KOGI LATEST: Violence, as APC shuns Faleke, picks Bello

...towards a better life for the people

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VOL. 25: NO. 62639

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015

No political will to prosecute high-profile criminal cases — CJN

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$2bn arms deal: EFCC arrests Yuguda, ex-finance minister 16

KOGI LATEST:

Violence, as APC shuns Faleke, picks Bello

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor, Kingsley Fanwo, Ikechukwu Nnochiri, Omezia Ajayi & Boluwaji Obahopo

•Faleke rejects running mate slot; heads for court •Supporters haul missiles at one another in Abuja party hqtrs •Meeting to calm aggrieved stakeholders deadlocked

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BUJA—THE contention to replace the late Abubakar Audu as the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate in Kogi State turned violent, yesterday, after supporters of the two major contenders clashed at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

The resort to violence was despite last minute fence-mending efforts by the national leadership of the APC to woo the running mate to the late Audu, Rep. James Faleke

Continues on Page 5

BAYELSA POLL: Sylva, Dickson in last minute struggle for votes Pages 40&41

KOGI: Scene of the clash between supporters of Faleke and Bello at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja, yesterday. Inset: One of

the vandalised cars. Photos: Gbemiga Olamikan.

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COLUMNISTS: In A’Ibom, widows, youths invade politicians’ Root causes of homes, offices for alms the Biafra How not to try See Inside •P.20 struggle •P.17 Dasuki!

C M Y K

inside ull-out •See p

Fuel scarcity: VP pleads with marketers

Mr & Mrs

2—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015

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POCKET CARTOON

BUHARI IN PARIS—President Muhammadu Buhari being welcomed

by President Francois Hollande of France to the official opening session of the Climate Change Conference organised by the United Nations in Paris, France, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

Violence, as APC shuns Faleke, picks Bello Continues from Page 1

as running mate to Alhaji Yahaya Bello, who was last night formally unveiled as the new candidate of the party.

Bello was runner up to Audu in the party ’s governorship primaries last August.

Faleke, who was recommended as running mate again flatly rejected the proposals with a response that he would meet the party in the courts to claim his mandate.

Besides that, another legal action instituted by the runner up in the penultimate weekend’s governorship election and incumbent governor of the state, Captain Idris Wada is to commence today.

Wada, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic

Party, PDP, is seeking accelerated hearing in a Federal High Court, Abuja to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from forging ahead with the scheduled supplementary election this weekend and to declare him winner of the election.

The face-off between supporters of Bello and Faleke followed the early morning realignment of forces between Faleke and supporters of Mohammed Audu, son of the late candidate. At the end of talks between the two groups in Audu’s, GRA, Lokoja house, yesterday morning, they resolved to project Faleke as candidate and Mohammed Audu as running mate.

Bello had arrived the

IT'S UP TO YOU

BY AYO ADIO E all are born differently into different homes, with different purposes. Don’t try to be like others, be all you can be. It's up to you.

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TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

The best way to predict the future is to create it now — Forbes

H

OW do you create your future? Figure out what you want. Take small steps toward making it a reality. Find mentors in your area of interest and contemplate on their experiences from start to success. If it means being flexible, adjusting to your initial path, so be it. In other words, the best way to create the future is to learn and act in the now.

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE You can't tell the blind that there's no salt in the soup.

heavily fortified national secretariat of the party, yesterday, at about 2.42 p.m. He was followed by Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State who incidentally was chairman of the APC panel that conducted the APC governorship primaries last August.

The violence broke out when Bello arrived the party secretariat but was greeted with chants from supporters of Faleke who chanted “Faleke – Mohammed our choice.”

The chant provoked a response from supporters of Bello who on their part started to chant ‘Yahaya Bello is the man.’ It was in the ensuing melee that supporters of both men started hurling invectives and subsequently, missiles at one another.

They were restrained after the arrival of more policemen who were able to separate them.

At 3.49 p.m. Faleke arrived the secretariat and about 4.40 p.m. fight broke out between supporters of Faleke and Bello and it took about 20 minutes before Police reinforcement arrived to quell the disturbances.

APC unveils Bello

Unveiling Bello at the end of the meeting, the National Chairman of the party, Chief John OdigieOyegun urged party leaders and stakeholders to accept the decision of the party leadership and ensure the party comes out victorious.

Odigie-Oyegun explained that the decision to nominate Bello

was borne out of the need to conform to the electoral laws and to ensure cohesion and fairness.

He eulogized the late Prince Audu as the face of the party in the state, saying the party will miss his leadership qualities greatly.

While accepting the party’s nomination, Bello pledged to ensure immediate reconciliation of all aggrieved persons in the party, saying he was more than prepared to lead the party to a resounding victory on December 5. He called on all the party leaders to work with him to take the party to higher heights.

Yahaya Bello pledged to immortalize the late Prince Audu, describing him as a great leader who contributed immensely to the development of Kogi State while he was governor. He urged the youths of the state to team up with him to foster a united Kogi State.

Faleke rejects nomination as running mate

Few minutes after Bello was unveiled, Faleke formally rejected his nomination as running mate to Bello. Speaking to newsmen outside the party secretariat, he said: “We met for about two hours as you have observed and of course, we discovered that the meeting that we were invited for was just a mere briefing rather than it being where we could have deliberated and solved the quagmire we find ourselves in. We were only briefed about the position of the party.

“The party told us that we have nominated Alhaji Yahaya Bello. And of course, we made it clear as the political family of Prince Abubakar Audu; we told them that it is not acceptable and we are not going with it and I personally observed that my name has been submitted to INEC as deputy governorship candidate to pair with Alhaji Yahaya Bello and I told the national chairman in clear words that ‘Mr. Chairman, I have submitted a letter this morning distancing myself from that decision; that on no ground will I want to be associated with the decision of the party to pair me with Alhaji Yahaya Bello because I am already governorelect.

“I also told him, Mr. Chairman, for us as a family, Kogi State political family, we are not taking part in that election, my name cannot be submitted because I was not even consulted in the first instance. The Governorelect cannot yet become

another deputy g o v e r n o r s h i p candidate.”

Faleke who is currently a member of the House of Representatives also stated that it was out of place for Bello to join in the race midway as he was not part of it from the start.

He regretted that the party discarded all his appeal to go to court to persuade INEC to declare him winner of the election.

“I want to make it very clear that Alhaji Yahaya Bello did not take part in all our campaign processes and we are only contesting election in 91 polling units out of about 2, 548 polling units and we have made it very clear that if they go ahead to conduct election because I have pulled out that election would be challenged in the court of law, it will be null and void.

“We won’t be addressing you today if the party chose the path of honour. The path of honour we championed there was for the party to go to court and challenge INEC and Mr. Chairman told us directly without considering it twice that the party will not go to court and since the party is not going to court, we have taken it upon ourselves as our right to defend ourselves in court and we are challenging the decision”, he said.

At press time, leaders of the party were locked in a meeting with Bello to find a possible replacement for Faleke as running mate.

Okene erupts in jubilation

Meanwhile, the decision of the APC leadership to go ahead with Bello as candidate elicited jubilation across his ancestral home, Okene last night.

Market women, youths, motorists and Okada riders took to the streets to celebrate the nomination of Bello, who is in line to be the first person from the dominant Igala ethnic stock to be governor of the

state.

Faleke meets Audu's son

Earlier yesterday, Faleke had forged an agreement with Mohammed Audu, son of the late Prince Abubakar Audu for the two of them to work together.

Under the agreement, Faleke would be projected as governor and Mohammed as deputy.

Among those present at the meeting between Faleke and Mohammed Audu were former PDP governorship aspirant, Jibril Isah Echocho; former Minister for Police Affairs, Humphrey Abah; and a member of the House of Representatives, Ismail Hussein.

Following the closed door meeting, Faleke addressed the crowd outside Audu’s Lokoja home and affirmed his determination to ensure he claims his mandate.

“We are here before you today in all humility and in deep sorrow over the unfortunate incident and happenings in our dear state, the Confluence State, a state with so much potentials but which has continued to fall victim under impotent and incompetent leadership since the trail blazing performance of our leader, late Prince Abubakar Audu; a man of style and competence who combined quality with humaneness, a man who detested injustice and oppression throughout his eventful lifetime, a man loved by our people for his philanthropy and general candour.

“So sad and unfortunate that just about when the celebration of our hard won victory began, where we defeated an incumbent government, a darkness was cast on the family, the state and indeed the nation with the loss to the cold hands of death of Prince Abubakar Audu.

The joy of celebrating the much expected leadership and much deserved landslide victory of the historic election of November 21 was put on hold.

“As if waiting for the Continues on Page 37

6—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1 , 2015

Ogun Police nab 3 women with 26 under-age children ... the 25 girls and one boy were being taken to Lagos from Kano

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By Daud Olatunji

BEOKUTA—THERE was anxiety yesterday, in Ogun State following the arrest of three women with 26 underage children wearing veil (Hijab).

They were alleged to have come from Kano State and were heading to Lagos State.

The children are between the

ages of eight and 10 years.

State Police Commissioner, Abdulmajid Ali, while parading the suspects at the state Police command headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta , said the three suspects were arrested at a motor park at Ibafo in ObafemiOwode Local Government Area of the state while planning to take the children to Lagos.

He said the suspects; Zainab Ahmad, 18, Aisha Abdullahi, 55, and Zuliat Abdulmalik, 45, were allegedly taking the children comprising 25 girls and one boy from Kano to Lagos State for menial jobs.

According to him, “based on our usual stakeholders meeting and proactive measures put in place

by Nigeria Police, our attention

was called yesterday that some groups of underage children were seen at a motor park at Ibafo area. The security agents were called immediately; our team raced there and got the leaders. The three women were going with them to Lagos. Their mission in Lagos, according to the suspects is to take them to do some menial jobs which, if

you look at them, they don’t even know what they are in for.

“They look innocent and we had to take some measures to avoid unpleasant situations, particularly in this Yuletide period coming up. We are on alert now because of the threat of insurgents coming into our area and we have to be very proactive. If you see the children, they look quite innocent and they may be used as suicide bombers and that is why we had to round them up and investigate their being in the state.”

Revenue Commission recovers N721bn unremitted funds

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The underage children

The suspects

Lawyer, French nationals arraigned over alleged forgery L

By Onozure Dania

AGOS—TWO French Nationals, Gnahouse Sonrou Nazaire and Senoue Modeste, were yesterday, remanded in prison custody over alleged forgery and uttering, pending the perfection of their bail conditions by a Lagos State High Court sitting at Igbosere.

Justice Raliat Adebiyi, remanded them after listening to the submission of the defendants' counsel, Rickey Tarfa, SAN, urging the court to grant them bail.

Justice Adebiyi granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500,000 each with two sureties each in like sum.

She said the two sureties must be gainfully employed, and must be Nigerian citizens.

Earlier, the defendants and a lawyer, Ferdinand Egede were arraigned before the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, over alleged forgery and uttering.

The three defendants are facing four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery and uttering preferred against them by the EFCC. The EFCC prosecutor, Chikezie Udozie, told the court that the

defendants committed the alleged offences on May 28, 2007.

He said the defendants conspired among themselves to forge Rana Prestige Industry Ltd ordinary resolution, which was purported to have been signed by one Madam Rasheedatu.

Udozie also alleged that on November 22 2005, the defendants forged Cooperate Affairs Commission form CAC 17 and also alleged that it was signed

by Madam Rasheedatu.

The prosecutor further stated that on the same date the defendants uttered the forged document of first cooperate affairs

form which was also purported to have been signed by the same Rasheedatu to the commission as genuine.

However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge against them.

The counsel to the first and second defendants, Rickey Tarfa, urged the court to grant them bail in the most liberal term as they were still presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The counsel to EFCC urged the court to dismiss the bail application filed by the first and second defendants and order for accelerated trial, claiming that the

first and second defendants had jumped bail before.

He said he was not opposing the third defendant’s bail application dated October 4, adding that the lawyer who represented himself had been visiting EFCC office since bail was granted to him.

In her ruling, the judge granted the third defendant bail in self recognition, while she admitted the first and second defendants on bail in the sum of N500,000 each and adjourned till February 5 and 11, 2016, for trial.

Boy, 8, rescued from kidnappers, 1 suspect nabbed days after the boy got missing,

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By Chidi Nkwopara

WERRI—OPERATIVES of Imo Security Network, ISN, in collaboration with Imo Community Watch, ICW, have rescued an eight-year-old boy (names withheld), who was kidnapped by hoodlums.

The lucky boy has been reunited with his parents, while one of the kidnap suspects, who was nabbed by the security operatives, has been handed over

to the police for investigation and possible prosecution.

Sources said the hapless little boy’s aunt, Ngozi Enebili, pleaded with one Emeka, to escort the innocent boy to school, but he later absconded with the boy.

It was gathered that the said Emeka, now on the run, after disappearing with the little boy, handed him over to one Chinedu Ogbuka, claiming that the boy was related to him.

Vanguard gathered that three

the gang of kidnappers made contact with the boy’s mother, Mrs. Happiness Enebili, and demanded N350,000 as ransom.

“Armed with the criminal demand, the anguished parents of the little boy, who live at Mmahu, in Ohaji/Egbema local council area of Imo State, quickly contacted the Imo Security Network”, a villager that spoke on condition of anonymity, recounted.

By Samuel Ujah

BUJA—THE Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, recovered the sum of N721 billion unremitted funds from various agencies of government in the last five years.

Mr. Elias Mbam disclosed this at a media briefing to render his stewardship, yesterday, in Abuja, at the end of his fiveyear tenure.

According to him, the recovery was made through the commission’s periodic monitoring of revenue collecting agencies, including Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, and Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, among others.

He said: “The commission recovered over N704.2 billion Naira in the course of monitoring and checks within the period under review.

“Furthermore in order to minimize leakages, the commission embarked on monitoring and reconciliation of collections and remittances by the Collecting Banks engaged by the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, and Nigerian Customs Service, NCS. “The exercise is expected to be acontinuousoneandoverN12.6 billion has been established as liability while over 1.8 billion has been recovered and remitted to the Federation Account in Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1 , 2015—7

Why we honoured Emeka Enejere, ex-UNN governing council chairman —ASUU, SSANU

By Charles Kumolu

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HE Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN, chapter have said that its decision to honour a former ProChancellor and Governing Council Chairman of the institution, Dr. Emeka Enejere, was informed by his valuable contributions to the survival of UNN during its turbulent years.

They specifically said that Enejere, as Chairman of Governing Council, ensured that UNN was rescued from retrogressive forces.

In separate chats with Vanguard, the President of ASSU, Dr. Ifeanyichukwu Abada and Chairman of SSANU, Comrade Paul Erua, unanimously described Enejere as one of the heroes of UNN whose contributions would remain inestimable.

According to Abada, "under the past administration of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which was known for impunity, Dr. Enejere ensured that some anomalies in the school were corrected. The former vice chancellor of the institution contributed to the anomalies which Enejere tried to correct. Dr. Enejere was able to resist their attempts to put the institution on the wrong path. He was suspended by the last administration for these reasons.

"The suspension was so unpopular. Till this moment, no letter has been given to him, that is why the workers in the institution see him as a very different and upright person. He deserves to be honoured.

There is no type of award that will be enough to appreciate such a person because he has showed that there are still men of honour in Nigeria. This honour is being given to him on the basis of merit.

"He was my teacher and we enjoyed good relationship with him. That was why he wanted to change things for the better when he came back to his alma mater. And wherever he is, he is a complete gentleman. He is a model, who should be emulated.”

On his part, Erua said: "In the light of the obvious debasement of the system,

we mobilised support and resolved to recover the university from the brink.

This was made possible by the then Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, who opened our eyes to the impunity that was going on.

"I am happy to say that with the fresh ideas thrown up through collaborative efforts, what resulted is a new and improved UNN as exemplified by so many accomplishments. There is no doubt that the outstanding conducts of our awardees will guarantee them,

continuing relevance in both regional and national affairs.

"The award on our part is a demonstration of affection and gratitude to these great Nigerians who had made defining contributions in our quest to restore the dignity of man, especially during the turbulent years. By the exemplary conducts, they have lasting legacies for the present and unborn generations of Nigeria.”

Enejere, who until last year was the institution’s ProChancellor and Governing Council Chairman is a scholar and administrator of global repute.

Fuel scarcity: VP pleads with marketers •As Kachikwu meets marketers, tours depots

By Clara Nwachukwu

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AGOS— WORRIED by the continued scarcity of petroleum products in the market, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, last night, intervened with a crucial call to marketers on the best way to end the current fuel crisis, which had engulfed the country in the last couple of months.

The call came as a proposed meeting between the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, suspended a meeting between him and major marketers, scheduled to hold in Lagos, yesterday.

The minister told Vanguard that the suspension of the meeting was at the instance of the oil majors, saying: “The meeting was pushed forward to a future date because about three out of the five managing directors of the major oil companies were out of town.”

He added that: “They requested I give them more time to see how far to regularise products supply in the market, as the scarcity eases.”

Meets with independents today

Kachikwu, however, disclosed that he is meeting with the independent marketers today (Tuesday) to discuss what they are doing as well as “touring their depots to see what is happening in them.”

Kachikwu, who also doubles as the Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, was expected to plead with the marketers to resume fuel importation, particularly premium motor spirit, PMS, or petrol, which is in very high demand in Nigeria, pending the release of the subsidy claims.

In response to a possible Plan B in the event the lawmakers did not approve the supplementary budget as expected, the minister said it means that “the burden will continue to be carried by the NNPC until the majors and other marketers are able to import.”

He expressed the Ministry and NNPC’s commitment to carry the burden of supply of products for the time being, noting that this is what Corporations are set up for tointervene duding emergency situations like this.

“We are moving about 3,000 trucks daily and if the situation persists, what we are doing now, which is Plan A will become Plan B. and we are ready to increase the truck loads until we are able to arrest the situation.

Kachikwu also said that there is no succor yet from the nation’s refineries, as 210,000-capacity Port Harcourt Refinery will be restreamed by mid-December.

According to him, Port Harcourt Refinery will be restreamed on December 6.

8—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015

Banks’ liquidity surges in Q4 to all time high

By Emeka Anaeto, Economy Editor

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Scene of Kogi State All Progressives Congress, APC, supporters clash in Abuja, yesterday. (INSET): One of the cars destroyed during the clash. Photos: Gbemiga Olamikan.

No political will to prosecute high-profile corruption cases, says CJN

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri Federal Government should be to the extent of going forth and

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BUJA — THE blame game between the Judiciary and Executive arm of government continued yesterday, with the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, decrying what he termed “lack of political will to prosecute highprofile corruption cases.”

The CJN, who bared his mind during a meeting with the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, in his conference room, said the lacklustre attitude of government towards the prosecution of such criminal cases, “especially those involving politically exposed persons or political party family members,” was a major factor that has stalled trial of so many corruption cases.

A statement issued by media aide to the CJN, Mr. Ahuraka Isah, revealed that the meeting took place on November 24.

Among those in attendance included Supreme Court Justices as well as heads of other federal courts.

President Muhammadu Buhari had while flagging-off the 2015 All Nigeria Judges’ Conference, slammed the judiciary, accusing it of sabotaging his effort to prosecute high-profile corruption cases.

Buhari, who was represented at the event by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, lamented that “allegations of judicial corruption have become more strident and frequent,” noting: “There is both local and international dissatisfaction with the long delays in the trial process. In the past few years, this has become especially so for high-profile cases of corruption, especially where they involve serving or former political office holders.”

In what appears like a direct response to the attack on the Judiciary, the CJN said the

blamed for the delays, noting that in some cases, it recruits unseasoned lawyers to prosecute cases.

Lack of political will

The CJN said: “Experience within the Judiciary shows that there is abject lack of political will to prosecute some of those cases pending before our various courts almost a decade in some instances.

“It is not because there are no special courts, but mostly for reasons of political expedience and other ancillary considerations.

“I would likewise wish to encourage you (AGF) to display a greater resolve than your predecessors in tackling outstanding cases before the courts. In times past, the Attorney General of the Federation would often lead teams of legal counsel in high profile cases so as to demonstrate the resolve of the government to enshrine the rule of law.

“Sadly, recent AttorneysGeneral have become less inclined to do this. I would certainly like to see you, as the Attorney General, appear before us especially in cases of important national purport.

“There is the need for seasoned prosecutors to prepare and file charges before courts of competent jurisdiction so that criminal matters are timeously determined.

Quality of prosecutions must be improved upon "The quality of prosecutions presented in courts by our prosecutorial agencies must be improved upon, as they are sometimes of a standard that will never found a conviction in any court anywhere, yet, a well prepared prosecution can see to the determination of criminal matter within a month.

“Of course, no competent prosecutor who has filed valid charges would permit an accused to mount an interlocutory appeal,

back, sometimes twice or more to the Supreme Court, since such lapses could be injurious to the dispensation of justice.”

Reform of justice sector

Besides, the CJN, advised the AGF to recruit more lawyers who should be adequately trained to handle more cases on behalf of the State, saying it would create a reservoir of highly trained, public spirited lawyers to feed the Bench and the Bar. The CJN equally tasked the Executive to actively reform and revamp the justice sector, which he said would include strengthening the capacity of investigation units by providing facilities like a well equipped forensic and ballistics laboratories throughout Nigeria, saying it would not only help in evidence gathering, but also reduce delays in trial of cases.

The CJN further enjoined the AGF to always attend meetings of judicial bodies such as the Body of Benchers, Legal Practitioners Privileges’ Committee (LPPC), Board of Governors of the National Judicial Institute and others of which he is a member by statutory provisions.

He stressed that attending such meeting would help the AGF to keep abreast of developments within the Judiciary and the legal profession in general.

With that, “the AGF can adequately brief the Federal Government with facts on issues in the Judiciary rather than press coverage and opinions of some lawyers often echoed at public events,” the CJN stated.

Funding for the judiciary

On the issue of funding for the judiciary, the CJN said the Judiciary welcomed the idea of zero budgeting as against the incremental style budgeting that often resulted in insufficient resources for the Judiciary to

operate.

“Indeed, the Judiciary can now properly make its demand before the National Assembly for an appropriate budgetary figure, rather than proposing N150 billion and be appropriated with less than half of it,” he said.

Judicial officers' emoluments'll be enhanced —AGF

In his response, the AGF said the administration of President Buhari is focused on its agenda to curb corruption in Nigeria.

He said the Federal Government was concerned about the working condition of judicial officers whose services are required to achieve the goal.

The AGF assured the CJN that emoluments of Judicial officers and court staff will be enhanced, even as he proposed the setting up of an ‘’Interface Committee” comprising members of the Executive and the Judiciary for the purpose of preparing Executive Bills for constitution amendment, drawing up workable policies and proposing reforms that will be jointly pursued by the executive and judiciary arms of government.

More so, the AGF, said he would publicly support the Judiciary and ensure that legislation against false accusation of judicial officers is put in place.

Other Supreme Court Justices that attended the meeting were Justices Walter Onnoghen, I. T. Muhammad, M. S. Muntaka-Coomassie, John Afolabi Fabiyi, Suleiman Galadima, Bode RhodesVivour, Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta, Mary Ukaego PeterOdili, Olukayode Ariwoola, Musa Dattijo Muhammad, Clara Bata Ogunbiyi, Kumai Bayang Aka’ahs, K. M. O. Kekere-Ekun, J. I. Okoro, among others.

AGOS — NIGERIA’S inter-bank liquidity level would exceed N1.0 trillion mark in the fourth quarter, Q4, 2015 on both monthly and quarterly average going by October figures and last week’s policy change by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN. According to CBN’s data, October 2015 average liquidity was N722 billion, more than double the previous month’s level of N350 billion.

October had recorded this year’s peak at N1.2 trillion in the second week of the month.

Financial market dealers believe November and December average monthly figures would be above N1.0 trillion each going by the new monetary policy.

Incidentally, the October figures came at the backdrop of Federal Government’s implementation of the Single Treasury Account, TSA, a liquidity stifling fiscal policy that withdrew approximately N1.4 trillion from the banking system starting September 15, 2015.

But the October industry liquidity figure, according to the dealers, corresponded with the period CBN began its expansionary monetary strategy which pumped in much cash into the system while holding back its liquidity mop-up instruments.

A breakdown of the October liquidity figures shows that major contributor was the Cash Reserve Requirement refund of N780 billion representing the 6.0 per cent downward review effected by CBN on CRR, from 31 per cent to 25 per cent in the MPC decision of September 2015.

Other major inflows include N669 billion maturing obligation on Open Market Operation, OMO, and N160 billion inflow from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee, FAAC. CBN’s expansionary monetary strategy was initially thought to be a temporary measure aimed at starving off the negative impact of TSA on bank’s solvency but eventually the policy became sustained with last week’s CBN Monetary Policy Committee, MPC, decisions signaling that the expansionary monetary policy regime has come to stay, at least in the medium term.

The new policy crashed Monetary Policy Rates to 11 per cent from 13 per cent making borrowing cheaper while further reducing CRR to 20 per cent thereby injecting about N771 billion into the banking system.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015—9

C M Y K

10—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1 , 2015

Lagos reopens Shoprite supermarket

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By Monsuru Olowoopejo

AGOS—LAGOS State Government yesterday reopened the popular Shoprite at Ikeja City Mall, sealed over the breach of State safety law.

Shoprite was shut at the weekend after the outcome of a safety audit conducted on the outfit showed that it contravened the safety laws.

Director General of Lagos State Safety Commission, LSSC, Mr. Fouad Oki, announced the reopening after another round of safety audit and inspections of the previously identified infractions.

He described the rate of improvement on identified infractions as commendable, adding that, the organization has kept faith with the Lagos State Government in terms of occupational health and safety practice.

The Director General also commended the level of commitment exhibited by the management while pledging the commission’s support as a way of helping them to improve on the new safety trend in their workplace.

He said: “We shall at all times be willing to work with you in the areas of tool box training at no cost to the company.

While acknowledging that Shoprite has gained a high level of trust among customers, he, however, stated that it would be wise to maintain the standard.

The Director General, however, said that notice would still be served for improvement on some areas, pointing out that, there is a need for workers in Shoprite, to be kitted with personal protective equipment and trained in proper food handling.

SYNAGOGUE: TB Joshua, others absence

stalls arraignment L

AGOS—THE arraignment of Registered Trustees of Synagogue Church of All Nations, SCOAN, and four others over the September 12, 2014 building collapse which claimed 116 lives was yesterday adjourned till December 11.

Senior Pastor of the church, Prophet T.B Joshua, is one of the trustees.

Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo of an Ikeja High Court adjourned the case due to the absence of four out of the five defendants in court on Monday.

The defendants are the Registered Trustees of Synagogue Church of All Nation, SCOAN, Hardrock Construction and Engineering Company, Jadny Trust Limited, Messrs Oladele Ogundeji and Akinbela Fatiregun.

The Lagos State Government had filed charges against them following the July 8 judgment of the Coroner’s Inquest which indicted the church and its engineers over the building collapse.

At the proceedings yesterday, the judge observed that the second, third, fourth and fifth defendants were not in court to take their pleas.

The prosecuting counsel and Lagos State Attorney- General,

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AGOS—RESIDENTS of Amukoko area of Abule-kere community, Ajegunle, Lagos, have called on the Lagos State Government and security agencies to intervene in the reign of terror by hoodlums in the area.

According to the residents, the hoodlums who disguise as members of National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURW, are allegedly responsible for the ongoing crisis in the community.

Abimbola, said the defendants were absent because of the nonservice of the charge by the prosecution.

He said: “The state cannot say that they do not have valid addresses because they were served in previous proceedings.

“The engineers, Ogundeji and Fatiregun, were even arrested by the Police and charged before a magistrate's court where they were later

released on bail.”

After listening to both counsel, Akapo advised the defence counsel to remind the defendants that the matter was a criminal one which was sensitive.

“Service in any proceeding is fundamental and anything done outside of this is a nullity.

“The defence counsel is hereby directed to oblige the prosecution team with valid addresses of the third, fourth and fifth defendants within 72 hours,” Akapo said.

AWARD: From left: Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, Managing Director/CEO, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye, President, Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria, Chief John Edozien, former Chairman, SEC, Dr Enase Okonedo, Dean, Lagos Business School, and Mr. Tunde Lemo, former Deputy Governor, CBN, at the award of Fellowship of SCGN, during the President’s dinner/induction ceremony of the society in Lagos.

10 suspected Arepo vandals freed, 3 years after

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By Innocent Anaba

AGOS—A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, has discharged and acquitted 10 accused, charged with the Arepe pipeline vandalism and killing of three engineers of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. The accused are: Joel Inerepamu, 25, Rueben Oluwole, 60, John Isaiah, 28, Ineye Okposa, 40, Timi Gunugunu, 22, Olisa Saheed, 25, Jigo Jiperende, 31, Timi Koro, 29, Johnbosco Igbhofose, 26, and Peter Opidi, 28.

They were arraigned in 2012, on a seven-count charge of conspiracy, breaking of oil pipeline, dealing in unrefined

Amukoko residents cry for help over activities of hoodlums

By Esther Onyegbula

Mr Adeniji Kazeem, told the court that some of them were yet to be served.

“We confirmed that Synagogue Trustees and the Hardrock Construction Company have been served.

“The other defendants in the matter could not be served because their addresses are not valid,” Kazeem said.

Counsel to the first and second defendants, Mr Oluseun

A landlord in th area, Alhaji Babalola Akin, told Vanguard; ‘’Each junction in the community has a base with a chairman who collects toll. We have Alaba base, Akpasa base, Market base, Iaytuwo base, Mosalashi base, and Campus base. The entire area is under siege by thugs who disguise as members of NURTW to unleash terror in the community. We have been going through pains in the hands of these thugs as they cause trouble in Amukoko and its environs.’’

petroleum products and murder of three engineers of NNPC. In the charge, the accused were alleged to have conspired to vandalise an oil pipeline located at Arepo in Ogun State.

It was alleged that on sighting engineers on maintenance work from the NNPC, the accused opened fire and in the process, shot three of the engineers dead.

They all pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Justice Mohammed Idris had ordered accelerated hearing of the case.

The prosecution called a total of 10 witnesses, while the accused testified for themselves.

In his judgment, yesterday, Justice Idris held that the prosecution failed woefully to discharge the burden of proof placed on it, in establishing the guilt of the accused.

“A summary of the evidence of eye witnesses, is that they were in Arepo near Ikorodu on September 5, 2012 when petroleum vandals opened fire on them and they scrambled for safety; however, some of their members were missing till date.

“All the eye witnesses could not identify the vandals who shot at them, neither was it proved that the persons named in counts five, six and seven were dead. A pathologist report was never tendered and there was no proof that the NNPC engineers, who

were reported missing, were dead; the witnesses merely suspected that the victims were dead.

“The prosecution initially, filed proof of evidence signed

by ACP Ibadin, Legal officer prosecuting counsel, in which the ninth and 10th accused were named as witnesses. However, in a dramatic turn, the witnesses later became accused persons in an amended charge dated April 12, 2013.

“In my view, the prosecution has failed to meet the requisite standard of proof which is beyond reasonable doubt and the court so hold. It is clear that the first to eight accused were charged on mere suspicion and

the law is clear that suspicion no matter how strong, cannot amount to proof in criminal trial, it is a wavering accusing finger which must stand straight to establish guilt.

“I hold that the entire body of evidence led by the prosecution is inadmissible; it is better to save several guilty men, than to condemn one innocent man. This court cannot find its way clear, in convicting the accused based on the evidence adduced by prosecution; this case must therefore fail.

“All of the accused persons are hereby discharged of all counts of the charge, and this court so hold” Idris held.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015—11

Buhari, Queen Elizabeth, others for Ooni Ogunwusi’s installation Ile-Ife of my dream, by Ooni

By Gbenga Olarinoye

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SOGBO—PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, the representative of the Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth II and Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, are some of the dignitaries expected on December 7, at the installation and presentation of staff of office to the new Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, Ojaja II. Other prominent traditional rulers expected at the ceremony are the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar III, the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, the Shehu of Borno, Alake of Egbaland and Awujale of Ijebuland, among others.

Also to attend are the 36 governors, members of the Federal Executive Council FEC , diplomats and captains of industries.

Briefing newsmen in Ile-Ife, yesterday, on the activities lined up for the coronation, the chairman, media sub- committee of the installation planning committee, Comrade Biyi Odunlade, said the two-week activities for the installation of Oba Ogunwusi would be rounded off on Sunday, December 13, 2015 with an inter-denomination service in Ile-Ife. Odunlade said President Buhari and other dignitaries are billed to attend the December 7 installation of Oba Ogunwusi, adding that many heads of missions in Nigeria have also signified their intention

to attend.

Unveiling his programmes for the town, Oba Ogunwusi, according to report, has promised to work towards fostering unity among the Yoruba race.

Oba Ogunwusi, whose speech was read by his elder brother, Prince Adegboyega Ogunwusi, at the media parley, said he

intended to empower youths in the town through sports and vocational training.

The royal father, who said efforts are already on to improve amenities like power and water supply in Ile-Ife, promised to build on existing peace in Ife and its adjoining communities.

The monarch said he would relocate his furniture factory, EH

Furnitures to Ife and ensure that indigenes of the town are employed at the establishment.

Oba Ogunwusi added he had already opened discussion with Osun State Government to set up a football academy and have 16 clubs in Ife which he said would provide jobs for over 1,000 youths in the town.

INSPECTION: Minister of State for Solid Minerals Development, Abubakar Bwari; Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi; with Director-General, National Metallurgical Development Centre, NMDC, Jos, Prof. Ibrahim Madugu, during the minister’s inspection of facilities at the centre, yesterday.

Olujimi derides APC’s change mantra

By Rotimi Ojomoyela

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DO EKITI— SENATE Deputy Minority Whip and exDeputy Governor of Ekiti State, Senator Biodun Olujimi, has described the All Progressives Congress, APC's change mantra as empty and without substance, saying that no meaningful change has occurred in the country in the last six months of President Muhammadu Buhari's government .

Olujimi, who is representing Ekiti South senatorial district, added that Nigerians have not witnessed any relief since Buhari came on board, describing the much touted change mantra of the APC as mere political gimmick targeted at garnering votes during the 2015 general elections.

The senator spoke, yesterday, while delivering a lecture entitled: Journalism: A Catalyst For The Real Change in Nigeria, to mark the 2015

lecture series organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ekiti State Council.

