Cameroon recruits 20,000 to fight Boko Haram

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62311

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015

How Jonathan can ensure violence-free polls — APC, Sagay, Falae, others

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Cameroon recruits 20,000 to fight Boko Haram L

•As 2 suicide bombers, 7 others die in Yobe, Gombe explosions •Nigerian Army dismisses 203 soldiers after secret trial —Page 9 •Bomber targets ECWA Church, Gombe

BABY OF THE YEAR

AGOS — CAMEROON has said it is recruiting 20,000 more defence and security forces to fight Boko Haram following reports that the terrorist group, based in Nigeria, is recruiting young Cameroonians to fight for them.

This is just as nine persons were killed, including two suicide bombers, as multiple bomb explosions rocked Yobe and Gombe states on the eve and new year day, while 10 others were injured.

Senator Haman Paul, who hails from northern Cameroon, told VOA about Boko Haram’s recruitment of young Cameroonians to fight for the creation of an Continues on Page 5

COLUMNIST: Donu Kogbara

Entertaining insults •P.17 Mr & Mrs

First Baby of the Year 2015 in Lagos State delivered by Mrs. Ogunnaike, through caesarean operation at 12:01 a.m., a female weighing 2.3 kg, at the Lagos Island Maternity, yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez.

FEB POLLS: Men who'll decide fate of contestants in S/West •See pull-out inside C M Y K

DELTA GOV TICKET: 2ND NIGER BRIDGE: FG How God’s will won taking Igbo for granted — Okowa >>25 —OYEGUN >>13

2 — Vanguard, JANUARY 2, 2015

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POCKET CARTOON

NEW YEAR SERVICE: President Goodluck Jonathan (right) being received by the Senior Pastor, Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Pastor Paul Enenche and his wife, Mrs. Becky Enenche as he arrived for the New Year Service at the Dunamis Gospel Centre headquarters, Durumi, Abuja.

Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

Cameroon recruits 20,000 to fight Boko Haram Continues from Page 1

Islamist caliphate in northern Nigeria.

“That was something that we witnessed in Maroua (in northern Cameroon).

People told us that they found people in town that were not actually people they were used to. When we found that one part of the country is in a very delicate situation, it is better to manage prevention instead of consequences,” said Paul.

Another lawmaker from northern Cameroon, Sali Dairou, said that just last week Boko Haram seized cattle from Cameroonian ranchers who lived along the border with Nigeria’s Borno and Adamawa states, adding that the ranchers have lost

thousands of cattle.

Dairou said the militants also killed some of the cattle ranchers, while thousands of their cows went into the wild. He said this was a huge loss, adding that no rancher has the courage to go to the boundary with Nigeria to bring back his remaining cattle.

Cameroon’s Minister of Territorial Administration, Rene Emmanuel Sadi, said the threat posed by Boko Haram had led many people from the border areas to flee.

He said northern Cameroon was the hardest hit as many schools have remained closed and people are abandoning their farms and cattle.

Sadi said Boko Haram has paralyzed trade between Cameroon and

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

People who spot opportunities may simply be people who have trained themselves to look for the best possible outcome in every situation and act on it. It takes a different way of thinking — Steve Goodier David Boren, president of the University of Oklahoma, learnt an important lesson about keeping faith and learning to recognise opportunity in any given situation.

Boren learned from professional pollsters that he would most likely lose his state gubernatorial race, and lose it big.

Many people would quit the moment they receive such news. And in truth, that was his first reaction.

But he had trained himself to look for opportunities, even when confronting great obstacles. He stayed in the race and approached his campaign in a different way.

He told his listeners: “I had a professional poll taken and it shows I’ve got great potential for increasing my support.”

Boren eventually won the election and served as governor of the US State of Oklahoma.

To everyone else it may just look like you’re lucky.

But you know better. Don’t give up, go where your dreams take you.

Nigeria that has supplied 80 per cent of foodstuff and basic necessities to northern Cameroon since the two countries gained independence more than five decades ago.

Commercial activities halted

He said in addition to the woes of the economy of northern Cameroon was the fact that Nigerian fuel, which is widely used, was no longer available while business transactions and commercial activities had been completely halted by Boko Haram.

Cameroon’s Defence Minister, Edgard Alain Mebe Ngo’o, said besides the economic hardship, atrocities committed by the militant group have led to a massive movement of more than 30,000 villagers to areas of the country away from the border.

He said fear gripped the people when Boko Haram started arresting and publicly killing religious leaders and chiefs who collaborate with the government of Cameroon in some villages that neighbour Nigeria’s Borno state.

Effect of unrest

Another effect of the unrest has been that commercial banks are unable to recover loans granted to farmers and cattle ranchers and now have decided not to give loans to people along Cameroon’s border with Nigeria.

Cameroon’s Police chief, Martin Mbarga Nguelle, said that the country had decided to recruit some 20,000 defence and security forces to fight and restore

security in the border areas.

He said Cameroonian President Paul Biya had instructed him to recruit 4,700 policemen this year and 5,000 next year. The military is also recruiting at least 6,000 Cameroonian youths this year.

Cameroon joined Nigeria, Benin, Chad and Niger in sharing intelligence and border surveillance.

Cameroon is working with the four African nations plus the United States, France, China and Germany in a new regional African effort against the extreme Islamists.

9 killed in Yobe, Gombe explosions

Meanwhile, nine persons were killed, including two suicide bombers, as multiple bomb explosions rocked Yobe and Gombe states on the eve and new year day, while 10 others were injured.

On Wednesday, witnesses said that seven people were killed when a bus exploded in a village close to Potiskum, the commercial capital of northern Yobe.

“The bus went up in flames from multiple blasts that killed all seven men inside,” said Hambali Baidu, a resident of Maiduwa village, which lies some 60 kilometers (40 miles) from the city.

No official confirmation of the death toll has been given.

“We heard series of explosions from the bus, which went flying into the air in flames,” said Usman Haruna, another resident.

“They were no doubt Boko Haram militants on their way to carry out attacks.”

Suicide bomber shot dead

Later same day, a female suicide bomber was killed as she tried to enter a military barracks.

