Nigeria'll survive, Mark, others pledge

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62243

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ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

N150

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

Buhari declares for Presidency, states mission >>8

Nigeria'll survive, Mark, others pledge •Atiku,Tambuwal, Fashola, Ekweremadu, Ihedioha, others •Say nation will not crumble due to insurgency, politics •Nigeria cannot be transformed overnight — Jonathan >>9

•Nigeria: 54 years of broken dreams Pages37-40

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY

By Sam Eyoboka, Olasunkanmi Akoni, Emma Ovuakporie & Johnbosco Agbakwuru

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BUJA—ON the oc casion of the country’s 54th Independence Anniversary today, leaders from across the country have expressed optiContinues on Page 6

COLUMNISTS:

Synagogue: How many Nigerians died?

•P.19

One scandal begets another in Ekiti State •P.19

Gov Fashola's social engineering in Lagos State (2)•P.24

Mr & Mrs

OCTOBER 1:—Traders hawk items branded in National colours in Benin City, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

AMCON appeals vacation of orders on Bi-Courtney >>9

PDP accuses APC of plot to stop Fayose's inauguration >>11

Greater Nsukka Water Scheme of See pull-out inside endless trouble

2 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

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POCKET CARTOON

Imam, Tambuwal appealed to the political elite to moderate their utterances and be mindful of their responsibility to the country.

He said with elections scheduled for early 2015, all leaders must avoid acts that heat up the polity.

The Speaker reiterated his earlier calls that the people must isolate and expose all obstacles that hamper the attainment of peace, development, and progress of the nation.

Unfulfilled promises, challenge to governance – Atiku

AWARD—President Goodluck Jonathan (L), being conferred with Primatial Award of Excellence in Christian Stewardship by Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Revd Nicholas Okoh, in Abuja, yesterday.

Nigeria'll survive, Mark, others pledge Continues from Page 1 mism on the realisation of the dream of the country’s founding fathers despite present challenges.

Among those who spoke, yesterday, were President of the Senate, Senator David Mark; Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of the House of Representatives; former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; the deputy president of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; the deputy speaker, House of Representatives,

Emeka Ihedioha and Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State among others.

Senator Mark in his message to the country advised Nigerians not to lose hope, saying that Nigeria was destined for greatness.

“We may not have been where we want to be but we have made appreciable progress and we can do more. All we need to do is to strengthen our unity as one people with one mission and purpose.

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

We do not determine how we enter into life, neither do we determine which family we are born into, but we can determine who our friends are and how we wish to exist and to exit life.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

One minute of sincere gratitude can wash away a lifetime’s disappointments —Silvia Hartmann

M

OST people, nine times out of 10 will say either, “I want to be thin,” or “If somebody gave me a million dollars right now I’d be happy.

They don’t even have the money yet. They just found out that they won it.

They literally don’t have in their possession one more dollar than they had the day before. In fact, they have a dollar less, probably, if they bought a lottery ticket, and yet, they are experiencing an emotion that is so different from anything they’ve probably ever experienced and the only reason why they’re experiencing that emotion is because of a thought.

This is because in order for the emotion to be real and to truly be felt, the thing has to be true, and I always say that’s not true though, because if somebody said to you that you won the lottery and you believed them, you would feel excited. You would feel ecstatic, probably.

All that has to be true is that you believe it. If you believe a thought, it will create an emotion. When you think about that lottery winner, what do you imagine that they would be thinking when they found out they won that lottery, and that thought is what makes them happy.

The money doesn’t make them happy and, in fact, the money just sits there. It doesn’t do anything, right? We can choose to be happy! Its always a choice.

The stable democracy has offered us opportunity to harness our abundant resources for good.

“Nigeria has passed through many challenges in the past and we came out of it. The security challenges; this Boko Haram can be defeated if we unite to fight them.

Nigeria'll survive — Mark “I believe the Boko Haram terrorism or insurgency is alien to us as a people. We have the capacity to defeat them and confine them to the dustbin of history."

He said complaints and agitations among Nigerians arising from the structure of the polity could be addressed by government, adding, “we cannot correct perceived imbalances by taking up arms against our brothers, sisters and nation.

“We must, therefore, continue to shun individuals or groups that encourage, preach and practice division among our people. We must shun every harbinger of hate and bond together as a people of common interest and destiny.

“As legislators we will continue to do our part to wit; provide the needed legislative framework for the Executive Arm of Government to continue to deliver the dividends of democracy to our people.

Tambuwal tasks Nigerians

Speaker Tambuwal on his part urged Nigerians to work tirelessly to promote the tenets of democracy, good governance and responsible citizenry.

In a statement issued in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on his part observed that after 54 years of independence, the ordinary Nigerians were still lamenting what independence meant to their lives because of the widening gap between the leaders and the people.

In a statement issued in Abuja by his media office, the former Vice President noted that many Nigerians were concerned about how democratic governance has changed the quality of their lives for the better.

He regretted that the rate at which poverty was ravaging Nigeria was inconsistent with the vast resources available to Nigeria.

According to him, the country’s wealth does not automatically lead to better life if good governance is lacking.

Atiku said the rate at which unemployment is accelerating among Nigeria’s youth, creates youth restiveness, which itself lead to other social crises such as armed robbery and other violent crimes.

At 54, he said, Nigeria should have been counted among countries that have lifted its citizens out of poverty.

Atiku warned that unfulfilled promises leads to disillusionment, thereby creating disconnect between the leaders and the led.

On the country’s unity, Atiku blamed politicians for playing up the ethnic and religious differences for personal advantages.

This attitude, he said, puts the unity of the country under a severe strain.

The former Vice President, however, noted that Nigerians should not lose hope in the country, stressing that the country could get out of the woods if leaders are elected on the basis of their competences rather than primordial considerations.

He said the consequences of mis-governance and poor leadership have no ethnic and religious borders.

Protect democracy,

Ekweremadu urges Nigerians

Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, on his part, commended Nigerians for the enthronement of the current democratic dispensation, urging them to continue in their determination to sustain it.

He said: “At 54, Nigeria has made progress, as the people have through absolute determination and sacrifice jointly laid the foundation for speedy national transformation by achieving an unprecedented 15 years of uninterrupted democratic streak.

“However, celebrating our independence anniversary at the threshold of the 2015 general elections is also a call to duty to add to the nation’s democratic credentials and development by collectively working for a free, fair, and credible general election”.

The Deputy President of the Senate who also chairs the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution assured that the Senate would not leave any stone unturned in providing solid legal frameworks and all necessary legislative support to guarantee the success of both 2015 general election and subsequent ones.

He commended the President Goodluck Jonathan Administration for its determination in ending terrorism in the country as evidenced in the recent successes recorded in the war against insurgency Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN) on his part also expressed hope saying: “Nigeria will overcome present challenges, chief of which is the insecurity in the North east. We are certainly not where we could be and indeed should be. We could have done better but that is not to say that we’ve not made any progress. We’ve remained a nation."

Fashola preaches peaceful co-existence

Governor Fashola in his

message advocated unity, peaceful co-existence, cleanliness and rule of law as the most viable means of building a virile and prosperous nation.

The governor, who expressed gratitude to God for preserving the nation thus far in spite of the enormous challenges in the last few years, added that the nation, more than anything else, needed those values at this period in her history in order to consolidate the gains of her democracy.

Describing law and order as the building blocks of socio-economic and political stability of any nation, Fashola said Nigeria is greatly challenged today by the attitude of its citizens to the rule of law, pointing out that without adherence to the rule of law, the sustenance of her democracy could not be guaranteed.

Nigeria'll rise again —Ihedioha

The deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Ihedioha on his part expressed optimism that Nigeria will rise again and claim her rightful place in the international community.

He said that in spite of current challenges relating to security and development, the country would be propelled to the top given the human and material resources abundant in the land.

Time for national rebirth—Methodist Prelate Uche

The Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence Samuel Chukwuemeka Kanu Uche in his goodwill message said: "Those in elected offices should provide the strong and focused leadership required for this renaissance to take place. Nigerians have huge expectations, hopes and dreams, but our hopes are constantly being dashed which is why President Goodluck Jonathan has a compelling reason to deliver considering the overwhelming confidence reposed in him by Nigerians.".

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014—7

Lawyer docked over N50.3m theft

By Onozure Dania

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AGOS—A 37-year-old lawyer, Yetunde Fashesin-Souza, was yesterday arraigned before a Lagos High Court sitting at Igbosere for allegedly stealing N50,280,000.

The defendant, who resides at plot 4 Ogunusi Road Omole Junction, Ikeja, Lagos, is facing a count charge of stealing preferred against her by Lagos State government.

The prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oduntola, told the court that sometime in 2011, the defendant being a legal practitioner to a company (Food and Cold Storage) Ltd, NFS Lagos, did steal N50,280,000, belonging to the company.

She said Fashesin-Souza stole the said amount at the premises of the company located in Apapa area of the state.

Oduntola further stated that the money was given to her for the renewal of the lease hold interest granted by the Lagos State government.

Oduntola, who said she was not opposing the bail application, said the matter was before Justice Samuel Candid-Johnson and that the defendant never appeared before the court until the bench warrant was issued.

According to the prosecutor, the offence is punishable under Sections 390 (9) of the criminal code cap C17 Vol 2 of Lagos State criminal law 2003.

However, the defendant denied the allegation when the charge was read to her.

The defendant’s counsel, Olakunle Williams, who applied for the defendant's bail, told the court that he had filed an application of bail dated August 29, urging the court to grant the defendant bail since the offence was not a capital offence.

He told the court that the defendant has been in Kirikiri prison custody since August, contrary to the information that she was on the run, which prompted the court to issue a bench warrant against her.

Justice Adebiyi adjourned the matter till October 2, for ruling on the bail application.

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80 die of cholera, measles in Taraba refugee camp

By John Mkom

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ALINGO—NO fewer than 50 children have died of measles and cholera in the last five weeks at the refugee camp in Bali, headquarters of Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State Over 30 adults were also confirmed to have been killed by diseases, even as others are down with injuries they sustained from machetes cuts by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

These were disclosed by the spokesman of the Tiv refugee camp situated in Bali town, Mr. Emmanuel Kee, while addressing journalists who visited the refugee camp, yesterday.

Chairman of Bali council, Mr. Andy Yerima, also confirmed the outbreak of the diseases, adding that he officially wrote to the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, intimating them of the outbreak of the diseases in the camp, but lamented that he got no response from the state Ministry of Health.

He said: “You know we have a process of following up matters. When the matter of the outbreak was reported to me, I wrote formally to the Director of Health but there was no response.”

Efforts to get the confirmation of the state government proved futile as calls and messages to the telephone of Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oliver Wubon, received no reply.

The Tiv people have been taking refuge in Bali since March, after they were attacked

Refugees at the Bali camp.

by suspected Fulani herdsmen in the southern part of Taraba State.

Kee stated that parents watched their children die without intervention by the authorities.

He also disclosed that 11 babies were born in the camp under difficult circumstances.

Kee added that there had been so many challenges in the camp since the people lost everything, including food and shelter.

He said: “Our people who are here in the camp cannot go out

of this town for a distance of two kilometres. If the Fulani see you out there, they will kill you.

“Yesterday, one of us, Mr. Yabubu Akpenkaan, went out to fetch fire wood and sell so he can feed his family. He has not come back. The wife and children are crying in hunger and agony.”

Madam Rebecca, wife of Yakubu Akpenkaan, told Vanguard in tears that she was still praying for the safe return of her husband.

She disclosed also that so many families at the camp were

having difficulties feeding their children and other dependents.

The chief of Tiv in Bali council, Chief David Gbaa, who was also in the camp, told journalists that his people had been passing through hardship since the outbreak of the crisis between Tiv and Fulani six months ago.

Gbaa called on the Federal Government to come to the aid of the people, while lamenting that the state government had been playing politics with the crisis by telling the world that there was peace in Taraba State.

18-yr-old robbery gang leader arrested in Ondo

By Dayo Johnson

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KURE—DETECTIVES in Ondo State have arrested an 18-year-old boy, Kayode Amimi, who led a five-member gang to rob a family in Akure, the state capital.

Vanguard gathered that the suspects invaded the residence of one Iyiola Olufemi, located at 3, Kolaeole Street in Akure at about 1.40a.m.

They were said to have carted away properties worth N240,000, some quantity of recharge cards, laptops and N20,000 in cash.

Following complaint by the victim, who alleged that the suspects invaded his house with dangerous weapons, detectives swung into action.

A month after, detectives reportedly picked up the leader of the team of 2, Eleye Street, Akure, following a tip off.

Police source said the leader has confessed the commission of the offence.

Items recovered from his residence include 32 different handsets, two laptops, three Ipads and memory cards.

Meanwhile, two other suspected bank fraudsters have been arrested while trying to withdraw N2.8 million from a customer’s account.

The suspects, Alex Ayodeji Solomon and Adetomiwa Henry, came to a bank in Akure with intent to fraudulently withdraw the amount from an unknown customer’s account.

They reportedly came to the bank with a withdrawal slip of the said amount.

Detectives who laid ambush in the bank following report from the bank, swooped on the suspects and subsequently arrested them.

Police report said they had

confessed that they were fraudsters.

Contacted, the imagemaker of

the state Police Command, Wole Ogodo, confirmed the arrest of the teenage robber.

3 bus conductors bag 21 yrs imprisonment for robbery

By Bartholomew Madukwe

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Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, yesterday, sentenced three bus conductors to 21 years imprisonment after finding them guilty of conspiracy to commit armed robbery.

The convicts include Paul Sunday, 30; Adewale Taofeek, 27; and Shina Shoyeye, 24.

The suspects had pleaded not guilty to the charge brought against them by Lagos State government.

In his judgment, the presiding Judge, Justice

Adeniyi Onigbanjo, said the prosecution had credible, cogent and convincing evidences before the court and had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Justice Onigbanjo noted that the 21years jail term would run concurrently, starting from the date the defendants were remanded in prison custody on December 1, 2009.

The judge further said that the finding of the court was not only based on the confessional statement made by one of the convicts, but also looked outside the confessional statement.

8 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

Foreigner nabbed for possessing terrorist videos, equipment

By Kingsley Omonobi

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BUJA—THE military has arrested a foreign computer expert who is said to be behind the several video shots sent to online media organisation and foreign media houses.

He was said to have been arrested with some sophisticated equipment and copies of some of the videos the terrorists had sent to online media houses on their escapades, including that of the abducted Chibok girls, it was learnt.

Military sources disclosed that the computer analyst who is currently being interrogated was responsible for configuring computer images website and internet accesses for the group.

Sources said he was arrested after a shoot-out when a group of the sect members mobilised and attacked Konduga with a view to recovering the body of the impostor of Abubakar Shekau for burial in a site they would later earmark as their shrine.

Vanguard further gathered that the foreigner has made shocking confessional statements about the terrorists’ plans and modus operandi as well as their backers that would aid the troops in their fight against Boko Haram insurgency.

“We have made a very big breakthrough; the computer analyst is opening up and has made very big revelations on the modus operandi of the sect.

“We also discovered that the ICT expert is the backbone of the signals and communication links of late impersonator, Mohammed Bashir, who always posed as Abubakar Shekau, whenever he is talking on “youtube”.

With the breakthrough, the military is said to be better informed on how the impostor of Shekau was able to reach out to the world and claim victory over Nigerian troops after several attacks.

2015: Why I want to be President —BUHARI

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

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BUJA—FORMER Head of State, and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, General Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday in Abuja formally declared his intention to seek his party’s nomination to contest next year’s presidential election, saying the country is tired of 15 years of purposeless leadership by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The expression of Buhari’s intention is coming exactly one week after former Vice President Abubakar Atiku, another presidential aspirant declared to run for the plum office on the party’s platform.

By this development, Buhari has become the second person to declare his presidential ambition in the party.

Addressing a crowd of supporters under the aegis of Buhari Support Group Centre in Abuja, the former military ruler said he would make formal statement on his intention soon.

He however urged his supporters to be ready to take the support beyond his person to ensure victory for APC. He said: “Within the next few weeks, the party will hold its convention to choose the flag bearers who will stand election on its platform. Your duty as supporters and volunteers will, among other things, include participation in the preparation for these primary elections and seeing to their successful conclusion and getting yourselves ready to do all it takes to wrest power from the PDP. “With your support, I intend to offer myself for the position of the president of the republic on the platform of our great party. I intend to make a formal announcement soon and I hope I can count on your continuing support and sacrifice.

“However, I would like to point out to you that to be more meaningful, your support must extend beyond my person and always be available to the party and all those the party puts forwards; because it is the party that is the platform.

“You must remember at all times that APC is a party with several qualified people for each and all the positions that will be contested, including that of the president.

“It is the primaries that will determine who eventually represents the party in which capacity. If I get the nomination, I expect you will redouble your effort and commitment until we clinch the presidency. But in the event that it happens to be one of the other aspirants who wins, I will expect you as good party men to extend to him your total support. We are a united party, and united we shall remain because our strength lies in our unity.”

Apparently tired of having his name associated with pre and post

BUHARI DECLARES: General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) declaring his intention to seek the All Progressives Congress, APC, nomination to contest next year’s presidential election yesterday. election violence, Buhari warned his followers to desist from any unruly behaviors.

“For this and for other reasons, I must warm all my supporters, volunteers and other well-wishes within the party or even out of it not to insult or be rude to any other aspirant or party leader on my behalf.

“My supporters must not engage in any kind of behavior or conduct that will tarnish the image of any leader or promote division or rancour within the ranks of the party. Whoever does that should know he or she is working for the enemy”, he said.

...Says we are in 15 years of PDP purposeless leadership

Taking a swipe at the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, he said the party in its 15 years of existence was clueless about the challenges facing the country.

According to him, change was imminent.

His words: “Today, we are in the 15th year of purposeless leadership by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and all we have seen is unprecedented deterioration in the security and law and order, astronomical rise in the incidence and intensity of corruption, and in the failure of governance.

“And as we reach this last lap of the journey, I would like to request that we concentrate all our effort and energy toward realising and achieving change in how this country is run. The only way to meaningful change in this country is to vote the PDP out of power to which it was never legitimately elected, anyway.”

...Maintains APC is hope of Nigerians Buhari who has been a

contender for the position since 2003 boasted that APC was the alternative party Nigerians were waiting for.

He said: “We are the alternative the nation has been waiting for. We are committed to democracy and entrenching its culture in Nigeria. We are committed to the principles of good governance and making them work in this country. We are committed to public probity and entrenching a culture of accountability in the conduct of government business.''

“Because we are committed to developing the potentials of this nation into true greatness, we shall bring about transformative change in this country-change in the way things are done and change in the way things are undone; change in the way this nation is left unsecured and mismanaged; and change in the way corruption is pampered and worshipped; and we shall install a culture of openness in the public affairs.

We shall develop this land and go after prosperity and get it for our long-suffering people.”

FG to invest N320bn in building, restructuring of airports

By Michael Eboh, with Agency Report

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HE Federal G o v e r n m e n t , yesterday, said it will spend $2 billion, about N320 billion, in the building of new airport terminals and restructuring of old ones over the next four years.

Mr. Osita Chidoka, Minister of Aviation, in an interview with Bloomberg Television, said the Federal Government is already in talks with private investors on the issue of setting up a new national airline, which is expected to come on stream within the next four years.

He said the national carrier, which is expected to tap growth, will be commercially run, adding that conversations are on across many possible private sector organizations, both local airlines in Nigeria and then some international airlines.

“We are totally changing

the face of four key airports.

Nigeria is studying the possibility of attracting private capital to do that,” he stated.

He further stated that about $1 billion (N160 billion) has been provided by the Federal Government for the current plans, with another $1 billion earmarked within the project’s duration of four years.

He added that the Federal Government is also building 13 cargo airports across the country for the export of perishable agricultural produce such as pineapples, mangoes and tomatoes.

Chidoka disclosed that the Federal Government is considering privatising some operations of airports across the country, such as revenue collection and customer services.

He said, “Privatization of some operations of the airports may be on the cards. It will most likely be airport management, things like that, collecting of revenues, managing lounges. We have to build infrastructure that matches our aspiration.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014 — 9

Nigeria cannot be transformed overnight — JONATHAN

By Ben Agande

A

BUJA—PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said that despite some positive steps taken by his administration in placing the country on the right track, transformation of the nation cannot be achieved overnight.

The president spoke when he received Primatial award conferred on him by Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria, Anglican Church, Most

Revd. Nicholas Okoh at the Presidential Villa.

According to him, “We have our transformation agenda, it is not something we can do overnight even if you have all the money in the world. If you want to build a six-storey building, you must give yourself a time for you to complete that project. We have drawn our map and we have progressed. I believe we are progressing in the right direction.

“For you to really build a society, you need to do things that are

critical and continue to do them well and those things will now change the world that we are.

And if the government continues to do those things very well, it would not take a lifetime for this country to change. It would not take more than ten years. Within a space of ten years, you would see major changes.

“For me and the vice president as well as the Federal Government, by the grace of God and the willingness of Nigerians, we will do our best to improve the

OBASANJO REGISTERS FOR DOCTORATE DEGREE AT NOUN: Vice Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Vincent Tenese (left), presenting an admission letter to former President Olusegun Obasanjo during his registration for a doctorate degree at the National Open University of Nigeria in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

quality of lives of our people” he said.

President Jonathan said he was committed to doing his best to improve on the quality of lives of Nigerians and called on the religious leaders to pray for “God to give us the wisdom and mind to do what is right because it takes God to lead.

“Without the fear of God, nobody can lead well. We are all humans. We are pushed into all kinds of situations. But if God is with you, no matter the challenges, no matter the circumstances you find yourselves, you will succeed”, Jonathan said.

President Jonathan said the full story of his political journey can only be told after he has left office.

“Most people know about it, but maybe when I leave office, that is when I will tell the true story of my journey. But I believe very clearly that it is God that made it possible, to even be a deputy governor in the first place, not to talk about being a president. I promise I will do my best” the president noted.

Recounting his growing up, Jonathan said he grew up as a member of the Anglican Church.

“As at that time, it was only Anglican Church that was at my tiny village. But now, I don’t know the number of churches that are there. Almost all the classrooms are churches now. I have been a part of the church from the beginning.

“I attended Anglican Primary School as a pupil. So I have to be very grateful to the Anglican Church that brought me up. I am what I am today because of the Anglican Church.

Three Boko Haram members jailed 25 years each for terrorism

By Innocent Anaba

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AGOS—A Federal High Court in Lagos, yesterday, sentenced three alleged Boko Haram members, to 25 years imprisonment each, for acts of terrorism.

The convicts were among 17 accused, who were earlier charged before the court on November 27, 2013.

The 17 accused were: Ali Mohammed, Adamu Karumi, Ibrahim Usman, Bala Haruna, Idris Ali, Mohammed Murtala, Kadiri Mohammed, Mustapha Daura, Abba Duguri, Sanni Adamu, Danjuma Yahaya, Musa Audu, Mati Daura, Farouk Haruna, Abdullahi Azeez, Ibrahim Bukar and Zula Diani.

The Lagos State Government had arraigned the accused on an eight-count charge of acts of terrorism and possession of prohibited firearms and ammunition.

Trial judge, Justice Ibrahim Buba, however, delivered judgment in camera, as journalists, and other lawyers were ordered to vacate the courtroom, leaving the prosecution and defence counsel.

The judge had earlier sought the views of lawyers in court, if it was within the law to deliver the judgment in the open court.

The Deputy Director of Public Prosecution, had responded that since the trial was conducted in camera for security reasons, judgment should also be delivered in the same manner.

But Justice Buba who noted that even judges learn everyday, said he will like to do a brief research on the subject, and rose at 11.30a.m., with a promise to return by 12p.m.

At the resumed hearing, the judge again asked the parties to address him on the legality of giving judgment in camera.

The Attorney General of Lagos State Mr Ade Ipaye in response,

said that if the trial was conducted in secret, the judgment should also be delivered in secret as the judgment was also an inherent part of the proceeding.

The defence team also maintained the same position.

Justice Buba subsequently ordered everyone except the parties and the security operatives to vacate the courtroom to allow him deliver his judgment. Newsmen who were ordered out of the courtroom, then approached the Deputy Chief Registrar and the Administrative Head of the Court, Mr. Bello Okandeji to complain that they were not allowed in the court, while at the same time they were required to give an accurate account of the judgment, which they were not allowed to witness.

Okandeji then led journalists to the court but was restrained by security men who told the DCR that they had specific

instructions not to allow anyone into the courtroom.

After the court had risen, journalists also approached one of the lawyers, who witnessed the judgment.

It was gathered that although 17 of the accused had earlier been arraigned, the A-G had discontinued proceedings against 13 of them.

According to a source, the court had found the first three accused guilty of the offence as charged, and had accordingly sentenced them to 25 years imprisonment each.

“The fourth accused who, was charged with allegedly sponsoring the sect, was however, discharged and acquitted, on the grounds that the prosecution failed to establish his guilt,” the source said.

It will be recalled that after the arraignment of the accused in 2013, journalists had also been barred from covering the proceedings.

AMCON appeals vacation of orders on Bi-Courtney

By Innocent Anaba

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AGOS—THE Assets Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON, has appealed against an order granted

by Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court in Lagos, discharging an earlier order of his brother judge, Justice Okon Abang, which empowered the agency to take over assets of BiCourtney Group, operators of Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Terminal 2, Ikeja, Lagos.

AMCON is asking the Court of Appeal in Lagos to nullify the orders made

by Justice Buba setting aside the orders of Justice Abang.

Justice Buba had on Monday, in a ruling, vacated an order made by Justice Abang empowering AMCON to take over the assets of Bi-Courtney Group owned by Dr Wale Babalakin, SAN, over an agreed N50 billion debt.

In the order granted in favour of AMCON, Justice Abang had also approved the appointment of a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, as the receiver/manager over Bi-Courtney assets, including that of Chartered Investment Limited, Resort International Limited and Roygate Properties Limited.

But Justice Buba vacated Justice Abang’s orders, saying that the orders were made in the face of previous orders and suits in respect of the subject matter, hence the orders amounted to abuse of court process.

Dissatisfied with Justice Buba’s action, AMCON, through its lawyer, Agbakoba, filed a notice of appeal, arguing that Justice Buba erred in law and misdirected himself when he heard and granted the oral application of lawyers to the Bi-Courtney Group to vacate the receivership, possession and freezing orders made by Justice Abang on September 22, 2014 without such application being fixed for hearing.

10— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

DRIVERS LICENSE: 194,000 Lagos drivers await issuance ByMonsur Olowoopejo

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AGOS—LAGOS State Government, yesterday, said that at least 194,000 licences for Lagos applicants are yet to be processed.

The state government added that these were part of the 511,030 drivers’ who applied for license since it started in 2011.

This was disclosed at the commissioning of the Motor Vehicle Administration Agency, MVAA one-stop centre and formal launch of Temporary Vehicle Tag, TVT at the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, L ASTMA, headquarters, Oshodi, Lagos State.

While commissioning the centre, the state governor, Babatunde Fashola explained that the centre was part of the strategies to ensure prompt processing of drivers license.

SALLAH:

Lagos offers free ride to residents

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

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AGOS—LAGOS State Government is to provide free bus ride to residents on Saturday, October 4, 2014 as part of measures to ease movement of commuters during the Eid-el-Fitri celebration across the state.

Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, L AMATA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, in a statement, yesterday, said that commuters along the Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, route will enjoy free ride from Mile 12 to CMS while those on the Bus Franchise Scheme, BFS, will ride free on Ikotun-IgandoIyana-Ipaja-Ikeja.

Mobereola urged Nigerians to reflect on the significance of the celebration which is sacrificial giving and not reduce the festival to mere eating and drinking.

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Lagos PDP, APC in war of words over LG election's postponement zAs accusation of sexism ruffles feathers in APC

By Emma Aziken & Dapo

Akinrefon AGOS—THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Lagos State has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC in the state of being jittery and masterminding the deferment of the scheduled local government elections.

This is even as the seeming decision of the APC in the State to present an all male ticket in the gubernatorial election is ruffling feathers among women stakeholders in the party.

Reacting to news of the indefinite postponement of the election, the PDP vowed to seek legal option to compel the APC government to conduct the election as it claimed that the ruling party was running from its own shadows.

The assertions by the PDP was immediately rebuffed by the APC which said it was fully behind the move by the Lagos State House of Assembly on the deferment of the election.

Rejecting the development yesterday, the PDP through its chairman, Captain Tunji Shelle (rtd), said: “We know the kind of government they run in Lagos State. It is a government of deceit. The local government elections have a timetable. We all know that the local governments in Lagos State are not functional. When we ran election against them, they denied us victory where we

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won. Now that they are not holding it, it means the APC is jittery. They know we are going to win. I hope they will see reason to hold the elections but if they fail to conduct the council polls, we may take them to court.

This is a constitutional matter. If they fail to hold the elections at the appropriate time, we will take them to court.”

Reacting, the APC through its spokesman, Mr Joe Igbokwe told Vanguard that “the party will speak in the fullness of time and it may not be different from the position of the House, all things being equal.”

Allegation of APC’s

decision on all-male ticket

The decision which was apparently framed to soothe religious feelings among the two dominant religions in the state, Vanguard learnt, is, however, stirring insinuations of sexism among the normally vociferous female flank in the ruling party in the state.

Whereas the two governors to have emerged since the advent of the Fourth Republic have been males, the female gender had a dominance on the position of deputy governor with three of the five holders including the incumbent, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire being females. Governor Bola Tinubu’s

first deputy, Akerele Bucknor and Governor Babatunde Fashola’s first term deputy, Mrs. Sarah Sosan were the other two females.

However, following the determination and the seeming consensus of the APC hierarchy in the state to project a Christian in the person of Akinwunmi Ambode for the position of governor, Vanguard learnt that some Muslims also interested in the ticket of deputy governor have sought to present the argument that the office of deputy governor should be reserved for a male Muslim. The argument of the advocates it was learnt was that a woman Muslim should not be seen to be leading the men flock in religious and other civil events.

APC RALLY: From left: Running mate to All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate for Adamawa State, Mr Martins Babale, governorship candidate, Senator Bindow Jibrillah, and APC Presidential aspirant for 2015, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, at the APC campaign in Toungo LGA, in Adamawa State, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

Synagogue disowns Emeakayi's defence over collapsed building

By Ikenna Asomba AGOS—THE Synagogue Church of All Nation, SCOAN, yesterday, disowned Mr. Ken Emeakayi, over his defence on the collapsed guest house, during an interview programme on Monday, on one of the local television stations.

Reacting yesterday, on its official Facebook page, T.B. Joshua Ministries, the church said even though Emeakayi is a member of SCOAN and an Emmanuel TV partner, he went to the media to air his personal views and not those of the church.

The statement on the page reads: “Our attention has been drawn to several articles circulating around the internet quoting Mr. Ken Emeakayi as an official representative of T.B. Joshua, The SCOAN and Emmanuel TV. The Vanguard Newspaper even called him ‘T.B. Joshua’s aide’ which is a

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misrepresentation.

“While Mr Ken is a member of The SCOAN and an Emmanuel TV partner, he went to the media on his own personal level to air his views concerning the incident and not to officially represent the church. Any official statement from The SCOAN will be

published on our website and our official Facebook Page.”

Emeakayi had during the interview, refuted claims that the church was not given an approval by the Lagos State authorities to commence construction, saying that it was officially given an approval for a 12-storey building.

No students march past on Oct 1 in Lagos —NUT not received any directive

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AGOS—THE Lagos State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, has said there will be no march past by students on Independence Day anniversary celebration on October 1.

Chairman of NUT, Mr Olusegun Raheem, made this known in an interview in Lagos yesterday.

Raheem said the decision was because the union had

from the state government to mobilise students for the occasion.

According to him, the students would have been mobilised for the march past, “but we have not received any word from the government till now to that effect.”

Raheem said that the state government might probably have alternative plans to make the event low key as it has been the practice in the last three years.

He said: “It is not true and I stand to be corrected. I want to also point out that whosoever said that was not saying the correct thing, because I also listened to a commissioner of Lagos State, when he came to your (Channels Television) studio. He said that when he got there, he discovered that there was no approval for the building, meaning that he has not been there before and there was nothing of such. Yes, the church had approval.”

Asked if the church had shown the approval to the Lagos State Government authorities, he said: “Yes, offcourse. Officials of Lagos State Government have been there severally. They have even come to look at other buildings in the church premises. So, there is no additional structure to the building. We are talking of a building that is on its own. We have the pictures. It’s a new structure."

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014—11

PDP accuses APC of plot to stop Fayose's inauguration the PDP in a statement by the party's publicity secretary, Chief Akinrefon Olisah Metu, yesterday, therefore called for a judicial DO-EKITI—THE investigation into the recent Peoples Democratic disturbances that led to the Party, PDP, has vowed to see to reported molestation of a judge the inauguration of Chief Ayo of the Ekiti High Court.

Fayose as the next governor of The assertions by the PDP were Ekiti State later this month, immediately countered by the APC which said the recent violence in the state was essentially centred around Fayose who the party accused of mobilising people to the courts to intimidate the judiciary.

The PDP statement PRESENTATION: From left: Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dayo reads in part: Adeyanju, Emir of Shonga, Kwara State, Dr. Haliru Yahaya, Governor Olusegun “The Peoples Mimiko of Ondo State, chairman of the occasion, Professor Wole Akande, Director, D e m o c r a t i c Bixby Programme on Population and Reproductive Health, US, Dr. Paula Taiwo, Party, PDP, book author, Prof. Friday Okonofua and the Executive Secretary, National Universities wishes to alert Commission, NUC, Prof. Julius Okojie, at the public presentation of a Book: the nation of a Confronting the Challenge of Reproductive Health in Africa: A Textbook for Students very dangerous and Development Practitioners, in Abuja, yesterday. and antipeople design by the APC to influence the j u d i c i a r y, subvert the will of the people and stop the inauguration of the duly elected

By Henry Umoru & Dapo

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saying the party would not be deterred by what it described as the antics of the All Progressives Congress, APC. Alleging that the APC had recruited some elements in the judiciary to scuttle the inauguration due on October 16,

government in Ekiti State. The party has therefore, called for a full investigation into the activities of some officers of Ekiti State judiciary involved in the recent crisis in the state.

“The underground plot by the APC to stop the inauguration of the clear winner of the June 21 Ekiti governorship election, Mr. Ayo Fayose is a slap in the face of the people of Ekiti State, an assault on democracy and an attempt to rape the judiciary. No amount of machination by the APC will stop Fayose’s swearing in on October 16, 2014 in accordance with the desire of the people of Ekiti as expressed at the polls.

“In the past two weeks, we have witnessed series of lies, propaganda, threats and blackmail by the APC in their desperate bid to truncate the wish of the people. This desperate party has gone notches up in this awkward quest for power by inciting violence and outlandishly calling for the arrest of the state governor-elect."

Responding, the APC through Chief Jide Awe, the chairman of the state chapter of the party in Ekiti State said: “Who caused what has happened in the state? We were not in the court last week, neither were we there last Thursday. Fayose was the one mobilisingpeopletothecourt.Hewas the one who instigated what has happened in Ekiti State."

ATTACK ON EKITI JUDGE:

Rights group wants perpetrators punished

By Abdulwahab Abdulah

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AGOS—ACCESS to Justice, AJ, a Human Rights group, has called on the government to ensure that those who were involved in the alleged assault of a High Court judge in Ekiti State, Justice John Adeyeye, did not go unpunished.