Olujimi said Nigerians could now realise that APC has nothing to offer them, in view of the alleged lacklustre performance of

the party at the centre.

She said: “I know the change mantra of the APC at the federal level must have influenced this topic.

But it is now clear to all Nigerians that the change mantra was used as election gimmick to garner votes

during the 2015 presidential polls.

“A catchy phrase it was, but with APC being six months in power, whether the change is truly change is for all Nigerians to assess.”

I used Homeowner Charter to generate employment —Amosun

By Daud Olatunji

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B E O K U TA — OGUN State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has explained that he introduced the idea of Homeowners’ Charter to solve the problem of unemployment in the state.

Amosun, who spoke on Friday, during the presentation of 1,000 Certificates of Occupancy, C of Os and Building Plan Approval to beneficiaries at the Arcade Ground, OkeMosan, Abeokuta, said that through the programme he has

generated both direct and indirect employment for youths in the state.

It would be recalled that private practising surveyors in Ogun State had dragged the state governor before the Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta over alleged discrepancies and illegality surrounding the issuance of C of Os under its new housing policy known as Home Owner Charter.

The surveyors, in the suit number FHC/HB/ CS/66/15, claimed that the sketch plans under the scheme do not have

the particulars of any registered surveyor and are only endorsed with the scanned signature of the Surveyor-General of Ogun State, contrary to the law of survey plan in Nigeria.

Ondo gets high rating as Immunisation Week begins

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XECUTIVE Secretary of National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, Dr Ado Muhammed, has rated Ondo State high in terms of primary healthcare delivery, compared to other states in in the country, even as the state governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, yesterday, declared open the November 2015 Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week, MNCHW. At the event, Governor Mimiko charged the 18 council chairmen in the state to provide the logistic support needed for the successful implementation of the exercise.

The flag-off ceremony, which held at the premises of the Mother and Child Hospital, Akure, was attended by the state deputy governor, Alhaji Abdulazeez Oluboyo and his wife Fatimo, among other government functionaries.

Governor Mimiko, who expressed satisfaction with previous National Immunization Plus Days, NIPDs, exercises in the state, solicited the support of all stakeholders towards the success of the exercise.

12—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015

APC flays attack on party members during peaceful protest in Rivers Nobody attacked anybody —PDP

By Jimitota Onoyume, Gbenga Oke & Davies Iheamnachor

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ORT HARCOURT—ALL Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State, yesterday, alleged that some of its members were attacked in Asari Toru and Akuku Toru Local Government Areas of the state and the Isaac Boro Park area of Port Harcourt, as they embarked on a memorial protest, tagged Rivers Black Day, in memory of about 100 persons allegedly killed during the last general election in the state.

Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Chris Finebone, made the allegation at a live radio programme in Port Harcourt while the peaceful march was on.

Meanwhile, the chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, Rivers State chapter, Mr Felix Obuah, has described the APC rally as illegal, treasonable and a security breach, even as he denied the allegations against his party, saying, “The PDP again, vehemently denies allegations of killings levelled against its members and leaders by the APC. Such allegations are fabricated, misleading and diversionary.”

Obuah, while reacting to the procession, said: “We are further disappointed and concerned about the continued show of disrespect for the law and breach of public peace by members of the APC, led by Dakuku Peterside, Magnus Abe, Andrew Uchendu and other leaders of the party in the state."

Also, Caretaker Committee Chairman, Asari Toru council, Mr Soboma Jackrich said no member of the PDP attacked anybody in his council.

Similarly, Deputy Publicity Secretary of PDP in the state and Caretaker Committee Chairman, Ikwerre council, Mr Sam Wonosike, told Vanguard that it was not true that PDP supporters attacked any APC member in any part of the state, including Ikwerre.

No fewer than 1,000 members of the APC embarked on the memorial march through the busy Aba Road. The peaceful protest caused traffic gridlock for several hours.

Addressing party faithful at the Polo Club, Port Harcourt, where they all converged, governorship candidate of the APC, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, called for the implementation of the Prof. Chid Odinkalu Commission of Inquiry report on political killings before and during the last elections in the state.

He said that victims of the alleged political murder were killed in cold blood because of their preference for the APC.

Rivers Black Day

He said that law enforcement agencies in the state had not been

able to bring those behind the killings to book, stressing that it was part of what informed the Rivers Black Day organised by the APC in memory of the victims.

He said: “Fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters and friends were attacked and killed in their homes in cold blood because of their political leanings. Some were attacked and killed while they were on their way to campaign rallies. Our campaign venues were targets of explosive devices and outright attacks by gun- men. These were intimations of more unpleasant scenarios.

“On election days, ordinary citizens who wished to cast their votes as enshrined in the statutes of our land were killed or maimed by trigger-happy and dagger wielding political thugs and mercenaries. In some cases, at polling units, elderly persons were beaten until their hearts literally stopped beating. Our

brothers and sisters died because some politicians who were consumed with vaulting and inordinate ambition engaged in horse trading.

More than 100 innocent persons were killed, victims of the evil acts of desperate politicians. You have heard chilling stories from their families, but for the sensitivity of our sensibilities, I will not recant that narrative here.

Unfortunately, till date not a single person has been prosecuted for these crimes against humanity.

“We are here to commemorate the memories of these victims of political violence. For us, they were not just victims but martyrs. They constitute the strong breed who have taken our collective burden to ensure the survival of democracy, particularly in Rivers State and Nigeria in general.”

Obuah, on his part, said: “The event tagged, Rivers Black Day,

organised by APC, which according to them, was to remember those killed during the 2015 general election, is clearly a demonstration of impunity, and disposition to cause crisis, and to incite not only their members but the people of the state against the security commands and constituted authorities in the state.

“The PDP is aware that following recent incidences of violence associated with public demonstrations in the state, the Rivers State Government, in collaboration with security agencies, placed a ban on all forms of public protests. We wonder why despite the subsisting order, APC leaders still went ahead to organise such procession in the state. This, to us, is a flagrant disobedience and disregard for the law and state authorities, and should not be taken for granted.”

Group vows to sue DTHA over proposed bill

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By Festus Ahon

SABA—DELTA State chapter of Association of Registered Political Parties, ARPP, has threatened to drag the state House of Assembly to court should it pass the proposed bill before it to elevate the Clerk and Deputy Clerks of the House to be at par with the Head of Service and Permanent Secretaries respectively, into law.

The group in a statement by its state chairman, Mr Moses Abehm, while describing the bill as fraudulent and unpopular, condemned it in its entirety.

Reiterating that to upgrade the Clerk of the House of Assembly and the Deputy to be at par with the Head of Service and Permanent Secretary was an exercise in futility, Abeh said ARPP would frustrate the proposed bill.

Wondering why the House would embark on such an unpopular political voyage without consulting stakeholders in the sector and beyond, the group queried, “Who will pay their salaries?

How will this law benefit the people they are representing?"

Don decries alleged commercialisation of university programmes

By Gabriel Enogholase

B PROTEST: Black Monday protest march in commemoration of the death of Rivers people during the general elections, in Port Harcourt.

FG blames dependence on oil for corruption, economic downturn

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT— THE Federal Government has blamed the nation’s over dependence on oil for the economic downturn and high level of corruption in the country.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State at the opening of the Partners For Sustainable Development Forum being funded by the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, said, the oil economy was also largely responsible for agitations for resource control by people of the Niger Delta region and the

emergence of what he tagged a redundant human resource base.

Commending the NDDC for gathering stakeholders to discuss issues of development of the region, the Vice President said the event was timely.

Osinbajo, represented by Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Ade Ipaye, assured that the Federal Government would continue to give special attention to the region.

He said: “The development of the Niger Delta region remains a priority of President Muhammadu Buhari's All Progressives Congress, APC,

government. The President has repeatedly emphasised that devastation and environmental degradation in the Niger Delta must be attended to.”

He appealed for an end to militancy, terrorism and other related challenges of insecurity, stressing that development could only take place in a peaceful atmosphere.

Appealing for collaboration among stakeholders to tackle matters of underdevelopment in the region, he said government was encouraging the growth of the agricultural and manufacturing sectors, expressing the hope that the move would further create a robust economy.

ENIN—A University lecturer in the University of Lagos, Prof. Abubukar Momoh, has decried the alleged commercialization of programmes in Nigerian universities which he said, has relegated knowledge and excellence to the background.

Momoh, a Professor of Political Science, spoke in Ekpoma, during the Second Memorial and First Public Lecture, organised by ASUU, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma in honour of a former ASUU President, late Prof.

Festus Iyayi, who died two years ago in Kogi State on his way to Abuja to attend an ASUU conference.

Momoh noted that the profit motive has been over prioritized in place of excellence and knowledge in the setting up of universities.

He said: “Nobody sets up a university because of profit.

You set it up because of excellence, to produce excellent knowledge. Go and ask about the history of Yale and how it started.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015—13

Late Olu of Warri did no wrong —Lori-Ogbebor

By Egufe Yafugborhi

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ARRI—THE Igba of Warri, Chief Rita LoriOgbebor, has said that the late Olu of Warri, HRM Ogiame Atuwatse II did no wrong to warrant his children asking for forgiveness from his subjects, as final funeral rites continue in his honour in Warri Kingdom.

Chief Lori-Ogbebor was reacting, yesterday, in Warri, Delta State to fallouts from Sunday ’s tribute held by children of the late Olu during which they pleaded for forgiveness from anyone the departed monarch might have wronged during his reign, while also drumming up support for Prince Godfrey Emiko, who will be crowned as his successor on December 12.

Chief Lori-Ogbebor said: “Obviously, the children are innocent and ignorant of the tradition. From the day he was crowned 28 years ago, Atuwatse II transformed from being just their father to being father of the entire Itsekiri nation.

“The Olu, as far as Warri Kingdom is concerned, has done no wrong. He might have

stepped on toes during his reign as father to all, but no subject has come up with complaint. You can see that through the mourning period to the ongoing final funeral rites, the kingdom has been peaceful and everyone is in good mood.

“The fact that Princess Nere Teriba, who spoke for the children, expressed her gratitude, on behalf of the monarch, mostly to politicians, most of whom we have complained about, shows that she was being misled by politicians seeking

cheap relevance.

“We ask the Itsekiri nation to discountenance the children’s remarks and warn desperate politicians to desist from dragging the Warri Kingdom into their dirty politics under any guise.”

CAMPAIGN: Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, (middle) on arrival at Angalabiri Town during his community-to-community meet the people campaign tour in Sagbama Local Government Area of the state.

Why Edo State's loan request was rejected, by DMO

By Omoh Gabriel

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HE Director General, Debt Management Office, DMO, Dr. Abraham Nwankwo, yesterday, said that the controversial loan request of Edo State Government in the last administration was refused because the state government wanted to borrow from banks in anticipation of loans from the World Bank.

He said that Edo State Government wanted to take a bridging loan from commercial banks as it was waiting to get loans from the World Bank.

He said after due analysis of the application that was made to the Ministry of Finance which DMO was asked to assess, it was found that while the World Bank loan was being offered at concessionary interest rate, the state wanted to borrow from banks at commercial interest rate and would use the World Bank

C M Y K

loan to off-set the loans obtained from banks.

He said the state was duly advised that it was not economical for it to use loans obtained at very low interest rate to off-set loans it was planning to take from banks at higher interest rate, as it would cost the state more than what it got from the World Bank facility to liquidate the loans from the banks.

He said the state got the World Bank facility it was waiting for that had already been approved, adding that there was no political undertone ón the issue.

Dr. Nwankwo said that Nigeria was currently near full unemployment of its resources and has a lot of room to play around with to grow the economy.

He said that while other developed economies were

near full employment of their internal resources, Nigeria has a lot of human, natural and material resources that have idle and excess capacity, noting that if Nigerians were committed to developing the nation, the nation has the potential of overcoming its current challenges in three to four years.

He said that foreign investors who have waning sentiment on Nigeria markets were doing so because they did not understand the strength of the Nigerian economy.

He said there were a lot of idle resources that, when fully tapped, could jump start the economy.

He said because of the lack of understanding by these investors and officials of the World Bank, they had advised that Nigeria could borrow up to 56 per cent of its current

Gross Domestic Product.

He said that Nigerians should develop positive attitude toward everything Nigerian and change the wrong negative perception of the country ’s investment climate by foreign investors.

He said that the delisting of Nigeria from JPMorgan had no direct effect on Nigeria bond market as the market was already developed before the bonds were listed.

East-West Road: Minister reads riot act to contractors

By Chris Ochayi & Caleb Ayansina

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BUJA—THE Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru, yesterday, said that evidence before the ministry, showed that contractors handling the East-West Road and other projects in the Niger Delta region had not lived up to expectation.

The minister told the contractors that they had only two options, either they abide by the contractual agreement signed with the Federal Government or refund the money collected for the projects.

Uguru, who gave the warning at a meeting with contractors handling various projects in the region, in Abuja, maintained that the government would ensure that there was value for money.

“So far, with the evidence before us, we have found out that the contractors have not been able to work at the pace set by the contractual agreement,” he said.

The minister noted that the ministry would soon embark on project inspection across the region to ascertain the level of work done at the various project sites, and to find out if the work was done according to set standards, adding that no excuse would be entertained by the government.

On the East-West Road, Uguru said, that the 360 kilometres road was awarded at the sum of N582 billion and that with the ministry’s record, the sum of N276 billion had been disbursed so far.

14—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1 , 2015

80TH BIRTHDAY OF MADAM OMOBOLANLE ONAJIDE IN LAGOS PHOTOS: BUNMI AZZEZ

From left: Alhaja Lateefah Okunnu, former deputy governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Femi Okunnu and Chief Olusola Faleye.

From left: Mrs. Ireti Samuel-Ogbu, celebrant's daughter, Mrs. Omobolanle Onajide, celebrant, Lara Cookey, daughter, Funmi Onajide, daughter and Ayo Onajide, son, during the 80th birthday of Madam Omobolanle Onajide, nee Akpata at Metropolitan Club, Victoria Island, Lagos.

From right: Dr. Solomon Akpata, his wife and From left: Prof. Victoria Akpata, Prof. E. From right: Prof. Itse Sagay, SAN, his wife, Sheila and Dr. Tony Iredia, former Director General, Nigeria Mrs. Stella Kregha, during the birthday celebration.

Akpata and Mr. Egie Akpata.

Television Authority, NTA, at the event.

NNPC posts N241bn loss in 10 months •Spends $445m on JV financing in one month •N88.47bn remitted to FAAC

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By Michael Eboh

BUJA—THE Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, yesterday announced a loss of N240.987 billion in its operations for 10 months, between January and October 2015.

The NNPC, in its Monthly Oil and Gas Report for October 2015, also revealed that all its total sales proceeds from the export of crude oil and gas in October, amounting to $445.786 million, about N89.157 billion, was utilized for Joint Venture Cash Call funding, while only N88.475 billion was paid to the Federal Account Allocation Committee, FAAC, in the month under review.

In an analysis of its financials between January and October 2015, the NNPC report pointed out that the three refineries — Kaduna, Port Harcourt and Warri refineries — posted a combined loss of N67.359 billion between January and October 2015; Retail segment posted a combined loss of N76.41 billion; while the Strategic Business

Units/Corporate Service Units (SBU/CSU) lost N59.537 billion.

The SBU/CSU is made up of Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, Integrated Data Services Limited, IDSL, National Engineering Technical Company, NETCO and the Nigerian Gas Company, NGC. Commenting on the loss, the NNPC said, “58.19 per cent of year-to-date, YTD, NNPC deficit of N240.99 billion is mainly

accounted for by claimable pipeline repairs/management cost of N86.69 billion and crude & product losses of N53.55 billion due to vandalized pipelines.

“The N80.87 billion deficit attributable to PPMC was arrived at after adjusting for an estimated claimable subsidy of N276.81 billion from the petroleum products sales. Refineries’ revenue does not include Petroleum Product sales, similarly

the expenses excludes Crude cost processed.

“SBUs/CSUs retained the excess revenue generated but share Head Office Cost through Corporate Overhead Cost Allocation.”

In the area of dollar payments to JV cash call and the Federation Account, the NNPC stated that total export proceeds of $445.79 million was recorded in October, 2015 with proceeds from Crude oil sales, Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG and Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG, Feedstock, and Miscellaneous receipt amounting to $325.28

million, $84.57million, and $35.93 million, representing 72.97 per cent, 18.97 per cent and 8.06 per cent contribution respectively.

“The current total export receipts outperform the previous receipt by $173.79 million (63.90%). The positive outlook is attributable to NNPC initiated third party project-Reserve Development-which contributed $35.67million or 20.52 per cent.

Other factors include improvement in the export crude lifted by 104 per cent and received from N-Gas,” it stated.

To this end, the NNPC disclosed that while dollar remittances were not made to the Federation Account between April and October 2015, a total of $607.8 million had been paid so far to FAAC in the year 2015 from sales of export oil and gas.

WORLD AIDS DAY: 7.8m lives saved in 15 years —WHO

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By Chioma Obinna & Gabriel Olawale

AGOS—AS Nigeria today joins the rest of the world to mark 2015 World AIDS Day, the World Health Organisation, WHO, yesterday announced that the Millennium Development Goal that called for halting and reversing the spread of HIV on a global basis was met with 7.8 million lives saved in 15 years.

WHO also announced that the number of HIV deaths was reduced by 42 per cent by 2014

from a peak of more than 2 million in 2004 to an estimated 1.2 million.

The global health body, in a new report to mark this year’s World AIDS Day however noted that the world is poised to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

The report tagged; “Global Health Sector Response to HIV 2000-2015”also observed that the projections of an end to the epidemic by 2030 once considered to be unattainable are now realistic.

According to the report, “The rapid scale-up of access to Antiretroviral Therapy, ART, one of the greatest public health achievements in recent times, has made treatment available to more than 16 million people living with HIV across the globe.

“Today, more than 11 million people in the WHO African Region alone are receiving HIV treatment, versus about 11 000 who were taking the medications 15 years ago,” the report added.

Describing the progress as a thousand-fold increase, the report which noted that more must be done disclosed that globally 60 percent of all people living with HIV have not yet enrolled in antiretroviral treatment.

Reacting to the report in the statement, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti explained that in the last 15 years, new HIV infections have reduced by 41 per cent in the African Region, more than in any region in the world.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015—15

BIAFRA: IPOB, MASSOB shut down markets in

Nnewi, Aba for Nnamdi Kanu •Visit Late Odumegwu Ojukwu’s house to seek his blessing •Uwazuruike expelled, Madu takes over as MASSOB leader •Forget Biafra, secession —Nwabueze

By Ikenna Asomba, Nwabueze Okonkwo, Chimaobi Nwaiwu & Ugochukwu Alaribe

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VER SEVEN thousands members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, yesterday, shut down markets and all commercial activities in Nnewi, Anambra State in solidarity protest for the release of the Director of Radio Biafra, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, who has been incarcerated by the Directorate of State Services, DSS, for over one month.

Members of the IPOB mobilized from Onitsha, Asaba, Awka, Ekwulobia, Awka-Etiti, Enugu, Imo, Ebonyi and Abia states, converged at Nnewi from where they marched to the house of the late Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu to ask for his blessing even in death.

This came as constitutional lawyer and leader of eminent group of Nigerians, The Patriots, Professor Ben Nwabueze (SAN), admonished the groups to have a re-think over their renewed calls for the state of Biafra.

According to one of the commanders, of IPOB, Mr. Emeka Onwane, the protest was a warning signal to the Federal Government to make sure that Kanu, who he said, would appear in court today is released without further delay.

Onwane said they decided to shut down Nnewi and made sure there were no commercial and business activities to further press home their demand for Kanu’s release without which he said there would be no peace in Nigeria.

He said the protest would last for three days, and they chose Nnewi for the mother of all rallies as it is the home-town of the former Biafra war lord, late Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu.

“IPOB is looking up to the international community including the United States, Russia, France and every other countries excluding Britain which is the enemy of Biafra. We are not talking about Igbo presidency; we are talking about an independent nation of Biafra. So, we are looking up to world leaders to help us actualize Biafra,” he said.

The protesters moved from St. Mary Junction to Nkwo Nnewi market, down to the express way leading to Nnewi Area Command, through Odumegwu Ojukwu’s residence to Owerri Road, Nkwo Nnewi Triangle and later headed for Awka-Etiti through Nnobi.

Onwane said their journey was an endless one but assured that it would all be peaceful as they

From left (front row), Mr. Sonny Echono, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communications; Mr. Adebayo Shittu, Minister of Communications; Prof Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC; Engr. Ubale Maska, Executive Commissioner, Technical Standard, and Mr. Tony Ojobo, Director Public Affairs, NCC, during a presentation by NCC to the Minister in Abuja, yesterday. displayed placards with forcefully entered into the markets of Chief Uwazuruike as inscriptions as 'Free Nnamdi and harassed the traders for MASSOB national leader in an event that was witnessed by even Kanu,' 'Free Biafra,' 'No Biafra, no opening their shops. peace,' 'We want Biafra now,' President-General of non-MASSOB members.

While Madu became the new 'Biafra now or never.'

SEAMATA, Chief Okwudili leader in acting capacity for six Ezenwankwo in a press statement months, Ugwuoke Ibem Strict warning he jointly signed with the Ugwuoke, emerged the National In Aba, Abia State, members of Secretary-General, Mr. Temple Secretary. the group warned traders across Udeh, noted that in as much as MASSOB warned Uwazuruike markets not to open for business the traders support the movement “to stop parading himself as today. for the state of Biafra, they were MASSOB leader or using Vanguard gathered that IPOB in total condemnation of a Ojukwu’s name to dupe Ndigbo members visited Ariaria situation where the pro-Biafra or garner personal fame to pursue International, Ngwa Road, agitators/protesters allowed his political ambition.”

Cemetery and Ekeoha markets themselves to be infiltrated by The members also indicted the with public address system some miscreants who cashed in sacked MASSOB leader of announcing to the traders to shut on the protest to loot and do all allegedly defrauding the members through “the their shops. sorts of things in the markets.

A cross section of traders, who SEAMATA further stated that introduction of the Biafra spoke to Vanguard, condemned the invasion of the markets by international passport, a gross the order and appealed to the Biafra supporters in the name of and dubious means through IPOB members to allow the protest which led to vandalization which he generated about N100 markets open. and destruction of shops, vehicles million for himself.

"The over N40 million realized According to them: ”They and other valuables belonging to should allow the markets open. their fellow Igbo was not only from the dedication of the Biafran war veterans home in Okwe, built Any trader, who wants to join the condemnable but unacceptable.

by MASSOB members, was protest is free, but a total closure He added: “To set the record diverted to Uwazuruike’s of the market will hurt us straight and for the purpose of personal purse," the group severely.” clarity, the traders are not alleged.

A trader, Mrs. Nwamaka challenging the constitutional Nnadi, who also faulted the right of peaceful assembly of any No to secession ‘order,’ said the announcement one. We only condemn the But speaking yesterday in warning traders to steer clear of attitude of the protesters (or Lagos at a press conference to the markets started on Sunday, miscreants that infiltrated them) announce the 4th Goddy as some pro Biafra agitators were that went into markets, chased the Jidenma Foundation bi-annual observed in some areas, traders out and closed the Public Lecture, entitled: 'Leadership, Responsibility & ‘spreading the message.’ entrances to the market”.

Good Governance,' holding on Wednesday, December 3, at the Pledging their loyalty Uwazuruike expelled But traders under the aegis of In a new twist, the crisis rocking Nigerian Institute of International South-East Amalgamated the MASSOB which led to the Affairs, NIIA, Victoria Island, Markets Traders Association, factionalization of the group, with Lagos, Professor Nwabueze, who SEAMATA, yesterday, stated that Chief Ralph Uwazuruike leading blamed the nation’s leadership they were in total support of the one group and his National problem, for the renewed pro-Biafra groups but Director of Information heading agitations for the state of Biafra, condemned the invasion of another group, yesterday, however, advised the protesting youths that the answer to their markets by the agitators. deepened and led to the alleged genuine grievances did not lie in The traders said that contrary expulsion of Uwazuruike and secession. to media reports that they were installation of Uchenna Madu as According to Nwabueze, who against Biafra agitation, they the new national leader of was flanked by the Principal were indeed in support of the MASSOB. Solicitor, Zik Chuka Obi & Co and The installation of Madu took Dr. Ije Jidenma, Executive efforts to restore Biafra through non-violence and not through place after the national officers Secretary, GJF, and wife of the late violent agitation as obtained in including the zonal and regional Goddy Jidenma, clamping down the recent protests embarked upon administrators of the group on pro-Biafra protesters or by the agitators during which they formally announced the expulsion sending them to prison is not the

solution to the problem. This was a problem that led us to war. What did we achieve by that war? Did we achieve Biafra? We didn’t. Is there any basis to think that it can be realised this time? Are we more prepared for it now than we were in 1967. Certainly not, we aren’t prepared for it.”

Speaking further, he said: “However, we must not condemn the people that are agitating. The present administration must look at the root cause of their protests.

These people protesting are all young people. Some of them have not been employed for over 10 years after graduating from the university.

"In my own time, graduate unemployment was unknown.

There was nothing like that. The unrest we are witnessing today is caused by this anomaly.

“Tied to this, the recent actions of President Buhari contributes to this unrest. Buhari made 24 key appointments, not a single one came from the South-East. What do you expect the youths from that area to feel. They will feel that they have been deprived of that sense of belonging. They will feel that they don’t belong to Nigeria.

If by the President’s actions, he’s saying they don’t belong to Nigeria, then, they will start agitation for Biafra, where they can belong.

“People may describe this feeling as an illusion, but I must say that the feeling is already there. You can’t say to a man who is aggrieved that he has no right to be aggrieved. Address the source of the grievances. Correct your own approach to leadership.

Make them feel that they belong.

That’s the answer. The answer is not clamping them to prisons.”

The former Nigerian Secretary of Education, however, advised the leadership of MASSOB and IPOB to change their names, noting that the names they currently bear act as a clog in the wheel of their causes.

“I have said it in the past that there is something wrong with the name that pro-Biafra groups are using for their cause. As the pioneer Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, a position I held for 25 years, I had meetings with the leader of MASSOB, Ralph Uwazurike, where I told him the honest truth, that look, you may have something up, but the name MASSOB, defeats your cause. Therefore, you must change the name. How can you be talking about actualisation of a sovereign state within a sovereign state.

That’s treasonable. The name alone is treasonable.You can see that the authorities are charging the leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu and others for treason. Although, I have called for his immediate release and have asked that he comes to see me when he’s released. I want to see him. The name should be changed.

MASSOB is there, IPOB is also there. So, which is which? The name should be changed,” he insisted.

16—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015

Okorocha urges FG, states to invest in sports

I

MO STATE governor, Rochas Okorocha has called on both the federal and state governments to invest heavily in sports because of the wonderful contributions of sporting activities to the unity of the country, adding that sports have always brought Nigerians from all tribes together as a people and rekindled the consciousness of the nation’s unity in Nigerians.

Okorocha said this when the organizers of the Federation of Public Service Games paid a courtesy call on him at the Government House, to inform him that the 2015 edition of the Public Service Games had taken off in the state.

He further explained that the importance of the public service games cannot be over-emphasized especially when Nigerians from all spheres of life would be gathering in the state for the games, showcasing the unity and peaceful co-existence of the people of Nigeria.

$2BN ARMS DEAL: EFCC arrests Yuguda, ex-finance

minister

...detains Dasuki’s Finance Director, others

•Ex- defence minister, Sokoto gov risk arrest Soni Daniel, Northern Region Editor

country’s armed forces in the office of the National Security Adviser under the last administration.

Vanguard learnt that no fewer than 20 top officials of the previous administration, who were alleged to have played active roles in the pilfering of funds meant for the

procurement of weapons for the armed forces were taken into custody by the Economic and Finance Crimes Commission, NDICATIONS EMERGED, EFCC, for questioning. yesterday, that more heads may Top among those in the kitty of roll over the disappearance of $2 the anti-graft agency, were the billion meant for the procurement former Minister of State for Finance, of arms and ammunition for the Ambassador Bashir Yuguda and a former Director of Finance in the Office of the National Security Adviser, Shuaibu Salisu.

A credible source in the EFCC indicated that Yuguda was arrested around 4p.m., yesterday, and taken to the Commission over some spurious payments said to have been made by him for the purpose of arms procurement.

The former minister, who worked under Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, was still being questioned by operatives of the EFCC in Abuja as at the time of going to press last night.

Mr. Shuaibu Salisu, described as a very DELEGATION: Chief Willie Obiano, Anambra State governor, welcoming powerful officer in the office Beverly Okoye, leader of the UK Trade delegation to the Governor's of the former NSA, was said Lodge, Amawbia, Anambra State.

I

Implement 2014 National Confab report, Nwachukwu tells FG

By Anayo Okoli

Government to implement the report of the 2014 National Conference, MUAHIA—FORMER Foreign saying that it would help to solve the Affairs Minister, Senator Ike socio-political problems facing the Nwachukwu has tasked the Federal country.

Senator Nwachukwu, who spoke at the annual ‘Vision Africa Radio Prestigious Award 2015,’ in Umuahia, Abia State, was of the opinion that the conference ORE FACTS have were the on-going local addressed major emerged why government staff audit and Enugu State stakeholders other reforms and the problems facing Nigeria opted for the setting up of inadequate budgetary as a nation and ought to caretaker committees to run provision for the exercise in be implemented.

“The conference report the affairs of the 17 local the current budget. government councils in the The report stated that the and recommendations, state from January 4, 2016 governor promised to 600 in all, addressed the when the tenure of the address the deficiency in major problems facing current council chairmen the 2016 budget, to enable Nigerians and the will expire. the Enugu State Nigerian nation. I, It was recently reported Independent Electoral therefore, urge that Enugu stakeholders Commission, ENSIEC, governments at Federal had during an interactive conduct the elections next and state levels and the meeting summoned by year.

National and state Governor Ifeanyi The governor recalled assemblies, to implement Ugwuanyi unanimously that the state caucus had in those recommendations. approved the setting up of its last meeting in Enugu, Doing so will be to the the committees, in agreed that all activities benefit of all,” Gen. consideration of the reasons towards the local Nwachukwu (ret'd) said. presented by the governor government elections, be Nwachukwu, who was and other factors militating put on hold to enable the an active member of the the conduct of council polls local government reform in the state. committee conclude its conference also charged the media to serialize Governor Ugwuanyi assignment. while giving a detailed He added that the the conference report account of his six-month caucus’ decision was a and its recommendations stewardship in the saddle, widely shared view among “so that the electorate help our told the stakeholders that the people, and it will be can in the two major reasons his unwise to conduct election governments implementing those administration was opting for new councils. adjudged good..." for caretaker committees

U

ENUGU LG POLLS: Why

stakeholders endorsed caretaker c'ttees

M

to have been arrested and detained for sometime over the various payments that were causing ripples in the office of the NSA. Operatives of the Commission were said to have extended their dragnet to a former Sokoto State governor, Atthahiro Bafarawa, whose sibling was said to have been identified as one of those who received huge financial payment from the office of the NSA for arms supply.

The operatives were also said to be angling to probe a former defence minister and a one-time national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Halilu Bello, in connection with the arms issue.

A source in the EFCC confirmed that the sons of many top-ranking PDP officials were also found to have received various sums of money under the guise of supplying weapons for the armed forces but did not deliver.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015 — 17

I

N the eight years of Obasanjo’s presidency, there was no headline-grabbing demand for Biafra. Ditto for the eight years of the Yar ’Adua/ Jonathan presidency. However, within months of Buhari’s presidency, the Igbo demand for Biafra has become deafening. Without a doubt, the blame for this new impetus must be laid firmly at the doorstep of President Buhari.

Moreover, rather than attenuate it, the president and the APC have exacerbated separatist tendencies in the country.

This was part of the reason why people like me did not support Buhari’s election as president of Nigeria. I have written severally in Vanguard that Nigeria must remain a united nation. In my column of 4th March, 2014 entitled: “Re-inventing Igbo Politics in Nigeria,” I maintained that: “Nigeria cannot survive without the Igbo.” The following week on 11th March 2014, I wrote another article entitled: “Nigeria Cannot Do without the North.”

I remain persuaded by both positions. But if Nigeria is indeed to remain united, there are certain things that must be said and done. The problem with the Buhari administration is that it seems totally impervious to these imperatives.

Second-class treatment There is no question that, as one of the major ethnic groups in Nigeria, the Igbo have been hard done by. Since the civil war 45 years ago, they have been treated as if they were a minority ethnic group in Nigeria when in fact they are one of the majorities. No Igbo has been considered worthy of being head-of-state. The South East of Ndigbo is the only one of the six geopolitical zones of the country with five states.

All other zones have six or more.

Indeed, the number of local governments in the North-East is virtually double that of the SouthEast. As a result, the Ndigbo receive the smallest amount of revenue allocation among all the zones, in spite of the fact that some of the South-eastern states are among the oil-producing states.

The roads in the South-east are notoriously bad. Government after government have simply ignored them. Inconsequential ministerial positions are usually zoned to Ndigbo. Time was when it seemed the lackluster Ministry of Information was their menial preserve. It is also a known fact that every so often the Igbo are slaughtered in the North under one guise or the other.

Many are forced to abandon their homes and businesses and run for dear life. The people who perpetrate these acts never seem to be arrested or prosecuted.

When a major tribe is treated procedurally as second-class in their own country, there will be a demand for self-determination sooner rather than later. When a group of people feel unsafe in C M Y K

Root causes of the Biafra struggle their own country, they cannot but be expected to decide to opt out.

It is not the responsibility of the government to imprison the Igbo in Nigeria. It is the responsibility of the government to ensure and guarantee that they feel safe and are treated with respect.

Discrimination against the South: While these issues have been brewing under the surface for some time, the lop-sided tendencies of President Buhari have brought them all out to boilingpoint. In his first-coming as head-of-state in 1984, Buhari antagonised Ndigbo by locking up Vice-President Alex Ekwueme, an Igbo man, in jail in Kirikiri; while President Shehu Shagari, a Fulani man was only placed under house arrest.

In addition, Buhari arrested and jailed Ojukwu, another Igbo icon for no just cause.

As Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund, Buhari discriminated blatantly against the South and especially the South-east.