Soldiers opened fire on the woman when she refused to be searched as she approached the barracks in Bolari, in Gombe State, detonating the explosives belt she was wearing, according to eyewitness accounts.

The woman, who was wearing a hijab, was killed instantly, witnesses said.

“The woman refused to stop and continued to advance towards the military guards at the gates despite repeated orders for her to stop at a distance,” said Shuaibu Nasir, who lives near the gates of the barracks.

“The soldiers opened fire on the woman, who quickened her pace towards

them, and as they fired shots at her she exploded with a loud sound that shook our buildings,” Nasir said.

Wednesday ’s blast prompted policemen to fire warning shots in the air, causing panic among residents, Nasir said.

Another resident, Ahmed Baballe, said the would-be bomber was “blown to pieces” by the impact of the explosion.

“The soldiers did not take chances with the woman and opened fire when she showed no sign of stopping to be searched,” Baballe said.

ECWA targeted

Also yesterday, several people were injured at the entrance of Tudun Wada ECWA Church, Gombe, when a suicide bomber set off his explosive.

The spokesman of the state Police Command, DSP Fwaje Atajiri, told newsmen in Gombe that a suicide bomber rode on a motorcycle and tried to enter the church a few minutes after 8a.m.

He said: “He came with a motorcycle and tried to enter the place but as a result of the security measures put in place, he was blocked and the bomb exploded, killing him instantly,” Atajiri said.

In his account, the head of the Nigerian Red Cross in Gombe, Abubakar Yakubu said “there was an explosion outside the ECWA church this morning. A suicide bomber who was restrained from getting into the church blew himself up. Luckily no one was killed but some people were mildly injured.”

An eye witness, Malam Aminu Muhammad, whose house is close to the blast scene, said he was indoors when he heard a loud sound.

“When I heard the sound, I immediately came out, and what I saw was horrible. I saw human parts scattered everywhere with blood and pieces of motorcycle which the suicide bomber rode on,” Muhammad said.

Another eyewitness, Dahiru Badamasi who lives in the neighbourhood said the suicide bomber arrived during the service at the Evangelical Church of West Africa in Gombe and refused to park his motorcycle outside a security barrier set up by volunteers.

“He insisted on riding through the barrier. It was while he was arguing with the volunteers that his suicide belt exploded.”

Another witness, Jummai Maifada said he heard an explosion and rushed outside.

“I saw a man leading three children with their new dresses stained with blood,” he said Malam Abdullahi Isah, the Secretary, Gombe Specialist Hospital, said 10 injured persons were brought to the hospital.

According to him, the victims sustained various injuries and were undergoing treatment, adding that one of them was taken to the theatre.

Gombe, has until recently been spared the violence that has shaken the neighbouring states of Yobe, Borno and Adamawa, where Boko Haram has taken around 20 towns.

On Wednesday a female suicide bomber was killed as she tried to enter a military barracks in Gombe.

Seven others died in a bus explosion Wednesday in a village close to Potiskum, in Yobe state.

President Goodluck Jonathan, had, Thursday, promised to re-equip and re-position the armed forces “to enhance their capacity to win the ongoing war against terror and insurgency.”

He said:“We will bring justice to the savage terrorists known as Boko Haram. They will be defeated. We will not forget. We will not look the other way.”

6—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015

Road accidents killed 139 in Zamfara — FRSC

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HE Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Zamfara Command, said 139 persons died in road accidents in the state between January and December, 2014.

The Sector Commander, Mr. Amos Thliza, disclosed this at a one-day programme entitled Overview of Corporate Strategic Goals, organized by the command, yesterday in Gusau.

He said during the period, the command also recorded 130 road accidents across the state.

Thliza said: “237 vehicles were involved in those accidents, affecting 1,444 people in which 859 recorded various degrees of injury and 139 persons lost their lives.

“In an effort to minimize road accidents in the state, we embarked on public enlightenment campaigns, using different media outfits to tell people the hazards of misusing roads.”

The Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Sunusi Kwatarkwashi, blamed most of the accidents on the prevalence of unqualified drivers.

Kwatarkwashi, who is also the Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, said people should be properly trained before driving vehicles on highways.

He commended FRSC for organizing the programme, which he said would generate ideas that would help to minimize road accidents.

UDOTOT: Akwa Ibom cultural group celebrating the New Year at Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos, yesterday. Udotot is the traditional name of the masquerade. PHOTO: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

Navy rescues 2 expatriates abducted by fellow expatriates in Delta

By Egufe Yafugborhi

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ARRI—TWO foreign shipping experts working on-board a Panamanian vessel, MT Equinox, at a tank farm in Sapele, Delta State, have been rescued by the Nigerian Navy after being held hostage by fellow expatriates for almost two weeks at a hotel in Warri.

The victims, identified as Mr. Radu, a Romanian and Sergej, Latenian, Captain and Chief Engineer, respectively, were

working on a lease contract for Ringadas Oil Company, operators of the Sapele tank farm when they were abducted.

Commodore Musa Gemu, Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Delta, who handed the victims to their respective embassies at the Warri naval base, accused one Didier, a German, and Roussel, Belgian, of masterminding the abduction.

Gemu said that Didier, company representative and

Roussel, Security Manager at Ringadas Oil Company lured the MT Equinox’s Captain and Chief Engineer out of the vessel on December 19, 2014, over allegation of cargo shortage.

He said: “They kidnapped and held Radu and Sergej captive first at Sapele till late hour and relocated them to a hotel in Warri till December 27, 2014, where they were held for almost two weeks before NNS Delta patrol team went to rescue them.

Robbers kill one, shoot journalist in Delta

By Festus Ahon & Perez Brisibe

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GHELLI—RESIDENTS of Ughelli, Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State, were Wednesday night thrown into apprehension as suspected armed bandits went on rampage, killing a retired principal, Chief E. Ekee on Ogbojuku Street and also shot the Publisher of Rainbow Newspaper, Mr. Matthias Ogbagah on Ogodo Street.

The gunmen, numbering over seven, stormed the area between 8p.m. and 9p.m., shot

sporadically as they made their way out.

Speaking to Vanguard at his hospital bed, Mr. Ogbagah, who is also the Financial Secretary of the Ughelli chapel, Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, said he walked into the gunmen numbering seven, who were already within his compound before he was shot at close range.