According to the nongovernmental organisation, the silence of the authority over the issue has demonstrated that the sense of impunity has overtaken the nation’s sense of responsibility.

Access to Justice in the statement by Chinelo Chinweze, noted that the failure to apprehend those who allegedly attacked another judge, Justice Isaac Ogunyemi of the same High Court three days earlier necessitated the fresh attack on Justice Adeyeye.

“Those responsible must be brought to book so that this impunity is not allowed

to flourish.”

The group described the attack as an “unbridled affront on the Hon. Judge.

It is shameful, vile, barbaric and grossly contemptuous of the person of Justice Adeyeye and the authority he exercises as a Judge.

“It is a brutal attack on the administration of justice and the integrity of the justice system in Nigeria. It undermines the independence of the judiciary and the duty of judges to decide disputes without fear or molestation.

“This attack on judges and the administration of justice must be repressed and repelled with all the power and authority of the State,” It added.

2015: Daniel, Kashamu, Kuye, others close ranks

By Daud Olatunji

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B E O K U TA — THERE are strong indications that splinter groups in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ogun State have started closing ranks with the former governor of the state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Chief Jubril Martins Kuye, Chief Sule Onabiyi, Chief Ayo Otegbola, among others holding a reconciliation meeting in Sagamu, ahead of Daniel’s formal defection to the PDP on October 7.

The meeting which was held at Daniel’s Sagamu home involved stakeholders from the old Peoples Party of Nigeria, Labour Party and those who had stayed away since the PDP in the state was hit with crisis shortly before 2011 governorship election in the state.

At the end of the meeting which was attended by prominent PDP leaders include, Dave Salako, Chief Iyabode Apampa, Chief Alani Akinde, Chief Kolapo Ogunjobi, they all agreed to join hands with the leadership of the party in the state ahead of the 2015 general elections.

Church ordains 581 pastors amid crisis

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By Ola Ajayi

BADAN—THE crisisridden Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide has ordained 581 members as new pastors of the church in its recently concluded annual convention.

The 24-year-old crisis has taken its toll on the church as both feuding factions, Supreme Council and General Executive Council claiming authenticity and control of the church.

As a result of the crisis, two parallel conventions were held at Ikeji-Arakeji and Ikire.

Thousands of worshippers and well wishers including Ekiti State deputy-governor elect, Dr. Olusola Kolapo Eleka, congregated at Alasepe in Ikire to rejoice with the new pastors who were drawn from different parts of the country like Ibadan, Lagos, Akure, Rivers, among others.

12—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

Oru to NDDC: Key into N-Delta Action Plan

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT— MINISTER of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Steve Oru, has called for collaboration between his ministry and the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, in the development of the region.

The minister who spoke yesterday at the headquarters of the NDDC in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, urged the commission to key into the Niger Delta Action Plan that was unveiled by his ministry last year, noting that it was designed to fast track the development of the region.

He said that the document will eliminate duplication of projects between the commission and the ministry.

“You may be aware that the ministry in collaboration with development partners unveiled the Niger Delta Action Plan in 2013. It is a document designed to fast track the development of the Niger Delta region and eliminate duplication of projects, thereby minimizing waste of limited resources. We want you to key into this vision,” he said.

He added that the ministry

and NDDC were established as specialized interventionist agencies to help tackle challenges of underdevelopment in the region.

“We must not be seen as

working at cross purposes. We must share ideas and experiences on ways to tackle issues and implementation of our programmes,” he said.

Earlier, Managing Director of the commission, Mr Basil

Dan-Abia, commended the minister for the visit, saying that the commission will look at areas in which it would want to partner the ministry on development related issues in the region.

By Gab Ejuwa

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VISIT: Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State (left); Regent of Arogbo kingdom, HRH Amos Sofiyea (right) and his wife, Mrs Mary Sofiyea, during a visit to the community by the governor to mark this year’s Arogbo-Ibe Day Festival, at Arogbo, Ondo State. Photo by Michael Owi.

Ex-VC faults UNIBEN over withdrawal of Professor Emeritus appointment

By Charles Kumolu

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FORMER Vice Chancellor of University of Benin, UNIBEN, Prof. Andrew Onokerhoraye, has described as baseless, the reasons given by the institution for stripping him of his appointment as Professor Emeritus .

He noted that the decision was capable of unleashing incalculable damage to the reputation of the institution.

The Senate of UNIBEN had announced that it had stripped Onokerhoraye of his appointment, claiming that the former Vice Chancellor had refused to carry out his responsibilities as Professor Emeritus of the university.

Onokerhoraye, in a letter to the Registrar of UNIBEN regretted that he was not given the right to fair hearing, adding that the Governing Council of the university was not consulted before the decision was taken.

"My attention has been drawn to a memo, which you presented to the Senate at its meeting on September 24, 2014 in your capacity as Secretary to Senate supposedly recommending that the honour granted me by the University of Benin as Professor Emeritus should be withdrawn.

In the said memo, you gave two reasons for your C M Y K

PDP chieftain lauds Egbema youths on committment to peace

recommendation. First, that I have not been attending Senate meetings. Secondly, that I have not been carrying out other responsibilities as Professor Emeritus.

"Let me state that the Professor Emeritus cadre was instituted in

this university during my tenure as Vice Chancellor following the report to Senate and Council by the Elaho Committee which I set up and directed to visit the five first generation universities in the country to learn from their experiences and make

recommendations which the committee did. The Council and Senate accepted their recommendations after some amendments and these now constitute the guidelines for the appointment of Professor Emeritus in the university.’’

Delta 2015: We've not endorsed any aspirant —Anioma Congress

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NIOMA Congress, the apex socio-political organisation of Delta North senatorial district, Delta State, has denied media reports that it had endorsed a particular aspirant for the 2015 governorship position.

It noted that a section of the media, had last week created an erroneous impression that Anioma Congress endorsed a particular aspirant.

Secretary General of the group, Sir Dan Okenyi, in a statement, yesterday, said: “Anioma Congress, as the umbrella body for all the socio-cultural, political and economic organisations in the region, will play a fatherly role to all the aspirants and will not go out of its way to support any aspirant against the other.”

Okenyi said that the endorsement of aspirants by groups under the umbrella of Anioma Congress does not translate to the official position of the congress.

“What Anioma Congress has done is to screen the 24 aspirants that have shown interest for the office but some aspirants failed to attend. We examined the credentials of the aspirants, their experience, exposure, competence and acceptability beyond the nine local government areas of Delta North.

“Before the screening, we carried an opinion poll on the aspirants and the result of these efforts is to select three aspirants that have the best chances to clinch the ticket at the primaries of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, without prejudice to the internal selection mechanism of the party.”

In another development, the governorship aspirants from Delta North have expressed their commitment to the emergence of an Anioma son/daughter as governor of the state in 2015, irrespective of the party platform.

HE Executive Secretary of Egbema Gbaramatu C o m m u n i t i e s D e v e l o p m e n t Foundation, EGCDF, Mr. Jude Ukori, has commended youths of Egbema Kingdom for their committment to the peace and security agenda of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.

Ukori, a chieftain of People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Egbema, yesterday in Warri, when the executive and members of Ijaw Youths Council, IYC, Egbema chapter paid him a courtesy visit, charged the leadership of IYC to continue to collaborate with youths in Egbema for the sustenance of the existing peace in the community, to attract the desired infrastructural development to the kingdom.

Ukori commended Governor Uduaghan for his achievements and the peaceful atmosphere in War ri North Local Government Area of the state.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014 — 13

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14 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

Oshiomhole signs N159.3bn 2015 budget into law; blasts opposition lawmakers B

By Simon Ebegbulem

ENIN CITY— GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, yesterday assented to the N159.3billion 2015 Appropriation Bill as passed by the State House of Assembly.

The governor who frowned at some media reports referring the All Progressive Congress, APC and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP lawmakers as factions, said “I think it is the height of abuse of the media owned by PDP leaders to keep referring to the activities of some suspended lawmakers as a faction. There is no question about whether 15 is majority against nine. But we in the executive branch will not be distracted with this attempt to misinform the public.”

Oshiomhole noted that “the Appropriation bill which had been passed by the House and which I have just assented to reviewed upward the size of the budget. We had proposed N156.7b estimate, and the House in its wisdom reviewed from N156.7 to N159.3bn. This is roughly an increase of about N3bn.

“Mr Speaker, if wishes were horses, there is a lot that we want to do in the area of infrastructure and other capital projects that we wish to execute. However, in

making our budget, we have taken into account our own projected internally generated revenue and other possible sources of funding. The parliament has a right to review the budget. This is the seventh budget that I have the privilege to assent to, we have one more budget to do.

“I want to assure you, Mr Speaker, that in line with our

tradition, we will sustain the tradition of managing prudently and costing our projects properly and ensuring that the electorate gets value for money. We will sustain the tradition of blocking leakages as well as pursuing our revenue drive in order to realise our budget.”

Reacting to the continued absence of PDP lawmakers in the House’s proceedings,

Oshiomhole, said “In a democracy and under our laws, whether labour laws, any one including elected persons, they may elect to come to work or absent himself from work, our laws allow that because there is no forced labour, provided that he appreciates the full consequences ofbeingabsentfromworkandthissame law applies to the legislative arm and the judicial arm.”

INDEPENDENCE: Governor RotimiChibuike Amaechi of Rivers State (middle), and other guests at the Inter-Denominational Church Service to mark Nigeria's 54th Independence anniversary in Port Harcourt.

Zone 6 AIG reads riot act to criminals

By Emma Una

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ALABAR—ASSISTANT Inspector General Police, AIG, Zone 6, Mr Mark Idakwo has ordered criminals to move out of the zone, as he was not prepared to tolerate any criminal acts in the states within his command.

Idakwo, who recently assumed office in Calabar, Cross River State, the headquarters of the zone which covers Cross River, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Ebonyi States, told Vanguard that within the short period of his assumption of office, his men had arrested 23 criminals and foiled two armed robbery attempts in Akwa Ibom State, adding that he was a man of peace and during his tenure as the chief crime fighter in the zone, he will make sure that peace reigns.

Addressing criminals directly, Idakwo, said “Woe to you robbers, kidnappers, murderers, assassins, you have to flee from the states under zone 6 because I will smoke you out. I give the people of the zone guarantee that our tenure will witness the most peaceful period in recent time.

“I have been the officer in C M Y K

charge of Anti Robber Squad, SARS at the federal level and fighting crime is not new to me

and I shall make sure that anyone with criminal intentions does not have his way and I

will make sure that peace and calm reigns in the zone because I am a man of peace.”

We've not endorsed anybody for Delta Central position.

It is your —UPU, E.K. Clark acceptability at the poll that

By Godwin Oghre APELE—THE Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, has denied media report that it had endorsed a former member of the House of Representatives to represent Delta Central senatorial district in 2015.

Acting President General of UPU, Chief Joseph Omene, said “That report is misleading. Neither I nor UPU

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had endorsed any aspirant for that position. The reporter ought to report correctly what he heard from me. Every qualified Urhobo person can aspire to the position of a Senator. I am a father to all of them and when they come here for consultation, I pray for them and wish them well.

I have not and UPU has not endorsed anyone for that

determines if you can become a Senator in Urhobo land.”

Chief Edwin Clark, on his part, said: “That report is not correct. I can only pray for all who come to consult me on that matter. I will always wish them well at the field where they must test their acceptability to the people. I urge the media to do proper and correct reportage”

Why I want to succeed Uduaghan —Peter Okocha

By Gbenga Oke SABA—A Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship aspirant in Delta State, Mr Peter Okocha, has said that he was contesting to render qualitative service and uplift the quality of life for the people of the state.

He added that his entire life has always been devoted to enhancing the welfare of those found at the cross-roads.

Okocha in a chat with

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Vanguard, said if elected, that his priorities will be employment generation, education, infrastructure, security, good governance, strategic partnership with private sector and review of all existing state and local government laws.

According to him, education will receive a boost as his administration will invest in massive school infrastructure in the state.

“If elected, education will be

revamped under my administration because we shall invest heavily in teaching aids, teacher training while education at primary and secondary levels shall be compulsory, qualitative and free.

“We shall re-invigorate scholarships and bursary schemes to deserving students and guarantee the functionality of vocational trade centres as part of our total education and youth empowermentprogramme,”headded.

Ijaw leader backs online registration for corps members

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A G O S —

COORDINATOR of Ijaw Monitoring Group, IMG, Comrade Joseph Evah has thrown his weight behind the call for online registration by National Youths Service Corps members.

In a statement in Lagos, the former Publicity Secretary of Ijaw National Congress, INC, however, said the option should be left open for only those who prefer to register for their call-up letters online.

He said that the NYSC authority has shown visionary leadership considering the security challenges in the country, adding that with the new arrangement, Corps members can get their callup letters without exposing themselves to the dangers of travelling to higher institutions in the danger zones of the country.

Evah advised the NYSC leadership to ensure that the online registration option was insulated from corruption to save the young graduates from falling into the wicked hands of internet fraudsters. He also lauded them for the initiating the scheme.

Group backs Omwirhiren for DTHA

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PROGRESSIVES Congress, OPC, in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State, has adopted Chief Hero Omwirhiren, an aspirant for the Delta State House of Assembly on the platform of the Labour Party, to represent Okpe constituency.

Speaking to newsmen at Mosogar, where Chief Great Ogboru declared his ambition for the 2015 gubernatorial election to the Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, the leader of the group, Mr. Lucky Itimi, said: “Okpe council has suffered poor representation at the state House of Assembly for so long and we want Omwirhiren to represent us."

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014 — 15

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16—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

not on those things that would rather polarize the country along religious and ethnic lines. emphasis should have been on On his part, Governor Chime the things that would unite us in a message by his Chief Press as a people and as a nation, and Secretary, Chukwudi Achife, said contemporary events and circumstances in the country today were enough to compel Nigerians to pursue ideals and visions that could only foster greater national integration and advancement.

ENATOR Chris Adighije has dissociated himself from a congratulatory message rejoicing with Senator Nkechi RS Theresa Obinchi is Nwaogu on the conferment on her dead, aged 59. The late of the national honours of Mrs. Obinchi who died Commander of the Order of the September 20, 2014, will be Niger, CON. buried in Odajie Mbube, Ogoja, Senator Adighije, a former Cross River State on Saturday, member of the Senate and October 4, 2014. A statement by member representing Abia State the family said there will be a in the Revenue Mobilisation, sing song night at her 17b Allocation and Fiscal Ibadan Street, Igoli, Ogoja on Commission, RMAFC, told Friday. The late Mrs. Obinchi is Vanguard, “I know nothing of that survived by a husband and three advert and my attention has just children. been drawn to it.”

Okorocha, Chime ask Nigerians to resist selfish politicians

By Chidi Nkwopara & Francis

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Igata

OVERNOR Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, yesterday, called on Nigerians to resist attempts by unscrupulous politicians promoting religious and primodial sentiments to divide

Mutiny: Army inaugurates court martial tomorrow

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RMY authorities, yesterday, said that a General Court Martial to try some soldiers for mutiny will be inaugurated tomorrow at the Mogadishu Cantonment Conference room of the Army Headquarters Garrison.

Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel A.A. Yusuf told Vanguard that the inauguration will kick off by 10 am, October 2.

Another statement from Army Headquarters said “In continuation of efforts by the Nigerian Army to promptly dispose of cases pertaining to violation of the Armed Forces Act, a General Court Martial to try offenders will be inaugurated at Conference hall of AHQ Garrison.”

the country for personal aggrandisement as Nigeria marks her 54th Independence anniversary today.

Similarly, Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu implored Nigerians to use the independence anniversary to embrace a new spirit of patriotism, sacrifice and commitment towards strengthening the unity and

socio-economic and political well being of the country.

Okorocha in his message to mark the anniversary, said “I urge Nigerians to continue to believe in the unity of the country and resist the attempts by certain political leaders to use religion and other ethnic considerations to divide them, to achieve their own personal goals.” He added that at 54 the

Enugu 2015: Ayogu Eze raises alarm

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By Ikenna Asomba

HE Ayogu Eze Governorship Campaign Organisation has raised alarm over alleged attempt by the Peoples Democratic Party in Enugu State to force Senator Ayogu Eze out of the 2015 governorship race in the state.

In a statement by its legal adviser, Kingsley Onyeke, the organisation claimed the party had descended on its candidate for daring to object to an attempt by the party to impose a predetermined candidate ahead of the November 29, 2014 governorship primaries in the state.

The statement said "it has come to our attention that party officials at the local government and ward

levels at their candidate’s senatorial district are being coerced to sign prepared texts which were shipped down from Enugu alleging that they support the contrived consensus candidate of the party."

Arguing that election remained the only distinguishing feature of any democracy, the organisation wondered why the PDP in Enugu State was afraid of primaries which it said would afford the people of the State the opportunity to choose a candidate after their heart. Onyeke urged the party officials to resist any attempt by anybody to force them to sign documents sent to them by anybody, reminding them of the oath they swore to provide a level playing field for aspirants to all positions in the State.

Adighije disowns congratulatory message to Senator Nwaogu

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Theresa Obinchi for burial

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He added,“That publication bearing my name was not authored by me, it did not originate from me. It is strange to me, the language is not my language and whoever did that did not act on my mandate and as such I wholly reject the publication.”

•Late Mrs. Theresa Obinchi

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014 — 17

18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014 TODAY Wednesday, October 1, 2014, marks the 54th anniversary of our independence from our colonial genitors, Great Britain. It is a moment of triumph for both countries. The United Kingdom has just survived a referendum that would have seen the separation of Scotland from the rest of the country if the “ayes” had had it.

And for Nigeria, we are gradually reasserting our territorial integrity after the second bid by separatists to dismember the country and create a new identity out of a nation born exactly one century ago. The gallant armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria have started rolling back the threat of Islamist insurgency group, Boko Haram, which seized several towns in Adamawa and Borno States and claimed them as part of their putative “Islamic Caliphate”.

With victory imminent and in sight, Nigeria will demonstrate, once again, its ability to hold its own against internal insurrection and external aggression. This is what nations that are viable and will be great can do. And this is a further incentive for Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the unity of our country, knowing that only a

Happy 54th Independence Anniversary united Nigeria can protect Nigerians and provide them the security they need to actualise their individual and collective aspirations.

As we celebrate today, let us pause and reflect on some of the challenges that have stymied our growth and hampered our emergence to a solid economic and continental behemoth in spite of our natural and human endowments. We have held numerous constitutional and national conferences, the last being the recentlyconcluded edition in July this year. These

conferences were meant as avenues to seek solutions to our problems, which are mainly ethnicity, sectionalism, regionalism and politicisation of our religious faiths rather than using them as means of seeking the face of God our Creator and doing His will.

For the original Nigerian dream for which our founding fathers struggled to free us from colonial bondage to be realised, we must cast aside these unwholesome forces of disunity. We must see one another as people of one indivisible country bound by common destiny. This country belongs to all of us equally, and our constitution has given us all the right to aspire to the highest endeavours. We must all go with the spirit and letters of our national charter and give to ourselves and our future generations a nation we can all feel at home in, and be proud of.

The whole world knows that the Federal Republic of Nigeria stands on the threshold of economic emergence. We must henceforth play our politics to ensure that we realise the good things that lie in store for this nation.

Happy birthday, Nigeria!

OPINION

By K.S. Okunade

Appreciating a leader

FEW days from now, the curtain will be drawn to signify the end of another era at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Idi-Araba. We will all witness the bowing out of a medical icon and a seasoned administrator from the position of the Chief Medical Director. Prof. Akin Osibogun started the journey, which without doubt ushered in the beginning of new medical innovations and achievements, in one of the foremost tertiary hospital in the country sometimes in October 2006. It is important to note that the hospital was in dire need of a leader when he resumed office, something that even his most vocal critics have now agreed had been a blessing not only to the hospital but to the entire healthcare delivery system in the country. I must therefore at this point thank the hospital management under the leadership of Prof. Akin Osibogun for its leadership, thoughtfulness and courage in spite of all the existing challenges noted when he came on board.

I acknowledge that for some, the glass is half full while others will prefer to say the glass is half empty. I am however convinced that we do ourselves gross injustice and harm if all we engage in is to pull our leaders down and refuse to acknowledge anyone who has made some effort. Our recent containment of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is one example of a feat for which we should all congratulate President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, but not too many commendations have come locally. The consolation is that

Nigeria has been commended by the United Nations and its organs including the World Health Organization. By the way, LUTH joined other agencies of government to actively participate in the efforts to contain the EVD. Its diagnostic facilities and contact tracing staff were put at the disposal of the Emergency Operations Centre from where Control activities were directed.

I will make an attempt to enumerate briefly some of the remarkable feats recorded by the Hospital under the leadership of this seasoned administrator, academician per excellence and a teacher of teachers, during his sojourn at this great institution of medical excellence. It is important to compare what was on ground when he took over the mantle of leadership from the Interim Administrator in 2006 with what is available in the hospital today so as to have a balanced and unbiased appraisal.

The hospital during his tenure had not only added value to its existing infrastructure but also provided many more structures to facilitate the provision of qualitative health care services for the Nigerian populace and effective training of the hospital’s personnel, notable among these include the construction of a new children casualty building and Accident & Emergency spillover block ; the building of the Biomedical Engineering school complex; the building of new operating theatres (K-block) bringing the total number of operating rooms to 17 which is the highest in any centre in the country; the provision of a world class surgical skill centre for medical postgraduate

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training in collaboration with the West African College of Surgeons; the establishment of a Resuscitation Training Centre to ensure appropriate training of staff in Life support techniques; the provision of a standard molecular biology laboratory and the provision of a standard colposcopy centre for secondary screening of women with suspected cervical diseases; the maintenance of the Linear Accelerator centre for the treatment of cancer cases; the reintroduction and modernisation of In-Vitro fertilization Services to assist couples seeking to have their own children; the building of three new state of the art Resident Medical Officers (RMO) blocks and the building of mini-flats for the junior staff.

Endoscopic services were re-introduced into the Hospital after a 15-year interregnum and in the last two years over 700 patients have benefitted from gastrointestinal endoscopic investigations alone.

Simultaneously, laparascopic services have been introduced and patients now benefit from the advantages of Minimally Invasive or Pin Hole Surgery. These services also provide opportunities for human capital development for Nigerian professionals.

The first Renal Transplantation procedure at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital was performed in July 2011. In July 2014, three patients had Open Heart Surgery performed at the Hospital for the very first time bringing the Hospital into the league of the few Nigerian Hospitals with capability to perform this highly specialised surgical intervention.

Another Renal

Transplantation was simultaneously carried out in July 2014. By providing these services, the Hospital is contributing to a reduction in the need for Nigerians to travel abroad on Medical Tourism. Nigeria, in fact will soon become the destination of choice for medical tourism if these legacies at LUTH are sustained.

Under his leadership, the Hospital Management has invested in staff development. Members of staff in teams were sent for training in Egypt, Germany, India, Italy and United States. Some of these teams have been active in the Renal Transplantation Programme, the Cardiac (Open Heart) Programme, Laparoscopic Services and the imminent Bone Marrow Transplant Programme. Meanwhile, the Hospital through a partnership agreement with the Italian Mediterranean Institute for Haematology, has been able to facilitate the Bone Marrow Transplant for some 30 Nigerian children suffering from Sickle Cell Disease.

Many of the rehabilitation and upgrading works embarked on include that of the existing operating theatres in the hospital, all the male & female wards, the Accident & Emergency unit, staff medical services unit, Radiodiagnosis department and the hospital morgue at the Morbid Anatomy department.

I am tempted to go on and on , but we his students ( though we are now Consultants in our own rights) remain grateful to him for his selflessness, focus and leadership. *Dr. Okunade, a consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, works with LUTH, Lagos.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014— —19

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INCE September 12, 2014, when a six-storey building under construction collapsed in the premises of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, there has been a deliberate, even if unspoken, tendency to create the picture that only South Africans died in the unfortunate incident.

The impression has been given that no Nigerian lives were lost in the collapsed building. And when there is some veiled acknowledgment that Nigerian lives were also lost, the whole point has been muted as if this fact is a mere detail that should only be noted in passing. This points to the value that Nigeria places on the life and wellbeing of an average citizen of this country.

Let me enter a quick warning that the purpose of my point here is not to downplay the seriousness of the fact that foreign lives were lost or compare the figure of South African lives lost to that of Nigerian or other foreign nationals' lives lost, in order

to highlight the comparative worth of the lives lost. Far from it that one should be involved in such abominable behavior. Every man's death diminishes me and no life is inherently more important than another. Therefore the point I'm making here is not to blame South Africans for insisting on full disclosure of the number of their citizens who went with the collapsed building. That is the very least they could do where we have been conniving, irresponsible and inclined to gloss over these facts.

Rather, what I intend to show is the official levity with which matters that concern Nigerians are treated; indeed the fact that the Nigerian life is from the perspective of Nigerian state officials and so-called leaders worth less than the life of a dog that is run over on a highway. If what happened at the Synagogue Church had happened outside this country, say in South Africa, and the Nigerian part in the loss of lives had been downplayed,

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many Nigerians, including state officials in Nigeria would have attributed that to different reasons- xenophobia, racism, racial profiling, stigmatisation, etc. But what transpired at the Synagogue Church happened right here under our collective nose, on our own soil. Nobody did this to us. It was our own choice to make it look like no value should be placed on Nigerian life.

This is a disgraceful act that has become a habit, a national way of life.

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hree weeks after scores of lives, foreign and Nigerian, were lost and many more were injured in an avoidable disaster for which people should be answering right now if we were living like civilized beings- three weeks after this shameful occurrence that blights national pride, all we are treated to is the casualty figure of South Africans involved in the incident. No specific figure has been provided of the number of Nigerian

One scandal begets another in Ekiti State E

KITI State, the self-styled “Land of Honour,” can’t seem to do anything honourable in recent times. “Ile iyi, ile eye” or “Land of honour, land of integrity,” its moto boasts. Having coined the imperishable new phrase “stomach infrastructure” to define its loftiest vision of governance, and gone ahead to elect as its chief executor an impeached former governor, Ekiti has in the past week shown the rest of the country what its political philosophy means with regard to the judiciary. If the alleged role of former governor and soon-to-be-governor-again Ayodele Fayose in the scandalous attack on the judiciary is anything to go by, then a heavy pall of ignominy may have settled over Ekiti for the next four, maybe eight, years.

It was bad enough that on Monday, September 22, 2014, thugs believed to be associated with the governor-elect invaded the High Court premises in Ado-Ekiti where the state’s election petition tribunal sits to hear the case filed by the incumbent governor ’s party, the APC, seeking to nullify the election. A pre-election case by an independent group, the E11, seeking a declaration that Fayose was not a fit and proper person for the office of governor due to his impeachment and pending trial by the EFCC for corruption, is also active having suffered unconscionable delays beyond the election itself. The E11 group accuses Fayose of lying about his impeachment to INEC. Somehow, Fayose, his party, PDP, and supporters believe that seeking redress of perceived electoral injustice through the very machinery set

up for the purpose tantamounts to his opponent, who was quick to accept defeat and congratulate him, attempting to obtain victory “through the window.” And that it ought to be resisted by any means necessary, mob action being one such means. Leading to Mayhem Monday when a mob invaded the high court premises to . . . well, take the law into its own hands.

It is as if the pro-Fayose mob already knows the judgement the tribunal is yet to give and, not liking it, decided to stop it before trial.

And so came Tragic Thursday, when the panel of judges hearing the petition ruled against a preliminary objection to hold that it had jurisdiction. Emboldened by their action of three days earlier for which no one was arrested or in any way sanctioned, the mob decided this time to beat up a judge, Justice John Adeyeye, who was hearing in another courtroom a case that had nothing to do with the petition but had come out to appeal to the governor-elect to control the riotous crowd that had surged after him to the high court premises. JusticeAdeyeye’s suit was ripped while the violence caused other judges to flee for their lives.

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he chief judge, who happened not to be present at the time, was nevertheless not spared as his chambers were ransacked and his record book torn to pieces, according to the high court’s registrar. The mayhem has compelled the Chief Judge to shut down the High Court in order to ensure the safety of judges and judicial officers.

those who should ask questions turn a blind eye because it's these same men of God, so-called, that provide absolution for acts of official corruption that brought these officials into office. The only time we are able to treat issues of corruption, abuse of office or crime on their merit is only when they involve members of other ethnic or religious groups. Which then emboldens the criminally-inclined to commit all kinds of atrocities in the name of their ethnic or religious group. Rather than see this kind of behavior as abnormal we expect other people to accept it without question. Many are quick, perhaps very quick, to condemn the Synagogue Church now because of their deep-seated prejudice against the church. They would not do so if the violations attributed to the Synagogue Church had been committed by organisations acceptable to them. And this is why we don't seem to place any value on the life of our own people.

Without pre-empting the outcome of investigations into the cause of the collapsed building at the Synagogue Church, there is evidence that the church might have been negligent in protecting the lives of its members.

Its alleged failure to adhere to building regulations even when its attention was called to it is a matter that should not be swept under the carpet. This should be without prejudice to its allegation of sabotage in the accident that claimed many lives on its premises, which should be treated on the basis of its own merit.

There is, however, something worrying in the manner state officials have been meeting with the leader of the Church as if to suggest he is already absolved of blame.

Expectedly, Governor-elect Fayose has d e n i e d knowledge of the sacrilege. “How can I order the people to beat up a judge that is handling a case that has nothing to do with me,” he poses in self-exoneration. How, Your Excellency? Well, by conduct that speaks even more loudly than

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Synagogue Church building collapse: How many Nigerians died?

Our tendency to politicise every issue, not to treat matters on their merit, is costing us too much and is making room for Nigerians to perpetrate acts of impunity in different areas of life

casualty. At each instance, we are left to figure that out after we have been told of the number of South African dead. The Nigerians are mere figures with no names.

There was the initial attempt by the Synagogue Church to cover things up and play the judge in a case in which they stand accused.

They sought to make a mole hill of the mountain of questions they needed to give answers to. They prevented access to the church and made light of the casualty figure.

That there is any figure given at all of the number of South Africans dead is simply because the South African government released figures on the number of their nationals believed to have made the religious trip to the church in Lagos. Otherwise, one can be sure that no figure would have been provided at all. Neither by the Synagogue Church that reportedly prevented people, even rescuers, from accessing the church ground or emergency officials that were initially sidelined in a matter over which they should have assumed total and immediate control.

The impunity with which religious organisations carry on in the country is a matter we have to look at very closely. Our tendency to politicise every issue, not to treat matters on their merit, is costing us too much and is making room for Nigerians to perpetrate acts of impunity in different areas of life.

It was because some people chose to politicise the despicable outlaw behaviour of fundamentalist islamists that the North East part of Nigeria is today the theatre of insurgency. When state officials are criticised for abuse of office and corruption, their kinsmen claim it's because people don't like their ethnic group. Religious leaders commit all kinds of atrocities in the name of God and

For a man who should be straining every nerve to prove his detractors wrong by seeking redemption, your pre-inauguration outing speaks volumes about compromise

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words. Conduct that conveys to goons the unmistakable assurance of protection from prosecution the minute you take office in just a few days. And by words, for that matter, such as these which you spoke to underline the coming reign of impunity right after protesting your innocence: “But I want to point out that a situation whereby judges or judicial officers who should be custodians of the law get compromised by politicians, breeds anarchy. . . . It is sad that most of our judges have compromised. . . . If you have been defeated . . . and you now want to come in

through the window, it won’t be like ice cream party for the APC. I would not be cheap.”

There it is, sir! You nudged and urged and instigated the desecration of the temple of justice. For a former governor only days away from being sworn in to uphold the constitution and the rule of law, your words point to a vile motive in the contemptible attack against the judiciary and the lives of those you describe as compromised custodians of the law. The order of self-help and impunity inscribed by your words has thrown Ekiti into anarchy and set the stage for your second coming as governor, the anarchy augmented by the murder of a former chairman of the state’s chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, who also happened to have been one of your henchmen.

Out-going Attorney-General, Wale Fapohunda, lamented the other day on Channels Television that Ekiti is being scandalised by this premeditated act of sacrilege. True, but the real scandal was your stomach infrastructure election. For a man who should be straining every nerve to prove his detractors wrong by seeking redemption at every opportunity, your preinauguration outing speaks volumes about compromise and anarchy. The only wonder remains when wounded pride and voters’ remorse will commence in the land of honour.

20 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

Send the Boko guys to paradise asap!

Proposed ban of pomo: Traders, consumers dare government

BY AUGUSTINA ANYAEGBU

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RECENTLY p r o p o s e d ban on the sale and consumption of hides and skin popularly known as Pomo appears to have unsettled traders and consumers of the product who have vowed to resist any move to outlaw their cherished delicacy.

Apart from what is considered as its appealing taste, pomo is also favoured by many Nigerians trying to cut down on the consumption of red meat on health grounds.

So the idea mooted recently to remove pomo from the menu of Nigerians has not gone down well with many, *Pomo displayed for sale especially Lagosians, who regard such decision as a drastic measure against their and wicked. The rich are there interest and want it dropped eating chicken, turkey, goat, which we cannot afford. Now they pronto.

But the Federal Government want to bar us from eating our says it wants to implement the cheap and affordable pomo.”

A pomo seller, Mrs.Toyin Taiwo, proposed ban on the sale and would want the Federal Governconsumption of hides and skins based on economic consider- ment to immediately rescind the ations.

The Minister of decision to ban pomo, saying the Agriculture and Rural Develop- action will only destroy her only ment, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina source of livelihood. “ This is the made this known at the Third only business I do and from it, I Joint Anniversary of the Animal train my six children. My Science Association of Nigeria, husband abandoned me and my

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Our leaders are selfish and wicked; the rich are there eating chicken, turkey, goat,which we cannot afford; now they want to bar us from eating our cheap and affordable pomo

ASAN and Nigeria Institute of Animal Science held at the University of Ibadan. He had called for a stronger check on the consumption and sale of the product which would enable farmers make a bigger profit because they would able to turn the hides and skins into leather.

But speaking to Vanguard Metro, VM, Mr. Gozie Madu wondered why pomo should be considered a problem when there are more pressing challenges confronting the country at this time.. According to him: “ What is this nation turning into? Pomo is the cheapest source of meat for the poor man. So banning it is like banning poor people from eating meat which is very bad and inhuman. It will not solve the numerous problems Nigerians are facing now.”

For one Mr. Nnaji Okey: “This is where the rich are getting richer while the poor are getting poorer. Our leaders are selfish

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children and ran away with another woman. He is not even bothered whether the children are feeding well or not. If it should banned, we will die of hunger and starvation,” she said.

Another pomo dealer, Mr. Joshua James, had this to say: “I started selling hide and skin (pomo) as a butcher after searching for job for six years without success. If the Federal Government should ban the product, then it means I will become unemployed. They should provide jobs for us before taking such a drastic action. The masses are suffering; some people are dying of hunger every day and yet our little livelihood is about to be taking away from us. I’m about getting married and there is no other business that I’m doing to feed my future family except this.”

The owner of God is Good beer parlour, Mrs. Onyinye Orji, also has something to say about the

matter. “This should be the last thing the FG will think of doing.

