”,until the citizens are able on”Part-Time”with the Number of to reach an agreement on the part-timeWorking-Days in a year worked-out for work and what we could afford as them,while we would be the allowance or pay to them. determinants of their behaviour All salaries and allowances collected towards we the citizens, economy and before the agreement with the citizens the nation, to the end that NASS will since the resumption of the 8th Assembly no longer be the determinants of their 2015 that were above the suggested 1/4 pay and the boss of themselves which emolument/allowances be hereby refund is against the natural-laws. to the National-Treasury or they (NASSIt is against the Rule of Engagement/ members) face sanction.

Employment for them the employees to fix their Salary/Allowance, though Composition of they could make Presentation/ Suggestion, but should allow the the committee employer (citizens) to decide, how I respectfully implore the Presidency much we could afford to pay them, to help the citizen set up”the Committee while they accept or quit.

Current-allowance: I am of candid of Prudent-Managers”on the above opinion that the allowances of the assignment on our NASS with the work time frame of three months only and that they (committee) must not travel out of the country, in carrying-out the assignment.

It is high time we disabuse the minds of our citizens that politics is lucrative and make it known as the art of services To the end that to the nation and for only those that are ready to serve us.

NASS will no longer He who pays the piper should dictate be the determinants the tune, the members of NASS should of their pay and the stop taking the Nigerian citizens for a ride, we are the boss while it is my boss of themselves prayers that we the Nigerian-citizens which is against the would gladly support the above suggestion on how to tame the servants natural-laws turned masters, known as the NASS.

24—VANGUARD, TUESDAY,

SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

•Atiku

•Buhari

•Lawal

Buhari’s political consolidation

APPOINTMENTS:

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

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RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to appoint one of his most trusted allies, Mr. David Lawal as the Secretary to the Federal Government, SGF may have consolidated his political position in the All Progressives Congress, APC and weakened the hands of perceived political threats.

Especially weakened by the appointment of Mr. Lawal, party sources and insiders disclosed at the weekend, is former VicePresident Atiku Abubakar. With the development any possible move by the former vicepresident for the chairmanship of the APC’s Board of Trustees, BoT would now be a more difficult challenge.

There were also indications at the weekend that the position of chairman, BoT may have been zoned to the Southwest with a powerful national leader of the party in good position to take the seat.

The thinking in the party is that the position of SGF and Chairman of the Board of Trustees should not come from the same zone and certainly not from the same state. Lawal and Atiku are from the same Adamawa State and have soldiered on different political platforms until now.

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PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari is affirming an unusual knack for political shrewdness and survival through political appointments here and there.

The downside for Atiku it was further learned, followed perceptions in the president’s camp that he actively collaborated with Senate President Bukola Saraki in the latter ’s successful uprising against the permutation of party leaders for the emergence of Senator Ahmad Lawan as Senate President.

Perceived speculations The appointment of Lawal it was gathered could now bolster the president’s hand in the Northeast especially in the light of perceived speculations of Atiku having an eye for the chairmanship of the BoT. Besides, there are fears that Atiku could again be preparing grounds for a 2019 run.

Atiku and Lawal are from the same Adamawa State and have since 2003 been political rivals.

Lawal has since the evolvement of his political career in 2003 consistently sided with Buhari and had reportedly on account of him received boos from some sections of the Northern Christian community who frowned at his

assertions that Buhari was not a religious bigot as his political rivals sought to portray.

Even still as the National ViceChairman Northeast of the APC, Lawal was known by many party partisans to have championed the campaign for Buhari in the contest between Atiku, Buhari, Saraki and others for the presidential ticket of the APC. Buhari’s defeat of Atiku in Adamawa and the former vicepresident’s Northeast region ably convinced the Buhari camp that their man, Lawal had come of reckoning. Atiku’s problem at home was compounded by his alleged initial preference for Ibrahm Mijinyawa, a former chairman of Yola North local government area to be governor on the ticket of the APC. Even though a steadfast loyalist of Atiku, Mijinyawa, however, did not have the kind of political clout and support for the governorship, a fact that Senator Bindo Jibrilla took advantage of to claim the ticket over Atiku’s choice.

It was no surprise that even though Lawal and Jibrilla were reportedly not much of political buddies, both forces, however,

came together to support Buhari in the presidential primaries resulting in Buhari having the upper hand among the delegates from the state over the homeboy, Atiku that was on the ticket.

After Jibrilla emerged as governorship candidate at the end of last year, Atiku, however, forged unity with him and reportedly helped him with resources that ensured that

Buhari’s defeat of Atiku in Adamawa and the former vice-president’s Northeast region ably convinced the Buhari camp that their man, Lawal had come of reckoning

Jibrilla defeated the former ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the governorship polls.

For whatever support Atiku offered Jibrilla after the makeup, it is noteworthy that Atiku’s ‘boy’ Mijinyawa, his daughter, Dr. Fatima Abubakar and another close associate of Atiku were named into the cabinet that was recently constituted by Governor Jibrilla.

His re-strategising at home nonetheless, the former vicepresident’s prospects on the national plain is, however, bound to be challenged with the emergence of Lawal as SGF.

Public pronouncement Remarkably, while Governor Jibrilla was quick to congratulate Lawal the day after he was appointed, Atiku as at press time yesterday was yet to make a public pronouncement on the issue.

The former vice-president’s is also bound to be challenged by increasing assertions by party chieftains that the office of chairman of BoT may have been zoned to the Southwest. The election or selection of the chairman of the BoT, party insiders tell Vanguard would take place any moment from now depending on the time that would be convenient for the president.

The apparent move by Buhari some party figures allege could be another way of the president expressing his beef over the alleged collaboration between Atiku and Saraki that led to the emergence of the latter as Senate President and Senator Ike Ekweremadu as deputy Senate President.

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015—25

GOVERNORSHIP PRIMARY:

The untold intrigues in APC

2015: KOGI DECIDES election arena and was given a rousing ovation by the delegates. It was obvious to all at that time that Audu had secured Kogi East.

Sources also told Vanguard that passionate appeals were made to a national leader of the party in Lagos to appeal to Prince Babatunde Irukera to drop out of the race to reinforce the plan for splitting Kogi Central votes. It was at that point that many discovered that the support of Sen. Mohammed Ohiare for Alh. Abubakar Sanusi Gamji was a decoy to ensure Kogi Central was unable to present a common front in the primary election.

The outcome of the election justified the intrigues that predated the primary. In the end, Kogi Central shared their votes to three aspirants; Kogi East massively supported Prince Audu while Kogi West supported Yahaya Bello.

Also, Prince Abubakar Audu used the old warhorses in the former ANPP to penetrate the ranks of the delegates to achieve victory.

THE emergence of Prince Abubakar Audu as the All Progressives Congress, APC governorship candidate in the forthcoming Kogi governorship election was achieved using all tricks and traction available to him.

By Kingsley Fanwo

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RIOR to last Saturday’s governorship primary, many had on the strength of his visibility tipped Alhaji Yahaya Bello to trounce the 27 other aspirants. That was despite allegations and counter allegations of plans to manipulate the process by almost all the aspirants.

The decision of the National Working Committee of the party to appoint the governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai as the Chief Returning Officer underlined the party ’s determination to ensure a free hand in the primary election.

The past experiences in which the panel for membership registration and another for the National Assembly and State House of Assembly primaries were hijacked by some forces within the party informed the choice of the no-nonsense governor.

On arrival in Lokoja, Gov. ElRufai laid down told all that he was poised to create a level playing ground for all aspirants. He said the party was ready to test-run some innovations in conducting a free, fair and credible primary.

Credible primary This changed the entire political permutations in the party as aspirants jacked up their consultations with delegates to woo them into their camps.

The horse trading that had been going on for most of the campaigns reached a peak on Friday, the day before the election. Delegates were camped in different hotels by the aspirants in a bid to safeguard them from being poached by rivals.

Focus was basically on delegates from Kogi West with their leaders clearly against Prince Abubakar Audu. Efforts by the former governor to placate the Kogi West leaders were rebuffed ostensibly to repay the former governor for his alleged role in imposing candidates on the party in the last primaries in the state.

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Political pundits •Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Kogi State, Alhaji Abubakar and Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai at the recent APC governorship primary With the prospects of losing votes from Kogi West and Kogi Central, Prince Abubakar Audu on election eve drew fresh strategies to help him penetrate the hostile zones.

First, he alleged at a meeting chairmen of the nine Local Government Areas in Kogi East that their zone was about to lose the ticket of the party, and possibly, their grip on power in the Confluence State. Affirming that the Igalas could not afford

Prince Abubakar Audu used the old warhorses in the former ANPP to penetrate the ranks of the delegates to achieve victory

to lose the governorship, the nine party chairmen that day in Audu’s Lokoja residence, endorsed his candidature.

The chairmen thereafter proceeded to reach all their ward chairmen and there was an unwritten agreement that the Eastern bloc votes had to be given to Agaba Idu, as Prince Audu is fondly called.

This became the masterstroke that boosted Prince Audu’s chances.

The second card was to reach out to Otunba Dino Melaye, the Senator representing Kogi West. Sources said Melaye while mindful of the determination of his people for power shift was also conscious of the fact that Audu was instrumental to his own victory in the APC senate primary. The case against him is under hot dispute at the tribunal where Senator Smart Adeyemi is proving a strong threat To clear the way for Prince Audu, the second joker was deployed.

Foot soldiers were deployed to split the ranks of other aspirants.

Indeed as it became obvious

that Bello was about to get a massive boost as it was alleged that some aspirants from the Central District were on the verge of stepping down for him, Audu’s camp allegedly promised one of the aspirants from Kogi Central the position of Deputy Governorship. At this point, associates of Senators Dino Melaiye and Mohammed Ohiare started campaigning for the said candidate.

Rousing ovation That idea was aimed at boosting the spirits of the delegates from Kogi Central that their best chance was not Yahaya Bello. It was gathered that the same promise was made to another aspirant from the central.

The aim of the idea was to split the votes of the delegates from Kogi Central since it was obvious that Kogi West had agreed to support Yahaya Bello.

Meanwhile, indications to the unanimity of Kogi East around Audu was unveiled when Audu stormed the

Political pundits in the state believed Kogi Central handed the governorship ticket of the party to Prince Audu. With Bello’s 709 votes, Nurudeen Abatemi’s 400 votes and Sanusi Abubakar’s 301 votes; Kogi Central would have clinched the ticket with a consensus arrangement. The alleged failure of Nurudeen Abatemi and Alh. Sanusi Abubakar to attend a meeting convened by the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, HRM Dr. Ado Ibrahim to appeal to Ebira aspirants to ensure consensus is an indication of the fact that Prince Audu used his political sagacity to checkmate the immediate desire for power rotation in the state.

Bello remains the beautiful bride of the contest. His smart move to congratulate Audu when many others were threatening to defect is viewed by analysts as his own way of aligning with the Audu forces.

Many are even tipping him for the Deputy Governorship of the state under APC. But his close confidants confided in Vanguard that the Okene-born business mogul is weighing his political future. Wherever he chooses to go, he will surely command cult-like followership as the flagship of generational shift in Kogi politics.

26—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

Amuwo-Odofin community decries Chinese firm’s degradation of environment

By Kingsley Adegboye

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Lokoja during 2012 flood disaster

Kogi partners UN-Habitat to restructure state’s major cities ••Pays $1.5 million counterpart fund

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By Boluwaji Obahopo

OGI State Government says its partnership with UNHabitat towards restructuring four of its cities for urbanisation is a bold step geared towards laying a foundation for sustainable development for the State.

The State Governor, Capt Idris Wada who stated this last week in Okene during the City consultations for State of Kogi Structure Plans Project organised

by UN-Habitat said the State’s location, her economic, cultural and social potentials had resulted in uncontrolled and unplanned spatial expansion, which has necessitated the need for planning to address urban problems.

Wada who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Mr. Yomi Awoniyi disclosed that the partnership with UN-Habitat will help in the implementation of the structure plans that will accelerate sustainable economic growth and infrastructure development, “The city structure plan will also provide healthy environment, attract investments and make the state the preferred destination for investors and tourists based on the ability to actualize the opportunities that abound.

“The knowledge and experience gathered from the UN-Habitat experience will be put into use in the development of master plans for other cities aside the initial four cities. The payment of the $1.3 million as

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state government counterpart funds, underscores the importance government attaches to urbanisation. I urged the people to make sincere input that will lead to the realisation of the programme’s objectives”, Awoniyi said.

The UN- Habitat Regional Director for Africa, Prof. Oyebanji Oyelaran Oyeyinka, represented

by Kabiru Yari, who commended the state government for preparing city plans for four cities in the state said absence or nonimplementation of master plans and City Development Strategies had been responsible for the near collapse of Nigeria's ecosystem.

Oyeyinka, while eulogising the state government for placing priority on the City Structure plan said that the commencement of the City Consultation programe is in line with the Memorandum

Kogi State as in other parts of the country has had to contend with problems arising from rapid urbanisation and high population growth

of Understanding signed in 2013 and the prompt payment of counterpart fund by the state government.

According to Oyeyinka “Kogi State as in other parts of the country has had to contend with problems arising from rapid urbanisation and high population growth. Due to the absence or non-implementation of master plans or City Development Strategies to guide their longrange growth, cities in the State have been unable to cope with the consequences of unsustainable growth, leading to their failure to contribute to the over-all economic and social development of the state.

“This has resulted in slum formation, inadequate housing, and poor provision of basic urban services like water, sanitation, health and education and encroachment of plains and other sensitive ecosystems. The overall objective of this project is to promote sustainable human settlements development and management in Kogi state as well as the attainment of the Habitat Agenda and the goals of Kogi state’s Economic Empowerment and Development Strategies, SEEDS, the Local Government Economic Empowerment and Development Strategies, LEEDS, for participating cities and their Local Governments and the monitoring of the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs”, Oyeyinka stated.

EMBERS of Amowo-Odofin Industrial scheme in Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area, Lagos, have decried the activities of a Chinese company, Hongxing Steel Nig. Ltd, which is in the business of melting of iron scraps into steel products within the industrial layout, which is causing environmental nuisance in the industrial area.

Business owners in the industrial scheme who disclosed to Vanguard Homes & Property that the iron melting company’s activities had become hazardous to the entire neighbourhood, added that workers in the area had been exposed to harmful air and environmental degradation.

According to the business owners who pleaded anonymity for obvious reasons, they have been making noise about the activities of the Chinese firm and its effects on the neighbourhood, wondering why the concerned government authorities have not deemed fit to call the company to order by sanctioning it.

Furious about the brazen manner with which the owners of the company are carrying on their business without consideration for the impact of their operations on the environment, one of the business owners in the industrial scheme said “Can the Chinese allow Nigerians this kind of abuse of power in their own country? Why then is our government allowing them to do what they like as if our country does not have laws?

Excesses of foreigners “The concerned authorities must rise up to the occasion to curtail the excesses of foreigners who virtually get away with everything they do in Nigeria. It is only here in Nigeria foreigners misbehave and get away with it. You can’t try this elsewhere including China. They will prosecute and frustrate any one that tries to go against their laws. But here in Nigeria, the Chinese will act in the contrary and nothing will happen”, he said.

The business owners who noted that they might be contemplating court action against the erring firm if nothing is urgently done to checkmate the operations of the Chinese company which have exposed the entire neighbourhood to harmful fumes and fire, said since the responsibility of the government is to protect lives and properties as well as guard the citizenry against any form of neo-colonialism, the government must urgently come to their rescue by intervening in the matter which has lingered on for sometime.

A visit to the premises of Hongxing Steel Nig. Ltd by our correspondent revealed a storey building with two upright massive exhaust pipes through which fumes are uncontrollably discharged into the atmosphere. It was also observed that the environment has been degraded as a result of effluents being discharged into it by the company and the activities of heavy duty trucks to come to load steel products. People around the area said the fumes from the company which are accompanied by sparking fire, are non-stop both day and night.

Our efforts to get the reaction of the company to the allegations did not yield fruitful result, as the Public Relations Unit of the promised to get back to us after obtaining clearance from ‘above’, but they never did before we went to press.

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015—27

By Jude Njoku

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HE construction of the multi-billion Naira Heartland Gateway International Market at Mgbidi, Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State, received a major boost last week when traders at the popular Computer Village, Ikeja Lagos signed an Off-Take Agreement for the purchase of 2,500 lock-up shops in the market with Messrs Graceland Channels Limited, the concessionaire and developers of the market.

The deal which was brokered by the estate surveying firm of M.I. Okoro & Associates, was signed by the President of Phones & Allied Dealers Association, PAPDA, Ikeja, Chief Godfrey Iyke Nwosu and the Chief Executive Officer, CEO of Graceland Channels Limited, Pastor Nat Omoruyi at a brief ceremony held at the Ikoyi, Lagos office of M.I. Okoro & Associates.

Speaking at the contract signing ceremony, Chief Meckson Okoro whose firm also coordinated the development of the Auto Spare Parts Markets, ASPAMDA at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, said the bulk purchase of 2,500 lock-up shops by the traders is an expression of confidence in the capacity of the Imo State Government and concessionaire to deliver the project on schedule.

Flaunting the advantages of investing in the market, Okoro who is the marketing consultant, described the project as a “think home investment” because Igbos who have been busy developing other parts of the country, can now come home and do business with other Nigerians and the international community in Igboland.

He explained that its location at a border town central to

On going project at the Heartland Gateway Market . Inset: Managing Director /CEO, Graceland Channels ltd; Pastor Nat Omoruyi (left); representative of Imo State Governor, Alfred Ononugbo, President, Phone and Allied Products Dealers Association (PAPDA), Godfrey Iyke Nwosu and Barrister Iwowo Anthony during the signing of purchase contract of 2500 Lock-up shops in respect of Heartland Gateway International market, at Mgbidi, Imo State.

Computer Village traders sign pact with developers of Heartland Gateway market •Set to relocate business headquarters to the South-East Anambra, Delta, Enugu, Rivers and Imo states, makes the market more attractive to investors.

“The development is the first

At completion, this plaza will be the biggest, most modern type of market in Nigeria and Africa

of its kind in any part of South East of Nigeria aimed at reenergizing the economic activities of eastern Nigeria. It is expected to create countless jobs and other creative entrepreneurial activities that are capable of reducing the high rate of youth restiveness and crime that have been traced to unemployment as well as releasing the potential values of any available piece of land in the immediate environment and neighbouring states because the market is expected to play host to over two million people doing business in the market city. The teeming population that would come from all parts of Nigeria and

the world, would energize demands for land for various developmental projects like housing estates, warehousing complexes, hotels, industrial and allied activities, schools and colleges and other activities that may require the use of land. This will surely increase the demand for land purchase and expected increase on the value of land in these areas “ he said.

Ancillary facilities On completion, the market which is sited on a 28.097 hectares of land, will have about 10,000 lock-up and open shops and 3,000 housing units.

Prominent ancillary facilities

Vitapur woos Federal, State governments on mass housing

By Kingsley Adegboye

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FRONTLINE m a n u f a c t u r e r of polyurethane prefabricated buildings in Nigeria, Vitapur Nigeria Limited is seeking partnership with Federal and State governments to bridge the country’s estimated 19 million units of house deficit.

Vitapur, reputed for its dry construction devoid of blocks is also willing to partner the built environment professional to construct buildings on a mass scale at low cost and high speed.

Addressing participants at the 15th Annual Exhibition of the Association of Nigeria Institute of Architects in Abuja at the weekend, Vitapur ’s Acting Managing Director, Mr Akin Oladiran explained that Vitapur had been positioned to serve as a unique solution to Nigeria’s protracted housing deficit.

Commenting on the uniqueness of dry construction technology, Oladiran noted that it uses composite panel to build external and internal walls, ceilings and many other applications.

He explained that the new building system enhances comfortable indoor temperature, thereby improving the living and working environment of the occupants and helping to keep energy consumption low.

“With the enabling environment in place, dry construction process will go a long way in reducing housing shortfall in Nigeria. Such an enabling environment includes available policy on land, housing, finance, affordable building materials, appropriate institutional framework and sustainable construction workforce.

Government should create a platform for long and short term funds for real estate and establish an infrastructure development bank”, he said.

Oladiran also noted that Vitapur

had been positioned to serve as a unique solution to housing deficit in Nigeria. According to him, since its commencement of business in 2010, Vitapur had undergone a robust transformation which led to its acquisition of a state-of-the- art sandwich panel plant.

He explained that the new plant has increased its utilization by over 300 per cent, stating that Vitapur’s technical partnership with Resichem of South Africa and Duna Discontinuous Plant of Italy has further put its operations on the global map.

Real estate operators In his presentation, Vitapur’s technical adviser, Mr Sare Len advised the Federal and State governments as well as real estate operators to take advantage of the company’s high quality products in order to achieve the vision of housing for

all. Len explained that Vitapur’s prefabricated buildings are cost effective, flexible and ensure site safety and waste reduction.

The Chairman, Lagos Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Architects, Ladi Lewis, an architect, commended Vitapur for the initiative of dry construction and urged existing and potential house owners to patronize the company’s products. Lewis noted that the company’s newly acquired machine had reinforced its adherence to global best practices.