He said: “Immediately I entered the compound, they accosted me and collected my phones and the money in my pocket after which I was shot by one of them who was armed

and they left me, thinking I was dead.

“Realizing they had gone, I tried to seek for help by hopping and jumping the fence behind the compound, only for them to shoot at me on sighting me trying to scale the fence. At that point, I acted like I was dead after which I was rescued.”

It will be recalled that the same journalist, on November 15, 2014, sustained lifethreatening cuts when he was attacked by three gunmen, who were later arrested by members of the Ughelli

Vigilante Outfit.

Efforts to reach family members of the deceased, Chief E. Ekee, who hails from Irri, Isoko South Local Government Area of the state for comments on the development, proved abortive at press time.

However, the state Police Public Relations Office, Celestina Kalu, confirmed the killing of Chief Ekee.

Kalu said the police was on the trail of the suspected hoodlums and expressed hope that the criminals would be arrested and brought to book.

“The mere allegation of shortage of cargo delivered to the company since November 15 and 28, 2014 was never reported to the Nigerian Navy that granted the company approval for the conveyance and discharge of product.”

Gemu said the action of the suspected abductors not only violates the Nigerian municipal laws of kidnapping and unlawful hostage taking, “it also violates the International Maritime Law and diplomatic law with regard to a foreign vessel flying her domicile flag with foreign Captain being removed from their vessel and held hostage without recourse to lay down procedures.

“The action of Didier and Roussel is a clear indication that hostage taking is not peculiar to Nigerians, rather foreigners in our midst are also becoming lawless. There is need, therefore, to critically investigate the acts of Didier and Roussel.”

Elated Radu and Sergej, the victims, joined by their lawyer, Nnamdi Ukamba, who received them on behalf of their company and respective embassies, expressed gratitude to men of NNS Delta for rescuing them.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015—7

Seven-month-old baby dies in Lagos inferno z14 fire incidents recorded on New Year eve

By Bose Adelaja & Monsuru Olowoopejo

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AGOS—THE New Year celebration was a sour one for residents of 2, Morountola Street, Ijanikin area of Lagos, as a seven-month-old baby boy, Raphael Olawola, was reportedly burnt in a fire that consumed a bungalow in the area.

Meanwhile, the state also recorded no fewer than 14 fire disaster on the last day of 2014, destroying property, which value is yet to be ascertained.

The state fire service had last year revealed that 1,632 fire disasters were recorded between January and December 21, 2014.

The Morountola Street fire was said to have started in one of the rooms at 2a.m., when the unidentified mother was cooking in her one bedroom

apartment, while the baby was asleep.

Eyewitnesses’ account said the woman allegedly stayed back to prepare food for the New Year celebration, while her husband went to church leaving their son inside the room.

Tragedy was said to have struck when the cooking pot went up in flames, while the woman was engaged at the back of the building.

A co-tenant, who noticed the fire was said to have raised an alarm but the fire spread very fast and consumed the entire room within seconds.

Un-neighbourly

Vanguard gathered that the occupants of the buildings were not in good terms with one another, a situation which prevented quick response from co-tenants until the situation had got out of hand.

The Director, Lagos State Fire Services, Razaq Fadipe, who confirmed the development to Vanguard said his men got wind of the situation through a distress call.

He added that the fire had consumed the room before their arrival, but that the officials were able to curtail the fire from spreading to other apartments.

He said the building consist of six rooms and a shop, while the charred remain of the infant was recovered and handed over to the Police.

He said: “At 2: 07a.m., we responded to a distress call at 22, Morountola Street on Lagos/Badagry Expressway by Ijanikin, which is a bungalow building of six rooms and a shop, which fire was curtailed from spreading to other buildings.

“However, a male infant of about seven months old was

discovered dead during the fire fighting operations and handed over to the Police from the Ijanikin Division.

“Our preliminary investigations reveal that the fire resulted from an in-room cooking, where the infant was also kept.”

Other incidents

Some of the other fire disasters occurred at Gideon Schools, besides Isolo General Hospital, Isolo; two block of flats at Zone A, Iba Housing Estate, Ojo Local Government; another flat on the 6th floor of a nine-storey building on Mosley Street, Ikoyi, and a section of Apapa branch of Ecobank Nigeria Plc. Fadipe said the agency responded to all the fire disasters, blaming the increase in the number of disasters recorded in Lagos on human errors.

PEACE DAY: Roman Catholic faithful march on Calabar streets to mark World Day of Peace in Calabar, Cross River State, yesterday. NAN PHOTO.

Bayelsa boat owners partner JTF against crude oil theft, piracy

By Samuel Oyadongha

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ENAGOA—BOAT owners and drivers in Bayelsa State, yesterday, unveiled a security partnership with the Joint Task Force, JTF, code named Operation Pulo Shield, with the setting up of a special task force to identify and assist security agents to arrest suspected pirates and illegal bunkerers in the state.

They said the partnership would further boost intelligence gathering, engagement of unemployed

youths by the task force and campaign in coastal communities against illicit arms dealing and other violent crimes.

Chairman of the Maritime Workers Union, Lloyd Sese, who disclosed this in Yenagoa, said the partnership with JTF and the setting up of the maritime task force would commence in the next couple of weeks.

He called on youths involved in illicit activities on the waterways and creeks of the state to drop their arms and embrace the Special Task Force programme.

According to him, “the programme will give youths the opportunity to help security operatives in the state to curb the activities of pirate and crude oil theft that is crippling the economy of the state.

“I call on the youths involved in piracy to drop their arms and work with security agents in the state to ensure safe maritime transportation.

“In this age, the society is free for everybody that wishes the good things of life.

“Therefore, I call on the youths to drop their arms and leave the creeks and do something meaningful with

their lives.

“We intend to set up a special maritime task force to help security agents combat pirate's activities and many of our youths will, through this programme, be gainfully employed.

“I want them to abandon piracy and embrace the various skill acquisition programmes the government intends to provide.”

Sese also commended the commander of JTF, Major General Emmanuel Atewe, for effectively providing security for travellers on the waterways during this yuletide.