Pomo meat is what brings people to my beer parlour. Some people prefer to eat it than meat. Banning it will be like depriving some people what gives them pleasure,” she said.

But an agriculturist, Mr. Kayode Toyin, gladly supports the proposed ban. According to him, pomo has no nutritional value to human health. “It’s nothing but chaff and does not add any nutritional value to the body. Nigerians should wake up and see the usefulness of it. Italians use it to make shoes and bags and are becoming richer by the day while we, Nigerians, are using it as meat and have become poorer in the process. But before they ban the product, let them do the appropriate things first.

Like finding solution to the numerous challenges facing the country such as Boko Haram, unemployment, insecurity and Ebola. The Federal Government should make meat affordable for the poor people. They should consider the poor and find a solution to help in the little way they can”.

Mrs. Nnenna Okorie on her part prefers that the ban should be selective. “I eat pomo as an appetiser.

But based on my experience, I think what should be banned is the cooked one because I once saw a pomo seller adding chemical to it. When I questioned her she said the chemical would enable the pomo to rise. So since then, I stopped buying the cooked one but only the uncooked one from the butcher. Banning it totally shouldn’t be our problem now. Nigeria has bigger problems which our leaders should find ways of tackling not hide and skin.”

BY EBELE ORAKPO

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RESIDENTJonathan is waking up now to the reality of the evil called Boko Haram. He thought they were a joke at the beginning,” said Amos, a commuter in the Ojuelegba-Boundary-bound commuter bus this Tuesday morning.

“Don’t mind him. He decided to wake up after the group had done maximum damage to families and the nation at large,” replied Tony.

“I’ve been saying it that Jonathan is the wrong man to rule Nigeria at this point in time. If it were someone like Obasanjo, Boko Haram would have been nipped in the bud. But Jonathan, with his disposition, decided to let them, like cancer, fester. Look at where we are now,” argued Tijani.

“Capital LIE! Which Obj? Was it not during his tenure that sharia started? What did he do? NOTHING! Meanwhile, many lives were lost as a result of the sharia issue. Boko Haram has to do with the desire of these sons of the devil to establish a sharia state in Nigeria. So what are we talking about? Na only for South and Middle Belt dem dey get power,” posited Tony.

“I believe that Obj would have handled it better.

Remember that once a soldier, always a soldier but Jonathan is a civilian and wants the rule of law to take its course,” insisted Tijani.

Said Tony: “If Jonathan had done what Obj did in Odi and Zaki Biam, he would have been impeached. Soldiers can do as they please and get away with it but not a bloody civilian as they label us.”

“We have hear you, let me answer you,” shouted Alabi.

Said Tijani: “The truth is that the man was at a loss as to how to handle the devils. So it has nothing to do with his being a stickler for the rule of law. Far from it!”

“Let me answer you now! We have hear you,” shouted Alabi again.

At this point, many burst into laughter because of the bullets (wrong grammar) proceeding out of Alabi’s mouth with all authority. Finally, there was silence and Alabi proceeded to speak thus: “President Jonathan is the Commander-in-Chief of our Armed Forces so all the power in the land dey im back like the Rock of Gibraltar. So if to say he know wetin to do, e for do am.”

“I think the advisers are not advising him well. To me, the best thing now is to dispatch the devils to their paradise to receive their 70 virgins as soon as they are caught. No need for trials; after all, they never gave their victims any chance,” said Amos.

“So that Amnesty and the West will begin to shout human rights abuse?”asked Joy. “To hell with them. When Boko Haram kills, it’s not human rights abuse ba? I am not trying to justify soldiers who will deliberately commit human rights abuses but truth be told, in every war, there are collateral damages and as the saying goes, drastic times call for drastic measures,” said Amos.

“No mind them with their selective justice. In fact, I love a post by the US Marines which goes thus: ‘It’s God’s job to judge the terrorists. It’s our mission to arrange the meeting. ‘Short and simple! No long story. If you start taking them to court, trust our corrupt judicial system and politicians, before you know what is going on, they would be released to go and continue their terror activities,” said Tony.

“Thank God our gallant soldiers are gradually winning the war against terrorism. Thanks to all the information coming out in recent times from different directions. The sponsors and sympathisers in the military and elsewhere are chilling now because they believe that any slip on their part will land them in big trouble so they are starving the terrorists of funds and information,” said Joy. “I hope Jonathan will use his power as the C-I-C to save those soldiers condemned to death for mutiny because there will be kata kata if they are killed. After all, they were trying to defend themselves against an oppressive oga,” said Amos.

Retorted Tijani: “They will be killed and nothing go happen, no be Naija we dey?”

“Their colleagues have promised to expose the saboteurs amongst the ogas if they are killed. What happened was akin to sending a child to buy salt and sending rain after the child; so why won’t they commit mutiny?” asked Tony.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014 — 21

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he Head of EU Delegation to Nigeria, Amb. Michel Arrion, has said that the EU-Nigeria bilateral trade volume is set to grow to N17 trillion (€80.8 billion) by 2015.

Speaking at the 3rd EU-Nigeria Business Forum in Lagos, tagged ‘Time for Private Sector’, he said that in 2013 alone the total trade volume between the EU nations and Nigeria stood at €40.4 billion (N8.5trillion) with the trade balance tilted in favour of Nigeria.

According to him, EU imports from Nigeria were valued at €28.7 billion (N6trillion) while EU exports to Nigeria stood at €11.8 billion (N2.5trillion) within the period.

Also, the EU Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) stock in Nigeria grew from €25.3 billion (N5.3trillion) in 2011 to €27.2 billion (N5.7tr) in 2012, adding that the EU is Nigeria’s most important trading partner.

“Though Nigeria maintains a positive trade balance with the EU and the EU remains the biggest market for both oil and non-oil exports (such as leather cocoa, sesame, etc.), it is imperative to address the EU- Nigeria relationship towards a more diversified composition and a strengthened ECOWAS regional market,” he said.

He stated that through the development cooperation between EU countries and Nigeria, the EU is working closely with the Nigerian authorities to improve its business environment and competitiveness, and to also boost its industrial revolution agenda through support to the reform of the electricity sector and accessing long term financing and tackling social issues like malnutrition.

This, according to him, was what informed the selection of the panel discussions, which centered on Business Climate, Electricity, Health

From left: Mr. Adeyinka Adeyemi – MD, PrePay Go Technology Ltd; Mrs. Lola Ogunbambi – MD, Citiserve Ltd; Mrs. Christabel Onyejekwe – Executive Director, NIBSS; Mrs. Omobola Johnson – Minister, Communication Technology; Mr. Yele Okoremi – Chairman, LOC – DEMO AFRICA LAGOS 2014 at the DEMO AFRICA LAGOS 2014 Cocktail held in Lagos.

EU-Nigeria bilateral trade volume to grow to N17trn by 2015

By NKIRUKA NNOROM and Nutrition and Access to Finance.

He said that the objective is to find a meeting point for the private sector to leverage on the grants provided by the

EU to these sectors.

“Though according to UNCTAD’s last available statistics, Nigeria has dropped from the top position in attracting FDI to the continent, inflows still remain significant. To attract more

N-Assembly canvasses private companies conversion, listing bill

By PETER EGWUATU

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he National Assembly, N/A has intensified plans to hold a public hearing on the proposed private companies conversion and listing bill. The purpose of the bill is to compel private companies whose shareholders funds exceed N40 billion or whose annual turnover exceeds N80 billion or its total assets exceed eighty billion, to convert to public liability company and get its shares listed in the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

The Deputy Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Capital Market, Hon. Chris Emeka Azubogu, weekend confirmed to Vanguard that the proposed Bill has undergone second reading, adding that when the Bill is passed into law, it would become an Act that will oblige private companies to convert to public liability company.

In his words.“If the private foreign companies are converted to public companies, Nigerians would own certain percentage of shares and this will help reduce capital flight and create employment opportunities.”

According to him “80 per cent of Nigerian economy is largely in the informal sector, but with the creation of this Act, many of the private companies would be captured in the formal sector and make them financially included in the system. Also, it will enhance Nigeria’s tax collection.

Commenting on the incentive for the private companies

to get quoted on the Stock Exchange, he said “There will be tax incentives and others. For a period of five years commencing immediately after the date of listing on a securities exchange, if the company lists at least- 40 per cent of its issued share capital, it shall be eligible for a tax incentive at a rate up to one-third of its applicable income tax . If it lists 30 per cent of its shares capital, it shall be eligible for a tax incentive of up to one-fourth of its applicable income tax; and 20 per cent of its issued share capital, it shall be eligible for a tax incentive at a rate up to oneeighth of its applicable income tax.”

Continuing, he said “A company shall be entitled to tax deductible expenses on all expenditure incurred by a company subject to Clauses1 and 2 on for the purposes of listing on any securities exchange; stamp duty payable on increase in share capital for the purpose of conversion and listing under clauses 1 and 2 of this Bill; and 60 per cent of Securities and Exchange Commission related fees for listing.

On the issue of penalties for breach of the intended Act, Azubogu said “A person that contravenes any of the provision of the Bill commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a period not less than 2 years. Where the offence was committed by a body corporate, the body corporate shall be liable on conviction to a fine of 10% of its annual turnover for each year of default.

investments into the country, policies should be broad based and long term in outlook and not focused on satisfying individual short term interests, while the courts and rule of law in general protect individuals, assets and contracts,” Arrion stated.

“Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa and the industrial hub of West Africa. Nigeria must see the West African market as an extension of its domestic economy because Nigeria stands to be the greatest beneficiary of an integrated West African market.

USC 190.80

USC 4.75 USD3,318.00 USC 15.73

USD 7.00

USC 0.32

USD 97.20 USD 0.20 USD 94.55

USD 1.01

CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL DOLLAR STERLING EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL KRONA SDR

154.75 252.3818 197.0432 163.1868 1.4182 0.2809 229.8295 25.2537 41.2546 26.4693 230.7477

155.25 155.75 252.3818 253.1972 197.6798 198.3165 163.714 164.2413 1.4227 1.4273 0.2909 0.3009 230.5721 231.3147 25.3357 25.4178 41.3879 41.5212 26.5548 26.6403 231.4933 232.2388

CBN Exchange Rate as 30 /09 / 2014

22 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTBER 1, 2014 Huge fines and prison terms stipulated in the financial services laws do not add much value to the victims of financial institutions mismanagement

INSURAN C

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Consumers brace up to take insurance to next level

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Staco provides cover for MTN Lagos street soccer championship

By Favour Nnabugwu

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taco Insurance Plc has unfolded plans to provide Personal Protection Insurance cover to the participants of the MTN Lagos Street Soccer Championship.

The 2014 MTN Lagos Street Soccer Championship is the seventh in the series of the soccer championship aimed at developing grass root sports in Lagos State and discovering new talents, especially in the field of soccer.

Throwing light into the partnership, the Associate Director Management Services of Staco Insurance’s Mr. Tayo Ajibulu emphasised that the company’s collaboration with Lagos State and MTN has come a long way, affirms the commitment of the company to always provide adequate cover for all the players and officials in the championship.

He said that there is no gain saying the fact that competition like this comes with the risk of injuries to players and they need to be reassured that insurance cover is there as a mechanism to compensate for any loss that may arise as a result of the competition. Recall that in the previous years’

competitions, the Staco has had course to settle claims of players that sustained injury during the MTN Lagos Street Soccer championships.

The insurer presented a cheque of N5million to the Lagos State Commissioner of Youth, Sports and Social Development, MYSSD, Mr. Wahid Enitan Oshodi towards the support of Season 7 of MTN Lagos Street Soccer Championship at the Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja.

Ajubulu at the occasion said that his company was encouraged to associate with the Lagos State Government’s drive of keeping the youth off the streets through positive engagement in sporting activities.

He commended the efforts of the Commissioner, Wahid Enitan Oshodi for achieving so much in sports in Lagos State within the shortest possible time on resumption of Office in 2011.

He further said that Staco was happy to partner the State on the strength of these laudable achievements and also opined that Staco was ready to partner with the State Government on other things.

Elated by the insurer, Oshodi stated that Staco has always been good friend of sports development in the State.

He said the State will continue to do more for the youth in sports, while reiterating his hopes for Staco to insure MTN Lagos Street Soccer players, even as he commended Staco for the prompt claims settlement in last season edition of the championship.

By ROSEMARY ONUOHA

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rior to now, the insurance claims paying mechanism was near comatose and this consequently eroded any good perception the insurance sector had, making the general public skeptical about insurance in Nigeria.

The situation was made worse as there was no ombudsman whatsoever to address the grievances of consumers that have been wronged. As a result, insurers got away with all manner of unprofessional conducts in the past.

However, the situation is changing and the insurance consumer has decided to no longer remain passive. The insurance consumer is all out to take his rightful position in the scheme of things and get the recognition that he deserves.

It is in this light that the Insurance Consumers Association of Nigeria, INSCAN, came on board.

Registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC in 2010 as well as an affiliate of the Consumer Protection Council of Nigeria, CPC, in 2014, INSCAN scope of operation goes beyond mere grievance resolution between insurers and consumers.

At the launching of its public enlightenment and consumer protection programmes on insurance recently, INSCAN noted that one of its jobs beyond grievance resolution is to take responsibility for the actualisation of the United Nation’s, UN, resolution in Nigeria with respect to post-crash compensation for the victims in collaboration with the National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, and the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC. Recall that 2011-2020 is declared “The decade of action for road safety” by the UN and the

DID YOU KNOW For insurance purpose, motor vehicles in Nigeria are classified into the following 12 categories: 1. Private cars. 2. Hire cars e.g taxi 3. Commercial vehicles, (passenger bus). 4. Commercial vehicles, (staff bus). 5.

Commercial vehicles, own goods. 6. General cartage vehicle, (excluding passenger) e.g trailers, tankers, lorries. 7. General cartage vehicle (including passenger) e.g. pick up vans 8.

Special type vehicle e.g fire fighting trucks, bullion vans, ambulances. 9. Agricultural vehicles, e.g tractors. 10. Motor trade vehicles, e.g motor dealer plates. 11. Motor cycle including Send your enquiries insuranceandyou@yahoo.com

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goal is to stabilize and then reduce the forecast level of road traffic fatalities in the world. One of the four pillars of the UN global plan for the project is prompt postcrash management.

Secondly, INSCAN is involved in the MSME and agric development goals of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, federal and state governments to achieve rapid transformation of the Nigerian economy and create more jobs through the MSMEs. Along the line, the ambition of some of the beneficiaries of these MSME and NIRSAL loans are frustrated through market fires, building collapse, weather related risks and death/disability of the entrepreneurs.

INSCAN takes it as a responsibility to engage in mass education, policy advocacy and information dissemination on the post disbursement risk coping mechanisms available to the Nigerian farmers, market women, NURTW, IPMAN, cooperative society members and entrepreneurs as some of them do commit suicide when the business they established with bank loans are destroyed by fire, flood, drought etc.

Thirdly, INSCAN is taking it upon itself to collaborate with the CBN, SEC, PenCom, NAICOM, NHIS, CPC, SMEDAN, Ministry of women affairs and other MDAs to embark on financial and insurance literacy campaign for the low income groups and the informal sector players in Nigeria as the country moves further into the level of a credit and cashless economy.

Also, INSCAN holds itself out to ensure that as Nigerians embrace the compulsory insurance products, the insurers also embrace prompt settlement of the victims’ legitimate claims. INSCAN will also ensure that the institution saddled with fire fighting

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTBER 1, 2014,

in Nigeria have access to the fire service maintenance fund provided for them in the relevant law.

Experiences have shown that huge fines and prison terms stipulated in the financial services laws do not add much value to the victims of financial institutions mismanagement, therefore INSCAN holds itself out to provide periodic sensitivity/impact assessment report to the financial services regulators in Nigeria on the implications of the various sanctions in the financial services laws on the consumers and the public at large.

Also INSCAN holds itself out to see that lawmakers pass only the laws that preserve the dignity and selfworth of Nigerians reverse the present “police and suspect” atmosphere existing between the financial services regulators and the operators and at the same time promote the efficiency and safety of the financial system.

Nigerian contractors, accountants and consultants are made to provide public liability, employers liability and professional liability insurance whenever they bid for contracts overseas or with the multi-national companies.

Other notable professionals such as engineers, doctors, pharmaceutical companies, electricity companies, oil companies, hospitals, hotels, and a host of other professions and activities where negligence, mistakes, errors etc can cause death, injury, disease or loss of properties to fellow Nigerians also need to put in place the appropriate legal liability insurance cover. As such, INSCAN holds itself out to lead the crusade up to promotion of executive bills to see that these important financial protections are put in place by the affected professionals and companies for the benefit of the eventual victims.

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CE & YOU

Some of the beneficiaries of these MSME and NIRSAL loans are frustrated through market fires, building collapse, weather related risks and death/disability of the entrepreneurs

From left: Deputy Commissioner, Finance and Administration, National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, George Onekhenar,; President, Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) Mr Ayodapo Shoderu and a Past President of NCRIB, Alhaji Teslim Sanusi at the launching of the public enlightenment and consumer protection programme of Insurance Consumer Association of Nigeria (ISCAN) in Lagos.

Non-establishment of public procurement act erodes government’s credibility – Attah

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ational Coordinator o f

Procurement, Observation, and Advocacy Initiative of Nigeria, Mohammed Attah has called on the federal government to establish the National Council of Public Procurement in accordance with the Procurement Act of 2007.

According to Attah, the refusal to establish the Council will continue to erode the credibility of the federal government in the global economy because all the processes followed by government in public

procurement since 2007 till date is illegal.

According to Attah, all what we have in operations are outright stealing of public funds.

Attah said, “The federal government initiated the need for World Bank to conduct an assessment of Nigeria’s procurement system in year 2000, which led to the enactment of the Procurement Act in year 2007.

Surprisingly, since that time up till now, section 1.1 of the law has not been implemented which is that there should be a National Council of Public

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Procurement and that is not in place. So the president, ministers and everybody at the federal level are guilty of that offence which is even an impeachable offence.”

According to Attah, there have been several attempts from government quarters to alter and amend the law but the civil society resisted it by counter and superior arguments.

Attah said, “We have been telling the government that the

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World Bank recommendation which was included in the Act cannot be altered except certain things follow because they are all legal issues. As professionals we have been able to prove to government that they can’t alter the law.”

According to Attah, one of the recommendations coming from government quarters is that the Finance Minister be removed as Chairman of the Council and the President be made Chairman. “We are asking the government questions like, how can they be a judge in their own case? If the President becomes Chairman of the National Council of Procurement, it would be difficult for the procurement body to be independent. The procurement body is supposed to be independent as a quasi-judicial body that carry out implementation which only the high court of Nigeria can try. If there is any case or dispute against anybody there, it is only the high court that you can take it to. As a quasi judicial body they have a right to make pronouncements which is binding,” Attah stated.

He advised that the Council should be made up of groups within the economy such as civil society, professional bodies, government bodies and so on, adding, “If government can be able to influence everybody, they cannot influence the civil society because they are made up of professionals.”

NIA honours Irukwu at 80

BY AMARACHI OBIORA

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From left: Corps Marshall/ CEO, Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi; Director - General, Nigerian Insurers Association, (NIA) Mr. Olorundare Sunday Thomas and Controller, IT/ Research & Statistics (NIA) Mrs. Bola Omole during the courtesy visit by the NIA DG to the new Corps Marshall, FRSC, in Abuja recently

he Nigerian Insurers Association, NIA, the umbrella organisation for all insurance companies in Nigeria recently celebrated Prof. Joe Irukwu who marked his 80th birthday.

Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Nigerian Insurers Association, Mr. Godwin Wiggle described Prof. Irukwu as a leader, teacher, mentor and role model for all practitioners in not only the Nigerian insurance industry, but in the entire continent. He lauded his colossal impact in the industry, pointing out that without his contribution, the NIA may not have been. According to him, the foundation he laid has been instrumental to the Association’s progress. “Prof. Irukwu is an enigmatic leader and trailblazer who scored many firsts in his distinguished career in insurance. His contributions in ensuring a sound, viable, respected and noble profession is unmatched. His contributions at the NIA Governing Council are so inspiring and instructive that members look up to him for guidance, especially when faced with difficult decisions,” he said.

Wiggle also extolled Irukwu’s literary contributions to the industry.

“His scholarly works transcends our borders and have become a light unto the path of many insurers, not only in Nigeria but in the entire continent of Africa,” he stated, describing him as the emporium of insurance history and knowledge.

In his own tribute, past Chairman of the NIA, Mr. Wole Oshin described Irukwu as an inspiration to all in the insurance industry in the continent. According to him, his welcoming personality attracted both the young and old who sought him for his advice on various issues.

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24 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

Governor Fashola’s social engineering in Lagos State (2)

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Royal Exchange shareholders advocate N50bn recapitalisation

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

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hareholders under the aegis of Renaissance Shareholders Association, RSA, have called on the management of Royal Exchange Plc to consider restructuring its business into a Group structure comprising of at least five subsidiaries in view of its recent upgrade to financial institution’s status by the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE. They also called for a well planned recapitalisation of the company to the tune of N50 billion in order to prepare it to face the competition in the new

sector.

In a letter to the chairman of the Royal Exchange Plc, requesting the restructuring and recapitalisation of the company obtained by Vanguard, President of RSA, Amb. Olufemi Timothy, said with the group’s net assets at N9billion, it is grossly inadequate for the subsidiaries to compete effectively and efficiently in order to produce best results among their peers.

He said that the ambition to restructure the company into a Holding Company structure and also recapitalise its operation is achievable gauging from the crop of

gifted, qualified and experienced human resources available in the company.

He stated that the company is no longer an insurance firm, but a full fledge financial institution in the financial subsector of Nigeria’s economy, competing with the likes of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, FBN Holdings Plc, and FCMB Group among others.

“Consequently, we need to prepare, reorganise, and restructure our company ’s business for the competitive challenges. Our company should be restructured into full Group structure having five distinct subsidiaries.

Oteh re-elected AMERC chairperson, pledges better representation

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irector General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Arunma Oteh has been unanimously returned un-opposed as chairperson of the African/Middle East Regional Committee (AMERC) at the 39th annual conference of the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) currently taking place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Oteh was returned as Chairperson to head AMERC for the next two years at the end of the AMERC meeting held during the ongoing IOSCO meeting in Brazil based on the experience she brings as well as the quality leadership Nigeria has provided over the years. By this election, Oteh is to serve on the Executive Committee, the highest decision making organ of the global body for the next two years. Also re-elected were Saudi. Arabia and Egypt.

In her acceptance speech, Oteh said her election as AMERC chairperson was a demonstration of the confidence on her, her team at SEC and Nigeria as a whole. She pledged to be a loud voice representing the

region’s interest and her commitment to ensuring that the region would do its best to uphold the goals and ideals of the global body.

She said, “We believe that our work is very important to IOSCO and that it is very important to the market. One of the things we have achieved in the last two years has been greater inclusion and cohesion. This has not come from the work of the executive alone, but by the work of all of us.

“I am excited about the opportunity given us to lead this committee again for the next two years and we will continue to ensure that our committee is the best in IOSCO”.

Oteh disclosed that there is an increasing focus on the capital market away from banking and finance as banks are still dealing with the challenges of the global financial crisis adding that the challenge for the regulators is to raise an enabling environment that would not increase risk for the investors and operators.

“Capital markets are very critical to the economy of every nation.

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From left: Deputy Managing Director, Synthesis Communications Limited, Agbo Agbo, Co-host of the show, Segun Ogundipe (Laff up); Senior Brand Manager, Maltina, Wole Adedeji and the Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Walter Drenth, at the Maltina Dance All 8 (MDA8) grand finale in Lagos.

he previous week, we looked at some of the things done during Governor Fashola’s time in office in the areas of power supply, water supply, road construction and transportation. There is currently a better understanding in Lagos of what public safety requires given some of the steps taken by the Fashola Administration. Public spaces have been recovered from commercial and other uses to which they were previously put and the spaces are now available for general use.

Gardens, shrubs and trees have been planted at several locations on the highway system, especially at interchanges. Recreational facilities such as basketball courts, football pitches etc have been provided in the recovered areas. There have been substantial changes in Oshodi at the interchange of the Apapa to Oshodi to Oworonshoki Expressway and the Agege Motor Road. The government

transport on the major roads in the Lagos metropolitan area.

Subsequent to these restrictions, the authorities have indicated that there has been a substantial reduction in reported road accidents and crimes in the metropolis. However, there have been complaints that the operators of motorcycles as passenger transport are being denied their livelihood, again a matter of social inclusion for the affected operators.

We must however realize, even if government is unable to say so, that a reduction in the large numbers of motorcycle operators was necessary for our overall safety. With the reduction, the potential for disruption of our daily existence in our communities has been blunted. Once upon a time, one of our political parties made full employment a part of its manifesto. We must therefore pay more attention to the provision of youth employment, affordable housing, an education system that produces

There have been substantial changes in Oshodi at the interchange of the Apapa to Oshodi to Oworonshoki Expressway and the Agege Motor Road.

had to clear trading activities from public spaces, pedestrian walkways and even from the roads leading to improved traffic flows through the area and greater personal safety for anyone passing through the area.

Government action in recovery of public spaces and restrictions on street trading has brought forward cries for social inclusion of persons whose livelihood has been affected by the actions. Traders want to meet with potentials customers ahead of their competitors and where there are shops the primary contact with customers is moved into the street.

Even in the Central Business District on Lagos Island, the authorities have a daily struggle keeping the traders in their shops and away from the pedestrian walkways. The question is can and should everyone have trading space in Mushin, Oshodi and other major bus stops and if yes, how can this be done?

The traffic law has placed restrictions on the use of motorcycles for passenger

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competent persons etc. as social inclusion is the bedrock for the progress of our communities.

The greening of public spaces and a tree-planting campaign are offshoots of the climate change advocacy of Governor Fashola. There has been an annual international conference which would have given policy makers ideas on what to do now and in the future. Climate change clubs have been introduced into schools and this is a very good way of ensuring public appreciation and commitment to climate change mitigation programmes.

The appearance of public spaces has improved with the ban on pasting of posters on walls and fences. Persons seeking public office appear to be currently violating this ban and one wonders whether these persons would take steps to enforce the ban if they should succeed at the elections. Given our consideration of the periods in office of Governors Jakande, Tinubu and Fashola, we would in the weeks ahead present what the next governor of Lagos State should do for us.

CONCLUDED

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014—25

DIARY

zCisco Connect Sun City, South Africa Nov. 2 - 4, 2014 zAfricaCom 2014 Cape Town Covention Centre Cape Town, South Africa Nov 11-13, 2014

•Omobola Johnson, ComTech Minister

Why ICT deserves more A

LTHOUGH Information and Communication Technology, ICT, cannot be given much credit for securing Nigeria’s independence, it has most certainly played an indispensable role in sustaining the country’s political, economic and social independence.

From the time the Global System for Mobile Communications, GSM debuted in Nigeria in 2001, ICT has opened up unprecedented doors of opportunity for the average Nigerian to become an active participant in the global village.

Businessmen can now expand their international frontiers via the internet, making for more buoyant economy. Recall that the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Dr Eugene Juwah, in 2013, declared that Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP, would enjoy up to 15 percent increase from ICT contributions in 2015. A relatively new industry, ICT’s contribution to GDP is now over eight percent.

Beyond its numerous economic benefits, ICT, has been instrumental to the development of nearly every sector. Even in social activism, ICT has revolutionised participation. From ‘Occupy Nigeria’ to the ‘Bring back our Girls’ campaign and beyond, the kind of energy needed to ensure a more accountable government has

The Electric Hybrid Bicycle

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I N S I D E

Vodacom introduces Cloud Technology to tackle IT challenges

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By Prince Osuagwu & Laju Arenyeka

New inventions shaping life and living

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• Eugene Juwah, NCC EVC

NIGERIA @ 54:

Preview

HE electric hybrid eTricks Evolution R01 features a maintenance-free belt drive as well as a 2,500watt electric engine with a pretty good range of 25 miles.

The pedaling speed depends solely on the rider, but the engine promises speeds of up to 30 mph, which is not bad at all for city rides or even off-road expeditions.

The powerful engine and hydraulic suspensions ensure excellent comfort off the beaten track, so don’t be afraid to go a little wild with the eTricks Evolution R01.

• President Jonathan

The singular truth that ICT has been advantageous to Nigeria cannot be over emphasised; what is however becoming a source of concern is the nation’s own approach to the ICT industry

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been given a spring.

More and more, the average Nigerian is more informed, hence, more empowered to participate in shaping the nation’s agenda. The singular truth that ICT has been advantageous to Nigeria cannot be over emphasized.

What is however becoming a source of concern is the nation’s own approach to the ICT industry.

As you are reading this Nigeria is neck-deep in independence celebrations. Today marks the 54th year since the country gained freedom from

British colonial masters.

As usual, several billions must have been mapped out to make today grand.

After all, we are the giant of Africa!

Elsewhere people celebrate technological prowess. That is the way of the new world. America built drones to protect its territorial integrity and possibly help maintain world peace.

Sounds of celebrations of that feat are heard all over the world, particularly in areas where it has pulled down strongholds. Drones are not your every day warfare machines. They are highly technology based.

The hundreds of millions of dollars expended on it may not just only be justified by the services it’s rendering at the moment, but could provide economic stability that generations of Americans to come may be proud of.

In its 2014 budget, the government of the United Kingdom revealed plans to be the best place in the world to invest in new innovative technologies. The budget provided about £60 million, (approximately N 15.3 billion) for new low- carbon innovation which will support carbon capture and storage, CCS, technologies.

That move holds significant potential to reduce the cost of low-carbon generation in the UK. Besides, the UK

Nigeria to finish testing centre for made in Nigeria satellite, 2015

Continues on pg 28

26 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

Rack centre gets new BDD

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seasoned data centre expert, Mr. Howard Pheby has been appointed as Business Development Director, BBD, of Rack Centre Limited. Pheby has over twenty years’ experience in the data centre, Information Technology, IT, managed services and telecommunication industries.

He has built business development teams across the globe including the United Kingdom, Europe, •Pheby New Zealand, Australia and the South Pacific.

Pheby joins Rack Centre from Telehouse Europe where he had responsibility for leading the sales and marketing activities of one of the world’s largest data centre operators. Howard has also held various senior positions with leading IT, Telecommunications and infrastructure companies including IBM, T-Mobile, Colt Telecom, BellSouth and Telehouse Europe.

Rack centre is a state-of-the-art, Tier III Certified data centre offering vendorneutral colocation services. It is a revolutionary solution to the Region’s data centre requirements with future phases taking its capacity to over 6,000 square metres (65,000sqft) of energy efficient and secure data centre space.

Vodacom introduces Cloud Technology to tackle IT challenges

BY PAUL IKUFORIJI

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ODACOM Nigeria, has introduced Cloud computing which is a leading trend in today’s world because of it limitless ability to provide solutions to Information and Communicationb Technology, ICT, challenges.

Although it is a worldwide phenomenon, only a third of Nigerian businesses are currently using Cloud technology. However, as companies establish confidence in Cloud solutions, they will move more of their solutions into the Cloud, but to achieve this, it is important that enterprises partner with a company that has a robust network and relevant skills to deliver the value that the Cloud promises.

According to Vodacom, its enterprise-class Cloud and hosting solutions enable a secure and reliable IT infrastructure that is ready for growth at a 99.982% rate. According to Nkosi Kumalo, Vodacom’s Executive Head of Cloud and Hosting Services, “Cloud is the ultimate place to

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OBILE technology solutions provider, iConcept Limited, was at the weekend given the most coveted award for the Mobile Marketing Company of the Year, at the 10th edition of Nigerian Telecom Awards which took place in Lagos recently. The award recognises the firm's outstanding performances at several mobile marketing and consumer promotional campaigns for top brands in 2013/2014. Some of these successful campaigns include: the Hollandia “refresh and win” promo and the tomtom “go-toBrasil” promo. The award also enhances iConcept’s profile as Nigeria’s leading VAS and mobile marketing company, with a reputation for innovative excellence nurtured over 10 years.

Speaking at the award ceremony in Lagos, Ugo Okoye, managing director, iConcepts, said: “We are delighted to receive this award which recognises a major step forward in our effort to be the best mobile marketing company in subSaharan Africa. This prestigious award is testimony to the unique capabilities of iConcepts Limited in proffering innovative mobile marketing solutions. We are honoured to have been recognized by our industry peers for the work our team has done during this year ’s award, we pride ourselves in running the best and most impactful mobile consumer promos and are elated to be recognized for that."

do Business. Most organisations spend their time managing complex IT delivery however, by adopting Cloud technology, it is more effective in reducing their Total Cost of operation, TCO, and overall productivity. Cloud technology transforms the way we do business."

He made this statement during his speech on 'Utilizing Cloud as a key business tool,' at the CIO forum sponsored by Vodacom Business Ni-

Google challenges education institutions on quality app developers

BY EMEKA AGINAM

iConcepts wins award for excellence

•Working in the cloud

geria in Lagos. Reports show that Cloud uptake is set to explode across Africa. In his keynote presentation, Nkosi Kumalo stated that factors driving Cloud adoption, includes improved connectivity, reduction in IT costs and the retention of key skills.

“Companies can no longer afford to invest too much of their CAPEX into IT infrastructure as this is an expensive, long-term investment.”

Despite this increased interest in Cloud technology across Africa, it is evident that the major adaptation inhibitor is the security of Cloud computing. Responding to queries around Cloud security, Kumalo said; “We have taken care of the fears around security; our solutions are designed to incorporate the very latest in security technology.

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OOGLE’S Developer Relations Manager, Mr. Chukwuemeka Afigbo, has said that if universities produce quality developers, the shortage of locally relevant content on the web will be a thing of the past in Africa. According to him, a lot of the startup tech companies today who are looking to expand their businesses are having issues finding young affordable talent for hire.

“Universities need to produce quality developers because in Africa today, there is scarcity of affordable talent. A lot of the startup tech companies today who are looking to expand from one man developer team to a 3-4 man developer team are having issues finding young affordable talent for hire. This is a challenge that only the universities are in a position to provide a permanent solution to.

This is why we are doing a lot in this area and will continue to do more.”

Afigbo addressed the need for developers to start taking a closer look into designing and building products or apps that take into consideration lifestyle and culture of the Nigerian or African.

He said: “Google for example has provided the platforms like Android and Google Cloud platform, but the question as to how to use these platforms to create solutions that delight and enrich the lives of the taxi driver, the banker, the barber and the musician in Nigeria is

one that can only be answered by the Nigerian developer.”

He also expounded on the role of government in growing the developer space. He said: “The government has already done a lot by either initiating or supporting initiatives like Tech Launch Pad, the DEA Hub among others. I also know that a lot of work has gone into creating a broadband strategy for Nigeria. One area of concern the developer ecosystem needs a lot more support from the public and private sector is the universities. Nigeria critically needs to be producing not less than 5,000 skilled computer professionals every year. At the moment, there are far more jobs available than there are skilled computer professionals.

This is a gap that only the universi-

ties can adequately fill and for this to happen, we need a massive intervention of the public and private sector.”

Speaking on the rationale behind Google’s developer initiatives, Afigbo said: "As you know the internet is very important to Google as the web thrives on content: Websites, mobile apps as well as a variety of services that enable content creators and service providers like entertainers, bloggers, online newspapers, e commerce companies, banks and so on get their content and services across to the end user. This ecosystem is particularly crucial in African countries like Nigeria where there is an acute deficiency of locally relevant content on the web.