For example, his PTF built only 4,440 kilometres of roads in Southern Nigeria representing a paltry 24%; while 13,870 kilometres were built in the North representing 76%. Of these figures, the Southeast and South-south combined only received 13.5%.

Under the PTF’s National Health and Rehabilitation Programme, NHERP, the entire South got 0% allocation, while the North got 100% in the tertiary programme. In the vocational programme, the entire South had only 3% while the North had 97%.

The same was for the primary side where the South had only 12% but the North was allocated 88%.

When a major tribe is treated procedurally as second-class in their own country, there will be a demand for selfdetermination sooner rather than later

The secondary area was no different. While the North had 86% percent, the South had just 14%.

Disenfranchisement of Ndigbo These anomalies have been duplicated to date in the seven months of Buhari’s presidency.

In the first place, Buhari won virtually without Igbo votes. In order to diminish Jonathan’s votes, a major assault was made against them; recognising that they are some of the staunchest Jonathan supporters. INEC ensured that, far more disproportionately relative to other geopolitical zones, millions of SouthEast voters disappeared between 2011 and 2015.

Only 7.6 million voters were registered for the 2015 election in the South-east, and only 5.6 million PVCs collected. Compare this with Buhari’s Northwest, there were 17.6 million registrations and 15.1 million collections. While in the Southwest, there were 4.2 million votes in 2015, relative to 4.6 million in 2011: in the South-east, there were only 2.6 million votes in 2015, relative to 5 million in 2011; a drastic drop of 2.4 million.

While Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Jigawa and Bauchi posted their traditional humongous figures; Imo, Anambra and Abia posted relatively disappointing figures. While the internally displaced Northerners in the North-East could vote; internally displaced Igbos from the North could not. While the cardreaders failed in many parts of the South-east, suggestive they were programmed to fail; they worked in most parts of the North. In places like Lagos and Kano, many non-indigenes, including the Igbo, were not even given their PVCs. Making of a hero: President Buhari then added insult to injury by stating on his visit to the United States that he could not be expected to treat those who voted for him in the same way as those who did not.

He said: “(Going by election results), constituencies that gave me 97% cannot in all honesty be treated, on some issues, with constituencies that gave me 5%. I think these are political realities.

While, certainly there will be justice for everybody but the

people who voted, and made their votes count, they must feel the government has appreciated the effort they put in putting the government in place.”

While his media assistants later tried to water down this disturbing statement, the reality was that, apart from the constitutionally-stipulated requirement that every state must be represented in the presidential Cabinet, Buhari has virtually ignored the Igbo in his appointments.

Two moves showed the level of insensitivity of the Buhari administration to these anomalies. The first was the decision to move Boko Haram prisoners down from the North to the Southeast; a move firmly resisted by the Igbo as it would have made them a target of suicide-bombers. The other was the blunder of placing Nnamdi Kanu, the director of Radio Biafra, under arrest; charging him with treason and terrorism.

All the government has achieved by this is inflame passions in the South-east. It has also made a hero out of Kanu.

Those who did not know about Kanu before now know him.

Those who were not disposed to Biafra before are now shouting Biafra. For weeks on end, Biafra has become the biggest news item nationwide, with agitations, demonstrations, threats and arrests.

Agenda for action: The government needs to apply more wisdom here. At the moment, it has become the biggest promoter of Biafra by the way it has gone about things. The idea of Biafra cannot be killed with a sledge hammer, if at all. What is required is to address the root causes that impelled Biafra. Unfortunately, it would appear the Buhari administration is unwilling to do this.

As a matter of urgency, Nnamdi Kanu must be released unconditionally. If the government persists in labeling him a terrorist, his supporters might decide to become terrorists. Nigeria already has enough problem of Boko Haram conflagration in the North-east. We cannot afford to light another fire in the Southeast.

Kanu was living in England.

If he were a terrorist, he would have been arrested there. The fact that he lived there without

constraints or restraints shows he was not considered a threat, either to Britain or to Nigeria.

It is not a crime to fight for selfdetermination; it is a right. The government must not give the impression that Nigeria is a prison where we must all live, irrespective of the living conditions. The government needs to address the grievances of the Igbo. Their roads and bridges must be built. Their waterways must be opened up to the Atlantic Ocean.

Eastern sea-ports must be developed. Railways must link their mercantile cities to the North. Their coal resources must be profitably exploited for the benefit of their unemployed youth and citizenry. An additional state must be created in the South-east to bring it up to par with other geopolitical zones.

National question Moreover, we need to revisit again a critical issue addressed during the truncated National Conference: the issue of resource allocation. This is a major gripe of the Igbo and it is a legitimate gripe. It is not in the interest of Nigeria to continue in this ageold practice where all the states gather every month in Abuja for handouts, whether they are productive or not. This gives the wrong impression that some states are insisting on being piggybacked by others. We need to develop a system that rewards and encourages productivity.

Those who produce should be allowed to keep disproportionately what they produce, instead of the current situation where they are required to share it disproportionately with those relatively less productive. The truth of the matter is that every part of Nigeria is resource rich. Every part of Nigeria has the requisite manpower. Unfortunately, our current over-concentration on oil militates against the development of other indigenous resources.

A situation where national resources are distributed according to the number of local government councils, and where there is now supposedly only 96 local government councils in the SouthEast, relative to 186 in the Northwest does not suggest equity and justice.

The disgruntlement in the South-east about the Nigeria project will not disappear by ignoring it. It will not disappear by arresting Kanu. It will not disappear by issuing threats.

Neither will it disappear by denying the youth of the Southeast their freedom of speech and assembly.

Today, the demand for Biafra remains the demand of a minority of the Igbo. If the root causes of their anger are not addressed, the minority will soon become the majority. If that happens, Nigeria might unravel. I repeat what I have stated before: the Nigeria of our manifest destiny cannot be realised without the Igbo.

18 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015 WEDNESDAY, 25 th of November, 2015 will surely be remembered as a day elected leaders at the federal level moved towards creating harmonious working relationship after the first six months of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration which was bedevilled by crises of confidence.

President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, had led members of the premium Red Chamber to the Presidential Villa, Abuja and dined with President Buhari, prominent leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief Ahmed Bola Tinubu and other senior party and administration officials. What made the dinner special was that it provided an opportunity for Buhari, Tinubu and the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, to come together under a convivial atmosphere after six months of the Party ’s rejection of the Senate leadership, which emerged against the wishes of the president and Tinubu.

That “reconciliation” dinner The APC leaders felt betrayed by Saraki’s alliance with the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to sideline the ruling Party ’s chosen candidates led by Senator Ahmed Lawan for Senate President and Hon Femi Gbajabiamila for the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Matters were worsened by the fact that Saraki’s alliance with PDP also produced Ekweremadu as the Deputy Senate President, which many APC leaders and supporters felt was an unacceptable bite into the party’s victory pie.

This led to many rowdy sessions in the Senate with some APC

senators bluntly refusing to sit in the plenary whenever Ekweremadu had to preside in the absence of the Senate President as required by the constitution.

We commend those behind this thawing of frosty atmosphere between the Presidency and the National Assembly on the one hand and the Federal Legislature and the ruling APC on the other. We hope that this “reconciliation” dinner was a signpost to smoother relationship between the two arms of the Federal Government. The rancour-free screening and approval of Buhari’s ministerial nominees which fast-tracked the

constitution of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) was a pointer to the good things that could happen when politicians rise above petty, selfish pursuits to face the serious issues of governance waiting for attention.

We, however, caution that this apparent “peace dinner” should not give way to an atmosphere of conspiracy, which usually arises when there is “too much peace” among politicians. The Legislature must be firm in maintaining the principles of separation of powers and performing their legislative oversight functions without compromise. On the other hand, the President and the Executive must remain committed to the war against corruption and the recovery of stolen funds without f e a r, favour or political considerations.

We want the three arms to work together for effective service delivery to the common folks who voted for good governance.

OPINION

Bayelsa guber poll: Taste of the pudding

By Ruth Francis

I

AM a gender activist but keenly inter ested in the build up to the December 5 governorship election in Bayelsa State, the glory of all lands and Jerusalem of the Ijaw nation. One thing that captured my attention is that the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, will stop at nothing to rig the polls if the good people of the oil-rich state fail to resist the sinister plot.

It appears part of the condition handed down the state chapter of the APC by its national apparatchik was that before it deployed its rigging arsenal in Bayelsa on election day, it must prove to the national leadership that APC was the new kid on the block. Hard as they tried, the Ijaw nation as an entity, particularly Bayelsans rejected APC and chose to remain with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for obvious reasons which time and space may not permit me to dwell on.

Observers believe APC’s greatest undoing was that it fielded a former governor of the state, Chief Timipre Sylva as its standard bearer in the December 5 polls. This forced former prominent party leaders like Senator John Brambaifa and Chief Alex C M Y K

Ekiotene and over 20 thousand APC officials and supporters to decamp to PDP. Similarly, many aspirants in the ill-fated primary election that produced Sylva distanced themselves from the party. To further boost the re-election bid of the Countryman Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson, over 6,000 PVC-carrying friends of President Muhammadu Buhari under the auspices of Buhari Friends Organisation Network in Bayelsa endorsed Dickson’s reelection, citing his democratic credentials as reason. The friends of Buhari’s support came at a period when Bayelsa Elders Council, non- indigenes in the state, the clergy, organised labour, NGOs, youth, women and faith-based organisations and majority of the rural communities in the state had vowed to retain the governor in Creek Haven!

The gale of endorsements for the governor and emergence of Sylva caused the APC meltdown in Bayelsa which expect-

Propaganda doesn’t win election, only permanent voter card does

edly frustrated Sylva and his camp. So after trying to no avail to sway us, the Bayelsa voters, Sylva seems to have finally settled for a phantom poll survey which gave him a head start over others so that if he is rigged into office, the world would not pick holes in the exercise.

It is against this background that observers are quick to say that the latest survey conducted by the Election Frontline administered by one Mac Pepple Joshua is a prelude to the plan to rig the December 5 governorship election and capture the state by hook or crook! The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, at a recent press conference in Port Harcourt read the body language of APC correctly when it warned the Presidency in strong terms not to manipulate the polls.

While vowing to resist rigging, MEND promised to send 500 members to monitor the election in the creeks.

In its reaction to the fake election survey, the Restoration Campaign Organisation, RCO, the umbrella campaign organisation for the re-election of Governor Dickson said the opinion was meant to prepare the ground for APC to rig the election.

Jonathan Obuebite, RCO Director of Media and Publicity in a press statement wrote: “…The so-called Election Frontline simply sat in Lagos and wrote its report which unfortunately alluded that the APC governorship candidate, Timipre Sylva, would win the election.”

Obuebite averred that the poll survey was not credible and argued that this same sur-

vey experts had predicted that the same “Sylva who was Bayelsa East senatorial candidate of the APC in the 2015 general election would win but he lost woefully to Senator Ben Murray Bruce of the PDP…” The RCO spokesman boasted that majority of Bayelsans have vowed to re-elect Governor Dickson to consolidate on peace prosperity, development and security of Bayelsa State.

He therefore urged Bayelsans, Nigerians and the international community to ignore the so-called poll survey, which he alleged was sponsored by APC. While stressing that this opinion poll cannot sway the voters for the APC, Obuebite asserted that Bayelsans have vowed to resist rigging.

Obuebite also stressed that: “APC has no foothold on Bayelsa and Ijaw land. Our people cannot afford to gamble with their destiny. Re-electing the APC candidate, Sylva will spell doom for our people and return Bayelsa State to Egypt. Under Governor Dickson, we can see the promise land, that is why we must re-elect him to consolidate on his track record of selfless service to Bayelsans and humanity in general…!”

My take is that propaganda doesn’t win election, only permanent voter card does, Bayelsans will speak with their PVCs on the D-day, for the taste of the pudding is in the eating. *Ms Francis, President of Wake Up Bayelsa, wrote from Yenagoa

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015— —19

We can fix this economy

By Sunny Ikhioya

W

HEN we say that the economic stagnation in this country has an international dimension to it, those who are satisfied with the status-quo shout us down. Thank God for Omoh Gabriel’s revelation in the Vanguard of November 16, 2015. According to Omoh: “The attempt to frustrate the nation’s efforts to move forward has been orchestrated by foreign investors, their media and the European Union and the United States of America.”

It did not start today. Right from the colonial era our economy has been programmed to service the needs of the super powers. Ask the Indians, the battle they fought to free their cotton production from the grips of the British colonial masters.

With Mahatma Ghandi as the pivot, they boycotted British goods, including their wears, and that accounted for India’s seemingly economic independence today. The surprising thing in the case of Nigeria is that, with an over abundance of world class economic experts and consultants - Professor Soludo has now come out of his shell - they have not been able to see and promote Nigeria along this line.

Until we choose to take our destiny in our own hands, our economy will continue to remain in the dol-

drums. Haven’t you wondered why the alcoholic beverage production is going on smoothly and our petroleum refineries are experiencing hiccups? Is it not the same process of management, of filtration, titration, heating, cooling, packaging, etc?

The engineers operating the brewery factories, are they not Nigerians like their counterparts in the oil and gas sectors? Why do our international oil companies, IOCs, choose to bring in technicians from the Philippines, Venezuela and other countries when there are abundance of qualified Nigerians to do the job?

Why must we engage somebody as an expatriate to work as a store officer and other less ‘technicalised’ areas of our business? Everything boils down to the conspiracy of the Super Powers. If we do not decide on our own home grown solutions, our children and grand children will still be grappling with this problem in years to come. God forbid!

Why has Ajaokuta steel factory refused to get off the ground? Why is Delta Steel Company presently grounded? Why must we design a production outfit that will depend on the Russians and others for raw materials to produce steel in Nigeria? Have we forgotten that steel production was once with us in the Nok culture long before the Europeans colonised us? The Ajaokuta steel factory has become like an

Abiku child that has refused to die until he leads his parents into bankruptcy. It is either we kill the Ajaokuta project or it will kill us. We must find very simple and uncomplicated methods of tackling problems in this country. The Ajaokuta thing has become too complex to fix, therefore, we must break it down into simple and manageable bits. I am very sure that the original factory and machine designs have become obsolete, given the speed at which technology is changing.

We must be ready to call the bluff of our international friends and partners. Anytime we refuse to dance to their tunes, they use all manner of tactics to frustrate us. The US reduced their patronage of our crude oil to the barest minimum; we did not shout. Dunlop, Michelin and others relocated their factories; nobody raised any eyebrow. Over night, our stock market had gone down with the withdrawal of foreign direct investments; we took it calmly.

Now, we only restricted the official allocation of foreign exchange to

The world is afraid of the giant that will arise out of Nigeria; we must not let them kill our dreams

Right of Reply Ekweremadu: Drama or road rage?

By Emeka Aneke

I

T is sad that rather than get the security agencies to unearth the persons and motives behind the assassination attempt on Ike Ekweremadu, the All Progressives Congress, APC, have apparently resorted to trivialize a serious national issue. This is the case with write-up entitled: “Ekweremadu’s Assassination Drama” published in the Vanguard of November 25, 2015 and written by one Dan Owegie who identified himself as an APC chieftain in Benin, Edo State.

It is not for Owegies of this world to dictate to Ekweremadu’s security how to secure their principal. If Ekweremadu’s security did not open fire on the assailants as Owegie argued, could it be that on a second thought they considered the vehicle could be bomb-laden, especially as the front view of the tinted car clearly showed it was driven by a man whose appearance easily aroused suspicion? Could it be there could have been civilian casualties? Such and other details are what they owe the top echelon of their agencies, not the public.

However, Owegie’s bitter whinnying over what he deems APC’s patrimony that Ekweremadu collected only goes to confirm that the APC and promoters of gridlock are unrepentantly unpretentious about their desperation to end the Ikeoha Ndigbo Deputy Senate Presidency. They seem to have abandoned their promises to provide free meals to over 20 million pupils daily, payment of N5,000 to over 25 million jobless Nigerians, bring back Chibok girls, and bring the Naira at parity with the US Dollar. Instead, unseating Ekweremadu has now become their new national goal, which they have elevated to key deliverable of their government.

Speculations and conspiracy theories are natural outcomes of incidences of shady acts, unguarded statements and body language. In APC government, body language is a key medium of communication. Such acts, innuendos and body languages are C M Y K

therefore compasses with which to locate and interpret series of related and unrelated actions, inactions and utterances of the APC-led government.

Behind a façade of APC’s “CHANGE”, integrity and turn-coat democracy, the APC Presidency in essence treats Nigerians as immature, petulant aggregate of primitives who cannot be counted upon to behave sensibly, but must be whipped into line with endless half truths, diatribe, and intimidation, stigmatisation and Gestapo treatments. One event leads to another in an endless chain of rights abuses, blackmail, bastardisation of principles of democracy and extortion of loyalty.

It is in pursuit of these policies of malignity and suppression, that also propelled one Andrew Oota, former Special Assistant to erstwhile Speaker Aminu Tambawal, to write the unfortunate piece: “Ekweremadu: The unwanted change agent” and published in Leadership Newspaper, on November 14, 2015.

In the said article, the same man whose

It is not for Owegies of this world to dictate to Ekweremadu’s security how to secure their principal; if Ekweremadu’s security did not open fire on the assailants, could it be that on a second thought they considered the vehicle could be bomb-laden?

goods that are considered not priority to the Nigerian economy and the whole world is going gaga.

Our leaders must take the bull by the horn. The economy can be fixed.

Our agriculture can become selfsufficient in three years and most of our shut local industries can start running again. All of these are possible only if we choose to do it our own way. We must adopt measures to suit our peculiar circumstances.

This country is too important for any other country to toy with. Imagine Norway complaining because we restricted the importation of fish heads, Thailand rice, America plastic and aircraft, and many others complaining because we want to direct our attention to essential items that will uplift our economy. Our youths are unemployed, while our government policies are ensuring the sustainability of factories in Europe, America and other areas.

It is time to put a stop to this and we must begin with our propaganda machinery. Lai Mohammed and his team have a lot to do in this instance. Instead of concentrating on Jonathan and the past, they must start directing their energies towards the proper orientation of Nigerians towards patronising Nigerian made products and discourage our lust for everything foreign. The world is afraid of the giant that will arise out of Nigeria; we must not let them kill our dreams. What should we do?

First, analyse what made us to derail in the past and begin to do things the correct way, we must educate the

master retained his speakership after defecting to the APC and in whose Benue State APC minority produced the current Speaker had the guts to write that “for the APC leadership and other stakeholders, the emergence of senator Ekweremadu was simply an aberration that should not be allowed to stand, if the reforms and the change mantra that the APC rode onto power during the 2015 general elections is anything to hold onto”.

Nigerians have witnessed several attempts by APC and its surrogates in the Senate to undermine and terminate the deputy senate presidency of Ekweremadu and maybe, to their best of luck, the Senate Presidency of Dr Saraki. These include, but not limited to unsuccessful charges of forgery of Senate rules, blackmailing of the Senate President of running PDP Senate, politically-motived trial of Saraki by CCT, sustained media attacks and most recently, dastardly attempt to denigrate the seat of DSP at the Senate by Senator Mrs. Tinubu.

When the above scenario is aligned with the publicised threats and innuendos of APC stalwarts like Ngige and Kwakwanso, one will not be mistaken to state that the primary orientation of APC is to malign, blackmail, destroy and uproot perceived opponents by fair or foul means.

It is in this light that an x-ray of the alleged assassination attempt on the life of Deputy President of the Senate should be conducted. On June 14, 2015, APC senators under the aegis of Senate Unity Forum announced that “the only condition that would make them recognise Senator Saraki as President of the Senate was for Ekweremadu to resign as Deputy Senate President”.

On June 16, 2015, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso was quoted as ranting that the election of Senator Ekweremadu as Deputy Senate President will create problem for Buhari.

On June 25, 2015, Senator Chris Ngige, stated that: “Senator Ekweremadu’s emergence as deputy president of the senate will give PDP in the South East the desired oxygen to breath and that disadvantages us and puts us in a difficult position on our aspiration to make the South East people to join APC government”. He went on to threaten: “You know, there are many ways to kill a rat. You can decide to go and kill it

people on what is right for them.

We cannot allow our currency to be devalued at this moment because we are not yet a producing country, it will only increase cost of goods and materials and cause inflation in our lands.

Immediately, we must revamp our agriculture and agro-allied businesses, set up marketing/monitoring boards to buy from farmers and ensure standardisation. Build warehouses/silos over the places and establish agric processing factories for farmers to process their goods. All of these do not require rocket science technology, they have been done in the past to an appreciable measure of success.

No state or region must remain unviable, each must concentrate on the areas of comparative advantage.

Industries must not be sited because you want to please your people. It must follow all economic principles of nearness to raw materials, power, labour, market, capital and the rest.

Above all, we must ensure peace.

It is only a peaceful environment that will attract progressive developments. As a result, the government must find ways to reduce the tensions related to ethnicity and religion.

All we need is the will and the vehicle to propagate the programmes.

May the almighty God give us direction. *Mr. Ikhioya, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Lagos.

manually, you can go and put it in hot water, and you can use poison – Gammalin.

We are back to the drawing table because it (Ekweremadu) poses a problem for us”.

On November 12, 2015, anti-Saraki senators led by Senators Ahmad Lawan and George Akume, walked out from Senate plenary in protest of the Deputy Senate President presiding over the Senate in absence of the Senate President. According to them: “ We noticed with grave sadness, the handover of the hallowed chamber of the Senate today to the opposition party, the PDP, by allowing Senator Ike Ekweremadu, a PDP stalwart, to preside over the APC majority senators.” On November 14, there was publication in the Leadership Newspaper on how Ekweremadu has become an “unwanted change agent”. On November 17, there was a suspected assassination attempt on the life of Senator Ekweremadu and on November 18, Senator Mrs. Tinubu made frantic attempts to take over the seat of the Deputy Senate President but for the pragmatic intervention of PDP. These events, threats, and pronouncements lend credence to the real intent of those hoodlums who attacked the Deputy Senate President. In common legal parlance, a prima facie is used to describe the apparent nature of something upon initial observation. In this instance, could it be right to suggest that a prima facie case has sufficiently been established for a possible direction from which harm could befall the Deputy President of Nigerian Senate? When a leading party stalwart stated that Senator Ekweremadu as DSP will emasculate the political landscape in the South East to the disadvantage of APC in the zone and declared that they have gone to drawing board to apply “many ways to kill a rat”, one may ask: Is road rage and “unfortunate ghastly motor accident” one of the gammalin ways?

There was a certain barren tortoise who boasted before his kinsmen that in event of stampede in the marketplace, he would kill the pregnant wife of his brother so that she would not populate the land with his brother’s children.

On the market day, there was indeed a stampede and the pregnant tortoise was trampled to death. The village arrested the tortoise for murder and stoned him to death.

*Mr Aneke, a political analyst, wrote from Abuja

20—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1 2015

“Buhari told the Nigerian community in Iran that those accused of corruption would have been prosecuted by now but for the need to thoroughly investigate them with a view to gathering enough evidence for their eventual trial. He admitted that it was easier for him during his tenure as a military Head of State in 1984/85 to arrest and put those alleged corrupt individuals in ‘protective custody’ for them to prove their innocence but the dictates of rule of law and due process had slowed him down in prosecuting corruption in this dispensation.”— News report

I

F there was any truism to theaphorism that the worst civilian regime is better than the best military rule, it is the above excerpted from the statements made by President Muhammadu Buhari during his recent visit to Iran.Kudos must be given to Mr President for regretfully acknowledging that a democratic government cannot behave like a military junta.

More importantly this cold reality espoused by the President should become a book of the law for the officials of the administration which must not depart from their lips and in which they should meditate day and night so that the administration way may be prosperous with good success attending .

This admonition becomes necessary given the way they have handled the trial of former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col Sambo Dasuki whose prosecution is daily wearing the garb of persecution because of the seeming observance of due process in the breach.

Before going into details of Dasuki’s ordeal, let me tell a personal story to underscore how executive haste and recklessness can mess up a case and turn the accuser to the accused in the eyes of the jury.

The Babangida military junta was planning to remove fuel subsidy towards the end of 1986 and a litre of fuel was to go from 42 kobo to 70 kobo. The then NLC President,Paschal Bafyau and some of his officials were in security custody because of organised Labour’s opposition to the policy.It happened that the convocation of then University of Ife(now Obafemi Awolowo University) was fixed for December 19 and Babangida was expected at the event.He did not show up but was represented by hisNavalChief, AdmiralPatrickKoshoni.

Shortly after the commencement of the event, students milled at the gate of the convocation arena at Oduduwa Hall singing protest songs against the planned removal of fuel subsidy and the detention of Labour leaders.The spontaneous protest lasted throughout the event C M Y K

How not to try Dasuki!

Col. Sambo Dasuki(rtd)

in spite of the fact that the students union was under ban following the ABU crisis of 1986.

When it was time to depart,Admiral Koshoni had to escape in the official car of then Military Administrator of Oyo State, Col. Tunji Olurin as there was no way to get to the chopper that brought him which landed on the sports field.The security attached to them fired teargas at the protesting students as they hurried out of the campus which made the students to turn their songs to pebbles.

The newspapers had their front pages the following morning screaming: “Protesting Ife Students Stone Koshoni”. The university administration under Prof Wande Abimbola swung into panic mode and quickly looked for students it had beef with. It picked 10 members of the editorial board of the most fiery magazine I edited on campus then, sprinkled with just others for suspension. It also banned our magazine.The newspapers were screaming two days aftertheincident: “KoshoniAffair:Ife Varsity Suspends 12”.

Peoples' lawyer We came down to the chambers of the late Alao Aka-Bashorun in Lagos to seek help.The people’s lawyer assigned Mr Femi Falana to proceed to Ife High Court to challenge our suspension. The headlines roared: “Suspended Ife Varsity Students Fight Back” and we returned to campus on the injunction from the court.

On the day of substantive hearing the university hired Prof Kasumu(SAN) who came with a horde of lawyers carrying frightening books. Our counsel Falana walked into the courtroom with a small bag. When the case was called, he said he was relying on the handbook of the university to prove that our suspension was a violent violation of our right. He

quoted the section that gives the Vice-Chancellor the power to discipline students IF they have been found guilty of any offence.

“My clients were not tried for any offence before they were suspended. The only way the ViceChancellor could have determined their guilt in this instance is if he had contacted Ifa oracle(a pun on the VC’s discipline as an authority in Ifa).

Prof Kasumu was crestfallen and prayed the court to allow the university to go and try us according to the rule book but Falana punctured that with: “My Lord, equity does not allow double jeopardy.

They want to punish my clients twice over suspicion?”. The judge adjourned for judgement.

On verdict day, he nullified our suspension and granted us a perpetual injunction upon which I can boldly say today that many of us accused by the university were part of the protests though we didn’t throw stones.If the authorities were well tempered to go through due process, they could have established our participation. Not following the rules made the judge to say: “The university in a moment of administrate haste and executive recklessness abandoned its own book of rules to use the thumb to deal with the plaintiffs and I am left with no

Until that painstaking process is followed through, he must like every other citizen be accorded all his rights and privileges

option than to nullify the action.

Boys,you can go back to school”.

The above incident keeps pouringintomymemoryanytime I reflect how our officials are allowing emotions to override due process of the law in the case of Sambo Dasuki.This column holds that if Dasuki has helped himself with public funds all due process of the law must be used to recover such from him with the appropriate sanctions to boot.

Until that painstaking process is followed through, he must like every other citizen be accorded all his rights and privileges.The handlers of his case have not acquittedthemselvescreditablywell in this regards.First, they invaded his home about four days after leaving office and they told us it was because he stockpiled arms and money. When they began the serial charge, they said they found four rifles in the home of a man who had powers to approve importation of bombs into the country less than a week to the ransacking of his home.

Later on they said they found less than $300,000 in the vaults in his house (But,we are not hearing anything on the millions of dollars they said they found in Akwa Ibom Government House on a similar invasion again!).

Dasuki says he is ready to face trial but that the court should allow himtogoandtreathimself. Thecourt was convinced and issued an order to that effect.The enforcers refused to allow him go in defiance of court order and yet to the same they returned to seek order to detain him.

In the midst of all that, came the unfortunate statement that the President has ordered the arrest of Dasuki.That was an avoidable low as the office of Mr President ought to be insulated from such executive shenanigans. Evenmilitaryregimes

ensured that the signing of Decree 2 was a preserve of the Chief of General Staff and not the Head of State.

The actions of these officials unfortunately are being heaped on Mr President as exemplified by a report in Washington Times which states inter alia: “After celebrating fairness, due process, and the rule of law last July to win the goodwill of the United States, Mr. Buhari returned to Nigeria to mock all three in a vendetta against Dasuki, the immediate past National Security Adviser.

“He placed Mr. Dasuki under house arrest. He confiscated his passport. He charged him with firearms and money laundering violations. He sought a secret trial to prevent independent scrutiny.

“He opposed Mr. Dasuki’s pretrial application to the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja for permission to receive urgent medical treatment for cancer in London, but it was nonetheless granted.

“Justice Adeniyi Ademola explained that an accused is presumedinnocentbeforetrial,andthat acitizen’shealthisparamountbefore the law. Mr. Buhari was ordered to release Mr. Dasuki’s international passport.

“Mr. Buhari defied the order. He put Mr. Dasuki’s house under siege, a microcosm of the Bosnian Serb siege of Sarajevo. Mr. Dasuki returned to court. Justice Ademola reaffirmed his order, asserting: “My own orders will not be flouted.”

How would we know that a Nigerian President’s perceived enemy could be eliminated and he would read about it in the newspapers.He may not even read the story if officials decide to print different versions of the papers that the public read. It sure does happen!

Feedback

Re:Na wetin MTN do sef?

H

ABA Yinka, which one you dey? MTN started its service with flagrant deceit, lies and fraud telling us that per second billing was impossible. We were billed N50 per minute for about two years.

It was a monumental disservice to this nation to first grant a foreign telecommunications company a licence to spite an indigenous company. They did not consider the security implications. Salvation and a great relief came when Globacom started and immediately introduced per second billing and also drastically crashed cost of GSM on inception. The poor man is able to use GSM today.

Thanks to Glo. MTN quickly went back to what it said was impossble. We probably would be paying N500 per minute today.

MTN deducted N100 daily from my credit for a promo of N2 million daily win. I have the record. How much would that come to from just five million Nigerians - N13trn. We never saw any N2m daily winners.

MTN refused to deactivate hundreds of thousands unregistered lines used by criminals and insurgents to destroy this nation; while all other service providers obeyed MTN

disobeyed.

Yinka is that not crime enough.

If the fine is paid MTN will take the money back from Nigerians with more questionable promos.

If Globacom had started GSM instead of MTN can you imagine the great advantages and beneficial service Nigerians would be enjoying today, may be 2kobo per second and unlimited empowerment of Nigerians all over the nooks and crannies. MTN is a wind dangerously blowing across this country in the name of telecommunications service.

The negotiations for sympathy is edging towards corruption which NCC should reject.

MTN’s breach bothers on lives, property, security and the sovereignty of this nation and should NOT be allowed to go free. Would South Africa tolerate this horrid breach from a Nigerian company operating in South Afrca. NO! Yinka MTN is taking money from Nigeria to pay Nigerians working for it. MTN is not bringing money from South Africa to pay Nigerians here. We are watching President Buhari’s action on this breach of our rules.

•Jimmy Johnson.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015

— 21

$248m pledged to GEF climate fund for most vulnerable countries

E From Left: Director SIMS Nigeria Limited, Mr. Ike Eyisi, Chairman, Mr Simeon Eyisi, and the Managing Director Panasonic Marketing Middle East and Africa FZE, Mr. Shinichi Wakita during the partnership announcement between Panasonic and SIMS in Lagos.

Transport Minister orders probe of N13bn allocation to MAN

By Godwin Oritse

T

RANSPORT Minister, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi has ordered a probe of the N13billion allocation paid to the coffers of the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, MAN, in the last five years.

Amaechi who was said to have been disenchanted by series of complaint by the Academy’s Rector, Mr. Joshua Okpo over lack of funding has also threatened to sack the Rector if he fails to account for the money.

The Minister’s action is coming on the heels of revelation that the academy had collected N13billion under the watch of the rector.

The Minister who was irked by the complaint has issued official directive to the ministry to probe allocation of the fund, even as he has also con-

$121.30 $3,327.00 $15.24

$44.75

-0.60 -39.00 -0.06

-0.26

CENTRAL

DOLLAR 196 196.5 197 POUNDS 294.98 295.7325 296.485 EURO 207.4856 208.0149 208.5442 FRANC 190.3837 190.8694 191.355 YEN 1.5984 1.6025 1.6066 CFA 0.2971 0.3071 0.3171 WAUA 268.5344 269.2195 269.9045 RENMINBI 30.6461 30.7248 30.8034 RIYAL 52.202652.335852.469 SDR 269.206 269.8928270.5795 KRONA 27.8042 27.8751 27.946 CBN Exchange Rate as at 30/11 /15

C M Y

We believe strongly that at the end of these meetings and the entire project, we will be in a better position to effectively deliver on our mandate of increasing institutional capacity in the fight against human trafficking

maritime academy, while condemning the move to build a mall at the academy.

Vanguard gathered that the Minister also directed management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency(NIMASA) to produce a model of world-class maritime academy as he intends to set a standard with MAN Oron in the next one year as a flagship project within his one year in office.

The Minister, who said he is being fed with misleading information against NIMASA and NPA, requested to see what the Academy has been able to achieve with the monies allocated to it.

Earlier, Okpo in his briefing with the Minister alleged that NIMASA and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) were not discharging their statutory financial obligations to the Academy as required; hence the Academy is perpetually in need of funds to build the needed capacities in the nation’s maritime sector.

Okpo’s tenure in MAN has been riddled with series of allegations and scandals to the extent that the former Transport Minister, Sen. Idris Umar had to set up an internal committee to investigate some.

0.09

41.64 CURRENCY BUYING

cluded plans to visit the Academy today December 1st,2015 for on the spot assessment of the academy.

Amaechi was also said to be infuriated by plans of MAN’s management to build a shopping mall in the Academy, thus prompted him to request for what it takes to build a world- class

Nation’s external reserves drops to $30.04bn —CBN

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said that the nation’s foreign reserves fell to 30.04 billion dollars as at Nov. 26.