Late Ondo doctor's family petitions IG

By Dayo Johnson

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KURE—THE family of the medical doctor of the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Owo, Ondo State, Dr. David Oguntuase, who died in the Akure inferno, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, saying it no longer has confidence in the state police officers handling the matter.

Oguntuase died in the fire that gutted his private clinic in Akure on Christmas Day. The petition by the brother of the late doctor, Otunba Ben Oguntuase, urged the IG “to compel full investigation into the incident with a view to identifying the perpetrators and bringing them to book.

“If done, justice would not only be served and serve as an expression of condolences, it will also provide the fortitude the family needs to bear the horrific loss of unimaginable proportion.

“The last thing known of the Consultant Paediatrician at the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Owo, was that he went to his clinic at Araromi area of Akure in the evening of December 24, 2014, but the charred remains of his body were found in his completely burnt down clinic.

“We complained to the ‘A’ Division of the Ondo State Police Command, from where officers came to visit the scene.

“Clearly, what was discovered at the scene of the incident pointed in the direction of assassination and arson given the state of his body and the condition of the building.

“We were, however, surprised to read in the media a statement credited to the Police Public Relations Officer of the state command that the death was due to fire caused by electric surge, thus giving the impression that it was an accident.

“In particular, he was also alleged in the media to have confirmed that scores of people sustained injuries in the midnight inferno.

“As far as we know, the state fire service has not been invited by the Police in Akure to visit the scene and we also know that other than the victim, no one was injured in the fire.”

8—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015

By Dapo Akinrefon

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PPOSITION party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday welcomed President Goodluck Jonathan’s New Year message to ensure next year ’s elections are free, fair and devoid of violence, but listed conditions that must be met to achieve this.

Similarly, National Chairman of Social Democratic Party, SDP, Chief Olu Falae, eminent lawyer, Professor Itse Sagay (SAN), and other stakeholders have all agreed that once the elections are free, fair and transparent, there will not be any basis for anybody to react negatively.

APC, in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said it welcomed the stated commitment of President Jonathan, in his New Year message, to the conduct of free, fair and violence-free elections this year, but urged the President to match the commitment with action.

According to the statement, “the party expressed satisfaction that the President and his party have come out publicly to join APC in pledging commitment to successful and violence-free polls next month. ‘’In a statement we issued on December 28, 2014, we assured Nigerians that we will do everything in our power to make the 2015 elections violence-free. Since then, PDP National Chairman Adamu Muazu and the President have joined us in making similar pledges.

“This is a welcome development that will gladden the hearts of our citizens who are very apprehensive about the forthcoming elections.”

How to achieve it— APC

APC, however, said the best way to make the elections free, fair and devoid of violence is for the Federal Government to ensure a level-playing field for all the parties by not tampering with the independence of INEC, not using the security agencies to witch-hunt the opposition and not deliberately disenfranchising all those who are qualified to vote.

“If an election is free, fair and transparent and seen to be so by all, it will be easy for all concerned to accept the outcome, and there will be no violence. Violence only occurs when there is a realization that the process has been skewed against some in favour of others.”

It restated its assurance to Nigerians and the international community that it will do all in its power to make sure that the 2015 general elections are violence-free.

APC said: “We also restate our stand that even with the little time left for the elections to hold, a meeting of the

How Jonathan can ensure peaceful polls— APC, SAGAY, FALAE, OTHERS zAs APC advocates roundtable with PDP

CONFAB: From left— Umar Jibo, National Organizing Secretary, Forum for the Patriotic Members of All Progressives Congress, APC; Col Hamid Ali (retd), representative of APC's presidential candidate, and Alhaji Lawal Garba, Chairman of the Forum, during the forum's conference at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: Abayomi Adeshida. leadership of the two main political parties, APC and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will send a powerful message to our compatriots and indeed the international community and douse the tension that is building up ahead of the elections.”

I agree with him, but...—SAGAY

Eminent lawyer, Professor Itse Sagay, in his reaction, said though he agrees with President Jonathan’s speech to deal with all those who foment trouble during the elections, the President must ensure he conducts a free, fair and credible election next month.

Speaking with Vanguard, he said: “Those are the two points in the whole story. If he will not tolerate what happened in 2011, he must ensure that the elections are free, fair and credible.

“If they are free, fair and credible, there will not be any basis for anybody to react negatively.

“Once he has agreed that the elections will be free, fair and credible, in other words, votes must count and the person that is declared winner is the one that received the highest votes, then honestly what he is saying is logical.

“In such a situation, what happened in 2011 cannot be

tolerated because no one should resort to violence or anger against the wishes of the people. So, I agree with him.”

Deal with anyone found culpable —FALAE

On his part, National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Chief Olu Falae, said those found culpable of attempting to foment trouble during and after the elections should be dealt with according to the law.

He said: “The authorities should ensure that we have free and fair elections and that anyone trying to disrupt elections or cause violence should be dealt with according to the law. That is what civilized societies do and that is what we must have.”

We agree with Jonathan —AREWA YOUTHS

Throwing its weight behind the President’s decision not to tolerate post-election violence, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, AYCF, said it concurred with his decision.

Its National President, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, who spoke with Vanguard, said: “I concur with the President because the kind of statement emanating from these political actors is not

encouraging.

“Sometimes they make statements and you begin to wonder whether they are truly Nigerians. The country is bigger than anybody: be it Jonathan or the opposition parties.

“We must not allow the country to be run as it if we are running a banana republic where there is no law and order and where people get away with evil.

People must know their limitations.”

He need not pay lip service— LP

Also speaking, the Labour Party, LP, urged the President not to pay lip service to his statement, but must follow it with actions.

Its National Secretary, Mr. Kayode Ajulo, in a chat, said: “I concur with his statements because the President owes all Nigerians the duty to ensure law and order.

“Whether we like or not, the aftermath of the 2011 elections was a breakdown of law and order and it is his duty to ensure that all Nigerians are safe.

“Labour Party was the first party that raised issues over inciting statements and that they must be stopped. I think the President need not pay lip service to it. He should follow it with action.”

Afenifere

In its reaction, pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organization, Afenifere, said it was imperative for the Federal Government to maintain law and order during and after the elections.

Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, said: “I think the two are linked. There is a need to conduct free and fair elections and also ensure that losers accept the results of the elections.

“But no serious nation will allow people take laws into their hands and begin to perpetuate violence in the name of elections.

“I have heard comments like rig and roast before the elections and I think there is no responsible leadership that should allow the lives of its citizens to be put in jeopardy because some politicians want power.

“People should vie for elective positions, but they should not shed the blood of Nigerians because they want power. I believe there is a need to maintain law and order. It is only those who want to cause trouble or mayhem that should be afraid of such directive.

“Those who want peace for the country have nothing to worry about and elections should not be about bloodbath. It should not be about violence or killing of citizens, who the politicians profess they want to serve.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015—9

My gov ambition intact, says Labaran Maku

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SESSION: Members of the #Bring BackOurGirls, during a New Year Special Session for the Abducted Chibok girls, in Abuja.

Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan

FG budgets N445m for Federal Secretariat security

.To spend N140m on Independence, Democracy days .EFCC to fuel vehicles with N200m

By Soni Daniel, Regional Editor, North

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HE

FEDERAL

Government has earmarked the sum of N445 million to provide adequate security at the Federal Secretariat, Abuja.

However, the amount, which is to be managed by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, will only be used to provide the specified security equipment in selected Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, considered possible terrorists' targets by the administration.

The details of the expenditure are contained in the 2015 budget breakdown, which our correspondent sighted in Abuja last night.

Under the package, the government plans to acquire and instal what it calls “under-vehicle inspection system,” hand-held explosive detectors and bomb inhibitors at the selected MDAs in Abuja and upgrade some electrical components at the same secretariat within the year.

The sum of N295.2 million will go for the security equipment while the balance of N150 million will be used in the upgrade of the electrical components of the Federal Secretariat, Abuja.

And in spite of the hue and cry over dwindling government resources arising from falling oil prices in the past few months, the Federal Government will still

cough out a sum of N140 million for the celebration of this year’s Democracy and Independence days.

Although the lump sum is put in the budget as an ‘’ongoing project,” the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, where the money has been put, did not give a breakdown of how the huge sum will be spent, who will handle it and why.

In a similar manner, the sum of N765 million has been put as a lump sum for the issuance of

National Identity Cards by the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, but details were not given by the same office of the SGF, where the commission is domiciled as a parastatal.

NIMC also has another N120 million for what it calls “Development of Direct Access to National ID Database,” but it did not give any break-down of how the money would be utilised.

For this year alone, the commission has been allocated the sum of N6.8 billion expenditure envelop. Of the

amount only N1.14 billion will be used for capital projects while the balance of N5.1 billion will service recurrent activities.

Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, plans to spend the sum of N200 million on the fuelling of its vehicles and generating sets within the year.

The sum of N100 million each will go into the purchase of motor fuel and plant fuel within the financial year, according to the details of the budget for 2015.

AFIA — Labaran Maku, the immediate past Minister of Information, yesterday, said that his ambition to contest in the 2015 governorship election in Nasarawa State is intact.

The former minister said this while delivering his New Year message at St. Williams Cathedral, Lafia.

Maku said that in spite of what happened recently at the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, primary election, he was still moving on with his ambition to contest in the 2015 governorship election.

He disclosed that the Appeal Panel had yet to respond to the petition he submitted to it on the outcome of the state’s governorship primaries conducted by the PDP. “I want to assure my supporters that no amount of conspiracy by a few people will stop me from contesting the 2015 general elections,” he said.

He advised the electorate not to vote for candidates on religious or ethnic basis, but to choose those with dispositions to tackle the challenges confronting the state.

Nigerian Army dismisses 203 soldiers after secret night trial

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HE NIGERIAN Army has dismissed 203 soldiers after a secret court martial held in the dead of the night, for allegedly disobeying a direct order from their commanding officer According to an online journal, Premium Times, one of the sacked soldiers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the soldiers were dismissed for asking for support equipment, following the army’s plan to convey them in a tipper for an operation in Bama and Gwoza, two strongholds of Boko Haram insurgents.

The soldier, who is originally of the 19th Battalion in Okitipupa in Ondo State, but attached to the 7th division in Maiduguri, said the army

detained them for over 90 days before dismissing them after a mid-night trial. He said they are owed up to five months in unpaid salaries.

Narrating the event that led to their dismissal, the soldier said his unit reconvened in Maiduguri last August, after they were dislodged by the insurgents in Damboa in an operation where their commanding officer and several other soldiers were killed.

He said they were given two weeks pass and that at the expiration of their pass, they were issued new uniforms, boots and 30 rounds of bullets each as opposed to the statutory 60 rounds. And were going to be conveyed in a tipper lorry to Gwoza and Bama for an

operation.

He said having engaged the insurgents in several past battles, majority of the soldiers argued that the operation would be fierce, and therefore, requested support equipment.

“So we asked for support weapons. No support weapon was provided. Our Commanding Officer, CO, said he would discuss with the General Officer Commanding, GOC, of the 7 Division at the headquarters.

When he came back, he said we should stand down. We thought all was well,” our source said.

But the request made by the soldiers fetched them more than they bargained for.

The next day their new CO, Mohammed A, a lieutenant colonel from 195 battalion,

Agenebode, ordered them to submit their weapons and uniforms or be charged with mutiny.

“On the morning of 16 of August, after the GOC briefing, our commander started calling our names and he said anyone whose name is called should submit his uniform and weapon.

He added that anyone who failed to do that would be charged for mutiny. We were surprised at what was happening.

“He started from the most senior soldier among us, a warrant officer who had served for almost 30 years. They asked us to go back to the barrack. It is a war zone and our weapons had been taken from us. Staying around was of no use, so we left Maiduguri and went back home.”

10— Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015

Fashola, others usher in 2015 with Lagos Countdown L

By Olasunkanmi Akoni with agency reports

AGOS—GOVERNOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos , Billionaire Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola, Nigerian Breweries boss, Kufre Ekanem, among others ushered in the new year with a countdown in Lagos.

Fashola, who described the programme as a huge success, expressed profound gratitude and appreciation to the corporate organizations who partnered with the state government to organise the 2014 Lagos Countdown The 2014 Lagos countdown which was organized by the Lagos State Government through the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency, LASAA, came to an end yesterday with the ushering in of the New Year with great fireworks.