Nigerian developers have a big role to play in making the internet relevant.The web is the platform. It is where the majority of software innovation is taking place today.

Google efforts in this space will come along the lines of four things that we are always working to help developers and technology entrepreneurs achieve namely: Design , Develop, Distribute and Monetize.”

With regards to “Design”, the google spokesperson opined that if a product fails at the design stage, it will ultimately fail.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014 — 27

Nigeria to finish testing centre for Made in Nigeria satellite by 2015

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BY EMMANUEL ELEBEKE

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IGERIA will be through with the testing ground for home made satellite by 2015.

The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Abdu Bulama made this promise in Abuja during a familiarization tour to the National Air Space and Research Development Agency, NASRDA and National Biotechnology Development Agency, NABDA. The minister said the proposed construction of Assembling, Integration, Testing and Design Centre, AITDC, is inevitable if Nigeria must actualize the first Made in Nigeria satellite in 2018.

He said that for Nigerian engineers at the Space centre to manufacture locally, there is need for the establishment of the centre to discourage the country from depending on foreign satellites and technologies.

He emphasized the need for the readiness of the AITDC so as to give Nigerian engineers ample time to assemble the first made in Nigerian satellite by 2018.

Bulama who expressed satisfaction with the achievements of the agency, charged the management to pursue the Assembling, Integration, Testing and Design Centre, AIT project with more vigour to actualize the dream by 2015.

The actualization of this

•Satellite in orbit

project would not only facilitate the launching of the first made in Nigerian satellite by 2018 but will bolster the nation’s economic fortunes.

“This project is so dear to us; you must put in all zeal and seriousness towards making it a reality by 2015. The establishment of the AITDC will not only fast-track the process of actualizing the dream of first made in Nigeria satellite by 2018 but will boost the economic development of the economy.

Whatever it will take should not matter but let it be ready by 2015,” he charged the DG of NASRDA. Bulama, who extolled the strides of Nigerian engineers

at the agency, said with the establishment of the AITDC, Nigeria will be better placed to compete globally in space technology.

Similarly, the Minister also at the National Biotechnology and Development Agency, NABDA praised the management of the agency for taking some scientific actions to combat the dreaded Ebola Virus disease in the country.

He said the collaborations of NABDA with international bodies and its research efforts during the height of the EVD epidemics in the country showed how committed and patriotic the agency is to such a national emergency.

Bulama also said science, technology and innovation have proven to be the key components in every developmental plans and strategy of developed nations of the world, urging Nigeria to begin to change the unfavourable perceptions they have against the sector to move the economy forward.

“We must change the negative perception we have about ST&I to develop our nation and be able to lay a good foundation for the future generation. More funding is needed; more structures and equipments need to be put in place to encourage our scientists.

Five Nigerian interconnect carriers record 1bn minutes in WTL-VoIP switches

BY PRINCE OSUAGWU

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gs a b t a l Etisaawards two igerian at N oms telecrds Awa

BOUT five of Nigeria’s intercon nect exchange carriers have been commended for recording over one billion minutes in traffic on the World Telecom Labs, WTL’s 2nd generation VoIP switches.

All five carriers, including Breeze Micro, Exchange, ICN, Niconnx and Solid, according to WTL, were celebrated and presented with a trophy each, at the annual NigeriaCom telecoms conference and exhibition, recently.

Licensed by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, the carriers were established to increase competition and transparency in the Nigerian telecom marketplace. The four leading mobile operators in Nigeria are now all required to divert 10% of their inter-carrier voice and SMS traffic to one of these operators.

The five licensees started offering services at the end of last year initially acting as wholesale interconnect carriers for TDM voice traffic. They are using WTL’s switches to transfer

traffic between the four existing mobile networks. WTL is also helping the operators with their billing systems and the optimisation of voice traffic to increase capacity and reduce costs.

MD of WTL, Leigh Smith, said “what a triumph for the NCC. The benefits of introducing the new carriers are clear: a huge amount of traffic is being taken off the infrastructure of the established carriers in Nigeria thereby freeing up capacity, increasing speeds and reducing latency. In addition, there is greater transparency and openness in the market.”

Jihad Jaafar, CTO of Breeze Micro, said: “The billionth minute is a significant moment for both Breeze Micro and our interconnect exchange carrier colleagues. WTL has been instrumental in our success. Its team of experts continues to be generous in sharing their knowledge and experience which is benefiting both the telecoms market and indeed the people of Nigeria.”

WTL’s range of 2nd generation VoIP and hybrid VoIP/TDM switches have been specif-

ically designed to replace the huge, expensive, maintenance-heavy switches that have traditionally been used to transfer VoIP traffic onto other networks. They are said to be capable of handling 1000s of simultaneous calls. They were awarded second place in the Best Cost Efficiency Innovation category at last year’s AfricaCom awards WTL’s VOIP and TDM voice optimisation services and equipment are being used by a number of operators throughout Africa and the Middle East and have a number of advantages over traditional switches.

The Belgium-based company specialises in VoIP switches and so the switches installed in Nigeria can be easily switched from traditional TDM to VoIP once the existing mobile operators are ready to use VoIP as a means of interconnecting.

Its switches are also said to be simple and easy to run so they don’t need a dedicated, full-time engineer unlike traditional switching equipment.

ELECOMMUNICATIONS company, Etisalat, lived up to its billing at the 10th Nigerian Telecoms Awards last weekend, by claiming two prestigious awards for “Best Brand Campaign” and “Youth Empowerment Telecom Operator of the Year.” The icing on the cake was the “Telecom Entrepreneur of the Year”, won by the Chairman, Etisalat Nigeria, Hakeem Bello-Osagie.

Public Relations Manager, Etisalat Nigeria, Chineze Amanfo, described the awards as a clear confirmation of Etisalat’s commitment to innovation and corporate excellence.

“Since our entry into the Nigerian market in 2008, we have continuously delivered top quality products and services promised to our customers. Our subscriber base in this highly competitive industry now exceeds 19 million,” Amanfo said.

She further explained that creativity is important in almost every decision taken at the organization. “At Etisalat we believe in doing things differently and we are proud of it. We are driven by a desire to add value to the lives of our customers and to build a reliable network” she said.

ATCON hosts telecoms executives' regulator’s forum

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HE Association of Tele communications Companies of Nigeria, ATCON, has announced the 2014 edition of Nigeria’s Telecoms Executives and Regulator’s Forum. The event slated for next Thursday, will hold at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The organizers told Hi-Tech that the “2012 and 2013 editions of the event were very exciting and a huge success as confirmed by the feedback from attendees. we are confident that the 2014 edition will even be better as leading industry leaders would constitutes panel of discussants.” The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Eugene Juwah will present a keynote address which will cover the following sub-themes: “InfraCo as a strategy to achieving open access model,' 'Good Corporate Governance in Nigeria Telecoms Industry- As a Panacea for Survival of Telecom Companies,' among others. ‘’Local Content Policy in Nigeria Telecoms Industry – What is the policy direction?”

28 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

NCC’ll ensure Nigeria’s Telecom services meet global standards —Juwah

BY EMEKA AGINAM

W

HILE vigorously pursuing the broadband deployment intended to address the data gap needed in the industry’s e-business platforms, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah at the weekend reassured Nigerians on focus of the Commission to bring telecoms services to international benchmark standards in terms of service and content.

Juwah, stated this in his remarks at the end of the week long NCC sponsored Tennis Tournament at the Ikoyi Club, Lagos.

He said that although successes have been recorded, the Commission is not unmindful of prevailing challenges in the country.

His words: “The NCC has a primary mandate though it’s regulatory activities to ensure ubiquitous and pervasive telecommunications access for Nigerians and to ensure that these services get to unreached and underserved areas of our country.

Through these mandates, we have gone a long way in translating to reality to signify proportions of Nigeria. Statistically Nigeria has moved from a paltry figure of less than 400,000 epileptic lines in 2001 to over 130million connected lines within internet data services demand are rising astronomically from less than 24,000 connections in 2010 to over 70,000 at present, and even poised to rise further with the rollout of broadband services using fibre across the country which project is well on the road to full implementation.”

Continuing, Juwah said: “Be that as it may, the Commission is not all work and no play and that explains why a fair size of its Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, activities are in the area of sports and recreation because our philosophy believes in maintenance of work-life balance” he explained.

50 physically challenged Nigerians benefit from ICT skills

BY EMMANUEL ELEBEKE

A

BOUT 50 physically chal lenged Nigerians were among the beneficiaries of Information and Communication Technology, ICT essentials organized

by National Information and Technology Development Agency, NITDA, in Abuja recently.

The five-day training organized

by NITDA which comprised of people with different degrees of disability is one of the numerous human capacity development programmes the agency is embarking upon to reduce the ICT knowledge gap.

At the end of the training, each trainee went home with a Zinox laptop.

Speaking on the training, the Director General of NITDA, Mr. Peter Olu Jack, while declaring the training open said the training was designed to mainstream the people with disability into the NITDA’s plan to bridge the digital divided in the country. Jack, who expressed satisfaction with the success and enthusiasm of the beneficiaries at the training said: “Henceforth the training for the physically challenged in our society would now be an annual programme on the NITDA platform.”

He decried what he called lack of social protection for the persons

living with disability, and vowed to lift them from their present state of neglect to the level of ICT skill acquisition status in line with the President Goodluck Jonathan’s agenda.

The NITDA boss explained that the objective of the programme was not only to train the vulnerable ones among in the society but empower them to earn a living for themselves through the application of ICT. “We are not only going to train you without empowering you. We have concluded arrangement to give you one laptop which you can use to take care of yourselves. ICT is one of the sectors of the economy that with one laptop each, you can be employers of labour."

He charged them to be part of the pioneers of the proposed 200, 000 NITDA telecentre, aimed at becoming a one stop shop, where ICT businesses, corner shops and other business opportunities would be available.

Earlier in his remark, the facilitator of the training and President of Global Hope and Justice for the Less Privilege Incorporation, Mr. Paul Ihekwoaba, described the programme as a huge success and a dream come true, saying that the scheme was aimed at reducing poverty and hardship facing Nigerians with disability using ICT. He said the training would not only enhance the living standard of the trainees but go a long way in addressing some of the

•Peter Jack

issues surrounding youths with disabilities, especially in the area of ICT which is pivotal and in tandem with the current global trend in ensuring an all inclusive human development.

“We felt that this training would be a potent tool to address the unemployment facing youth with disabilities and also to challenge them to discover the hidden talents in them so as to be self reliant and less dependent. At the end of the programme ‘ your human capacity must have been enriched and empowered, you can be economically independent at least to a reasonable extent,” he said.

Nigeria @ 54: Why ICT deserves more Continues from page 25 also claims to have invested £21.5 billion (approximately N5.48 trillion) in science, including major investments in eight great technologies in the last couple of years.

Similarly, during the first six months of 2014, almost 31% of German electric power came from renewable sources, mainly wind, biogas, and solar. This is a solid technological foray which cost the country more than 26 billion euros (approximately N5.2 trillion) in investment.

The target is to protect and further attract additional investments into Germany while also planning to invest in other economies. Today, Germany is known as “the world’s first major renewable energy economy.”

But in Nigeria, human and economic resources are threatened everyday by Boko Haram insurgents -a scourge that technology has been identified as a better solution to.

However with a paltry N30 billion proposed allocation to the Ministry of Science and Technology, a ministry that desperately needs funds for research and development, technology solution to certain problems is far-fetched.

Interestingly, there are ready professionals but government support and knowledge in ICT seems to come

in short supply.

As the country celebrates independence today, there may be need to reflect on how technology could be given the freedom to rule Nigeria’s economy.

Every giant instills much fear when awake. But in perpetual slumber, it wouldn’t be surprised if common ants, which ordinarily could not stand the breath from his nostrils, whittle down his powers.

Big Data, cloud’ll change business models, IBM boss

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BY EMEKA AGINAM

LTHOUGH “Big Data” is gradually becoming the world’s largest resource, a range of new technologies from mobile, big data and cloud would transform business models and the way organizations in fast emerging markets like Nigeria use this information to engage their target markets and stakeholder base, the Country General Manager, IBM, Taiwo Otiti has said.

Otiti who disclosed this to Vanguard HiTech at the weekend said that organizations would operate with better insight, predictive and cognitive abilities with the growing adoption of advanced data management, analytics and cloud technologies by Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) and Chief Information Officers (CIOs) across industries and economic sectors.

He said with optimism that if deployed, the resultant operational efficiencies and cost

effectiveness would also transform business bottom lines.

“Notwithstanding the challenging operating environment for businesses in Africa, Nigerians keenly adopt modern technology solutions and services,” Otiti said in response to a question about how well Nigerian banks were deploying advanced tech solutions.

Pointing to emerging trends in the nation’s financial services sector which has seen banks, insurance and stockbroking firms embrace echannels to acquire, engage and retain customers, he said, “Also, the gradual adoption of data analytics, mobile and cloud computing capabilities by Nigerian banks and nonbank financial providers, for instance, will have a positive impact on the national economy, helping these organizations drive up customer satisfaction levels and develop superior financial services.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014 — 29

30 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014 — 31

ISIS threat spreads beyond the Middle East

BY HUGO ODIOGOR, Foreign Affairs Editor

I

F the Islamists jihad groups thought that the world will stand by and watch them enthrone a culture of barbarism and their vile ideology of hatred, then the US led global coalition against ISIS and its affiliates should paint a picture that is larger than reciting the Koran and spilling blood as a form of political expression.

The criminality of those promoting the political face of Islam or pretenders of adherents of the faith that projects itself as believing in peace has come to an unacceptable pitch whether in Africa, Asia the Middle East, or Europe.

Britain has joined the United States, Australia, France and host of other Arab countries that have risen up to confront the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, itching to create a Caliphate in territories that stretches from Northern Iraq to Western Syria. The Islamic group emerged as a pan Sunni group that was fighting to end the repressive ways of the Shiite regime in post- Saddam’s Baghdad.

But its wider agenda is to create a Sunni Caliphate by extracting territories from Northern parts of Iraq and Western parts of Syria has been pursued with mindless bloodletting and elimination of its opponents especially the Shiites and minority Christian groups

Barack Obama acknowledged last week that the US intelligence community under estimated ISIS and the existential threat it posed to regional and global peace. Consequently, its activities have alarmed the entire Arab world especially its initial backers namely: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and United Arab Emirates, which bought the idea that ISIS was fighting to protect the interest of Sunni Muslims.

ISIS began to unleash its own brand of brutality with summary executions of Shiites and minority Christian groups in its controlled territories. It has also been beheading journalists and aid workers to advertise its brutality. ISIS controls a landmass area that is estimated to cover the United Kingdom and it has not hidden its intention to institute full blown Islamic theological state. Men and women who fail to adhere to strict Islamic jurisprudence and codes of behaviours have been executed or subjected to public flogging.

Global anger against ISIS: Since ISIS made its video of executing British aid worker, Mr. David Haines on September 14, the global anger and condemnation, that trailed that action had galvanised international military action against the Islamic state in Iraq and Syria.

Before the beheading of Haines, ISIS had executed American Journalist Mr. James Foley who was captured in No-

,

Taming ISIS in the Middle East may see the Islamist relocate to West Africa where they can overwhelm the weak and mpoverished states in the region with their corrupt security systems

in the territories under its control.

ISIS is a rebel army composed of Sunni jihadi group that calls itself the “Islamic State of Iraq and greater Syria.” Its aim is to establish a theocratic Sunni caliphate in the region which is the global goal of the international jihadist ideology that was spread by Al-Qaeda both in the Arabia peninsula and in the Maghreb. This is the ideology that drives modus operandi of groups like Boko Haram in Northern Nigeria, MUJAO in Mali and Al Shabaab in East Africa, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Haqqani and Taliban in Pakistan and Afganistan.

The ISIS has taken the World by surprise as the US President

,

vember 2012. The second victim was Mr. Steven Sotloff who was captured in northern Syria in August 2013 but was executed in August 2014.

It must be noted that the killings of Foley and Scotloff caused a dramatic change in US public opinion and prompted Americans to support the airstrikes against ISIS in Iraq and in Syria.

Support for President Barack Obama has risen to 71%. That is an increase of 20% from the number of those that supported the airstrikes three weeks ago.

France which participated actively in Libya and Mali expeditions recognised the possible domino effect of ISIS scourge as one out of 10 French citizen

The map of the conflict zone in Iraq and Syria shares the world view of ISIS. Other European countries like Germany, Great Britain, Denmark are equally backing the action against ISIS. Some of these countries have been experiencing the rise in multiculturalism and there are fears that ISIS has been recruiting and radicalizing young Europeans who may return home to unleash terror on their domestic front.

ISIS Strength and Finance ISIS has profited from its capturing of oil well and oil facilities in Mosul, Arbil, Raqqa and other territories that it captured in Northern Iraq from where it steals oil and truck it to Turkey border where the commodity goes into the black market. The proceeds are used to fund the insurgency in the region.

ISIS has also benefitted from funds made available by influential and wealthy Saudi and Kuwaiti citizens who initially bought the idea that ISIS was being formed to reverse the Shiite oppression in Iraq. But with the expanded objectives of ISIS to carve out its own territory, the danger of regional religious conflict in the Middle East is a nightmare.

ISIS is believed to be the richest Islamist group with over $2 billion in it treasury.

ISIS fighters looted more than 500 billion Iraqi Dinar, worth about $420 million during its capture of Mosul in north of Iraq. The funds came from its looting of the central bank in Mosul, where it took about $429 million in cash.

ISIS also controls the oil rich regions of Iraq from where they lift oil and transport to Turkey where they unleash the oil into

the black market. ISIS is believed to receive funding from wealthy Sunni Saudis who financed their insurgency against the parochial Shite led government in Baghdad which marginalized and oppressed the Sunni Arabs.

The role of Saudi Arabia in funding ISIS was highlighted by the Iraq’s Shiite-dominated government which said that Saudi Arabia is responsible “for providing financial and moral support to ISIS”.

In fact Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates and other Arab Gulf States provided ISIS the financial resources as they believed that ISIS was fighting to protect the interest of Sunnis as well as fighting to end the regime of President Bashar al Assad in Syria.

ISIS is believed to have over 10,000 fighters and has so much financial resources to recruit fighters from Arab, Africa and European countries. During its conquest of Mosul, the ISIS fighters captured a lot of US weapons and vehicles.

Having realized the danger which ISIS poses to regional and global peace, the Arab countries that funded the emergence of ISIS are now part of the global effort to crush ISIS and its hate ideology. Saudi citizens now constitute the largest contingent of foreign fighters in ISIS. Most European and Arab countries are afraid that when those fighters come home, to perpetuate acts of terror. On its part, ISIS is shifting its strategy and focus of the war away from regional religious squabble to a confrontation with western counties and values.

Boko Haram and the Maghreb region: Nigeria and other African countries have

been stretched by the wave Islamic insurgency on the continent that it could not participate in the events in the Arab world. The Iraqi troops are the ones conducting the ground battle while the coalition forces are providing the air cover. The possibility of African troops contributing troops to fight ISIS on the ground has not been a subject of diplomatic discussion but it has been observed that weakening ISIS will require a combination of aerial strikes and ground troops to recapture territories taking by the global hate group.

Global hate group Nigerians who under estimate the danger posed by Boko Haram insurgency especially in its capacity to generate support from external sources should study the mode of its operation, in line with what ISIS is doing in Iraq and Syria is not diametrically different from what the Islamist groups in Mali tried to do in Mali where they carved out republic of Azzawad in the Northern part of the impoverished West African state.

Similarly, the Boko Haram sect in Nigeria has become emboldened in its challenge to Nigeria’s sovereignty.

The most simplistic perception of the Boko Haram insurgency is to localize it and treat it in isolation to the global context of jihadist movement.

Taming ISIS in the Middle East may see relocateto West Africa where they want can overwhelm the impoverished and weak and impoverished states in the region with their corrupt security systems.

The world has to pursue ISIS and all the ideological hate groups to the gallows.

32 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

By JACOB AJOM

INDEPENDENCE SPECIA

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Nigerian sport *Eagles

*Eaglets

*D'T

*Egbunike

*Ogunkoya

marvelously, winning five gold, 13 silver and seven bronze medals. In Victoria, Canada the country’s athletes even exceeded that of 1990 with 11 gold medals, 11 Silver and 14 bronze medals.

The country stormed the Barcelona Olympic Games in 1992 with the quartet of Olapade Adenikan, Chidi Imoh, Kayode Oluyemi and Davidson Ezinwa winning silver in the 4 x 100m, while the women led by irrepressible Mary Onyali captured the bronze medal in the same event. Two Nigerian boxers also won silver medals. Chioma Ajunwa also bagged an individual gold in the women’s Long Jump event at the Atlanta ‘ 96 Olympic Games. It was a moment of joy for all Nigerians.

,

rior to Nigeria’s independence in 1960, few Nigerians had taken the international sporting arena by storm, and in the process engrained Nigeria’s name in the sands of time.

The likes of Emmanuel lfeajuna who won a gold medal in High Jump event during the 1954 Commonwealth Games, Hogan ‘Kid’ Bassey who became the World Featherweight Boxing king in 1957 and Richard Ihetu, a.k.a.

Dick Tiger who won the World Middleweight crown and later the World Light Heavyweight crown in the late 50s and early 1960s.

In 54 years, Nigerian sportsmen and women have entrenched the country’s name firmly among the comity of sporting nations.

Sports began to take serious roots in the country in 1963 when the National Sports Commission (NSC) was instituted under late Abraham Ordia as secretary. The 60’s was a period of laying foundation and the only visible achievement was the qualification of Nigeria’s Green Eagles for the Olympic Games held in Mexico in 1968.

In 1973, Nigeria hosted the 2nd All-Africa Games in Lagos and also introduced the National Sports Festival as a way of discovering athletes to represent the country in continental and international meets. The 1970’s also witnessed tremendous achievements. Nigeria’s senior football team won a gold medal in the 2nd All-Africa Games while the country’s contingent to the Games won an overall second position on the medals table. 1976 and 1977 saw the country tasting victories in continental championships through IICC Shooting Stars and Rangers International of Enugu in the Cup Winners Cup Competition.

The country’s record of achievements continued in the 1980s especially in football.

The bronze medals won in 1976 and 1978 in the Africa Cup of Nations was improved upon in 1980 when the Christian Chukwu led Green Eagles won the Cup for the first time in Lagos.

In 1984 and 1988, Nigeria again got to the finals of that championship but lost to Cameroon on both occasions to win the silver medals.

Surprisingly too, Nigeria’s Junior Eagles qualified for the first time to represent Africa in a Junior World Cup in Mexico. Although, Nigeria did not go beyond the first round having lost 0-3 to Brazil she beat highly rated USSR 1-0 and held Netherlands to a goalless draw.

In 1985, the Golden Eaglets, Nigeria’s U-17 football team went to China and conquered the world in the first ever FIFA U-17 World Cup. The victory took Nigerian football to a high pedestal, earning the nation respect. To prove Nigeria’s new found strength in football, the Nations Under-21 team went to Saudi Arabia for the World Cup in 1989 and lost narrowly in the final to Portugal. The “Miracle of Damman”, Nigeria’s victory over USSR after trailing four goals with only twenty- five minutes left, stunned the world.

It wasn’t only football that the country excelled in. Athletics also provided opportunities for splendid performances. Five U.S. based Nigerians won gold medals at the World University Games which took place in Edmonton, Canada: Sunday Uti (400m), Yusuf Ali (long jump), Ajayi Agbebaku (triple jump).

Innocent Egbunike (200m), and Chidi Imoh (100m). Nigeria went to the Olympic games in Los Angeles in 1984 and came back home with a silver medal in boxing through the efforts of Peter Konyegwachie and a bronze from the 4 x 400m male team led by Innocent Egbunike.

There has been a remarkable improvement over the achievements of the 1970s and 80s in the 90s. Chioma Ajunwa’s feat, remains indelible in Nigeria’s history, At the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland, New Zealand, Nigeria performed

F

ootball in the 90’s took Nigeria to greater heights. Between 1990 and 1994, Nigeria won silver, bronze and gold medals in the biannual Africa Cup of

In 54 years, Nigerian sportsmen and women have entrenched the country’s name firmly among the comity of sporting nations

,

Nations competition. The latest victory in 2013 in South Africa came nineteen years after winning the cup in Tunisia.

Before now, BCC Lions FC of Gboko had won the Mandela Cup in 1990 while Shooting Stars Football Club of Ibadan won the maiden edition of the CAF Confederation Cup in 1992. Bendel Insurance FC of Benin also won the CAF cup in 1994 and also added the West African Football Union (WAFU) Cup to her kitty.

VOL. 1 NO 10

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

Creative mind of JSS3 student excites Obiano’s wife — Page 7

*Clay pots used by some villagers to store mud water

Greater Nsukka Water Scheme of endless trouble zNow most residents of the area scoop mud water for domestic use

By CHNENYEH OZOR NUGU— AS the federal and Enugu State governments pass the buck over whose responsibility it is to complete the Greater Nsukka Water Scheme started

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about 40 years ago, South East Voice has discovered that some communities in the area use water scooped from their compounds after rainfall for their domestic needs.

Although the state government has constructed

several boreholes in the area, they were not usually reticulated, making it impossible for the people to get tap water for drinking and other domestic uses.

As a result of the development, those who can afford

ALSO IN THIS EDITION Imo communities face hardship over bridge collapse — Page 3

Ede-Oballa community cries out over failed water borehole project — Page 5 — Page 7

the money, usually construct steel tanks to collect rain water from their buildings for use while the poor ones who cannot afford same, dig holes in their compounds from where they scoop mud water for use.

It was revealed that scooping of such mud water for domestic use was an old practice which was abandoned following massive sinking of boreholes by the African Development Bank, ADB, in conjunction with the old Anambra State comprising some parts of Ebonyi and the new Anambra State in several towns and villages in the area.

Investigations carried out in some communities in Nsukka

showed that those who store mud water in clay pots allow it to sendiment for one or two weeks before drinking same, while some of those who use it for washing clothes often times apply alum to purify it so as not to stain them.

Speaking on the issue, Mr. Ikechukwu Apeh told South East Voice that water was like gold in some parts of Nsukka. ‘’The use of mud water for domestic purposes is not popular now. In the early seventies, almost everybody here drank mud water because, we had no streams or boreholes. Those days, most mothers strive to buy as many clay pots as they could afford as dowry for any of their daughters on their marriage, so that they could store enough mud water that would be used during the dry seasons. ‘’However, these days, some individauls have sunk their own boreholes from where

Continues on page 2 C M Y K

2— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

ABIA

2015: Why Ndigbo endorsed Jonathan for second term, by Nduka Eya …says it is turn of Igbo in 2019

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NUGU—THE immediate past Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nduka Eya, has given reasons why the Igbo endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term of four years in office, although Jonathan had earlier promised to run for one term.

Eya told the South East Voice in an interview in Enugu that although there was no formal agreement between Jonathan and the umbrella association of all Igbo cultural unions over the second term endorsement, “ we were guided by equity, common sense, fair play and justice in arriving at the decision to support him."

According to him, the people of the Niger Delta Region had suffered a lot of deprivations in the power game in the country, before Jonathan came to power.

His words: “In 2011, the Ijaw National Congress, INC, visited us at Ohanaeze and said, look, we are your brothers, and we are being marginalised. We produce oil that has made Abuja what it

,

By FRANCIS IGATA

The many years of military intervention had conferred undue advantage to the north through the barrel of the gun on the rest of other Nigerians

,

is today. Our oil flows from the creeks to North.

“The many years of military intervention had conferred undue advantage to the north through the barrel of the gun on the rest of other Nigerians.

Their decrees were never debated. Some elements in the north want to retain this undue advantage forever.

You remember that when President Umaru Ya’radua was sick, the Senate had to pass the Doctrine of Necessity Act, before Jonathan was sworn in as Acting President.

Greater Nsukka Water Scheme of endless trouble

*Nduka Eya

“Because of the former President’s death, some people are saying, kick Jonathan out. It is our turn to rule. Those saying so do not have conscience, equity and justice in mind. Let us look at how the country has been ruled for the past 54 years. The north had ruled for about 38 years, the South West had 12 years through Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s four years as military ruler and another eight years of democratic rule.

“The north had ruled all

along. Jonathan comes from the side where the hen lays the golden egg. Since when have you heard about an Ijaw man in power apart from Chief Edwin Clark, who was a former federal commissioner for information?

“Naturally, heavens and equity brought Jonathan to power, but some people think he should not contest the election come 2015. Of course, we then put Nigeria in the sequence it had been ruled.

The highest the South East ruled was the six months of

Contractor abandons National Voters’ Registry project in Abia

By ANAYO OKOLI

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MUAHIA—THE multimillion Naira National Voters’ Registry, NVR, Project owned by the National Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, at Ekeoba in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State has been taken over by weeds following allegations that the contractor had abandoned the site.

Foundation for the project C M Y K

which INEC said was very important to its operations was laid about five years ago by the immediate past INEC’s Chairman, Prof.

Maurice Iwu with a promise that it would be ready before the 2015 elections.

The NVR was also to serve as the documentation centre for all INEC documents as well as serve as a reference centre for other vital documents owned by the commission.

When the idea to build the project in the state was

mooted by INEC, Governor Theodore Orji, in his desire to ensure that federal projects in the state, were completed, ensured that lands earmarked for such projects were secured without much problem.

Ironically, the two zonal offices of the Registry in Jigawa and Ogun States had since been completed and functional while the supposed headquarters of the registry was yet to be completed let alone being functional.

Aguiyi Ironsi before Gen. Danjuma knocked him off.

The South South had zero and we call ourselves a Republic?

“Ohanaeze then said no!

The South South had never ruled this country for once and in an unbroken succession, Jonathan should complete his tenure. After the South South, it should be turn of the South East against anybody. Those who have had the pleasure of ruling us for such a long time should step aside for others to produce their own people to rule.

“It is true Jonathan was said to have said he would do only one term. But look at what he has done for Nigeria. Do we want his transformation agenda broken so that another person comes and starts his own? That is why we support him to run for a second term to have his full scale to enable us assess him well when he must have left office.”

The full interview will be published next week. Book your copy now.

South East Voice’s inquiries indicated that the contract was awarded to a zone’s extraction and mobilised to the tune over 85 per cent of the contract sum to ensure that the project was completed as scheduled.

Although the source did not disclose the name of the contractor, he blamed same for allegedly sabotaging a major federal project in the zone to provide jobs and as well as attract more Continues on page 3

Continues from page 1 they sell water in either jerricans, or supply to those who have big tanks for domestic use,’’ he said.

The Federal Government had awarded the Greater Nsukka Water Scheme in 1976 during the administration of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as military president.

Under the scheme which was later taken over by the Jim Nwobodo’s administration in the old Anambra State, water from the Adada River was to be treated and reticulated to most of Nsukka zone because of the perculiar needs of the people.

The World Bank had also stated the need for the water scheme as well as the rehabilitation and expansion of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka water supply under its water resources project in 2007-2008.

However, the project was yet to be completed, forcing the Federal Ministry of Water Resources to take over the scheme again in 2010 even as some officials of the Enugu State government later allegedly connived among themselves and sold the water pipes already taken over by the Federal Government for the job to continue. The pipes had been guarded since the early eighties by the people of Obimo before they were sold.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014—3

ABIA

Abia communities face hardship over bridge collapse

By ANAYO OKOLI

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MUAHIA—OVER 10 rural communities in Ibere Clan, Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State are passing through severe hardship following the collapse of the only bridge that connects them.

The Itunta/Elemaga Bridge which links the rural farming communities collapsed recently on account of old age.

Some of the communities affected by the collapsed bridge are rich in cocoa. They have therefore appealed to the Abia State government to come to their rescue.

Residents of the communities told South East Voice that, they had been facing

Contractor abandons National Voters’ Registry project in Abia Continues from page 2 developments to the people of the zone.

“Blame your people for the abandonment of the project.

This project would have been of immense benefit for the people in the zone, but, unfortunately the contractor has abandoned the project. ‘’The South East Governors should also ask questions on why this important project in the zone was abandoned. If it is sabotage, let them expose those involved as well as bring the contractors to book.

This attitude of working against our own interest must stop,” the source said.

*The collapsed bridge serious hardship since the collapse of the bridge which they said was very vital to their economic well being, as they could no longer transport their farm products to the urban areas to sell.

They said that their income had ben dwindling as they could only sell farm products locally unlike when they conveyed same to the urban

areas.

Worried by the people’s plight, the member representing the area in the Abia State House of Assembly, Mr. Chukwuemeka Osoagbaka brought the problem to knowledge of the House, lamenting that the collapsed bridge was strategic in the economic life of the people.

“The Itunta/Elemaga Bridge connects 10 communities to their kits and kin in other communities but with its collapse, my constituents are finding it pretty difficult to evacuate their farm produce to urban centres,” Osoagbaka said.

He therefore appealed to the House to intervene

urgently to save his people from further agony.

Cosequently, the House then directed the State Ministry of Works to as a matter of urgency, carry out palliative work on the collapsed bridge before full reconstruction work on it would start.

Igbo World Assembly's gathering in Awka A

WKA—A meeting of the Igbo World Assembly, IWA, has ended in Awka, the Anambra State capital.

IWA is an umbrella association of all Igbospeaking people in the Diaspora.

Speaking at the opening assembly with the theme, “Achieving sustainable security for Ndi-Igbo,” IWA President, Dr Nwachukwu Anakwenze, called for the conduct of a credible census in Nigeria.

Anakwenze said that the country had been operating on falsified and inflated population figures from the colonial times, pointing out that a credible census was necessary for fairness and equity for all the citizens.

He also called for the restructuring of the country based on regions or zones by implementing the key recommendations of the just concluded National Conference, to ensure true federalism.

His words, “We need a Nigeria political structure that is based on equity, fair play, balance and equal access to political power for the good of all

Nigerians.

“The Igbo is the largest ethnic group not only in Nigeria but in Africa, but regrettably, the people had always been short-changed in the scheme of things.

“We need to have elected and appointed federal offices commensurate with the large size of the Ndi-igbo as the

largest ethnic group.”

Anakwenze however, urged the people to collaborate and co-operate with other ethnic groups, to realise their ambition of producing a president for the country.

In his comments, the National President of the umbrella association of all Igbo cultural organisations,

Ohanaeze Ndigbo,Chief Gary Igariwey, commended members of IWA for attending the occasion from all over the world.

He said that Ohaneze would make a categorical pronouncement on its position on the 2015 presidential election.

IWA stakeholders during the meeting in Awka.

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EBONYI after being earmarked.

The sites identified in Ebonyi State include: Okposi Salt Lake in Ohaozara Local Government Area; Isinweze Wa t e r- f a l l s , Macgregor Hill in Afikpo North, Achiogba Water Falls and the Ekoli-Edda in Afikpo South; Abakaliki Greater Rice Husk (Abakaliki Rice Mill) in Abakaliki, Amanchor Cave, Etiti-Edda in Afikpo South; the Golden Sand Beaches, Unwana, Afikpo North, the Ndibe Beach as well as the Slave-Route, Amazu, all in Afikpo-

*A cave in Ebonyi State

Ebonyi’s long wait for tourists sites’ devt

By PETER OKUTU

A

BAKALIKI—THE idea behind the carving out of tourist sites in any state is for

the people, especially foreigners to identify, share, celebrate and explore the rich natural or cultural endowments in the particular environment.