Vitapur, which co-sponsored the 2015 Archibuilt Exhibition in Abuja is a subsidiary of Vitafoam Nigeria Plc The insulation manufacturing company specializes in manufacturing of Polyurethane rigid foam products.

Among the company’s top products are preferbricated structures using Dry construction, sandwich panels, insulation boards,chemical systems, spray foam and pre-cut pipe sections.

earmarked for the scheme include banks, a trailer park, a car mart, food court, ample car parks, a clinic, creche and a good road network. Others are a modern police station, fire stations, sewage treatment plants, waste management networks and international and medium sized hotels. “At completion, this plaza will be the biggest, most modern type of market in Nigeria and Africa, “he boasted.

Also speaking at the ceremony, the PAPDA President, Chief Iyke Nwosu who noted that majority of Ndigbo have investments outside the region, said his group decided to buy into the market project to redress this trend.

Market project “If Igbos can put 30 percent of the investments in the East, it will change a lot of things in Igboland,” he said and called on other Nigerians to reciprocate the way Igbos have carried out their businesses in other parts of the country by investing in Heartland Gateway International Market.

In his own speech, the CEO of Graceland Channels, Pastor Nat Omoruyi, disclosed that construction work has reached an advanced level in the market. He commended the Imo State Government for buying into the public private partnership project Heartland Gateway International market is the first phase of the development of Mgbidi Commercial City as mandated by the Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha. The second phase is the development of 3,000 housing units of different house types. The market would be fireproof. In other words, the shops would be built with concrete and rods to prevent the occurrence of fire disasters.

28—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015 — 29

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30 —VANGUARD, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

•The interior •Rear view of 2015 Toyota Camry

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ARELY three years after its introduction, Toyota Motor Company has given the Camry a makeover, thereby maintaining its leading position in its class. The Camry competes in the same segment with the Honda Accord, Nissan Teana and Volkswagen Passat in Nigeria but the refreshment has given it lift. The redesign has given the Camry a complete look both inside and outside as nearly 2000 new parts were completely changed from the 2014 Toyota Camry model.

The sweeping redesign has brought the best in the 2015 Camry in terms of look, performance and interior beauty.

Looking more aggressive in front, with LED headlamps, the rear also look more sporty and appealing to the eyes. The

Sweeping redesign adds refinement, zest to 2015 Camry touches reflected on the dashboard with a high-tech look for the centre stack and new materials used. Upper dash areas now have soft-touch trims and the area just ahead of the shift knob now has an enclosed bin for personal electronics, with a USB port and wireless charging pad. Many things are new in the 2015 Toyota Camry except the roof. According to Toyota, nearly 2,000 new parts out of more than 6000 total parts in the 2014 model are new.

Change too have been made

to improve Camry’s responsiveness and road handling. Camry owes its improved handling to a new calibration for the elec-

Change too have been made to improve Camry’s responsiveness and road handling

tric power steering and a retuned to brake-booster system, though it retained its MacPharson strut multi-link rear suspension layout.

Toyota has added noise insulation at the floor of the Camry, as well as improved window and door seals. Also the side mirrors have been redesigned for better airflow.

The Camry retained its two powerplants, a 2.5 lire four cylinder engine and 3.5 litre V6 with a six speed automatic transmission.

Leventis unveils Foton light duty trucks

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EVENTIS Motors a division of AG Leventis Nigeria has reiterated its commitment to the provision of quality automobiles and services to its customers in Nigeria.

Nikos Giannousas, Leventis Motors Head of Commercial Vehicles Sales and Network Development, stated this at the unveiling of new Foton Light duty trucks in Lagos recently.

Giannousas who spoke to journalists at the launch of the trucks described them as having the best qualities in terms of performance, fuel consumption, comfort and low maintenance cost.

“The Foton trucks are world-class products with low fuel consumption, quality engines, comfort, and excellent payload,” he said. According to him, Foton is not a cheap brand among truck brands. It is a truck brand that brings value, like Leventis Motors, which has a name in the Nigerian auto industry.

Giannousas also disclosed that his company had keyed in into the Federal Government's auto policy and had start-

ed assemblying Foton range of trucks at its plant in Ibadan. “We have started assemblying Foton light duty trucks at our plant in Ibadan and the plant has capacity for 2000 truck per annum,”he said, adding that the capacity of the plant could be increased if the demand increases.

Leventis Motors assembles and market/Foton light duty trucks, ranging from one to ten tons, 4x2, 6x4, tractor heads with 375 to 420 horse-power as well as tippers (8x4 and 6x4).

Quality of trucks He explained that the attention to their customers, in addition to their quality of trucks stands Leventis out among its competitors.

“We don’t just sell trucks to you, we go step further to train customers staff on how to keep the vehicle running.

“From the day our customer buys our trucks, we offer them a contract that they

can use to service their trucks. We give them real pictures of what they should expect. It is not only the retail price of the truck that the customer should consider but the service contract will give him an added advantage.”

“This include supply of spare parts and labour which come cheap, fuel efficiency from the Foton truck which the customer gains at the end of his purchase.

“So we keep our words with the customers because we are very organized at Leventis. We are here today and will be here tomorrow for the customers.

“Buying from Leventis the customers should know that we have been around and that we respect our customers and stand by them at all times.”

The Head of Commercial Vehicle/ Sales and Network Development concluded by saying “Our job is to build partnership and solution to businesses as we strive to grow with the customer to meet his set goals.

Also, retuned in the 2015 edition of the Camry is the stability control system in the SE model for smoother handling. Based on the success of the Sporty SE model, a new XSE model has been added to the line up and it is the sportiest Camry ever with 18-inch rim, unique shocks, firmer suspension bushings, and stiffer springs.

Adaptive cruise control The new Camry is offering a lot in term of safety features.

These include lane departure alert, a pre-collision system with auto high beams, blind spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert as well as adaptive cruise control.

Infotainment has been taken to the next level in the new Camry. Infotainment systems have been fully upgraded in the 2015 Camry. And they work, without the now almost expected lag and latency, and with intuitive menus.

Even at the base level, you get an Entune touch-screen audio and infotainment system with a CD player, auxiliary audio input, USB port, voice recognition, Bluetooth handsfree calling and audio streaming, and six speakers.

Top models get an Entune Premium Audio system with audio playback capability, HD predictive traffic, doppler map overlay, and the Entune App Suite, which lets you run Bing search, Pandora, Yelp, and others on the touch screen, using your smartphone’s connection.

VANGUARD, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015 — 31

By Theodore Opara

Hyundai Grand Sante Fe redefines SUV segment T

HE newly-introduced Hyundai Grand Santa Fe is no doubt one of the most attractive crossover around given the enormous make over the South Korean automaker has carried out on the sport utility vehicle.

Emerging from a total makeover, the new Grand Santa Fe, according to Hyundai Motor Company, replaces its predecessor, Vera Cruz, but essentially remains the same SUV, except that it fulfills the criteria for a typical 6-seater SUV commonly referred to as ‘Captain’s Chair.’

The Grand Santa Fe is 225mm longer than the regular Santa Fe, incorporating an extended 100mm wheelbase with higher and wider dimensions, which incidentally gives the Grand Santa Fe a deserving place in

•Hyundai Grand Sante Fe

the entire large SUV market. The Grand Santa Fe indeed feels more at home in the city owing to its sophisticated styling and dynamic attitude – thanks to Hyundai engineering design characteristics.

Hyundai Grand Santa Fe SUV would no doubt appeal to drivers that appreciate details and novelty like the three splitfolding seats in the second row and fully-folding seats in the third row yet with a total of 634litre of boot space behind the second row of seats.

The six-seater Hyundai Grand Santa Fe is indeed ideal for the large families. It comes equipped with ample knee and leg room with enough room for three adults in the rear and one

kid in the third row.

The seats themselves are more shapely and supportive than in the previous Santa Fe, with very good bolstering on the bottom cushion that’s not overly firm.

Couple with these is storage

The six-seater Hyundai Grand Santa Fe is indeed ideal for the large families

for small items in the glove-box and console, as well as for drinks in the door pockets and dual cup holders with plenty of configurations in case you’re transporting cargo.

The Santa Fe’s rear seats also folds down as a trio or individually, and flatly, to free up more space while the front passenger seat folds flat too, for carrying very long objects.

Hyundai’s Grand offers loads of striking features such as rear packing assist, auto light control cooling glove box, integrated memory seat, cruise control, full auto air-conditioning and

How major makers to including aAlluseats the powfinished in 1st half

T

HE ovation was so loud at the Event Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, when the winner of the 2015 Ford Odyssey was announced.

This was probably because the winner was a female, a 23 years old lady, who dared to excel where men could not.

It reminded me of the Gulder Ultimate Search in Nigeria where ladies have strived to wrestle the crown with their male counterparts for many years in vain. At a time, I had wished that the Nigerian Breweries, organisers of the Gulder Ultimate Search could ‘rig’ the title for the female participants just to make the difference.

But Liane Van Dyk has proved that what men could do, women could do also, by beating his male counterparts to the crown and thereby walking away with a 2015 Ford Ranger as the winning prize, and 5000 Rands monthly for fueling.

Liane is simply an embodiment of beauty and brawn, standing about six feet tall with the right curves in the right places. But what amazes all was how this ‘beauty queen’ beat other contenders to the contest, despite her looks.

I recalled a young guy seating beside me asking whether the other 19 contenders were sleeping when Liane won the hot contest. But the answer is simple. Liane knew why she was at the contest and took

rear air conditioning.

It also has full leather upholstery, a premium 6 speakers virtual surround sound system, driver/passenger side and curtain air bags, smart key with button start and sun roof/ roof rack with motor-driven power steer and anti-lock brake system. For easier boot access, the rear loading height has been lowered by 18mm with an optional power tailgate feature and a remote-folding function for the second-row seats.

V

•Liane Van Dyk winner 2015 Ford Odyssey competition

Ford Odyssey Contest: How Lady Liane beat male contestants every opportunities as they come, which apart from driving techniques, entails using of ones brain. After 12 days and 2000km of gruelling contest, Liane emerged victorious.

The Pretoria computer programmer and part-time DJ was the best of all including 13 from South Africa, two each from Nigeria and Ivory Coast and one each from Angola and Mozambique who stormed Namibia for the Odyssey

competititon.

The competition was based mainly on driving techniques, off-road/driving skills behind the wheels of Ford Ranger pick up in remote Darara Land and Kaokoland regions of Namibia.

They were also scored and assessed everyday on camp etiquette, general knowledge, vehicle maintenance, leadership skills, among others.

Liane was among the 40 contestants chosen from the large number on people from

across sub-Sahara Africa who applied on-line to be part of the competition for this year ’s Odyssey event.

The 20 finalists began their journey in Windhoek, Namibia, on July 23 trekked in convoy over some Africa’s most arduous terrain to the base of Brandberg, Namibia’s highest mountain, all the while being scored on special task including navigation, recovery techniques and knowledge of the continent.

OLKSWAGEN overtook Toyota in global vehicle sales for January-June, the first time the German automaker has come out top in the intensely competitive tallies.

Japanese automaker, Toyota Motor Corp., said it sold 5.02 million vehicles in the first six months of this year, down 1.5 percent from the same period the previous year, as sales struggled, especially in the languishing Japanese market.

Volkswagen AG said it sold 5.04 million vehicles during the same period. Sales were robust in Europe and North America but fell in China, usually a strong market for the company. Its firsthalf sales were 0.5 percent down from the same period in 2014. Detroit-based General Motors Corp., the top-selling automaker for more than seven decades until being surpassed

by Toyota in 2008, finished third at 4.86 million, down 1.2 percent from a year ago.

GM retook the sales crown in 2011, when Toyota’s production was hurt by the quake and tsunami in northeastern Japan.

Toyota, which also makes Lexus luxury models, made a big comeback in 2012, and has been the world’s top-selling automaker for the past three years.

32—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

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PCN, NAPPTON flex muscles in Cross River PAGE 4

BOKO HARAM VICTIMS’ CAMP IN EDO: Displaced

kids resume study, write exams PAGE

VOL. 1: No. 64

5

TUESD AY, SEPTEMBER 11,, 20 15 TUESDA 201

REVOLUTION IN BAYELSA:

No social amenities, no vote, community tells gov *Please, don’t execute threat; I’ll bring Gov Dickson to you — Hon. Parkinson *Dickson’s aide dazed by community’s declaration

•Swali Health Centre

•Swali Community

BY EMEM IDIO

S

WALI—IN what seems a constructive civil disobedience, residents of Swali community in Atissa clan, Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, have put Governor Seriake Dickson, a lawyer, on notice, that they would not vote for him in the forthcoming governorship election if he failed to provide social amenities for them.

Governor Dickson is seeking re-election for a second term in February next year, but about five months to the expiration of his first tenure, inhabitants of Swali, a host community to the state government, are disenchanted that nothing was working in the town, as internal roads in the community were in ramshackle condition.

Chair, Community Development Committee, CDC, of the community, Mr. Thomas David and Secretary General, Sinikiem Ogari, who

C M Y K

conveyed the stand of the villagers in a chat with Niger Delta Voice, said that the only condition for the people to have a rethink on the matter was if the governor spreads development to the area before the polls.

Their words: “We call on the state government to redeem the pledge in no distant time. We are waiting for the governor of Bayelsa State for the renovation of our roads, else no bulk vote again.”

Lamenting the troubles of the community, David said: “We have nine internal roads that are in dilapidated condition. If these roads were renovated, it would go a long way to ameliorate the sufferings of the indigenous people and residents in the area as they go about their normal businesses.

“The Swali abattoir is also in a very bad state. The stench oozing out is affecting the health of the community dwellers. We also want to

Swali Paramount Women chief, Chief (Mrs) Joyce Agada appeal to the state government to move in and give the abattoir a face-lift to avoid the outbreak of an epidemic.”

Non-payment of compensation

As one of the hosts of the capital city, the Swali leaders said the state government was yet to pay the community

Swali CDC Chairman, Comrade Thomas David compensation for acquisition of 85 percent of its land that make up the Central Business District, CBD, saying government deprived the villagers their traditional occupation of farming without recompense.

They said: “We are the geese that lay the golden eggs; the Swali community is crying

aloud over the refusal of the state government to implement the release of 15 percent parcel of land promised her from the CDB land, before, during and after acquisition.

“The community requires that in respect of the acquired CBD land, for which an inadequate compensation was made, an outstanding balance of N10 million be paid.”

Women paramount chief of the community, Chief Joyce Agada, described the condition of the people as pathetic, stressing that the community had nothing to show for its enormous contributions to the state government.

Chief Agada said: “Just look at this place; no roads. When it rains, we find it difficult to move about. We have sacrificed so much to the state government; they have taken all our farmlands, which used to be our means of livelihood.

Continues on Page 7

2 — Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

Filth overruns Calabar market patronized by Nigerians, Cameroonians *Butchers sell unhygienic meat; traders display wares on infested, filthy tables *Kids defecate inside marketplace; disgusting odour envelopes atmosphere *Should Cross River relocate Watt Market?

CROSS-RIVER…THE PEOPLE’S PARADISE

BY EMMANUEL UNAH

C

ALABAR—TIMES are changing in Calabar, the Cross River State capital and home to the Efik in SouthSouth Nigeria, famous for its mouth-watering gastronomy.

The average Efik woman and man has excellent catering skills that can turn any combination of ingredients to an appetizing dish.

The restaurants that dot every nook and cranny of the city serve tasty meals like afang, ekpang kwukwo, afia efere, edikang ikong, which keep people asking for more.

Perhaps, that explains the high demand of house cleaners from this part of the world in places like Lagos, PortHarcourt, Abuja, Onitsha and the like.

What, however, most people have not come to terms with is the filthy state of Watt Market, the central market in the city where the chefs procure the ingredients used in the preparation of these delicacies.

Watt market, located at the centre of city is a melting pot of sorts and a nexus of activities, ranging from the obnoxious to the sublime.

On a daily basis, it hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors, both buyers and sellers from across the state and neighbouring places such as Ikot Ekpene, Uyo, Oron in Akwa Ibom State and Mamfe, Duala and Ekork in the Cameroons.

Blot on the escutcheon However, the much-touted spick and span environment of Calabar sadly contrasts now

THE TEAM Emma Amaize, Editor Jimitota Onoyume Samuel Oyadongha Simon Ebegbulem Gabriel Enogholase Festus Ahon Egufe Yafugborhi Emmanuel Una Akpokona Omafuaire Godwin Oghre Tom Moses Chioma Onuegbu Ike Uche Davies Iheamnachor Emem Idio Brisibe Perez Theresa Ugbobu Ochuko Akuopha Barnabas Uzosike Nath Onajoke Chijioke Nwankpa

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•Watt Market, Calabar with the putrid and pugnacious environment within the precinct of the market, which to say the least is stomach turning.

The acrid stench from thick dark substances in the drains confronts one in the market.

The entire expanse of the market is bare and covered in mud, except for a tiny portion where beef sellers congregate every day to dispense portions of meat to buyers, covered in rough German floor.

Even this paved area is an

eyesore, as the place is enclosed in dark slimy cattle blood, which for years had been dropping from the tables to the floor and trampled under foot, eventually turning to another layer on the floor.

Dirty butchers, traders The butchers, who slaughter cattle at the Calabar abattoir, located at 8 Miles and the Amphibious Brigade Mammy Market bring in the meat in vans to the adjoining streets, from where wheelbarrows, unwashed for several weeks, cart them away to the equally dirty slabs in the market.

This is where butchers cut them into bits to sell to the public.

Stalls constructed from an amalgam of antiquated roofing sheets and creaky planks, stand precariously shoulder-toshoulder at random and in disproportionate order round the market.

From within the squeaky bowels of these makeshift sheds ridden with rodents and insects, thousands of women perch on wooden stools to sell their wares, broadened on debris-darkened tables, while some spread on the floor, inches away from the footpath.

Some of the items spread on the floor compete for space with the feet of the several people, who throng the market

daily.

Mud-spattered jumble Rain, which is a regular decimal in Calabar often comes down in torrents to turn the market into one muddy labyrinth as the market women and their products are habitually drenched, while ankle-length mucks cover the tiny footpaths through which people navigate the market.

Pressed by nature during such downpours, the women, shaded by their wares and tables, strip and empty their bowels on the tiny footpaths to add to the volume of filth.

For the kids, their mothers simply shove them to the front of their stalls to empty their bowels too, splashing wares spread on the shabby ground with the stuff.

A flabbergasted civil servant, Clara Igbang, told Niger Delta Voice, “How we have managed to live without a major outbreak of an epidemic like cholera in this land is simply a miracle.

“People spitting mucus everywhere and children defecating close to foodstuff sold to people; I am amazed.”

One of the traders, Ma Esara Essien, disclosed: “The lazy housewives, bachelors and spinsters can readily have any ingredient they require

Continues on Page 8

TANKER DRIVERS’ NUISANCE:

Calabar residents lose sleep over dangerous parking •Gov Ben Ayade issues ultimatum to tanker drivers •House of Assembly C’ttee on Transportation concludes on relocation of tankers CROSS-RIVER…THE PEOPLE’S PARADISE

C

BY IKE UCHECHUKWU

ALABAR—RESIDENTS of Calabar in Cross River State are troubled by the hazardous manner petroleum tanker drivers park their vehicles along the busy Murtala Mohammed Highway in the Canaan City without caring a hoot about the risk they pose to other road users.

With several deaths in Lagos, Onitsha and other cities caused by tanker drivers, the inhabitants have called on the state government to quit them from the area before they wreak havoc in Calabar.

Messrs John Njoku and

Emmanuel Nteme, both residents, told Niger Delta Voice that Governor Ben Ayade should not listen to any plea, as the tanker drivers were already a nuisance in the area.

When Niger Delta Voice visited, over 100 tankers were parked dangerously on both sides of the road, from Ikot Ansa Bus Stop in Calabar Municipality Local Government Area to the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, secretariat, along the highway.

They were all waiting to lift AGO, PMS and kerosene from the NNPC depot.

Some of the tankers were already loaded with the drivers waiting to fix some components or for dusk to set in before transiting to their destinations outside the state.

Niger Delta Voice learned that the upsurge and increase in the

The Sector Commander, FRSC, Cross River State Command, Ikechukwu Lawrence Igwe number of tankers coming to the state was due to some issues arising from other depots in the region, which has made Calabar a preferred location.

Governor Ayade, seemed to have read the handwriting on the wall, as he slammed an ultimatum on tanker drivers immediately he assumed office.

Government extended the period for the tanker drivers, but they had remained adamant.

Our problem is parking space—Okon

•Tankers on the road

Speaking with Niger Delta Voice, Chair, Tanker Drivers Association, NNPC Depot, Calabar, Mr. Emmanuel Okon, said the challenge they currently face was lack of parking space, as the one they were using could

Chairman Tanker Drivers Association, NNPC Depot, Calabar, Mr. Emmanuel Okon no longer contain the trucks coming in.