The bank disclosed this on its Website on yesterday. It said that the figure dropped by seven million dollars from 30.11 billion dollars recorded in Oct. 26. It said the 30.04 billion dollars

represented the ‘gross’ amount, 29.33 billion dollars was ‘liquid’, while $719.32 million was ‘blocked.’

According to the apex bank, the continuous pressure on the foreign exchange market is due to the rise in the internal demand for dollars. The CBN said that the price of crude oil at the international market stood at 44.27 dollar per barrel as at November 30.

LEVEN donors have pledged close to $250 million in new money for adaptation support to the most vulnerable countries on the planet giving a welcome boost to the start of the climate talks in Paris.

Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the United States of America announced their contributions yesterday to the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF), a climate fund hosted by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

Welcoming the injection of new financing, GEF CEO and Chairperson, Naoko Ishii, said “Given that we’re already locked into climate change trajectories for many years to come, increased investment in adaptation has to be at the core of the new climate agreement.”

“We know that many billions are required over the next few years to fill the gap in climate finance, but the money pledged today is vital to help some of the most vulnerable people on the planet cope with the immediate impacts of our rapidly warming world,” Ishii continued. “I commend all the donors for their support. This funding for adaptation is urgently needed to help sustain the hardearned momentum for action on the ground that some of the most vulnerable countries have achieved in recent years.”

Demand from developing countries for financing from the LDCF remains strong. Droughts, violent storms, sealevel rise and other climate changes are already impacting the poorest and most vulnerable countries and communities.

At yesterday’s announcement of the new financing, former President of Ireland and United Nations SecretaryGeneral’s Special Envoy on Climate Change, Mary Robinson said: “I have seen for myself how people from across the developing world are leading the way to climate solutions. But the scale and international nature of climate change requires an unprecedented level of international solidarity and support. So today’s announcement should be seen in that context: they are not just about dollars and cents and accounting.

They are about supporting millions of people across the world.” The new financing will enable the GEF to respond to existing requests for support ranging from investments in new approaches to agriculture to national adaptation planning and building resilience against climate change variability and disasters. Since 2001, the GEF – through the LDCF and the Special Climate Change Fund and the Strategic Priority on Adaptation program has provided $1.3 billion in grant financing and mobilized $7 billion from other sources for 320 adaptation projects in 129 countries, including all Least Developed Countries and 33 Small Island Developing States. These projects are expected to directly reduce the vulnerability of 17 million people.

22 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015

A lot of energy has been spent building the foundation of the market in terms of transparency, orderliness, fairness, disclosure, and more importantly how enforcement of rules and regulations are carried out

INVESTOR'S ,

,

TOP 10 PERFORMING STOCKS

By NKIRUKA NNOROM

I

keja Hotels Plc led on the top 10 performing stocks with 12.27 per cent or N0.40 appreciation, closing at N3.66 from N3.26 per share. Unilever trailed behind with 9.68 per cent or N3.52 increase to close at N39.90 from N36.38 per share, followed by Caverton Offshore Support Group Plc, which rose by 9.68 per cent or N0.22 to close at N2.59 to close at N2.37.

FBN Holdings Plc advanced by nine per cent or N0.45 to close at N5.45 from N5.00, E-transact went up by 8.53 per cent or N0.22 to close at N2.80 from N2.58, while Portland Paints and Products Plc added 8.25 per cent or N0.32 to its share price to close at N4.20 from N3.88 per share.

Others were FCMB with 4.81 per cent or N0.09 appreciation to close at N1.96 from N1.87; Cutix Plc went up by 4.67 per cent or N0.07 to close at N1.57 from N1.50; United Capital Plc advanced by 3.82 per cent or N0.05 to close at N1.36 from N1.31 per share, while P.Z Industries Plc rose by 3.35 per cent or N0.88 to close at N27.13 from N26.25 per share.

Ikeja Hotels Plc, reputed for late submission of its financial reports as stipulated by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), has surprisingly continued to sustain positive sentiment towards its stock from the investors. The NSE has had to fine the company a couple of times for its failure to render its financial statement on time. As at today, the hospitality company is yet to publish its nine months financial statement for the period ended September 30, 2015. The company has had to cough out N7.5 million recently as fine for non-rendition of yearly reports.

However, its first quarter financial statement indicates that the company is still in the woods. The unaudited first quarter result for the period ended March 31, 2015 showed a 53.7 per cent decline in profit after tax to N107.981 million as against N233.283 million posted in the corresponding period in 2013. The profit before tax also fell by 26.7 per cent, dropping to N251.443 million from N343.063 million in the previous quarter. The revenue declined marginally by four per

cent to N1.523 billion compared to N1.598 billion recorded in quarter one in 2013. However, the company achieved some improvement in its cost of sales as the figure fell from N641.376 million in 2013 to N611.955 million in the review period.

Caverton Offshore Support Group Plc, the third on the list, recently made changes in its board with the appointment of Captain Josiah Choms as a Director of the company effective 30 September 2015. Captain Josiah Choms began his aviation career in 1990 when he enrolled in the Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (Avionics) Course at NCAT, Zaria. He holds the Airplane Transport Pilot Licenses (Aeroplanes and Helicopters) and is a Certified Flight Instructor and an Authorized Examiner for the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. He is also an ISO 9001:2008 Lead Auditor.

Mr. Choms’ work experience in aviation included a stint with Mission Aviation Fellowship in Nairobi, Kenya as an aircraft engineer. He was also a Pilot, Training Captain and Manager with Bristow before joining Caverton Helicopters Limited on 1 August 2010. The company financial statement for the third quarter ended September 30, 2015 showed a decline of 26 per cent in profit after tax fell to N1.39 billion in comparable period of September 2014. Also, profit before tax dipped to N2.25 billion as at the end of September, as against N3.6 billion it recorded at the same period last year. Similarly, the company recorded revenue of N17.8 billion, representing a five per cent decrease over the same period last year.

E-transact, the next top performer, got fined N2.7 million by the NSE for late filling of its 2013 full year financial result. In keeping with its promise of leveraging new relationships to consolidate profitability, Etransact recorded a huge leap in its nine months financial result for September 30, 2015.

Accordingly, the company grew revenue by 20.6 per cent N6.31 billion compared to N5.24 billion in 2014. The company had assured investors of its desire to consolidate on profitability with new relationships, enhancing and deepening existing ones and exploring new partnerships locally and internationally.

Making money from MPC decisions

By BABAJIDE KOMOLAFE

T

he decisions of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) last week has interesting implications for investors. While the decisions portend bad news for some type of investments and investors, they, however, indicate good news for others.

Basically, the Committee decided to reduce interest rates by reducing the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) from 13 per cent to 11 per cent. The MPR is an indicative or benchmark interest rate which is used to determine other interest rates.

For example, banks usually quote savings rate at MPR minus 8.0 or 7.0 per cent.

Hence, such rates move according to the MPR. Further, the interest rate at which the CBN lend money to banks or borrow money from banks is tied to the MPR. It used to be plus or minus 2.0 per cent of the MPR, hence,

when the MPR was 13 per cent, the CBN lends money to banks at 15 per cent while it borrows (or take deposits) from banks at 11 per cent. But last week, in order to discourage banks from placing their money as deposit with the CBN, and lend to the economy, the MPC decided that the CBN will lend to banks at MPR plus 2.0 per cent two (i.e. 13 percent) while it should borrow (take deposit) from banks at MPR minus 7.0

The reduction in MPR also translates to reduction in interest rate (yield) on Treasury Bills and Bonds, which are forms of lending to government

percent.

To complement these, the Committee also reduced the amount of deposits banks must hold as cash (known as the Cash Reserve Ratio), which also determined how much of their deposits they can lend to businesses. The rate was reduced to 20 per cent from 25 per cent. This directly increased the amount of deposits banks have to lend

by N771 billion.

The three decisions mean that there is more money for lending and at a reduced interest rate.

The immediate effect of these decisions is reduced interest rate on savings accounts and term deposits. Thus, except where it is absolutely necessary, it is not expedient to keep your money in a savings account or place it as term deposit in banks. It is not that you will not make money (via interest rate), but the money you will make (returns) will be much lower.

For example, if your money is in savings account with interest rate of MPR minus 9.0

MARKET NEWS

SEC is addressing retail investors’ concern — Gwarzo

By Nkiruka Nnorom

T

he Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mounir Gwarzo, has said that the Commission is addressing some of the issues that led to retail investors’ apathy in the capital market.

He spoke at a workshop in Lagos at the weekend.

He noted that retail investors will return to the market once their concerns are properly addressed.”We want to address concerns of retail investors before we start wooing them into the market,” he said.

According to him, the Commission has inaugurated the board of Investors Protection Fund (IPF) and from next year, proceeds of shares sale will be paid directly into the investors’ account as part of efforts to address investors concerns.

Gwarzo, who reiterated that

dematerialisation is very important to the growth of the market, hinted that by 2016 more shares would be dematerialised.

Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema, who spoke on the workshop theme, “Effective Reporting of Changes in the Nigerian Capital Market,” said retail investors need to be educated on why they should take portfolio approach to investment.

He said, “It is important to do the analysis, understand where those opportunities are but certainly there are opportunities, not only in the equity side but across the various asset classes. We always advise investors to diversify their portfolios across different assets classes to mitigate risks.”

Oscar, who said that good

corporate governance will ensure emergence of solid companies, noted that forcing companies to list may lead to infractions in the market. He stated that a lot of energy has been spent building the foundation of the market in terms of transparency, orderliness, fairness, disclosure, and more importantly how enforcement of rules and regulations are carried out.

“In the short term, you will see the huge volatility but that should not distract from those fundamental elements about good companies, making good money, running under a well governed Exchange structure and a well regulated market structure. These factors will combine to shore up investors’ confidence in these challenging times.

“As we continue to work towards achieving and sustaining this market, the

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015 — 23

,

S FORUM

The only country we can link to our case is the case of China; before China emerged a strong nation, they closed their door for over 25 years

,

INVESTORS SPEAK

Q4: Shareholders predict drop in stock market performance

By Providence Obuh

AGM: From left, Mark Okoye, Company Secretary, TrustBond Mortgage Bank Plc; Mr. Adeniyi Akinlusi, Managing Director, and Mr. Etigwe Uwa, SAN, Chairman, during the 6th AGM of the bank, in Lagos. per cent, which amounts to 4.0 per cent interest rate, with the MPR reduction to 11 per cent, the interest on the savings account will fall to 2.0 per cent. Thu, if you had invested N100,000, your interest or returns will fall from N4000 to N2000 per annum.

The reduction in MPR also translates to reduction in interest rate (yield) on Treasury Bills and Bonds, which are forms of lending to government. The reduced interest rate and surplus bank liquidly (cash) environment, provides opportunity for the federal government to reduce the interest rate (yield) it will pay on money it borrows from investors through Treasury bills and Bonds. This

means lower interest rate earnings for those who invest in treasury bills and bonds. And this is already happening.

Last week, the interest rate at which banks lend to each other fell slightly.

For example, Secured lending (lending with collateral) on the average fell to 0.77 per cent on Friday, from 0.91 per cent the previous week.

Similarly, interest rate on Overnight lending on the average fell to 1.02 per cent from 1.27 percent. Also, the average interest rate on treasury bills fell to 3.1 per cent on Friday from 5.2 per cent the previous Friday. So, if you are looking for where to get the highest returns on your investment, you have to look beyond bank deposits, treasury bills and bonds.

importance of your role cannot be over emphasized. Financial journalists have the potential to influence investors’ behaviour. Negative reporting may result in sensationalism and put additional pressures that can force investors’ decisions negatively,” he added.

Earlier, CAMCAN president, Mr.

Goddy Egene, commended the regulators for attending the workshop, saying that in the last two years, a lot of changes have occurred in the market and there is need for cooperation among the stakeholders for the progress of the market.

Union Bank appoints new chairman

U

nion Bank of Nigeria Plc has appointed Mr. Cyril Odu as Chairman of the Board of Directors following the resignation of previous Chairman, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, who was recently appointed Minister of Budget and National Planning by President Muhammadu Buhari. Mr. Odu joined the Board of Union Bank in 2012 following a $500 million (USD) investment in the Bank from Union Global Partners Limited, a private equity consortium.

“The Board and Management of Union Bank thank Senator Udoma for his astute leadership and support over the past three years. Under Senator Udoma’s guidance, the Bank defined its strategic direction, outlined its transformation roadmap, and has made significant strides executing its priorities as is evident in our achievement of critical operational and financial

milestones. We wish him success as he is called to serve our country in a higher capacity and to assist the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in the transformation of the Nigerian economy,” says Emeka Emuwa, Group Managing Director and CEO of Union Bank. On the appointment of Mr. Odu, Mr. Emuwa continues, “We are very pleased as Mr. Cyril Odu assumes the role of Chairman of the Board of Directors. As a non-Executive Director since 2012, he has brought his extensive knowledge and experience to bear and has provided critical input and direction to support Union Bank’s transformation.

His appointment brings continuity and ensures that the Bank will continue to execute its defined strategic initiatives over the next few years.”

Mr. Odu has nearly 45 years of professional and management experience.

Godwin Anono

A

HEAD of the last quarter of the year, investors have been advised to be careful of the stocks they buy from the stock market.

Shareholders, who spoke with Investors Forum, said that there would be further drop on stock prices occasioned by festive period, just as they advised investors to beware of their purchases.

Godwin Anono, President, Standard Shareholders Association: As the Federal Government intensifies its drive to recover ill-gotten money. This is a step in the right direction and I believe it will have positive effect on the market.

Investors are not sure of how the market would be in the fourth quarter, whether it will pick up or not . This is because you know that it is Christmas time and people will want to save for Christmas and to pay school-fees. So, I am not sure because this time around, the purchasing power of individuas in Nigeria is very low. So, nobody wants to buy shares, but this is the time that is good for somebody that has money somewhere to buy shares and make better returns in the future . For the last quarter of the year, I am not sure that the the market will pick up. Once the Federal Government government has put policy measure in place, then the market will start moving forward but for now, no way. The market cannot move when there are no policy direction.

Foreign investors who are scared before will now hold on to their money and watch Nigeria from a distance. It is when all these fundamentals are properly in place that foreign investors will start coming and then others will start moving on. Any company that The wants to do a Rights Issue now market or a public offer or cannot private placement move should beware.

Alhaji Gbadebo Olatokunbo: The economy is going to have tough time but by

when there are no policy direction

Gbadebo Olatokunbo the grace of God, things will stabilise in Nigeria. All economic analysts will fail in their predictions, text book economy won’t work this time around because Nigeria’s issue demand the local palace to solve it not text book economy.

International predictions won’t work, things will look as if the economy will almost crash, but at the end of the day, it will stabilise, that’s what I want to add The expectation of the people will be dashed, people will lose hope, but at the end of the day, we will then look at ourselves that how come we surpassed this.

Even all the economy analysts will rewrite their note because if things do not go the way it’s going now, we can never get it right. Ours is incomparable to all the other economies that we are comparing it with because things have really gone extremely bad. If there is another word to describe the state of the economy, I would have used it. I only read economics in the secondary school, for-instance,I am an Ijebu man and I’ve been practising economics since my secondary days.

Practising of economics I have been reading all sorts of books, I can tell you our own case will not be like the text book stories.

The only country we can link to our case is the case of China; before China emerged a strong nation, they closed their door for over 25 years not dealing with the outside world and nobody knew what was happening in China. Our own 25 years may be two years; it may be less than that, we will convince the whole world, they will see us as mad people, they will predict, but their predictions will fail. At the end of the day, we’ll come out strong. If I talk about the economy, it’s going to affect everything, capital market, name it, but if I say it now at the At the Annual General Meeting, AGM, shareholders will lash me, but they will live to witness it. Quote me, they will live to witness it.

24—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015

C M Y K

AMOS NSIKAK MURDER: Fresh riddles as police unmask trigger-happy cops

VOL. 1: N o. 774 4 No.

OIL SPILLAGE: A’Ibom community youths up in arms against oil firm PAGE

PAGE 3

TUESD AY, DECEMBER 11,, 20 15 TUESDA 201

ECONOMIC DOWNTURN WORSENS:

In A’Ibom, widows, youths invade politicians’ homes, offices for alms •LG chairs, others flee homes for hotels to evade poverty-stricken citizens •Our pains, how we survive – Common people

•Ini Isaac

U

YO—THE economic down ward spiral in the country has drastically hit underprivileged widows and youths at the oil-bearing Akwa Ibom State, who, nowadays hang about the offices and residences of political office holders and roam the streets of Uyo, the state capital, begging for money to eat the proverbial one meal a day.

In Akwa Ibom, there is deficiency of industries and the financial system revolves around government, forcing the unfortunate, who got no reprieve on the streets to trail political office holders and other wealthy citizens to their homes and offices for one financial favor or the other.

•Widow, Amasi Asuquo In the last three weeks, Niger Delta Voice observed that the situation was the reason why

In fact, they (politicians) are the ones stealing and mismanaging our money, it is their actions and inactions that caused the problem to the nation’s economy.

many political office holders, including local government chairs and councilors, supposed to be closer to the people at the grassroots have abandoned their houses and offices to live in hotels to keep away from the down-and-out persons.

Why we besiege homes, offices of politicians

One of the disadvantaged citizens, Emem Udok, said, “There is no job, I do not have money to eat, so I have no option than to beg for survival.

Even begging is not easy, those we are beg money on the streets do not have to give us. That is why we go to the

•Ubong John homes and offices of top political office holders and other rich men.”

“In fact, they (politicians) are the ones stealing and mismanaging our money, it is their actions and inactions that caused the problem to the nation’s economy. If not, our country is so rich that nobody should have business with poverty in Nigeria.

We don’t want to die before FG starts paying N5, 000 Tony Bassey, who corroborated Udok’s claim, said, “Times are hard for us in Akwa Ibom, it is not a problem caused by

2

the present governor, Udom Emmanuel, but we need him to address the plight of the poor.

President Muhammadu Buhari said they will pay N5, 000 to the unemployed, I heard that they said until next year, that is too long, is it when we die to that they will start the payment.”

He advised: “I also want to say that devise the method to know us that are really poor and unemployed, not that politicians will hijack it again or they pay it to members of their political parties.”

Bassey said: “Politicians have also devised ways of escaping from us, they asked their security guards to bare strangers at their offices and homes, even at public events, security operatives will not let you near them.”

I beg to eat —Okon, orphan

Ubong Okon, an orphan from Ibesikpo Asutan local government area, who had a crushing accident four years ago, said, “Before I had the accident in January 2011, I was into cement business. But I have spent all I have treating myself and now I am helpless and unfortunately I do not have nobody to cater for me because I am an orphan, I have suffered so much because I fend for myself. I beg around my community before I can eat because of my condition.”

“That accident damaged one of my legs and as you can see, I am still using clutches. However, I do not want to continue to live a life of a handicap. I can use my hands well and that is why I am asking seeking for financial help to enable me set up a small business like selling of phones, or recharge cards, which is why I am here.

“The information I got is that a civil society foundation has been empowering the less privilege people and I am praying that they will consider me among one of the people that will benefit from their programme. It has not been easy for me since I had the accident. I have not been able to lay my hands on anything because I do not have anybody to assist me. So I pray to God that the purpose of my coming here today will not be in vain,” he said

How I and my family live—Mrs. Asuquo, widow

Speaking to Niger Delta Voice at Okisu Udung Ulo village in Okobo local government area, a widow, Amasi Asuquo, said: “I used to sell onions, rice, beans, oil and other items before, but lack of money made me to stop.

The situation of things has made

Continued on Page 7

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

AKWA IBOM… LAND OF PROMISE

OIL SPILLAGE: A’Ibom community youths up in arms against oil firm •Accuse Exxon Mobil of destroying farmlands, contaminating fishponds, killing fishes •Ibeno monarch intervenes; aborts move to blockade firm

By Tom Moses

I

BENO—YOUTHS of Ibeno, Ibeno Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, have drawn a battle line with the Exxon Mobil operating in the area over alleged constant oil spillage, which has destroyed farmlands, contaminated the community’s river, fishponds and killed their fishes.

Irate youths numbering over 500 besieged the company, weekend, with the intention of barricading the entrance and preventing the staff from going in or out of the premises, but the paramount ruler of Ibeno, Owong Effiong Achianga and other chieftains of the area prevailed on them to stay action.

One month, one spill

Leader of the youths, Mr. Akanimo Udobot, who spoke to Niger Delta Voice at the scene, complained that there was hardly any month in recent times, including the one on Friday, that communities in the area did not record oil spill incidence leading to colossal destruction of their rivers, aquatic lives, farmlands and crops.

Displaying some video clips from his phone, the youths leader said: “Look at this video clip and you will see how wicked the authorities of Mobil is to the people of Ibeno. Look at oil spilling all over our river, destroying our fishing nets, contaminating our major source of drinking water. Look at oil spilling all over our farmlands.”

We’ve run out of patience

“ Our sources of drinking

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

water have been contaminated, look at dead fishes, the spillage has not only contaminated our river but has killed the fishes in the river, yet Mobil has refused to listen to us and with all these happening, how do they expect us to survive? Where do we go to do our farming or carry out our fishing business?

How do we sustain our homes?

Udobot queried.

He said the youths have run out of patience and would not hesitate to disrupt activities of the company if it takes no urgent action to assuage the locals, who depend wholly on their farms and fishing vocations for survival.

Monarch pleads

Niger Delta Voice learned that HRM Achianga summoned the angry youths to his palace when he saw the escalating tension. He appealed to them not to take untoward actions against the oil firm, as he was going to reach out to Governor Udom

Emmanuel and the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Iniobong Essien, to find a lasting solution to the problem and the attendant destruction of their aquatic and economic lives.

…Slams oil firm

The royal father noted that many communities in the area were not happy with Exxon Mobil, saying, though Nigeria was benefiting from its operations, the owners of the land were subjected to health situations and economic discomfort as witnessed by the destruction of their farms, rivers and fishing ponds.

Owong Achianga expressed gratitude to the youths for obeying his directive to simmer down on their decision to block the entrance to the oil company, which according to him, could have aggravated to violent consequences.

•Paramount ruler of Ibeno Local Government Area, HRM Owong Effiong Achiang

Govt to discuss with interaction would be positive Exxon Mobil and assured communication of Speaking to Niger Delta Voice, Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Iniobong Essien, said oil spillage was a very sensitive issue and he would not discuss it superficially because of the need to interact first with Governor Emmanuel and the authorities of Exxon Mobil.

He was optimistic that the

the outcome to the people.

However, at the time of filling this report, efforts to speak with the authorities of the Exxon Mobil at Ibeno were unsuccessful, as officials contacted refused to speak. They characteristically referred our reporter to their headquarters.

A’Ibom plans to revive business, woos investors from neighbouring states •Gov Emmanuel gives marching orders on rehabilitation of Ikpe Ikot Nkon/ Obotme/Arochukwu Road, Nkana Bridge projects •Villagers excited

AKWA IBOM… LAND OF PROMISE

By Tom Moses

I

NI—AKWA-IBOM State is set to restart commerce and attract investments from the neighboring Cross River and Abia States with the construction of the Ikpe Ikot Nkon/ Obotme/Arochchukwu Road, Nkana Bridge and other roads abandoned over three decades ago.

Governor Udom Emmanuel had passed instructions to his Commissioner for Works, Mr. Ephraim Akparawa Inyang-Eyen, to inspect the roads and commence necessary remedial work on bad spots and actual construction of the access road to Ini local government area, which stood the brunt over the period.

Inyang-Eyen, who led a team engineers and principal officers of his ministry to the inspect the roads , confirmed the directive to Niger Delta Voice, adding that he was in the area to ascertain the current state of the roads at Ini community to determine the appropriate line of intervention to be undertaken.

Ikot Ekpene/Itu Mbonuso/Bende Highway caves in

According to Inyang-Eyen, the governor was conscious of the historical significance and economic importance

of the Obotme Road, as even the early missionaries, including the Legendary Mary Slessor, spent part of her evangelical life in the area spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ and subsequently established a Presbyterian Church to aid in preaching the good news.

He said the road when completed would revive commercial activities between neighboring states and open up the state to investments. Inyang-Enyen also said that with the road in excellent shape, people from neighbouring states would use the Ibom International Airport, Uyo, which is nearer than other airports in the region.

The commissioner during the inspection, ordered the contractors to begin immediate intervention on the Ikot Ekpene/Itu Mbonuso/Bende Highway where more than half of the road had caved in due to heavy down pour.

Commissioner warns against ‘emergency’ shrines, gravesites

He expressed Governor Emmanuel’s worry over the deplorable condition of such a historically important Obotme/ Arochukwu road, especially as the road links up Ito, Ukwa, Eniong and other communities in Cross River state as well Arochukwu and others in Abia

Akwa-Ibom Governor’s Lodge state and could engender viable economic activities among them.

Commissioner Inyang- Enyen appealed to the people of Ini to cooperate with the contractors and warned that this was not the time for the people to begin to build tombstones, shrines and other funny structures by the roadsides to get compensation from government

Previous govt abandoned road – LG chair

Speaking to our reporter, chair, Transition Committee, Ini local government, Mr. Etetim Anwatim, expressed delight over the visit by the commissioner to the area.

He said the inspection meant that it was time for Ini people to rise and join hands with the present government to enjoy quality social amenities and link with other parts of the country.

Anwatim assured of Ini people’s cooperation with government to build lasting infrastructure in the area.

Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015—3

DELTA… FINGER OF GOD

AMOS NSIKAK MURDER: Fresh riddles as police unmask trigger-happy cops

By Emma Amaize and Egufe Yafugborhi

W

ARRI—WHEN the Delta State Police C o m m a n d belatedly reacted to the murder of 28-year-old truck assistant, Amos Nsikak, by two police officers, who supposedly went berserk, November 4, at Warri, 20 days after the gory episode, it left more uncertainties than answers.

Though the Command exposed the trigger-happy police officers, Cpl Ademoye Segun ‘m’ and Cpl Danazumi Mohammed ‘m’ both attached to Mopol 36, Birnin Kebbi, on special duty at Eagle Height International School, Warri, it rankled many with what seemed a clever plot to take too lightly the brutality of the crime committed by its men.

The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Celestina Kalu, whose unpleasant duty it was to explain why a citizen, who went to pick the cloth he hung downstairs at No 33 Omarekevwe Street, Ekurede Urhobo, Warri, where he resided with the police officers, should be gunned down, said one of the police officers shot the “supposed criminal without due observation.”

Her words: “Investigation conducted so far revealed that on the fateful day, Cpl. Ademoye Segun noticed the movement of the deceased whose identity was then not known to the corporal, within the compound.” “ And suspecting that the deceased might be a criminal, Cpl. Ademoye Segun alerted his colleague, Cpl. Danazumi Mohammed, who took position in a bathroom within the compound while Cpl. Ademoye Segun returned to his room and later shot at the supposed criminal through the unopened window of his room without due observation. Cpl. Danazumi Mohammed fired into the air from the bathroom where he took position.

“It was however later discovered that the person shot was the deceased, Nsika Amos residing upstairs of the same building that reportedly came down to remove the cloths he hang on the rope in the compound. The victim was rushed to Central Hospital Warri for treatment where he gave up the ghost,” she said in the November 20 statement, in which the police reacted more to the story of

the murder published by Vanguard in the November 17 edition of Niger Delta Voice than given cogent answers to actions of its men.

Disclosing that the two policemen were currently facing orderly room trial, Kalu admitted: “It was however later discovered that the person shot was the deceased, Nsikak Amos residing upstairs of the same building that reportedly came down to remove the cloths he hang on the rope (laundry lines) in the compound. The victim was rushed to Central Hospital Warri for treatment where he gave up the ghost.”

“In response to the incident, the two NCOs were arrested and handed over to homicide detectives, SCID Asaba for discreet investigation.

Meanwhile, the two NCOs are undergoing orderly room trial after which any of them found culpable of the murder of Nsika Amos will be made to face the full wrath of the law,” she added.

•Body riden with bullets

What the police are trying very hard to do from the onset is to ensure that the case of murder or even manslaughter against its offending member dies on arrival •Amos Nsikak

Police response sparks controversy An activist, Mr. John Imadibello, said: “I do not understand the police grammar of referring a resident of the compound that went to pick his cloth as a ‘supposed criminal’ and reducing a clear case of policemen that went bunkers to someone shooting ‘without due observation.’

“So, who is to blame, the citizen that went to pick his cloth or the police that shot ‘without due observation’, in the first instance, why should a trained policemen shoot ‘ without due observation’, what happens to the life that is wasted in the impulsive shooting,” he asked.

Baffling clarification

A concerned citizen, who lives in the area, told Niger Delta Voice, “I read with interest the response by the State Police Command issued by the State Public Relations Officer DSP Celestina Kalu.”

“The facts of the matter remain that Amos Nsikak was shot at close range by one of the two Corporals that fateful night. It was not provoked by anything other than the impunity of being armed with a gun and no question was asked before the killer shot was fired at an unarmed civilian who incidentally resides in the same compound.

“To make matters worse, the glass window of the room from where the shots were

•House where Nsikai was killed. fired was not opened at all, an indication that there was no communication between the policemen and the victim. In addition, rather than go immediately to rescue the deceased, they rather started shooting to scare occupants of the building who were obviously traumatized by the incident,” he said.

His words: “One question to ask is if the police charge the men to court, who will testify on behalf of late Amos Nsikak? Have they built a watertight murder case against the offending police officers? If they did not go on a shooting spree, why did they fire several shots into the air to scare residents? Who actually arrested the police officer that shot Nsikak or did he voluntarily give himself up?

“Was he not trying to escape when the vigilante saw him and arrested him? The police probably have no pictures of the scene of the murder.

Apparently, the Police did not visit the compound in question for further investigations, if they did, they would have found out more

than they have done so far,” he added.

He asserted; “They did not even see the clothes in question or the rope that late Nsikak went to collect. Police also got the time of the incident wrong in trying to paint the late Nsikak as a criminal; they put the time incident at 1.00 am while in actual fact it happened before midnight.”

“What the police are trying very hard to do from the onset is to ensure that the case of murder or even manslaughter against its offending member dies on arrival. The questions to ask are: Will the police ensure due prosecution and get a conviction going by the way the matter was investigated from the onset, why did the men fire several shots into the air? Did the house in question not have a security man?

“How high is the fence of the building in question? Did the police bother to find out if the officers were under any influence? Did they take statements from any person other than their own officers involved in the fatal shooting?

Nsikak was shot at point blank range, was there any measurement of the distance and the impact of the fatal shot. How many shots were fired from the room? The police may not be lying, but the record they intend to make clear is rather more confusing,” he said.

Police sent wrong signal – Ikimi

Executive director, Centre for the Vulnerable and Underprivileged, CENTREP, Warri, Mr. Oghenejabor Ikimi, said: “Orderly room trial is normal procedure for the police in a situation as this.

What the police are likely to do is to dismiss the suspects from its service before releasing them for open court trial.”

“The report notwithstanding, the delayed identity of the suspects was illadvised and sent the wrong signal to the public in the heat of the moment. However, how fast they get done with the internal trial and release them for prosecution will also determine the commitment of the police to serving justice on the barbaric murder,” Ikimi asserted.

Lame explanation

Ese Komone who has been monitoring the incident, said, “I read the Vanguard account and from all indications, the report of investigation offered by the police affirms the earlier account deposed by colleagues and roommates of the late Nsikak.”

“The fact remains that an unarmed Nsikak was shot right in a highly fenced and security guarded compound while pulling clothes from a laundry line. He was shot dead by two AK-47-carrying mobile police officers from the windows of their own apartment in the compound.

“The police said they shot Nsikak without due observation before discovering he was just a neighbor in the compound and that, by all angles it is weighed, is a dumb excuse for a clear evil act. They were not the only ones in the compound and there was no atmosphere of threat to have warranted shooting an unarmed man without questioning and confirming his motive before killing him in cold blood,” he said.

4 — Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015

By Davies Iheamnachor

P

ORT HARCOURT— PRESIDENT of the Ijaw National Congress, INC, Mr. Boma Obuoforibo, has opened up on his suffering and inhouse crisis rocking the umbrella group of the Ijaw ethnic nationality, appealing to warring members to sheath the sword.

Obuoforibo, who spoke to Niger Delta Voice at Port Harcourt, Rivers state, confessed, “All has not been well with the Ijaw nation and there is urgent need for Ijaw people to understand the happenings in the congress, which led to a democratic change of some officers of key organs of the congress by the National Representatives Council, NRC.” “You will recall that on the 30th of October, 2015, the NRC after due process and in strict compliance with the INC constitution as amended, declared some positions vacant, this is in line with the constitution regarding membership.

“After this, I was elected president in January and I

RIVERS…

THE TREASURE BASE OF THE NA TION NATION called the secretary, Theodora Ezonfade to meet with me for preliminary briefing, but he rebuffed me that I have not been inaugurated.”

My ordeal

“In my absence they removed the zonal chairman for the central and western zones and in their place unilaterally appointed another person in flagrant violation of INC constitution.”

“After my inauguration in Februar y, the immediate past two principal officers refused to hand over to me.

“The secretary in defiance to my instruction summoned a meeting and unilaterally against the constitution invited three non elected members to the meeting.

“On my complaint of the presence of these non-executive members, I was threatened that without them, there will be no meeting and INC. “These men claimed that the

Ijaw National Congress crisis:

My ordeal, by Obuoforibo congress owed them individually and severally to the sum of over N50 million.

“Upon my election and inauguration, all administrative staff of the secretariat were not made available to me as they were so instructed by the secretariat.”

Why we suspended national secretary

Obuoforibo narrated that the reason for suspending some members of the association was that they deviated from instruction.

Christian group de-worms 484 Rivers students, teachers

“The former national secretary, Ezonfade, was suspended for sending illegal text messages to cancel the lawful instruction the President issued.”

“He also approved a budget for 2015 based on the earlier submission by NRC. The NRC noted the refusal of NEC to defend their purported claim of over N50m debt and deferred action on it,” he said.

We deregistered members

“At the end of the three

months, 2,273 Ijaws from all the zones and chapters have registered. After the registration, the NRC in its wisdom asked all non participating members to exercise their fundamental right by registering before 30 October or become a non-member.”

“When they failed to register as directed, they were all deregistered. On the same date, NRC elected officers as replacement for the non-participating members. Those we have deregistered are no more our members,”he added.