“Government should give us hope and create employment opportunities for the teeming youths who roam the streets without jobs,” Wejem said.

Dr Nkechi Asogwa, a medical practitioner, called on government to prioritise health care at all levels and make it more accessible.

“Government at the local, state and federal levels should give attention to health issues,” she said.

Asogwa urged the

governments to stem the tide of losses to communicable and non-communicable diseases in the country.

She called for improvement in the public health sector, noting that many Nigerians do not have the wherewithal to pay for expensive health facilities at private hospitals.

Mr Deji Makinde, an Insurance Marketer said that government should intensify its fight against terrorism to restore peace and security to the affected areas in the North.

Makinde expressed sadness over the innocent Nigerians whose lives had been terminated by the activities of insurgents.

Mr Godwin Ayigbo, a pastor, also said that the attention of the government should be centered on how to restore peace and end some senseless killings in the country.

“I think government’s focus should be on restoration of peace and unity.

“All other development is subsumed in an atmosphere of peace,” Ayigbo said.

Lagosians list expectations

Meantime, some residents of Lagos yesterday looked into the New Year, listing their expectations from government at all levels in the country.

In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos, the residents said that political office holders should endeavour to restore hope to the Nigerian masses.

Mr Gift Wejem, a furniture dealer, said that government ought to raise the hope of the Nigerians by reducing the level of poverty in the country.

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AGOS—WIFE of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs Abimbola Fashola, yesterday urged health professionals in Nigeria to work as a team, to improve and strengthen the health sector.

Mrs Fashola made the remark during her goodwill visit to public hospitals to welcome the First Baby of the Year, organised by the state government.

She said that cooperation among the health professionals in the hospital, as a workplace, would enhance productivity and also guarantee patients’ satisfaction.

While receiving the first baby of the year, Fashola said parents had a role to play for babies to actualise their potentialities in life.

Fashola urged parents, especially mothers, to be committed to laying good foundation for their children in the first five years of their lives, by making sure all the necessary vaccinations were taken.

The Lagos State First Lady

Traffic-free road experienced in Lagos

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AGOS—LAGOS roads were free of traffic on New Year Day, yesterday, as vehicles moved freely around roads in the city.

The LAGBUS Assets Management Company, operators of Lagos Metropolitan buses, also offered free rides to commuters for the New Year day.

Some of the commuters commended the Lagos State government for providing the buses but said that the inadequate number of buses led to overcrowding.

One of them, Mr Austin Ibe, a final year student of the Lagos State University, LASU, said: “The free ride is a good development; the only problem is that the buses are few.

“We had to wait on the queue for a long time before a bus came. I am not sure that there are enough buses on the roads today.”

2015 ELECTION: VISIT: All Progressives Congress, APC, Lagos State governorship candidate, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), his running mate, Mrs Oluranti Adebule (left) and Principal, Modupe Cole Disabled Pupils Home, Mrs Florence Kayode, during a visit by Mr Akinwunmi Ambode and his campaign team to the School, yesterday.

....As gov's wife welcomes First Baby of the Year

By Ikenna Asomba with agency reports

YULETIDE:

said quality parental care would make children grow to become healthy and successful citizens.

Earlier, Dr Jide Idris, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, said that the event was an annual one to usher in new babies and share in the joy of the New Year.

Idris said that there had been tremendous improvements in the health services of the state, through

the adoption of solid strategies and interventions.

The commissioner said there had been improved infrastructure, recruitment and training of personnel.

According to him, these improvements have increased access to healthcare development including the care for patients.

Idris called on health workers and doctors to shun rivalry, work as a team, and

focus on patients’ care.

He, however, urged mothers to make use of the available hospital services by attending antenatal and post natal care, immunization as well as by imbibing good diet and hygiene.

Also speaking on the occasion, Dr Yewande Adeshina, the Special Adviser to Governor Fashola on Public Health, advised mothers to ensure exclusive breastfeeding of their babies in the first six months of life.

Ambode greets Muslims, visits charity homes the great Prophet should serve rededicate themselves to the

EID EL-MALUD:

L

AGOS—AS Muslims in Lagos and the whole of Nigeria join their fellow believers the world over to celebrate the birthday of Prophet Muhammad, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Party, APC, in Lagos State, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, has urged every Nigerian of the Islamic Faith to offer special prayers for the peace, progress and continued unity of the country.

Ambode said the commemoration of the birth of

as an occasion to further remember Nigeria in prayers, especially as the country prepares for general elections next month.

In a release signed by his Director of Media and Communications, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, the former Accountant General of Lagos State said: “The Prophet’s special day, coming just after the momentous occasion of the New Year celebration, is an opportunity for every Muslim brother and sister, and indeed all Nigerians, to

virtues of charity, selflessness, fairness and good neighbourliness that holy Prophet Muhammad represents.”

Ambode’s greetings to Muslims came on a day that he spent quality time at three charity homes in Lagos. In company with his running mate and the current Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Dr. Oluranti Idiat Adebule, who is a devout Muslim, Ambode visited and donated gifts to the SOS Children’s Village in Isolo, among others.

Ilajes APC, PDP give condition for support

A

By Monsuru Olowoopejo

KURE—THE Ilajes, who were one of the early settlers and said to be the fifth largest ethnic group in Lagos state have vowed to support any party that will grant their wish after the elections.

The Ilajes under the aegis of Ilaje Community in the state led by Mr. Kayode Omojuwa lamented that they have been marginalised despite their contribution to the growth of the state.

Omojuwa noted that the Ilajes who were scattered across Lagos have “resolved to come together for the first time to demand for those things that we have been denied for several years.”

He said: “We have resolved to unanimously vote for any party that is prepared to recognize us in the affairs of governance in Lagos.

“Such party must be prepared to recognize the worth and contributions of the Ilajes and thereafter include them in the scheme of activities in Lagos.

“The committees in each of the communities have ensured that 80 per cent of their residents have obtained their permanent voters cards, with a register created for the record of their voters card serial numbers.’’