“Most of the depots in some the neighbouring states are not functioning to full capacity. Some are being repaired while others are undergoing some form of maintenance, not only in the South-South, but the North and the East. So tankers are now coming to Calabar depot to lift products.

“From Enugu, Aba and Akwa Ibom, our park here is filled up. We have been negotiating with the government even as far back Imoke's administration, but nothing was done.

“Even the National Chairman of NUPENG was involved. But we now have a window of discussion with the Professor Ayade-led

Continues on Page 8

Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015 — 3

emerge so that he would continue to enjoy both important positions and privileges. I challenge Eboh to come and contest for the throne if he is interested and stop parading himself as Otota and Regent of Okere Urhobo kingdom.”

Troubles for Kesiena HRM, Benjamin OKumgba, whose exit created the contentious vacuum

Chief Kesiena Okumagba.. I was crowned by the gods

Chief Wilson Eboh (right) and other traditional council members declaring rejection of Kesiena

Kingship battle tears Okere Urhobo kingdom apart *Police arrest self-proclaimed Orosuen

DELTA...

FINGER OF GOD

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

O

KERE-URHOBO—IN the last few months, tension has been simmering over who occupies the vacant stool of the Orosuen (King) of Okere Urhobo Kingdom, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.

By custom and tradition of the people, the throne of the Orosuen should not have endured vacancy beyond the first three months after the conclusion of rights of passage of the immediate past Orosuen, HRM Benjamin Okumagba, Okumagba I, since 2012.

Regent of the kingdom and Otota (Prime Minister), Wilson Eboh, who gave reasons for the stalemate, said: “We were

supposed to have enthroned a successor but people came up with disagreements and there have been court cases.

“Because the issues are subjudice, we would not want to debate them in the media.”

Self-succession escalates anxiety

Apprehension between the contending forces was aggravated in July when an indigene, Chief Kesiena Okumagba, proclaimed himself the new Orosuen with the title, HRM Onubororo I. Kesiena reportedly said the gods chose him to reign over the people of Okere Urhobo kingdom.

Unsettled by the development, the Traditional Council of Chiefs summoned a meeting of the kingdom at the palace of the Orosuen, where the people denounced Kesiena’s selfenthronement as “a desecration

of the traditional stool borne out of desperation.”

Chief Eboh, who briefed the media, said: “We are deeply disturbed by the tension generated by the said report.

“For a person to be qualified to ascend the Orosuen throne, he must be selected by the kingmakers and presented to the traditional council and not chosen by the gods, as claimed

by Kesiena Okumagba.

“He has never been considered worthy to be a chief in the kingdom. It is either he is ignorant or he deliberately wants to create an atmosphere of chaos and possibly mislead members of the public with the help of the media.

“Efforts are being made to address both the criminal and civil aspects of same by the traditional council of Okere Urhobo Kingdom.

“We hereby call on Delta State Government, Directorate of Chieftaincy Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, law enforcement agents and the general public to disregard the false declaration.”

Vacancy induced by Eboh’s greed— Kesiena

Reacting to the Otota’s statement, Kesiena called to question Chief Eboh’s authority to speak on behalf of the kingdom, saying some community leaders in suit No. W/525/2014, are seeking to stop him from acting as Otota of Okere Urhobo on claims that it amounts to usurpation of power and position.

“There was no time in the history of the kingdom that one person served as both Otota and Regent.

Because of his greedy nature, Chief Eboh is both Otota and Regent. These two most important positions he acquired fraudulently and we say no to that.

“For almost four years, Chief Eboh does not want a king to

However, few days after he chastised Chief Eboh, trouble came the way of Kesiena, as police arraigned him, Monday, August 17, before a Magistrate's Court in Warri on two separate cases. The charges against him read: “That you, Chief Kesiena Okumagba, July 21, did represented yourself as the Orosuen (King) of Okere Urhobo kingdom by publishing yourself in the Vanguard newspaper that God chose you to be king over Okere Urhobo kingdom and, thereby, committed an offense punishable under Section 484 of the Criminal Code of the laws of Delta state.

“That you, Chief Kesiena Okumagba, on August 7, at Okere-Urhobo community in Warri, did conspire with others now at large, to commit felony to wit serious assault by instigating some Okumagba youths to attack the Warri ‘B’ Division DPO and his men, an offense punishable under Section 516, Cap C21of the laws of Delta state 2006.”

Magistrate E. Odjugo granted bail to the tune of N200,000 and a surety in like sum to the accused, who pleaded not guilty to the charges and adjourned the matter to this month.

DELSUTH workers at the mercy of kidnappers

*Doctors down tools; abductor force victim to sign IoU for secure release *Staffs flee community; we live in bondage in Oghara—VICTIM

DELTA...

FINGER OF GOD

BY PEREZ BRISIBE

O

GHARA—KIDNAPPERS and other daredevil criminals have scared the living daylights out of employees of the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, DELSUTH, Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government Area, Delta State, with their hairraising escapades.

The gangsters seized about eight medical doctors in the last two months, but a source said terrified victims did not report many of the cases because of the warnings handed out to them by the kidnappers.

Last Thursday morning, about 10 unidentified gunmen invaded the apartments of seven DELSUTH and Delta State Polytechnic, Oghara, staffers and robbed them of money, electronics, phones and other valuables. Among the victims were two doctors and two nurses.

They broke in at about 3a.m. after ransacking two nearby students’ hostels.

A medical doctor, recently released from captivity, corroborated our findings that abductors snatched eight doctors in the last two months, but president of the Association of Resident Doctors, ARD, Dr. Innocent Okocha, said four C M Y K

doctors in the past one year.

Oghara, the hometown of former governor of the state, Chief James Ibori, is the headquarters of the local government and plays host to not only the university teaching hospital, but also a private university and a stateowned polytechnic.

How abducted doctors enter IoU with kidnappers

Recounting his 17-hour ordeal in the hands of a six-man kidnap gang, Dr. Joseph Mudiaga of the Department of Anesthesia, abducted at about 12a.m. on June 21 at his Oghara residence, likened working and living in Oghara as “living in bondage.”

According to him, “when they (kidnappers) came into my apartment, after collecting money, phones and other items,

dressed in my pant alone, they took me along, stating that they came specifically for me.

“Outside my apartment, two of them drove off in my Toyota Highlander car with number plates SKL 899 EH, which has not been found till date. Four others blindfolded me and took me through a bush path from my apartment.

“Having walked some kilometres under the rain into the bush, they told me that I have been abducted and would have to call some persons to raise a ransom of N3 million to secure my freedom.

“Pleading, I told them that the only alternative to getting the money was if they release me so that I can go and rally around for the ransom.

“Though they were angered by

•Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara

my suggestion, after lots of coaxing, I was released around 3p.m., roughly 17 hours after my abduction on the grounds that I would go home, raise the ransom, and send it back to them.”

Public Relations Officer of DELSUTH, Emmanuel Iteme, an indigene of the community, had also fallen victim to the criminals, who burgled his apartment.

“they do not work on weekends.”

Another doctor, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that kidnappers had seized him twice in Oghara, the second one around 7p.m. on the same day as Dr. Joseph, but they released him after collecting N5 million.

Currently, most of the doctors, who work in Oghara live in neighbouring towns like Benin in Edo State, Sapele and Warri because they are targets of kidnappers.

Doctors down tools Police told me they do not work on weekends—VICTIM'S WIFE

Wife of one of the abducted doctors, Mrs. Mudiaga, told Niger Delta Voice that following the abduction of her husband, she reported the case at the Oghara Police Station, but was stunned when a police officer on duty told her to wait until Monday before investigations on her husband’s abduction would commence, as

Following the alarming insecurity and other challenges, doctors under the aegis of Association of Resident Doctors, ARD, in the hospital on August 5, indefinitely downed their stethoscopes. The action has crippled activities in the hospital.

The group in a statement by its President, Dr. Innocent Okocha and two others, appealed to relevant stakeholders to understand the plight of the doctors.

Contacted, Public Relations Officer of the state Police Command, Celestina Kalu, appealed for continued partnership with the doctors and the police in curbing the spate of kidnappings in Oghara.

On the alleged excuse that police do not work on weekends, she said: “I do not believe that any police officer would say so because the police work 24 hours.

“When there is a kidnap and it is reported, the message is radioed to the command with same sent to other neighbouring states to be on the lookout.”

4 — Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

BRIEFLY Ayiri raises alarm over vessels trapped at Escravos Bar

PCN, NAPPTON flex muscles in Cross River CROSS-RIVER… THE PEOPLE’S PARADISE

BY IKE UCHECHUKWU

C

ALABAR—WHAT many thought was a mere spat between the National Association of Pharmaceutical Technologists and Pharmacy Technicians of Nigeria, NAPPTON and Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, PCN, took a different dimension last week in Cross River State after the latter carried out an enforcement exercise that saw a clampdown on 148 allegedly unauthorized drugs dispensing outlets.

Speaking with Niger Delta Voice, the Head of Legal Services PCN, Barrister Lawan Abana, warned those whose premises were sealed to follow due process or face the wrath of the law if they break government seal illegally.

He advised affected persons to do the proper thing through the right channel, as PCN did not come to victimize anyone; rather the exercise was part of efforts to sanitize and sensitize all stakeholders in the interest of public health.

Deputy Director and Head of Enforcement, PCN, Mr. Stephen Esumobi, had earlier told Niger Delta Voice that its officials sealed the unregistered drug premises for offences ranging from unauthorized sale of medicines, operating without the

• Barr Lawan Abana

supervision of a pharmacist and poor storage condition.

His words: “Since many of those facilities have not been inspected and recommended for sales of medicines, the quality, safety and efficacy of medicines sources from them cannot be guaranteed.”

He also said that many of the registered premises were keeping and stocking highly ethical and controlled substances in a manner that violates laid down regulations to the detriment of the citizenry.

“If this trend is allowed to continue, it will impact negatively on the health of the citizens of the state and the country at large; this exercise is an attempt to reverse this ugly situation,” he asserted.

Esumobi warned that the Federal Government would not tolerate indiscriminate sale of drugs and substances without submission to regulatory control that will guarantee sales and distribution of medicines through approved channels licensed by the PCN. Twist National Deputy President, NAPPTON, Dr. Lawrence Henshaw, however, accused PCN of invading Calabar and breaking into shops of NAPPTON members, who registered under the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC. He said PCN was an interloper trying to regulate the activities of

• Dr. Lawrence Henshaw

W

NAPPTON members.

His words: “This group of people who looted drugs from shops of technicians also looted money and most of the drugs were obtained from sales agents on credit.

“The drugs were all stamped and certified by NAFDAC. It also has never been in practice that during inspection drugs should be looted.

“This action is nothing but theft and stealing from our members as well as sealing off shops with PCN seals and they are telling NAPPTON members to come and get license from them. PCN has no power to issue license or regulate the activities of NAPPTON.” Henshaw cited a Lagos High Court ruling in suit No. FHC/L/ CS/455/06, which, according to him, stopped PCN from infringing on the activities of NAPPTON.

DELTA...

FINGER OF GOD

BY GODWIN OGHRE

A

DESA—THE people of Adesa community, Amukpe district, Sapele Local Government Area, Delta State, have petitioned Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, denouncing speculations in some quarters that the settlement does not exist in Amukpe, Sapele.

In the petition by the community’s chair, Believe Edeki and two others, they said: “The

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Nembe chair wades into residents/SETRACO face-off

BY EMEM IDIO

PCN counters Abana, nevertheless, retorted that there was nowhere in the world that an association regulates itself, arguing that for medical doctors, they are regulated by the Medical and Dental Council and not Medical Association, likewise lawyers, who are not also regulated by NBA, but another body.

He said what was happening in Cross River State was an anomaly and should not be allowed to continue in the interest of the public because their lives were being endangered by unqualified and unauthorized personnel dispensing drugs in the state under the name of NAPPTON. In his words: “The judgment (FHC/L/CS/455/06) in favour of NAPPTON has no bearing whatsoever with them giving 'license' to people to operate drug outlets. The only body mandated and holds the statutory obligation to do so is the Pharmacist Council of Nigeria.”

Abana told Niger Delta Voice that what NAPPTON prayed for in court was an issue with the public service promotions and had nothing to do with issuing of licence.

Our enemies're planning mayhem — Delta community speculation was an orchestration of a handful of our enemies with the sole purpose of misinforming you and the general public about our origin and status as a fullfledged community in the state, and particularly to cause mayhem among our youths.

“We are a legitimate community in Amukpe district of Sapele Local Government Area. The people spreading the rumour that we do not exist in Amukpe district are our enemies, who are ostensibly afraid of our growing population and geographical coverage.

“Particularly, they want to cause mayhem among our youths, an act

ARRI—BUSINESS tycoon and Ajuwaoyiboyannmi of Warri Kingdom, Delta State, Chief Ayirimi Emami, has expressed concern that numerous vessels transporting products, including petroleum, through the Escravos Bar Mouth, Warri South-West Local Government Area of the state, have ran aground because of the shallow channel.

Emami, who is a chieftain of All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state and commended President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing Delta-born Dr. Emmanuel Kachikwu as Managing Director, GMD of NNPC and Habib Abdullahi as Managing Director of the Nigeria Ports Authority, NPA, said the non-dredging of the bar was crippling business and economic activities in the region.

He, therefore, urged the President to intervene by directing NPA to facilitate the dredging of the Escravos Bar Mouth to complement his administration’s job creation efforts.

His words: “No proper dredging has been done in the last 20 years despite several complaints made to various government agencies such as NPA and previous Federal administrations on the negative cost implication of the current state of the Escravos Bar Mouth as it affects independent petroleum marketers who make use of that route.

“The non-dredging of the Escravos Bar Mouth by NPA, NIMASA and other relevant government agencies in the last two decades is frustrating business and economic activities in the Niger Delta, as independent petroleum marketers and other investors, who make use of the channel in the transaction of their businesses, often face monumental economic loss.”

capable of truncating the relative peace in this area, which your young administration presently need.

“We hear that a handful of disgruntled elements in the Amukpe district have even gone to publish in a national daily that we do not exist. As you can see, here we are as a community and in Amukpe district of Sapele Local Government Area.

“We urge you and the public to disregard these enemies of progress and their publication.

Their aim is to cause confusion and unrest among our youths. We exist as a true and legitimate community here.”

EMBE—CHAIRMAN of Nembe Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, Mr. Bioghoemi Eminah, has N intervened in the disagreement between residents of the area and the contracting firm, SETRACO, constructing the OgbiaNembe Road.

While the contractor was still working on the project, residents were reportedly building unapproved structures on both sides of the road, thereby disturbing ongoing work.

The chair, who interceded in the squabble, warned residents, particularly commercial road transport workers, against erecting unauthorized structures along the yet-to-be completed OgbiaNembe road, calling for their immediate demolition or face the wrath of the council.

Expressing displeasure over the indiscriminate manner motorists, particularly commercial drivers plying the road park their vehicles, the council boss said the act was interfering with the construction work on the road site.

He, therefore, appealed to the people of the area to cooperate with the contractors and exercise patience until completion of the road, possibly by the end of this year.

Club earmarks N26m for widows, indigents in A’Ibom

BY TOM MOSES

U

YO—THE Lions Club International, District 404-A2, has set aside N26 million to support widows and underprivileged at rural communities in Akwa Ibom State.

The new district governor, Elder Nse Ekefre, disclosed this in a chat with the Niger Delta Voice in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Ekefre recently donated 1,000 exercise books and 1,000 basic sciences textbooks to four primary and secondary schools on behalf of the club, as part of efforts to encourage scholarship and touch the lives of the rural poor in the state.

Besides, he gave one million textile materials to the downtrodden.

He assured that children of the less-privileged in the rural areas would get educational support to enable them attain the required academic and social standards.

The district governor promised to undertake free pediatric ophthalmology screening, cataract and cornea surgeries as well as free paediatric dental screening for the less-privileged ones within the year to add value to the people’s lives and to contribute to the well-being of the society.

DESOPADEC: Iduwini lauds Okowa over Izoukumor, Gbasin DUWINI—THE people of Iduwini Kingdom, an Ijaw oilproducing community in Burutu Local Government Area, Delta IState, have commended Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for appointing Chief Favour Izoukumor and Pastor Philip Gbasin as Commissioner and Executive Director, respectively, on the governing council of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC. This was contained in a statement by Pastor Alex Kenerekedi, Barrister K. K Iseru and Chief Zietemone Famous for the community.

Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015 — 5

• International Christian Centre, Uhogua

BOKO HARAM VICTIMS’ CAMP IN EDO:

Displaced kids resume study, write exam *Plans afoot to reunite 150 with families — Pastor Solomon Folorunsho, Coordinator

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

U

HOGUA—GENERAL Overseer of the International Christian Centre for Missions, Uhogua, Edo State, Pastor Solomon Folorunsho is the coordinator of a non-governmental organization, which runs an Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, Camp for Boko Haram victims evacuated to Edo State from the theatre of war in the North. The state government recently took interest in the welfare of the victims in the encampment.

Investigations showed that the NGO had been running a Christian Home for the Needy, which turned a dwelling to the displaced victims since 2013.

Until recently, not many knew about the saintly activities of Pastor Folorunsho, who the Enogie of Uhogua, HRH Ekiroguaghen Eresoyen, confessed had been an instrument of blessing to the community since he stepped his feet in the community.

The oracle of the Most- High God spoke to Niger Delta Voice on his honorable undertaking. Excerpt.

What is the relationship IDPss and the between the IDP community?

We have a relationship between the communities before the IDPs came. So the relationship between the community and us is very cordial. We relate well.

In fact, many of their children are attending our schools here free. If we do not have good rapport, they would have not let their children come to school with us.

How tr ue is it that there true IDPss in the is fear about the IDP community?

The people from the north here are Christians; they were not C M Y K

involved in evil acts and they do not pose any threat because they are people who were born into Christianity.

There are pastors’ children, children of missionaries, people I have been working with their pastors through the years. So we know them, we know their pastors and in spite of the work we have been doing over the years through the Nigeria Evangelical Mission, there is no reason for fear at all.

Everybody is happy and they do not go out of this place at all.

Even the community people come here because a lot of them are my friends. Although you cannot rule out the fact that not everybody may like you, but in terms of relationship with them, it is cordial.

How have you been coping with pressure from youths of the community?

Well, in this place, through the years we have been here, we have had different youth governments come up and go just like. Some were not nice to

•Pastor Folorunsho

us, but after some time, we made up.

However, for some time now, they have been relatively quiet and we have not had any major issue. But sometimes, you cannot rule out when somebody makes unnecessary demands.

•Displaced children in a makeshift classroom The demands they have made, They are all writing exams. we have done what we could do We have teachers and National and the ones we could not do, Youth Service Corps, NYSC, we tell them to give us time to members that are teaching do. But always, we have met here. They have a place to stay their demands. and food to eat. We are working When people make demands with the Red Cross to connect that are reasonable, it is easy these people back to their to solve, but when demands are family so they can be reunreasonable, we always seek integrated into their society. for peace.

We have reached out to the For example, when some families of about 150 of them, people brought some things for but we want to deal with the the widows, we gave to the security agencies so that widows, but there was some everybody will know what we left. Because we are always are doing. These ones will get stretching our hands to the back to their family. community, we gave each of We are also working with the them a bag of rice and N30,000 Red Cross so that they will use and everybody was happy. But their machiner y with the you know youths; you cannot security agency like DSS to help satisfy all of them. identify the places they are The village is my community; going and ensure it is good for I was the first major person that them and when they get back. came here because I liked the Many people are making big terrain and nature. After we mistakes about this place; it is came here, development a church and a church school started coming and we still where we train pastors. We plan that as God blesses us, we have a bishop, we are just will do as much as we can for relocating here and we have the community because they our home for the needy. need help too.

We started since 1992. So we You cannot find a graduate in were already caring for children the communioty, which is why who have needs. Anywhere we want them to go to school. there is a child that has need, They need many things in the they are always coming here. community here.

For example, an orphan who Some NGOs came and they comes here goes to our school are building a health centre free of charge. here, so anytime we bring It is not a centre like the IDPs doctors from anywhere to camp you see in other places. It render community service, we is a church and we do church normally invite all of them here activities here. free treatment.

Therefore, the Home for the Everything good here, we Needy through which the IDPs want to be extending it to them came, is an arm of the church. because they own the land; There is no time it will close up they gave us the land and we because it was not set up for the cannot cheat them. But just IDPs. It was set up for the word that there are things we do not of God, for church activities, for have ability to do and we will Christianity and then to plead with them to be patient. educate children and also do a lot of things for the kingdom of So how are the children God and Nigeria. coping with school?

Gov Emmanuel recreates monthly sanitation in A’Ibom

BY TOM MOSES YO— WORRIED by the deteriorating sanitary condition in the state and the need to create a friendly and healthy environment to woo investors to the state, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom, weekend, reinvented the monthly sanitation exercise in the 31 local government areas of the state.

Flagging off the exercise in Uyo, where there was complete restriction of movement between the hours of 7a.m. and 10a.m. in the state capital and the other local government areas, Governor Emmanuel said the effort was to re-invent the culture of cleanliness and launch the state back to that old path of honour.