•A teacher recieving cheque on behalf of the students

RIVERS…

THE TREASURE BASE OF THE NA TION NATION

CROSS-RIVER…

C-River lawmaker empowers 240 s constituent with N5m

By Ike Uchechukwu

By Davies Iheamnachor

O

ZUOBA—KNIGHTS of Saint Mulumba,Port Harcourt SubCouncil, Rivers State, have dispensed worm medication to over 484 students and teachers at Akpor Grammar School, Ozuoba, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area in the state.

Speaking at the Pro-Life Medical Outreach, a programme marking their 2015 Health Week, leader of the medical team, Dr. Isaah Attah, advised families to ensure a clean environment as a means of reducing worm infection.

“Worm infection has become a major health challenge in most developing countries, including Nigeria and the problem is more on where you have poor sanitary and poor hygiene.

“Parents should ensure good hygiene habit in their families in order to reduce the rate of the infection of worms because children of school age are very venerable to worm infestation.”

“We are distributing worm medicines to the students of Akpor Grammar School in line with World Health Organisation’s advice,” he said.

He asserted, “The intestine worm, which we are dispensing its drugs

today if it is loaded in a child can make a student to have nutritional problem, vomiting and abdominal pain. When this health challenges are there, a student will not concentrate in class again.”

Similarly, the leader of Knights of St Mulumba, Mr. Harry Okoduwa, added, “It is not everybody that has access to medical facility at the rural communities. There is reason for students at the rural communities to be taking care of because of the economic situation in the country.”

“Because of the busy nature of some families, they do not care much about de-worming of children because they see it as a minor thing.

“So we saw that need and that is why we decided to come to deworm them because worm can make a student not to concentrate in class. We ensure that there is a good relationship between the church and the society,” he said.

Principal of the school, Mr. Bernard Egbule, confirmed that over 484 students and teachers in the school benefited.

C

ALABAR—DEPUTY Speaker, Cross River State House of Assembly, Hon Joseph Bassey, has donated empowerment items, including food and fertilizer worth N5 million to 240 constituents at Calabar South Constituency II. Speaking with Niger Delta Voice, Hon Bassey said the town hall meeting was an avenue for him to appreciate the people, who gave him the mandate, hear their opinion and feel needs.

“I consider this meeting a privilege because these are the people who gave me the mandate to be in the house without which I would not have been the deputy speaker today, it is an avenue not only to say thank you to them, but to also interact with them,” he said.

He said all the bills he sponsored or co-sponsored in the House were in the interest of his constituents and assured them of more.

His words, “I know that it is not enough, but all the bills are meant to create a better life for the people. The interaction is not based on political party or divide, rather it was purely to ascertain the need of my people by getting their input and the money is not from any corrupt source it was a loan I got from the bank.”

Bassey also charged them to co-

THE PEOPLE’S PARADISE

•Water leaf farmers recieving thier cheque

operate in the growth and development of the area by doing what is right and stamp out any form of social vices capable of pulling down the local government and constituency.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Emem Effiom, said: “What our Assemblyman, who is also the Deputy speaker has done today goes a long way to show that he holds us dear to his heart. In fact, it has never happened before and the way and manner he carried out this empowerment is unique. He went down to the grassroots, I mean to people that really need the help, we are indeed grateful and happy for this magnanimity.”

A student, who benefited, Precious Etcheri, said: “I neither met anyone nor my father to anybody, I do not know the man well, but my school selected me because I am the best in my class and I will be writing my WAEC soon, everything will be paid for by the Deputy speaker.”

A water-leaf farmer, Mrs. Glory Nyong, said, “I was born and bred here, I have never seen anything like this before. I plant and sell water-leaf, he came down to my farm himself to ask me how I was coping with life and I told him my challenges unlike others that will give people, who are already rich. But he is the man of the people, which is why we nicknamed him Igwe.”

Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015—5

BAYELSA… GLORY OF ALL LANDS

By Emem Idio

Y

ENAGOA—SINCE the year 2008, November is a month residents of Kpansia community and its environs in Yenagoa metropolis look forward to with great expectations for the annual programme of distribution of food item, clothing and medicare by the Covenant Faith Proof Ministry, also known as “City of Truth”, in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital.

For seven years consecutively, the General Overseer, Bishop Mike Okpokpor has made it an annual event to offer philanthropic gestures to the ministry’s host community-distributing food items and clothing to the needy.

Remarkably, this year ’s event, which lasted from November 15 to 17, also featured free medical services from a team of medical specialists from the United Kingdom and within the country, led by Dr. Vincent Okereke.

The expanse hall of the church was full to capacity as over 1,000 struggled to get a share of food items, provisions and clothing and wrappers at this year’s event tagged “Three Days of Love and Mercy.”

The wife of the general overseer, Dr. Mrs. Faith Okpokpor, who supervised

•Some of the beneficiaries receiving free eye and ear treatment.

•Dr Vincent Okeleke attending to a patient. the distribution of food items and provisions, as well as clothing to the people, mainly indigent local and nonmembers of the church, made sure the gifts went round.

A beneficiary of the free medical care services Madam Grace Izzi, who was full of gratitude to the ministry for the programme, commended the organizers for packaging the event to reach out to the needy community people. She said they look forward for the programme yearly.

In a chat with Niger Delta Voice, Bishop Okpokpor, who described the ministry as a calling to impact on the lives of the people, explained that

•Bishop Mike Okpokpor, GO, Covenant Faith Proof Ministries, City of Truth, Yenagoa.

•Dr Mrs Faith Mike-Okpokpor giving free clothes to the needy at the event.

the objective behind the community service project was to go beyond providing the spiritual needs, but also heed the injunction of Jesus Christ to extend a helping hand to the indigent in the society.

Bishop Okpokpor said,

“Some people do not have money to treat themselves and they may not also have the faith to be able to receive by prayer, so we decided to incorporate the free medical services to take care of those with different health

Nobody to assist me — Mrs. Gabriel

A’Ibom, widows, youths invade...

Mrs. Uduak Gabriel, a widow from Ibeno local government area, asserted, “I need the financial help so that I can start the oil business I was doing before my husband died. My husband and I were making profit from the palm oil business but after he died, I could not continue.”

“Now I am ready to start again because that is one of the businesses that I like doing and I believe it will help me to take good care of my children,” she said.

Continues on Page 1 it difficult for me to feed my five children and me since 1998 that my husband died. I am not getting any support even from my husband family.”

“What I do is to send some of them to people selling food to help them cook and wash plates, fetch water and after that, they can bring some food back for us to eat. Things have been very difficult for me. It is only when I see small land to farm that we can get something to eat. I am looking for financial support so that I can start to sell again and get money to raise my children.”

My father’s death ruined my life

Twenty-five-year-old Ini Effiong Isaac from Udung Amkpe community said that after she lost her father at the age of 10 years, she dropped out of school because her mother could not cope with training of seven children with what she gets from the farm.

She said: “I am not looking for government work since I did not finish secondary school. However, I know I can do business if I get someone to support me with money. I can do restaurant business. I

•Participants at the FPEAT programme in Uyo. stopped school when my father died, my mother did not have money to take care of all us and because things were very difficult, I was forced to marry very early.”

“But the marriage did not work because after I gave birth to my twins, they later died and I started having problem with the man I was forced to marry so I decided to go back to my papa house,” she added.

My dream dashed —John

Ubong John, 25, from Afaha

Ube Itam in Itu local government area, lamented that his dream of going to learn how to mould block after his secondary education in order to assist his poor family was dashed because he could not afford some of the equipment needed to improve on his work such as mould and shovel.

“I even did houseboy work when I used to cook for one medical doctor, but the money I was paid was too small for me to take care of myself and helpless family, and to buy the working tools and that has drawn me back for the

challenges. Ministry is about affecting people positively and touching lives. We have been packaging this programme to bless the lives of the people around us irrespective of religious affiliations.”

•Accident victim, Ubong, fielding questions from NDV at the event work. If somebody calls me to mould block, I borrow mould from some people that have and if they are busy with their own that will make me to lose that job”.

“I can stay one month, two months and I do not get any job at all, so sometimes if I see people that I can help to fetch water or clear their compound, I do such work so that I can get small money like N300.00 and N500.00. Sometimes, it takes one two weeks before you get that kind work that will give you small money to chop,” he said.

NGOs think up productive ventures

Non Governmental Organizations such as Applicants Welfare and Development Centre, Foundation for Peace, Economic and Agricultural Transformation, FPEAT, blame escalating youth restiveness and violence, insecurity in the country on increasing poverty, hunger and unemployment.

Speaking, national coordinator, FPEAT, Mr. Abdulmalik Kara, explained that the foundation designed its programmes to improve the living condition of the less privileged persons in the society, particularly youths and widows, by engaging them in agriculture and other economic ventures that would help them to become successful and independent.

6—Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015

I’m richer than my LG, don’t share allocation with chair – Hon Friday Osanebi, Delta Dep Speaker fires at critics •Few youths agitating against me are greedy; they want to make money at all cost

Hon. Friday Osanebi

Godswill Obielum

A

SABA—DEPUTY Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Friday Osanebi, evidently the highest political office holder from his Ndokwa ethnic nationality in Delta State now is in the eye of the storm over allegation by some youth leaders that he purportedly hijacked about N1.4 billion meant for the ethnic group.

Critics allege that he shares the monthly allocation of his local government, Ndokwa East, with past and previous chairs, but in this interview with Niger Delta Voice, Osanebi dismissed the claims and shed more light on the crisis that has engulfed Ndokwa nation with a section of the youths working for his recall. Excerpts:

By Emma Amaize & Festus Ahon You were the pioneer youth president of the Ndokwa National Youth Movement and was known to have led that body successfully, but appears some Ndokwa youths are turning against you, why is it so?

It is true I am the pioneer youth president of the Ndokwa National Youth Movement, not just the pioneer president, but that was the only youth body as at then. Come to think about what you said that some youths that are kicking against me, trying to drag them down not me, you see when a man begins to make progress; you must definitely have enemies even within your own people. When you are in a position of authority as I am and you do not have anybody criticizing you, it means you are not doing well, you are not leading.

Ordinarily we do not have any problem in Ndokwa nation as claimed by some people saying that they are youth leaders in Ndokwa nation. What you are seeing today in newspapers,

Facebook and all those things are just some persons trying to make money through all sorts of ways. What do I mean by this?

Thank God, you acknowledge that Ndokwa National Youth Movement is the only youth group in Ndokwa nation as at then. However, as I speak to you now, there are over 39 groups calling themselves all sorts of names that they are Ndokwa this and Ndokwa that. As much as I know that you have freedom of association, you have rights to call anything you want to call yourself; do not run anybody down because you want to make something for yourself.

Why are they also pushing for your recall you from the House?

Ordinarily, I do not want to go into the issue of recall. You know the constitution, you know the procedure, the man that says he wants to recall me, let him go to the newspaper let him publish his voters card. For you to recall, you have to have a voter’s card for you to start making issue for recall. At least, I am one member that his victory came even before my election, so I wonder why a youth from Ndokwa West and Ukwani should start making

noise that they want to recall a member representing Ndokwa East.

It is just jealously, I have one advice for them, I started like this but I never run anybody down to make anything. Whatever I am today, I am from the youth world, I led the Ndokwa youths, I was the vice president of the SouthSouth Youths and I knew what I did. I am creative. I told them that for you to achieve anything in life, you must be creative. The country we are today is one that you cannot predict what happens tomorrow and the only way you can be useful to the society is that you must be creative.

What is their agenda, what are they agitating for, they said I took N1.4 billion was from the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC. As what, as the chair of DESOPADEC or as the finance man, you can imagine how people talk, I do not want to go into that money, but one thing I want to advise our youths is that for you to be proactive, you must live beyond bringing people down.

I am not threatened by whatever thing they do, all I know is that when you are in the right track, do not move out and continue doing what you are doing. People in the world are seeing what you are doing, they are thinking that publication will change the mindset of the people, it does not change anything, those of them that are protesting do not even have a name.

You must protect yourself first, you must tell them what you are doing before now, so for them that are speaking, I ask who are

these people, what they really want, where are you going. For you to know what is really going on, something wants to come to the local government, the governor said how we go about it.

I said for it to get to the grassroots, it could not be business as usual where somebody will claim a name and say give me the money, let me share. I called them and said let us to get the records straight, they came with over 30 groups, I said for me not to run into any issue with anybody, let us give the money community to community.

Where have I wronged all these people now- that is the problem.

The group that feel that when these things get to the grassroots, they will not benefit and I told them that call themselves national this, national that, you come from a community, for you to be national, that means the community leader will respect you. When I give this money to the community leader, go and take it from him. Now you are accusing me that I took the former money, I never collected any money. The one who calls himself Alex was even in the meeting.

The only thing I know he did was to say, ‘Oga, let us share the money into two, let’s give some to community and give some to the national, I said sorry, you will not have anything. However, to make him have a sense of belonging, I nominated him member of the Delta Waterways and Land Security Committee, but even when you do this, they will criticize you. Criticism is something that will always come with politics and opposition. I am expecting it but nobody should destroy my person because you want to criticize.

You are called empowerment master, who do you empower, men, women… and how do you empower them?

I make bold to say and I want anybody that will challenge me, what I have done in the House of Assembly, I have not seen anyone that do it. It is not because I am a member of the House of Assembly, thank God again that I was the president of Ndokwa Youths; my empowerment did not start today. All groups that you see today, there is none of them that can say I have not empowered him or that he had not worked under me. I challenge all of them to say so that I have not done anything for them as Ndokwa youths.

You see, empowerment is in different ways. Just as the Deputy Speaker, within just six months, I have given up to 90 youths employment. Yet, they will not see it as blessing; they appreciate only the ones that come to them personally. I just remembered something, they say they want to be the Ndokwa national youth leaders, I said to make things easier, they should meet the community youth leaders to sign a paper for them that we want this person to rule us. I am not a youth leader and I do not want to be part of it. However, because I am a pioneer member, I will not like to see anybody destroy the legacy I have laid down in Ndokwa nation.

Do you think some political enemies are sponsoring these youths against you?

You see this is governance, we have been elected to do the work,

some of them are saying you have not moved a motion and I told them that I am just one person in the midst of 47, 000 people in Ndokwa nation. Being a lawmaker does not mean I am the most intelligent person. If you love me so much, give me ideas.

It is you to give me so I should present it, if you do not believe in what I am doing, challenge me, election is 2019, come and let us do election, I will always win election in any place in Ndokwa nation. This is governance, it is what you do today that will speak for you. Let us face the reason the people elected us, when we get to politics, we will cross that bridge.

Whoever that is using them, it is just for a while.

This is your 5th year in the House of Assembly, can you be specific on the motions you have moved as a member of the House?

I was the pioneer of the AntiKidnapping bill, who brought it to limelight, you see, House of Assembly is a very tricky place, you have to organize yourself first. The first time when we came, I came with three bills and they said how did it happen and all that, they did not see the light of the day. Many laws govern delta state; the only thing we are going to bring new is to repeal some old laws, which you know is not easy in the House of Assembly.

They always talk, it is just like the issue of Ibabo and environ, I was the one that moved the motion and immediately the governor sprang into action. The last time they brought the issue that I have not moved a motion, that I should call on the governor to go and do erosion in Onya or so, I know the state of the state, calling on the governor to declare a state of emergency, am I not foolish.

You do not do some certain things, but I know the situation of things, paying salaries is a problem, how can I now move a motion of urgent public importance calling on the governor to go and do erosion there. There are certain things that people say, which I know they are just trying to bring you down, but they are not God. In as much as I know that we all are legislators and our duties is to make laws for the good and betterment of the people of Delta state, it must not come from me,

What is their agenda, what are they agitating for, they said I took N1.4 billion was from the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC. As what, as the chair of DESOPADEC or as the finance man, you can imagine how people talk

Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015—7

it should come from the people of Delta State, give me, let me present it. I have agreed; let all of us put our house in order to make sure that we have a good law in Delta State.

I am happy that you spoke on this and it is important to clear the air, some are saying you do nothave a constituency office in the Ndokwa nation, is it true, and that since 2011, you have collected over N700 million as constituency fund, where are the projects.

Firstly, there are three local governments in Ndokwa nation, if there is any office that is bigger than mine is, let them prosecute me. If there is any office in the history of Delta state that is bigger than mine is, let them prosecute me. In terms of constituency projects, I challenge any ward that will tell me they have not seen my constituency projects. We have 10 wards in Ndokwa East, constituency projects are supposed to be three, which three in three years. Three in three years that means nine but I did 10.

The way I did the other one, nobody knows but I challenge any ward in Ndokwa East to come and tell me they have not seen my constituency projects, they should come and speak out. There is no ward I have not done project, there is no ward I have not empowered, there is no ward I do not have Personal Assistants, Pas, that I am paying, there is no ward that I do not have more than 10 people that are in my payroll.

Are you aware that your are referred to as a godfather of sorts in Ndokwa East, who collects money monthly from each chairman that has ruled the area and that as a matter of fact, it is because the current chairman has issues with you over money to be collected, that is why there is crisis in the council. Is it true?

First, there is no crisis in Ndokwa East local government area. For the chair, you are asking questions, if it is true. I believe if the allegations is coming from the chair, then I should know the reply because you cannot describe where you have not been. I have not seen the chair and I do not believe the chair can say she has given me N1 or that we have had a meeting to where we discuss anything money. I do not know what goes to the local government and I do not want to know. I have my business in Asaba, she has her thing in the local government. All I pray for is that there should be peace in my local government.

You see, there are many things, when you keep quiet, people take advantage of it, I know my position; I know what I want to do. She would tell you the truth that I have never asked her for one pin. I saw it in news that people are saying the former chair is giving you money or not giving you money. I am a successful businessperson, what I make is even more than what the local government got. Where would we start sharing, because the moment you start sharing, you cannot even pay salary, I wonder how people talk, I keep telling people where you start from determines where you are going.

I am not a hungry man before I came into politics. God has blessed me so much, to the extent that I am too proud to say this is where I am

going. Thank God, this is my house. I did not build it because I am in House of Assembly; I built it before I came to the House. You can imagine how people just cook stories to say that they want to bring you down, but I always tell my colleagues and friends, let us remain focus, we cannot be distracted. I do not have any business with the local government chair; I have never asked her for N1, I have never even discussed what comes to the local government with her.

All I want is to do what the people elected us to do.

So what is responsible for the sad relationship between you and your local government chair?

You see all these are elections, I am one man with so much principles and I do not deviate for anything. If you checked what happened in the governorship race, you know I stood somewhere and I stand there. That is my kind of politics, when we were doing the primary, we have the governor and we asked how we go about this thing because people must vote, he said we should go and do primary election. Primary election that was organized, someone emerged, after many days, some people said that they want to change and I say I will not be part of it.

The chair was the director of women in my campaign organization. She told me that she want to run, I said I do not have any problem with you and I will never take side. The moment she saw that we did that particular election and she did not win, she took offense.

By the end of the day, she emerged. I did all the elections in my area but today there are grudges, she believed that I never supported her.

I said look at your kind of life.

Even after the first election that we did, the next day she was accusing me that I did not even support her when I nearly died in the process of the election.

You see politics, there are many things but you do not need to open up to say that this is what is going on.

We had a meeting in my house, she was there, anytime she sees me, she says my leader; I say it is God that leads.

I do not know what she thinks about me, but as far as I am concerned, I do not have any business with her. There was the time the councilors moved a motion against her, I know what I am supposed to do when the councilors said she must go, but I knew the role I played to say we do not need these things, let her go.

Even when I am making peace, they are still accusing me; today the councillors do not want to have that cordial relationship with me. The other group is telling me I was the one that sponsored the councillors. One thing I have noticed in politics is that when they want to run you down, they will accuse you that you are the problem against the governor. They want to say

Delta State House of Assembly.

DELTA LAWMAKERS OVERSEAS TRAINING:

We didn’t expend half of what Lagos, Abia, Rivers, A’Ibom lawmakers spent - OSANEBI ‘It’s tough to persuade Okowa to release money' ‘Oga, this man dey fight you oh.’

Now they are accusing me of sponsoring the councilors against the chair. I am making peace telling the councilors that we do not need this; the councilors are telling me the chair has given me money. However, I will not keep quiet, all we want is let there be peace in the local government and today they are enjoying the peace.

I hear you always go to India to acquire power that you use to manipulate the youths, how true is this?

The only time I bought ticket for India was when my father went to do treatment in India and he died in India. I have never been to India, I do not know India, you see when the righteous is on the throne, the people rejoice. It takes time to build confidence and trust.

What you are seeing that all these people are doing, they do not know what it cost me, it may not be money, it is relationship have built this relationship so many years with the youths.

You are the Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly; lawmakers from the state went abroad, people raised issues about the money spent, you have gone and come back, can you tell us your reaction to the complaints that the trip was a money-wasting venture?

You see, when you make a law, you stand to abide by the rules and regulations of the law. It our statutory right for us to go for programme/training to move the state forward. What we did do wrong by going for training, first it was the accusation of millions of money spent on training, which is not true. You know the situation of the country, those that do not know that we have a legislator- governor that knows everything about it.

Getting money from the governor, you must definitely

convince him to know what to do. It was not easy for us to get the approval and what we spent is even more than what they approved. Even when you do the right thing, people will want to criticize you. It was not only us; many states had gone there.

But it is only Delta State that is always in the news in a negative way, Lagos state has gone there, Abia state has gone there, Akwa Ibom went there, Rivers state went there and the money we spent is not even up to half of

I am not a hungry man before I came into politics.

God has blessed me so much, to the extent that I am too proud to say this is where I am going.

Thank God, this is my house. I did not build it because I am in House of Assembly; I built it before I came to the House. You can imagine how people just cook stories to say that they want to bring you down

what other people have spent.

Why is it that it is only in Delta state that people are making it look like there is a problem?

Finally, I know that a Committee of the House is sitting on this matter, but just a reaction from you, does the State House of Assembly has a bias against the Uvwie Local Government Council chair, Henry Baro, because some people think the House is unnecessarily hard on him?

First, Baro has no issue with the House of Assembly. The House of Assembly moved a motion that all the Local Governments should submit their income and expenditure.

Every committee has their work to do. As a Deputy Speaker, I cannot even interface with what the chair of the local government committee is doing. All we are waiting for is to see the report of whatever thing he or she in the local government has done. We heat up the polity when there is no need. The first person that started this thing was Baro himself. Just like Wednesday when they tried to arrest him for screening or so, you know the effort Speaker and me put in to say leave him because we have integrity lest it appear that we want to set him up.

He came for questioning and you have seen him, if you have anything against him, you should go to his house and arrest him, not here in the House of Assembly. The House has no problem with Baro.

I can see the portrait of Chief Godswill Obielum in your house, who is this man to you.

Obielum is a man; he is a leader, a mentor. He is a man I respect so much, he remains my leader and I am proud of him.

8—Niger Delta Voice, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015

AGENDA

Natives see Federal University, Otuoke as their oil well —Prof Mobolaji Aluko, VC •Why DSS invited me

O

TUOKE—PIONEER Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Otuoke, the country home of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Prof Mobolaji Aluko, says the university established in 2011, four years ago, has no electricity supply, while the National Universities Commission, NUC, has not accredited any of its 12 programmes.

Aluko, in an interview with Niger-Delta Voice, said straightforwardly, “We do not have electricity here. We are not on the national grid.

Imiringi Independent Power Plant that should have been on is epileptic. It has not been on steady basis since August 2014. So generally, we run on generator, we have roughly about 2.5 megawatt of diesel generator in this university.

We have 13 diesel generators in this university and eight transformers, which is not sustainable.”

He also spoke on the challenges of nurturing a federal institution in an environment once dubbed the hotbed of militancy in the blighted Niger Delta region, his relationship with Jonathan’s relatives and lots more. Excerpts: You are the pioneer Vice Chancellor of the university, how has it been?

I have been in the university since government appointed me in February 2011 and my time expires February 2016, so I have about three months left.

We have just been going through accreditation, which is essential for the university just as exams are important for individual students. Accreditation is exam or progammes for universities so we have been going through accreditation for 12 of our programmes and our hope and ambition is to have either full accreditation or have 80 to 90 per cent accreditation.

How many courses are accredited?

None, you start out with zero accreditation. In Humanities and Social Science, we have six programmes, in Sciences we have six programmes. In Humanities and Social Sciences, we have Accounting and Finance, English and Communication Studies, Economics and Development Studies, Political Science, History, Sociology and Anthropology. That is

Humanities, in Social Sciences; we have Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics and Statistics.

Therefore, there are six programmes and they are undergoing accreditation.

All the programmes being accredited is really like a university accreditation. In other universities, sometimes, it will be only certain programmes in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. This is the first time we are doing accreditation, which is why it is very serious. In other places, it will just be four programmes.

In fact, sometimes, it may just be one programme of all the programmes in the university.

May be Accounting will just come and do their accreditation, but here it is all the programmes that are being done at the same time.

It has been over four years, how has it been with you running the university?

The first thing is that I have had a lot of good cooperation from staff. Setting up a university is not something you can do by yourself. You are putting into a rural area where there is little or no facility, but I have a registrar, who is experienced. I brought a number of staff from abroad and have had very good team from University of Port Harcourt. They are part of the academic team since 2011 and the university has made them deans, they are part of the foundation of the university. It is not as if I have to be explaining anything to the registrar, we graduated the same year at Ife, but we did not know each other at Ife. Therefore, we enjoyed a university environment, which we know how a university should look like, I do not have to explain that to him.

Being a pioneer is exciting.

Every day is a different thing.

We were only two staff then, now we have 1,800. There was no student in the beginning but we now have over 2,000 students. There were only a few buildings then, but now we have about 30 buildings.

We did not have the skills acquisition centre then, but we have the skills acquisition centre now as part of the university. So, one can see visible progress on a monthly basis. Thus is unlike a vice chancellor of an existing university struggling to establish his own legacy. In University of Ibadan, everywhere looks

•Federal University, Otuoke upbeat and if you are going to be there for five years, you will ask what I will put down as my own legacy. Everything you see is a legacy that one can say when I was a vice chancellor.

What is your relationship with the host community?

It has been testy, the host community has made tremendous amount of sacrifice. They raised money to build eight of the buildings that we occupy on campus. The host community at least donated these bungalows (administra-

Yes, we are a federal university but we are still part of the international community. We have always told the community that they must understand that all the gains, that there will be both tangible and intangible gains and they cannot get all the advantage within three years of the university’s existence.

tion complex) to us, even though we spent quite a lot of money to bring them up to standard. Therefore, they have many expectations, sometimes, unlimited expectations beyond what the university can or should entertain. We are a federal university, we are not a community university and we are not a Bayelsa university or a Niger Delta university.

Yes, we are a federal university but we are still part of the international community. We have always told the community that they must understand that all the gains, that there will be both tangible and intangible gains and they cannot get all the advantage within three years of the university’s existence. This place is going to be here in perpetuity. I am sure there will come a day when an Otuoke person will be the vice chancellor, but that cannot be in two years when they have nobody now. They must also understand that it is a federal university and it does not mean that anybody not from Otuoke working here is a stranger.

We have about 719 senior staff; we call them senior professional, administrative and technical staff. We have 186 academic staff and 869 junior staff. Out of the 186 academic staff, 58 are from Bayelsa, out of the 719 senior staff, 463 are from Bayelsa. Out of the 869 junior staff, 754 are from

Bayelsa.

The Department of State Services , DSS, has also visited me and said there was a petition from some people saying that I was appointing people from my area (Ekiti State) into the university and I told them that out of 186 academic staff here, five are from Ekiti and that include myself.

Therefore, I have only hired four additional staff in four years from Ekiti and I can have Ekiti people fill this place as academic staff, I have been very sensitive to that. Out of the 869 junior staff, Ekiti is zero. There is no Ekiti junior staff in this university. There is a catchment area for junior staff, but that does not mean you cannot hire from outside.

Out of the 719, Ekiti is 22, so it is all sham any accusation that I filled the place with Ekiti people. Bayelsa has gained a lot, so we have confidence.

The truth is you can never satisfy everybody in this state.

This is the only institution that has been hiring in the last three years. Therefore, there is a lot of pressure. Anybody that did not get a job always looks for a reason that somebody is getting bribe. It is not only this university that faces this problem, all the universities face employment problem and I must tell you the community relations has been the testiest for me. It is something that you do not expect so much, people are so demanding and never satisfies.

ALLEGED PLAN TO RAZE OKPAI IPP:

DELTA…

Soldiers seize 15 Ndokwa youths on ‘protest mission’ to oil firm

FINGER OF GOD

By Perez Brisibe

U

GHELLI—SOLDIERS have inter cepted about 15 youths of Ndokwa ethnic nationality in Delta State, who were going for a peaceful protest against an oil company at Ase Omoku community in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of the state.

They accused the youths accosted at Ashaka community of planning to raze the Independent Power Plant, IPP project at Okpai.

A source, however said that the soldiers found no dangerous weapons on the youths when they searched them.

Among those arrested were Nnamdi Uwai, Onowoma Dickson, Nnamdi Community, Valentine Uyabeme, Ijeegbunem Obi, Kelvin Nwadele, Kanayo Kukagha, Agriga Ossai, Dinma Kukaya, Nelson Mabeme, Chidi and Uche Mabeme.

Leader of the Coalition of Ndokwa Youth Leaders, Mr Alex Agha, who confirmed the

arrest of the youths said, “They explained to the soldiers that they had no business with IPP and their mission was Ase Omoku, where they are going for a peaceful protest, yet they were arrested.”

He said other members of the coalition who were earlier stopped by soldiers from going to Ase Omoku proceeded to Umuseti community, the headquarters of the oil firm, Sterling Global, to lodge their grievances and were received by the Base Manager, Mr Mohan.

A source at the 222 Battalion, AgbarhaOtor in Ughelli North local government confirmed arrest of the youths, but said a youth leader sponsored them to disrupt activities of oil companies in the area and extort money for personal benefit.

He told one of our reporters that the military handed over the youths to the Area Command, Ughelli.

A police officer at “A” Division, Ughelli, said the youths were undergoing further investigations, adding, “They are likely to be transferred to Asaba.”

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015 —25

Developer unveils plans to deliver 25-storey residential tower in Lagos

By Kingsley Adegboye

L

AGOS, the acclaimed “centre of excellence” is set to witness the development of the tallest residential building. Construction work on the 25-storey building which would be located in the highbrow area of Bourdillon Road, Ikoyi, will be flagged off early next year. The luxury project which has a completion duration of between 35-30 months, has been christened LORENZOBYSUJIMOTO. The multi-billion naira residential tower sits on 3, 800 square metres of land. The developers and promoters who described the project as a magnificent development and symbol of structural mastery premised this description on the combination of high level architectural design, location and lifestyle put in to achieve the project.

The Managing Director of Sujimoto Construction Limited, Mr. Suji Sijibomi Ogundele, who briefed newsmen on the project last week, described it as the nation’s first luxury apartments of its kind. “It is fully automated with outstanding two kitchens, three parking spaces, standard gym, world class spa, creche, exceptional landscape and a five-star restaurant, penthouse suite with private swimming pool,” he said.

Exclusive details According to Ogundele who noted that exclusive details are being given to the construction and finishing of the project, the hallmark of the development is an enviable aesthetic icon called the eye of Bourdillon located on the 16th floor which gives a breathtaking view of the entire Lagos. He pointed out that the Lorenzo’s vista bestows breathtaking views of the Lekki-Ikoyi cable bridge, the Bourdillon Boulevard, the Lagos Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean.

“LorenzoBySujimoto presents home owners the elegance of world class residential poise on our own shores with unrivaled features, facilities and excellent services. We are bringing three fundamental pillars of real estate into one space such as location,

architecture and lifestyle.

Bourdillon Road is one of the most exclusive roads in Ikoyi.

The average contemporary apartment on Bourdillon is over one million dollars, and the prices keep getting better for property owners. Over the years, Bourdillon Road seems to always buck the trend in bearish runs in the real estate market. This proven resilience makes it a sure bet for investors”, Ogundele stated.

Explaining that the 25-storey building has two fully operational swimming poolsone on the ground floor and th the other on the 16 floor, he said the property which equally comprises indoor virtual golf, bar and exclusive cigar bar, comprises 57 units of apartments which include three pent houses and two villas multi-storey building apartments including twobedroom, three-bedroom, fourbedroom villas and sixbedroom pent house with average unit size of between 360 to 1000 square metres including common areas.

The Sujimoto boss who revealed that the administration and operation of the property will be handled by international hospitality experts, said the building has a five-star restaurant, 24 hours mini mart, pharmacy and clinic as well as ample parking space of two to four slots per apartment.

On the project finance, he said 30 per cent of the funding will be borne by his firm, private investors such as

We are bringing three fundamental pillars of real estate into one space such as location, architecture and lifestyle

•LORENZO BY SUJIMOTO banks and other financial institutions 40 per cent while between 25 and 30 per cent will come from off-takers.

Highlighting investment advantage of the project, Ogundele noted that there are high returns on investment, as the development gives 100 per

cent return on investment after completion, describing it as the new oil of real estate.

Emphasising that Lorenzo will be the tallest residential building in Lagos with the best pent house in Nigeria, he said there are rumours that the project is an exact replica

of the Zaha Hadid first residential building in New York. “We intend to release 3D pictures of the building in an exclusive launch of LorenzoBySujimoto later in the year to correct the impression.

RICS pledges to cooperate with NIESV on standards

T

HE Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, RICS, United Kingdom, has pledged to cooperate with the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, NIESV in setting standard for international best practices for surveying profession in Nigeria.

The Chief Executive Officer of RICS, UK, Mr. Mark Walley who disclosed this during his management team’s visit to NIESV’s management recently, described Africa as a huge opportunity for real estate business. He noted that there is huge population of well educated people in the continent that can drive real estate business and that is why we are here.

“We believe that cooperation between RICS UK and Nigeria can bring the desired result.

Nigeria is a big market for real estate business. Our goal is to create global standard for global best practices. This is what we preach everywhere we

go. Both institutions share common goals. We both set standards , train , educate and see to regulation of the standards. We do that for the benefits of the societies in which we operate. So there are very common things between the two organisations. We can do quite a lot of things together,” Walley said.