However, none of the tourist

sites in Ebonyi State which would have been money spinners for the state has been developed as they were still awaiting the attention of both the state and federal governments several years

North Local Governemt Area.

They also include the ancient Stone Mortar, Amana, Ezza Ndiche in Ezza South; Uburu Salt Lake, Uburu; Ishiagu Pottery Works in Ivo; Oferegbe Beach; Ultra Modern Golf Course in Abakaliki; the Abakaliki Green Lake, Ogba Nweke Lake, Onicha, Ezzillo Green Lake, Ishielu, Afikpo, Iyeke and Ehoma Lake, Afikpo, Libolo Valley, Edda, Afikpo, the scientific Rolling Hill Edda in Afikpo South as well

Ede-Oballa community cries out over failed water project

as the the Awambede Water Falls in Ebonyi River, Idembia, Ezza South Local Government Areas.

However, some of the tourist sites including the famous Azugwu Hill near the College of Agricultural Science, CAS, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki are now said to have become the hideouts for notorious criminals in the state.

The hill, originally known as Ugwu Elom Onele served several purposes apart from tourism as the site also known as Juju Hill is now occupied by criminals.

An eye witness (name withheld) who was at the hill for prayers on a certain night said he was attacked by some boys who insisted that their victim came to spy on them.

South East Voice gathered that his only saviour was that he was able to convince his assailants that his objective for the visit to the site was for prayers.

With over 21 tourists sites not yet developed to enhance the Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, of the state, people are now said to be apprehensive that these sites were already serving as sanctuaries for criminals even as they called for urgent steps to be taken to develop such gifts of nature.

The state Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Chief Hyacinth Ikpor, however, said that the government was working assiduously to ensure the development of the sites even as he appealed for Federal Government assistance in the project.

ENUGU

...says school building on verge of collapse

By FRANCIS IGATA

*Abandoned Ede Oballa Water Scheme

E

NUGU—RESIDENTS of Ede-Oballa Community in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State are now grumbling over the poor handling of two water boreholes in the area, leading to acute shortage of water in the community.

One of the bore-holes was allegedly constructed by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources in 2007 while the second one was drilled by the Nsukka Local Government Council, during the administration of Chief Dan Ugwuja, aka Danny Gold as chairman.

The Federal Government project, said to have been constructed as a constituency project of a National Assembly member from Nsukka Senatorial District reportedly packed up soon after it was commissioned as

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*Sign board of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources near the bore-hole

the contractors were alleged to have used a tanker to pour water into the overhead tank for water to just flow few minutes before the flag off ceremony in 2007.

South East Voice disco-

vered that the federal project, located very close to the residence of the Chairman of the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in the state, Chief Vitta Abba stopped functioning even before those

who performed the commissioning ceremony got to their various destinations on the fateful day and had not functioned since then.

The semi-urban community situated about three kilometres away from the university town of Nsukka had two failed water bore-hole projects in the area.

South East Voice spoke to a native of Eduku, in Ede-

Oballa who was close to shedding tears while narrating the story.

It was discovered that the water bore-holes which were also just beside the Central Primary School, Ede-Oballa, had been overtaken by grasses.

Lamenting over the issue, a septuagenarian, Mr.

Continues on page 5

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IMO

Pain, problems force Imo community to pray against rainy reason

*Community market

Ede-Oballa community cries out over failed water project Continues from page 4 Alphonsus Agbo, aka Ringo Star, asked both the Nsukka Local Government and the Enugu State government to quickly come to their aid following the acute hardship induced by the dysfunctional water bore-holes in their area by prevailing on the Federal Ministry of Water Resources to complete the project.

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

E

ven as most people all over the world rejoice and pray for prolonged rain to ensure good agricultural yields, is there any where the indigenes do not pray for a prolonged rainy season? It is the people of Ibeme community in Isiala Mbano local council area of Imo State. They are the unhappiest people in the world each time it is rainy season.

This is because they pray fervently for rainy seasons not to come following the numerous problems they go through during such periods.

One of the problems include, accessing their ancestral homes at the peak of the rainy season.

South East Voice learnt that the coming of the rainy season gives the people serious concern as most of their homes become flooded.

Some villagers who spoke on the issue said: “We cannot thank South East Voice enough for taking the risk to come to this area and experience what we pass through during the rainy seasons. You have seen that this road is awful and we wish you will bring this to the knowledge of the government,” one of them, who simply identified himself as Tony, lamented.

According to Tony, any villager wishing to travel to Owerri, the Imo State capital should not have had any need to get to Amaraku, if not that the entire stretch of UgiriUmueze-Orie UmuonyeoguAfor Ibeme-Umuoke-Amaimo road to Amaimo is very bad.

“Some portions of the road near the Afor Ibeme market is seriously waterlogged.

Commuters now drive

Residents lament “This water bore-hole project was erected in 2007. I am talking about this one with an overhead tank. It was attracted to our area by one of the members of the National Assembly from this zone. The second one without an overhead tank was done by the former Chairman of Nsukka Local Council, Chief Ugwuja.

“The one done by the federal law maker dispensed water for less than one week and parked up. Since then it has not functioned.

As you can see, grasses have taken over the place because it is not in use. All the water bore-holes in our community are dysfunctional.

“We now resort to well water for both drinking, domestic, agricultural purposes.

Most people too, patronize water tank vendors. We have not seen the benefit of these water bore-holes. They failed on arrival and this has brought untold hardship to our people.

“If you go to Ede-Oballa Central Primary School, the entire roofing structure has been eaten up by termites. It is on the verge of collapse as we speak. If Government will come to our aid, we will also be glad.”

*Abandoned Imo roundabout

Imo roundabouts of deaths, fear

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

C

onstruction of roundabouts has become a palpable fashion of sorts since Chief Rochas Okorocha assumed office as the

governor of Imo State. This feature can be found in Owerri, Orlu, Okigwe and rural Amaraku in Isiala

Continues on page 7

through the premises of either the Development Primary School or St. Rita’s Catholic Parish, Ibeme,” Tony recounted.

It was however noticed that although Ibeme Autonomous Community Government Council established by Governor Rochas Okorocha, is close to this waterlogged segment of the road, nothing had been done to ameliorate the sufferings of the people.

“You can see that Community Government Council, CGC, secretarait is itself, covered by weeds.

Despite being very close to the deluge, the officials of the council have so far done nothing to ameliorate the suffering of the masses. This has made nonsense of the CGC,” he added.

A woman, who claimed to be a native of the area but married to a family in Atta, Ikeduru, Mrs. Tina Iwuala, also expressed regret that “most villagers find it extremely difficult to come home, especially during the rainy season.”

She then appealed to the state government to save the community suffering by making the road motorable.

REACH US DO you have any news of neglect or abandoned projects or your representative at the local, state or federal governments are not representing you well?

Do you have unique cultural activities coming up or any community news to tell us?

Emeka Mamah (Co-ordinator): 08033218645 Austin Ogwuda(Enugu): 08037136440 Francis Igata 08033387069 Vincent Ujumadu(Awka): 08035804090 Anayo Okoli(Umuahia): 08034046839 Chidi Nkwopara(Imo): 08033391108 Peter Okutu (Abakaliki): 08032680756 Chinenyeh Ozor (Nsukka): 08185664011 Nwabueze Okonkwo (Nnewi): 08037794782 Enyim Enyim (Onitsha): 08169297179 Or: e-mail us: easternvoice@yahoo.com

6 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

2013. He had believed that this could be the time for the governor to reciprocate by anointing him as the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, flag bearer in the forthcoming gubernatorial election. However, going by the party’s zoning policy, the position could elude the Speaker as he hails from the same Ukehe in Igboetiti Local Government, which produced the first governor of the present Enugu State and former National Chairman of the PDP, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo.

Apart from Nwodo, Dr. Okechukwu Itanyi who is also from Ukehe served as the state Deputy Governor for eight years under Chimaroke Nnamani, just as his late father, Duke Itanyi served as the Majority Leader when the defunct Nigeria People’s Party, NPP, was in power during the Jim Nwobodo’s administration in the old Anambra State. The three positions were held by the various occupants in trust for the people of Nsukka zone or Enugu North Senatorial District where the governorship position was zoned to.

The governor had during a PDP stakeholders meeting in 2012 at Nike Lake Resort Hotel asked all National Assembly members who had served two terms to jettison the idea of recontesting come 2015 and also zoned the governorship seat to Enugu-North senatorial district on the principles of equity.

Chime’s alleged position had however, pitched him with Ekweremadu who represents Enugu-West Senatorial District as the later insisted that there was no written agreement on *Ike Ekweremadu zoning in the state.

Meanwhile, one of the goverAbuja. for eight years was relying on norship aspirants, Senator Ayogu South East Voice noticed his unalloyed support and Eze, has rejected the adoption that the posters of the two as- loyalty to Governor Sullivan of Ugwuanyi, saying that he was pirants had dotted the streets Chime of the state as ambushed during consensus of both Enugu and Nsukka evidenced in his position meeting. urban areas. during Chime’s protracted Odo, who had led the House vacation on health grounds in

ENUGU

BY FRANCIS IGATA

E

NUGU—The lull which had prevailed in Enugu State politics ahead of the 2015 general elections seems to have given way following the adoption of Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as the consensus candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Earlier, only two aspirants had openly indicated their interest in the governorship race in the state.

The aspirants include the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Eugene Odo and the incumbent a former Commissioner for Environment during the administration of Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani in the state, Mr. Chinedu Onu. Onu who is a member of the board of trustees, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFUND, is widely believed to be backed by the Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu just as Odo’s supporters claim that he was the right candidate for the job.

Apart from the two, sources also indicate that the Awgu people in Enugu West had concluded plans to support one their own in the person of Anayo Onwuegbu, aka

Enugu 2015: Aspirants flood streets with posters

*Sullivan Chime Omeihe-Ukwu, a leader of a PDP faction in the state and governorship aspirant, whose case against Governor Chime over the results of the 2011 election in the state was still pending in various courts at

Reps lifeline to indigent students

BY FRANCIS IGATA

N

SUKKA—THE member representing Igboetiti/ Uzo Uwani Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Princess Stella Ngwu has given scholarship to 10 indigent students as well as bursary to 200 others in both secondary and tertiary schools in her constituency in Enugu State.

Ngwu also said that she had ‘’a cordial relationship with my constituents,’’ as she had ‘’done a lot for them already to justify the confidence they reposed in me by giving me their mandate.’’

Narrating some of the projects she had attracted to her constituents while commissioning some of them, she said, ‘’I distributed 3000 SPG petrol Generators (Firman) to 36 PDP ward chairmen as well as 2900 SPG petrol Generators to 36 PDP ward secretaries in the constituency. ‘’Apart from this, I also, distributed 3000 SPG petrol Generators (Firman) to

local government party secretaries, vice-chairmen, and treasurers as well as sewing machines to 36 ward and local government women leaders.’’

Other poverty alleviation materials distribued included over 120 sewing machines to indigent constituents nominated by party and community

Students queueing to collect their bursaries

Hon.Ngwu

stake-holders across the constituency, 120 grinding machines and over 72 wheel barrows to indigent constituents.

They also included over 72 barbing kits with Tiger Head generator each to indigent youths.

Ngwu who attracted five motorized and solar powered water boreholes at Akiyi U m u l o k p a , Nkpologu, Ugbene Ajima, Nimbo,

Adani which were now functional, added that she further collaborated with the SuperSports to train over 600 junior secondary school students from the entire state on outdoor games under the Supersport-Let’s Play Again programme.

According to her, customized football and sports kits were given to all the participants at no cost after their training.

Ngwu further stressed that she had given ‘’cash and materially empowered indigent widows nominated by each of the 27 traditional rul-

ers in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area apart from organizations like Customs, Civil Defence and ministry of works among others.

Altogether, ‘’I commissioned, in various communities in Igbo-Etiti, four functional water bore-holes, about 120 solar street lights and five 500KVA electric transformers.

There are other on-going projects. I will in due course, commission similar projects in some communities in Uzouwani including over 100 solar electricity transformer,’’ she added.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014—7

ENUGU

BY FRANCIS IGATA ENUGU—Iji-Nike and Aluulu communities in Enugu-East Local Government Area of Enugu State are groaning under the adverse effect of flooding each time it rains in their areas.

These communities which are among those that makeup Enugu metropolis which have had their livestock, buildings and households submerged whenever it rained due to lack of channelization of flood water or drainage system.

South East Voice discovered in the areas that several houses, factories and livestock had been washed off this year, leaving the residents in agony.

The Manager, Vitouch Technology, Mr. Chidiebere Ekete, whose company is located few metres away from Nike-Lake Resort Hotel said, “We mould interlocking tiles, pavements and culverts, among others. Each time it rains, our factory will be submerged.

“Look, we tipped 16 heaps of sand two days ago. The flood has washed the sand off.

Over 100 bags of cement in the factory have also, been

*showing the submerged VITOCH TECHNOLOGY Aluulu Nike

Enugu-Nike communities count losses over flooding *I lost over N1.5 million —victim destroyed. The flood has carried away the moulders we use for the interlocking.

“The situation is pathetic

Imo roundabouts of deaths, fear Continues from page 3 Mbano local government area of the state.

While the roundabout at Amaraku has turned to a death trap for motorists and pedestrians, the one located at Imo State University Junction has been recording periodic road traffic crashes.

Apart from being of the legacies of the Okorocha administration, another special attribute of this roundabout is that it is located midway down a long slope.

Many heavy duty trucks, fully ladden with chipping and other types of goods, had in times past, experienced brake failure and ultimately crashed into buildings, crushing people waiting for commuter buses or fell on their own and spilling their content on the road.

Not long ago, a commercial tricycle operator and native of Oboro Amurie in Isu local council area of the state, Mr. Joseph Njoku, fell into the uncompleted gutter close to this roundabout and drowned. This late tricycle operator and father of four, wanted to pull his equipment out of the fast flowing flood water but ended up being swept away by the angry flood. He has since been buried.

Only last week, another fully loaded truck crashed into a restaurant killing so many people in the process. Some victims were reportedly trapped under the belly of the heavy truck till the next day, when the vehicle was finally pulled away.

Many people have been calling for the removal of the roundabout. Some others wondered if “a blood-sucking demon was planted in or around the roundabout”. A student of IMSU called it “the Golgotha of Imo State”.

Commiserating with members of the bereaved family, Chief Ikedi Ohakim lamented that Njoku’s was “a great tragedy”. He recalled that the man could have lived if “the roundabout, which was not properly planned were not there.

and perennial. I believe there is a blockage in the drainage system somewhere. It is beyond what any individual can salvage. We have

approached the council administration for help but to no avail.

“I cannot understand the essence of government if it is

not responsive to our yearnings. It is a very pitiable situation. I lost over N1.5 million to this flood and I am still counting. The government should please assist us.

They talk of growing entrepreneurship but the ones that we started with our widows are allowed to die due to lack of planning. I do not know who to turn to.”

Officials of Enugu East Local Government were reluctant to comment on the matter as according to them, it was the duty of Enugu State government.

ANAMBRA

Creative mind of JSS3 student excites Obiano’s wife

*Chidera Nwamili displaying his work

By Vincent Ujumadu

A

wka- THE wife of Anambra State governor, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano has given hope to a Junior Secondary School student whose creative mind excited her.The JSS 3 student, Master Chidera Nwamili received cash donation from the Anambra first lady who also directed authorities of the ministry of education to monitor his development and brief her regularly for possible support to him.

Master Nwamili, who hails from Ebonyi State and lives with one Mrs. Augustina Azie, is a student of Ojoto Boys Secondary School in Idemili South local government area of the state. While on tour of Idemili South local government area of the state, Mrs Obiano saw the student displaying a house he constructed with thick paper and noted that for exhibiting such creativity at his age, he needs to be encouraged.

Specifically, she directed that the progress of the boy in school should always be reported to her and assured that her office would assist in helping the boy realize his ambition.

Nwamili, who said he would like to become an Architect, explained to the governor’s wife that he was motivated by the drawing he saw in his General Mathematics book and decided to replicate it.

He said: “When I saw the picture of the

house in the book, I said to myself that I can construct it. I gathered cartons, wires and broken glasses and used them to construct the house. My foster mother, who was delighted at the work, encouraged me to present it to the governor ’s wife during her visit to our local government and I am very happy that the first lady likes it.”

Nwamili said that construction of houses has always been his hobby and hoped that he would continue to improve until he becomes a qualified Architect.

Mrs. Azie, his foster mother, said she met Chidera’s parents who came to farm in Ojoto, her community and pleaded with them to allow the boy live with her, adding that he has shown that he is a genius.

Azie said: “Chidera was not schooling at that time, but because I saw a great future in him, I encouraged him to go to school and he has proved that he is very intelligent. He is homely and takes to advice and I have no regrets taking him as my child.

“My prayer is that he will get necessary support to enable him develop his wonderful talent.”

8—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

ANAMBRA

Youths move to resolve Atani Igweship squabble with Okpotu carnival

BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO

O

NITSHA - Worried by the protracted Igweship imbroglio currently plaguing Atani Community in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, youths in the area, under the aegis of Atani Youths Association, AYA, last week waded into the matter by organizing what they called “Okpotu Annual Cultural Carnival”, with a view to bringing a lasting peace and harmony in the area.

This year ’s annual event which was the second of its kind, was single handedly sponsored by the member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Victor Ogene, for sole purpose of bringing all the warring parties in the dispute together, for a possible amicable settlement.

Among the three factions laying claims to the disputed stool include Chief Anthony Ngodi from Umudaike Village, Atani and a member of Group B; Chief Nnamdi Azaka from Aloji Umuekeke Village, from Group A and Chief Idowu Uzor, a retired banker.

In his speech at the ceremony, the President of AYA, Casmir Izukanne, said that the youths were tired of the Igweship crises which had slowed deveopmental activities over the years in the area, adding that the cannival would be used to unite all the factions, hence all of them were duly invited to the occasion.

Masqueradesentertaining Atani people during the cannival Izukanne, however, noted that the youths apart from the three belligerent groups, all the political parties and town union leaders would be approached in due course to help in resolving the dispute.

Also, in his comments, the Chairman of Ogbaru Local Government Area, Chief Victor Agolue, regretted the situation in Atani which was the centre and headquarters

*Another masquerade entertaining the crowd

of the local government, adding that the local government administration would play prominrnt roles that would bring about amicable resolution of the chieftaincy dispute. Agolue spoke through his Special Assistant, Mr Peter Okala.

He stressed that the community which had illustrious sons like Prof. Ben Nwabueze, could not afford

to be enmeshed in any kind of leadership crises, pointing out that the council was proud to be associated with the action of the youths, through the carnival.

Earlier in his speech, the Councillor representing Osomala Ward, Francis Ojini, had commended Ogene for sponsoring of the cannival as well as the training of more than 300 youths at various skill acquisition centres since he was elected in 2011, adding that the youths would support him for a second term in 2015.

The chieftaincy crisis erupted earlier this year in the area following an alleged selection and presentation of one Anthony Ngodi from Umudaike Village, Atani to the local government officials for onward transmission of his name to the state government for recognition as the new Igwe-elect of the community.

A cross section of the community known as Atani Group ‘B’ led by the incumbent President-General of Atani Development Union, ADU, Dr. Nwike Okwuosa, supported by Prof Nwabueze allegedly

presented Ngodi to the council officials as their new Igwe-elect, but this did not go down well with another section of the community who identified themselves as Atani Group ‘A’ as their own elders mobilized themselves and stormed the local government secretariat on a counter visit.

The Group A leaders also carried placards, protesting against the alleged presentation of Ngodi as their new Igwe-elect.

Reacting to the development in a telephone interview, the President General of ADU, Mr. Okwuosa, said he was neither a traditional prime minister of Atani, nor a king maker, but only, adding that he was only invited by the stakeholders to accompany them to the local government secretariat for the presentation of the new Igwe-elect.

Prof. Nwabueze who happens to have come from the controversial B Group, could not be reached for comments on the matter just as one of his aides who was contacted, declined to speak for him.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014 — 33

AL EDITION

ts at 54 *Ajunwa

Tiger

*Onyali In 1994, Nigeria qualified to represent Africa in a senior World Cup for the first time and did it in grand style. She won her first World Cup match and advanced beyond the first round in her first attempt. Although the Eagles lost in the second round to eventual finalists Italy, they stunned the world with their brand th of football and were ranked 5 globally

by FIFA. That remains the highest attainment by an African team to date.

Suddenly, Nigerian stars became the toast of big football clubs all over the world.

The Golden Eaglets in Japan won the FIFA under -17 championship making her the first country to achieve such feats.

Nigeria with four titles and three runners up positions, holds one of the best records in this age grade tournament.

She has won the tournament on four occasions: 1985, 1993, 2007and 2013 and runners up on three occasions: 1987, 2001 and 2009.

Nigerian football bounced back to global reckoning when in Atlanta 1996 Olympics, the country’s football team won the gold medal, thus becoming the first African country to achieve that feat. At the Beijing Olympics, the Samson Siasia tutored team got to the final but were stopped by a Lionel Messi inspired Argentina side.

T

he country’s senior football team, the Super Eagles have had fluctuating fortunes in continental and world football.

Between 1994 and 2014, the country qualified for the World Cup France ’98, Korea/Japan 2002, South Africa 2010 and lately Brazil 2014. On all these occasions, only the 1994 and 2014 World Cups did the country crossed the first round. Italy stopped Nigeria in the second round in 1994, while France did the same in 2014.

Nigeria has also produced great sports stars like Hakeem Olajuwon in Basketball, Nduka Odizor in lawn tennis,

Mike Okpara(Power Mike), a former world wrestling champion, Atanda Musa, Rashidi Yekini, Stephen Keshi, Richard Owubokiri, Nwankwo Kanu, Sunday Oliseh, Austin Jay Jay Okocha, Mary Onyali, Falilat Ogunkoya, Chioma Ajunwa, the list is endless, who have made the nation proud these 54years.

The country’s male basketball team also qualified for the Olympics for the first time in 2012. At the London Games, the basketball team, like the entire Team Nigeria, *Okagbare did not do well.

Nigeria returned from London without a medal.

But the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, this year marked a turning point. Nigerian sportsmen and women gave the country reason to cheer at the Glasgow Games when they finished in eighth position, winning 11 gold, 11 silver and 14 bronze medals, surpassing their former outing in New Delhi, India.

It must be noted that the most outstanding athletes for the country have been women. Blessing Okagbare, like her predecessors, the Onyalis, Ogunkoyas, among others, carries the weight of Nigeria’s expectations in almost every international sports meet in recent times.

One cannot conclude the growth of Nigeria’s sports without the mention of special sports. The country’s special athletes have been spectacular in almost every competition they have taken part in. They deserve a special place in the annals of Nigerian sports.

I

n spite of these successes, the country’s sporting world has tasted setbacks, disappointments and tragedies. Nigeria football suffered a major setback in 1977 when Nigeria’s Godwin Odiye’s own-goal stopped the country from attending her first World Cup competition in 1978. Other disappointments were in 1981 and 1989 when Nigeria was stopped by Algeria and Cameroon respectively under painful circumstances.

In 1989, FIFA sledgehammer fell on Nigeria and she was subsequently banned for two years from participating in age grade competitions due to discrepancies in ages of players who had played for Nigeria.

The Seoul Olympics of 1988 was another disaster for Nigerian athletes. Again like in 1980, the

athletes came back without a single medal. Worst still was the Green Eagles team which had gone to the games as favorite but completely lost out. The death of Dele Udoh, Nigeria’s most promising 400m gold medal hopeful in 1979 took the sports community in Nigeria by surprise.

He was killed by the police in a checkpoint in Lagos when he came home from the USA to participate in an athletics meet.

Also in 1979, a clash between supporters of IICC Shooting Stars FC of lbadan and Bendel Insurance of Benin after a challenge cup semi-final match in Lagos in which the Benin team lost 0-2 led to the death of twentysix people. It was tragic. Another tragedy that hit the soccer world was the death of a patriotic soccer star, Sam Okwaraji who slumped and died at the national stadium in a World Cup qualifying match against Angola. It was a horrifying experience as Nigerians had begun to appreciate not only the football skills of the late player but his patriotic zeal which were unparalleled.

Tragedy again struck the country when players and officials of lwuanyanwu Nationale, now Heartland of Owerri returning from a continental engagement were involved in a plane crash. Two players - Animnwosa Omale and Uche Ikeogu with three crew members lost their lives while many others were seriously injured.

Kayode Oluyemi, a member of the Nigerian silver winning team at the Barcelona Olympics was involved in a ghastly motor accident which claimed his life while Sunday Uti another great athlete is ruled out of sports for life as he had a broken leg. The setbacks of Nigerian sports these past 54 years notwithstanding, Nigeria has remained a darling nation to sports lovers all over the world.

MTN presents N20m to Kano, Yola Polo tournaments

P

assionate as ever about the game of polo in Nigeria, MTN, at the weekend, presented a cheque of N20 Million to Kano and Yola Polo Clubs in the just concluded MTN 2014 international polo tournaments in the two ancient kingdoms.

The Kano presentation that held at the Usman Dantata Polo Ground on Sunday was one of the major highlights of the exciting polo event that was decided over two weekends of top class polo game.

A cheque of N15 Million was handed over to the club officials at the ceremony.

Interestingly, the MTNsponsored international tournaments that took place simultaneously in Kano and Adamawa states, also saw Yola Polo Club benefiting from the sponsorship support to the tune of N5 Million.

34 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014 —35

In terms of programming, is there any special consideration to the women?

The programs are not directed to women. Traditionally, the woman is the one who gets to stay at home so she has time to watch.

Our programs are targeted at both male and female and we have lots of shows that the men also watch. We do not produce with the mind set that it is just the women who watch TV. We have a general standard concerning qc, so when we look at a program and find things that may be offensive, we either do not take it or we ask the producer to cut it o f f .

W e show lots o f move is that have

Being world class does not restrict you from being local — Wangi Mba -Uzoukwu, Regional Director, M-net Africa WANGI Mba-Uzoukwu, Regional Director, M-Net Africa, makes business strategy appear easy. Perhaps this is attributable to having worked successfully over many years in Business and Media strategy, occupying top management positions with various multinationals.

Emphasizing the strength of Africa Magic by redefining viewers’ experience, she takes Africa Magic to a level where people can identify with what they view. As a she focuses on shaping the local content agenda to ensure that Africa Magic remains on top of their game, she speaks about her aspirations, inspiration and why marketing relies on the same principles regardless of the product’s nature. Excerpts:

W

HAT is your definition of the world class entertainment?

World class entertainment is apparent in what we do. When watching any African magic channel, you get a sense of what it is about. Basically, it’s doing what we do as Africans which is similar to what other people in the world do. So, we are doing something similar to what others are doing in the developing countries right here in Nigeria and sometimes even at a better quality.

Local content It is an entertainment that cuts across borders because if you sit watching an African magic channel anywhere in the world, it connects with you.

Why is that so important, what happens to local content?

World class is not, ‘not local content’. Local content is showing programming that connects with people speaking their own language. It is based on our culture which can be delivered on a world class platform. Being world class does not restrict you from being local. So we are bringing local quality entertainment, engaging content that is relevant to our language and culture, our lifestyle, stories that are about Africans for Africans; we are bringing it in a way that when you watch it, the story is clear, the audio and visuals are strong.

The regional movies are what we use in building local talent.

There is a huge pool out there.

Based on the veteran’s success and the way Africa Magic has succeeded, lots of new talents who have gone to film schools and universities come out and join the industry. When doing the regional film projects, we work with the locals who are Nigerians. We take these scripts, work with them and produce them. We build the local talent.

Tell me more about what you are doing?

We started that initiative last year and doing more locally.

Everybody and anybody produces content now. There are so many platforms and that is great for Africa, Nigeria. We want to be part of that story but at the same time we want to make sure that we continue to deliver fresh content that speaks to Nigerians. How do we ensure that we add to the content success story, how d we ensure that we involve more of the local community in the entertainment industry and how do we ensure that we are here but it’s a legacy we are leaving also?

We acquire a lot, we continue to acquire and we can never acquire enough. We started last year with 80 movies. It went very well. We are doing 60 this year but we thought let us even partner so it’s not just in house.

It’s evolving. Now we are trying to involve external producers and directors that are good at what they do. The story is ongoing and we will continue to acquire. It’s a success story- something that everybody is proud of and a legacy that we leave.

What is your personal aspiration for the organization?

Africa Magic has really grown and has come to be this brand that is loved a lot by Nigerians.

It resonates very well in West Africa. I have joined at a good time because Africa magic is enjoying all of its success with which I hope to continue building a legacy on. Getting entrenched in local stories is something we can do better. I see us playing a more partisan role in developing the industry. You have succeeded fully when you have a legacy left behind. For TV per se, I might not have the hands on approach, but I have a very strong team who are very experienced in channel management, production and a host of others. I lead on a strategic level and make sure that people are empowered.

A lot of your background has been in the fast moving consumer goods sector. How do you marry that with the entertainment industry?

The channels are your products. As a Marketing Director, it is your place to see that your brands are well positioned. Commercial values, as well as equity are extracted from each brand as you position them. It doesn’t differ from what we do at M-Net. We work with channels and ensure that they are relevant to the audience.

My job is to make sure that all the contents that go into these channels continue to appeal to the viewers. When working in

brands and marketing, you work a lot with the media/TV industry. When I worked with a top media organization, I headed brands and media which meant that I dealt with the media agencies, media sales and media houses. My background prepared me for where I am today. Connections I have made and relationships built are from what I learnt from previous jobs. In brands and marketing, you are taught to deal in multiples, so for me it was not a big deal. It was a natural fit from my previous jobs.

There are lots of women in the entertainment industry, is

,

By Anino Aganbi

moral values but we are particular about violence and other things as they relate to happenings in our society. It applies to all genders.

Do you power dress?

No I don’t. I haven’t felt that I needed to do that to get to where I am. A lot of what I am is how I have always been. So I don’t think it’s necessary to get the job done. It helps when you can be yourself. The job allows for you to go out, attending one or two events but even with that I don’t over stress myself when it comes to dressing up. On the job, dressing takes the least priority. If there is a success story, then people take notice of me.

You have a very interesting career, how do you cope with

You might want to get a balance though because for this industry, you find lots more women who fit into the role. It’s not an issue because every thing levels out at some point

there a need to be gender balanced?

Even in my marketing career, I found a lot more women in the marketing sector. For the entertainment industry, it is really not an issue. I am trying to make sure I have some more men on my team to make it balanced because with all the women it stands out.

I don’t think it’s a male or female thing. Whoever fits in best on the job gets the role.

You might want to get a balance though because for this industry, you find lots more women who fit into the role. It’s not an issue because every thing levels out at some point.

,

family life?

My career has sort of grown with my family, so now that I am busier and would probably be traveling more often, my children have grown past the stage where they need me being home at all times. I have a very understanding husband who has been very supportive with my career.

I place my family first in every thing I do. I tell them before hand when I have to make trips and not spring such surprises on them. I have not been faced with choosing between work and my home as most people because I have the support of my husband and family.

36—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

At 54, still mixed blessings

By Sola Ogundipe, Chioma Obinna & Gabriel Olawale

A

T 54, Nigeria has come of age as a mature sovereign nation. As the country marks another independence day today, stakeholder’s

say the sector has witnessed some level of improvement especially in the area of polio which has been successfully reduced by 95 percent between 2013 and 2014. The health professionals however, noted that the

sector is still plagued with poor infrastructure, shortage of health personnel, weak private sector, unfavourable policies, long waiting time and lack of access to affordable healthcare delivery.

Excerpt:

Universal health coverage, answer to problems in health sector—NMA President, Dr. Kayode Obembe I

N the assessment of healthcare delivery system in Nigeria at 54, if we are to put a healthcare parameter and basic health into consideration, for example the maternal mortality has reduced from 1500 per 100,000 lives from 500 to 700 per 1000 live births.

In the area of infant mortality, there is also a slit reduction but by and large this reduction is not up to the level that is being calculated under the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs. This reduction also reflected in the HIV and AID, TB among others. The reduction is not as much as expected under MDG. If we are to consider the area of medical tourism you find out that the health system is not meeting the demand of Nigeria, meaning people still decide to go abroad and the fact of this is not far fetch.

One other parameter that we should be using in checking development is the coverage by National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, the target of this scheme as at 2005 is that by 2015, 100 percent of Nigerians would have been covered, but I can tell you that as we are talking now it has only succeeded in covering about five percent, this is considerably lower

•Dr. Kayode Obemebe

than expected and we are not performing well in this area. Look at the issue of National Health Bill, up till now this Bill has not been signed into law. So you find out that in the health sector we suppose to perform better but our current performance is not encouraging at all. We need to really work hard to ensure we improved because health is wealth.

The health of Nigerians is paramount in the agenda of any government. So we really need to do more.

Recommendation Universal Health Coverage is the answer to all these problems. Let every Nigerian be insured and when you are insured you should be able to get treatment at least a basic health service must be provided for every Nigerian.

Once you get that, then we are moving in the right direction and this can be made visually possible through community based health insurance scheme system and ensure that the National Health Bill is passed so that the funds that will go to primary healthcare will be channel through the healthcare scheme.

This is how it is practised in other part of the world like Netherland where their healthcare coverage is now 99.5 percent. I believe Nigeria can also achieve this through commitment.

Nigeria’s healthcare system still largely deficient --- Dr. Osahon Enabulele, Vice President, Commonwealth Medical Association

•Dr. Osahon Enabulele

T

RULY, aside from recent successes in the containment of the Ebola Virus Disease as well as publicised improvements in some health indices like Infant and Maternal Mortality Rates, Nigeria’s healthcare system is still largely deficient with Government at all levels yet to decisively address most of the basic challenges confronting the health sector, such as: Poor and

decadent state of health infrastructure and equipment.

The Federal Government’s promise in 2013 to institute a Health and Hospital Development Intervention Fund, HHDIF, as well as establish six regional world class hospitals have remained mere rhetorics.

At 54, Nigeria’s health care system is still being undermined by the poor political commitment to health and the health care needs of Nigerians, by Nigeria’s top political and public office holders. The health sector is also still blighted by poor budgeting for health at Federal, State and Local Government levels. This has not been helped by the absence of constitutional justiciable health rights for Nigerians and the frequent recourse to foreign medical care by Nigeria’s top political and public office holders, a situation that has led to the burgeoning phenomenon

of outbound Medical Tourism with the attendant huge capital flight of over $800million to other countries.

At 54, Nigeria is yet to enact a National Health Act while Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria is still hovering around a miserable 7 percent coverage, far lower than rates seen in other less endowed countries like Rwanda, Tanzania and Ghana.

At 54, Nigeria is yet to witness massive investments in health research, particularly Public Health Research and other areas of operational research.

The Ebola pandemic and the glaring absence of proactive research efforts (by African countries, including Nigeria) to develop a preventive vaccine or a drug cure for Ebola Virus Disease since its first outbreak in 1976, is a clear testimony of the poor priority for health research.

At 54, there remain huge deficits in health human resource.