Emmanuel, who personally participated in the exercise, said: “If premium is placed on environment, it would reduce the amount spent for treatment of ailments because diseases such as malaria, typhoid and others would have been avoided.”

U

He warned those building structures near ravines to desist from altering natural environment to avert disasters associated with the act and, therefore, urged the Ministry of Environment to educate those involved in the act on the dangers inherent therein.

The governor also drew the attention of residents

•The governor leading by example

of the state to the dangers associated with improper waste disposal, especially medical waste, saying he would not compromise the good environmental reputation of the state.

Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Iniobong Essien, said the exercise was re-introduced to re-awaken the people’s consciousness to the responsibility owed the environment and pledged his ministry’s commitment to making the state clean, green and ready for investors.

Anietie Otu, one of the residents of Anua Street, Uyo, who participated in the exercise, called on the state government to move trucks round the streets to evacuate wastes to make the exercise worthwhile.

He also recommended the construction of slabs around refuse dumps to prevent wastes from spilling into gutters.

6 — Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

PODIUM… DELTA...

FINGER OF GOD was W ARRI—THERE an unflappable show at the Magistrate's Court, OtorUdu in Udu Local Government Area, Delta State, during the week, when the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, in the state sought to take over the prosecution of a bullion van driver and two other suspects from the police.

The three suspects were involved in the July 13 accident that resulted in the shattering of the two legs of a 31-year-old teacher and homemaker, Mrs. Onome Akporode, crushed by the driver of Mercedez Benz Tipper, with number plaes, XA 600 JRT, escaping from the reckless driving of the charged persons.

She was returning home after completing a transaction at First Bank Nigeria Plc on Udu Road, Udu when the vehicle rammed into her on the pavement. The accused persons drove in Ford E.350 bullion van with number plates, AGL 435 BD and Mitsubishi escort van, LAGOS KJA 541 XJ against traffic.

DELTA BULLION VAN ACCIDENT:

Drama as Justice Ministry entraps police in court *Police filed watered-down charges against accused persons— IKIMI *How my legs were shattered—MRS AKPOODE, VICTIM *Fraudsters dupe sufferer

DPP stuns Police Chief State Counsel, Tejiri Anuhwin, acting for the DPP, stunned the police when he appeared in court, Wednesday, and moved a motion asking the presiding Magistrate, Mrs. A. N. Atumah-Itsekor, to transfer the responsibility of prosecuting the suspects from the police to the state.

Police Prosecutor, Inspector Helen Oyibi, who was taken aback by the motion, raised objection, saying she should be given time to communicate the new development to her superiors for apposite defence before a ruling on the motion.

Court overrules police objection While denying the police request, Magistrate AtumahItsekor, who withheld approval until proper process was adhered to, declared: “Once the state has appeared, the police are no longer in the matter. But the state should come up with proper document to takeover.”

The court further overruled the motion by the defence counsels that the bullion van and the truck involved in the accident be released from police seizure on grounds that the drivers of both vehicles, and not the vehicles were under trial.

All three suspects were present when the court fixed September 8 for further hearing.

Angst over police charge Unknown to police, the sixcount charge of violation of the road traffic laws of Delta State preferred against the accused persons, Taire Onome Joseph, Edoze Gabriel and Godwin Odobair, had sparked C M Y K

Mrs. Akporode in excruciating pains during the daily clean up of her amputated leg.

•Mr & Mrs Akporode

controversy in the state.

The accused persons allegedly committed the offences contrary to Section 24, cap R9, volume IV; Section 49(1) c (I), cap R9, volume IV; Section 24, cap R9 volume IV; Section 49 (1) (c) (I), cap R9, volume IV; Section 24, cap R9 volume IV and Section 25, cap R9, volume IV of the Delta State Road Traffic Law. Ikimi petitions Ministry of Justice Accusing police of complicity in an attempt to let the accused involved in the case off the hook, counsel to the victim, Ikimi Oghenejabor, explained that the charges brought against them are “watery” and failed to address the injury inflicted on his client, who already had her leg

•Mrs. Onome Akporode at the scene of the incident surrounded by sympathizers.

amputated because of the accident.

He said in a petition to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Asaba, that the accused persons

arrested and charged to court on July 22 “without recourse to the unlawful wounding with intent and maiming of our client by the said accused persons.”

The counsel urged the ministry to take over the prosecution of the case to ensure that “our client gets the justice her case deserves in the circumstance, as justice delayed is justice denied.”

First Bank’s demeanour Ikimi said First Bank was shying away from its responsibility on the matter, adding “from the body language of the bank, it claims it does not have any business with the incident, having contracted the bullion van in question from Sterling Trust Security Company, which is a private security company.”

Renowned human right activist and lawyer, Tayo Ibrahim, also said the maximum jail term for the accused, if found wanting in the charges brought by the police, is two years imprisonment.

He added that Section 24 attracts six months imprisonment or a N2,000 fine or both, while Section 25 attracts two years imprisonment or N5,000 fine or both.

How I lost consciousness — Mrs. Akporode Mrs. Akporode is presently on admission at the orthopaedic ward of the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, DELSUTH, Oghara.

She told Niger Delta Voice: “Before I crossed the road that day, I saw a lorry coming from afar. I crossed and was at the median when I heard sirens from a vehicle with policemen inside, escorting a bullion van that was driving against traffic from Orhuwhorun junction towards the lorry.

“I did not know that on sighting the entourage of the bullion van, the driver of the lorry lost control. Just like a snap, the next thing I realized was a bang on me from the lorry, which knocked me down, shattering my two legs.

“Though I later lost consciousness as a result of the accident, the moment I was knocked down, I was conscious, hence I was able to immediately call my husband on the phone amid assistance from individuals at the scene of the accident, who rushed me to the Warri Central Hospital.

“It was at the Warri Central Hospital that I think I lost consciousness because the next thing I remember was when I found myself here at Oghara.”

Appeal for assistance With her husband, Mr. Akporode, comforting her, Onome, who until her incident was a teacher at a private primary school at Aladja, lamented the huge financial burden that has befalling her family, stressing that an average estimate of N200,000 is spent daily for purchase of drugs and other items for treatment.

She called on the Delta State governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, to come to her rescue.

Her husband, Mr. Akporode lamented that some fraudsters had taken advantage of the situation to raise money from unsuspecting helpers and elope with the money.

Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015 — 7 Emohua people.”

Emergency meeting

The monarch told Niger Delta Voice: “When the commander left, I called for a meeting. The visit was shocking to me. So I passed on the message that the commander brought.

“In the meeting, we appointed three people to go to the Rumuokoro Barracks to see and pacify the commander not to wage war against us in their investigation.

“We have not had problems with any security operative and we do not groom gunmen here. So there is no way the community should be robed into such crime.”

Our worry— Nyewe Eli Emohua

•Emohua community

MURDER OF SOLDIER, POLICEMAN IN RIVERS:

Arm Armyy issues communities 7-da 7-dayy ultimatum tto o pr oduce killer produce killerss •Panic-struck residents take flight •Emohua monarch begs govt for quick intervention.

BY DAVIES IHEAMNACHOR

E

MOHUA—MILITARY authorities in Rivers State have given a one-week ultimatum to eight communities in Emohua Local Government Area of the state to fish out and surrender the gunmen, who allegedly ambushed and shot dead a soldier and police officer, while they were on duty along the Emohua-Kalabari Road in the area.

Niger Delta Voice gathered that the incident occurred last week, and both the army and police in the state were furious.

A trustworthy source hinted that the new Brigade Commander in charge of Rumuokoro Army Barracks in Port Harcourt stormed Emohua with three vehicles, fully loaded with fierce-looking military men and drove straight to the palace of the paramount ruler of Emohua Kingdom, HRM, Eze V.C. Okor.

The source said: “During the

visit, the brigade commander gave the eight communities of Emohua one-week ultimatum to produce the killers of the officers, otherwise the communities will face the wrath of the command.”

Apprehension

At the time of this report, a number of residents had fled the kingdom.

The trepidation is what will happen to them if they remain in the area after the one-week ultimatum expired and the communities were unable to surrender anybody to the security agencies as the killers, having declined knowledge of the gunmen.

The Emohua monarch distanced the communities from the killers, but condemned the act.

When Niger Delta Voice visited the community weekend, there was uneasy calm. But we saw villagers going about their normal businesses and there were no security personnel intimidating anybody.

What Brigade Commander told me—Monarch

The royal father said that the brigade commander in charge of Rumuokoro Army Barracks in Port Harcourt visited his palace on Monday and told him that the army discovered corpses of two security personnel, along Emohua-Kalabari Road.

The monarch called on the government to promptly intervene in the matter and ensure that justice was no breakdown of law and order.

A villager said: “The brigade commander told our royal father that Emohua community should produce the killers of the security agents.

“Okor told him that road is being used by four local governments in the state and that soldiers should carefully investigate to find out the culprits.

“He also told them that in their investigation, they should secure the lives and properties of

First son of the monarch, who is the Nyewe Eli Emohua, Prince Chigozie Okor, confirmed that the people were alarmed at the approach of the military to the matter, saying it was wrong for the army to have concluded that the killers of the security personnel were from Emohua simply because the unpleasant incident happened in the area.

He said: “We do not understand the reason why the soldiers will walked straight into our community to demand that we provide the gunmen who killed two of their men.

“The road where the officers were killed is a major route to three other local government areas in the state, namely Degema, AsariToru and Akuku-Toru, why should they point finger at Emohua?

“They should carry out investigation on the killing and bring the perpetrators to justice; they should not involve civilians, who do not have what it takes to carry out such task.”

We’re in contact with parties—DPO

Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in charge of Rumuji Police Divisional Headquarters, who spoke to Niger Delta Voice on phone, said: “The issue was not officially reported to us.

“I have visited Emohua community. We discussed and they have appointed people to see the commander. We are in touch with the two parties to ensure peace.”

A’Ibom approves road, flood control, bridge projects for communities AKWA IBOM… LAND OF PROMISE

BY TOM MOSES

U

YO—AKWA IBOM State Executive Council has approved the construction of road projects spanning 11 kilometres and a bridge at Mkpat Enim and Onna Local Government areas in the state.

Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, said this was part of the decisions taken at the weekly meeting of the Executive Council, presided

C M Y K

over by Governor Mr. Udom Emmanuel.

Speaking with the Niger Delta Voice after the executive meeting, Umanah said the council approved the construction the 5-kilometre Ikot Usop-Ikot-Edeghe-IkotEkpuk road and 30 metres bridge in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area.

He said also that the council approved the construction of the 5-kilometre Mkpok-Okat Road, flood control and dualization of the onekilometre Awa-Ikot Nkan Road with outfall drains in Onna Local Government area.

Umanah disclosed that

government also approved the construction and re-modelling of roads in Eket Urban, including the dualization of Atabong Road with an extension to Hospital Road by Market Road; expansion/ remodelling of Atabong Road Roundabout; expansion/ remodelling of Liverpool Junction/Roundabout and construction of Recreational Park at Oron Road by Grace Bill Road.

Other construction works approved, are channelization of Eket/Oron Road/Grace Bill intersection; Grace Bill Road pavement rehabilitation and drainage reconstruction; street

furniture; street beautification; pedestrian footbridges and provision of water fountain at roundabouts.

He further informed that the council approved emergency works and completion of the Oron Urban roads and outfalls.

He said: “The Governor-inCouncil directed that some facilities at Le Meridian Ibom Hotels and Golf Resorts be upgraded.

“The council directed the Ministry of Tourism to inspect and ensure that hotel facilities in the state met the required hygiene standard in view of the increasing visits by tourists and investors to the state.”

No social amenities, no vote, ommunity tells gov Continues from Page 1 “Our youths, men and women are now jobless. We do not have anybody in government. One day, we will go into the streets to protest this inhuman treatment.”

A peasant, Madam Veronica Ogbara, said she had been forced to abandon her traditional farming occupation due lack of farmland.

Speaking in pidgin English, she said: “I no go school, na farm we been dey manage before government collect all our lands. Now we no get where to farm, hunger wan kill us; we need help.”

Lawmaker pleads for support

Lawmaker representing the area in state House of Assembly, Hon. Markmanuel Parkinson, pleaded with the community to exercise patience and support for the re-election bid of the present administration in the state.

He said he would prevail on the governor to visit the community, without much ado, to assess firsthand the plight of the people and hasten intervention.

Reiterating that he would handle the issue of compensation raised by the people, he re-assured: “I will personally bring the governor to Swali town in respect of these roads and make sure the roads are constructed.”

Gov’s aide knocked for six

Reacting, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Mr. Alfred Egbegi, expressed surprise over the community claims, insisting that the Seriake Dickson-led administration had executed projects in every rural community in the state, much more a community in the heart of the state capital.

He said: “The state government is reaching out to every community in the state and has executed projects in almost all the communities.

“For a community that is located at the heart of the state capital, the state government has built a flyover to connect the town, in addition to construction of roads, schools, headmaster’s quarters and water projects.

“So why are they saying that government has not done anything for them?

“The state government is also expanding the ox-bow lake resort centre located in Swali to make it more viable.

Tell them to be patient and continue to support the governor to do more.”

8 — Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

AGENDA

Calabar residents lose sleep over tankers parking

BY EMMA AMAIZE

H

IS Royal Majesty, HRM, Benjamin Ikenchukwu Keagborekuze I, Dein of Agbor Kingdom in Delta State, showed some radicalism and clairvoyance during my recent visit to his palace when he declared that one of the things that turns him off was seeing Nigerians openly castigate themselves, leaders and country.

His words: “I think here in Nigeria, we like to talk about negative things too much and when you talk about the negative too much, you will be surprised that you encourage the negative to happen. This is a great nation, and we have many things to celebrate; let us talk about the positive things in life and celebrate them.”

Monarch’s wise counsel The world’s youngest crowned monarch, widely-travelled and Officer in The Order of Belgium, said the world was watching Nigeria and the off-putting comments of the people about their leaders, especially in the social media, was doing the nation more harm than good internationally. It was a royal admonition to Nigerians to tame their tongues.

You would, therefore, imagine the royal father’s consternation when the Chairman of a Special Committee set up by the National Executive Council, NEC, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, outrageously declared, some days later, that Nigerians would pelt former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and his fellow looters with stone if they found out that he spent N140 billion on consultancy alone on the 2nd Niger Bridge project.

Scandalous

Oshiomhole’s outburst was shocking as it was public knowledge before his bombshell that the total cost of the bridge procured as a Public Private Partnership Project under the Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer, DBFOT, model is N108 billion.

The posers are how consultancy alone on such a project would gulp N140 billion? Where did the governor get his information? Did he crosscheck before going to town with it?

However, mother monkey says she can only deny for the unborn child in her belly because she did no if the child on her back stretched hands and collected somebody’s banana while she was passing through the market.

Missiles

Before you could say Jack Robinson, former Minister of Niger-Delta, Elder Godsday Orubebe, last Tuesday, fired at Oshiomhole, describing him as an ingrate and Villa sycophant, quick to switch allegiance to whoever is in power.

Evidently, Orubebe was miffed at Oshiomhole's negative comments about Jonathan and his administration.

He asserted: “It is unfortunate that Oshiomhole, who should talk like a governor, is today biting the fingers that fed him and seems to have forgotten in a hurry that he once cried around the former President for assistance and

C M Y K

Continues from page 2

•Gov Adams Oshiomhole

•Dein of Agbor

• Elder Godsday Orubebe

OSHIOMHOLE/ORUBEBE CROSSFIRE:

I’m sorry, did Dein of Agbor take notice? recognition.”

Daring the lion in its den

Apparently on a familiar terrain, Oshiomhole hit back 24 hours later, describing Orubebe as a clown, who was afraid of President Muhammadu Buhari’s planned probe of several billions of naira squandered on the East-West Road and on the amnesty programme under Orubebe's watch as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.

In a statement by his spokesperson, Peter Okhiria, he said the “incompetence” of people like Mr. Orubebe contributed to the dismal failure of the administration of former President, Goodluck Jonathan.

Orubebe replied immediately, slamming the governor as a ‘garage boy ’ and somebody suffering from chronic diarrhoea of the mouth, which explains why he has lately been misleading Nigerians.

He said the governor’s illiteracy was beyond human comprehension.

As if waiting for such diversion, Oshiomhole exploded again from Benin. This time, he said Orubebe was an elevated thug: “Orubebe is no more than a common tout and political thug, too illiterate to know the difference between a “garage” and a “motor park,” recruited by his paymasters as Deputy Director-General of the 2015 Goodluck/Sambo Campaign Organization, and agent provocateur to truncate the last election.

“But for the maturity and sound leadership orientation of Professor Atahiru Jega, Nigeria would still have been reeking in utter anarchy and political protestations.”

has no brain.

“I thought he was more knowledgeable on the issues of governance.”

Backlash

That Oshiomhole took Jonathan to the cleaners is not in doubt, but it has become obvious that the 2nd Niger Bridge project may run into difficulty if the matter was not properly handled.

Director General, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, ICRC, Aminu Dako, in a statement, said Federal Government was scrutinizing the contract cost and conditions surrounding the 2nd Niger Bridge and that President Muhammadu Buhari had directed the Ministry of Works to review the cost of the project.

He also said the Commission had identified some errors in the project, but the bottom line of his statement was that Federal Government had suspended work on the project.

Dako skirted around issues like the commission having to give certificate of compliance; communities around the areas clamouring that they have not been paid compensation; Onitsha Traditional Council complaining that it was not well-represented in the transaction and all that.

The directives and policy frameworks came just the same time that Oshiomhole went public with the dance.

Putting records straight

Contrary to Dako’s position, Managing Director of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, NSIA, Mr. Uche Orji, expressed shock over the allegation by Oshiomhole that N140 billion was

Surrender

The verbal war continued at the weekend with Orubebe saying that he would no longer reply Oshiomhole anymore because it had become apparent that the governor was empty.

He said: “You can see the kind of governor we have in our country.

My response is simple: I am through with him. I will not talk about him again. On this issue, I am through with him; I have no business with such a governor, who

HRM, I will find out what really happened and how you saw the negative comments when next we meet

spent on consultancy for the bridge.

He said that only $2.21 million dollars (about N340 million, using the then exchange rate of N154/$1) was spent on consultancy for the project.

According to him, the cost of consultancy for the bridge was less than one percent of the cost of the project, which was way below global standards.

A document made available to Niger Delta Voice indicated that “the project was initially estimated to cost N108 billion excluding duties and VAT. If duties and VAT are included, the project will cost N117.9 billion.

“This was equivalent to $700 million at the then prevailing exchange rate of N154/$. The final project cost would naturally be affected by exchange rate fluctuations and other variables.”

Mr. Orji said that Federal Government made a commitment of N30 billion out of which it has released N18.3 billion so far, of which N10.4 billion was disbursed on early construction works.

On the governor’s allegation of non-performance, he said a lot of piling work had been done on the project site, located some distance from the current bridge.

Unnecessary distraction

Currently, there is outrage not just among South-Easterners, but other Nigerians that instead of facilitating the completion of the important project, Nigerian leaders are playing politics with it to score cheap political points.

I presume those in charge of the nation’s energy sector did their work and that there was power blackout in Dein’s part of the country and so he neither watched on television, heard on radio nor read in the newspapers the scandalous comments by Governor Oshiomhole, Orubebe and all those, solicited and unsolicited, who joined them in the fray.

Now, that is presumption.

HRM, I will find out what really happened and how you saw the negative comments when next we meet.

government.

“He has promised to do something for us and I believe him so much because he is a man of his words and you know he is synonymous with action.

“This challenge will soon be a thing of the past. As soon as we are given a space, you will never see us on the road sides anymore. We know it is a bad site for now, but all we can do is to appeal to the government.”

No kid gloves—FRSC Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Cross River State Command, Lawrence Igwe, said the matter had become very worrisome and could no longer be treated with kid gloves.

His words: ”While in a meeting with the Committee on Transport of the Cross River State House of Assembly, I was made to understand by the committee that plans have almost been concluded to relocate the tankers to a better and safer location. A place has been made available but I was told that it is not yet ready.”

He, however, said that tanker drivers were abusing the situation the more by “double parking” on the road, which has created more problems for other road users and as well increased the threat already posed by their being on the wrong side and location.

He said: “If they park in a single file or straight line, there will not be much problem. Just a few days ago, one of them lost control and rammed into five vehicles, 52 people were involved, but we thank God that only one person was injured and no life was lost.”

Filth in Calabar market Continues from Page 2 prepared and packaged for them to take home and simply pour in pot to taste.

“Pepper, affang, water leaves, edikang ikong and even periwinkle are cut and washed to your requirement for you to take home and cook. We can also tell you what time to add what and get the right taste.”

Imoke’s failed relocation plan At the Inspectorate unit of the Cross River State Ministry of Health, one of the directors, Agnes Bassey, said officials from the ministry regularly visit the market and carry out raids.

She said: “But during the rainy season, it is very difficult to maintain clean environment in the market as the traders dump filth on the tiny paths on the roads and movement around the market is usually difficult.”