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015 —11

We've no regret voting out Fayemi —Ekiti teachers zAs Fayose says he won't probe Fayemi A

By Gbenga Ariyibi

DO EKITI—TEACHERS operating under the umbrella of Nigeria Union of Teachers in Ekiti State has cautioned the immediate past governor of the state, Dr Kayode Fayemi, to desist from dragging them into politics, saying they have no regret in voting massively against his government during the June 21, 2014 governorship election in the state.

According to the statement signed by the state chairman of NUT, Comrade Samuel Akosile in Ado Ekiti yesterday, its members had every reason to vote against Fayemi for allegedly introducing anti-teacher policies during his four year regime in the state The body was apparently reacting to a live radio programme recently where some people posing as teachers castigated governor Ayo Fayose for allegedly inflicting suffering on them in his policies and programmes in the state They, in the programme went further to apologize to Fayemi for voting him out during the election While denying the fact that his members had any input to the programme, Akosile described those who rendered the apologies as Fayemi’s apologists and not members of the union “In as much as we do not want to be dragged into politics because we are civil servants and unionists, we feel constrained to ask ex-governor Fayemi and his apologists who deserves apology, Fayemi or Ekiti teachers

in this matter?

“Do we need to apologize for refusing to sit for an examination that was meant to retrench us? “ Do we need to apologize for going on strike for demanding for our rights over the payment of 27.5 per cent?

“Do we need to apologize for standing up as a union to oppose policies that were inimical to educational development and teachers’ welfare?”

The NUT chairman described the statement credited to All Progressives Congress lauding the teachers for showing remorse and tendering apologies as uncalled for. Akosile said the teachers are having a better deal

and have not been subjected to any dehumanization under Fayose to warrant any lamentation by his members.

Fayose not to probe Fayemi

Meantime, Governor Fayose has said that the call by some people to probe the former administration will not be heeded.

According to him; “I am not going to run after anybody, the energy I will use in doing that will be used to do better things. I am taking the necessary steps to retrieve all that have been taken away.”

He has also said that his

administration will soon provide 20 new patrol vehicles, armoured personnel carriers and other items for the state police command to boost security in the state as the nation eagerly awaits the conduct of February general elections and tackling the issue of insecurity.

According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, the governor said in as much as it was imperative of his administration to make Ekiti a crime free state, he would always support the Nigeria Police and other security agencies in tackling the security challenges in the state.

A

B E O K U TA — F O RT Y EIGHT hours after three groups within the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State were reportedly planning to dump the party, another strong group has indicated its readiness to quit the umbrella party.

NEW YEAR SERVICE: President Goodluck Jonathan (right), being received by the Senior Pastor, Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Pator Paul Enenche and his wife, Becky Enenche as he arrived for the New Year Service at the Dunamis Gospel Centre Headquarters, Durumi, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

The Imole group led by a former deputy governor of the state, Rafiu Ogunleye which claims to have about 150,000 membership threatened that it would dump the PDP for another party if the leadership of the PDP fails to honour the agreement it had reached with it while joining the party on October 2013.

Three groups within the PDP led by former governor of the state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, former minister of finance, Jubril Martins-Kuye and a former Speaker of House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole are said to be preparing to leave the party soon.

In a statement signed by its

Mimiko grants amnesty to 8 prisoners

A

By Dayo Johnson

KURE—ONDO State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko has granted amnesty to eight prisoners serving different jail terms in the state in the spirit of the Yuletide.

According to a statement issued by the state Commissioner of Information, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, the Governor’s gesture is in line with the power conferred on him by section 212 (1) of the Constitution of Federal Republic

A

By Daud Olatunji

BEOKUTA—LEAGUE of Registered Political Parties, LRPP, Ogun State chapter has warned against violence and thuggery ahead of this year general elections.

The league gave the warning ,yesterday ,shortly after its meeting held in Abeokuta, stressing that it had noticed the desperation of some political parties and individuals contesting for elective posts to win the Febrauary 2015 general elections at all cost.

The body in a communique signed by the Chairman, Apostle Adefemi Omoniyi warned that the country might be heading for a serious crisis that may lead to the prediction of America about Nigeria’s disintegration in 2015, if the trends continued unabated before the election.

“Hence,our appeal to p o l i t i c a l leaders,youths,women and those that will be contesting the February 2015 general elections to give peace a chance and allow sustainable political growth in Nigeria," the statement said.

EID EL-MALUD:

OGUN PDP CRISIS: Ogunleye's group set to dump party

By Daud Olatunji

League of Registered Political Parties warn against violence

of Nigeria, 1999, as amended.

One of the beneficiaries of the amnesty who was convicted over a capital offence got his jail term reduced to 15 years.

While the others who were convicted for stealing and burglary were pardoned.

They were all granted amnesty on the ground of good conduct.

According to the statement, the amnesty is exercise of the Governor ’s power to grant prerogative of mercy to convicts as conferred by the Constitution

of the country adding that the Governor is empowered to pardon, free, grant respite or substitute severe punishment with lesser one as a form of amnesty for convicts.

The amnesty takes immediate effect.

Meanwhile, the governor in his New Year message has called on Nigerians not to relent in their prayers of peace and unity for Nigeria as the country enters the election year.

Chairman, Dr. Tayo Bello , the group gave some conditions to the party leadership which include one slot of Senatorial seat, three House of Representatives seats and eight slots at the state House of assembly for it to rescind its planned defection to another party.

According to the group; "It should be noted that the main reason we joined the PDP was to ensure that power is wrestled away from the incumbent who is from the central senatorial district of the state and to also work with PDP to ensure that it becomes victorious in the next general election in 2015.

“This was a tenet that we hold dear in the heart of Imole leadership until the recent political development in the PDP in respect of the emergence of a governorship candidate for the party in the gateway state.,’ the statement said in part.’’

Amosun sues for peace

A

B E O K U TA — A s Nigerians join Muslims all over the world to observe the birth of the Holy Prophet Mohammed, Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has urged the Muslim Umah to use the opportunity of the holiday to reflect on the state of the nation and preach peace as exemplified by the life and teachings of the Holy Prophet.

Amosun, in a message by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mrs Olufunmilayo Wakama reiterated the need for continued prayers and peaceful coexistence as we approach the 2015 general elections.