At 54, Nigeria’s health sector is still heavily challenged by the poor state of security in the country, including the security and safety of healthcare workers particularly in their workplaces; worsening mass poverty in Nigeria with attendant negative impact on the utilisation of healthcare services on account of poor financial access.

At 54, Nigeria still has weak and poorly integrated Primary and Secondary levels of care and a weak referral system, all of which largely contribute to the suffocation of the nation’s existing tertiary health institutions with large crowds of patients, burn out of the few available medical doctors/ dentists and other health professionals, and ultimate decline in productivity and efficient health service delivery.

At 54, Nigeria still has a largely chaotic drug procurement and distribution system.

•Olumide Akintayo

We need to go back to the drawing board —Pharm.

Olumide Akintayo, President Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria

I

T is about the good, the bad and the ugly. The good is that for the first time in our national life, we had a situation whereby response to a national emergency, was fast.

The reaction in containing the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak by the Federal Government, Lagos state government and other state governments was very well appreciated and we must commend that laudable initiative. But beyond that there is really little to cheer.

I once said that the fundamentals of healthcare in Nigeria revolve around the propensity of one professional group to grab all the privileges and resources in the health sector.

We need to restructure the mentality of people who think that leadership of the sector is their birthright because indeed it cannot be the birthright of anybody. It is the particular endeavour at hand that will throw up who is most competent at leadership.

Government has a responsibility in this direction to redress a number of problems in the health sector.

The other issue is about funding.

The way we are running healthcare in the country we will always experience systemic collapse.

Government needs to go back to the drawing board to deal decisively with these issues. Until we do these things cannot be out of the woods.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014—37

BABS approaches every October 1 with trepidation.

The day means many things to him and brings back a lot of mixed memories.

BY CHIOMA GABRIEL

H

E was born on October 1. He also got married on October 1 and had his third child and only daughter on the same date. His family ought to be celebrating every October 1 but Babs feels funny every passing year as the date approaches. It appears the date is set aside to mock him.

His birthday coincided with the celebration of Nigeria’s independence on October 1. It also coincided with the day he got married but strange circumstances have separated him from his family who are resident in United Kingdom where he also sojourned for 10 years before he was repatriated.

Separation from family That also meant he could not celebrate his wedding anniversary with his wife or share fun times with his daughter who shares the same birth date with him.

Today, Babs is 54 years and lives in Lagos. He has no regular job after graduating from the university several years ago. His dream to live and work overseas was crushed. And he has been separated from his family.

Since he was repatriated to Nigeria, he tried to sustain himself as a self-employed businessman but his business at Tincan Island suffered from excess custom duties and multiple taxation. Babs had since jettisoned that business.

He no longer has a regular means of livelihood despite his B.Sc. degree in Business Administration

Many broken dreams Nigeria @ 54: anteed a large measure of autonomy first to three and later four regions which operated parliamentary democracy modelled along British lines that emphasised majority rule.

,

Across the 36 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory, there are many Babs but only few were able to make a success story from the school of hard-knocks

and a Masters in two other disciplines. He has no home and has traversed between being an kabukabu driver and property agent.

Over the years, the finesse he acquired through education has given way to a crude, frustrated, middle-aged man.

But Babs is not the only Nigerian who has been battered by fate.

Across the 36 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory, there are many Babs but only few were able to make a success story from the school of hard-knocks. ...the journey so far On October 1, 1960 when Nigeria attained independence from Great Britain, she had all the trappings of a democratic state and was regarded as a beacon of hope for democracy. The constitution guar-

,

But certain fundamental and structural weaknesses frustrated these democratic trappings and therefore led to the death of the republic.

One of the greatest problems that plagued the First republic was power domination by the North made possible by the colonial masters who had hoped that developing national politics would forestall any sectional domination of power. But it did not reckon with the effects of a regional party system in a country where political power depended on population.

The First Republic paraded regional parties whose main aims were to control power in their regions. There were the Northern People’s Congress (NPC) and the Action Group (AG), which controlled the Northern Region and West-

ern Region, respectively. Then, there was the National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC), which controlled the Eastern Region and the Midwestern Region. The NCNC which ab initio began as a nationalist party was forced by the pressures of regionalism to become an eastern party, but with strong pockets of support elsewhere in the federation.

Regional parties Regional parties then derived their main support from the major groups in their regions: NPC (Hausa/Fulani), AG (Yoruba), and NCNC (Igbo). Later, there was a more ideologically-based political party which never achieved significant power and that was Aminu Kano’s radical Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU), which opposed the NPC in the north from its Kano base.

Along the line, several political movements formed by minority groups to press their demands for separate states began to spring up.

These minority parties doubled as opposition parties in the regions and usually aligned themselves with the party in power in another region that supported their demands for a separate state.

During the general election of

1959, the major political parties won majority of seats in their regions, but none emerged powerful enough to constitute a national government. A coalition government therefore became necessary with NPC and NCNC leading the fray and providing a measure of North-South consensus that would not have been the case if the NCNC and AG had formed a coalition.

Nnamdi Azikiwe (NCNC) became the Governor General and later President after the country became a republic in 1963; Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (NPC) was named Prime Minister, while Obafemi Awolowo (AG) had to settle for Leader of the Opposition.

The regional Premiers were Ahmadu Bello (Northern Region, NPC), Samuel Akintola (Western Region, AG), Michael Okpara (Eastern Region, NCNC), and Dennis Osadebey (Midwestern Region, NCNC).

Collapse of First Republic Problems that led to the collapse of the First Republic started when the NPC, the senior partner in the coalition government, began to use the federal government’s increasing power to favour the Northern Region. The balance rested on the premise that the Northern Region

Continues on page 38

38—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014 open when the N1.3 trillion figure was quoted as subsidy and the Federal Government could no longer cope with the burden.

•Azikwe

•Balewa

Nigeria: 54 years of broken dreams had the political advantage deriving from its size and population, and the two Southern regions had the economic advantage as sources of most of the exported agricultural products. The NPC sought to redress Northern economic and bureaucratic disadvantages.

Many of the federal government’s projects and military establishments were allocated to the North under the First Economic Master Plan.

Economic masterplan The government began to recruit and train many northerners and this resulted in the appointment of less qualified northerners to federal public service positions, many replacing more qualified southerners.

Naturally, this did not go down well in many quarters.

The First Republic also collapsed as a result of other factors which included the split in the leadership of the AG that led to a crisis in the Western Region, leading to a state of emergency being declared in the region. The federal government invoked its emergency powers and administered the region directly. AG was removed from regional power and its leader, Awolowo along with other AG leaders, were convicted of treasonable felony.

The civil war that followed wreaked havoc on the polity. The civil war broke out on July 6 1967.

There were immediate and remote causes. The civil war was identified with the coup and the counter-coup of 1966 which altered the political equation and destroyed the fragile trust existing among the major ethnic groups. Attempts to stall the war failed after the Biafran Republic was declared. In order to hold the country together, it was divided into 12 states from the

original four regions in May 1967.

After almost two years of bloody and destructive war, the quick victory anticipated by the federal side eluded it and the Biafran enclave had been drastically reduced in size but the rebels still held on.

More peace conferences were held but none achieved a cease fire and an end to the war. But with more pressure by the federal government, the war came to an end when the self - acclaimed Head of State of Biafra, Lt. Col. Ojukwu fled with his immediate family members on January 10, 1970 to Cote d’Ivoire while the Commander of the Biafran Army who took over surrendered to the Federal Government on January 14 1970, bringing an end to the war and bloodshed.

No longer the same Since the collapse of the First Republic and end of the civil war, Nigeria has never been the same.

Subsequent governments messed up the system, battering the pride of the people and the country. The military reigned supreme with fiat. The lifestyle of the people became more divided along ethnic orientations. With each passing day, the lines got thicker.

Nigerians are highly opinionated and self-critical and therefore, conversations at vendor stands, commercial buses, beer parlour and homes among the people inevitably are about the country’s underwhelming accomplishments and disastrous mismanagement. Selfflagellation became a national obsession and despite the penchant of the people to voice out their opinions when it comes to national failures, they become reticent when it comes to recognizing national accomplishments.

Leadership impunity The leaders have failed Nigeria in many ways. They carry on with impunity in total disregard for the people. The leaders have failed to

provide the basic necessities of life for the people as they promised.

Corruption has destroy practically all sectors of the economy and the perpetrators are going scot-free.

Nigeria’s leaders both in the past and present carry on as they want and this spreads across government agencies: the telecommunication system, the power sector, the roads, the education sector, the health sector, the railway and what have you. Corruption is reigning supreme across these sectors without anybody being punished for anything.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been the party in power since 1999 when civilians got reprieve from the military and took over power. If things were bad at that time, they have gotten worse

,

Continues from page 37

Poor infrastructure It is an open secret that Nigerian roads are death traps and claim lives everyyearacrossthestatesduetolack of maintenance. Highways are in dilapidatedanddeplorablestate.Some portions of these roads are washed out, riddled with big potholes and in some cases, are impassable. Abandoned projects have contributed immensely to the state of these roads.

The hospitals are now mortuaries due to lack of infrastructure and personnel to man them. Nigeria’s health sector is in shambles and something needs to be done as quickly as possible by the PDP-led government. Doctors are always on strike and in many places, hospitals especially primary health centres are far away from where people live. Some operate in dilapidated structures, corrugated roof covered with cobwebs and in many places, have become habitats of domestic animals.

In some tertiary and secondary health centres, water supply is not available. Patients resort to buying water in jerry cans and health workers have to wait endlessly for essential drugs and disposable gloves and there is also irregular power supply to contend with.

Brain drain Nigeria over the years has been losing it’s experienced health workers to developed countries as a result of neglect of the health sector, mismanagement of resources, lack of priority, lack of respect for human lives by our leaders , low wages, poor motivation, persistent shortages of basic medical supplies, poor working conditions, outdated equipments, lack of efficient and effective coordination, limited career opportunities and above all, economic reasons are among the most important factors responsible for this brain drain.

The power sector is another thing altogether. Lots of funds have gone into the sector but there is no concomitant development to show for

Problems that led to the collapse of the First Republic started when the NPC, the senior partner in the coalition government, began to use the federal government’s increasing power to favour the Northern Region

since 1999.

The fraud being perpetrated in Nigeria’s oil sector has defied competent description. The whole structure has been eroded by corruption thereby leaving the government at the mercy of corrupt marketers, fraudulent staff and corrupt government officials.

The brains behind these shady moves are friends and members of the ruling class and many of these have received national honours. Many more will receive this year. The chief executives of some of the companies involved in the fuel subsidy scam that blew open recently are party men. They are the ones that obtain PFI (Pro Forma Invoice) to import petrol into Nigeria.

The country has been milked for years by members of this “oil cabal”but the scandal only blew

,

it. The Obasanjo and Jonathan administrations invested heavily in the sector but power supply has remained epileptic.

So much has been heard about on-going reforms in the power sector but Nigerians are still living in darkness.

The steel industry does not exist any more and there seems to be a loud silence about it. The Ajaokuta Steel company has been abandoned in the relics of history just like the refineries and about $1 billion will be required to revamp the moribund multi-billion dollar rolling mill.

The education sector is on fire.

The ruling party has completely failed in this regard.

The primary and secondary schools have been known for poor

Continues on page 39

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014—39

Nigeria: 54 years of broken dreams

•Obasanjo

•Shagari

Continues from page 38 performance in external examinations especially in Secondary Schools Certificate Examination (SSCE) and the General Certificate Examinations (GCE).

Education is everything. The allpervading system failure across all sectors is based on the failure of the education system. The poorlytrained engineers construct bad roads just as the ill-educated med-

ical doctors are not doing well in the health sector.

For Nigeria to survive, a radical and urgent overhaul of the education system is needed. Stake holders have been calling for an immediate declaration of a state of emergency in the education sector. They believe that if emergency is declared, there would be no crisis in other sectors any more.

The government should sit up.

It is impunity in all ramifications

when a ruling party has not been perceived to have achieved much and corruption pervades the entire system without punishment being meted out to corrupt officials.

And finally...

It is obvious that Nigerians of today never heeded the wisdom of the sages. In today’s Nigeria, deceit holds sway. Almost every year, the people lament their situation, wondering if achieving na-

Remi Tinubu: Message of hope

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, Political Editor

Affairs of modern Nigeria

S

HE is remarkably one of a few born in that period that can today still give the message of hope in the midst of failing aspirations. Senator Remi Tinubu, born nine days before Nigeria’s attainment of independence from Britain 54 years ago today, believes the dreams of the founding fathers can still be realised despite the present challenges.

Born September 21, 1960, when the colonial masters and the country’s founding fathers were rounding up preparations for the great transition, Mrs. Tinubu’s message of hope for Nigeria at 54 is for the citizenry to reset the moral compass that defines values and expectations. She has particularly charged Nigerians to alter their focus from serving wealth to allowing wealth to serve them.

Echoing the words of Pope Francis, in her independent message to the country, Senator Tinubu, APC, Lagos Central lamented that present scourges of violence, maladministration, poverty and other social ills were far from the imagination of those who celebrated the birth of the new nation exactly 54 years ago.

In the message themed: “Be part of the coming change: Nigeria can still achieve,” the former Lagos First Lady said: “As Nigeria marks its 54th Independence anniversary, the country sadly remains a shadow of the dreams of its founders. The occasion offers yet another opportunity for us as a people to re-examine our ways and recommit to being part of birthing a new Nigeria.”

“It is also a time for us all to ponder on what Nigeria has to show for its 54 years, in

tionhood is such an unrealistic and unworkable project.

From all indications, many have come to accept the reality that Nigeria is a society where the morons are the barons; where thieves are chiefs;where the monkey works and the baboon chops; where might is right and injustice the order of the day.

Today, Nigeria is a kingdom against itself. Things are falling apart and the centre can barely hold. Anarchy appears to have let loose upon the nation. Insecurity, corruption in high places and other vices are building strongholds.

These are felt in every facet of the peoples life.

•Tinubu @ 54 terms of development in education, infrastructure, security, healthcare delivery, agriculture along with other areas that touch the lives of millions of our citizens.”

“Our situation is further compounded by the fact that many do not know where the next meal will come from and countless university graduates roam the streets in search of non-existent jobs. No doubt, Nigeria’s situation is quite worrisome.”

“Nelson Mandela once said that "As long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest.”

“It is sad that citizens’ dreams of imminent greatness on the eve of independence have been replaced by daily horrors. Millions are internallydisplaced as refugees in their fatherland while increasing rates of armed robbery, road accidents,

•Continues on page 40

For years, Nigerians have been wondering where things went wrong with the country but each year, the questions increase but there are less answers. Nigeria is forever preoccupied with how to redesign the Nigerian project after 54 years of self-governance because of the folly and greed of those who took over the affairs of modern Nigeria.

Beginning from 1966, the country recorded eight military regimes.

The final military regime left power on May 29, 1999 in between interjections of civilian regimes.

Celebrating Nigeria at 54 to many is to fulfil all righteousness.

The country has been able to sustain civilian government without the interruption of the military since 1999.

With her avalanche of social economic-cum political challenges, the country is still rated as a major key player in the global economy.

Every October 1 in Nigeria is observed with unmatched nationalistic ardour throughout the country. It is a very significant day in the life of the people because it is the day that binds all Nigerians both at home and in the diaspora into one chord.

And today is not different..

40—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY,

OCTOBER 1, 2014

The legislature has steered our democracy — Ndoma-Egba, Senate leader SENATOR Victor Ndoma-Egba, SAN, is the Senate Leader and represents Cross River Central Senatorial District. In this interview he speaks on the progress of the country as an independent country, efforts being made to amend the constitution, the role of the legislature in our democracy among other issues.

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

N

•Ndoma-Egba they wish to be governed. Economically, we have also done well; the economy was recently rebased making it the biggest economy in black Africa. In sports, we are pulling our weight, in every sphere we are recording major successes. In agriculture, there is a new paradigm so we have recorded such a major number of

Senator Remi Tinubu’s message of hope •Continues on page 39 kidnapping and other horrible factors continue to cause much pain for many Nigerian families. Surely, for most citizens, official insensitivity to worsening insecurity, palpable mass poverty and the masses’ daily struggle for survival makes it difficult to partake in celebrations.”

"In a democracy, there is nothing wrong with seeking reelection, only if the nation’s elected officials are focussed on the interest of the ordinary people. It will not be a selfish quest if it is a people-focussed government that values the interest of the people by creating jobs, implementing social security to take care of the elderly and other vulnerable groups while giving all a true sense of belonging.

It would be appropriate if our nation can now heed the words of Pope John Francis that "Humanity is best served by wealth and not ruled by it." Therefore, the core of my message is that Nigerians have to make sure that as we approach coming elections, we make a resolute decision to cast our vote for change.

For our nation to make progress and rise towards achieving long overdue development that would benefit all, we must vote for only those who genuinely have the interest of the people at heart in 2015.

"According to Rt. Hon. Jack Straw, "Corruption is like cancer, it eats away and you do not know when it will kill." At this point in time, our founding fathers’ dream of a great Nigeria has been eroded by corruption almost to the point of being killed. However, there is still hope for Nigeria. As I have often said, we all have a collective responsibility to make true change a reality and elevate Nigeria to the nation of our dreams. Being part of true change is the only solution."

successes.

What has been the role of the legislature since we have democracy?

First you know that the existence of the legislature has been episodic. We have had many more years of military rule than we have had of democracy. In

,

IGERIA is 54 years now; do you think there is any remarkable achievement so far recorded?

First of all given our history and our diversity, the major success we have recorded is that we have remained as a nation, nobody gave Nigeria a chance to remain as a nation for this long.

We have disappointed cynics, not only have we disappointed cynics; it is becoming increasingly clearer that in spite of our challenges, the union is an eternal one. So, that in itself is a major achievement.

Like every other nation, we have had our own fair share of challenges, we have surmounted those challenges, with time, some of the structural problems that were created by aberration of military rule, that will take time to redress, but democracy offers us the opportunity to tackle those issues in a systematic manner.

The other major success of course is the democracy that we have today, today we are enjoying the longest unbroken episode of democracy and increasingly, Nigerians have come to accept democracy as the only way

Yar’Adua, may God rest his soul, the Senate rose to the occasion.

When we had a threat to our sovereignty and our corporate existence as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy, the Senate rose to the occasion. So we have consistently risen to the occasion of stabilising the polity in times of crisis.

What is the fate of the new constitution that the Senate has been working on?

The new constitution that we have now, the 1999 Constitution makes no provision for a new constitution, there is no provision for a new constitution, you can only continue to amend incrementally and we broke the jinx of constitution amendment in the sixth Senate. If you recall, under civilian rule, the only time the constitution was successfully amended was in 1963 to allow for the creation of the then MidWest Region.

After that, several attempts had been made to amend the constitution and they all failed until the Sixth National Assembly that we had the first, second and third amendments. Recently, we just finished conference committee meeting of both houses for further amendments to the constitution, so you are going to see more amendments. In one of the amendments we proposed, there was a proposal to include the procedure for a new constitution as an amendment to the existing constitution, but because there was a lot of suspicion, National Conference was going on, people thought that it was designed to smuggle in a new constitution it failed. So as it is now, we don’t

The turn-over rate has had a negative effects on the growth of the legislature, but that notwithstanding, I think we must give credit to the legislature for our democracy enduring for these 15 years

fact, once upon a time, people under 30 had had no experience of democracy, just to show you how bad it was. So our democracy is young, we are still developing capacity, we are still developing infrastructure, we are still developing the facilities. The turn-over rate has had a negative effects on the growth of the legislature, but that notwithstanding, I think we must give credit to the legislature for our democracy enduring for these 15 years.

Do you think the Senate has made any remarkable achievements?

Certainly, our constitutional role is to make laws for the good governance of this country and we have done that. But historically, the role of the Senate all over the world has been to stabilise the polity each time there is a threat of crisis and this Senate has played that role consistently. When we had a crisis due to the ill health of late President

,

have any proposal on ground or any provision in the existing constitution for a new constitution.

In which areas will Nigerians be expecting amendments?

We are strengthening the electoral system, we are also fasttracking determination of post election disputes, we have already sorted out grey areas about succession when a president or a governor is not available, so it is an incremental process.

Debates in the Senate tend to toe party lines between the PDP and APC instead of the merits of such debates especially when the opposition seems to be making a valuable point, is it healthy for the democracy?

When you say always, how many times have you seen a situation where there were clear party divides, it is a very, very rare occurrence in the Senate. So the fact that we have had two or three doesn’t make it always and in any case, there is politics in everything.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014 — 41

YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 TAURUS: Better opportunity to make money may come your way but those who want your affection and vice versa, may not allow you to concentrate fully. Take advantage of the opportunity to establish friendship with influential people.

GEMINI: Most of the exciting happenings are within your base of operation. And healthy relationships may start between you and other members of your work force. Take the initiative.

CANCER: When it comes to passion/romance, you come first. And on a day like this when love is in the air, you can’t be left in the cold. Don’t be selfish please.

LEO: Financial success may be what you want to celebrate with members of your opposite sex who unexpectedly arouse your passion.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

T

HE truth is that there are too many questions and issues surrounding love. For example, what is the attraction for a beautiful woman with sight marrying a blind ugly man? Why will

Is love blind (3) a highly educated woman marry an illetrate man? What would prompt a woman boss in an office to marry her driver? What would have informed a professor coming down

TERROR MUDA

from his Olympian height to marry his house girl? Why will the daughter of a millionaire marry a pauper? Why will a lady lawyer marry a taxi driver? Why will the king descend so

in “Never say goodbye”

low to marry the daughter of a poor man? Why? Is love blind? Really, love transcends every boundary and breaks every barrier.

It knows not the rich, the poor, the educated or the illiterate etc.

By Lanre Kehinde

VIRGO: Many will desire you strongly today but you’ll equally attract the green-eyed monster called jealousy especially from your established relationship. Movement and communication will do the magic LIBRA: Romantic Venus and sexy Mars are bringing influences of money, friendship, real love and leadership to earth’s inhabitants. What do you want?

SCORPIO: Venus, Mars and Pluto at work today will influence many of you to give more time to matters-ofthe-heart, especially physical side of it.

SAGITTARIUS: Love is in the air but if care is not taken, members of your opposite sex you see as your superiors (or boss) may become entangled. Watch it.

CAPRICORN; Influence of the Moon today actually wants you to work hard but if you ignore love, you’ll not be able to concentrate on what you are doing. Friends will drive your fun-seeking vehicle along social circles.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

AQUARIUS: Some of you will be falling in love for the first time. And those of you who are old in the act will have rare excitement and satisfaction. Money can come in.

PISCES: You will find it relatively difficult to ignore love as attractive members of your opposite sex may go out of their way to gain your attention.

ARIES: Powerful emotional feelings may overwhelm some of you and make you crave secret affair (with your subordinates?) It’s important you don’t allow scandal.

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 wrong with me?

Dear Joshua,

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

I have written you many letters without response, I hope I will be lucky this time around. What’s your e-mail address?

Although, I am interested in my financial affair and will like to know what awaits me in the future as the ups and downs are giving me concern, what I want you to tell me is: Who is working spiritually against my marriage? I have married four times. Why?

Rodiat, Ibadan.

Dear Rodiat, If you have spiritual warfare, it is in your financial affairs.

You were endowed with special ability to make money for both yourself and other people. However, three things can militate against your finances namely; inability to hold on to your gains for too long (miscalculation) jealousy and occultic manipulation by those who are green with envy.

Yet, whatever happens, dire financial misfortune is not meant for you, especially if you heed advice from your star; your being spiritual will assist you.

Fortunate placement of the Moon and Venus in Libra and Sagittarius endowed you with charming and magnetic personality which will make it easier for you to attract members of your opposite sex who will be willing to make you happy. But after sometime, your hidden aggressive personality and tendencies to worry will come out to the resentment of members of your opposite sex.

Some other times, you promise more than you can deliver.

Then yours is a jealous soul (yes everybody was born with jealous traits) but yours is extraordinary and if you have reason to doubt the other person, you may not be able to forgive.

The summary here is that there’s not much spiritual aspect working against you here but your too strong or powerful personality is what you will need to work on: if at all you have problem with love. One sure bet is members of your opposite sex cannot do without your magnetic pose.

HOME & ABROAD

By Lawrence Akapa

42 —Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

By KINGSLEY OMONOBI, Abuja

F

OR the past three decades, the Nigerian military has been infested with all sorts of people in the name of soldiers who were more or less ‘imposed’ on the armed forces by politicians and the likes who claim they are making dividends of democracy available to their people and the result is manifesting today.” That was how a senior army officer who craved anonymity described the rot in the army which culminated in their inability to initially contain the activities of Boko Haram insurgents.

Vanguard Features, VF, learnt that recently, a member of the National Assembly, took a list of 600 persons from his senatorial zone to the Army headquarters and insisted that they should be recruited into the force. The Senator claimed that the boys were the team that worked for him during his electioneering campaign to the Senate.

This scenario is a common feature and the failure of the military to strike a compromise with such politicians, has always led to confrontation resulting into funds allocation for the armed forces either being slashed, delayed or released in piecemeal. This impasse affects the welfare programmes, equipment procurement and operations on the battlefield.

VF further learnt that oftentimes due to mainly to the selfish interests of these interested parties, what is eventually released to a sensitive sector like the armed forces, out of the budgetary estimates, would not be up to 70 percent. This is notwithstanding the fact that weapons acquisition is

BOKO HARAM:

New dawn in winning the war on terror

why the war against the insurgents was dragging. He also gave reasons why some soldiers were deserting.

According to him, in reality desertion, acts of cowardice and indiscipline are some of the greatest setbacks in the fight

,

Although what we are fighting is asymmetric warfare, one in which we had not been trained, one where we do not have the specialised weaponry and one where we do not have the doctrine, we just have to learn on the job denominated in foreign currencies.

So when two months ago, 480 Nigerian troops crossed to Cameroon as a result of a sustained battle between the troops and the terrorists around Gamboru/Ngala (in a tactical manoeuvre), the media was awash with stories that Nigerian soldiers were running away from the insurgents while the uninformed concluded that Nigerian troops were chickenhearted and defectors.

Before this incident, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General KTJ Minimah at the quarterly conference had given reasons

,

against Boko Haram insurgency in the country.

His words: “A few issues need to be urgently addressed that have caught my attention in recent weeks. Principal among these is the rising acts of indiscipline and unprofessional conduct by troops. In this regard, the recent mutinous act in Maiduguri and reported destruction of public property in Lagos, readily come to mind. As a professional army, the conduct of our troops must be above board at all times”.

He blamed these acts on the fact that most people, who joined the military in the not- too-distant

past, did so out of the need for employment and not passion for military service. “Desertion is part of warfare. We must accept that since the era of the Cartagena wars, soldiers have deserted from the battle field. But we need to have a thorough recruitment because mind you, there is high level of unemployment on ground. Most people want jobs and if that job means joining the army, fine.

However, when the reality of the military service comes, he drops his rifle. So desertion will continue to be there. We had desertion in ECOMOG; in the Nigerian Civil war. It will continue to be there, “ Minimah said.

Continuing, he said: “We are not fighting a conventional war.

The Nigerian Army is a conventional and regular army.

The terrorist is someone you don’t know. It may be someone who sold food or fruit to you in the morning and by the afternoon he is the terrorist. We are having all that inter-play in the battle front in the North East. We have to be conscious to separate the terrorist from the law-abiding citizens and we also have human rights to protect”.

He further explained that in the prosecution of the war, a lot

occurred to indicate that all is not rosy for the military. This is because equipment needed, both for the Nigerian Airforce and the Army, are lacking or not in sufficient quantity, while the available ones are in comatose state.

A pilot who wouldn’t want his name in print, told VF that what the Air Force requires to rout the Boko Haram terrorists are attack helicopters with sound proof facilities and night vision windscreens. These helicopters would be able to fly into and land inside Boko Haram camps and take them unawares.

Mapping out strategies “From the air and with the night vision, we can see through the jungle, gather our intelligence and map out our strategies without their knowledge. But this equipment is not there,” he lamented.

Similarly, the type of equipment needed by the Army to prosecute the war, such as armoured tanks, artillery guns, surface-to-air weapons and other technical weaponry are not available. Anti-landmine tanks for instance, are needed for a land sweep of the Sambisa forest

*Lt General Kenneth Minimah, COAS because going there without such mines resistant, detecting and demobilising equipment, would be suicidal.

It is against this backdrop that the Federal Government’s procurement of 40 modern attack helicopters with capabilities for night operations and sound proof technology was highly welcomed by the troops and pilots of Operation Zaman Lafia. The distance and reach capability of the aircraft has since enhanced the fight against insurgency.

The high casualty figures

Continues on page 43

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014 — 43

New dawn in winning the war on terror Continues from page 42 inflicted on Boko Haram insurgents in Kawuri, Benishek, Konduga and Vimtim, has signaled a new dawn in the war against the insurgents. VF learnt that dexterity and leadership style of Lt. General Kenneth Minimah have played a major role in the .recent successes recorded by the army.

For those who may have forgotten, General Minimah, as a Major, was the Commander of Operation Sweep, the highly successful Lagos State anti-crime outfit set up by former Lagos Administrator, Brig-General Mohammed Marwa (rtd),

Boko Haram challenge So the Boko Haram challenge to him was another mandate he has to execute with professional precision, hence he has been christened ‘War General’ in military circles. Minimah, according to insiders, is only interested in containing the insurgents and would recruit the best hands to do it, irrespective of the state of origin or connection of the person with the powers that be.

He recently warned the General Officers Commanding, GOCs, Brigade Commanders

challenge,” a senior military officer told VF “The COAS told the troops, you are Infantry men; do not retreat if they use anti-aircraft guns to fire. Yes, the sound and impact is scary. But stay and wait for them to come to you. When they now come out of their hiding, take them out. They are cowards, they can’t match our professionalism,” he recounted.

Noting that this admonition by the number one soldier has turned the tide, the senior officer told VF that ‘morale’ is presently very high among the troops after several victories recorded by the soldiers. “It is not only money or acquisition of new weaponry that boast morale. In the army, victory in battle is a very important morale booster,” he noted.

The high morale was boosted by the fact that General Minimah has put in place modalities to ensure better medicare for soldiers wounded in the battle front. He made it clear that even if such treatment is to take place in the US or Germany, no stone should be left unturned to do so.

He has established a Special Ward, known as the ‘Zaman Lafia ward’ at the ‘44’ Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna where any soldier wounded in battle must be taken to within the shortest possible time. Already there is a

,

Things are beginning to change because we now understand the doctrines and modus operandi of the terror war and it has enabled us to adjust our tactics to match the challenge and Commanding officers that they would be booted out if the troops under their command fail.

Similarly, he warned that if soldiers fail to live up to expectation, or leave the job of defending the nation for which they swore to an oath of allegiance and break the law, they will face court martial.

The soldiers who do well and make the nation proud, according to Minimah, will be rewarded. A classic example of the reward system took place recently when about 250 officers were promoted in Maiduguri for their gallantry in checkmating Boko Haram insurgents.

During the visit, Minimah told the troops that “although what we are fighting is asymmetric warfare, one in which we had not been trained, one where we do not have the specialised weaponry and one where we do not have the doctrine, we just have to learn on the job.”

“Things are beginning to change because we now understand the doctrines and modus operandi of the terror war and it has enabled us to adjust our tactics to match the

,

dedicated Airforce aircraft for that purpose.

He also endowed the sum of about N25 million in the office of the Chief of Administration as special fund for treatment of soldiers in any part of the world if necessary. VF gathered that so far, about 10 soldiers and officers are currently abroad receiving treatment after suffering gunshot injuries from the war on terror.

The idea of deploying soldiers who just finished from the depot or officers of the Nigeria Defence Academy, without requisite fighting experience, to fight against the insurgents, was discarded by the Army High Command. In their place, very experienced soldiers who have seen battles in several peacekeeping theatres of war, were now tasked with responsibilities of checkmating the insurgents.

These steps have boosted the confidence of soldiers that they have a leadership who leads by example and one that has genuine concern for their welfare.

*President Margee Ensign hands over food aid to a woman at an IDP centre near the Yola Mosque

INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS:

Relief at last, courtesy of AUN A

By AUGUSTINA ANYAEGBU

MAJOR disturbing fallout of the ongoing war against insurgents in the North East of Nigeria is the worsening crisis of internally displaced persons, IDPs. While troops of the Nigerian Armed Forces battle to contain the insurgents from over running communities and spreading terror and destruction, many have been forced to flee their homes and are presently scattered in different makeshift settlements where they are finding it difficult surviving under the harsh condition.

This was initially the case of IDPs who had fled violence in Madagali, Mubi and surrounding areas of Adamawa State until recently. Relief came their way when they got another surprising humanitarian visit from the American University of Nigeria, AUN, staff, students and the Adamawa Peacemakers Initiative, API. The visit to the host community on September 21 was to help Internally Displaced Persons get over the harsh reality of living under near extreme privation.

The team, led by President Ensign, first visited St Teresa’s Catholic Church, Jimeta, where about 7, 500 people are taking refuge. They donated foodstuff and other supplies. The Catholic Bishop of Yola Diocese, Bishop Stephen Mamza, received the items from President Ensign.

Displaced persons Dr. Ensign said that AUN and API were honoured to support what the Bishop is doing with the displaced persons who have come from Madagali and Mubi. “We have pooled resources as one community to make sure that everyone, Muslims and Christians, have enough to eat, a place to stay, and a future. So we stand united to make sure that people’s needs are being met.”

Imam Dauda Bello, a member of API, acknowledged AUN’s role of helping humanity.

He said the University has consistently shown concern for suffering people and praised the University, saying: “Their (AUN’s) concern is for humanity, not for Muslims or Christians; it is for all human victims of this calamity.”

Bello also called on every member of the society to assist the displaced persons in order to alleviate their sufferings. “I would like to call on everybody, not only the wealthy, because everyone has something to offer.”

The AUN-API team also visited a mosque in Yola, where it donated similar materials.

At the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, camp, it assisted the refugees to improve the camp’s sanitation. The NYSC camp for IDPs is managed by Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency, ADSEMA, while AUN is helping to create 15 latrines for women and 10 for men.

The Permanent Secretary to ADSEMA, Mr. HarunaHamma-Furo, also praised the AUNAPI gesture. “This great moment is one of the best things you can give to somebody. If you give somebody food, he eats it and after sometime he forgets it. But if you develop him, you’ve given him life. Here at the camp we’ve gone beyond thinking of feeding. We are now after their (refugees’) career.”

He noted that the bulk of these persons are women and children. Their education is of paramount interest. “These are the future leaders of tomorrow. If you disrupt their education, it is going to tell on them….”

Thirty-eight university employees have volunteered to open their homes to refugees, and have been given relief materials as care packages in support of the IDPs they are hosting. About 300 of these IDPs are now in the AUN volunteers’ care. ...Donates learning resources to them On September 27, 2014 President Ensign led the AUN community to distribute learning materials to internally displaced persons, IDPs, now living in Mubi, Adamawa State. The learning resources included 300 textbooks, 252 notebooks, five packets of pencil erasers, eight packets of ballpoint pens, 10 boxes of pencils, and a carton of printing papers donated by AUN Academy. Also on the list are bags of detergents and drinking cups.