Bassey said government had plans to relocate the market to the Bakoko area, some 10km away, before the exit of the Senator Liyel Imoke administration.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015 — 33

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36—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015—37

Why we disowned Uboh over EFCC suit —GOV DICKSON

By Samuel Oyadongha & Emem Idio

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ENAGOA—GOVERNOR Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has spoken on why his administration disowned George Uboh over the decision to drag the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to Court over alleged complicity in the diversion of funds recovered from the alleged money looted by former Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.

Uboh had claimed that the administration of Dickson was intimidated to withdraw from the suit filed in court against alleged unremitted Bayelsa recovered money.

But Dickson, who briefed the Nigerian Guild of Editors, in Yenagoa, said though the purported whistle blower was handed a permission to help recover money allegedly withheld from the state by the EFCC, the decision to go to court did not receive the blessings of the state government.

The governor said: “What I know is that some funds were recovered and sent through the proper channels. The diplomatic corps are part of the management of it. The Nigerian High Commission working with the British government and other foreign governments got involved through the investigative

agencies and through the Attorney-General’s Office.

“It is a normal protocol and I know that my immediate predecessor received the bulk of it. I was told that he used it to lay the foundation of the Transparency Plaza which he started, of course he didn’t complete it as he didn’t complete anything.

“When we came on board, in October, we received a remittance and it was part of the transparency report for that month announced

to the state and it was properly utilized for the common good. The amount we have received so far is 1,210,170 pounds.

“The story about that gentleman was that some elders from the state brought him to the Commissioner of Finance and here our eyes are always red when it comes to getting money to add to our money to spend for public good.

“He said, if you give us authorization, we will work and bring the money. The Finance Commissioner gave him an authorization letter to go and recover the money. The gentleman

collected the letter and the next thing we heard, he took EFCC to court and tried to do the sort of things he is doing now to EFCC and I said no, I don’t want my government and my state to be used as a cannon folder to bring down public institutions or public officers.

“If you were mandated to recover funds, you need our express permission before you go to court. I was an AttorneyGeneral of this state and it is the AG that will take the final decision as to whether to go to court or instruct you to do so.”

BRIEFING: From left: Henry Nwosu, former Nigerian International footballer, Mrs. Oyinade Adegite, Senior Manager, External and Communication Affairs, GTBank, Mr Seyi Akinwunmi, First Vice President, Nigerian Football Federation, and Victor Ikpeba, former African Footballer of the year, at a briefing on Camp GTBank Players Development Programmein Lagos, yesterday.

STATE OF EMERGENCY: Rivers Police arrest 214 robbery

suspects

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By Jimitota Onoyume

ORT HARCOURT—THE two months emergency declared by the Rivers State Police Command against violent crimes came to an end, yesterday, with the arrest of 214 armed robbery suspects and recovery of 152 arms.

Speaking on the operations of the command, outgoing Commissioner of Police, Mr Chris Ezike, at the headquarters of the Police command in Port Harcourt, said 638 ammunition and 312 cartridges were among items recovered from suspects, adding that 41 different brands of vehicles , cash sums were also recovered from the suspects.

He said most of them were already facing prosecution in court. He said his command also arrested 107 suspected cultists, noting that some confessed to being members of dreaded cult groups such as Dey Gbam, Dey Well, Iceland and Vikings.

The Police chief who said he would resume in Edo State today as the new Commissioner of Police, said his command lost two Police officers during

encounter with robbers within the period, while three suffered gunshot injuries.

He described the emergency crimes such as kidnapping against violent crimes as a huge and cultism to a minimum success, saying it had brought level.

GOV: Delta North must do 8 years meaning that we have to —SEN NWAOBOSHI protect and advise the

A

By Festus Ahon

SABA—THE Senator representing Delta North senatorial district, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi has insisted that the people of the district would do their eight years term in the governorship of the state irrespective of manipulations from some quarters.

Nwaoboshi in Asaba when members of the Ibuso

Community Development Union, ICDU, paid him a courtesy visit, said Delta Central and South senatorial districts did their eight years “and Delta North must do its own eight years.”

He told the people to support the current government to succeed, adding “Some of us fought very hard to get the governorship for Delta North

government of the day adequately.”

Nwaoboshi, former state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said: “Delta North did not fight governors from the Central and South senatorial districts and nobody should fight or be an obstacle to the government of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa."

Opuama leaders back Ukori on indigenship

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PUAMA—PROMINENT leaders of Opuama community, Warri North Local Government Area, Delta State, Rev. Palmer Obeya and Mr. Innocent Ojusin, have said that Mr. Jude Ukori was an indigene of Opuama, contrary to recent media reports.

Speaking as leaders of Opuama community, they insisted that they did not speak for Egbema

Political Forum, as it has its executive structure led by Chief J. C Taylor.

“There is no way we could have spoken under such a forum with its executive structure in place. We only refuted the said story as leaders of Opuama community where we condemned in its entirety the publication that Mr. Ukori was an indigene of Jamagie in Edo State and not an indigene of Opuama community in

EgbemaKingdom,”theysaid.

They reiterated that Mr. Ukori is an indigeneofOpuamacommunity,who servedaschairmanofOpuamaBlocof communities for seven years and currently the secretary of Egbema Gbaramatu Communities Development Foundation, EGCDF, a community base outfit that cater for the infrastructural and human capital development of the people through Chevron Nigeria Ltd sponsorship.

Cleric tasks Christians on trust in God

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GHELLI—THE General Overseer of First Apostolic Church, Rev J. Afegbai, hsa charged Christians world over to put their trust in God. Afagbai during a thanksgiving in honour of Dr Ebenezer Okorodudu, who survived multiple accidents, said the lives of those who trust in God cannot be cut short by the manipulation of evil men.

He insisted that those who give their lives to Christ shall not perish but live to fulfil their destiny on earth, adding that Jesus Christ is their lord and saviour.

Reiterating that the name of God is a strong tower and those who run to it shall be saved, the cleric expressed gratitude to God for sparing the lives of Dr Okorodudu, his daughter and driver.

According to him, there was nothing difficult for God to do for those who believe in Him, nothing that joy is the portion of those who have faith in Christ.

Edo APGA woos gov aspirants

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ENIN—AHEAD of the 2016 governorship election in Edo State, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, has said it had thrown its doors open for credible persons aspiring to contest in the election to join the party.

Elder Godfrey Ehimen, APGA state chairman disclosed this in Benin City at the party’s stakeholders meeting attended by leaders from the three senatorial districts of the state.

He said: “APGA as a ranking national party has opened wide its doors to all aspirants credible enough who may wish to use its platform to contest the 2016 election and with genuine ambition of becoming Edo next governor. “ Elder Ehimen disabused the mindset of those who were yet to identify with the party, saying, “APGA as it is today has been restrengthened and a force to reckon with in the 2016 governorship election in Edo State.”

38—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

Ikpeazu leads 40-man Abia business delegation to Turkey

64 million Nigerians suffer from mental illness —Prof Nebo

By Francis Igata

By Anayo Okoli ENUGU—FORMER Power Minister, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, yesterday, in Enugu rated governm- ents at various levels low in the area of psychiatric and mental health care.

He said this was worrisome considering that some medical

U

MUAHIA—ABIA State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has called on the Bank of Industry [BOI] and other development partners to assist and partner with Aba shoe makers and industrialists in the city by funding their businesses.

According to Governor Ikpeazu, artisans in Aba have the capacity to produce high quality products that would help in the economic development of the nation at large and the state in particular.

Ikpeazu who spoke weekend, at the Government House, Umuahia, when officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs visited him, disclosed that there are about 10,000 shoemakers in Aba who can produce all the booths required by the nation’s Army, Immigration and Navy and Para-military personnel.

The governor said the leather workers have the capability and capacity to produce high quality leather products, lamenting that funding has been a major challenge confronting them and other artisans. He said the shoe makers need assistance in the procurement of equipment required in quality finishing and mass production of their products.

In his earlier remarks, an official of the ministry, Ambassador Saleh Pisaghi, said they were in Abia state on a one day sensitization workshop put together by the Ministry in partnership with the Bank of Industry, others.

scholars have revealed that in a population of 160 million or thereabout, “it is speculated that 64 million Nigerians suffer from one form of mental illness or the other deserving attention.”

Nebo spoke as a guest lecturer at the 2nd Public Lecture organized by the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu in collaboration with the West

African College of Nursing.

Speaking on the theme, 'Psychiatric and Mental Health in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects,' the former minister said whereas government had done much in the area of Primary Health Care, much was yet to be done in the area of psychiatric and mental health.

“I will confess that while

FG downgrades Alvan Ikoku University of Education

By Chidi Nkwopara &Chinonso Alozie

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WERRI—THE National Commission for Colleges of Education, NCCE, says the Federal Government has put the recent upgrading of Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri, to a university status on hold.

The government decision was made public in Owerri, as the South East geo-political zone continues to lick its wound over what they called “the brazen marginalization of the area in the appointments so far announced by President Muhammadu Buhari”.

The Executive Secretary of NCCE, Professor Joshua Monday, who made government’s position known to newsmen in Owerri, equally warned staff and students, who have been resisting the downgrading of the institution in the past week, to have a rethink and go back to work.

According to the Executive Secretary, the decision to reverse the upgrading of the four old Colleges of Education to University status, was not influenced by any person or group of persons.

“The decision to reverse the four Colleges of Education that were

upgraded to Universities of Education by the last federal administration to their former status, was not influenced by any person or group of persons within or outside the colleges, but was taken by the President in his wisdom”, the Executive Secretary said.

While saying that they were in Owerri to put the records straight, Professor Monday also affirmed that Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri, was one of the oldest Colleges of Education in Nigeria.

“Alvan has been running degree programmes and it is affiliated to the University of Nigeria. It was upgraded to a University of Education and the people jubilated. Everything was put in place and a substantive Vice Chancellor was appointed, while the Provost became the Deputy Vice Chancellor”, Professor Monday recounted.

He however recalled that early in August, a new directive came from the Federal Government that the recent conversion be put on hold.

Government has built modern diagnostic centres, dialysis and ophthalmological centres, and constructed more than 710 Primary Health Care Centres throughout our political wards in Enugu State, we are only beginning to give priority towards optimizing and modernizing our. Psychiatric Mental Health Institutions in the State to meet required demands.

He identified causes of mental illness to include genetic composition, early development, neurological and psychological experiences and environmental stresses.

While calling for increased awareness on the treatment and management of mental disorder, Nebo said: “The belief that many Nigerians seem to hold that mental disorder is a result of supernatural forces and, therefore, only responds to cure through traditional practices and supernatural incantations, must give way and face the realities of modern conditions, which in fact, produce the stresses that lead to different level of mental conditions.”

Abia govt vows to restore Aba master plan

By Eric Ugbor

A

BA—PIQUED by the distortion of the master plan of Aba, Abia State government has vowed to restore the original plan of the city if efforts at developing it would yield any fruit.

To ensure that the master plan of Aba and Umuahia were achieved, government assured it would muster the political willpower and partner the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, NITP. Abia State governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu who stated this in Aba at the third annual luncheon of NITP, Abia State chapter stressed that without adequate and

effective implementable planning, there was nothing any government could do to impact positively on urban areas.

Ikpeazu who was represented by his deputy, Chief Ude Okochukwu regretted that since the colonial masters left, not much had been done in the area of effective planning of cities.

Explaining that more than half of the 17 Local Government Councils in the state were situated in the urban areas, the governor noted that without proper planning of these areas, government’s quest of achieving her five pillar programmes would be a mirage.

Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Chief Martins

Azubuike who was chairman on the occasion noted with sadness that Abia state is experiencing great environmental degradation through non proactive town planning.

Azubuike, who was represented by his Chief of Staff (CoS), Godwin Iroegbu however expressed delight that the present administration in the state was going to tackle the problem.

Nelson Nwaosu, chairman of the LOC said the choice of this year’s event –”Improving the Quality if Life of Abians Through Physical Planning” was apt as cities were known to be engines of growth and centres of innovation for nations and states.

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

Team Nigeria’s performance at IAAF World Championships in Beijing

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ack of preparations has always been the bane of our sports and it saddens me when we repeat the same thing. This is not a mistake; it’s an act of negligence. We long to reap where we did not sew.

-Miss Lizzy Popson, Self Employed C M Y K

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t this age that Okagbare has started breast feeding, instead of grooming young once, they are there counting on experience and old people.

That is just my personal view about Nigeria’s performance. -Mr Benjamin George Othuke, Self Employed

A

fter all the noise about medal expectations, like football, the problem here must be in organization, not athletes.

Somebody should tell us what really happened to our lone real hope - Okagbare. Trust she is Ok. -Mr. Gil Eigbobo, Businessman

T

he truth about Team Nigeria’s failure in China is simply due to lack of better preparation.

Nigeria should be in the class of the US, Jamaica and Bahamas because we are all blacks. We are even better endowed. -Miss Cynthia Osuchukwu, NYSC member

T

his country can produce three teams. We should have been competing with our Team B in Beijing, while Team A and B should be used for the Olympics and the All Africa Games. But we’ve bluntly refused to do the right thing. -Miss Amamchinefe Okoji, Banker

R

unning in this big championship finals takes a lot which involves individual coaches, professional medical staff, professional personnel that need to put the state of mind of the sportsmen at rest. -Mr. Anyambuba Innocent, Worker

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015 — 39

Cholera kills 20 in Bauchi

By Suzan Edeh

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AUCHI—NO fewer than 20 persons have died of cholera in Shira Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

This is contained in a statement issued in Bauchi by the Information Officer in the LGA, Malam Danlami Baza.

The statement said 200 persons were admitted in the hospital.

It added that the Acting Chairman of the LGA,Alhaji Usman Mashema, had called on the public to come out for treatment as soon as they noticed any sign of cholera.

The statement appealed to the Federal and state governments as well as donor agencies to come to the aid of those affected.

It added that the affected communities included Bakul, Dunmagari and Gallari, among others.

‘We followed due process in appointing new Emir'

By Suzan Edeh

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AUCHI—BAUCHI State government has said the appointment of Secretary to the State governmen (SSG,, Alhaji Suleiman, as the Emir of Misau followed due process.

Bauchi State government stated this yesterday while reacting to media reports on protests trailing the emergence of the new emir.

According to the state government, section 3 (1) of the Chiefs ( Appointment and Deposition) Law 1930 confers on Governor Mohammed Abubakar, who received the list of nominees from the kingmakers, the power to endorse any of the nominees or any other prince even without nomination.

Suleiman was last Thursday announced by the governor as the new Emir of Misau, after the death of the late emir, Alhaji C M Y K

2 ex-NTA chiefs, 3 others to cough out N136m

By Aliyu Dangida

D

UTSE—THE newly appointed Managing Director of Jigawa State Television House, Alhaji Ishaq Hadeja, has vowed to recover over N136 million from the former interim committee of the station.

The committee, headed by two former Director Generals of NTA, Alhaji Muhamamd Ibrahim and Mr. Tony Iredia, with three other veteran broadcast journalists, Timawus Mathias, Adamu Aliyu Kiyawa, and Aminu Ahmed, were

alleged to have received a whopping N136m from the administration of Governor Sule Lamido.

Hadejia told reporters during his maiden briefing, shortly after assuming office, that the Timawus Mathias committee failed to execute what the fund was earmarked for.

The money was set aside for the procurement of gadgets and manpower development (Training) for staff of the television station.

“The former Interim Committee of Jigawa State Television must account for N136 million released

to them by Lamido’s led PDP administration for the procurement of gadgets and training of the station’s staff,” he said.

Hadejia frowned on the former Interim Committee for lack of “factual and transparent records indicating how the money was spent, adding that “When asked, the committee said it was only accountable to the former governor, Sule Lamido.”

The tough-talking new Managing Director revealed that he inherited problems that required urgent attention, left behind by the interim committee.

LAUNCH: From left; Chairman, Honeywell Group, Dr. Oba Otudeko; Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona; Chairman of the occasion, Chief Ernest Shonekan; host, Chief Oyekunle AlexDuduyemi; his wife, Shola; Chief Sonny Odogwu; and author of the book, Oluneye Oluwole, at the launch of 'Quintessential Colossus: Biography of Chief Alex-Duduyemi', in Lagos...recently

MELAYE VS ADEYEMI: Tribunal urged to give accelerated hearing for a re-trial stated:

By Boluwaji Obahopo

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OKOJA—COUNSEL to Senator Smart Adeyemi, Dr. J. O. Olatoke, has prayed the National Assembly and Legislative Houses Election Tribunal, led by Justice Akon

Ikpeme handling the case between the former and Senator Dino Melaye to give accelerated hearing to their petition in obedience to the judgement of the Appeal Court, which ordered for a re-trial.

The Appeal Court while ruling

...As Tribunal rules on Kogi Assembly petition Oct 24

By Kingsley Fanwo

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HE Elections Petition Tribunal hearing a case filed against the declaration of Elder. Abayomi Obaro of All Progressives Congress, APC,

by Commodore Michael Folusho Daniel (retd.) of Accord Party as the House of Assembly member representing Mopamuro constituency has reserved ruling till October 24, 2015.

After the adoption of submissions by both parties yesterday, chairman of the panel, Justice Ikpeme fixed October 24, 2015, for the final determination of the case.

Daniel is challenging the

eligibility of Elder Obaro to contest the election, having failed to comply with the basic guidelines of the Electoral Act on primary and the guidelines of his party.

The retired Naval officer is contending that the results of the primary submitted to INEC to clear the former council chairman was forged, claiming that no primary was held by the party to nominate its candidates.

The determination of the case between Prince Yomi Kolawole of the PDP and Mr. Ralph Ademife of the APC in Kabba/Bunu has reinforced the confidence of Daniel to win the case.

He said he was at the tribunal to prove both legal and moral points.

“The appellants’ petition No. EPT/KG/ NASS/SEN/O4/2015 between senator Smart Adeyemi and Hon. Dino Melaye is hereby restored and remitted to the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, holding at Lokoja, Kogi State under the chairmanship of Hon. Justice Akon B. Ikpeme to be heard on accelerated basis, so that it is determined on its merits within the remaining time stipulated by section 285 (6) of the Constitution of the Federal Government of Nigeria, 1999.

Olatoke, while urging for the accelerated hearing of the re-trial, said though the second panel, led

by Justice Akiniyi Akintola had last week ruled on having jurisdiction to entertain the case, the re-trial was returned to the first panel, in view of the respondents (Dino) protest letter written to the President of Appeal court asking the tribunal to obey the order of the appellant court which specifically stipulated in its judgement that the case must be returned to Justice Akon Ikpemeled panel who first sat on the case.

He, therefore, prayed the tribunal to also honour all the terms of the Appeal Court order which called for the case to be given accelerated hearing.

He said: “They have not retired anything in the record, they supposed to have explained in details how it was utilized, rather they said they could only retire the record to the former governor.”

Hadejia explained further that in line with the spirit and principles of change, he would run a transparent, open door policy and objective leadership where everybody would be given equal treatment, including the opposition parties.

The Managing Director stated the station would air modern and attractive programmes, including sports, which would be transmitted from Dutse station to Andaza onward to Gumel as well as Hadeja stations respectively.

Contacted on phone, one of the NTA DG, Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim, said any allegation should be done with justification and in good faith with concrete reason.

He advised politicians to be just and fair on any allegations and criticism against any person and their co-politicians.

Youths' protest over killings in Plateau disrupts activities in Jos

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

J

OS—YOUTHS from the 17 local government areas of Plateau State yesterday protested the daily killings taking place in communities in Riyom and Barkin Ladi councils, calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to install military high command centres in strategic areas in the state.

The youths, who were coordinated by Plateau Intelligentsia, blocked Old Bukuru bye-pass and demanded that the Federal Government intervene immediately and stop acts of terror perpetrated by unknown gunmen in several parts of the State.

The convener of the protest, Dr. Daniel Meshak, who registered the youths’ displeasure at the recurring attacks and killings to the speaker of the State Assembly, Mr. Peter Azi, disclosed that four youths, who were on their way to Jos to participate in the protest were ambushed and killed at Kura Falls, Barkin Ladi council.

He called on the Federal Government to prioritize the situation on the Plateau, with a view to “resettle, rehabilitate and compensate the victims of the attacks in a similar fashion as planned for victims of terror attacks in the North East.”

He condemned what he termed as “systematic genocide meted out on the people.”

40 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

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TRADO-MEDICAL DAY: From left— Mrs Ogochukwu Mainasara, Director, Food Safety & Applied Nutrition, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC; HRM, Professor T . O. Omon Oleabhiele, Chairman of occasion; Mrs Titilope Owolabi, Director, Drug Evaluation & Research, and Mrs Maureen Ebigbeyi, Director, Port Inspection, both of NAFDAC, at the 13th African Traditional Medicine Day Celebration on Regulation of Traditional (Herbal) Medicine Production in the African Region organized by NAFDAC in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO: Biodun Ogunleye.