Memoraandum of understanding Responding, NIESV’s President, Mr. James Omeru said said NIESV would want to sign a Memorandum of Understanding MoU with RICS in the training of estate surveyors. “In view of our interwoven history and the need for joint efforts towards attaining high global standards in the real estate sector, we have for a while been desirous of entering into a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU with RICS to assist further in the

area of training and institutional support. We do not want to reinvent the wheel but to work with credible partners such as the RICS. All our members must subscribe to our code of ethics and practice and the institution is a member and has been playing an active role in the international valuation standards council . In fact, our representative Mr. Akin Olawore is a past director of the council and represented us at its AGM. “We subscribe to all professional protocols such as the International Property Measurement Standards and in the international ethics standards. We train our members on these standards and we are currently working on additional Guidance Notes for the various areas of practice.

Since its inception, the institution has been very conscious of the need to ensure highest ethical and practice standard among its members,”Omeru said.

26—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015

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Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015—27

Built environment professionals seek royal assistance to stem building collapse in Lagos Island

By Ikenna Asomba

B

OTHERED by the rising cases of building collapse particularly the Lagos Island axis, members of the Building Collapse and Prevention Guild, BCPG, a voluntary organisation made up of built environment professionals has sought the collaboration of Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, in its quest to tackle the menace.

The BCPG is equally seeking Oba Akiolu’s assistance to check the activities of land-grabbers popularly called ‘Omoniles’ who are in the habit of disrupting work on construction sites in various parts of the city.

According to BCPG, the activities of these omoniles do not allow concrete works to be carried out at the right time, thereby resulting in future defective buildings.

Speaking, when officers of the group paid a courtesy call on the Oba at his Iga Idungaran palace, Lagos Island, the National President of BCPG, Mr. Kunle Awobodu said the rising cases of building collapse on Lagos Island have given his group nightmares.

“The BCPG had over the years, identified causes of building collapse on the Lagos Island to include; lack of subsoil investigation, design error, adoption of inappropriate foundation type, use of substandard materials, under usage of materials, nocturnal concrete work, concreting in crisis situation (the Omoonile/ area boys menace), space constraint and poor accessibility.

Poor workmanship We have also discovered other causes to be change in use (conversion of building from residential to warehouse), poor workmanship and noninvolvement of professionals. At times, government officials were afraid to carry out their monitoring duty on the Lagos Island due to influential building owners’ or developers’ act of impunity,” Awobudu who is a former Chairman of the Lagos state chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Building, NIOB said.

He laid most of the blame on stakeholders, accusing them of overlooking the fundamental steps or process of pre to post construction of buildings.

On the way forward, Awobodu said; “Future buildings to be developed should be guided by a comprehensive subsoil investigation report, specific architectural and structural design, construction firms that have good references of past works and possess acceptable level of competence, including qualified construction professionals and trained artisans should be engaged for building construction and building inspectors from the ministry should ensure that a

L-R: Managing Partner, Costec Consultants, Mr. Ajele. John Alufohai ; President Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce, NBCC, Prince Dapo Adelegan and Managing Director Case Project Ltd, Mr. Femi Abiodun Ajayi at the official signing of the contract for the construction of the NBCC Plaza in Lagos building under construction complies with the specifications in the approved building plan.”

Continuing, the BCPG boss said: “We recommend that activities of buildings being constructed on Lagos Island be suspended. Production of such buildings should be verified for standard compliance. Approved building plan is not sufficient to

certify quality performance of a structure. Professional analysis is important.”

On existing buildings, he said: “This is where the greatest challenge to all stakeholders lies. Structural integrity tests conducted on some of the existing buildings revealed defects. Appropriate solution to most of these distressed

buildings is demolition.

However, cost implications, space constraint/accessibility, accommodation shortage and litigation are constraints here.

But saving the lives of occupants of these distressed buildings is of high priority. The urban regeneration scheme that has been adopted at Oluwole and Isale Gangan should be

Groups seek convocation of national conference on access to safe toilets

F

By Jude Njoku

OLLOWING the release of a new analysis which ranked Nigeria as the third most regressive country on sanitation in the world, two non-governmental organisations, NGOs, Messrs WaterAid Nigeria and Bread of Life Development Foundation, BLF, have called on the Federal Government to immediately convene a National Conference on access to Safe Toilets, in order to discuss and find solutions to the sanitation crisis in Nigeria.

Quoting the WHO/UNICEF/Joint Monitoring Report 2015, which shows that 45 million Nigerians are still defecating in the open and another 130 million use unimproved and shared toilet facilities, Bread of Life Development Foundation called for “the convocation of a National Conference to discuss modalities of realising the right of every Nigerian to a safe toilet, in line with the United Nations resolution of human right to water and sanitation adopted in July 10, 2010; which was endorsed by the Nigerian government in July 2011.”.

In a statement signed by the NGO’s Information and Communications Officer MS Enejor Veronica, the group declared: “It is highly imperative to convene a National Conference on toilet bringing together all stakeholders including state and non-state actors to find a sustainable solution to poor access to safe toilet

facilities in households and public places”.

The specific objectives of the national summit according to the Bread of life Development Foundation will be to: Discussion on the appropriate technological options for accelerating safe sanitation coverage in Nigeria. * Strategies of overcoming religious, cultural, legal and economic barriers to safe toilet usage and practices by Nigerians; *Development of financing mechanisms for provision of safe toilets particularly in institutions, schools, and public places; *Exploring the potentials of the private sector to accelerate sanitation coverage through investments in the construction and management of sanitation facilities in public places like motor parks, markets and public buildings and adopting appropriate behavioral change sanitation messages as technological options alone will not provide lasting solutions to the sanitation crisis.

Lamenting that “it is a shame and disgrace that Nigeria has the World’s fifth largest population of people defecating in the open”, the NGO urged the Buhari administration as part of its change mantra to initiate policies and programmes that will overcome this national opprobrium.

encouraged. Relevant financial institutions should be of assistance here.

“Those who constructed these substandard buildings should be identified and made to contribute to the reconstruction. Families of the affected structures could embark on redevelopment process on their own if they are buoyant or could source for fund.

However, it is only buildings with tolerable defects that should be allowed for rehabilitation.”

Noting that grim situation requires a grim solution, the BCPG called on Oba Akiolu “to convene a stakeholders’ meeting of prominent sons and daughters of Lagos Island on the challenges of building collapse.

The BCPG President also advocated that Oba Akiolu should constitute a building committee comprising committed Lagosians, men and women of integrity that have passion for a safe Lagos to work with the Lagos State Building Control Agency, LSBCA and BCPG. Responding, Oba Akiolu who lamented the rising cases of building collapse, particularly around the Lagos Island axis of the state, said he was committed to the cause pursued by the BCPG. He assured officials of the BCPG of his commitment, noting that early next year, he will convene a meeting of all stakeholders towards finding a lasting solution to the rising incidents of building collapse in the area.

28—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015

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VANGUARD, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015—29

By Theodore Opara

We’ll bring Toyota experience to JAC — Elizade MD T

HE Managing Director of Elizade Motors, Mr. Demola Ade Ojo has promised to bring his company’s wealth of experience in Toyota business to bear in their new dealership of JAC brand in Nigeria.

This was just as JAC Motors was crowned the ‘New Auto Entrant of the Year’ by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Awards in Nigeria recently The Managing Director who spoke to Motoring Journalists at their newly completed JAC ultra modern head office in Lagos, described the coming together of the two companies as one of the best thing to happen to Nigerian customers in terms of quality products and service delivery.

“Elizade is a very professional company with best auto distribution network and customer relations. We also have over 40 years experience in the automobile business, while JAC has quality products in both truck and passenger car segments,”he said.

He explained that for over 40 years, Elizade has been thedistributorofToyotainNigeria and that had earned her a good reputation, havingestablishedexcellentcustomer relationship over the years.

He pointed out that it has made them realise that the customers want top-notch products as Toyota.

Also, he said, that due to high cost of new cars, a lot of people are buying used cars and they felt that Nigerian should be given new vehicles with low price but without compromising quality.

This he said, led to the introduction of JAC, a brand with good quality but very competitively priced.

He recalled many years back when they did the same withToyotaanditbecamethe most sought after brand in Nigeria.

“You recall that Elizade found diamond in the rough when the Japanese models were not reckoned with. People, then preferred the European and American brands. But when they tested Toyota, they fell in love, hence it is peoples’ first choice in the country today.”

Urging customers to test and see the JAC models, Mr. Ade Ojo said that Elizade was getting into similar position like in the 1970s when they brought Toyota to Nigerian.

He described JAC as a leading Chinese brand with world Class Research and Development Centres in

PRESENTATIION: From left, Head of Operations, Elizade Autoland, Obagbuwa Oloyede; Managing Director, Elizade Motors, Ademola Ade-Ojo; Regional Manager, Light Commercial Vehicle Division, JAC International, Lyrida Lu; Deputy General Manager, Elizade Motors, Yinka Adu; and General Secretary, Lagos State Taxi Drivers and Cab Operators Association, Omolekan Taiwo at the presentation of JAC brand to newsmen, in Lagos.

China, Japan and Italy, and very good understanding of automobile production.

Thumbing up for the brand, the Managing Director noted that JAC culture and business is in line with Elizade goals and the nation’s auto policy.

He explained that Elizade had proudly thrown its support behind the JAC brand in Nigeria after test-

running the brand for close to two years.

“We started by introducing the first 18 units of JAC cars and light trucks to selected organisations and Taxi Union to test-drive for 18 months and we catalogued every complaint and gave them feedback.

We found few areas that needed improvement like in the truck which came with

one filter and we requested that a second filter should be added as well as reinforcing the rear axles and leaf springs needed to be strengthened and they complied.

According to him, the launch of the car after the 18 months test-drive was a huge success but the government’s auto policy which made it mandatory for

brands without assembly line to bring cars at 70 per cent duty affected the pricing but we have decided to continue with the good brand which offers value for money like no other brand.

Having tested the cars and confirmed their quality, the Elizade boss said that they were at the second phase of introducing it to Nigerians which is brand acceptability

for corporate organisations.

This he said, they were doing by giving corporate organisations the cars to use for up to 40,000 kilometres because “we are confident of the brand we are representing and know that it is a quality product.”

According to him, “money is not the focus, if money was, we won’t be building this facility.”He added that with their experience in the industry they had realised that for a product to succeed in Nigeria, you must think long term.

“This is not about making money, it is about delivering a product that has good value for Nigerian customers, he further stated.

The JAC brand is fit for use for Nigerians, as it is affordable, with good network coverage across the country in all Elizade facilities across the country.

On the strong points of the brand, the Managing Director said that the J3, J4 and J5 saloon models boast good design, safety, durability, comfort and is affordable.

They have strong shock absorbers to withstand Nigerian road, as well as fuel efficiency and good air-conditioning system.

Rolls-Royce siblings show class in Ride and Drive Activation N

IGERIANS love powerful cars even when the roads are not there. They cherish and admire their cars especially when such cars stand-out. Such powerful cars are seen as status symbols. This, no doubt must have informed the success of Rolls-Royce in Nigeria.

To most owners of Rolls Royce, the brand is not just a car. It has no comparison, nor competitor in the automobile world.

It is simply in a world of its own.

Recently, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Nigeria, presented the three models of Roll-Royce to the press during the Ride and Drive Activation at the country’s most exclusive estate, Banana Island, Lagos.

The model include the Rolls-Royce flagship, Phantom, Ghost, and wraith all showing the highest levels of craftsmanship, in automobile interior finishing..

The event presented the journalists the opportunity to know more about this state-of-the art machines which boast, the highest level of luxury ever in any road car.

Tolulope Gbadamosi, Brand Manager, RollsRoyce Motor cars Nigeria took time to share his experience about the cars and the passion in relating with Roll-Royce customers in Nigeria.

According to him, the highest number of RollsRoyce in Africa are in Nigeria, which makes Nigeria an important market for Rolls-Royce.

Even before RollsRoyce official entry to Nigeria, there were over 150 units of Rolls-Royce in Nigeria, but with the setting up of Rolls Royce Motor Cars Nigeria, the number of Rolls Royce in Nigeria had grown to 225, a development that had earned Rolls Royce Motors Cars Nigerian high recognition.

The special Ride and

Rolls Royce Phantom Drive event was a time to feel the elegance and strength of these cars which flow from the calm engines. They leap elegantly at the touch of the throttle and come to instant stop when the breaks are applied.

The Rolls-Royce Phantom has a V-12 (6.75 litre) engine while the Ghost and Wraith have 6.6 litre engines. The Phantom at the Ride and Drive was Rolls-Royce Extended Blue Base, the newest in the family. It has extra leg-room and comfortable seats wrapped in leather made from the hides and skins of bulls. The Phantom has customs red interior

that is very expensive, according to the Brand Manager, Rolls-Royce Cars, Mr. Tolulope Badamosi.

“There are 50 colours you can choose from and the floor mat is made from sheep hides and skin.

The leather in one Phantom is made from hides of 12 adult bulls. Nine bulls are taken down to produce the leather in both the Wraith and Ghost. Rolls-Royce also does CSR with the meat, which they send to schools in some countries.”

Also, the wood used in the car, called the veneer is from elm to oak clusters and cedar- over 50

types of veneer. “After taking off the back of the wood to process the veneer, the remains are sent to school as well for their artwork. So, RollsRoyce is actually involved in arts and annually they advice all dealerships to stage an art exhibition locally.”

The Rolls-Royce monogram remains upright while the wheel rotates and it is the only car in the world that displays like this. The manufacturer’s slogan is perfection. The cars at the event are tropicalised and have eight airbags on the dash board, the rear and sides.

30—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015

Stigmatisation is killing Nigerians faster than HIV infection — Aminat Agboola-Alli, Chairperson NEPHWAN, Lagos Chapter has been on treatment for long, my clinic appointment is every six months. For some others, it's every three months, and for new people, every month.

At the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, NIMR, we pay about N2, 900 for laboratory charges. Some of the laboratory services are free, then for drug pick up it is N1,000 and consultation fee is N2000.

We are not used to payment before, so adapting may take a while and some people are already defaulting because they cannot afford the charges.

Another challenge is that for people living with HIV and Tuberculosis to be going about looking for where to make payment, is a high risk.

At the bank, they will ask you what are you paying for, and when you tell them, they will not treat you very cordial. In an idle situation, many of these people on TB treatment should not be moving about.

Stigma at the Bank

Mrs. Aminat Agboola-Alli, Chairperson NEPHWAN, Lagos

By Chioma Obinna & Gabriel Olawale

D

ESPITE the relatively high level of awareness about HIV/AIDS, Nigeria may still be far from achieving zero new infections, zero deaths from AIDS related illnesses and zero discrimination. Almost four decades after the HIV/AIDS pandemic hit the world, stigma and discrimination abound. Current statistics show that even though millions are in need of HIV treatment, only 500,000 are on treatment.

In a chat with Good Health Weekly, the Chairperson, Network of People Living with HIV/ AIDS in Nigeria, NEPHWAN, Lagos Chapter, Mrs. Aminat Alli - Agboola, revealed that HIV is no longer the enemy but stigma and discrimination. Aminat who has lived positively with HIV for 15 years, warns that except there is intervention to tackle stigma and discrimination of people living with HIV, more babies of HIV positive women will be born with the virus.

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Wondering how Nigeria hoped to achieve the 90-90-90 initiative, she lamented that many persons living with HIV in the country are not on treatment.

She cautions that Nigerians living with HIV may be doomed in view of the new Federal Government directive that makes it mandatory for people living with HIV to pay for treatment through a bank account.

In her argument, Aminat points out that the directive is not helping matters because it is causing default in treatment increase in drug resistance, exposure to Tuberculosis, increased stigma and discrimination, and ultimately death.

Excerpts:

Treatment burden

Many of us are yet to come to terms with the fact that drugs and treatment are no longer free, the charges are not too much but not many can afford it. They vary from clinic to clinic from N500 to N2000. For someone like me that

Many of the People Living with HIV/AIDS are feeling frustrated following the stigma and discrimination meted to them by some bank’ s officials. The challenge from the directive of the Federal government on the issue of payment into the bank is much. We have specific a government account we are paying into. This began last month, although the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, NIIMR, is trying for us to avoid going through the stress of going to the bank, unfortunately all the laboratory fees among others have to be paid at the bank.

The problem of payment at the bank is weighing us down. Some

people did not disclose their status at home so they come to the clinic alone; some are seriously sick, others are pregnant and some have HIV and TB infection.

Most of the banks have noticed that a group of people come around more frequently. And once they discover you are from NIMR, their behaviour will suddenly change. They will find a way to discharge you.

Plea to government What we want is that even if the government gave NIMR directive to pay into banks, let there be a way out for our people. Like I said, some are suffering from TB and HIV. If someone that just started TB treatment is allowed to be walking around to look for a bank for payment, it is high risk for the public.

We also have pregnant women among us going to the clinic alone and might have to go to the bank to make payment without considering the additional problem they are battling with.

I was at the clinic yesterday, some people had to go to the bank

Many of us are yet to come to terms with the fact that drugs and treatment for HIV are no longer free, the charges are not too much but not many can afford it

and before they returned, the nurse had already called their names and she began to harass them.

Many of those seeking treatment go to the treatment centre around 5am and due to the bank rejections they may not leave until 4pm.Unfortunately, this has automatically increased the workload for the doctors because by the time we find a bank that will accept our payments and come back for our treatment, it is already late. Government to significantly minimize or even stop every fee attached to HIV treatment in the country. Also the payment must be made in the hospital environment.

Elimination of HIV

The 90-9090 is a laudable target but I hope it will be achievable because right now we don't have everybody on treatment. A lot of us don't disclose to partners.

I don't know how that will be achievable. The first step is to have everybody on treatment and make people disclose their status.

I have achieved undetectable viral load that is why up to date I have not infected my husband.

Treatment has improved rapidly unlike 10 years ago when people were dying of AIDS related infections. Today the story has changed. Now we have healthy people. For instance, when people see me with pregnancy they marvel that I am positive but still very strong. To them I should be dull but it is the opposite because I am on appropriate treatment. Many pregnant women that are pregnant and not positive are down today. We want elimination of mother to child transmission. We don't want our babies to be born with HIV, but stigma fuels that.

Due to stigma, many women want to breastfeed because other women are breastfeeding. Not minding whether they have low viral load or not. There are criteria to breastfeed.

2.9m HIV positive Nigerians not on treatment — EXPERTS

By Chioma Obinna

A

N estimated 2.9 million people living with HIV/ AIDS out of 3.4 million Nigerians diagnosed last year are not receiving treatment needed to suppress the infection. Those affected, most of who are currently living in hiding, are not only at risk of death from HIV related illnesses, but are also infecting new people, causing a surge of the disease.

Nigerian HIV experts revealed this at a scientific symposium to mark this year’s World AIDS Day, organised by the Nigerian Institute of

Medical Research, NIMR, in collaboration with Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, Lagos branch.

In her submission, representative of the Population Council Abuja, Dr. Sylvia Adebajo noted that only 500,000 people are currently on treatment, while the 2.9 million largely men, serve as reservoir for the spread of HIV. “Men do not go to hospital as much as women so they are the most difficult to reach. Those at higher risks include; women, homosexuals, men who engage with drugs and those who have sex with female sex workers.”

Adebajo said the attitude of testing people and letting them go without follow up needs to be stopped, and more people, particularly men needs to be reached with treatment.

Director-General of NIMR, Prof Innocent Ujah regretted that despite that effective available for the diagnosis and clinical management, the AIDS epidemic still claims an estimated two million lives each year, of which about 270, 000 are children.

“The multi – year theme since 2012 has been “getting to zero with the three main sub-themes

Continues on page 31

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015—31

World AIDS Day: Red Ribbon Coalition targets 3.5m for sensitisation

By Chioma Obinna

T

O mark this year’s World AIDS Day 2015, the Red Ribbon Coalition, an alliance of strategic NGOs and private sector partners in Nigeria, is embarking on 4-day nationwide community outreach in various Local Government Areas to reach over 3.5 million Nigerians with HIV key messages and 7, 500 for HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) services.

Convener of the coalition, Mr. Emeka Mba who is the Community Affairs Manager, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited said: “In addition to mobilizing and sensitising people to know their status with the provision of free HCT in a friendly environment we are poised to tackle issues of stigmatisation, discrimination and fear of getting tested by promoting social inclusion and adequate care for People Living with HIV/AIDS, PLWHA and stimulating stakeholders involvement in the fight against HIV/AIDS. “The coalition which is funded by global beverage giant, CocaCola Nigeria Limited and MAC AIDS Fund (Makers of MAC Cosmetics), comprises three NGOs including Youth Empowerment and Development Initiative, YEDI, Youth Empowerment Foundation (YEF) and Society for Family Health (SFH); private partners like Owu Sportswear, Nigeria Business Coalition Against AIDS (NIBUCAA), the media, ex-Super Eagles stars, among several others.

“We also want to reach about 3.5milion people with correct, up-

Continues from page 30

BRIEFING: From left: Comm. Manager, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Sam Umukoro; Executive Director, Youth Empowerment and Development Initiative, Anuoluwa Ishola; Convener 2015 Nigerian Red Ribbon Coalition and Community Affairs Manager, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Emeka Mba; HIV AIDS Specialist, Society for Family Health, Emmanuel Olaoti; and Executive Secretary, Youth Empowerment Foundation, Iwalola Akin-Jimoh at the 2015 World AIDS Day Pre-Campaign Media Parley organised by the Nigerian Red Ribbon Coalition in Lagos.

to-date HIV/AIDS information via various platforms, while covering the area of Prevention of Motherto-child Transmission, PMTCT. A pan-Nigeria coalition that will leverage on each party’s strength and network is no doubt a better way of pushing back the scourge.

Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited is committed to building partnerships that promote development and growth, actively participating in activities that bring social equity to the table.”

He added.

On her part, YEDI’s Executive Director, Anu Ishola said a starstudded Red Ribbon Novelty match on December 5, will feature ex-Super Eagles stars like Emmanuel Babayaro, Peter Rufai, Celestine Babayaro, Kanu

Nwankwo, Victor Ikpeba and OAPs among others.

She hinted that elaborate plans were in place to make the projected figures a reality with the technical contribution, integrity, and wealth of

We are going to tackle stigmatisation, discrimination and fear of getting tested by promoting social inclusion and adequate care

experience of Society for Family Health, SFH, especially in the areas of quality HCT. “The ex-Super Eagles Stars agreed to participate in the novelty match for free to further raise awareness and mitigate stigma, discrimination and fear of testing. If we can directly reach 7500 persons now, with more collaborative efforts, that figure will substantially increase next year thereby making the HIV component of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals a reality,” she added.

The Red Ribbon Coalition was established barely two months ago to join in the global fight against HIV/AIDS by leveraging on corporate and individual strength of members.

Rethink your drug policies, WACD tasks Nigeria

By Sola Ogundipe

T

HE West Africa Commission on Drugs, WACD, has urged the Nigerian government to rethink its drug policy in the interest of Nigerians and the entire West African zone.

The call was made as key findings of the Commission's report titled "Not Just in Transit: Drugs, the State and Society in West Africa" are to be shared with the Minister of Health, the InterMinisterial Committee on Drugs Control, and Civil Society groups.

A member of the Commission, Adeolu Ogunrombi, said in line with the findings of the report, Nigeria and the other West African governments should reform drug laws and policies and decriminalise low-level and nonviolent drug offences.

Chairman of the Commission, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, cautioned against the militarisation of drug policy in Nigeria and West Africa, and observed that the war on drugs has not succeeded, and should not be replicated in Africa.

2.9m HIV positive Nigerians not on treatment — EXPERTS

"Today, the small fry is caught while the big fish swim free. The glaring absence of treatment facilities for drug users fuels the spread of disease and exposes an entire generation, users and non-users alike, to growing public health risks. The current approaches have not delivered solutions and Nigeria too needs to rethink its drug policies, Obasanjo noted.

Earlier, President Muhammadu Buhari had remarked that Nigeria aims to become a more forceful and constructive player on global issues, such as countering the global drugs problem.

Deeply concerned by the growing threats of drug trafficking and consumption in West Africa, Kofi Annan, Chair of the Kofi Annan Foundation and former Secretary-General of the United Nations, convened the West Africa Commission on Drugs (WACD) in January 2013.

The Commission's objectives are to mobilise public awareness and political commitment around the challenges posed by drug

trafficking; develop evidence based policy recommendations; and promote regional and local capacity and ownership to manage these challenges. The

Commission is an independent body comprising a diverse group of West Africans from the worlds of politics, civil society, health, security and the judiciary.

of zero new infections, zero deaths from AIDs – related illnesses and zero discrimination.

Ujah who lauded the UNAIDS 90 – 90 -90 initiative said it was designed to have 90 percent of all people diagnosed with HIV infection receive sustained ARV therapy and 90- percent of all people receiving ARV will have viral suppression.

“With 90 percent of those on treatment having viral suppression, there will be a drastic break of transmission of new infection and end the HIV/ AIDS pandemic by 2030.”

He said NIMR will be conducting an outreach in Alimosho Local Government area of Lagos state to increase awareness on HIV/AIDS as well as enhance HIV counselling and testing.

Also in her presentation, on how to prevent new infection, Dr. Oladipo Fisher, from Lagos State AIDS Control Agency, LASACA, said early initiation of HIV positive people into antiretroviral drugs will decrease rate of new infection, as well as reduce HIV-related illnesses and deaths.

In the same vein, Consultant Haematologist at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Prof. Sulaimon Akanmu, noted that people who test positive to HIV can possibly eliminate the virus if they commence treatment immediately they are diagnosed. “This will help bring their viral load to an undetectable level, where they will likely not infect other people, and is in line with the World Health Organization, WHO’s new treatment guideline for HIV/AIDS.”

SYMPOSIUM: From left: Member, Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Dr Olalekan Aregbesola, Chairperson, Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS, Lagos, Mrs. Aminat Agboola-Alli, Former Director General, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, NIMR,Prof Oni Idigwe, Director, Lagos State AIDS Control Agency, LASACA, Dr. Oladipo Fisher,Consultant Haematologist , Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Prof. Sulaimon Akanmu, during a scientific symposium to mark this year’s World AIDS Day organised by NIMR in collaboration with NMA, Lagos branch.

32—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015

NBTE accredits Orthopaedic Hospital’s college •as 96 nurses, health assistants graduate

By Chioma Obinna

N

ATIONAL Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi Lagos, NOHIL has been awarded interim accreditation for its Federal College of Orthopaedic Technology, FECOT, by the National Board for Technical Education, NBTE even as the Hospital graduated 96 students from its Schools of Post Basic Nurses and Orthopaedic Health Assistant.

Announcing the feat at a joint convocation ceremony in Lagos, the Medical Director, Dr. Olurotimi Odunubi who described the accreditation as a dream come true said the school is now a fullfledged polytechnic.

Odunubi added that the school will now serve as a department in FECOT, award Ordinary and Higher National Diploma.

The medical Director also explained that the students can also progress to Masters Degree and PHDS and can rise to any level in the medical academic world.

He however regretted that for new set of students for 2015\2016, they would have to face the challenge of coming in through Joint Administration and Matriculation Board, JAMB. Explaining why the accreditation became necessary, he said over 65 percent of orthopaedic specialists passed through the tertiary institution.

"We must keep increasing standards. The institution was set up to provide services, research and training and we must strive to fulfil these responsibilities."

Also commenting on the joint graduation, he noted that the two schools of basic nurses are very important schools as the country is still lacking in the specialities - Accident and Emergency nursing as well as orthopaedic nursing.

"Producing specialist nurses in these fields will fill the gap which is why the schools were established in the first place."

He advised the graduands to be good

ambassadors of the Schools.

In her address, School Principal, Post Basic Nurses, Mrs. Bamidele Adegunju said the two schools were aimed at preparing professionally competent and skilled nurses that will provide high standards of relevant nursing care to the injured, critically ill- patient and traumatised patients at all levels of care.

While commending the management of NOHIL, she said more efforts should be made for the school to progress from partial accreditation to full accreditation.

She further appealed for a modern hostel for students which would in turn be a source of revenue generation to the Hospital.

Speaking, the Coordinator Orthopaedic, Health Assistant School, Mr. Ibraheem Kayode urged the graduands to make use of their entrepreneurial training to market themselves.

NNPC/Chevron deploy Roll Back Malaria prog in Ibeju Lekki

By Sola Ogundipe

A

S part of measures to promote malaria prevention, social moblilisation as well as checkmate the menace of malaria in Ibeju Lekki area of Lagos state and environs, Chevron Nigeria Ltd., and its senior partner, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, have deployed a Roll Back Malaria programme as a means of creating awareness and education of at risk groups. wSpeaking during the official launch weekend, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, said the programme would be coordinated by the ministry and implemented by the Primary Health care Board and Africare.

Idris, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State

GRADUATION: Cross section of graduands during the joint graduation of two Schools of the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi Lagos, NOHIL last week.

Primary Health care Board, Dr Olukayode Oguntimehin, said the role of the Organised Private Sector could not be overemphasized in ensuring malaria control even as the Lagos State government remains committed to continuing with malaria elimination programme especially the Integrated Vector Management.

Commending the gesture by Chevron and its affiliates, Idris said the state government was intensifying implementation of its strategic malaria elimination interventions in line with the National Malaria Starategic Plan 20142020.

Regretting the high prevalence of malaria and its threat to good health, the General Manager, Policy, Governance and Public Affairs, Chevron Nigeria Ltd., Mr. Deji Haastrup, explained that the rationale behind the initiative was to focus on education of the general populace on prevention strategies as the key to malaria prevention and eradication.

Haastrup, who was represented by the Coordinator, Corporate Responsibility and National Programmes, Mr. Sunday Okegbemiro, said the RBM programme involves training of health workers and community people on baseline prevention and treatment of malaria, prevention strategies (including use of LLINs and chemoprophylaxis for pregnant women), conduct of baseline mapping assessment on the health structures, providers and facility based baseline malaria data review.

He said this year, NNPC/Chevron Nigeria Ltd was back to the LGA once again to deploy the malaria programme launched years ago because of the belief that good health holds the vital keys to sustainable developemt.

COMMON SEXUAL PROBLEMS AND THEIR NOVELTY BASED SOLUTIONS (ADVERTORIAL)

G

OOD day sir. I have a question. Who is a sex addict? I ask because I am worried that I might have become one. There is not a day that goes by that I am not thinking about sex, desiring sex, having sex or masturbating. I am into adult magazines, movies and erotic novels. I worry that I have become a sex addict – Norbert Dear Norbert, sexual addiction is very difficult to diagnose. Believe it or not, everything you just described about yourself can be said of the average adult male.

Men in general want sex every other day. They fantasize about it, watch adult movies, have sex and masturbate, all of which fall under ‘normal’ sexual behavior. To understand sex addiction, you need to first come to grasp with addiction in general. Addictive behavior has certain characteristics such as singular obsession, repetitive and uncontrollable indulgence, restlessness, depression, anguish, irritability, anxiety, anger, twitching, rambling, absent mindedness and a general inability to function in one’s life and profession without perpetual indulgence in the object of one’s desire. Only a proper clinical test by a psychologist can determine if you are on the spectrum of addiction.

Sometimes we enjoy something so much that we begin to feel we cannot do without it. It can be anything from sports to food, work, drink and even sex. This doesn’t necessarily make one an addict unless some of the above signs begin to manifest. But like I said, there should be no guess work involved here. See a doctor if you are this worried and let him or her determine if you are a sex addict or not – Uche When I am with a woman, I never last as long as I want to. I end up coming in less than two minutes. I am healthy and I exercise. What could be the cause of my premature ejaculation and what can make it stop? I am 25 years old – Emeka Emeka premature ejaculation occurs under a variety of circumstances (when one is young, when in a new relationship and when one has not had sex for a while).

It can also occur under certain mental states such as

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– Gbenga Stiff Nights is a very effective erection enhancer. From weak erections to no erections at all, it handles them all and also aids performance. Yes it can help you – Uche I like your products especially the enhancers. I just received my Boss Rhino erection enhancer. Very professional delivery. Thanks man - Funso You are welcome. That is all for today. Adults in need of these treatments/novelties can call 08171912551, 08027901621 or 07086754515 for help or visit www.zeevirtualmedia.comZee Virtual Media delivers all over Nigeria. For enquiries email us at custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com-Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015—33

Mixed feelings as Itsekiri ends king's burial

By Daniel Gumm

W

ARRI—THE Itsekiri nation buried their differences and gathered to give a befitting burial to their departed monarch, Ogiame Atuwatse II, the Olu of Warri, at Ode-Itsekiri, their ancestral home, Delta State.

In what was more of a carnival, sons and daughters of the land, both at home and in the diaspora, reverted to their traditional way of dressing to signal the end of the mourning period for their king, who departed this world September 3, 2015.

Immediately after the demise of Ogiame Atuwatse II, the 19th Olu of Warri, the people turned their clothes inside out as a mark of mourning.

But the situation came to an end on November 20, 2015, when a vigil which also coincided with the final burial rites was unveiled at OdeItsekiri, popularly known as Big Warri.

Speaking on the significance of the occasion, Chief Rita LoriOgbebor, the Igba of Warri Kingdom, described the event as a unifying factor for the Itsekiri people, saying that the crown was the only thing that holds the Itsekiri people together.

She said: “I can tell you that when it comes to the Itsekiri crown, we are one united people. We may quarrel among ourselves and have our differences, but when the Olu tells us to come together, we obey. When he tells us to stop fighting, we stop immediately.

So you can see that is the beauty of an Olu in Warri Kingdom.”

Noting that the celebration was a day of mixed feelings, she said the Itsekiri nation was happy that the selection process of the Oludesignate was done smoothly and peacefully without any hitch.

On his part, Prince Yemi Emiko, a prince of the Warri Kingdom, and younger brother of the late Olu, said the significance of the occasion was that Ode Itsekiri community, the venue for the traditional rites, is the traditional headquarters of the Itsekiri Kingdom, noting that that was where the real Warri started before they began to migrate to other communities now called Warri.

Saying that though it was not possible to have a united Itsekiri nation just like every other nation,

Prince Emiko stressed that there was no division among the Itsekiri people, adding that the crown makes the Itsekiri a unique people.

He assured the people that the Olu-designate was going to provide the necessary leadership needed to move the kingdom forward, adding that leadership was key for any king, who wants to rule people well.