The President who presented the materials to the Adamawa State Emergency Management team said that AUN represented an educational institution whose mission is to support the community. She further expressed the vision of a development university as one that ensures its host community is living in peace, and growing economically and socially.

“It is not a huge donation but it is a contribution to show that education must go on under any circumstance.”

In addition to the learning materials, the Academy will also be sending some volunteer teachers to tutor at the refugee camp until the insurgency subsides in their area.

The Principal of the school, Mr. Ashish Gill, noted that their contribution is “a drop in the ocean of knowledge.”

44—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

Deeper Life Church loses N10m to Fulani herdsmen

By PETER DURU, Makurdi

T

Why churches should not be taxed —Ben Akabueze Ben Akabueze is the Lagos State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget and the pastor-in-charge of Lagos Province 39 of the Redeemed Christian Church with headquarters at Kings Court parish in Victoria Island. In this interview with William Jimoh, the former bank chief executive officer gave reasons why churches should not be taxed.

Excerpt:

H

OW have you been able to cope combining clerical service with your service to the state?

It takes the special grace of God to be able to combine these two services, and I also believe that God never gives a calling which He does not equip us for; and part of what He equips us with is the ability to manage time. God in his infinite wisdom knows that nobody needs more than 24 hours a day and that is why to all He has given just 24 hours.

You have to then find a way to utilize those hours in a manner that it will enable you to do all that you have to do. And if you have this at the back of your mind, you will find out surprisingly that there is enough hours within 24 hours to do whatever that you have to do. This also puts you under pressure to manage your time more efficiently. I don’t have time for favouritism. For instance

parishes in Nigeria and it is normal to transfer •Ben Akabueze ministers from one area to another. So in 2010 I got Whatever we have put in place is transferred to the Kings Court. It not even near that but even at that, happens that at that time the we count it a privilege that we too Kings Court worshipped in a can build a magnificent house for rented premises in Victoria Island the Lord and to us that is what and from there we began the matters.

How many floors is the construction of our own building and by the grace of God the complex?

It is 12 floors and as part of the building is going to be dedicated on October 5. All that I can say is plan, some of the floors will be that the building cost a lot of rented out to generate money for money and because we believe the maintenance of the structure, that our God is the maker and the but above all the building is one sustainer of the heavens and the to glorify God. The building is not earth, which is what the Bible tells just a church, but as far as we us we believe that He has know it is a building owned by provided all the money. There is the church in the heart of Victoria no amount of money you can Island Business District so it is spend building a place for Him planted by God in a way that it is that is too much and He does not going to affect the business comprising live in houses built by human community hands, but we built this simply to professionals and business people. So when you talk about glorify him.

If you ask me to tell you the total the Church being the light of the world what this means is that So the matter is not on whether churches when the members come there, need to pay tax or not but if you asked; should they go out and shine to the people around by displaying a church employee pay tax I will tell you God’s gift of excellence and that absolutely and that is what has been the case is what this church is intended to symbolize.

I have three brothers from the amount I may not be able to tell Do you support the view that same parents living in Lagos. you that, not because we have no religious institutions be taxed?

One of which I have not visited records but we have not put our Even as a business for more than two years; this is focus on that for now because we organization, you don’t pay tax not because we are fighting or have a vision which is rooted in I from your gross income but from something. The reason I have Chronicles 23:5 that the house to your profit, meaning that for the visited the other two is because be built for the Lord must be fact that you generate some their wives had children and it exceedingly magnificent and revenue they are taxable profit. If became imperative that I find the famous throughout all country. If that revenue is simply absolved time. you look at the cost of that in the maintenance of the How will you describe your particular building Solomon built organization and other activities. experience as a minister of God? for the Lord, there are some For instance every other Sunday The Redeemed Christian estimates that value it to be an we serve 2,000 free meals at the Church of God has over 32,000 equivalent of $4 billion today. Ikoyi Prisons which is also from

,

,

the church finance. For the little period of time we have relocated to the place, we have ensured the lighting up of the street, we are now arranging to improve the present state of the road. So with all these you know that that for the fact that you have some generated revenue does not mean that you are making profit that can be taxed.

Making of profit Currently as a church we fund a school in Epe where we ensure that the children there do not pay more than N2,000 in a year. We also have a medical centre in Epe for women to give birth and go there for both prenatal and postnatal care. We also have the challenge of young ladies who are prostitutes. We run a 32-bed settlement home for any of them that is ready to leave the street.

Currently, we have five of them studying in different schools and the church continues to sponsor them as long as they will continue to be in school. And for those of them who preferred to learn trades the church is helping them till they get established. So the matter is not on whether churches need to pay tax or not but if you asked; should a church employee pay tax I will tell you absolutely and that is what has been the case.

Recall that Pastor Adeboye himself is one of the supporters of tax payment in the Lagos Internal Revenue campaign.

BRIEFLY CAC ordains 580 new pastors

C

RISIS-RIDDEN Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide has ordained 581 members as new pastors of the church at its recently concluded annual convention. The 24-year old crisis has taken its toll on the church as both feuding factions, Supreme Council and General Executive Council claiming authenticity and control of the church.

As a result of the crisis, two parallel conventions were held at Ikeji Arakeji and Ikire. Thousands of worshippers and well wishers including Ekiti State deputy governor-elect, Dr. Olusola Kolapo Eleka in attendance at Alasepe in Ikire to rejoice with

the new pastors who were drawn from different parts of the country including Ibadan, Lagos, Akure, Rivers and others.

According to the president of the church, Pastor Gabriel Lagunju who presided over the ordination and convention programme entitled ‘Evangelism’, the ordination was a call to serve God and not for personal enrichment.

TWOREM holds independence prayer

T

HE Way of Reconciliation Evangelistic Ministries (TWOREM) a.k.a. Prophetic & Solution Chapel, Lagos will hold a special interdenominational Holy Ghost-inspired Nigerian Independence prayer summit,

praises to God with the theme:- “Freedom For Nigeria and Nigerians” today at 7:00am to 3:00pm at Sekunderin Miracle Prayer Mountain, Iyana Agbala Tuntun, New Ife Road, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Inauguration of a new diocese

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HE Primate of The African Church, The Most Reverend E.J. Udofia will inaugurate the new Lagos West Missionary Diocese of The African Church which comprises of Ikorodu and Surulere Archdeaconries on Sunday, October 5, 2014 by 11.00am at The African Bethel Church Cathedral, 48/50 Ireshe Road, Aga, Ikorodu.

HE Benue State overseer of the Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor Akinsole Israel, has disclosed that the church lost close to N10 million worth of property in Apa local government area of the state, in the recent the Benue farmers/Fulani crisis.

Apa was one of the five local government councils in Benue State, recently invaded by suspected Fulani insurgents which claimed many innocent lives and property.

Pastor Israel made this known while briefing journalists on preparations of the Makurdi church to host the General Superintendent of the church, Pastor William Kumuyi who is visiting the state for a three-day crusade.

He said the burden of the crisis compelled the church to establish a refugee camp to cater for the displaced persons from the affected communities, pointing out that Pastor Kumuyi’s visit would certainly ensure lasting peace in the state.

“Having been intimated and also possessing profound knowledge of recent occurrences in the state, God has laid it upon his heart to visit the state to specially offer powerful prayers for continuous peace and permanent solution to the multifaceted problems in our state,” the pastor stated.

Pastor Israel said the church was not unaware of the threat of the Ebola Virus Disease in large gatherings, explaining that the church had taken measures to ensure the safety and protection of guests at the crusade ground.

Youth forum flays El-Rufai over attack on Oritsejafor

By CALEB AYANSINA

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BUJA—NIGERIAN youths under the auspices of Christian and Muslim Youth Forum has condemned in totality the recent attacks launched by some eminent Nigerians against the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, and its President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor over the alleged arms deal in South Africa.

The former Minister of Federal Capital Territory and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai, among others had been pointing accusing fingers on CAN and its president of sponsoring violence in the country.

Reacting to this, the group at a press conference, in Abuja, cautioned politicians not to be driven by sentiment, as their utterances were capable of causing problem in the country.

“We believe that this is certainly not the best time to allow disgruntled elements to instigate another tension that is capable of pitching peace-loving Nigerians against themselves on account of

45—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

CEMENT LABELLING: Court orders Lafarge, SON to maintain status quo

COMMISSIONING : From left— Professor Thomas Audu, member of the Board of Ambrose Alli University, representing the Chairman of the Board; Professor Cordelia Agbebaku, Vice Chancellor, Ambrose Alli University, and Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, at the commissioning of two 500-capacity lecture theatres and office complex for lecturers at the university, Ekpoma, yesterday.

By Innocent Anaba

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Federal High Court in Abuja, yesterday, ordered parties to maintain status quo in a case before it, involving Lafarge Cement WAPCO and Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, pending the hearing of the motion on notice and the preliminary objection, while further hearing in the matter was adjourned till October 10.

At the hearing in the matter before Justice Ademola, parties were to have argued the application for interlocutory order for injunction, but the defendants served a preliminary objection on the claimant, which prompted the court to order parties to maintain status quo pending the hearing of the substantive suit.

By order, SON will not enforce the new directives issued by its DirectorGeneral at the National Stakeholders Forum on Blocks and Allied Products held recently in Abuja and Lagos, which were meant to take effect from today, October 1.

Lafarge is in the suit, asking the court to restrain SON, its agents, from closing its business premises, following its (SON) recent directive on product labelling and traceability requirements, pending the hearing and determination of the present suit.

Lafarge, a cement manufacturer, which is challenging the power of SON to pre-approve all advertisement/commercials of the plaintiff’s as well as certify block makers in Nigeria, is contending that the directive by SON has conferred unfair advantage to its competitors and enthroning monopoly in the cement industry.

The company in an affidavit in support of the suit, said SON convened a meeting of stakeholders of the cement manufacturing sector and at the said meeting, the defendant came up with an action plan termed The SON’s Directives on Product Labelling and Traceability Requirements, a set of new policies to be observed by cement manufacturers.

Reps probe N4,000 NYSC call up fee

By Emman Ovuakporie & Levinus Nwabughiogu

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BUJA—THE House of Representatives, yesterday, began a probe into the alleged N4,000 to be collected by the management of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, as registration fee from corps members.

Also, the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Centre, NFIC, Bill scaled through third reading in the House.

The House, based on the allegation, urged NYSC to suspend forthwith the policy requiring prospective NYSC members to pay the amount with effect from 2015 before accessing their call-up letters.

Hassan Saleh (PDP, Benue), who sponsored the motion, expressed concern over “recent advertorials in some national newspapers that with effect from 2015, corps members will be required to register online with a fee of N4,000 to be able to access their call-up letters as an alternative to going to their various schools to collect the letters.”

He said: “As laudable as the idea of sending call-up letters through the internet may be, the decision requiring fresh graduates to cough out N4,000 to access letters appears insensitive and exploitative.”

However, just as the presiding officer, Emeka Ihedioha was about calling for voice vote on the matter, Uzo Azubuike (PDP, Abia), came up with a Point of Order, saying the Public Petitions Committee, which he chairs, was already on the matter.

After this observation, Ihedioha called on the Chairman, Rules and Business Committee, Albert Sam-Tsokwa (PDP, Taraba) to

guide the House.

Sam-Tsokwa explained that since the public petitions committee had began investigating the matter, the honourable thing to do was for the motion to be withdrawn.

Ihedioha ruled that Committee on Youth Development and the sponsor of the motion be invited to be part of the panel that will conduct a session on the matter.

NFIC Bill

Also, a bill that seeks to establish NFIC, yesterday, passed third reading at the House of Representatives.

Moving a motion for its third reading, House Leader, Mulikat Akande-Adeola, said when established, NFIC would be responsible for receiving, requesting, analysing and disseminating financial intelligence reports and other information to law enforcement, security, intelligence agencies

and other relevant authorities.

Majority of the lawmakers voted in favour of passing the bill for third reading.

The House had last Wednesday adopted a report of the Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes, which recommended establishment of the centre.

Subsequently, the House had on Thursday raised a sixman committee to meet with the Senate with a view to harmonising the positions of the two chambers on the adopted report.

The harmonisation committee would be led by Sam-Tsokwa, while members of the committee included Jagaba Adams Jagaba, Emmanuel Udende, Nnenna Elendu-Ukeju with two other lawmakers.

The committee was given two weeks within which it should meet with the Senate and get back to the House.

EU approves N3.3bn for 2015 polls

By Emmanuel Elebeke & Damilola Faniyi

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HE European Union Commission, yesterday, announced an additional funding of Euro15 million (N3.3bn) to support Nigeria in scaling up its activities in the run up to the 2015 general elections.

The funding, coming as phase II of the support to Nigeria’s electoral cycle for 2011 to 2015, will compliment the initial financial envelop of 20 million Euro (N4.1bn) provided under the 10th EDF support.

The programme was conceived to support the Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, involved in electoral process,

while improving quality of political engagement.

It will be recalled that the 10th EDF Support to Electoral Cycle is ongoing, but allocated resources under it are not enough to support activities in the upcoming election and thus the need for support from the bridging facility to cope with the transition period between the 10th and 11th EDF. Announcing the donation in Abuja, Head of the EU delegation to Nigeria, Ambassador Michel Arrion, said the funding will also facilitate the implementation of specific activities by the electoral management body, INEC, and other key stakeholders.

Anioma stake claim on Delta guber

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HE Anioma sociocultural group, Oganihu Anioma Association, OAA, made up of professionals and elite from Delta North Senatorial District, has said that although it had not endorsed any candidate for Delta State governorship election, any qualified Anioma son or daughter should be supported to win, as a practical path towards power sharing in the state.

OAA made its position known in a statement by Mr. Patrick Ukah, Secretary General, after the Anioma Economic Summit 2014 on the theme Industrialisation and Youth Empowerment, with special emphasis on the state government’s Delta Beyond Oil initiative and the role of Anioma people in a diversified economy, in Asaba.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, represented

by Dr. Kingsley Emu, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry; Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, represented by Mr. Gabriel Aduda, Director of Economic Research and Policy Management, Federal Ministry of Finance; Ambassador Joseph Keshi, Director-General BRACED Commission; Tony Elumelu, Chairman, UBA Group, represented by Mr. Chris Agbamuche, Regional Head, UBA, among others, were at the summit.

46 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

INDEPENDENCE: Police beef up security in Bauchi

2015: PDP stakeholders in Zaria, Jaba LGs back Yero for 2nd term

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By Suzan Edeh

AUCHI—THE Bauchi State police command, yesterday said it has beefed up security for today ’s Independence Day celebration in a bid to save people from attack by suspected insurgents in the state.

Police sources said that the command had deployed it’s officers and men for aerial patrol across the 20 local government areas of the state, adding that this would be complemented with motorised patrols as well as intelligence monitoring by undercover agents, to ensure adequate security for the people.

State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Haruna Mohammed confirmed in an interview with Vanguard in Bauchi that all police formations

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A D U N A — P E O P L E S Democratic Party, PDP, stakeholders in Zaria and Jaba Local Government Areas of Kaduna State have endorsed the state Governor, Ramalan Yero and his deputy, Ambasador Nuhu Bajoga for a second term in office.

The stakeholders endorsed the two political gladiators in the state at two separate meetings held by their respective local government area chapters of the party.

The PDP members in Zaria, where Yero hails from endorsed him while his Deputy, Bajoga was endorsed by party members at Jaba, his local government council.

First to throw their weight behind the YeroBajoga ticket for 2015 governorship poll in the state were the party’s stakeholders in Zaria.

Led by the Chairman in the local government, Alhaji Lawal Balarabe, leaders of the party in the area stormed the Government House to declare their support for Yero, describing him as the ‘’worthy candidate’’ to fly the PDP flag in 2015.

across the state would in addition deploy policemen at strategic locations in their respective jurisdictions ahead of the celebration.

He said: “The state command has placed all policemen across the 20 local government areas at red alert to ensure full security

coverage for residents as we celebrate the country’s independence today.

“As part of strategies to secure the state, officers and men of the command in the state will be deployed for aerial patrol.

Motorised patrols would also comb every nook and

cranny of the state and this would be complemented with intelligence operatives.”

Mohammed further said the police would work with other security agencies to ensure the safety and security of the citizenry during and after the celebration.

According to him, “all dark

AGM: From left: Mr. Frank Ogiami, Executive Director, Partnership Investment Company Plc., Mr. Victor Ogiemwonyi, MD/CEO and Mr. Henry Omoragbon, Chairman, at the 22nd Annual General Meeting of the company in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele

Kaduna vows to stop Fulani herdsmen's attacks on communities

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ADUNA—THE Kaduna State government has said that it was committed to finding lasting solutions to the incessant attacks on communities in the southern part of the state by sauspected Fulani herdsmen, pointing out out that those linking him with the unprovoked attacks were political jobbers.

This was contained in a statement yesterday by the Director General, Media and Publicity to the governor, Ahmed Maiyaki.

Maiyaki’s statement read in part; ‘’While we share in the pains of those that are genuinely concerned about finding a lasting solution to the situation, we have, however, noticed that

some cynics are bent on escalating the crisis for selfish motives. ‘’We deem it necessary to address some of the misinformation or outright

mischief conveyed to the public by some interest groups on the issue. ‘’We wish to clarify from the onset that the governor ’s hands are clean on the issue

of attacks on innocent people of Southern Kaduna and that he remains unrelenting in his determination to bring such barbaric acts to an end."

2015: Diaspora group endorses Ochei's guber ambition disconnected from the politics

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PRESSURE group, Umu Anioma in Diaspora,UAID, has endorsed the gubernatorial aspiration of the immediate past speaker of Delta State House of Assembly Mr. Victor Ochei, saying that his political experience would make him an acceptable choice across the state.

The group in a statement by its Convener, Mr. Charles Chukwuedo, stated that the group unanimously backed the aspirations of Ochei and President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure continuity.

His words: ‘’Despite the fact that some of us live abroad, we have never been

of our nation. As stakeholders in our polity, we cannot stand on the side and not be part of the Transformation Agenda of President Jonathan and Ochei’s enviable track records not only as a distinguished lawmaker, but as an outstanding speaker who piloted the affairs of the Delta House of Assembly with maturity, integrity and team spirit."

On Oyakhilome’s divorce crisis

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WISH our pastors will strike a balance between the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and the gospel of the kingdom.

With that, they would not encounter most of the problems we are faced with. I pray that God will intervene in the marriage of His servant. Mr. Owebor Kesie- Commenter

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OU that ignite an other man’s downfall, do you even know on which alter you stand? If Chris Oyakhilome has marriage problem, does it mean that all of pentecostalism is shit? You that make graven images for people to worship, are you now a saint? Mr. Francis Usen- Businessman

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HAT we are warned of in the Bible is here, preachers, pastors be mindful of what you do so you do not render the word of God ‘of no effect’. They must get back together if God will help them, if not based on the word of God they are done for good. Mr. Okeke-Richard ChidiWorker

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T is only God that knows if there is truth in what Pastor Anita is accusing her husband of.

For you and me, we do not know. Caution, do not believe any pastor on earth but just do right thing in the eye of God. Mr. Onuigbo Austin- Engineer

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HE problem is actu ally the fact that many of such ministers has fallen from grace and refuses to confess their sins.

The Bible said that he who so ever confesses his sin shall obtain mercy. I know what it means to fall from grace and been punish for that error. Apostle Femi Olu-Esho- Clergy

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ET us pray for these two (Pastor Chris and Anita) that their faith be strengthened. If you think they are fake, just pray for them to repent. For as much as I have seen, both have changed millions of lives all over the world.

Ms. Esther Muka- Model

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014—47

NYAKO REINSTATEMENT: Court adjourns till Oct 16

By Innocent Anaba

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AGOS—A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, adjourned till October 16, 2014 hearing in the an application, seeking to set aside the suit challenging impeachment of former Governor of Adamawa State, Mr Murtala Nyako.

Mr Olukoya Ogungbeje, a lawyer, had filed the suit in August, challenging the legality of Nyako’s impeachment on July, 15.

Ogungbeje in his suit had argued that Nyako’s impeachment was a clear derogation from the due process of law, and prayed the court to reinstate him as governor.

Respondents in the suit are: Acting governor of Adamawa State, Mr Umaru Fintiri, Adamawa State House of Assembly, the acting Chief Judge of the state, Justice Ambrose Mammadi, Justice Buba Kajama, (Chairman of the seven-member panel that investigated allegations of gross misconduct against Nyako), Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and the Inspector General of Police, IG. The trial judge, Justice Okon Abang had taken arguments from parties on September 11, and had reserved judgment till September 30.

At the resumed hearing of the case, yesterday, Ogungbeje reminded the court that the business of the day was for the

court to deliver its judgment in the suit, having entertained argument from parties.

But Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, representing the first, second and third respondent respectively, drew the court’s attention to his pending application before it.

He argued that the originating processes were not served on his clients, adding that when the lapses in the proceedings were brought to the court’s attention, the court directed counsel to adopt their written addresses.

He had prayed the court for

leave to move his application.

The applicant in opposition, insisted that the business of the court was to deliver judgment, adding that the application should not be entertained.

Justice Abang in a bench ruling held that although the court had adjourned the matter for judgment, it was in the overriding interest of justice to hear the application of counsel to the respondents.

“On September 11 during the court’s vacation, I adjourned this matter for judgment, having heard parties in the suit. However,

on September 22, the court registrar drew my attention in chambers, to an application by the first, second and third respondent; I then fixed it for hearing on September 26, and ordered hearing notices to be issued on parties.

“On the return date, the first to fifth respondents were present in court but the applicant was absent.

I checked the court’s file and found that he was not served with a hearing notice. Issues arose, as to the need to hear the competiting rights of parties, before judgment is delivered.

FORUM: From left: Armstrong Takang, CEO, Alteq ICT Limited; Ijeoma Abazie, Head, Corporate Affairs, Microsoft Nigeria; Kabelo Makwane, Country Managing Director, Microsoft Nigeria and Fernando de Sousa, General Manager, 4Afrika Initiatives at Microsoft, at the 2014 DEMO AFRICA held in Lagos. Photo by Emeka Aginam.

Shinkafi to Yari: Prove that I left empty treasury

By Salisu Maradun

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USAU—FORMER Zamfara State governor, Alhaji Shinkafi has asked his successor, Governor Abdulaziz Yari to prove his claims that he (Shinkafi) left an empty treasury and a debt of 45 billion

for him.

Shinkafi spoke in an interview with Vanguard in Gusau, the state capital weekend.

The former governor said that he did not leave any debt of that nature, pointing out that the present administration in the state was confused on how to

solve the economic and political problems facing the state.

According to him, Yari was only accusing him of leaving a huge “debt” to convince the electorate which was tired of his alleged poor of style of administration to vote for him again in 2015.

Shinkafi said that his

Stakeholders oppose moves to amend Oil, Gas Export Free Zones Act chain in Nigeria, the terminal proposed amendment, in parBy Ifeyinwa Obi

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RIVATE terminal operators have petitioned the Senate Committee on Trade and Investment over a public hearing on an Act to amend the Oil and Gas Export Free Zone Authority Act Cap 05 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2011 to provide for the designation and establishment of oil and gas free zones and special investment areas in Nigeria and for related matters.

Secretary, Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria, STOAN, Mr. Uzamot Boye, in the petition, said that the protest was based on the fact that as stakeholders in the trade

operators were not informed nor invited to the public hearing which touched “on the essence of the concession programme of the Government of Nigeria.”

He said “A critical look at the

ticular the amendment of section 12, shows a clear violation of the existing extant laws and agreements on which the present port concessions are based.''

administration laid a good foundation on which its successors could have moved Zamfara to greater heights but regretted that Yari squandered the opportunity. ‘’We concentrated on how to move the state forward economically so that the people can become self reliants and reduce crimes across the state, but this is not what is happening in Zamfara State right now. ''What is happening in Zamfara today is unfortunate. People have been pauperised and more beggars are now on the streets.

The people have not been doing anything, and government is not ready to assists them.

We ‘ll return FESTAC’s lost glory — FAKOREDE

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HE new executive of the Festival Town Residents Association, has said that it was committed to tackling the environmental hazards that has bedevilled the estate over the years, noting that this would restore its lost glory.

Making this assurance at a press briefing, the President of the association, Mr. Shola Fakorede stated that FESTAC represents a mini Nigeria with

virtually all the ethnic nationalities living therein, adding that: “Festac town was established as a residential estate designed to house the participants of the Second World Festival of Black Arts and Culture in 1977. ''It is our commitment to ensure that in line with the design of the estate, that we must live like brothers and sisters; one family that is what

we intend to achieve.

“In order to restore the lost glory of Festac, we will continue from where the last executive stopped to ensure that our environment is clean and the drainages in proper working condition. We will also continue to communicate with the appropriate authorities to do what they are supposed to do. That was why we went to court against the land use charge forced on us by the Lagos State government.”

140 APC councillors decamp to PDP in Zamfara

By Salisu Maradun

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USAU—OVER 140 serving All Progressives Congress, APC, councilors in Zamfara State have decamped from the APC to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Chairman, Councilors Forum in the state, Hon. Nasiru Ibrahim Dagaji, who made this known explained that the administration of Governor Abdulaziz Yari had failed in all ramifications, adding that more councilors would leave the party.

Dagaji, the councilor representing Mayana Ward, Gusau, the state capital, defected to PDP with his colleague Tudun wada councilor Hon.Bashar Mainasara in the state.

Speaking during their formal declaration to PDP , Dagaji revealed the 14 local goverments in the state had 147 councilors out of which 140 had left for the PDP, pointing out that the ‘’APC led administration does not mean well for the people at the grass root.’’

According to him,the state goverment had ‘’been spending the monthly allocations from the Federation Account to local government without due process.’’

Cleric extols ex-LG's virtues

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LORIN—THE Chief Imam of Omu-Aran Central Mosque, Alhaji Sodiq Alalobo, has extolled the virtues of late Alhaji Abdulkareem Adewunmi, the former chairman of Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara who died on Sept. 24.

In his sermon at the fidau prayer, the Imam described the deceased as “an honest and dedicated leader” who impacted positively on the wellbeing of the people.

He urged the gathering to be prepared to pay the supreme sacrifice through death.

“Death is inevitable. The only antidote to gaining eternal rest in the hereafter is to be righteous and Godly since whatever that has a beginning must surely have an end.''

48 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

HONOUR : From left—Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe; Senator Uche Chukwumerije and Dr. Alex Otti, Group Managing Director, Diamond Bank, after the conferment of the national honour (OFR) on Dr. Otti by President Jonathan in Abuja. PHOTO: Gbemiga Olamikan.

VISIT: Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State (right) and Chief of Naval Staff, O. U. Jibril, during the presentation of Naval Plaque of Excellence to the governor when he paid a visit to Naval Headquarters in Abuja.

LAUNCH: From left— Mr. Tominiyi Oni, Human Resources Director, Friesland Campina Wamco Nigieria Plc; Mrs Marvelous Awobotu, Chief Executive Officer, Marvelous Ventures, Ojuwoye Market; Mr. Tarang Gupta, Marketing Director; Mr. Peter Eshikena, Managing Director; Mrs Risikat Aweda, Chief Executive Officer, Opeyemi Stores; and Mr. Adewale Arikawe, Sales Director, at the launch of Peak Milk 850g Value Pack in Lagos.

PHOTO: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

WINNER : From left— Alhaji Yusuf Abubakar, an NCC Commissioner; Mr. Usoro Anthony Usoro, Acting Chief Marketing Officer, MTN; and Mr. Clement Akuoko, 3rd place winner, at the Grand Finale of MTN Project Fame Season 7 in Lagos.

TOUR: Mr. Nsima Ekere, former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State (middle); Prince Enobong Ufot, former Chairman of Ikot Abasi Local Government Area (right), and others being shown round Museum of Annang Culture and Heritage by former member of House of Representatives, Mr. Patty Ineme in Ikot Ekpene.

FORUM: From left— Senator Magnus Abe, Mr. Ken Sarowiyor, Professor Don Baridam and other Ogoni stakeholders rising from the Ogoni Stakeholders Forum in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

FELLOWS: From left—Dr. K. Onoja, Dr. Eboh Idemudia, Dr. Chikwendu Chris, convoking Fellows of the faculty of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, and other faculties fellows, during their convocation at the College in Ijanikin, Lagos.

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RALLY: From left— Mr. Peter Onwusanya, Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly; Mr. Victor Ochei, former Speaker, Delta House of Assembly and Delta State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship aspirant; Mr. Funkekeme Solomon, Delta State Commissioner for Works; Mrs Amaechi Mrakpor, and Mr. Daniel Yingi, both m embers of Delta Assembly, duriong the PDP South-South rally at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin,Edo State.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014 — 49

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50 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014—51

Why I want to represent Edo North in the Senate—Lamai

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HE National Coordinator of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP- Reloaded, Chief Richard Lamai, has formally declared his intention to contest the Edo North senatorial election on the platform of PDP in the 2015 general elections.

Speaking while presenting his letter of intent to the state PDP Chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, at the party’s state secretariat in Benin City, Lamai said he was seeking a Senate seat to represent the people of Edo North because he wants to provide visionary leadership that will galvanise the people and the abundant natural resources of the area for development.

He said,“My ambition is driven by the desire to provide a visionary leadership for the people of Edo North, so that the abundant human and natural resources of the area can be harnessed for development. Edo North has not been lucky with quality representation since 1999, this is what I want to change and that is why I’m in the race.”

Lamai promised that if

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given the mandate to represent Edo North in the Senate, he will ensure that cottage industries were established in all the 64 wards of the zone, stressing, “this project means that I will also establish six vocational training centres in the six local government areas that make up Edo North, so that our mothers,

sisters and brothers can be trained in vocations and skill acquisition in agriculture, aquaculture and arts and craft. Products of these centres will access interest free loans from cooperatives and thrift societies that will be established in all the local governments that make up the senatorial zone.”

PDP can't ‘recover' Edo from APC in Edo, says Ihonvbere

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

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ECRETARY to Edo State Government, Professor Julius Ihonvbere, has described President Goodluck Jonathan's statement that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will “recover” Edo State from the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, as wishful thinking.

Ihonvbere said, “if President Goodluck Jonathan likes he can come to Edo State 200 times, Governor Adams Oshiomhole has laid a foundation that will make it impossible for PDP to win the state in a free and fair election. It is the arrogance of power that killed the PDP

in Edo State and they are dead finally because our own brother, Adams Oshiomhole, has laid a foundation that nobody can ever forget.”

Speaking in Etsako West Local Government Area, where he commissioned his senatorial campaign office in Auchi, Ihonvbere said, “this commissioning is a mark of victory for us. As we are moving forward, those who will enter here will work for us in good health and from the work we are going to do here, we will intimidate the PDP with the work the Governor has done such that they won’t know when we get to Abuja."

52 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014 — 53

54—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

THANKSGIVING: From right—Mr. Peter Onwusanya, Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly; Professor Amos Utuama, Deputy Governor of Delta State; Deaconess Roli Uduaghan; Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State; Bishop GodDo-Well Avwomakpa, and Bishop Emamezi, Bishop of Patani Anglican Diocese, Chairman, CAN, SouthSouth, during the dedication of the Government House Chapel as part of the celebration marking 54th independence anniversary at an inter-denominational thanksgiving service in Asaba.

Pressure groups endorse Monye for Delta guber

By Tommy Anaduaka

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HE 2015 governorship aspiration of Special Adviser to the President on Evaluation and Monitoring, Professor Sylvester Monye, has continued to enjoy endorsement by various pressure groups.

Reacting to the large number of political pressure groups of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, including a cross section of stakeholders, women and youth leaders, the political adviser to the aspirant and former secretary of Aniocha North council, Mr. Alex Odi-Okoh, said the endorsement was as a result of the group's belief that it was only Professor Monye that has what it takes to govern the state.

He added that the track record of the governorship hopeful coupled with his long standing contributions to the socio-economic development of the state and country was worthy of emulation.

Uduaghan's aide preaches unity

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R. Vincent Uduaghan, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Delta State on Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Matters, has said that genuine peace and unity among Nigerians were the only to develop the country.

Uduaghan, who spoke yesterday in Warri, also frowned at the malicious attempt by some persons to blackmail the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, over the $9.3 million transported by his private jet.

Uduaghan said: “Nigeria is the only country we have and it is necessary we love our country by coming together, irrespective of tribes and religion, to pursue the growth and development of Nigeria.”

Crisis looms in Bayelsa West over zoning of NASS seats

By Samuel Oyadongha

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ENAGOA—UNEASY calm now pervades Bayelsa West senatorial district of Bayelsa State, following reported attempts by some political leaders to zone the National Assembly seats in the area.

This is just as the political stakeholders in the senatorial district have endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for the 2015 presidential election and Governor Seriake Dickson for the 2016 election, citing their developmental strides at the national and state levels as justification for supporting them.

It was learnt that some political leaders in the area are determined to stop Senator Heineken Lokpobiri representing Bayelsa West senatorial district and Dr Stella Dorgu, representing Sagbama-Ekeremor federal constituency.

Dorgu replaced Seriake Dickson after his election as governor of the state in 2012.

Indication that some political leaders in the area were prepared to upstage Lokpobiri and Dorgu emerged during a rally, yesterday, in Sagbama by the Bayelsa West senatorial district to endorse Jonathan and Dickson for 2015 and 2016, respectively.

would now produce the Senator for two terms of four years and Ekeremor would produce the House of Representatives member also for two terms.

Reaction

This, however, did not go down well with supporters of the National Assembly members.

A highly placed source, who attended the meeting where

GAS FLARING: Ibeno blasts FG, oil firm over neglect

By Chioma Onuegbu

U

YO—IBENO community in Akwa Ibom State has criticised the Federal Government for paying lip service to bringing lasting solution to the problem of gas flaring in oil producing areas of the Niger Delta region.

In a paper presented yesterday at a one-day workshop on Enhancing the Credibility and Transparency of Oil Spill Remediation Process, organised by Environmental Rights Action, ERA in Uyo, Ibeno community women representative, Mrs. Caroline Usen lamented that gas flaring and oil spill had

over decades brought untold hardship to the people.

She said: “Gas flaring and oil spill are most catastrophic environmental challenges in the Niger Delta. In Ibeno community of Akwa Ibom State, it has been a reoccurring decimal with negligible effort by government and multinational companies, particularly Exxon Mobil, that has been flaring gas in the area for over 40 years to put an end to it.

“This has brought untold hardship to Ibeno and its neighbouring communities, who depend solely on the sea and farmlands for existence.”

By Festus Ahon

U

GHELLI—A Delta State House of Assembly aspirant for Ughelli North constituency II, Olorogun Jaro Egbo, has promised to give effective representation to the constituency if given the mandate.

Egbo, who spoke during his consultative meeting with the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Steve Oru, Chief Austin Uloho and Engr Omeni Sobotie, lamented that the constituency had been underrepresented over the years.

Noting that the constituency had not witnessed any constituency briefing in the last four years, he said that all projects being executed by the Delta State Oil Producing Areas D e v e l o p m e n t C o m m i s s i o n , DESOPADEC, in Ughelli North Local Government Area were tilted towards constituency I. He added that the constituency had not fared well in terms of employment as a result of ineffectual representation.

I didn't beg to be Obuh's running mate— AKPEKI

By Emma Amaize

A new arrangement

The pioneer chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state, Engr Charles Dorgu, had, during the rally, said the political leaders in the district had decided to zone the National Assembly seats in the interest of peace and harmony.