PULL OUT PARADE: Major General Tamunomiebi Ibifuro Dibi, immediate past General Officer Commanding, GOC, 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, and wife, Chizoba, Comptroller of Immigration Service, during the pulling out ceremony at the 65 Battalion parade ground, Victoria Island, Lagos.

CATHOLIC MEN: From left— Mr. John Aigbokhaode, Chairman, Lagos Archdiocese, Catholic Men Organization 2015 Induction and Convention Ceremony Planning Committee; Chief Emeka Asoegwu, President, Lagos Archdiocese, Catholic Men Organization; His Grace, Most Reverend Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins, Archbishop of Lagos Catholic Archdiocese; and Dr. Deji Adebajo, National President, Catholic Men Organization of Nigeria, at the organization's induction and convention, at St. Gregory College, Obalende, Lagos.

PZ, MAN CITY PARTNERSHIP: From left— Ralph Agbaje, Category Marketing Manager, Olympic; Deedi Modey, Brand Manager, Premier; Alex Goma, Managing Director, Family Care, and Gboyega Otolorin, Assistant Brand Manager, Robb, all of PZ Cussons, at the unveiling of PZ Cussons and Manchester City FC partnership in Lagos. PHOTO: Lamidi Bamidele.

ANGLICAN WOMEN: From left— Mrs. Remi Ejemai; Mrs. Bola Adesida, both special guests; Rt. Reverend James Odedeji, Bishop of Lagos West Anglican Communion, and Mrs. Lydia Odedeji, President, Women Organization, Lagos West Anglican Communion, at the 16th annual women’s conference at Caroline Adefiola Adebiyi Women Conference Centre, Ipaja, Lagos. PHOTO: Diran Oshe.

FCMB-MDP: From left— Enitan Kuku; Idowu Murano, participants at the Management Development Programme, MDP set 2015, of First City Monument Bank, FCMB; Mrs. Ngozi Ukaegbu, South-West Zonal Coordinator of National Commission for Refugees; and Ms. Bukola Ewedairo, Co-ordinator of the Bank’s MDP, during the participants visit to the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, camp in Lagos.

LEADERS' FORUM: From left— Dr. Larry Abasiakan, discussant; Mr. Sunday Adeyemi, Registrar/CEO CIPM; Mrs Amina Oyagbola, guest speaker; Mr. Bode Shogo, Chairman, Learning & Development Committee, CIPM; Mrs Ifeoma Adeniyi, National Treasurer, CIPM, and Mr. Tominiyi Oni, discussant, during 2015 learning leaders' forum in Lagos. PHOTO: Diran Oshe.

GRACE SCHOOL: From left— Mr. Philips Balogun, Vice Principal, Administration; Olawale Ibrahim and Aileru Quadri Ayinde, scholarship student, and Mrs Iyiola Edun, Administrator, all of Grace School, Gbagada, Lagos, at the school's annual Grace Bisola Oshinowo Indigent Schorlarship award at the school premises. PHOTO: Akeem Salau.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015—41

As US college students return to class

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AST week, most university students returned to class for the commencement of the new academic year.

Usually, the first week of class is a dreaded moment for university administrators at various levels, but most especially the department student advisers. They are the people who usually bear the brunt of the awkward wisdom of some students who believe that the only way to demonstrate that they are serious about their academic studies is to run to these advisers in a frantic, if not panic, move to register late for class.

The return to class however, goes with a lot of issues which these students are likely to face as the school year unfolds. Top on the list is the cost of university education.

According to the US Department of Education statistics for the 2012-2013 academic year, the cost of tuition, room and boarding for an undergraduate student in a four-year public university was estimated at an average of $15,022 across the nation.

For private nonprofit institutions, the figure was $39,173, and $23,158 for private forprofit institution.

A US News & World Report news items states that in the same period, the average debt burden for such students was anywhere between $23,000 and $30,000 upon graduation. If the student was a beneficiary of federal government loans, he or she was expected to start repaying the loans six months after graduation. To make matters more unpleasant, the average unemployment rate for the same cohorts of students was about 8.5 per cent.

This issue of crippling loans for fresh graduates has become a national concern.

While campaigning for election in 2008 President Obama revealed that he only managed to pay off his school loans when he became a US senator. Even now, the issue has caught the attention of the Democratic Party campaigners for the US presidency in 2016. During one of her campaign stops last month, candidate Hillary Clinton told her audience that “No family and no student should have to borrow to pay tuition at a public college or university. And everyone who has student debt should be able to finance it at lower rates.” She unveiled a $350 billion plan to deal with the issue of students’ loans and debt burden.

In an address to a group of college students outside the To keep US Capitol in themselves in March, Hillary’s cocontestant, Senator school, a good Burnie Sanders, number of argued that “Higher education is a students from strategic investment low income in our nation’s families have future. Education should be a right, not to work at a privilege. We need least one job a revolution in the way that the United and combine States funds higher them with education…..You are facing crushing their school student loan debt work and that debt is

causing irreparable harm to middle-class families across America.” Earlier, the Republican Party-controlled Senate voted to slash the Pell Grants to students in need by almost $90 billion in the next ten years.

Also brushed aside by conservatives in the country was President Obama’s suggestion that all two-year colleges in the US should be tuition free.

The financial issues facing college students is made more complex by the budget woes several state governments are currently facing. A state like Illinois, for instance, still has no budget, long after its July budget year began. In his budget speech, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner proposed a 31.5 percent cut in funds for higher education. This cut would further exacerbate the budget woes of public universities in the state. That budget cut proposal by the Republican governor has contributed to an impasse with the legislature led by House Speaker Michael Madigan and his majority Democrats in the Illinois Assembly.

A number of schools in the state have had to cut down on new faculty employment. They have also commenced the process of merging or closing some departments in order to weather the economic crunch. Others have laid off staff in order to stay afloat. Some of the scholarships and grants that were available to students have been whittled down or discontinued with altogether. For students, attending college has become a huge hassle.

Student enrolment One of the impacts of this situation on college campuses is the decline in student enrollment. According to the US census bureau, between 2012 and 2013, college enrollment nationwide declined by 463,000, the second time in a row since the body began keeping such records in 1966. The total figure for the two-year drop was 930,000. Local universities in Illinois for instance, that only a few years ago boasted of a population of over twenty thousand students, are now struggling to have 17,000 to 18,000 student enrollment.

Here is how the White House web site summarized the trouble with higher education: “In higher education, the U.S. has been outpaced internationally. In 1990, the U.S. ranked first in the world in fouryear degree attainment among 25-34 year olds; today, the U.S. ranks 12th. We also suffer from a college attainment gap, as high school graduates from the wealthiest families in our nation are almost certain to continue on to higher education, while just over half of our high school graduates in the poorest quarter of families attend college. And while more than half of college students graduate within six years, the completion rate for low-income students is around 25 percent.”

To keep themselves in school, a good number of students from low income families have to work at least one job and combine them with their school work. I have seen students who come to class with groggy eyes, a testimony that they worked all night. Some of them do not have enough resource to purchase textbooks and other materials they need for class.

42 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 LIBRA; Take note that others may break promises made before early afternoon period; that is to say you should not take anybody for granted before 12.43pm.

SCORPIO; Although friends are willing to assist you circumstances may not allow complete help as expected.

9.46am to 12.43pm can be a bit sensitive…..

SAGITTARIUS; Emphasis will continue to be on career related issues. However you will not be wrong if you take matters-of-the-heart more seriously now. Be more loving.

CAPRICORN; Mid-morning till early afternoon period may bring more promises than it can actually deliver; your being clever will see you through. Be very practical.

AQUARIUS; Continue to attach necessary importance to your family values. Here is a day when joint ventures can bring you under pressure between 9.46am and 12.43pm.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

R

IGHT from ages man has continued to look for ways of clothing his nakedness. Nakedness does not just mean not wearing clothes alone. It includes covering our evil deeds,

God is watching wicked acts, ways and sins etc.

As it was the days of the biblical Adam and Eve, so it is today.

When we commit heinous crime, we run for cover under the stone,

TERROR MUDA

under the water and under the dark, hoping and praying that we will not be caught.

We live a lie. We forget that air bear witness to our cruel act;

in “Scavenger Elite”

the sun by our shadow takes our photograph, and our conscience convicts us daily.

Beware, God is watching. Your sins will find you out.

Think about it!

By Lanre Kehinde

PISCES; Other people will continue to feature in your activities; that is to say you will need to be as co-operative as reason permits. Watch it between 9.46am&12.43pm ARIES; You will be in good position to consolidate on progress made yesterday. However you will need to watch your mood from 9.46am to 12.43pm.

TAURUS; It is important you don’t take things for granted around mid-morning and early afternoon period so that you will not run into avoidable disappointments.

GEMINI; If you are in position to control your actions you would fare better if you can wait till after 12,43pm before you make an important move. Be family minded.

CANCER; Your being receptive can enhance your prospects but that is not to say you have to be naïve, especially during mid-morning and early afternoon periods.

LEO; Success is boldly printed on your cards and like yesterday if priority attention is given to money the scope of your success will be wider.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in “HEY’

By Andy Akman

VIRGO; Although things may be happening around you, you are the right person to make things happen and give others opportunities.. Be wise.

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 is my Sagittarius Dear Joshua, I want you to tell me characteristics of my Star; Sagittarius as you have done to others.

Ezekiel, Ibadan.

Dear Ezekiel, BASIC CHARACTERISTICS OF SAGITTARIUS Sagittarius is a mutable sign by its quality. It‘s element is fire, symbolised by half horse half man and/or an Archer aiming at the sky. Mutable means changes and experimentation, while fire is all about enthusiasm, taking of the initiative and leadership ability. Thus, you are the type that will exhibit strong interest in an important project that catches your fancy and you will not mind to experiment with ideas just to achieve your objectives and aims. Sagittarius is the 9th sign of the Zodiac that rules philosophy, RELIGION, law, foreign land, higher mind/higher institutions, lawyer, long (distance) travelling, in-laws, future, optimism and bluntness. Major problem or weak points of Sagittarians are excessive openness/ bluntness and sometimes fanatical approach to religion.

Being a born adventurer, you are not afraid of exploration and new beginning. Sagittarians are incurable optimist and ever ready to listen to and eager to believe others; you are not an exception. Honesty is truly in your inner self You are a tolerant person but you are not ready to compromise your FREEDOM Sagittarius as a fire sign can make you a quick tempered person. Half horse half man as the symbol, of Sagittarius indicates dual (double) personalities known in different circle with different personalities. Yet, you are not a pretender. As the Archer aims arrow into the sky also Sagittarians have many lofty ideas and ambition. But sometimes their ideas and/or ideals are not practical enough for realisation. Many times, they start too many things at a time only to either forget or lose view of their original targets.

Development of practical approach is more important for Sagittarians, this is in order to make success of many of their brilliant ideas, otherwise they tend to become dreamers. In reality, Sagittarians are dreamers (by this 1 mean real dream many use to have at night) and many of their dreams usually come to pass. Sometimes their dreams are vividly prophetic.

Sagittarians are born philosophers, that is why they have well developed minds indispensable to rare wisdom. Then, you are humorous, lively, sports loving out going, energetic, good hearted, in love with experimentation, ever willing to cooperate, socially inclined, enthusiastic and highly intelligent.

As intelligent as you are, you can surprisingly appear fanatical about your believe and/or views.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SETEMBER 1, 2015—43

C M Y K

44—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

THIS WEEK September 1-7, 2015 Fertility Week - A major focus of the Your Fertility program, with the aim of promoting conversations and raising awareness about the factors affecting fertility. This year is focusing on weight and fertility.

September 1-7, 2015 National Asthma Week Most people with out-of-control asthma do not have to put up with it. The National Asthma Week is the perfect time for people with asthma to reassess how well controlled their asthma actually is. Everyone's asthma is different, and can change over time.

Science World Coffee linked with increased CVD risk in hypertensives

C

OFFEE drinking associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events (heart attacks) in young adults (18-45) with mild hypertension, according to research presented at ESC Congress.

The 12 year study in more than 1 200 patients found that heavy coffee drinkers had a four-fold increased risk while moderate drinkers tripled their risk. Future prediabetes attenuated the associations suggesting that the effect of coffee on cardiovascular events may be mediated by its long term influence on blood pressure and glucose metabolism.

There is controversy surrounding the long term cardiovascular and metabolic effects of coffee consumption in patients with hypertension.

The study was designed to evaluate whether coffee drinking had an effect on the risk of cardiovascular events, and if the association was mediated by effects on blood pressure and glucose metabolism.

There was a linear relationship between coffee use and risk of hypertension needing treatment.

The association reached statistical significance for heavy drinkers.

As type 2 diabetes often develops in hypertensive patients at a later stage, the study examined the long term effect of coffee drinking on the risk of developing prediabetes.

RELATIVES OF EBOLA VICTIMS- From left: Stella Abaniwo, Nonso Uko and Godwin Igonoh.

First Consultants Medical Centre:

Ebola survivors, relatives speak out IT was an outpouring of emotions weekend at the First Consultants Medical Centre, Lagos, as survivors of the Ebola Virus Disease and relatives of those that died of the disease, recounted their personal encounters in the wake of the disease. The hospital lost four people - Dr. Stella Adadevoh, the Lead Consultant Physician; Dr Amos Abanigho, who was Head of Anaesthesia and Critical Care; Nurse Aide Evelyn Uko and Nurse Justina Ejelenu.

Those that survived include Dr Fadipe Akinniyi, Dr. Ibeawuchi Morris, Dr Ada Igonoh, Dr. Adejoro and Nurse Nkechi Esilioko-Imo. Some of them spoke to Good Health Weekly. Excerpts:

By Sola Ogundipe & Gabriel Olawale

FG should assist us Stella Abaniwo

F

irst to speak was Mrs Stella Abaniwo, widow of the late Dr Amos Abaniwo, who was an Anesthetist and Critical.

“It has been quite challenging, but what we want is that the Federal government should help us because to some extent Lagos State tried for us.

Today they are celebrating Nigeria. Nigeria survived Ebola, but what about those of us with the pain, that lost our dear ones? We were not recognised. The Federal government has not stepped in.

There are children who have been orphaned as a result of the incident, but there is no tangible assistance. I think Federal government they should reach out to us.

Around where I was living, there was stigmatisation. but I have moved to another area.

Even my neigbours and their children were avoiding us.

Whenever we were coming, they tried to distance themselves from us. Our government should protect us better.

I was there when the 1st person died - Godwin Igonoh

Narrating his experience on hearing that his wife had contracted Ebola, Godwin Igonoh, husband of Dr Ada Igonoh, one of the survivors, heaved a sigh.

Then he began talking.

“I got a call from my father say-

ing that something was wrong and they were trying to find a way to tell me because my wife (Ada) was alread with her aunt.

When they told me, I was truly very shocked. I asked what is Ebola? I didn’t know what it was, so the first thing I did was to begin to browse on my phone and all I got was also a kind of panic information.

It illustrated that Ebola victims had just about two weeks to live, and I was trying to calculate how many days she had been there.

I lost my mother in 2002 and I wondered if I was also going to lose my wife.

While the drama went on, friends started calling me. There were some meetings I usually attended. I knew I dared not let

it be known at any of the meetings that my wife had Ebola.

Later, it was even announced at the meetings that in case there was any of the members that had a relative or friend that had Ebola, such person should be very careful.

I was there and just kept quiet because I was wondring how the people would respond if they knew my wife had contracted Ebola.

Who was I going to tell and would believe that she was not actually with me at that time? It was a big challenge. I kept going to the quarantine centre at Yaba where they were isolated, everyday but I was prevented from seeing her. I went there Continues on page 45

Sawyer asked me if his blood touched my hands -- Nurse Nkechi Esilioko-Imo I DON’T want to remember Ebola. Even my husband hates hearing about the disease because of the trauma he and other family members passed through when I was ill. But I thank God I am in the land of the living today.

Actually, I was on night duty they brought the man (Patrick Sawyer) around 7pm. He was unconcious and I was the one that received him. I admitted him and made him comfortable.

This is a private hospital, so he was given 100 percent attention. He was assisted to remove his shoes.

He had urinated and passed faeces on himself so we helped him change his clothes.We gave him every necessary support.

The doctor saw him and prescribed drugs, but I noticed that those drugs were not effective. They had no effect on him. Normally, paracetermol injection ought to reduce high body temperature, but for Sawyer, it did not.

Spurting blood: So we called the doctor’s attention and explained the situation. The doctor said we should allow him to rest.

I also noticed that his blood spurted when he was given injection. I thought that was strange because ever since I became a registered nurse in 2008, I

have never administered injection to a patient intramuscularly and blood would spurt out the way his blood did. I knew it was unusual but I

Continues on page 45

EBOLA SURVIVOR: Nkechi EsiliokoImo (Nee Ekeigbo).

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015—45

Nutritionists seek better development for children

By Gabriel Olawale

B

RAIN development and mental health of a child have been identified as essential during the first five years of a child’s growth.

The first five years, they stressed represents the period the child significantly needs essential nutrients that support overall brain development, especially Docosahexaenoic acid, DHA. Disclosing this last week in Lagos during the 10th Annual Nutrition Seminar FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, tagged “Physical Growth and Brain Development of the Nigerian Child: The Challenge of Our Time", key speakers argued for recognition of the importance of nutrition for the optimum brain development of a child.

The speakers among who were renowned Professor of Pediatrics and President Pediatrics Association of Nigeria Prof Adebiyi Olowu and Senior Scientist, Global Nutrition Development, FrieslandCampina Innovation Centre, The Netherlands, Dr Anne Schaafsma, said children whose diet lack important fatty acids like DHA, are at risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, unipolar depression and aggressive hostility.

They said infants that are fed appropriate food essentials become smarter, faster and happier.

Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, who was present, noted the lack of awareness by mothers on what adequate nutrition means and the significance of nutrition in the first five years of a child’s life.

Sawyer asked me if his blood touched my hands Continues from page 44 had no idea what the problem was, . So I drew the doctor’s attention to it, but was told there was no problem.

Sawyer actually asked me if his blood touched me. He was concerned about that and told me to hurry up and wash my hands. I complied but was uneasy. I felt that for a patient to have urged me to wash my hands, something was definitely out of place, especially as I didn’t wear gloves.

My unease grew. In my heart, I had the feeling that whatever was wrong with this man was not a good thing. And for him to have told me to wash my hands, I believed he did not want me to contact it.

So I went to Sawyer personally and

asked him what was wrong with him. He told me that he had been treated for malaria, and showed me his antimalaria drugs. The next day, I was off duty.

Trip to Enugu: When I got home and narrated the incident to my husband, he said it was not our portion. He was traveling to Enugu for his cousin's wedding, so I joined him since the hospital had given us two weeks off.

My husband said he would be back the following day, so I decided to join him on the trip.

It was during the journey that I noticed I was running a high temperature. I called the hospital and the hospital contacted the Enugu quarantine centre. An ambulance was sent to pick us and we were brought

SEMINAR: L-R: From left, the Managing Director, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Mr. Rahul Colaco, Wife of the Lagos State Governor Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, FrieslandCampina WAMCO’s Corporate Affairs Director Mrs. Ore Famurewa, and Marketing Director Mr. Tarang Gupta at the 10th Nutrition Seminar of the dairy company, FrieslandCampina WAMCO in Lagos last week.

back to Lagos. So you see that I did not intentionally go to Enugu or escape or anything like that. I didn't know much about the disease, but in the quarantee centre, I had a bad experience because I was unconscious for two days. In fact I still don’t know how I got there.

It was when I regained consciouness later that I asked Ada (Igonoh) what we were doing there. She laughed and explained everything to me. She told me to read my bible.

Ebola survivors speak Continues from page 44 everyday, I was there when the first person died. Each day I went there, I would hear news of someone else that had died.

There was a day I got home and the next thing I heard on CNN was that a female doctor had died.

I knew there was only one female doctor among those that were in the isolation centre and I feared the worst. It was not until Aljazeera confirmed that it was a male doctor that died, that I was convinced it was not my wife. Even then, I went back to the centre and discover that it was indeed a male doctor.

I would say the incident made us responsible and understand that some people gave their lives so that we can have our own. I dont think their is any stigma again, but some people still ask my wife if she is sure Ebola is no more there.

The lesson for me is to live life with the awareness that time is of essence and that everyday you spend, you must understand that life is worth more than money because when Ebola came, all the things that once mattered, all of a sudden, didn't matter anymore. For the first time, I came to understand that the things that I used to argue with my wife over were totally irrelevant. For instance I sued to get angry if she called me and put me on hold, now I want her to do those things.