Robinson Ariyo, who also spoke to newsmen during the occasion, noted that the crown was the magnifying and unifying factor that unites the Itsekiri people, adding that irrespective of the political divisions and interests, the crown was a unifying point.

He said that Warri Kingdom,

which has been around for over 500 years, has a rich cultural heritage, adding that witnessing the burial of an Olu was an experience that cannot be taken for granted because it does not happen often.

Also speaking, Chief Charles Ikomi, the Ero of Warri Kingdom, said the crown was the only thing that unites the people of the kingdom, adding that they have only one crown that is recognised in the kingdom.

The Olori-Ebi of Warri Kingdom, Chief Andrew Ayu, on his part, said the Itsekiri people were proud of their crown and ready to give their blood for the crown.

WORKSHOP: From left: Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, Mr Peter Jack and Managing Director, Microsoft Nigeria, Mr Kabelo Makwane, at the National Cybersecurity Policy and Capacity workshop, in Abuja.

Executor claims Okotie-Eboh's property

By Onozure Dania

F

IVE decades after the death of former Minister of Finance, Chief Festus OkotieEboh, executor of his will, Mrs. Jadesimi Alero (nee OkotieEboh), has claimed that one of his property does not belong to him (minister) but belongs to her.

At the hearing of a suit before Justice Morenikeji Obadina of a Lagos High Court, the will executor, who is the first daughter of the former Finance Minister, told the court that the property belongs to her mother.

Jadesimi, in her evidence, told the court that the property situated on Alhaji Masha Close, Off Raymond Njoku in Ikoyi, Lagos, does not belong to the children of the late Okotie-Eboh, but to her mother.

Jadesimi told the court that the block of property on Kingsway Road in Ikoyi, was sold by the family and all the transaction and the money passed through her.

Children of the former minister are challenging their sister in court over the property, arguing that it belongs to their father and C M Y K

not her mother.

Jadesimi told the court that she was aware of a Federal High Court case challenging the position of the family over the property of the late minister, which was before Justice Okeke, Lagos, but could not remember if the judgment favoured her or not.

Justice Obadina admitted the

judgment of Okeke as exhibit in the matter before him, as the court also admitted the statement of claim filed and the letter showing that Jadesola was the executor of the will of the family, who single headedly sold the property to Dangote.

The case was adjourned when a document which portrays

Jadesimi as signatory was denied by her, as she claimed it might not be her signature as the document had been marked in different areas, which makes her not to recognise it.

The case was adjourned till January 2015 for Jadesimi to continue in her evidence.

Dont ignore CONFAB recommendations, Darah charges Buhari

By Perez Brisibe

U

GHELLI—A delegate who represented Delta State during the 2014 National Conference and former Chief of Staff to Delta State Government, Prof. Godini Darah, has said that President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime would be hunted if it ignores the recommendations of the confab.

Prof. Darah, who spoke on the heels of agitations for selfdetermination and democratic autonomy currently brewing in parts of the country, hinted that

the confab recommended creation of 18 additional states with the proviso that each of the six geopolitical zones of the country shall have equal number of six states each.

According to him, “President Goodluck Jonathan had hoped that he would use the report of the conference to introduce some pro-federal changes if he was returned to power following farreaching recommendations made at the confab.

“It is clear that whatever Buhari thinks of it, pro-democracy recommendations mentioned in the report are inescapable because

if he ignores them, his regime will be haunted and buffeted by the hydra-headed crisis of instability, corruption, economic stagnation, insurrection and violent agitations for resource ownership and control.

“The reason for this is that, Nigeria will never attain the status of a federal republic until there is equity, justice and resource democracy for all its constituent units, particularly the exploited Niger Delta region as the next generation without doubt, will take the revolution to higher heights.”

Appeal Court upholds Delta lawmaker's election

A

By Festus Ahon

SABA—THE Court of Appeal sitting in Benin, Edo State, yesterday, dismissed the appeal by candidate of Labour Party in the Ughelli North constituency I, Delta State, Mr. Newman Akpore, challenging the election of Samuel Mariere into the Delta State House of Assembly, in the 2015 general election.

Akpore had approached the appellate court after Mariere’s election at the poll was upheld by the State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal which sat in Asaba.

Delivering judgment, Justice Ibrahim Saulawa, said the plaintiff did not sign the notice and grounds of appeal as required by law.

Reiterating that the appeal in the suit number CA/B/EPT/ 314/2015, did not fulfill the Electoral Act, Justice Saulawa said the appeal was therefor dismissed on grounds of incompetence.

Reacting to his victory at the appellate court, Mariere said the will of God and the people had prevailed.

PPMC urged to decentralise loading points for marketers

By Jimitota Onoyume

P

ORT HARCOURT— NATIONAL President of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, Chief Obasi Lawson, has called on Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, PPMC, to decentralise loading points of petroleum products in the country.

Obasi in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, when he led national officers of IPMAN on inspection of tank farms in the state, said that concentrating loading points in Lagos State would not solve the problem of scarcity of petroleum products.

Obasi listed Master Energy as one of the tank farms that should be considered by PPMC to service marketers.

He said during the inspection of tank farms that IPMAN found out that Master Energy was the only tank farm with products in the state, adding that they sold to marketers at the rate approved by the Federal Government.

34—Vanguard,TUESDAY,DECEMBER1, 2015

Anambra govt wades into hike in price of kerosene

IGBO PRESIDENCY: Ohanaeze lauds IBB, Gowon

By Ugochukwu Alaribe

A

BA—THE youth wing of the pan Igbo socio cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has commended the former military heads of state, General Ibrahim Babangida and General Yakubu Gowon over their support for the election of a Nigerian president of Igbo extraction.

Babangida had said in an interview that he will back an Igbo for the presidential seat in 2019 if he finds a credible personality while Gowon had openly canvassed for an Igbo president to preside over the affairs of Nigeria in the nearest future.

National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo youth wing, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, in an interview with Vanguard, described the two former leaders as the conscience of the nation, stressing that their support for Igbo presidency had given Ndigbo hope that they would find greater accommodation within a united Nigeria.

He explained that an Igbo presidency would finally heal the scars left by the unfortunate civil war and the marginalization of Ndigbo in the affairs of the nation.

“Ohanaeze youths commended the two former military heads of state for their

By Enyim Enyim

O

NITSHA— ANAMBRA State government has introduced Kero-Direct scheme to cushion the effects of the hike in the pump price of kerosene in the state.

Speaking to newsmen, yesterday in her office in Awka, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Oil and Gas, Mrs. Ngozi Okoye said the scheme was to make the product affordable to the poor masses in rural areas. “ There is a Kero - Direct scheme, which the governor, Chief Willie Obiano introduced to make sure that the product gets to the people of Anambra State at a cheap price.

"We are supposed to get five trucks of kerosene every month but when l called NNPC at Abuja, they said the product was not available.”

Okoye said that since the scheme started, the state government had only received three trucks that were distributed to the people of Oyi, Orumba, Anambra East, Ukpor, Enugu-Ukwu and Nnewi North at N50 per litre.

She denied the allegation that her office diverted the product to certain places other than designated areas, describing the allegation as baseless and unfounded.

She said frantic effort was being made to ensure NNPC continued to supply the state with the product, so that the scheme could continue.

love for the unity of Nigeria through their support for a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction.

"A Nigerian President of Igbo extraction is desirable in 2019 after President Muhammadu Buhari.

An Igbo presidency will boost the unity of Nigeria. Former President

Ibrahim Babangida said he will back an Igbo if he finds one; but we assured him and other Nigerians that Ndigbo have credible personalities who have the capacity to govern Nigeria.”

Isiguzoro urged political parties to zone their presidential candidates to the South East and

called on Ndigbo to support Buhari’s administration.

“If we can get Senator Ike Ekeremadu as a PDP presidential candidate and Rochas Okorcocha as the APC presidential candidate in 2019, it will end the cries of marginalization including protests by Biafra agitators.”

Ngige urges NSITF to take Employees Compensation Scheme to NGF

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

A

BUJA—THE Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has advised the management of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF, to take the Employees Compensation Scheme, ECS, to the Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF, for them to know the benefits of the scheme.

Speaking during a department briefing with the management team in his office in Abuja, weekend, Senator Ngige called for a review of the ECS Act 2010, to include stiff penalties for employers that failed to register their employees on the scheme.

The minister, who stressed the need for the NSITF management to come hard on defaulters,

lamented that the level of compliance was low after over four years of implementation, even as he regretted that he had not heard of any prosecution of employers for non-compliance.

He told the management of NSITF to make a business case of the scheme to the Governors Forum, stressing that it would be a more effective way to get the states come on board.

According to him: “We have no option, but to push the ECS to performance level. There is no doubt that the idea is a great one.

We must, however, ensure that Nigerians feel the positive impact of this initiative.

“I think that the management has to engage the governors through the Governors' Forum so that we can explain the advantages of this scheme to them. I believe that the stipend to be paid on employees salaries

are small to the advantages that the scheme gives to workers especially when they are injured in the course of work.

“I believe every governor would be happy to hear about the numerous advantages that their workers stand to benefit by joining the schme.

“It is not acceptable that no employer has been sanctioned for non-compliance especially when cases or non-compliance abound.

This must change.”

Speaking earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive ofNSITF, Umar Abubakar told the minister some of the challenges confronting the Fund which include lack of comprehensive data on all employees on government’s payroll and noncompliance by state governments and many organizations in the private sector of the economy.

‘Why we’re bringing Saudi German Hospital to Nigeria’

By Ikenna Asomba

T

HE BUSINESS Planning Manager, Iftakhar Asfi, of Saudi German Hospital, SGH, has stated that the hospital management will be establishing, at least, two hospitals in Nigeria, as well as partnering with Nigerian medical colleges, noting that it was bothered by the dire health needs of Nigerians, particularly, the medical bills

spent abroad.

Addressing journalists in Lagos when representatives of the hospital hosted stakeholders in the healthcare sector, Asfi, said: “We have been attending to many dignitaries from Nigeria over the years. We receive more than 10, 000 patients from Nigeria in Dubai only.

“During hajj, we are the primary responder to emergencies. We had more

than 1,000 Nigerians admitted during the recent calamity that happened in the holy land.Many people, who were in critical conditions, were brought to us. We quickly responded to the situation because our government has listed us to handle such situations and we couldn’t afford to fail.”

He added: “The huge number of patients we receive from Nigeria showed the

gravity of the health needs of the people and that is why our management has decided that we come and establish two hospitals here.

"When we come here, the cost is definitely going to be lower.

We are looking at starting off from Abuja and Lagos because these two parts of the country are well represented. But when we are fully on ground, we would spread to other parts of the country.”

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

On Kogi governorship election

T

he stand of the AGF a p p e a r s incongruous. It is curious that the AGF could just casually take a stand on such an important political matter, threatening political crisis in Kogi State, without recourse to the stakeholders. -Mr. Etebele Julius, Worker C M Y K

T

he Deputy Governor should hold his peace.

He should wait patiently and then go to court. The issue is simple, is the supplementary election a new election or a continuation of an election that started before the death occurred? Miss Kubura Aremu, Model

I

NEC in the circumstance is to issue directions as to the conduct of a fresh election and direct that parties should nominate their candidates in line with the electoral act. Although it is conceded that the circumstance poses some novelty to our laws. -Mr. Uche Anyambuba, Student

A

s it stands, the votes already counted are for APC, the only snag is how do they replace Audu, is it with Faleke, or pick the 2nd runnerup from the primary that Audu defeated or conduct a fresh primary? Mr. Okelade Kehinde, Student

T

he people should be asked through the ballot whether they would still have chosen APC without Audu. The democratic thing to do is to order a fresh election.

In that way justice is done to all without exception. -Mr. Chuck Madueke, ICT Expert

I

NEC argument for an inconclusive election was wrong to me because in the supplementary election, only 25,000 voters will be eligible to vote.

Audu, though is dead, the party is still alive. Mrs. Mgbemena Nnenna, Businesswoman

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1 , 2015—35

NDE recruits 15,000 persons

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By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

BUJA — NATIONAL Directorate of Employment, NDE, has said it recruited and placed either in training or transient jobs, about 15,000 persons nationwide in the last four months.

The Director-General, DG, of NDE, Abubakar Mohammed, who disclosed this in Abuja at a senior management interactive forum of the directorate, also told the government to constantly review strategies and think outside the box to create jobs.

The NDE DG noted that the agency had started to test run the payment of N5,000 stipends promised to the unemployed in Delta State.

According to him, “this may appear insignificant in the face of the teeming unemployed, but it goes without saying that paucity of funds accounted for that. In the last eight years that I have been privileged to lead the NDE, we have introduced on a consistent basis, innovative interventions designed to tackle unemployment."

RCCG organises 365 Hallelujahs Night

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HE Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Covenant of Peace, Ikorodu, Lagos will on Friday, December 4, 2015 hold its 4th annual convocation to Praise —a vigil organised every first Friday of December, at the Ikorodu Town Hall, Lagos.

The 2015 edition, tagged “A Night of 365+1 Hallelujah,” is an avenue for people to praise and thank God for His guidance, protection and provision since the beginning of the year and entrusting the coming year to God’s hands.

According to the convener of the event, Pastor Olaitan Aromolaran, this year’s edition would take a different dimension as worshippers would shout 365+1 electrifying hallelujahs that would usher them into the leap year.

He said: “The one held last year had mass choir of 800 people and God showed forth Himself, and it was a moment of joy and deliverance for the thousands of worshippers who participated.

Since the inception of the programme in 2012, people have continuously gathered in their thousands to give God praise and many lifetransforming testimonies are usually recorded during the programme.

C M Y K

Human rights violation: Buratai inaugurates NBA/Army joint monitoring team

By Kingsley Omonobi

M

A I D U G U R I — F O L L O W I N G repeated accusations by Amnesty International and other international rights groups of brutalization and human rights abuses by the Nigerian Army in the war against Boko Haram insurgents, the Nigerian Army has inaugurated a joint Nigerian Bar Association, NBA/ Nigerian Army human rights monitoring team as part of measures to improve human rights protection and reduce abuses by military personnel.

Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, announced this, yesterday, at the NBA workshop on ‘Human Rights in times of Conflict,’ organized at the Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri.

According to Buratai, the Nigerian Army was established by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and, therefore, guided by its laws in all its affairs.

While noting that the Nigerian Army respected and protected human rights even in the fight against terrorism and insurgency, Buratai said the Nigerian Army took human rights issue very seriously and trained its personnel both locally and abroad on the issue.

“The Nigerian Army has also partnered National Human

Rights Commission and International Committee of Red Cross who visited Army detention facilities on regular basis,” he said in a statement signed by Col. Sani Usman,

A

BUJA— Environmental Management Association of Nigeria, EMAN, has called on the Federal Government and other stakeholders to develop an adoptable National Environmental Management Plan, NEMP, for the country.

National President of the association, Dr. Emmanuel Ating, emphasised that the full adoption of NEMP would assist President Muhammadu Buhari realize some of his development policies.

Speaking at the 2015 National Environmental Management Conference in Abuja, Ating stressed that little or no success could be achieved in the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, now Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, without focusing on an effective environmental management system especially for the benefit of future generations.

According to him, “the nonconjunction with the provisions of the NEMP standards is a clear invitation and birth of unsustainable programs and processes, which is the central focus of environmental

On his part, the President of the NBA, Augustine Alegbe, lauded the military’s counterinsurgency efforts in the NorthEast.

FORUM:

Minister of State for Aviation, Sen Hadi Abubakar Sirika (left) and Dr Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu, President, International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, at the ICAO 2015 World Aviation Forum, at ICAO headquarters, Montreal, Canada.

David Mark, asset to Nigeria —PDP

By Henry Umoru

A

BUJA— NATIONAL leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has described former Senate President, Senator David Mark, as an asset

FG urged to adopt environmental mgt plan

By Funmi Olasupo

Acting Director, Army Public Relations..

He added that there was no safe haven for human rights violators in today’s Nigerian Army.

management and the well-being of man and the environment without frustrating development.

"Consequently, there is a commanding need for the integration of the tenets of environment management into the strategies and programmes formulated to end insurgency in Nigeria, including the recent agitation for the resuscitation of Biafra.”

to Nigeria as a country.

The PDP has, however, vowed to support Senator Mark in the re-run of the Benue South Senatorial election following the nullification of his election by the Makurdi Division of the Court of Appeal last Saturday and ordering for a re-run within 90 days.

In a statement, yesterday, by the party National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the PDP noted that it was assured that the people of Benue South Senatorial zone, as supporters of the PDP since 1999, would remain steadfast in giving him another resounding victory at the re-run election.

Metuh said: “The confidence of the party of retaining the Senatorial seat is even stronger now that the deceit of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has become obvious to all

Nigerians. The inexplicable ruling of the Appeal Court, even when all evidence pointed to Mark’s victory as upheld by the lower tribunal, is yet another evidence of APC’s dangerous interference in the judiciary, which its negative consequences the PDP has continued to alert the nation.

“The party also noted the significant contributions of Senator Mark in growing and stabilizing the nation’s democracy through his mature, responsible and patriotic leadership of the Senate, a value that is still highly needed in the polity.

"The PDP, therefore, urged its members in Benue South to resist any attempt to intimidate them, especially in their determination to ensure effective and result-oriented representation in the Senate as typified in Senator Mark.”

Dockworkers declare strike against logistics firm

By Victor AhiumaYoung

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HE leadership of the Dockworkers Branch of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, has directed members in Five Star Logistics, FSL, a leading container terminal in the country, to withdraw their services and shut operations from Thursday, December 3, over alleged safety concerns.

At a meeting with shop floor workers and their leaders, yesterday, at the union’s secretariat, President of the branch, Mr. Adewale Adeyanju, claimed the management of FSL,

had refused to provide safety wears for the workers despite several letters to that effect.

According to him, three workers died of industrial accidents within two months because of alleged unsafe working environment and up till today, their compensation had not been paid.

He gave their names as Musbau Lamidi, Pius Efa and Samson Oyayan.

Mr. Adeyanju said the place would remain shut until the management took issues of safety of workers serious and directed union leaders to ensure that the directive was

implemented without compromise.

He said: "Having listened to all complaints from members and judging that we have written several letters to the management on this issue, we have no other option than to withdraw our services and shut operations from Thursday, December 3, until the management is ready to comply with safety requirements. This is a place where three workers have died of industrial accidents within two months because of unsafe working environment. We have had enough and we cannot continue to risk the safety of our members.”

36—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015

IOD'S MEMBERS' EVENING: From left—Mr Victor Banjo,Director General/ CEO Institute of Directors Nigeria, IOD, Alhaji Mohammed Kari, guest speaker/Commissioner for Insurance and Chief Executive, National Insurance Commission, Mr Samuel Akeju, President/Chairman of Council, IOD, Mr Femi Ekundayo, past President, and Chief Chris Okunowo, 2nd Vice President, at the IOD's Members Evening in Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau.

COUNSELLING: From left—Director, Schools Administration, District 3, Falomo-Ikoyi, Lagos, Dr. Raji Mudasiru; Assistant Director of Ethics, Ministry of Education, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Williams; Vice-President, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Ibrahim Dikko and Head, Public Affairs, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Mrs. Kemi IkotunAdekusibe, during the Etisalat Nigeria Career Counselling Day in Lagos.

BRIEFING: From left—CEO, Culinary Academy, Mrs. Tiyan Alile; CEO, Eventful Limited, Mrs. Yewande Zaccheus, and Creation Director, Fiesta of Flavors, Omorinsojo Akinnola, during the briefing on the forthcoming maiden edition of fiesta of flavors, food and beverage fair in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

COMPETITION: From left—Mr. Kufre Ekanem , Corporate Affairs Adviser, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr Folarin Coker, Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Lagos State, winner of competition, Mr Sebastine Ugwuokeand Chairman Panel of Judge Mr Kolade Oshinowo, during the 8th grand finale of National Art Competition sponsored by Nigerian Breweries Plc in Lagos. Photos: Diran Oshe.

C M Y K

FLAG OFF: From left: Hon. Desmond Elliot, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Majority Leader, House of RepresentativeS, Seyi Akinwunmi, former Vice President, Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, and Chief Bamidele Husein, Executive Secretary, Surulere Local Government, during the flag off of Femi Gbajabiamila Football Tournament in Lagos, yesterday.

ANNIVERSARY: From left—Mr. Ayo Ajayi, Chairman, KFA Rental, Kemi Adeleke, MD, KFA Rental and Mr. Teju Kareem, MD, Zmirage, durin the 20th anniversary of KFA rentals and commisioning of KFA rentals Teeco Tent Washer and laundary department at KFA headquaters, Lekki, Lagos.

Photo: Oscar Ochiogu.

CONCERT: From left— Glo Brand Ambassador, Mr. Charles Awurum, a Glo subscriber, Mrs. Didigwu Julie, and standup comedian, Okey Bakassi, at the Nsukka edition of Glo slide 'n’ Bounce concert at Millipat Hotel, Nsukka, Enugu State.

From left—Mr Kufre Ekanem , Corporate Affairs Adviser, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr Folarin Coker, Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture Lagos State, Chairman, Panel of Judges Mr. Kolade Oshinowo, at the 8th grand finale of National Art Competitionin Lagos.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015—37

Violence, as APC shuns Faleke, picks Bello Continues on Page 37

Death, protests in the windy city

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hicago is an alluring, windy city. But it was a violent wind of sadness, fury and protests that virtually paralyzed the city last week. Protesters, most of whom were African Americans filled the city, angry at what they considered to be another layer in the constantly mushrooming evidence of police brutality against one of their own. This time, it was what could be described as murder laced with sadism on the part of Chicago policeman, Jason Van Dyke. And the victim was 17-year-old Laquan McDonald.

It is not as if Chicago is a murder-free city that one death will compel people to take to the streets in protests. No. Indeed, Chicago belongs to the top five cities in the U.S. where death by gun violence is quite high. Police statistics released in April this year show a significant increase in shootings in the city, from 235 in the first quarter of 2014 to 355 in the same period in 2015. Sixty-two people died in the shooting incidents in that period last year, while 80 died in 2015.

Another set of figures published by the Chicago Tribune last month showed that between January 1 and December 2014, the city recorded 2,587 shooting victims, while as at November 28 this year, the number of such victims was 2,712. In 2014, the Chicago police recorded 434 deaths by gun violence. As of November this year, the figure for 2015 is 440 lives lost in gun violence in the windy city.

So, why did the shooting to death of the teenager evoke so much passion that people defied all odds to occupy the city’s major business districts in protest? It was more because of the brutality of the event and the shoddy aftermath of the criminal activity, and even the somewhat cavalier attitude of the officers who ought to have handled the case with due diligence.

First, Laquan McDonald was killed in October 20 2014. And it took over 400 days for the police dashcam video of his senseless shooting to be made public, not because the police wanted to release it, but because a judge ordered it released and made available to the public. All the It is not while, Jason Van Dyke, the man in as if whose hands the Chicago is teenager met his death continued to a murderbe employed and free city paid with taxpayers money for that one over a year since death will he committed that compel murder. Now, his case has been people to taken to court as he take to the faces a charge of murder. streets in The more painful protests. aspect of the sordid event is how the No.

teenager was killed on the street.

According to the dashcamera, McDonald, armed with a knife, was actually walking away from the police when he was gunned down. Police officer Van Dyke who had just arrived at the scene probably concluded that his colleagues who were there before his arrival, did not know how to handle such urchins as McDonald.

He quickly pulled his gun and shot Laquan. Not satisfied that the teenager now lay on the ground in agony, the trigger-happy policeman unleashed more bullets on to the young man. In all, sixteen bullets were used to snuff out Laquan’s life, and all but one of them hit him while he was already laying down helpless. But for the police camera that was recording the event, Van Dyke may have claimed that he shot the teenager in self-defense; that he was so much afraid for his life that he had no choice but to put down his assailant.

Coming in the wake of innumerable incidents where police officers shot and killed African Americans, it was not unexpected that people of goodwill will march along the streets and make their voices known against such blatant shooting and the conspiracy to keep the matter under wraps until over a year later. But, if it was expected that the protesters would embark on looting and orgy of destruction, such expectations fizzled out when the protests went relatively without incidents.

Peaceful nature Chicago Police Superintendent, Gary McCarthy, acknowledged the largely peaceful nature of the protest matches, while conceding that “people have a right to be angry, people have a right to protest, people have a right to free speech. But they do not have a right to commit criminal acts.”

Neither do the police have the right to commit such criminal acts. And if they do, they have to face the outcome of their inelegant behavior. State attorney in charge of Cook County where the murder took place, Anita Alvarez, said this about Van Dyke: “It is my determination that this defendant’s actions — of shooting Laquan McDonald when he did not pose an immediate threat of great bodily harm or death, and his subsequent actions of shooting Laquan McDonald while he lay on the ground after previously being struck by gunfire - were not justified and they were not a proper use of deadly force by this police officer.”

That act of shooting a helpless man on the ground and keeping the issue out of public sphere is the main source of anger among the people. Activist white Catholic priest, Rev. Michael Pfleger, who pastors mostly African American parishioners in the South Side of Chicago was quite angry and told reporters that “We’re tired of this police cover-up and the state’s attorney’s cover-up. People are mad here in Chicago.” This justified “madness” has led the protesters to call for the resignation of all public officers connected to the incident in any way to be held accountable for their inaction. They even called for the resignation of such officers, including the mayor,

demise of this great and illustrious son of the land, the reactionaries pounced in on the situation and made fruitless attempts at truncating the process that ordinarily should have led to a smooth transition of power from the visionless and clueless handlers of our state to a new path of rescuing the state.

“It is on this basis that we address you today as a family, the biological and political family left behind by the late sage to state clearly that in view of the position of the law, the constitution and the Electoral Act, that the INEC erred by declaring the election inconclusive.

While our lawyers have swung into action in getting a legal redress of the quagmire in which the enemies of our state have plunged us, we remain steadfast and resolute in defending the mandate that the good people of Kogi state bestowed on the Audu/Faleke ticket and by extension the APC. “As it stands today, I remain the only person holding on to those votes cast for our party and no other person, going back to the primary election conducted on the August 28, 2015 whose life span expired immediately Prince Abubakar Audu emerged the candidate and the party requested him to nominate a Deputy in accordance to the constitution provision in section 187.”

Faleke who also said he stood a beneficiary of late Audu’s primary victory by virtue of section 187 of the constitution, took a swipe at Bello for wanting to benefit from the party that he (Yahaya) worked against at the poll.

“Muhammed Audu, the first son of Prince Abubakar Audu and myself are on the same page on this matter and have both resolved to do the right thing by the law”.

Audu’s son, Muhammed on his own said, it will amount to ‘political stealing’ if Bello is used to replace his late father, “A thief cannot come into your house in the middle of the night and say he owns your property. He can only steal it.

(Facing the crowd) “Nobody can steal your mandate. This is what my father stood for and this is what we shall all stand for.

Just remember him in your prayer”.

Court hears Wada's suit today Meanwhile, hearing in the suit filed by Governor Wada seeking to compel INEC to declare him winner of the election is expected to commence today.

The suit which was lodged before the court on Friday has been assigned to Justice Gabriel Kolawole for hearing.

Enquiries by Vanguard yesterday revealed that the plaintiffs, through their lead counsel, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, have equally applied for an accelerated hearing of the suit.

Specifically, the plaintiffs, are praying the High Court to invoke its powers and declare Wada the winner of the i n c o n c l u s i v e governorship election that held in the state on November 21.

They argued that in view of the death of the gubernatorial candidate of the APC, Audu, before the final result was announced, Wada, being the only surviving candidate with the majority of lawful votes cast at the poll, ought to be declared winner.

Therefore, they prayed the court to compel INEC to forthwith issue Certificate of Return to Wada.

Cited as 1st - 3rd defendants in the suit were INEC, the Attorney General of the Federation and the APC, respectively.

More so, the plaintiffs, are praying the court to issue an order of injunction restraining APC from organizing or holding a fresh primary election for the purpose of any supplementary or other election for the Kogi State governorship election 2015.

They asked the high court to declare that APC lacked the legal right to organize or hold a fresh primary election for the purpose of the supplementary election, having regard to the immutable statutory timeliness provided by enabling sections of the Electoral Act 2010 and the INEC timetable for Kogi Governorship election.

The plaintiffs also urged the court to declare that the AGF, Abubakar Malami, SAN, was not competent to issue directives to INEC to allow APC to substitute its candidate for the Kogi governorship election

after the commencement of the election, and that such directives are null and void for being inconsistent with the provisions of the constitution.

Besides, the plaintiffs want the court to hold that APC could not lawfully nominate a candidate for the supplementary governorship election fixed for December 5, without a valid and legally cognizable primary election conducted within the mandatory timeliness specified by the Electroal Act. They specifically beseeched the court to declare that, “having regards to the provisions of Section 141 of the Electoral Act, 2010, votes scored by a candidate who died during an election cannot be inherited by or transferred to a person who was not a candidate at the said election and who did not participate in all stages of such election, for the purpose of concluding such election”.

The suit was supported with a 36- paragraphed affidavit that was deposed to by the PDP State Collation Agent for the Kogi state governorship election, Mr Joe Agada.

Agada averred: “That with the demise of APC’s candidate, the two leading candidates became Wada with 199,514 votes and and that of the Labour Party with 8, 756 votes.

“That I know as a fact that INEC on this basis ought to declare the Wada the winner of the governorship election of 21st November 2015, being the only surviving candidate with the highest number of votes and scoring 25 per cent of the votes in all the Local Government Areas of the State.”

Meanwhile, ethnic champions in Kogi State entered into the argument yesterday.

While leaders of Ebira ethnic groups drummed support for Bello who could become the first Ebira man to govern the state, Okun ethnic groups on their part coalesced under the Okun Development Union, sent a high powered delegation of some of the most influential persons from the state to meet Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a national leader of the APC.

38 — VANGUARD, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015

Christians and Muslims are brothers — Pope *Visits mosque in CAR

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President Barack Obama delivers remarks during the COP21, United Nations Climate Change Conference, in Le Bourget, outside Paris, on Monday, Nov. 30, 2015.

COP21 is act of defiance against terrorism —Obama B

OTH US president Barack Obama and France’s Francois Hollande issued rallying cries to officials on Monday, urging them to commit to reducing emissions.

Obama said his country recognised its role in contributing to the climate change crisis, and would take the lead in fighting against it.

He added that the meeting symbolised a global “act of defiance” that proves the world stands undeterred by attacks linked to the Islam-

ic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group in Europe and beyond.

“What greater rejection of those who would tear down our world than martialling our best efforts to save it,” Obama said. Our nations share a sense of urgency about this challenge and a growing realisation that it is within our power to do something about it.”

“One of the enemies we’ll be fighting at this conference is cynicism... our progress should give us hope during these two weeks.” Earlier,

Turkey won’t apologise to Russia over war plane downing —Prime Minister

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URKEY won’t apol ogize to Russia for shooting down a warplane operating over Syria, the Turkish prime minister said Monday, stressing that the military was doing its job defending the country’s airspace.

Ahmet Davutoglu also said Turkey hopes Moscow will reconsider economic sanctions announced against Turkish interests following last Ahmet Davutoglu also said Turkey hopes Moscow will reconsider economic sanctions announced against Turkish interests following last week’s incident. The Turkish resort town of Antalya is “like a second home” to many Russian holidaymakers, he said, but refused to yield on Turkish security.

“No Turkish prime minister or president will apologize ... because of doing our duty,” Davutoglu told reporters after meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels.

“Protection of Turkish airspace, Turkish borders is a national duty, and our army did their job to protect this air-

space. But if the Russian side wants to talk, and wants to prevent any future unintentional events like this, we are ready to talk.” Turkish F-16s shot down a Russian warplane on Nov. 24, sparking Cold War-style tensions between Russia and NATO, of which Turkey is a member.

French President Francois Hollande called on developed states to take ownership of the crisis and help countries threatened by changing weather patterns.

“My thoughts go out to those islands that may soon disappear... developed countries must take responsibility. They are the ones who for years emitted the most greenhouse gases,” Hollande said.

Heads of 147 state and government are in the French capital for the start of two weeks of intense negotiations.

Monday’s agenda includes speeches by the leaders and environment ministers from a number of countries, including Germany, Iceland, Peru and Scotland.

A total of 25,000 official delegates hope to secure a legally binding accord for every country to cut carbon emissions.

The accord needs to come into effect from the year 2020, when current commitments from the Kyoto Protocol run out.

US embassy warns of imminent attack in Kabul

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HE United States warned its citizens in Kabul Monday of an “imminent attack” in the city within the next two days, amid renewed official efforts to revive stalled peace talks with the Taliban.

The US embassy in Kabul urged extreme caution during this period of “heightened threat” but gave no details on potential targets or methods of the planned attack.

“US embassy Kabul has received credible reports of an imminent attack in Kabul... within the next 48 hours,” it said in an emergency warning posted on its website.

“The security situation in Afghanistan is extremely unstable, and the threat to all US citizens in Afghanistan remains critical.”

The embassy frequently issues such emergency warnings but the latest post comes as the leaders of Afghanistan and Pakistan are expected to meet on the sidelines of a UN conference in Paris. The meeting between Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani could be a possible first step towards resuming Islamabad-brokered Taliban peace talks.

OPE Francis has told worshippers in a mosque in the Central African Republic that “Christians and Muslims are brothers and sisters”.

He was speaking to Muslims who had sought shelter in the capital Bangui after nearly three years of violence between Christians and Muslims.

He visited the central Koudoukou mosque in the besieged Bangui district of PK5, an area that has seen some of the most

horrific Christian-Muslim violence since a coup of March 2013. The mosque visit was seen as perhaps the most difficult part of his Africa tour.

Pope Francis then held the final Mass of his Africa trip in Bangui.

He was speaking in Latin, which was then translated into the local Sango language.

His message of reconciliation appeared to have an immediate impact, as a reporter from

*L-r: Imam Tidiane Moussa Naibi and Pope Francis, during the Pope's visit to Central Koudoukou Mosque in Bangui, CAF yesterday.

the AFP news agency spotted a group of Muslim rebels turn up at the Mass wearing t-shirts with the Pope’s image on them.

The Pope has now left the CAR at the end of his six-day visit to the continent. More than 100,000 Muslims fled the capital as a result of the fighting but 15,000 are left in an area called PK5, according to the campaign group Human Rights Watch.