Engr. Dorgu said by the new arrangement, Sagbama

the decision to endorse Jonathan and Dickson during the rally was taken, expressed displeasure with the attempts to cause confusion in the governor ’s senatorial district.

The source, who said Lokpobiri and Dorgu were part of the financiers of the rally because of their support for Jonathan and Dickson, said the decision-making organs in the party have not back any zoning formula.

Egbo assure Ughelli II of effective representation

A

SABA—PEOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, governorship aspirant in Delta State, Chief Paulinus Akpeki, yesterday, denied media report that he visited former Minister of Information, Chief Edwin Clark, requesting to be considered as running mate

to Mr. Tony Obuh, a Delta North governorship aspirant.

One of the directors of his campaign organisation, Mr. Sam Okoro, told Vanguard in Asaba: “It is a false report.

Chief Akpeki, who is a top governorship aspirant from Delta Central senatorial district, at no time visited Chief Clark to make such a request. He is in the race and

preparing for the primaries.

“The publication is the handiwork of political opponents, who are afraid of the rising political profile of Chief Akpeki as a leading governorship aspirant in the state.”

He asked Akpeki’s supporters to remain calm and be prepared for the forthcoming primaries.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014—55

2015: We’ve not endorsed any candidate – OHANAEZE

By Vincent Ujumadu

A

WKA—THE national leadership of the apex Igbo socio –cultural organization, the Ohaneze Ndigbo said yesterday in Awka that it had not endorsed any aspirant for the 2015 presidential election.

National president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Gary Enwo-Igariwey, said at a briefing in Awka, Anambra State, that the organization would not endorse anybody without adequate consultation with the stakeholders, including Ime Obi (the Igbo Think Tank) and the South East Council of Traditional Rulers.

He said: “Ohanaeze has made no statement on the adoption of any presidential candidate and that is the truth. The fact remains that Ohanaeze does not have a programme for Igbo president in 2015, but before we adopt any candidate, we have to consult widely on the issue and it would, therefore, be inappropriate for anybody to say that we have adopted any candidate. The Ime Obi and other Ohanaeze affiliate organizations have to decide on the issue before Ohanaeze leadership would take a stand.”

The Ohanaeze president was, however, emphatic that Igbos did not have the proper vehicle to vie for the president in 2015, arguing that it was for that reason that it decided to suspend the ambition until the expiration of the tenure of President Goodluck Jonathan.

He also said the organization would address the issue of

indiscipline in Ohanaeze, noting that a situation where affiliate organizations would be announcing the adoption of a presidential candidate when the parent body had not made any pronouncement on the matter amounted to indiscipline.

Igariwey defended the absence of governors and other

notable politicians of Igbo extraction during the celebration of the Igbo Day in Awka on Monday, attributing it to the National Honours’ Award ceremony which took place in Abuja on the same day.

According to him, most of those who were expected to attend the Awka ceremony but were unable to do so, apologized for their absence and promised to reach out to the organization later.

MEETING: From left: Tayo Oduwole, Head Innovations, Computer Warehouse Group, CWG; James Agada, Group CTO, CWG; Bature Umar Masari, Director-General/CEO, SMEDAN; Austin Okere, GMD/CEO, CWG; Nasiru Izegwire, Regional Manager, North-CWG during a meeting in Abuja.

EBOLA: Parents decry continued closure of schools in Imo

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI—PARENTS and guardian have condemned the continued

Vanguard yesterday, expressed anger over the directive by the leadership of the state wing of Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT, for teachers to remain at

home until government supplied personal protective equipment and other necessary tools to all schools.

Reacting to the development, Mrs. Tina Iwuala lamented that government always used the slightest opportunity to declare strike.

“NUT leaders in Imo State maintained that the case between Ayanbi stated.

“Furthermore, we also use this should tell the rest of us, the Abiona family and Rasaki Ishola Owodeyi of Ishagatedo town was medium to tell the general public number of teachers and pupils still in court, adding that it was that the fact of the case is between that contacted Ebola since only postponed because the initial Rasaki Ishola Owodeyi and missionary and private schools presiding judge on the case was Abiona Family. We did not sue resumed. ''I do not see why these teachers Ishagatedo community of promoted.

“Now the case had been Ishagatedo people. We are not should remain endlessly at reassigned to another judge and disturbing the progress of our home. The leadership of NUT can conveniently afford ordering date for hearing has been fixed.” great town.'' their members to remain at home because they are sure to get paid at the end of the month, she said'; She wondered why NUT failed said, ‘Our dream is to beam to call for the closure of churches

By Anozie Egole from the moon. We believe that and markets in the state, FTER two years of we are in for a change in TV stressing “teachers have been planning, building and Broadcasting.

We are going to buy their needs from installing state of the art passionate about it and are the markets, despite the equipment, Cool TV and faithful to our destiny.” outbreak of Ebola Virus Wazobia TV on channels 195 Speaking on why it chose to Disease”. and 196 respectively will soon begin test transmission on At Community Primary School, debut on Startimes.

Nigeria’s Independence Day, Akabo, Ikeduru local council area, The TV will tomorrow begin he said, “Our Independence a parent who simply identified test transmission and on Day is dear to us and we want himself as Mr. Njoku, fumed that November 1, 2014 commence to tag our new milestone with public schools were still shut, “it full scale transmission.

October 1 like we did for Cool is sad that the state government is At briefing in Lagos ahead of FM, Wazobia FM and Nigeria yet to make a statement on the the launch, Managing Director Info FM. For record purpose, matter. It appears government of Cool FM, Wazobia FM and we began the TV project in the is very happy with the ugly Naija Info, Amin Moussalli, first week of January 2012. development” closure of public primary and secondary schools in Imo State, on account of the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD. Some of them who spoke to

Family denies out-of-court settlement over Ishagatedo kingship tussle

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

T

HE Abiona family, one of the three ruling houses in Ishagatedo, has denied plans to settle the on-going court case against Rasaki Ishola Owodeyi, the present traditional ruler of Ishagatedo in Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area, over illegal occupation of the throne out of court.

Abiona family had dragged one Rasaki Ishola Owodeyi to court over alleged illegal occupation of the seat by Awodeyi and for parading himself as the Baale.

In a hearing notice filed at the High Court of Lagos, Ikeja, with suit no: ID/62/2013 by Abiona Ruling Family, through Chief Fasesan Ayanbi and others as claimants, had Owodeyi, Oshodi/ Isolo Local Government, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Attorney General of the state as defendants.

Speaking on behalf of Abiona Family, Chief Fasesan Ayanbi,

Cool TV, Wazobia TV debut on Startimes

A

NIMASA promises job placements for 1st NSDP graduates

By Ifeyinwa Obi

N

IGERIAN Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, is looking at the possibilities of job placements for the first batch of graduating students from its Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme, NSDP. NIMASA DirectorGeneral, Mr. Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi, dsiclosed thisat reception for the 22 NSDP graduates in.

Akpobolokemi said: “We promise to do everything possible to provide jobs for these graduates because when the youths are hungry, there will be trouble. But investing in the youths is the best assurance for a peaceful nation.”

The NSDP, according to him, is on course to achieving its plan to create a pool for maritime industry manpower, for both local and international needs.

The NIMASA boss explained that the graduates had completed their four-year training, including the mandatory sea-time experience, for international standards in seafaring.

Lady Okafor for burial

L

ADY Fidelia Obiajulu Okafor, aged 60, is dead. Her burial rites begin tomorrow with a vigil mass by 6pm at St Patrick’s Catholic Church,OgwashiUku, Aniocha South Local Government of Delta State.

Her funeral mass will take place on Friday, October 3, at St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Ogwashi-Uku, while interment follows at her residence, opposite Climax Academy, Agidiase Quarters, Ogwashi-Uku. An outing service will hold on Sunday, October 5 at the same Church.

She is survived by children, aged father and relations.

.Late Lady Okafor

56—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

Trans-border robbery kingpin arrested in Enugu zAs Anambra Police parade 50, recover arms, stolen property

By Vincent Ujumadu & Francis Igata

L

EADER of a trans-border gang, which allegedly specialises in armed robbery and kidnapping along border towns of Enugu and Anambra states, has been arrested by operatives of anti-kidnapping unit of Enugu State Police Command.

This came as Anambra State Police Command in Awka, yesterday, paraded 50 suspected criminals allegedly involved in various crimes in parts of the state, with those paraded including suspected kidnappers, armed robbers and car snatchers.

The alleged ring leader (names withheld) resident in Owerri, Imo State, was apprehended following a gun duel between his gang and men of the Police along Enugu-Anambra border town at about 4.56p.m.

The suspect’s arrest was confirmed yesterday in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, DSP. Meanwhile, those paraded

by Anambra State police command included suspected kidnappers, armed robbers and vehicle snatchers.

The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hosea Karma, who paraded the suspects at the state police headquarters yesterday, said they were arrested within the past three

weeks.

Among the suspects, according to the commissioner, were four criminals allegedly terrorising churches; those that robbed a bank in Nnewi and a lady, who allegedly keeps kidnap victims in her father ’s house at Ayamelum Local

Government Area of the state.

Also in the command's net is a native doctor who is said to specialise in preparing charms for criminals.

Some of the items recovered from the suspects are AK-47 rifles, fake vehicle plate numbers, vehicles of various makes and air-conditioners.

Lawmaker’s supporters beat up TV director in Ibadan

By OLA AJAYI

I

BADAN—THE peaceful atmosphere in Ibadan was disturbed, yesterday, as some suspected thugs believed to be supporters of a legislator of Oyo State House of Assembly (names withheld) allegedly beat up the Director of Engineering, Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State, BCOS, Mr. Akinniyi Akinlabi.

The action of the lawmaker’s supporters led to a protest by members of the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union, RATTAWU,

who angrily locked up the gate to protest the maltreatment of their boss.

They vowed not to grant anybody entry into the premises of the station.

The chaotic atmosphere coincided with the inauguration of a Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, press centre at BCOS by Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

Chief Executive Officer of the corporation, Mr. Yanju Adegbite, pleaded with his staff to open the gate and allow peace to reign.

He reportedly begged the

workers, saying the matter ought to be reported to the governor before any further action could be taken.

The lawmaker was said to have organised an empowerment programme for members of the public which was fixed for yesterday at the BCOS Exhibition Ground.

Vanguard gathered that trouble started when the director refused to allow the lawmaker's supporters connect power from the electricity pole in the premises of the corporation without permission.

OFFICERS IN CHARGE: Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, officers manhandle a truck driver for allegedly failing to put on seat belt at Post Office Round-About in Ughelli, Delta State. PHOTO: Akpokona Omafuaire.

Thugs set Kano court ablaze

By Abdulsalam Muhammad

K

ANO—ARMED hoodlums, yesterday in Kano, torched a magistrates’ court located in Koki area of the metropolis.

Eyewitness told Vanguard that 30 suspected thugs had stormed the court, brandishing weapons, and set it ablaze.

The court’s security guard, who preferred anonymity, said: “Over 30 thugs appeared around 4a.m. when I woke up for early morning prayers.

“When they saw me, they started hurling stones at me. I turned around and saw two of them approaching me with weapons.

“Others were trying to break the court’s door, while some of them instantly torched the court’s building, using petroleum. I quickly ran away to avoid being killed because I was alone.”

Narrating his ordeal, another resident, Mallam Nuhu Ishaq, who sustained injury in the attack, said he saw the thugs in large number on his way to the mosque, and that they attacked him with their weapons.

Some Koki residents told Vanguard that the policemen from Jakara Police Division would have foiled the attack had they arrived immediately they were informed about the invasion.

Acting Kano State Police Public Relation Officer, DSP Mustapha Abubakar, confirmed the incident, adding that Police had commenced investigation into the matter.

He added that policemen reported to the scene immediately they were informed of the incident.

FRSC mobile court convicts 104 traffic offenders in Anambra

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

N

NEWI— OVER 104 road traffic offenders were, yesterday in Anambra State, convicted by the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, mobile court.

This came as over 250 motorists were enlightened during a special inter-state patrol and enlightenment exercise within Ozubulu-Okaji-

Ihiala-Mgbidi-Njaba axis of Onitsha-Owerri road.

The traffic offenders, mostly commercial bus drivers plying routes between Anambra and Imo states, were convicted for offences ranging from use of worn-out tyres, driving without seat belts, non- availability of caution signs, overloading, lack of passengers’ manifest to lack of fire extinguisher, among other offences.

Addressing the press on the exercise, FRSC Sector Commander in Imo State, Mr. Yusuff Kolawole, said the interstate patrol involved officers and men from Ihiala unit command in Anambra and Njaba unit command in Imo State.

He said: “The exercise was to enlighten the motorists against negligence, lack of lane discipline and over-speeding,

especially as the Yuletide approaches, which would bring a lot of traffic to Onitsha-Owerri road corridor.

“The importance of this activity is the fact that we have already entered the Ember months and people have a wrong belief that when the Ember months come people must die.

“They believe that maybe there is a demon on the road

that is killing people. Bt we in road safety business and its establishment believe that there is no demon or bloodsucking demon on the road, killing the people.

“It is just negligence of traffic rules, carelessness and recklessness of the road users.

“The problem is that in Ember months there is an increase in vehicular and human traffic on the road.”

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014—57

Chieftaincy tussle: Claimant threatens contempt charge against Edo Govt

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN—ONE of the claimants to the stool of the Onojie of Ewu in Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State, Prince Jafaru Isesele, has threatened to initiate contempt proceedings against the officials of the state government, who he claimed, have continued to treat with disrespect, the judgment of the Appeal Court over the Ewu chieftaincy dispute which was in his favour.

In a petition to the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Edo State, through his counsel , Mr. K. Obamojie, Isesele recalled that following the appellate court's judgment in the appeal filed by Prince Razaq Ojiefo, another claimant to the title, the Esan Central Traditional Council met and resolved that the financial entitlements due to the stool of the Onojie of Ewu should no longer be paid to Prince Ojiefo, who was alleged to be an impostor and usurper of the throne of the Onojie of Ewu. The Edo Central Traditional Council had in its resolution contended that since Prince Ojiefo had lost out in both the

state High Court and the Court of Appeal, the financial entitlements should be kept in an escrow account pending the outcome of Prince Ojiefo’s final appeal at the Supreme Court.

The petitioner added that this was more so since neither the Court of Appeal nor the Supreme Court, had ordered

a stay of execution of the Court of Appeal’s judgment.

He said that it had been brought to his notice that notwithstanding the present legal status of Prince Ojiefo regarding the chieftaincy dispute and pendency of the matter at the Supreme Court, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy

Affairs has in utter contempt of the appellate court judgment and in a clear bid to undermine the resolution of the Esan Central Traditional Coucil resolution, directed that the entitlements due to the stool of Onojie of Ewu be deducted at source at the ministry and paid directly to Prince Ojiefo.

AWARD: President Goodluck Jonathan (left) decorating Mr. Ben Murray-Bruce, Chairman, Silverbird Group, with a National Award of OON, during the 2014 National Honours and Award Investiture ceremony in Abuja.

2015: Jonathan tasks Nigerians on voter registration exercise

By Simon Ebegbulem ENIN—AHEAD of the 2015 general elections, President Goodluck Jonathan has urged Nigerians to take advantage of the ongoing voter registration exercise, so as to vote out unproductive leaders.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Youth and Student Matters, Mr. Jude Imagwe, who stated this yesterday while donating empowerment materials on behalf of President Jonathan, to indigent people in Agenebode, in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, said people at the grassroots must utilise the opportunity to ensure governance at all levels.

He said: “The only way we can demand for accountability from our politicians is to equip ourselves and vote for people of our choice. Our strength is our voting right. If we cannot vote tomorrow, we cannot equally measure or criticise the performance of government and the only reason that make us to vote is when we are registered.

“As we are approaching

B

elections, we should know that it is just an election for a day.

We should not see each other as enemies.”

Items donated include

fertilizers, sewing machines, hair dryers, hand dryers and clippers. He said that the items were part of the President’s dividend of

democracy to the people of Agenebode community and appealed to them to support Jonathan's re-election bid in 2015.

Customs intercepts 11,264 bags of illegally imported rice

By Ifeyinwa Obi

T

HE Comptroller, Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Federal Operations Unit, Zone ‘A’ Ikeja, Lagos, Alhaji Turaki Adamu, has said that the unit intercepted about 11,264 bags of illegally imported rice valued at N95.74 million.

Speaking through the Public Relations Officer of the unit, Mr. Uche Ejesieme, in a statement, he noted while inspecting the seized goods with a duty paid value (DPV) of N95.74 million, that the consignment was intercepted along the creek of Igbesa in Ogun State .

According to him, the seizure was possible following

the paradigm shift in the operational methodologies and modalities of the unit in combating smuggling.

He said that the unit in the early hours of September 23, uncovered a hideout in a creek at Igbesa, Ogun State, where the bags of rice were seized.

He said that the seizure was made possible by the Lagos Roving Team Operations, headed by Assistant Comptroller, Mr Adamu Mohammed.

He added that the service relied on intelligence report which disclosed that the smugglers were planning to use the creeks to bring in large quantities of rice from the Republic of Benin.

“Sequel to this development,

the comptroller and the team leader fashioned out operational modalities to ensure that there was no leakage of information to the targeted group.

“The team laid ambush for the consignment for almost three days before it struck. It is pertinent to point out that the area is reputed as both volatile and inaccessible particularly for customs and several attempts to raid the place in the past were met with stiff opposition from the hostile smugglers.

“We must place on record that smugglers had attacked customs patrol teams that attempted in the past to stop their nefarious activities,” he said.

Dickson lauds Nigerians, urges prayer for nation

By Samuel Oyadongha

Y

E N A G O A — GOVERNOR Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, has lauded Nigerians for their support, prayers and encouragement to the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan in tackling the security and other developmental challenges confronting the country.

Dickson, in a goodwill message to mark the 18th anniversary of the creation of the Bayelsa State and the 54th Independence celebration of Nigeria, said no government will succeed in delivering its mandate, especially in the execution of people oriented policies and programmes, without the support of the citizenry.

Dickson noted that like any other country, Nigeria has had its fair share of obstacles right from independence to date, stressing that challenges bedeviling the nation were not peculiar to the current administration.

Delta 2015: It's Delta North's turn —Ibakpa

D

ELTA State Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Ben Ibakpa, has said it was the turn of Delta North senatorial district to produce the next governor of the state, for the sake of equity in the state.

Ibakpa, in Sapele, Sapele Local Government Area of the state, amidst agitations over which of the three senatorial districts should produce the next governor, said: “The governorship slot must go to the North for the purpose of equity.’’

According to him, the position of the state government and the state chapter of the party was borne out of the fact that Delta Central senatorial district had on two occasions produced governors, while Delta South senatorial district produced the current governor, adding that “It is now the turn of Delta North to produce the governor of the state."

58 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014 — 59

Giwa denounces Amaju’s board C

HAIRMAN of Giwa FC, Christopher Giwa has denounced the yesterday ’s elections of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in Warri, which ushered in Pinnick Amaju as the new President of the NFF. In a statement released yesterday, Giwa, who was purportedly elected NFF President in what observers termed a ‘kangaroo election’ on August 26 in Abuja, said that he was the authentic head of Nigerian football.

Giwa said yesterday’s election in Warri was illegal and vowed to seek justice and fair play.

*Giwa “It came to our notice that some people gathered in Warri to conduct an illegal elections. We are also aware that a court of competent jurisdiction outlawed the processes embarked upon in Warri.

“We shall pursue the cause of justice, fair play as guaranteed by the

1999 Constitution on us as Nigerians. FIFA as a law-abiding institution stayed away from the illegal Warri Congress.

They are aware that there are court processes in place against the so-called Congress”.

Giwa said his board was going to meet on October 2 in Abuja to decide on the next line of action.

“However in line with the orders of the Federal High Court, the board shall meet on Thursday October 2, 2014 in Abuja, where decisions shall be taken and Nigerians shall be properly briefed at the end of the meeting”, said Giwa in the signed statement.

NFF Election: How delegates strategised

BY JUDE OPARA, in Warri

T

HERE was a mild drama that played out at the Golden Tulip Hotel, venue of the elective Congress of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) which took place in Warri Delta State on September 30.

Even as some delegates, observers and the media were all ready for

the exercise earlier scheduled to start by 10. am, the Congress was not called to order until 12.55 pm. Checks by Sports Vanguard revealed that apart from the alleged invitation of the Electoral Committee Chairman, Samson Ebohme by security operatives, the delegates had some serious issues they insisted in sorting out before the exercise could begin. It was discovered

Maigari flaunts scorecard

By Jacob Ajom in Warri

F

ORMER chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation, Aminu Maigari was full of appreciation to the federal government, the sports ministry and the entire football fraternity for the support he got while in office.

Maigari recalled his achievements with pride. “We can beat our chests that ours have been the best FA board ever. We won the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in 19 years, got to the second round of the FIFA World Cup, won the U-17 World Cup, qualified for CHAN for the first time and won a bronze in the tournament, returned with silver from Women U-20 C M Y K

World Cup.” He told delegates at the elective congress in Warri that all these would not have been possible without the cooperation of President Goodluck Jonathan and the supervisory ministry.

He therefore implored delegates to sink their differences and vote the best for Nigeria football.

Nadal

that due to the provisions of the NFF Statutes, any zone that produced the president will not have another member on the 15- man executive committee.

To this effect it was further gathered that most of the zones were lobbying to ensure that their candidates who were running for the position of president lost so as to pave way for them to have two representatives. Some of the delegate from across the zones whose opposition to the candidacy of the presidential candidates from their zones was based on this calculation told our reporter in confidence that already the zones have shared the tenure for the states in the zones.

Sharapova

Djokovic, Sharapova win W

*Djokovic

Nadal back with a bang R

AFAEL Nadal made a dominant return to tennis after a two-month injury layoff, beating Richard Gasquet 6-4, 6-0 at the China Open yesterday.

Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray also advanced to the second round in vastly different fashion.

The top-ranked Djokovic improved to 20-0 at the China Open with a routine 6-2, 6-1 win over Spain’s Guillermo Gar-

cia-Lopez, while Murray took 2 1/2 hours to put away Poland’s Jerzy Janowicz 6-7 (9), 6-4, 62. Nadal injured his right wrist while practicing on his home island of Majorca in late July, missing the entire North American hard-court season, including the defense of his title at the US Open.

Djokovic has proved difficult to beat in Beijing, winning four titles in five years. He typical-

ly plays well during the Asian swing after the US Open, a time of year when other players complain about the grind of the tennis season.

The Serb said his focus was no different this time, even with the impending birth of his first child a month from now.

Murray is coming off a title run last week at the Shenzhen Open, a tournament he entered to try to improve his ranking enough to qualify for the ATP Finals in London.

ORLD No.1 men’s player Novak Djokovic powered through his opening game of the $US5.4 million China Open following a shaky start, while five-time Grand Slam winner Maria Sharapova also won.

The men’s third seed in Beijing, Tomas Berdych, joins Djokovic in the second round after winning his game, but it was heartbreak for women’s world No.6 Agnieszka Radwanska, who became the highest seed to tumble so far.

Djokovic made an emphatic start to a tournament he has a 100 per cent record in, defeating Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain 6-2 6-1 in 63 minutes.

In the women’s tournament, Sharapova was facing a potential banana skin in her match with Elina Svitolina, who was full of confidence following her appearance in the Wuhan Open semifinals last week.

The pair matched each other early in the match before Sharapova broke her opponent in the fourth game.

60 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

Champions League Splash

Musa falls with CSKA

T

HOMAS Mueller fired Bayern Munich to a 1-0 win away over CSKA Moscow in an empty stadium yesterday in the Champions League. Mueller put Bayern ahead from the penalty spot in the 22nd minute, after Mario Goetze was fouled by CSKA’s Mario Fernandes as he dribbled into the box.

The spotkick earned Bayern a second consecutive 1-0 victory in Group E after beating Manchester City earlier this month.

Wilshere doubtful for Gala match

A

R S E N A L’ S midfielder Jack Wilshere is a doubt for the club’s champions league second group stage match against Galatasaray today. The 22 year old had a knock to his ankle in the first half of the North London derby after a tackle from Danny Rose in the penalty box. He required extensive treatment before he returned to the field, but he was clearly in discomfort after that before he was substituted in place of Alexis Sanchez in the second half.

•Messi

Messi: We can win Champions League with Suarez L

•Wilshere

IONEL Messi believes Barcelona can win the Champions League with Luis Suarez in their ranks this season.

Although the former Liverpool player is unable to play until October 25 as he completes a ban for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini during the World Cup, Messi feels the return of the Uruguayan can help Barca in their aim of

Simeone tags Juve duel final match

D

IEGO Simeone has labelled Atletico Madrid’s clash with Juventus as a ‘final’, whilst he outlines his respect for the Bianconeri.

“This is a final with Juventus, as are all the games and as the next one will be,” Simeone said “We are a competitive team and I will have many options for tomorrow. The games are all different and depending on the game I will see who will play.

“Juventus are a team C M Y K

•Suarez

who have always worked very well, they are a solid team that it is hard to take points from.

“We will need to play a game at the highest level in order to bring home the three points. We will see, however, in training tomorrow, to dissolve any doubts [about team selection].

“We face Juve with the utmost respect that they deserve as an established team. I like the work done over the years by Juve, we note the great work done behind their victories."

regaining the trophy.

“We are excited, eager, because we already have a squad full of very good players. Luis Suarez’s arrival will further strengthen our forward line and hopefully that can help us win the Champions League,” said Messi “We know it’s going to be hard and there will be some difficult times, but I think we can go far.

“The teams [in the competition] are the best, the biggest in the world.

That’s why it is so important,” he maintained.

Lallana tips Liverpool for victory

M

•Lallana

Basle eye Liverpool fall

B

•Simeone

•Musa

ASLE coach Paulo Sousa is looking for his side to ‘’create a story’’ for his club by beating Liverpool in the Champions League.

Their only previous meeting with Liverpool was in the group stages of the Champions League in 2002 and while they held their more illustrious opponents to two draws, the second of those - 3-3 at

home having gone 3-0 up - sent the Merseysiders crashing out of the competition. ‘’We could create a story tomorrow which will be remembered in the future. ‘’As a coach all the games are a real test. It is a fantastic moment for us, myself and the players and our club to enjoy but also to compete as we are looking to get results.’’

ERE hours after touching down in Switzerland ahead of Liverpool’s second Champions League fixture of the season, Adam Lallana spoke of the confidence and concentration that the travellers will take into their meeting with FC Basel tonight.

“They played Chelsea in the competition last season and I remember watching that. We have obviously studied and analysed them.

“But it’s also important to focus on ourselves; we’re here on the back of a good performance at the weekend. We still think we’re improving and going in the right direction.

“It’s obviously a tough competition and there are no easy games, but you take the positives out of it. It’s extra games for us and hopefully we’ll get the right result which we’re confident we can do.”

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014 — 61

I’ll unite football fraternity — Amaju •Dedicates victory to late Okpomo

I’ll never congratulate Pinnick — Iorfa

BY TONY UBANI, in Warri

BY TONY UBANI, in Warri

N

D

EW President of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Melvin Pinnick Amaju has promised to reach out to all aggrieved football stakeholders and bring them under one umbrella for the betterment of Nigerian football.

“I’ll go and beg Chris Giwa, Dominic Iorfa, Taiwo OgunJobI, Amanze Uchegbulam, Abba Yola.

We can only move forward when there is unity. My election is a divine one. I never bargained to be President.

They wanted to make me Chairman of the Electoral body. Today, I thank all Nigerians and dedicate this victory to late Patrick Okpomo who tutored me.

He wanted to be President of the Nigerian Football but never got it.

Now, I’ve it and will give it my best”, he said shedding tears of joy.

CONTEST . . . CSKA Moscow’s Nigerian forward, Ahmed Musa (R) shoots past Bayern Munich’s Moroccan defender Mehdi Benatia during their Group E Champions league match at the Arena Khimki in Moscow. Bayern Munich won 1-0. Photo: AFP.

Maigari wishes Nigerian Football well •NASS in support of election— Gaya

BY JUDE OPARA, in Warri

I

MMEDIATE past president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Aminu Maigari yesterday said he will continue to wish the Nigerian football well in all its endeavours.

Maigari who was performing his last assignment as the NFF president during the elective Congress of the federation in Warri, Delta State said he was happy to leave the stage with his

•Maigari head held high.

He specifically remembered the numerous achievements recorded under his watch by the country especially win-

ning the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) after 19 years.

The former Bauchi State FA chairman however regretted the crisis that engulfed the nation’s football immediately after the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup and urged the new board to work with all the stakeholders to end the crisis permanently.

Also in his address, the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye who also declared

the congress open said the federal government will continue to collaborate with the new board of the NFF in developing the game in the country.

In his goodwill message, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Sports, Hon. Godfrey Gaya said the National Assembly is in full support of the election.

However, he challenged the new board to put an end the crisis that usually herald elections into the NFF executive committee.

OMINIC Iorfa stormed out of the Golden Tulip Hotel, venue of the Elective Congress of the NFF the moment he saw the handwriting on the wall.

Delta FA Chairman Pinnick Amaju Melvin had been declared the winner of the elections after he sailed through with a run-off votes of 32 over Iorfa’s eight votes and Taiwo Ogunjobi’s four votes. In the first votes that failed to produce two thirds winner as stipulated in Article 16:2 of the Electoral Guidelines, Amaju had won with 25 votes over Ogunjobi’s nine and Iorfa’s six votes respectively.

Once Amaju was declared winner, he walked up to his fellow contestants hugging and parting them on the back. But when he opened his hands to embrace Iorfa, he turned his back and walked away. Other contestants filled Iorfa’s void by

•Iorfa embracing their new President.

Iorfa fumed thereafter; “”I’ll never embrace him. He is not better than me. He did not beat me. Money won and not him. People sold their souls for money and you want me to embrace and hug him. I don’t pretend.

I’ll never embrace him”, Iorfa said as he moved out of the hall. Mant others begged him to show the sportsmanship in him and he retorted, “”he is not better than me. He did not win.

Money won”.

NFF President Continues from BP recorded 32 votes to emerge the winner ahead of Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi and Dominic Iorfa scored four and eight votes respectively.

In the first ballot, Chief Ogunjobi had scored nine votes while Dominic Iorfa recorded six votes.

Chief Amanze Uchegbulam had recorded four votes while both Abba Yola and Chief Mike Umeh recorded no votes.

This paved the way for the three top contestants to go into the run-off.

The chairman of the electoral committee, Samson Ebonhe had explained that the Electoral Guideline stipulated that for a presidential candidate to be declared as winner he must score at least two third of the total votes cast. He said that a winner in the first ballot must at least score 29 votes out of the 44 delegates.

NFF election: Green, Kwande, Ajayi win

I

N the other cadre of the election, chairman of the technical committee of the immediate past board Barr. Christopher Green polled 26 votes to defeat his rival Oswald Atueke from Cross River State.

Two other candidates from the South South, Chief Abel Ehigie from Edo State and Chief Jarrett Tenebe also from the C M Y K

same state had earlier stepped down for Green.

For the position to represent the North Central, former members of the immediate past board, Hon. Suleiman Kwande from Plateau State and Ahmed Yusuf Fresh from Niger State scored 38 and 34 votes respectively.

Former Coach of the Super Eagles, Biteus Bewarang from Plateau state

gathered 11 votes only.

To complete the representation for the South West who had earlier produced the first vice president, Sunday Dele-Ajayi from Ondo State scored 34 votes while his rival Leye Adepoju had six votes.

In the North West, Sharif Rabiu Inuwa was elected after Balele Aminu from Katsina

stepped down for him.

Former head of competitions in the NFF, Tukur Babangida did not come for the election.

North West had to produce just one ordinary member because Ibrahim Guzau from Zamfara State emerged unopposed as the chairman of chairmen.

From the North East, Kachalla Baba Ghana

from Bornu State scored 21 votes to make it to the board just as Modibo Husssini from Taraba State had 28 votes to be on the board.

The South East who had three representatives in the last board including the Chairman of the Nigerian National League (NNL), Chief Emeka Inyama had only one representative pending the

end of the tenure of the leadership of the leagues.

After a keenly contested exercise Chief Felix Ayansi scored 26 votes.

He defeated Obikwelu Benjamin from Anambra State who had four votes, Okenwa Chidi- Ofo from Enugu State had 10 and Barr. Ikechukwu Igbokwe of Anambra State scored four votes.

62 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

C M Y K

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014 — 63

C M Y K

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2014

Today’s Champs League Fixtures Zenit Anderlecht Arsenal A. Madrid Basel Leverkusen Ludogorets Malmo

HAIL THE NEW NFF BOSS . . . Barr Samson Ebonhe, NFF electoral chairman congratulates Mr. Pinnick Amaju shortly after winning the NFF Presidency.

v v v v v v v v

Monaco Dortmond Galatasaray Juventus Liverpool Benfica R.Madrid Olympiakos

5:00pm 7:45pm 7:45pm 7:45pm 7:45pm 7:45pm 7:45pm 7:45pm

I’ll never congratulate Amaju — Iorfa •Pg 61 Nigerian Sports @ 54 — Pg 32 & 33

SMILES . . . A cross section of the NFF presidential candidates before the election. Photos: Akpokona Omafuaire

Pinnick Amaju emerges NFF President

By Jude Opara,Warri

C

I’ll unite football fraternity — Amaju •Pg 61

HAIRMAN of the Delta State Sports Commission, Pinnick Amaju was yesterday in Warri, Delta State elected as the president of

the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in a keenly contested election.

In the run-off election Amaju who polled 25 votes in the first ballot

•Continues on Page 61

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Aperture (4) 4 Fellow (3) 6 Mirth (4) 8 Influence (6) 9 Menace (6) 10 Beer (3) 12 Dispute (5) 14 Moorland (5) 15 Test (5) 18 Rescind (6) 20 Stupidity (6) 24 Loaded (5) 26 Room (5) 28 Darkness (5) 30 Fuss (3) 32 Abdicate (6) 33 Clergyman (6) 34 Employed (4) 35 Pale (3) 36 Place (4)

DOWN 2 Tender (5) 3 Perform (7) 4 Facts (4) 5 Observe (4) 6 Furze (5) 7 Stretchy (7) 11 Meadow (3) 12 Tune (3) 13 Epoch (3) 16 Sick (3) 17 Cover (3) 19 State (7) 21 Lair (3) 22 First (7) 23 Still (3) 25 Append (3) 27 Infant (5) 29 Hurry (5) 30 Afresh (4) 31 Frank (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 2, Ridge 7, Sever 8, Chain 10, Motor 12, Eye 13, Cabin 15, Deplete 17, Elated 19, Vat 20, Devoted 23, Soil 25, Rite 26, Cowered 30, Get 31, Demise 34, Recited 37, Noted 38, Lac 39, Donor 40, Repay 41, Tardy 42, Level.

DOWN: 1, Legal 2, Remit 3, Ironed 4, Good 5, Shelter 6, Piety 9, Aye 11, Revoked 13, Cease 14, Basic 16, Pat 18, Deleted 21, Digit 22, Feted 24, Logical 27, Wet 28, Denote 29, Melee 32, Moral 33, Seedy 35, Cap 36, Done.

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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