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

I

am a fitness expert and I believe there are natural ways that people can improve their sexual performances. Do you care to discuss these other options for your readers? Thanks – Sarah Yes there are a variety of things that people can do to naturally improve their sex lives, especially if they are not suffering from severe sexual dysfunctions. Exercise is one way to do it. Exercise improves blood circulation within the body and of course without adequate blood flow to the sexual organs, men and women cannot get aroused. Cutting habits like smoking and alcohol also help improve performance because these substances can interfere with the neuro transmitters that send messages from the brain to different parts of our bodies, And then there are a variety of foods and drinks that can help with performance too. Coffee helps keep you awake and active. This helps adults perform late in the day or when they should be tired. Herbs such as Ginko Biloba, Ginseng, Maca etc combine very well to aid sexual arousal and performance energy in adults but because very few people are able to identify and combine these individual roots and herbs, we generally recommend natural supplements that already have the appropriate blend of specific herbs for sexual performance. Those are the ones we write about every week, examples of which are Rhino 7, Libigrow, Kangaroo for Her etc – Uche I am diabetic so I don’t know if I can try any of these drugs. These days I cannot get a firm erection. I am 57 years old – Chidiukwu Yes diabetes does affect one’s sex drive especially the medication taken for the treatment of diabetes. Thankfully, there are some supplements that strengthen erections and can be taken by diabetics. Libigrow is one of them and it is very good. It gives performance stamina and also controls premature ejaculation – Uche I used Vimax when I was in Atlanta two years ago and it really did add some inches to my penis. I tried different things but I totally agree that Vimax is one of

the best enlargers if not the best – Ogbonna I am a woman in my forties. My husband just marry a second wife. Maybe is because we don’t sex like we use to. Since my children come, I no feel like sex. A friend say you can help – Madinat Oh yes there are many supplements out there than can help you. We have a new aphrodisiac for women called G Female Oral Tablets and it is very powerful. It will arouse you, make you want sex regularly and helps vaginal lubrication too. So I recommend it. Take one tablet once every 72 hours – Uche I use Max Load for the increment of semen quantity and it has been working fine. But I heard you have something else like it called Volume. Which one is better?

Haruna Max Load is very good but Volume Pills does more for you. For instance in addition to increasing your semen volume by up to 500%, Volume Pills also gives erections and improves fertility because it increases motility (the ability of movement of sperm cells through the female reproductive tract ) – Uche I am 61 years old with erection issues. Please what is the difference between Rhino 7 and Boss Rhino Gold? I am interested but I don’t know which one to take – Abiodun They both do the same thing but Rhino 7 is 3000mg while Boss Rhino Gold is 1500mg. So Rhino 7 can work for up to one week while Boss Rhino works for four to seven days. But they do the same thing which is giving very firm erections, stopping premature ejaculation, enlargement of the penis, semen increment and stamina.

Have you ever taken an aphrodisiac before? If you are new to it, start with Boss Rhino Gold and then you can progress to Rhino 7 if necessary – Uche And that is it for today. Adults in need of these treatments/ novelties can call 08171912551 or 08027901621 for help or visit www.zeevirtualmedia.com. Zee Virtual Media delivers all over Nigeria. For enquiries email us at custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com- Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

46—Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

Akpabio in car crash, hospitalised

By Henry Umoru

A

BUJA—SENATE Minority leader and former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Akpabio, was yesterday involved in a car accident on his way to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Vanguard gathered that the accident occurred around 7:25am at Bolingo Hotel in the Central Business District of the Federal Capital City, FCC, as the senator made his way to catch an international flight.

Soon after the accident, Senator Akpabio was immediately rushed to the National Hospital for treatment.

Vanguard also gathered that Senator Akpabio’s car ran into a convoy of a foreign envoy whose identity had not been identified at the time of filing this report.

It was also learned that occupants in the vehicles in the envoy’s convoy and Akpabio’s driver did not sustain any injury but that the senator sustained some injuries in the chest.

One of the senator ’s aide sighted at the National Hospital, said that Akpabio was travelling outside the country to visit his wife and children when the accident occurred.

Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom was one of the early callers at the National Trauma

Centre of the National Hospital.

The Deputy Minority Whip, Senator Biodun Olujimi, who was also one of the early callers at the hospital, explained that medical personnel at the hospital were taking care of the Senate Minority Whip.

Speaking with journalists, Chief Information Officer of National Hospital, Rabiah Labaran, said: “He was brought in this morning after he had a car crash as I

learned. ‘’He was brought in from Bolingo Hotel junction where a vehicle crashed into his own vehicle from behind but lucky enough, when they brought him after the preliminary check –up, it was found out that he did not have any serious injury.

“He was talking when he was brought in and we gave him necessary attention at the trauma

CONDOLENCE: From left: Baradin Katsina, Alhaji Mohammed Rimi, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, and General-Secretary, National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, Comrade Issa Aremu, during a condolence visit to the family of former Secretary to the Kaduna State Government, late Hamza Yahaya in Kaduna, yesterday.

Photo: Olu Ajayi.

Nigeria's first IVF baby turns 17

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

A

BUJA—NIGERIA’s first baby born through Invitro Fertilisation, IVF, Miss Hannatu Kupchi is now 17 even as she has gained admission to study medicine in a Hungarian university.

Hannatu who was born at Nisa Premier Hospital in Abuja, on February 11, 1998, was sent forth weekend in Abuja.

Briefing journalists, the Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Ibrahim Wada, who supervised the procedure stated that Hannatu’s birthday marked the fulfillment of his medical career.

Wada who expressed happiness on her university admission announced automatic employment for her after her medical training.

He said: “It is very difficult to make a statement on a day like this. When I was out of this country, I knew there were people who wanted babies. I made the decision to come back to Nigeria to help people. It happened on the 11th of February 1998 when this historic event occurred at this hospital.

“The baby of that historic day is going to become a doctor.

Because the parents stood firm, we were able to help others. You gave us government recognition and that was important. It was

unit. I learned that as at this afternoon, he was taken to the private wing of the hospital for proper care but there was no serious injury, though it has not been disclosed what kind of injury. ‘’It is something he can come over in a few days. He is currently recuperating. He was with his driver but the driver did not sustain any injury.”

the first time that a Federal minister came to receive a baby in Nigeria. I want to assure you (Hannatu), when you graduate, there is an automatic employment when you finish your medical school in Europe.”

Responding, Hannatu expressed gratitude to the hospital for giving her “life.”

She hinted that what informed her choice to study medicine was to help save the lives of other children even though it had not been easy making it to the university.

Hannatu said by her birth, misconceptions about IVF had been broken and that many more children would be born.

“I am very grateful to be sent off like this. It is not everybody that gets this opportunity. God has a big hand in this. God was behind me. I want God to use me to get more children. I am hoping that through me God will make people see the value of having children. I will specialize in genealogy and obstetrics.

I am studying medicine because I want to be a doctor. I want to study it because I want God to use me to help families who suffered what my parents went through,” she said.

In his remarks, the girl’s father, Mr. Hosea Kupchi, said: “We had 13 years of marriage without a child and we went through the orthodox method without any success. But

along the line, my sister in-law told me about Dr. Wada who has been helping couples. That was how we came.

“Then challenges came again on how to let the world know that we had achieved this feat locally here in Nigeria. There are a lot of couples out there that are not ready to speak out. One, there is issue of stigmatisation, but I said to myself that nobody light the candle and put it under the bed.”

Also speaking, the mother who couldn’t hide her joy recalled how peaceful and understanding her husband had been even in the midst of adversities.

She said Hannatu was the only result of a 30-year marriage.

INEC chair, Eugenia Abu, others for SheForumAfrica 2015

A

BUJA—THE 2nd Edition of SheForumAfrica with the theme: “Risk the Unusual – Make it Happen,” will be held today at the National Centre for Women Development, Abuja, Nigeria. Panelists who will feature at the forum include the Acting Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Hajia Amina Bala-Zakari, Adesuwa Onyenokwe, celebrated Publisher of Today’s Woman Magazine, Jennifer K. Lynne,

Founder/Director at The ContactProject, a global Enterprise, and Sharon Ikeazor, VP – Women in Politics Forum.

Others are Angela Ajala, an astute Educational Entrepreneur/ Administrator; Aisha Attah, a Personal Development Consultant; Dr. Ify Monye, a Primary Healthcare & Lifestyle Medicine Expert Physician, Lola Adele-Oso, ED of Act4Accountability UK, an African diaspora organization, and Terri Pardonu – Host of the Popular WE WOMAN Radio Talk Show.

According to Conference Host & Founder of the Friendraiser Community, Inimfon Etuk, “the Conversation this year across the Forum’s four Panels will reflect the road travelled by the average African woman, with a priority on demystifying persisting stereotypes that keep women at the bottom of the ladder especially in the areas of Health, Basic Education and the ability to function optimally in the enlarged entrepreneurial space”.

Transport union elects new ofiicers

A

BUJA—NATIONAL Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, has re-elected most of its former national officers to serve on its executive for the next four years.

At an election held after its recent eighth quadrennial National Delegates Conference at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, the following officers were elected, Comrade Alhaji Nojeem Usman Yasin as President; Comrade Clement Wetkur as General Secretary; Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede, Financial Secretary; and Adamu Isa, National Secretary; Welcoming delegates to the conference, the General Secretary, Comrade Clement Wetkur extolled the outgoing administration led by Comrade Alhaji Nojeem Usman Yasin for his purposeful drive and vision in running the affairs of the union for the past four years.

Community tasks Ambode on commissioner slot

L

AGOS—CITING need for justice, fairness and fair play, the Imota Community of Ikorodu, Lagos State has appealed to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to consider one of its own for appointment as Commissioner in the yet-tobe constituted State Executive Council, SEC. In two separate statements signed by the Ranodu of Imota, Oba Ajibode Agoro and the Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Olukayode Dada, they stressed that Ijede and Igbogbo communities which make up the tripartite has had a fair share of appointments at the state level.

They said: “No Imota indigene has been appointed a commissioner since the creation of the state in 1967 by the military administration of General Yakubu Gowon (retd) and that is why we are calling on the state Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode to consider one of our indigine as a Commissioner.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015 — 47

Wanted militia leader in Benue surrenders to govt Speaking at the hand over of 84 assorted calibre of weapons, which was performed in the presence of Benue State AKURDI—A wanted militia Commissioner of Police and other leader, Terwase Agwaza, members of the State Security Council, the popularly known as Gana, who was alleged militia said the land dispute alleged to be terrorizing parts of Benue between Benue and Taraba states led to State, yesterday, surrendered his arms and the formation of his group. weapons to Governor Samuel Ortom in “My neighbours were overran severally Makurdi. by the enemies from Taraba State, It was Agwaza’s action was sequel to a two- as a result of the unfortunate incidents that month amnesty declared by the present I was made the head of a local militia to administration which allowed possessors check the attacks on our communities,” he of illegal weapons in the state to surrender said. them to the government.

Agwaza, who acknowledged the importance of the government’s amnesty programme, pledged his support for the programme just as he sought a peaceful resolution of the lingering border disputes between Benue and Taraba states.

Receiving the weapons,

By Kingsley Fanwo candidates for the election Governor Ortom stated that was supposed to ensure Agwaza became a terror UMAN RIGHTS that only credible people to both Benue and Taraba activist, Mr. are allowed to contest the states due to his activities in the Benue North East Emmanuel Adejoh, has governorship poll. assured the nation that ‘’I am not a politician but senatorial district.

“He was eventually Buhari’s anti-corruption as a citizen of this state, I declared wanted in both stance would soon come am waiting for the day under the light in Kogi State Buhari will stand on the states but today he had with the emergence of podium to lift the hand of come willingly to surrender Prince Abubakar Audu as Prince Audu who has been his weapons to the state the governorship candidate accused by the Economic government due to a amnesty for the All Progressives and Financial Crimes subsisting Congress, ahead of the Commission of corrupt programme.

“As a result of his November 21 practices. willingness, the security governorship election in “Though Audu has not the state. been convicted, many council has reviewed the Prince Audu is standing people in the state are amnesty programme and trial over sundry corruption already insinuating that extend it to a period of four charges, ranging from Audu is desperate about weeks till the end of money laundering to the governorship in order September,” the governor embezzlement of public to alter the course of justice. said.

The governor, who funds.

But I think he has the posited that though the In a chat with Vanguard constitutional right to world might look at in Anyigba, Adejoh said the contest the election”.

APC, under the leadership Adejoh called on political Agwaza as a crook, his of President Mujammadu parties in the country to community saw him as a Buhari, shouldn’t have stop parading corrupt hero for warding off the allowed someone whose individuals as candidates enemies from their integrity was tainted to for political offices, saying community and also contest under his party. leaders must be people building a secondary school He said: “The essence of who only see the good of in the area. the APC screening of all.

By Peter Duru

M

Buhari’s integrity'll soon be tested in kogi —Adejoh

H

NGO tasks FG on education •Unveils 6th memorial events for late Fawehinmi

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

A

GROUP, Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Organisation, GAFAMORG, had urged the federal government to give priority to education in order to solidify the foundation for Nigeria’s development in all sectors of the economy.

The group gave the charge yesterdayin Lagos while unveiling activities lined up for the commemoration of the sixth year anniversary of the death of human rights lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi.

Chairman of the group, who was also governorship candidate of National Conscience Party, NCP, in the last general election in Lagos, Mr Ayodele Akele, stressed the need for government to look into the operational challenges of the sector.

He said: “Education is the means by

which society reproduces itself in terms of passing to the new and fresh generation, the shared societal culture, mode and quality of management of different sectors of the economy.

“In spite of the centrality of education to national transformation, the nations educational system has virtually collapsed thereby precipitating strikes and other protests in the sector.”

Akele urged government at all levels to adopt and implement the universal policy that regarded education as a right and not a privilege, adding, it was what Fawehinmi stood and fought for .

Akele also called on government to establish Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Square in Abuja as a place where aggrieved Nigerians could gather peacefully without any molestation to protest and ventilate their anger.

48 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

• Igando IDP Centre

How Togolese asylum seekers take over Lagos facilities

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

W

ORRIED by the danger and financial threats posed by the continued presence of some immigrants in Lagos camps, Lagos State Government, last week called on Abuja to prevail on its agencies, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Nigerian Immigration Service to take up their statutory responsibilities by repatriating 199 illegal immigrants currently camped at the Lagos Emergency Resettlement Centres, ERCs in Igando, Alimosho Local Government area and Agbowa in Ikorodu area.

Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, said the measure became necessary as the state government could no longer accommodate the illegal immigrants due to the enormous pressure put on the ERCs at Igando and Agbowa facilities.

The Togolese nationals were first sighted at Number 13 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi directly in front of the United Nations High Commission of Refugees, HCR in June.

The officials initially accommodated them but a week later they were released onto the streets due to lack of financial

muscle to cater for them.

It was gathered that those Togolese immigrants were expelled from Benin Republic where they had lived for over 10 years. The confused and stranded fellows consequently, took to begging on the streets for survival.

However, immediately Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode was informed of their presence, he promptly directed officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority, LASEMA, and other relevant state agencies to take up responsibility of accommodating them, initially at the Emergency Relief Camp (ERC) in Igando and later at its camp in Agbowa Ikorodu.

crease daily.

“As at today, the number of Togolese illegal immigrants has increased from 114 to 199, putting serious pressure on the limited spaces at the two camps.” Bello lamented.

It was gathered that they came to Lagos because of the cosy accommodation provided by the state government at its ERCs. Consequently, those Asylum seekers at the Igando

Illegal immigrants

As at today, the number of Togolese illegal immigrants has increased from 114 to 199, putting serious pressure on the limited spaces at the two camps

Bello disclosed that the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian Immigration Services were notified, in compliance with the governor’s directive.

The state government made the call to FG following realization that those agencies have not taken any step to address the situation because the numbers of illegal immigrants from Togo continued to in-

camp started calling others on phone in Benin Republic to come to Nigeria, telling them that they now have a new home.

As at the weekend, another 85 illegal immigrants of same Togolese descent were taken to ERC in Agbowa.

It was also discovered that the Asylum seekers took advantage of the porous Nigeria borders to smuggle their way into Lagos.

Bello also stated that the state’s hospitality to other Nigerians and other lawful neighbours in distress should not be abused or over-stretched as the ERC was built to accommodate residents and Nigerians, not illegal immigrants, during emergencies and period of disaster.

He lamented that the two emergency facilities are seriously pressurized and could no longer accommodate anybody.

The genesis of the invasion started sometime in June, when they arrived HCR office in Ikoyi to seek refuge. Initially, they were about 100 with children who crossed the border from Benin Republic to seek asylum in Nigeria.

Their plight started in 2005 following the death of President Gnansingbe Eyadema.

After the death, there was crisis in Togo which made the military to sponsor the son to take over, a development which was challenged by the opposition.

The aftermath of the struggle is that many people lost their lives and over 4,000 Togolese entered Benin Republic for safety. The UN, HCR office in Benin subsequently, granted them protection.

Politics, it was gathered later set in when suddenly, Boni Yayi, President of Benin Republic evicted the refugees from their camp, situated in a village some kiilometres from Lokossa Town.

Pregnant women The camp was allegedly set on fire forcing over 800 remaining refugees including children and pregnant women into the streets. Some children were reportedly burnt in the process.

Some Non-Governmental Organisations and Defence of Human Rights groups intervened but could not achieve much which made them to turn to Nigeria for solace.

Again, on getting to Nigeria, Lagos precisely, the Nigeria UN HCR later denied them attention thereby forcing them to go to the streets with their children exposing them to harsh weather conditions.

A non-governmental organisation, the Centre for the Defence of Human Rights and

Continues on page 39

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015 — 49

Ho w TTogolese ogolese asylum seek er How seeker erss tak takee oovver Lagos facilities Continues from page 38 Democracy in Africa, CDHR, in a letter to Nigerian authorities signed by its Secretary General, Prof Maurice Fangnon, condemned the act and demanded for immediate actions to be taken to alleviate the suffering of the asylum seekers in line with the 1951 Geneva Convention.

In a swift response to the governor’s directive, LASEMA, opened the state's transit camp

at Igando for the refugees on August 14th.

When Vanguard visited the camp at the weekend to assess the situation, 110 persons were been taken care of in camp.

The roll call showed that there are 27 families, that is husband, wife and children. There are 60 adults, 50 children, 35 male adults, 25 female adults, 24 male children and 26 female children, making a total of 110.

General Manager of LASEMA, Mr. Micheal Akindele in

his reaction, commended the gesture of state governor, Ambode for graciously taking good care of the refugees since the camp opened.

He however, called on the relevant federal authorities to act promptly as the running cost at the camp is telling on the state government's purse as well as posing security threat to residents.

“Last week, the Eligibility Committee set up by the Federal Government was contact-

ed and is doing the necessary assessment and regularization.

We are still waiting for the official report from FG for further action to be taken,” he said.

Also, LASEMA camp commandant , Mr. Olatunbosun Fakolade disclosed that the refugees are being fed three times daily on state budget.

“They also have access to relaxation facilities like playing pitch, Ludo game among others. We provide them with toiletries, and they also have ac-

cess to health care service. We have our doctors and nurses who attend to their health issues,” he said.

When asked if there were cases of serious health issues among any of them, Fakolade said there was none, except the usual cases of malaria and body pains.

During the lunch break, Vanguard witnessed how they were called for launch.

Whenever it was time for a meal a bell ringer will sound which made them file out from their rooms into the dining hall for their meal.

• Togolese immigrants

Our e xperience in Lagos camp experience camp—Togolese immigrants

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

F

OR Togolese Immigrants who arrived Lagos two months ago, living in the megacity has been a mixture of sadness and joy, depending on whether it is Federal or the State that is providing shelter.

The immigrants flee their homes in 2005 following the post-election violence which erupted after the April 27th, 2005 presidential election in the country.

They were allegedly hunted by the government for campaigning against the reelection of the son of the former Head of State, Faure Gnassingbe Nyadema.

On their arrival in Benin Republic 10 years ago, they pleaded for permanent stay in the French speaking country, but they were not granted.

Mr. Sogbo Maounou, a 30year-old man with his family, in camp, said; “We were alive through God’s miracle in Benin Republic. I was selling soap in Topa Market. The life in Benin Republic was so difficult because they did not grant us

papers to work.

“We were in danger, we were sleeping on the roads and forest. A lot us died on the way and in Benin. And due to this, we decided to leave for Nigeria.”

The immigrants who arrived the country, passing through bush paths to avoid been arrested by the officers of the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, trekked straight to the office of the South-West Zonal office of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally-Displaced Persons, NCFRMI in Lagos.

On arrival, the commission, Vanguard learnt transported them to Igbogbo Camp, Ikorodu, a centre managed by the Federal Government.

They argued that the centre was poorly maintained by the central government.

Narrating her experience at the Igbogbo Camp in an interview with Vanguard, Mrs. Davovo Domtchui said that the one-storey building was already filled up by Internally Displaced Persons, IDP before their arrival.

According to Domtchui, ''Upon arrival, the commission, NCFRMI, provided two rooms for 24 persons. And there was no water supply or electricity.

Many of us were forced to send our children out to beg for arms.”

Domtchui lamented that the structure could not be described as a relief camp because the structure was not conducive.

She however appealed to the federal Government to provide better shelter for them, noting that the accommodation pro-

We were alive through God’s miracle in Benin Republic. I was selling soap in Topa Market. The life in Benin Republic was so difficult because they did not grant us papers to work

vided by the federal government in Igbogbo, Ikorodu local government are without facilities.