Imam Tidiani Moussa Naibi thanked the Pope for his visit and said it was “a symbol which we all understand”, the AP news agency reports.

There was tight security for the visit to the Koudoukou mosque and armed UN peacekeepers were stationed on its minarets watching the crowds who had come to greet the pontiff.

On Sunday, the Pope called on fighting factions in the CAR to lay down their weapons.

About half of CAR’s population is Christian and 15% Muslim.

CONGO: Seven hacked to death in hospital S EVEN people hacked to death in a hospital were among at least 30 people killed in fighting at the weekend between the army, backed

by U.N. troops, and Islamist Ugandan rebels in northeast Democratic Republic of Congo, local

sources said on Monday.

Intelligence gaps, poor coordination and insufficient resources have rendered the Congolese army and the U.N. peacekeeping force ineffective against the armed ADF group that is estimated to have only a few hundred fighters.

Massacres on a similar

Dozens killed in DR Congo rebel attack oration with the UN forc-

A

T least 25 people have been killed including seven civilians hacked to death - in an overnight attack by the Ugandan rebels in an eastern town of Democratic Republic of Congo, according to the Congolese army.

Clashes broke out in Eringeti, 55 km north of the regional hub of Beni, when the rebels, known as Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), attacked a military headquarters on Sunday, according to the Center of Study for the Promotion of Peace, Democracy and Human Rights.

Four Congolese soldiers and at least 14 rebels were killed in the clashes, while seven civilians were hacked to death with machetes when a hospital was attacked, according to the UN DRC mission spokesperson Felix Basse.

The casualties included one UN peacekeeper, said the army which, in collab-

es, has resumed its operation against the ADF that was launched in December 2014.

The rebels “attacked our positions at Eringeti and we repelled them all night”, said Lieutenant Mak Hazukay, a Congolese army spokesperson in the region.

The rebels have been active in the forested region since being driven out of their homeland in 1995.The group first emerged in Uganda with the aim of toppling President Yoweri Museveni and has been accused of a series of killings which have claimed lives of over 450 civilians since October 2014.

The government has blamed the ADF for nearly all the attacks near Beni in the last year.

Its leader Jamil Mukulu was arrested in Tanzania in April and was extradited to Uganda three months later.

scale have been a regular occurrence for more than a year. The ADF has operated in the area since the 1990s and funds itself by illicitly trading timber and gold.

Sunday’s clashes broke out in the town of Eringeti, 55 km (35 miles) north of the town of Beni near the Ugandan border, when fighters from the ADF - a group led by Islamist radicals - attacked a military headquarters, according to the Center of Study for the Promotion of Peace, Democracy and Human Rights, a group that documents violence in North Kivu province.

At least four Congolese soldiers and 12 Islamist militants were killed in the clashes, while seven civilians were hacked to death with machetes at a hospital, according to a provisional toll, U.N. DRC mission spokesman, Felix Basse said.

Eastern Congo is plagued by dozens of armed groups that prey on the local population and exploit mineral reserves. Millions died there between 1996 and 2003 as a regional conflict caused hunger and disease.

The government has blamed the ADF for nearly all of the attacks near Beni in the last year, although some analysts argue that other armed groups or criminal gangs are probably involved.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015—39

•Bello

law, the sole beneficiary of the votes casted on November 21. They argued that no other candidate would have the legal propriety to the votes casted in favour of the Audu/Faleke ticket.

With the expected declaration of Yahaya Bello as the party’s candidate, hostilities may take the battle to the law courts as Faleke is poised for a showdown with the NWC of his party.

Taking the issue to the legal wires may test the cohesion of the APC as the party may be forced to wield the big harmer against the politician known as him.

Smart as he is, Faleke has succeeded in striking a chord of interest with the political dynasty of the late Prince Abubakar Audu.

He was said to have succeeded in wooing Mohammed Audu, son of the late politician to his side. Inside sources told Vanguard that Faleke has already penciled down Mohammed as his running mate.

But whether Kogi East people are in tandem with Mohammed Audu’s “pact” with Faleke is left to be seen. Kogi East has prided itself as the power base of the state, having ruled the state from inception.

It is on record that every elected governor of the state since 1992 had been an Igala man. Both the Okun and the Ebira have been settling for the positions of the deputy governor and House of Assembly speaker.

The looming shift of power base from the East to the Central and West is believed to be generating ripples among leaders of Kogi East.

Kogi Impasse: Plots and counter plots

By Kingsley Fanwo

F

ROM a seamless electioneering campaign to an acrimonious polls and now a season of inconclusiveness: inconclusive death, inconclusive election and inconclusive replacement, the brouhaha generated by the Kogi polls is fast turning into a national problem.

With increasing political intensity, the warring factions are poised to push things to the wires in their bid to be crowned the next Lord of the Lugard House, Lokoja.

The sudden death of Prince Abubakar Audu, the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate in the early hours of Sunday, November 22, 2015, has thrown the state into a frenzy, power play and resurgence of ethnic and religious hostilities.

With the APC given the opportunity to replace its candidate, renewed hostilities were ignited as the winner of the APC ticket has a 98 percent chance of winning the governorship. APC requires just 4500 of the 49,000 votes up for grab in the supplementary polls.

The stakes are very high with the likes of Mohammed Audu, Isah Jibrin Echocho, Yahaya Bello and Abiodun Faleke as contenders .

However, it emerged on Friday that Yahaya Bello has been favoured by the National Working Committee of the party (NWC) and the presidency. Other aspirants to the APC throne vacated by Audu onaccount of death are hell bent on giving Yahaya Bello a run for his money.

Yahaya Bello, a business magnate of international repute was one of the frontrunners for the party’s governorship ticket ahead of the August 29, 2015 primaries. Analysts are of the opinion that Yahaya Bello would have won the primaries but for the lack of unity among the contenders from Kogi Central.

Bello fought for the ticket with all his might and was on the verge of nipping it before the National Legal Adviser of the party advised against stripping the late Audu of the ticket.

Nonetheless, proponents of the Faleke candidacy are coming up with cogent issues. To them, Faleke held a joint ticket with the late politician and by logic and C M Y K

Unusual power If Yahaya Bello sails through as governor, he would be the first governor outside of Kogi East. With Faleke being projected as his deputy and the Speaker also from the same local council, Kogi East may have to put up with an unusual power scenario for four years, a situation that is not going down well with the people of Igala extraction.

The angst of the East is understandable.

They have been in power for 23 years and had the opportunity to extend it by another four years before fate truncated the dream.

Having secured the governorship tickets of both APC and People’s Democratic Party, PDP, the Igala had thought that it was only a matter of time before one of their own takes over at the Lugard House in January 2015.

But with the death of Prince Abubakar Audu with an almost unassailable lead for the APC and the decision of the APC hierarchy to go with the candidature of Bello, it has become a twist of fortune for the Eastern fortress.

With the political arithmetic failing the East, political leaders in the zone are already working on a number of options, including but not limited to legal actions.

A political leader from Kogi East who craved anonymity said the Igala are coalescing under the Igala Unity Umbrella.

40—VANGUARD, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015

BAYELSA DECIDES

Sylva who appeared to have perfected plans to oust Dickson with the tactical backings of key political juggernauts in the state is on a ‘revenge mission’, and the omen seems to be tilting in his favour

•Sylva

Sylva springs back TWO or three years ago, only few would have imagined former Governor Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa State bouncing back to political reckoning. Sylva is today at the threshold of making a historic comeback as governor in the forthcoming elections.

By Emem Idio

A

FTER his disqualification from the 2011 Peoples Democratic Party, PDP governorship primaries which produced Hon Seriake Dickson, Timipire Sylva’s travails continued as he was subsequently hounded by the

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over alleged corrupt charges.

His humiliating disqualification from the PDP primary election was a product of a well-orchestrated plot by some de facto godfathers in the state who at that time where not comfortable with Sylva.

Many believed that his political career had come to an end and that his political dynasty would crumble. It was especially so after Sylva went on a self-imposed-exile away from the politics of the state.

Fast forward to 2014 when

the PDP began disintegrating.

Sylva began romancing with the new PDP, nPDP, before he formally joined the All Progressives Congress, APC, whose fortunes blossomed with the victory of the party in the general election that saw the party defeat the incumbent PDP at the centre. Suffice to say that the biggest winner in the 2015 presidential poll in Bayelsa State was Sylva, being the linkman between the national and state chapters of the party. Indeed, the defeat of the PDP altered the state’s political equation and opened new doors for Sylva to bounce back into political reckoning.

How time has changed. Few years ago, Dickson was backed by federal might with former President Jonathan, giving his political godson the tacit support but today, Dickson is practically crying everywhere that Sylva is using federal might to plot his comeback.

Sylva who appeared to have perfected plans to oust Dickson with the tactical backings of key political juggernauts in the state is on a ‘revenge mission’, and the omen seems to be tilting in his favour.

At a parley with Elders of the state including traditional rulers and founding fathers penultimate week, Sylva took time to explain to the gathering that his ambition was not inordinate, but based on the conviction that his aspiration is based on true justice as he

Continues on page 34

Deputy governor Jonah is major asset to PDP ticket in Bayelsa

By Lindsay Barrett

A

LTHOUGH when Seriake Dickson chose him to be his running mate in 2012retired Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah, OON, was regarded by many observers as being a political neophyte his performance as Deputy Governor over the last four years has proven the choice to have been highly appropriate. The accomplished Naval Engineer whose illustrious career in the military had seen him rise to become the Commandant of the National Defence College (Nigeria’s highly rated War College) in Abuja, before his voluntary retirement, has been a calm and steady lieutenant to the outspoken and sometimes volatile Governor who, though he is his junior in age, is certainly far more experienced than him in partisan politicking.

Some analysts have suggestedthat theselection of Jonah had actually been

predicated precisely on the presumption that he would lend an air of maturity and technocratic experience to the ticket. However some observers expressed the fear that Governor Dickson’s wellknown penchant for radical and swift action would clash with his Deputy’s more cautious style.

Instead the working relationship between them has proven to be highly complementary and harmonious and has led to a situation where Admiral Jonah is being regarded today as an important asset for the PDP and Governor Dickson as they face a bruising contest for re-election this weekend.

While Admiral Jonah’s importance to the ticket is enhanced by his communal origin this is not the key factor that renders his presence on it a welcome and supportive asset.

He is from Nembe in the Eastern Senatorial District, which is also the home constituency of the APC challenger Chief Timipre Sylva, and as a respected elder from that

coastal oilbearing region he can mobilise profound traditional respect.

H o w e v e r, beyond that he is also one of the state’s most qualified technocrats with a profound reputation for competence •Seriake Dickson & John Jonah during a campaign and visionary he conceptualised and administrative capabilities. Midshipman Course in 1976/77.

Admiral Jonah brings a history When he proceeded to India for supervised the construction of the first locally produced warship of extraordinary professional further studies his record was the NNS Andoni. With this successes in his military career equally brilliant. illustrious background as the to his new political career. He His rise in rank throughout his foundation on which to build his graduated from his initial Cadet service reflected the academic course as the Best Naval Cadet brilliance of his early training as collaboration with the Governor, in 1975. He gained a First Class he proved to be a superb Admiral Jonah is being touted as at the Britannia Royal College, manager of men and materiel. one of the best reasons why the voters in Bayelsa should consider Dartmouth, in the UK, where he Admiral Jonah showed himself undertook the Internal to be a historic visionary when returning the PDP ticket to office this weekend.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015—41

Why we decided for Dickson — Bina C

By Samuel Oyadongha

HAIRMAN of State Waterways Security in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Bello Bina yesterday advanced reasons for what he said was the increasing support coming the way of Governor Seriake Dickson for a second term.

According to him, the rising support was due to the verifiable achievements in the area of security, infrastructural development and promising future for the people of the state.

Bina said though the All Progressive Congress (APC), has put forward a flag bearer known for his deficient antecedents as one time governor of the state, the decision by the people of the state and the PDP to affirm their support for Dickson was based on his performance in the last four years.

Bina, a grassroots mobiliser and chieftain of the PDP stated this in an interview in Yenagoa.

He said in spite of the fact that Bayelsa is a PDP stronghold, the performance of Governor Seriake Dickson has convinced the people on the difference between the APC and the PDP. “The choice between two products must be made and the people have chosen the better one. The people of Bayelsa State cannot make a bad choice by choosing Timipre Sylva,” he said.

Bina, who described himself as a personal friend of Chief Timipre Sylva and the Chairman of the Brass Local Government Area when Sylva was a political adviser to the deceased first civilian governor of the state, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, said the APC flag bearer does not deserve the votes of the people of the state.

•Dickson His words, “If Sylva has the low allocation that had been well managed by the Seriake Dickson’s administration and achieve the verifiable level of development, the state would have collapsed.

“The people should look at the

Inspite of the fact that Bayelsa is a PDP stronghold, the performance of Governor Seriake Dickson has convinced the people on the difference between the APC and the PDP

personality of the duo of the incumbent Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson and Chief Timipre Sylva. They should consider the fact that a man without a home in his state cannot govern the people.

Sylva has never won elections in Bayelsa State.

“If Sylva wins the December 5 election, I will go on exile.”

On crime and kidnapping, he said though the increasing cases of crime and criminality was instigated by some political elements in the state, the present administration has placed some politicians and exmilitant leaders under security surveillance.

“Dickson’s security policies is good and has achieved desired peace. The decision by Sylva to run for governorship race has instigated increased criminality. But the present administration is on top of the situation and has identified elements responsible,” he said.

Sylva: Dickson has abandoned AIDS patients

By Emmanuel Aziken

A

HEAD of today ’s celebration of the World’s AIDS Day, the Sylva-Igiri Campaign has raised alarm on the poor state of welfare of People Living With HIV/AIDS in Bayelsa State.

A statement by the Director of Media and Publicity of the Sylva-Igiri Campaign Organisation, Chief Nathan Egba, expressed concern that that the incumbent Seriake Dickson administration has stripped People Living With AIDS, PLWAs of benefits conferred to them by previous governments of DSP Alamieyeseigha, Dr.

Goodluck Jonathan and Chief Timipre Sylva.

In a message of solidarity with the PLWAs, the SylvaIgiri campaign said it believes that they are entitled to a better life of love and care.

The statement read in part: “During the tenure of Chief Timipre Sylva, the Gubernatorial Candidate of the APC, as Governor, the People Living With HIV/AIDS enjoyed the best of support from government.

“Then Governor Sylva, did not only give monthly stipends, but provided free Anti-Retroviral drugs for their medical maintenance with full support to the State SACA.

•Sylva Egba thus called on the PLWHIV/AIDS to support the election of Sylva on Saturday so as to experience marked improvement in their quality of life.

BAYELSA DECIDES

Group seeks probe of Dickson’s mother T HE contention for the Bayelsan governorship became more tricky yesterday after a group believed to be sympathetic to the Sylva Campaign demanded the immediate interrogation of Governor Dickson’s mother allegedly for falsifying her age to get employment in the state civil service.

The group, Concerned Bayelsans for Good Governance and Transparency in a statement issued on its behalf by Prieye Johnson also accused the governor of collaborating with his mother on the matter.

“The scandal involves the mother of the Governor, Mrs. Goldcoast Dickson, who gave birth to the Governor, when she was only 8 years old. And this is official according to the available public service records which puts the date of birth of the mother at June, 1958 while the Governor was born on 28th January,1966.

“The mother, a staff of the Tarakiri Rural Development Authority, was employed in 2004 as a Senior Cleaner with a possible forged age declaration and has been collecting salaries when in fact she would have been retired. The Governor has always portrayed himself as running a transparent government but the malfeasance around his

immediate family has put a lie to that claim.

“It however, took the petition written to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, by a group, Coalition for Good Governance and Accountability, for the Special Adviser to the Governor on Treasur y, Accounts and Revenue, Mr. Timipre Seipulou, to direct the Chairman of the Tarakiri Rural Development Authority to stop the payment of the salary to Dickson’s mother from February, 2014.

Transparency in governance “The big question: When does she go to work to carry out her duties as a Senior Cleaner? In fact, the woman lives inside the Government House, Yenagoa with her son and does not go to work but collect salaries. This is not only fraudulent but clearly rubbish any sense of transparency in governance.

“We are convinced that her engagement into the service wouldn’t have been without the knowledge and facilitation of the son, Governor Dickson.

So, who helped her falsify the age? The Staff Nominal Roll as at February, 2014 captured the status of Mrs. Goldcoast Dickson.

Sylva springs back Continued from page 43 insisted that since he was unjustifiably denied a second term, he must complete his own second term before Dickson.

According to Sylva, “I believe if as a Governor, I was allowed to run in 2012, I would have won and done my second term in office. I was disqualified from the office I was occupying.

It only happened in Bayelsa.

And I am running again for the same office, not because I forgot anything. It is because I want to possess my possession.

If our elders believe in justice, they must start the (second term) with me.

“I hear people say that let people allow this no second term syndrome end. They say let Dickson go for second term.

And I say to the people that let the second term start with me.

If you wish you may give him second term after I have served mine. I think it behooves us to put Bayelsa on the part of

Justice. I am running for office justifiably. And justifiably, I need your support.”

On the issue of alleged deployment of troops by the APC led Federal Government to rig the coming election for him, Chief Sylva described the claim as a show of cowardice by the incumbent Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson. “I am happy our elders, that you were here during the incidents that led to my exit and towards Dickson’s elections. Over 1002 Military check points were mounted in Bayelsa state.

Military helicopters and gun boats were mounted on water and the air.

“Even an armoured carrier was stationed in from t of the State Government House.

Because APC is civil and a party of change, we can never do that. What is disturbing Dickson that I have security around me. Is it that they wanted to do something to me and could not do it?”

42 — Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015

Traffic Law: Lagos to impose fines through mobile courts

By Monsuru Olowoopejo

T

HREE years after, flagrant disobedience of the 2012 Lagos State Road Traffic Law by motorist has raised questions as to whether the government has the capacity to enforce the legislation.

In a bid to show its muscle against offenders, the state government has decided to explore areas of partnership that will result in joint patrol teams comprising the Vehicle Inspection Services, VIS, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA and officials of the

Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC. To do their work with

In a bid to show its muscle against offenders, the state government has decided to explore areas of partnership that will result in joint patrol teams

dispatch, the teams will be accompanied by Mobile Courts that will ensure fines and other penalties by erring motorists are enforced promptly.

To this end, categories of offences, their fines and related actions have been issued by LASTMA authourity.

FRSC Corp Marshall, Boboye Oyeyemi at the just concluded traffic summit reiterated the importance of the court, arguing that it would afford instantaneous prosecution.

FRSC Sector Commander, Mr. Hyginus Omeje added that enforcement would be effective when there is mobile traffic

court scattered across the state.

According to him, “there is also an established need for a mobile court which will try all the traffic offenders arrested by the joint team.”

The Sector Commander noted that citizens are entitled to such services at appropriate fees.

Also, Chairman/CEO of the Lagos State Transport management Authority, LASTMA, the, Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Christian Olakpe, retd, added that whoever goes against the law would be pursued with power bike by LASTMA officials. There would

be mobile courts. I am still fit and strong to receive phone calls any time of the day.

The LASTMA CEO explained that the court is not intended to witch-hunt motorists, but to protect their lives and that of other road users in the state.

His words “On enforcement, we will touch many places and we want the local government chairmen in the state to help us do some roads in their areas.

We also want the Speaker of the House to help us increase our funding so that we can give raincoats, rain-boots and torchlights to our men.”

At the courts, the fines and penalties in the road traffic law 2012 would serve as the guiding principle for the adjudication of the law.

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015 — 43

44—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015 — 45

Why I wear khaki uniform, red beret – Sports Minister M

INISTER of Sports and Youth Development, Barrister Solomon Dalung has explained why he wears ‘Khaki’ uniform to public functions.

Nneka Ikem Anibeze, the spokesperson and Special Adviser to the Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Comrade Barrister Solomon Dalung said the Minister ‘’is a staunch activist who cares for the welfare of the masses.

His wears portray the struggle for the government to provide a better life for the people’’.

She said: “My boss is a Comrade and will like to be seen as one. He is a voice for the voiceless who loves to fight for the hopeless and the downtrodden. That is just his style. It also indicates that the struggle continues wherever he finds himself and in whatever position.”

Nneka said: “I trust my boss, he is as constant as the Northern Star. He won’t change regardless of his position. That is simply his style”, Nneka who is the first female sports Journalist to be special Adviser to a Minister said.

B

*CONTEST... Dream Team defender, Segun Tope Oduduwa (left) vies with a Malian opponent during their CAF U-23 Olympics qualifying championship in Senegal.

Ballon d’Or 2015: Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar shortlisted Messi leads nominees

T

HE Barcelona pair Lionel Messi and Neymar will be up against Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo in the vote to be named the Ballon d’Or 2015 winner.

Ronaldo has won the world’s top player award for the last two years after ending Messi’s four-year winning streak, while Neymar makes the shortlist for the first time. The

winner will be announced at a gala in Zurich on 11 January when a series of other awards are handed out.

Messi is the odds-on favourite to win his fifth Ballon d’Or and Ronaldo feels there is no reason to expect an upset. “To be honest I think Messi is going to win this year because this kind of trophy, it depends on votes,” the Portugal international said earlier this month.

NFF congress Continues from BP elections into some arms of the football fraternity in the country.

The meeting which was held at Aldgate Hotel, Perekule Street, GRA Phase 2 in the Garden City, had all the Chairmen and Secretaries, including other stakeholders of the South South football community in attendance. It was convened by the Rivers FA boss and Chairman of at least two NFF Sub-committees, Barrister Christopher Green. He is also an Executive Committee member of the NFF. After robust discussion of members from Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and River State, the congress unanimously agreed that first rate women’s sportscaster and football administrator, Aisha Falode, be adopted as the zone’s candidate for the forthcoming Nigerian Women’s League election.

The communiqué described Falode as not

Dalong commends Dream Team

for Puskas Award

B

ARCELONA superstar Lionel Messi has been nominated for the FIFA Puskas Award that credits the finest goal scored in world football during a calendar year.

Messi, who is also in contention for a fifth Ballon d’Or at FIFA’s January ceremony in Zurich, was voted through from a 10-goal selection thanks to a stunning solo effort in

Barcelona’s Copa del Rey final triumph against Athletic Bilbao in May. A goal against Barcelona - Alessandro Florenzi’s long-range strike for Roma in this season’s Champions League and Wendell Lira’s bicycle kick for Goianesia against Atletico Goianiense in Brazil’s Campeonato Goiano complete the three final contenders.

ARELY 30 minutes after a hard fought 3-2 win over Mali, the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports, Barr.

Solomon Dalong, put a call across to players and officials of the U-23 National Team (Dream Team), urging them not to rest on their oars but go all out for the Olympics ticket.

Congratulating the boys for being brave warriors to overcome the Mali hurdle, the Youth and Sports minister said no game is easy and the fact that they could withstand the pressure from the Malians goes to show that they possess the true fighting spirit of Nigerians.

“Let me assure you all that your efforts will not go unnoticed; all I ask of you is to relax, enjoy this moment, then concentrate on your next game, no game is easy, but from the much you have shown against Mali, I know you guys can make it.”

Barr. Dalong had before the game put a call across to the team, charging them not to let the nation proud.

Responding Coach Siasia thanked the Youth and Sports Minister for finding time within his busy schedule to give the team a morale -boosting call, while assuring the Minister that the team would not disappoint Nigerians.

Guardiola to reject Man City because of wife

only passionate and knowledgeable about the game, with cognate international experience, they also believed she has the capacity to help revive the dwindling fortunes of women football in the country by attracting sponsorship for the game, instead of the present situation that has seen complaints being hauled at the NFF leadership for not providing money for

the women’s game in the country.

The South South NFF Congress urged other geo-political zones to join it in reviving the Women’s game in the country.

“We are sure our brothers and sisters from other zones will join hands with us to give new direction to Women’s football in the country as it has suffered in recent times”.

Egypt coach Continues from BP minutes later with the Egyptian keeper Mosaad Awad largely to blame.

“Keeper Awad’s error cost the team a goal but such kind of errors are frequent in football,” ElBadry commented after the match.

“We were close to winning the game, especially in the first half, but we failed to capitalise on our goal-scoring chanc-

es.

“We didn’t lose the game. There are two matches remaining in the group phase and we are determined to earn positive results in these games to advance into the semis.”

The Egyptians will be looking to seal their first win of the competition when they take on Nigeria in their second Group B outing tomorrow.

P

EP Guardiola has hinted that he could happily stay at Bayern Munich and extend his contract - despite speculation linking him with a move Manchester City at the end of the season.

The Spaniard’s contract expires at the end of the campaign in Germany, where he has already enjoyed two trophy-laden seasons, picking up five titles.

According to reports in Bild on Monday, Guardiola enjoys life in Munich and his family are settled there, meaning he would agree a new deal. ‘The town is crazy. I love it. I am very satisfied, my family too,’ Guardiola is reported to have said at a fan event.

When asked if this could encourage him to stay, Guardiola said: ‘Yes, it would be a big reason.

‘We will speak after the Hannover clash (December 12) and come to the right decision for me and the club.’

Last week, Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge spoke openly about the prospect of Guardiola leaving and his belief that they can would find a world-class replacement. ‘No one is irreplaceable. Players come and go and it is the same for coaches,’ Rummenigge said.

Guardiola

Naval Officers wives thrash Ratings wives 2-0

N

AVA L O f f i c e r s ’ Wives Association (NOWA) thrashed the Nigerian Navy Rating Wives Association (NARAWA) 2-0 in a novelty football match to mark the 50th anniversary of the organization.

The Naval Officers’ Wives Association (NOWA) came into being on November 30, 1965 under the leadership of Mrs Anne Wey, wife of the first indigenous Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Jo-

seph Edet Akinwale Wey of blessed memory.

Speaking at the ceremony, wife of the Chief of Naval Staff, Mrs. Theresa Ibas said the essence of the novelty match was to enable the women relax after weeks of tasking activities.

The officers wives had during the week engaged in a seminar on the need for Nigerians, particularly naval personnel and their family members to stay away from hard drugs.

46—Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015

C M Y K

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015 — 47

S/Africa face Zambia without statement released by sia 2-1.

Farmer Safa read.

“Farmer did not comWe were lucky against Mali Sface OUTH African will plete Monday’s training Zambia in their session ahead of Zambia group A CAF Under-23 CAF U23 AFCON:

— Siasia N IGERIAN coach, Samson Siasia stated that his team was lucky to survive a Malian onslaught in their first game at the CAF Under23 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in M’bour Senegal.

Nigeria had a three goal cushion even as the Malians dominate possession in the first half.

But they came back into the game in the secondhalf forcing the Nigerians defenders to commit errors.

“We played very well in the beginning and scored three goals. The defenders made two mistakes which cost us, and they (Mali) scored twice.

The defenders panicked and they (Mali) almost equalized. I guess we were lucky to escape,”

TEAM TACTICS... Coach Samson Siasia discuss strategy with Azubuike Godson Okechukwu (14), Junior Ajayi 11 and Taiwo Awoniyi

said Siasia.

However, Midfielder, Godspower Tower Aniefiok, said the team will come out clean against the Egyptians whom they play on Wednesday. “ Now we need to focus on the next game which is equally important and we need to win to make sure we qualify for the semifinal. We are working to improve in

the next game.”

“Yes I am sure we can (against Egypt). But we will work hard to achieve that,” said the midfielder.

Godspower made his appearance in the game against Mali when he came off the bench in place of Taiwo Awoniyi in the 77th minute of the match.

African Cup of Nations without the services of defender Denwin Farmer.

The 19-year-old Super Sport United player was stretchered off the pitch in their first match against hosts Senegal and has not recovered from the clash of heads.

“Defender Denwin Farmer will play no part against Zambia. He has not recovered from the mild concussion he suffered against Senegal,” a

match. He was stretchered off against Senegal after a clash of heads.”

Bidvest Wits’ Tebogo Moerane, who has yet to feature for his club’s senior side in the PSL this season, is expected to be drafted in to replace Farmer.

Following their 3-1 loss in the first game, South Africa have it all to do against Zambia, who also lost their opening encounter against Tuni-

TODAY’S MATCHES South Africa v Zambia 4.00pm Senegal 7.00pm

v Tunisia

Kone target Algeria defeat Mali coach Cheick Oumar Kone said his team will avoid all the mistake they made in their first match against Nigeria as they take on Algeria in their second group B game on Wednesday.

Mali conceded three

goals in the first half of their opening game, but rallied round in the second half and forced the Nigerian defence to commit errors.

“We started very badly, but in the second half we played collectively.

We lifted up our game

My wife makes me score goals, Ighalo reveals

S

UPER Eagles and Watford striker, Odion Ighalo has revealed the secret of his success in the English Premier League.

The former Nigerian youth international has scored eight goals from 14 appearances for his club this season. He was on hand to lift Watford in their 3-2 win over Aston Villa last weekend.

“I want to say that my marriage which marked six years recently has made me to be a complete man,” Ighalo told Goal.

“My wife has been very crucial to my impressive career. She has been able to build a good home and she makes me and the children happy. She is everything to me.”

Not only does Sonia keep the homefront going, she is also a keen supporter of her husband’s career and regularly travels to watch him play.

She was present in Port Harcourt in mid-November when the striker led the Nigeria attack in a 20 win over Swaziland, as they qualified for the next round of 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

Watford are 11th on the log with 19 points after 14 matches. Their next match is against Norwich City at the Vicarage Road Stadium on Saturday, December 5.

Farmer

and scored twice. We could have equalized but we failed to convert some of the chances.

Such is football; you get punished if you fail to take your chances.

“Our next game against Algeria will be equally difficult. They are beatable but we have to avoid mistakes like we did against Nigeria.”

Lewandowski rakes in four Guinness world records

R

Odion Ighalo....Goal Scoring Spree...

Russia ban signing of Turkish players R USSIA has banned its football clubs from signing Turkish players, according to Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko.

Tensions between the two countries have increased after Turkey shot down a Russian jet last week, which Russia president Vladimir Putin responded to by announcing a host of sanctions including restrictions on imports of some Turkish goods and a ban on charter flights.

The sanctions have also spilled into the world of sport as Mutko, who is also

president of the Russian Football Union (RFU), revealed that Turkish players would not be allowed to move to Russia during the next transfer window.

“I think that, if anyone wants [to sign a Turkish player] during the upcoming transfer window in the winter break, there will not be such a possibility,” he told the R-Sport news agency in quotes reported

by Reuters.

“We don’t need to jump too far ahead but [the clubs] have already got the message.”

Asked whether the sports ministry was categorically telling clubs not to sign Turkish players, Mutko replied: “Of course, absolutely.”

However, the ban will not affect any player currently registered with a Russian club, such as Rubin Kazan midfielder Gokdeniz Karadeniz. “Everyone who has an existing contract will carry on working,” Mutko added.

The sports ministry has already recommended that Russian clubs cancel any planned winter tours to

Turkey, but Mutko said that any Turkish company involved in constructing stadiums for the 2018 World Cup in Russia would be allowed to continue.

OBERT Lewandowski has picked up four Guinness world records for his five-goal haul in Bayern Munich’s 5-1 Bundesliga win over Wolfsburg in September.

With the Bavarians 1-0 down at half-time, coach Pep Guardiola turned to the Poland international from the bench and the striker quickly set about turning the match on its head, netting five goals in nine second-half minutes to easily see off the 2014-15 Bundesliga runners-up.

The performance, earning praise from around the football world, has now been commemorated by Guinness, who have awarded Lewandowski with four world records.

BREAKING RECORDS: Robert Lewandowsky

Vanguard, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1 , 2015

Why I wear khaki uniform, red beret – Sports Minister Details inside

Egypt coach vows to deny Nigeria Olympic ticket E

•Siasia

•El-Badry

S’South NFF Congress okays Falode

I

T was back-slapping galore last Friday in Port Harcourt as the South South Congress of the Nigeria Football Federation met to address pressing football issues ahead of

GYPT Under-23 national team coach Hossam El-Badry remains hopeful they will progress to the semifinals of the 2015 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations, despite getting their campaign off with a draw against Algeria in their Group B opener in M’Bour on Sunday.

Zamalek winger Mahmoud ‘Kahraba’ Abdel-Moneam headed home Mohamed Hani’s free-kick to give the young Pharaohs the lead on 54 minutes, but Algeria levelled matters through USM Alger attacking midfielder Zinedine Ferhat 10

•Dalung

Ballon d’Or 2015: Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar shortlisted

Continues on Page 45

Inside

Guardiola to reject Man City because of wife

Messi leads nominees for Puskas Award My wife makes me score goals — Ighalo

Continues on Page 45

T OD AY'S PUZZLE ODA

QUICK CROSSWORD

FRI DAY'S ANS WERS FRID ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Record (4) 4 Swab (3) 6 Rear (4) 8 Posture (6) 9 Yearly (6) 10 Brown (3) 12 Salute (5) 14 Colourless (5) 15 Attain (5) 18 Tried (6) 20 Whole (6) 24 Exterior (5) 26 Postpone (5) 28 Irrigate (5) 30 Marshland (3) 32 Gather (6) 33 Decorated (6) 34 Shout (4) 35 Tree (3) 36 Peruse (4)

DOWN 2 Bury (5) 3 Change (7) 4 Encounter (4) 5 Scheme (4) 6 Seat (5) 7 Feverish (7) 11 Curve (3) 12 Obtain (3) 13 Golf-peg (3) 16 Fuss (3) 17 Smack (3) 19 Perform (7) 21 Novel (3) 22 Coach (7) 23 Hill (3) 25 Employ (3) 27 Praise (5) 29 Additional (5) 30 Liberate (4) 31 Standard (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 2, Dress 7, Score 8, Small 10, Egret 12, Apt 13, Spear 15, Proceed 17, Termed 19, Auk 20, Tempted 23, Teem 25, Dear 26, Decreed 30, Sue 31, Decide 34, Possess 37, Talon 38, Tea 39, Sitar 40, Stage 41, Igloo 42, Hello.

DOWN: 1, Scope 2, Dream 3, Regret 4, Seep 5, Smacked 6, Alter 9, Ape 11, Trapped 13, State 14, Erred 16, Out 18, Depress 21, Devil 22, Greece 24, Message 27, Cue 28, Detail 29, Motto 32, Cargo 33, Donor 35, Sea 36, Site.

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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