Another asylum seeker, Mr. Richard Dovi-Agbogbo said they were forced to embark on menial jobs to survive saying; “The commission failed to provide the needed feeding at the Igbogbo camp.”

Shelter for the immigrants Vanguard gathered that while 24 immigrants continued to endure the pain at the federal government facility, others left in search of better accommodation. And in their search, the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, directed the State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA to provide shelter for the 199 immigrants.

The leader of the Igando immigrants, Mr. Aholou Koffi lamented “When we increased in number, we went back to the UN Refugee Office before the Lagos State Government brought us to this place (Igando relief Camp).”

Describing the Camp, Mr. Apoko Komra, a 31-year-old, said. “We thank God, the way they have been attending to us is good since we got here two weeks ago. We eat three times every day and if there is any sick person there is clinic here to attend to us. The only problem is staying on a spot everyday without doing any work. it’s difficult. '' We know we cannot go out because of our security, we know what our government can do to us if we are allowed to go out. We understand why we are in a closed camp. They also organizes lecture in English for our people every day.''

Why we migrated to Nigeria On why they chose Nigeria, Maounou said “We believe that Nigerian government can give us the protection we need and secure the future of our children. We love it here in Lagos, the government has been doing everything to take care of us adequately. The sick are getting health care and the hopeless are getting hope once again. If Nigerian government can grant us asylum here, we are ready to work and impact meaningfully on the economy.''

50—VANGUARD, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

Ukraine: Deadly anti-autonomy protest outside parliament O NE national guard member has been killed and over 100 injured in violent protests outside Ukraine’s parliament, the interior ministry said.

Clashes between nationalists and riot police erupted after MPs gave initial backing to reforms for more autonomy in the rebelheld east.

Some in the crowd lobbed what police said were live grenades at officers protecting parliament.

The reforms are part of a peace plan to end fighting in eastern Ukraine.

The Ukrainian President, Petro Poroshenko, said the violence was “a stab in the back”.

Protesters led by the populist Radical Party and the ultra-nationalist Svoboda (Freedom) party - who oppose any concession to the Russian-backed separatists - gathered outside parliament early on Monday.

•Ukrainian protesters being controlled by the police yesterday in Ukraine After a rowdy debate, 265 MPs out of 450 backed the first reading of the decentralisation bill, granting more powers to areas of Donetsk and Luhansk.

Initially, there were only minor clashes but a BBC correspondent then heard small explosions followed

Two British journalists charged for being ‘ISIS members’ in Turkey

T

WO British journalists and an Iraqi fixer working for Vice News have been charged by a Turkish

ISIS: Palmyra’s Temple of Bel ‘still standing’

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A L M Y R A’ S ancient Temple of Bel is still standing despite an attempt by Islamic State (IS) militants to blow it up, Syria’s antiquities chief has said.

M a a m o u n Abdulkarim confirmed there was a large explosion within its perimeter but said the basic structure of the 2,000-year-old site was intact.

But the extent of the damage is unclear with witnesses unable to get close to the temple.

Initial reports said the site had been partially destroyed.

Mr Abdulkarim, head of the Syrian Department of Antiquities and Museums, said “our information is provisional, but it indicates that any damage done was partial, and the basic structure is still standing”.

Last week, IS blew up

by a much larger one apparently from a grenade.

The demonstrators numbered barely more than a few dozen - mainly young men, most of them masked. They started the fights with police, but others supported them.

the much smaller Baalshamin temple at the site. However, Mr Abdulkarim says that the explosion at the Temple of Bel was “different” to the “huge quantity of explosives” used to destroy the Baalshamin.

However, he said they would have to wait for pictures to emerge as “ witnesses can’t get close enough to be sure what damage was done.”

It was several days after the initial reports of the destruction of the Temple of Baalshamin that IS itself put out pictures showing its militants blowing up the site.

One Palmyra resident earlier told the Associated Press news agency there had been “total destruction” at the Temple of Bel. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said parts of the ancient temple had been destroyed.

judge in Diyarbakir of being members of the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant.

Jake Hanrahan, Philip Pendlebury and Mohamed Ismail Rasoul were arrested on Thursday in Diyarbakir while filming clashes between the security forces and youth members of the outlawed proKurdish PKK. All three will now stand trial for being members of a terrorist organisation and will be kept in jail until then. No date has been fixed for their appearance.

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Tahir Elci, the head of Diyarbakir lawyers association, said that a driver who had also been detained with them on Thursday had been released.

In response to the charges, Kevin Sutcliffe, VICE Head of News Programming for Europe, said the judge “has levelled baseless and alarmingly false charges of ‘working on behalf of a terrorist organization’ against three VICE News reporters, in an attempt to intimidate and censor their coverage.

“Prior to being unjustly detained, these journalists were reporting and documenting the situation in the southeastern Turkish province of Diyarbakir.

•South Sudan rebels

S/Sudan rebels accuse govt forces of ceasefire breaches

S

OUTH Sudan’s rebel leader Riek Machar accused government forces on Monday of repeatedly breaking a ceasefire and putting at risk a peace deal just days after it was reached.

President Salva Kiir signed the peace pact on Wednesday, but even as he did so he accused rebels of attacking his forces.

The U.N. Security Council has warned both sides that it could impose sanctions if the deal collapses.

“There is danger that is looming that could

wreck this peace agreement now,” Machar told Reuters in an interview in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.

Accusing government forces of attacking rebel positions, he said: “We believe that this is an act that is a serious violation to the ceasefire because what it does is provoke our troops that are in control of these areas.”

Machar is expected to become first vice president during a threeyear transitional period envisaged by the peace deal that aims to end 20

months of conflict in the world’s newest nation.

The conflict erupted in December 2013 after a power struggle between Kiir and Machar, his former deputy. Fighting has reopened ethnic fault lines between Kiir’s Dinka and Machar ’s Nuer clan.

Thousands of people have been killed and more than 2.2 million driven from their homes, many fleeing to neighboring states.

Many in the nation of 11 million people depend on food aid to survive.

Rwandan rebels surrender in DRC

M

ORE than 100 armed Rwandan rebels from a group linked to the country ’s 1994 genocide have surrendered in Democratic Republic of Congo.

The United Nations mission in DRC (MONUSCO) welcomed Friday ’s move, but cautioned it would take

time to see if the rebel movement was serious about disarming.

“For the first day, this is a good start, but more can be done,” General Abdallah Wafi, from MONUSCO, told the AFP news agency.

“We are encouraging the process and have mobilised all our [military and logistic] resources but only coming

days will tell us if the process is credible and serious,” he added.

The rebels are members of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), which includes remnants of the militia that carried out the genocide of at least 800,000 ethnic Tutsis, according to the UN, and which is now based in DRC.

Ivorian opposition coalition threatens to obstruct elections

A

COALITION of opposition groups in Ivory Coast threatened on Monday to try to block presidential elections in October unless the government opens talks on issues such as insecurity and the electoral commission.

The National Coalition for Change (CNC), formed

in May and led by former prime minister Charles Konan Banny, groups 13 political leaders, several of whom have declared themselves candidates in the Oct. 25 election.

With the economy booming in Ivory Coast, the world’s largest cocoa exporter, President Alassane Ouattara is

widely regarded as favorite. If no candidate wins a majority in the vote, a run-off will be held roughly two weeks later.

The CNC said it had not received replies to letters sent to Ouattara and his government expressing concerns about insecurity in parts of Ivory Coast that could hamper voting.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SETEMBER 1, 2015—51

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52 —Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

AAG: Nigerian athletes set to make amends after Beijing flop

A

BY BEN EFE

N

IGERIAN athletes to the IAAF world championships, made an unceremonious return to the country yesterday with the hope of winning at the All Africa Games, to make up for the disappointment of not clinching any medal at the Bird’s Nest Stadium in Beijing, China.

The team arrived Lagos at about 12 noon from Beijing and quietly dispersed. USA based athletes like Regina George and Gloria Asumnu flew back to their homes from China, and are unsure of making appearances at the All Africa Games starting September 4 in Brazzaville, Congo.

Nigeria’s last hope of collecting a medal in the women 4x400m fizzled out like dew in the morning Sun. The team in the final, failed to reproduce the form that saw them running a 3.23.27mins season’s best, which they did in the heats. Regina George, was overwhelmed, and she made the first change over placed fourth.

Funke Oladoye, Tosin Adeloye and anchor Patience Okon-George, were simply swallowed up in the heated contest.

Jamaica won at 3.19.13mins, they beat the USA, which had taken a lead through Allyson Felix at the third change over. The Americans finished 3.19.44, while Britain was third with 3.23.62mins.

“We gave it our best,

Taiwo Awoniyi displays Liverpool jersey but we couldn’t get a medal. I am happy with our performances, and I am also glad that I did a personal best in the flat.

“At the All African Games by God’s grace we will make up. It has always been my prayer to win gold,” OkonGeorge said yesterday.

The returning athletes are expected to join the others who were left behind to train in Port Harcourt for the All Africa Games. The athletics events will start on September 13, and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria technical committee is aiming to put the team back into better frame for the competition.

Liverpool loan Awoniyi to Frankfurt

L

IVERPOOL have confirmed the signing of Nigerian U23 international Taiwo Awoniyi, before sending him on loan to German side FSV Frankfurt.

Awoniyi, 18, joins from Imperial Academy in Nigeria and was also a target of Ligue 1 side Monaco before opting for the Merseyside club.

Awoniyi has represented Nigeria’s youth teams at various levels and is currently part of the U-23 side looking to qualify for next year ’s Olympic

Lagos Continues from BP Lagos State refusal to host the match was not unconnected to the safety of Lagos citizens.

A shocked Nigeria Football Federation were

Team Nigeria Continues from BP and women in 21 sports, as well as technical and administrative officials, including football players of the Senior Women National team, Super Falcons, and the U-23 National Team.

The Super Falcons will play host team CongoBrazzaville, Tanzania and Cote d’Ivoire in Group A, while the U-23 boys will take on Ghana and Senegal in the men’s Group B that has been depleted by the withdrawal of Egypt.

Students plead for continuity as Mobil athletics holiday training camp winds up

The Dream Team, Olympic champions in 1996, will play their first match of the competition on September 9, against Ghana’s Black Meteors, who won Olympic bronze medal in 1992.

Hosts CongoBrazzaville, Sudan, Burkina Faso and Zambia make up the men’s Group A. The women’s Group B has Cameroon, South Africa and Ghana, also depleted by the withdrawal of Egypt’s senior women team.

making frantic efforts lastnight to relocate the match to Port Harcourt but our source was not emphatic as they needed confirmation from Rivers State Government.

The Leone Stars delegation were expected in Lagos lastnight and would have lodged at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, while the Elephants are expected to arrive Lagos on Wednesday.

games.

Having completed his move to Anfield, a jubilant Awoniyi told Liverpool’s official website:

In his speech, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Education, Honourable Aniekan Akpan lauded Mobil and NNPC for facilitating such a laudable programme that has benefitted the youths of the state. He expressed satisfaction with the programme and promised that Government will do everything possible to make sure that the gains of the programme are maximized. “ Our sports loving governor has already put a blue print in place for the propagation of sports ideals in the state especially in the area of grass roots sports development, and what we have today is clearly in that direction” he said.

Speaking further he said he will interact with his Sports Counterpart to make sure that a synergy is established that will enhance sports in schools and colleges.

Gumel hails D’Tigers qualification for Rio 2016 event of the Rio 2016 display of team work

T

HE Nigeria O l y m p i c Committee, NOC, has hailed Nigeria’s senior national Basketball team, D’Tigers for their historic win of the AfroBasketball Competition beating African superpower Angola in the final.

D’Tigers were amazingly dominant against Angola clawing them 74-65 to book a place in the Basketball

Olympic Games. The qualification of the team brought out cheers from President of NOC, Engineer Habu Gumel who hailed them as ‘heroes’. Gumel who is a member of the International Olympic Committee, IOC, said that he was gladdened by the teeth-gritted determination of D’Tigers. ‘’We welcome D’Tigers to Rio Olympics for their wonderful

and determination. We congratulate the team and the President of NBBF, Tijani Umar whose leadership quality played a key role in the team’s success’’, Gumel said.

The qualification for Rio 2016 is going to be Nigeria’s second appearance at the Olympic Basketball event after D’Tigers debut at London 2012.

30 begin Camp GTBank in Ibadan

BY JACOB AJOM

F

ORTY students, made up of 30 boys and 10 girls drawn from the different schools that took part in the 2015 GTBank PrincipalsCupcompetitionin Ogun and Lagos states

Sharapova Continues from BP from the Rogers Cup for the same reason. As a matter of fact, the tennis star hasn’t played since she lost in the Wimbledon semifinals to Serena Williams last

THLETES who participated in the two week Athletics Holiday Camping and Training programme sponsored by MPN, Operator of the NNPC/ MPN Joint Venture have pleaded for a continuation of the programme that has impacted so much on their aspirations as top athletes.

Jesse Nicholas Timothy, speaking on behalf of the athletes, went emotional when he descended on his knees, begging the state government and the sponsors to ensure that the programme is sustained. “ We have benefitted so much from this programme, not only from the sports point of view, but even from the morals angle. Our stay in camp has been so beneficial that we are pleading that this programme be sustained” He said.

month. Sharapova says she will return to playing in the “ next few weeks.” The U.S. Te n n i s A s s o c i a t i o n told ESPN, Darya Kasatkina will replace Sharapova.

yesterday beganaweek-long camping at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan. Camp GTBankisaresidentialcamp designed to train and develop outstanding footballingtalentsdiscovered from GTBank sponsored youth football competitions.

The kid footballers were presentedbeforethesporting press in Lagos before their departure to the Oyo State Capital. Some of the outstanding talents to be discovered from the camp would be awarded scholarship to school abroad.

Ex-internationals including Henry Nwosu, Victor Ikpeba, Mutiu

Adepoju, Yisa Sofoluwe, Anne Chiejinne, and Waidi Akanniwillformthetechnical think tank.

First Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Seyi Akinwumi who was at the media presentation at the Renaissance Hotel commended GTB for the developmental programme and promised that similar competitions would soon be initiated nation wide.

“We are going to be having age-gradetournamentsfrom U-12, U-14, U-16 and U-18 across the country. There will be more cohesion in the organisation of the competitions,” Akinwumi said.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SETEMBER 1, 2015—53

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54 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

Chevron Tennis Clinic: Mc-Cleod aims to be Sharapova of Nigeria

BY JOHN EGBOKHAN

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WELVE years old Angel Mc-Cle od shrugged as she walked out of the court. She had just been on the receiving end of some intensive drilling by one of the coaches attending to the needs of the 100 players at the clinic. For a player touted as the best in her age category, Mc-Cleod, who won nearly everything in her sight, was not expected to have any hassle coping with the coaches drills.

Despite her experience of training in some of the best tennis clinics in the United Arab Emirates, where she largely resides, the light-skinned tall girl was practically grasping for breath after her time on the court ended.

As she made her way out, she muttered some inaudible words, grabbed a can of water on the squeaky clean lawn and took her seat. And as she found her way to her a seat, the words “the drilling in the clinic is unbelievably high”, came out of her mouth.

These words aptly sum up the perspectives of players who participated in the 2015 NNPC/Chevron Junior Tennis Clinic, which ended weekend at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Court in Onikan. About 100 young kids attended the clinic, sponsored by the NNPC/ Chevron joint venture that has run for over 15 years of unbroken sponsorship.

Coordinated by a former Chairman of the Nigeria Cricket Association, Chris Enahoro, the clinic ranks as the best and longest-running junior tennis clinic in the country, with some of the products of the academy rising to national and regional limelight. The likes of Henry Atseye, Ronke Akingbade, Sola Omole were once products of the clinic, who went on to win laurels in West Africa and Africa.

With a rich and robust coaching network that includes national coach, Mohamed Ubale running the rules at the Masters, it is no surprise that young and aspiring players like McCleod jump at any slight opportunity to be part of the Chevron Tennis Clinic, with this year’s edition being no exception, as Enahoro had to whittle down the over 100 players who showed up on the opening day over three weeks ago.

And after settling for the 100 he deemed talented enough, the coaches went to work, training, drilling, instructing and conditioning the kids to meet their specific demands and needs. The kids were not just trained on tennis matters but also schooled on general conduct and psychological toughness, as is often the albatross of not a few Nigerian players.

And it was this point that Mc-Cleod later dwelt on during a chat with Sports Vanguard.

According to the youngster, this year’s clinic “ was very exciting, intensive and rigorous. What I learnt here is invaluable and I love it because it gives kids the opportunity to show their talents, which is a very good development”, she said.

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*Mc-Cleod At a time that nothing good, in terms of international silverware seems forthcoming from the senior players, it is increasingly looking likely that Nigerians have to turn their attention to the youngsters like Mc-Cleod for any future hope because the older ones appear to have lost their desire to carve a niche from the game.

Pressed hard on if her generation can rewrite the chequered tennis country of Africa’s most populous black nation, Mc-Cleod said “if I put in more efforts and have the necessary support, I believe that I have the ingredients to become a top tennis star and help put Nigeria in the right space that she deserves”.

Drawing inspiration from some of the leading women players in world tennis, Mc-Cleod singles out Russian champion, Maria Sharapova as her role model, noting that “I think that we have a lot in common and I like her aggressive style of play, which is what I like doing, especially when I am playing against difficult opponents”. In their short time that she has bestrode the junior tennis circuit, McCleod, who once served as a ball-girl for Serena Willams when she competed in a Dubai tournament, has been up against some of the best junior players in the land, defeating all but Oyin Quadri, who she admits is her greatest foe.

“I do not fear anybody but I know that nobody is unbeatable. But my biggest opposition is Oyin Quadri. It’s not that I am scared of her but she is a good player, who I have only played one and lost to”, said Mc-Cleod, who will surely count herself lucky as Quadri did not feature in the clinic.

But for her dream to come into fruition, she however needs government to put in the right infrastructure in place and provide incentives to players with proven talents to thrive.

“Government must play its part like Chevron is doing with this clinic if our tennis must get back on track”, said Mc-Cleod.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, SETEMBER 1, 2015—55

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

AAG: Team Nigeria departs N

•Odele

IGERIA’s 573 – man contingent to the 11th All-Africa Games in Brazzaville, Congo departed Nigeria from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Monday.

At the airport to see the contingent off were the Director General, National Sports Commission, Mallam Alhassan Saleh Yakmut, some federation presidents and NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.

The contingent consisted of sportsmen

Continues on Page 53

KINGS OF AFRICA: Nigeria's men's national basketball team D'Tigers emerged African champions, Sunday night after beating Angola 74-65 in the final of the 2015 Afrobasket championship in Tunisia.

US Open:

Sharapova drops out R

USSIAN tennis player Maria Sharapova has pulled out of the the US Open because of a leg injury.

Sharapova announced the move on her

•Sharapova

Facebook page, saying, “I have done everything possible to be ready but it was just not enough time.” Earlier this month, she withdrew Continues on Page 53

Lagos rejects S/ Leone, CIV Nations Cup match

BY TONY UBANI

L

AGOS State Government yesterday turned down

Nigerian athletes set to make amends after Beijing flop — Pg. 53

Nigeria Football Federation plans to host Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast Africa Cup of Nations qualifier to be played at the Thunder Teslim Balogun Stadium on September 6.

Sierra Leone are banned from hosting

international matches due to the outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus but a ban on domestic football in Serra Leaone was lifted earlier this month.

Sports Vanguard gathered yesterday that Continues on Page 53

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S PUZZLE

YESTERDAY'S ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Bird-house (6) 5 Defeat (4 8 Heaped (5 9 Free (3) 10 Face (4) 11Existence (4) 12 Restrict (5) 13 Cupboard (6) 16 Lake (4) 20 Finish (3) 22 Vehicle (3) 23 Moose (3) 24 Tardy (4) 25 Formerly (4) 28 Infuriate (6) 30 Cog (5) 32 Discharge (4) 33 Jot (4) 34 Freeze 35 Intended (5) 36 Pip (4) 37 Wrote (6

DOWN 1 Lightly (6) 2 Obscene (8) 3 Save (6) 4 Industry (9) 5 Trust (7) 6 Revise 4) 7 Pour (4) 8 Friend (3) 14 Disgusting (9) 15 Enquire (3) 17 Managed (3) 19 Dog (8) 20 Consume (3) 21 Dedicated (7) 26 Undertake (6) 27 Guard (6) 29 Muddle (4) 30 Period (4) 31 Heated (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 3, Asked 9, Aghast 10, Ailing 11, Price 12, Ewer 15, Nice 17, Defence 20, Tot 21, Tamed 23, Tact 25, Mood 26, Hover 28, Err 30, Diamond 33, Anon 35, Aver 36, Globe 38, Lessee 39, Office 40, Leant.

DOWN: 1, Saved 2, Chief 3, Asp 4, Strict 5, Each 6, Die 7, Digit 8, Egret 13, Western 14, Reach 16, Condone 18, Eased 19, Hem 22, Dogma 24, Tow 27, Ribbon 28, Early 29, Rouse 31, Ovoid 32, Dried 34, Glee 36, Gel 37, Eft.

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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