“It is only in an atmosphere of peace that we can be joyous, therefore, we must learn to live in peace with one another. The life and teachings of the Holy Prophet typified peace, just as Islam is a religion of peace."

12—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015

New tariff on used vehicles takes off April

By Godwin Oritse

T

HE Federal Government, yesterday, bowed to pressure on the implementation of the 70 per cent tariff on imported used vehicles by postponing its enforcement to April 30, 2015.

This is the third time in six months that the tariff implementation date would be shifted.

It was first moved from July 1, 2014 when the government decided to implement the policy in two phases of 35 per cent apiece to January 1, 2015.

The government said then that the arrangement was to enable local vehicle assembly plants ramp up production in order to meet the nation’s demand for brand new vehicles.

However, in a statement, the National Automotive Council, NAC, said it had deferred the implementation of the new tariff to April 30, 2015.

Director-General, of NAC, Aminu Jalal, said in the statement that the postponement was due to the delay in the establishment of a vehicle finance scheme.

He said: “The arrangements for the establishment of the affordable vehicle finance scheme suffered a delay of

about four months due to the Ebola virus disease. The staff of the collaborating bank, Wesbank of South Africa, delayed their planned trip to Nigeria to set up operations from September 2014 to January 2015. Hence, the new date for the commencement of operations of the financing scheme is April 2014.

Accordingly, the Minister of Finance has been asked to extend the levy deferment on

used cars to April 30, 2015.

“The automotive policy has five elements, one of which is market development. Under market development, tariffs are increased on FBU vehicle imports. These tariffs are to be reduced gradually over the years, as the vehicle assembly and local content operations gain momentum.”

Jalal said that Nigeria’s vehicle market was about 400,000 units annually, with

about 300,000 being imported as second-hand.

He said that the government had introduced measures to balance the vehicle supply and make them affordable, with the production by the local assembly plants.

“The assembly plants will import two FBU at concessionary duty for every one CKD/SKD they assemble in 2014/15. It will be one to one in 2016/17,” he said.

CROSS OVER NIGHT: Members of Christian of Christ Apostolic Church, Kugbo, during the cross over night, in Abuja, Thursday.

We'll finish strong, Amaechi assures Rivers people

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT— GOVERNOR Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, has assured that his government will finish strong by May this year.

In his New Year message to the people of the state, the governor said that despite the financial constrains facing the state, the government will strive to deliver on it promises to the people.

He said: “We shall remain focused in the remaining months and finish strong by delivering in the various sectors, projects and programmes for which this administration has been commended within and outside the state.

“We will continue to do this even as we review the projects in the face of fresh financial constraints imposed on us by circumstances beyond our control, the facts of which are already known to the entire populace. This administration will not only pursue these projects and programmes but will document them properly for handover. It is important to note

that we have pursued a path of transparency with audited accounts and open transactions for all to see.”

Promising to continue to run a transparent government, Amaechi recalled the success of his administration in the areas of education, health, power and agriculture.

“We have always opened our books and we have been the only state with dual international rating up till date.

Our procurement processes

have operated with world-class standards, our accounting system has been open and consistently updated.

“I set out to provide as many standard classrooms as possible. I decided that health centres should be within short distances from the common people. We initiated a robust scholarship scheme to train Rivers children in institutions at home and abroad. Power supply must be steady and adequate, hence our determination to

invest heavily in that sector.

“We have remained focused on our vision to build a new economy anchored on Infrastructure, agriculture, human capital and Information/ Communication Technology toward a knowledge-driven economy. We have always made it clear that we pursue a policy of delivering a developed state in which the people have access to quality education, affordable healthcare and good infrastructure," he added.

Court restrains INEC from accepting Edo APC candidate's name

By Gabriel Enogholase

B

ENIN—A FEDERAL High Court sitting in Abuja has restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from accepting the name of Charity Amayaevbo as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for Ovia federal constituency in the 2015 general elections, pending the determination of the motion on notice before it.

The order was sequel to an

application by the member representing Ovia federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. Nosakhare Osahon, who was one of the candidates that contested the primaries under the platform of APC. Trial judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed also restrained Charity Amayaevbo, and APC from presenting Amayaevbo as the candidate representing Ovia federal constituency pending the determination of the motion on notice.

The court also asked INEC

to show cause why the interim orders sought by Mr. Nosakhare Osahon should not be made against it, even as the court ordered Charity Amayaevbo to stop parading himself as APC flag bear candidate for Ovia federal constituency pending the determination of the motion.

The court ordered that INEC , APC and Amayaevbo to appear before it on January 6, 2015 to show cause why the interim orders being sought

by Osahon should not be made by the court.

PDP's shut its doors on Urhobo —EMERHOR

By Perez Brisibe

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ELTA State All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate for the 2015 general elections, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, yesterday, urged the Urhobo to look beyond the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in their quest to produce an Urhobo governor, stressing that the PDP has shut its doors on the Urhobo people.

Emerhor, at the palace of the Ovie of Ughelli during the hosting by the traditional monarchs of the 24 Urhobo kingdoms, said that with the emergence of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa as the PDP candidate for the 2015 governorship election in the state, the Urhobo should look to the APC as their closest alternative.

He described the APC as the party to provide the needed change for good governance in the state.

Azuya emerges unopposed DTHA APGA candidate

By Tommy Anaduaka

A

community leader in Ibusa, Delta State and the state House of Assembly aspirant for Oshimili North Local G o v e r n m e n t constituency, under the platform of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Tony Azuya, has been elected unopposed as the flag bearer of the party for 2015 elections.

Presenting the party’s certificate of return to Chief Azuya at the party’s state secretariat in Asaba, a member of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Mic Adams, who represented the National Chairman of APGA, accompanied by the state chairman, Ogbueshi Tony Eboka, described Azuya's adoption as a welcome development.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015—13

2ND NIGER BRIDGE: FG taking Igbos for granted —OYEGUN

By Simon Ebegbulem

B

ENIN—AFTER taking a review of infrastructure in the South-East, the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has said that the Igbos have not benefited from the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP-led Federal Government despite their loyalty to the party.

He, therefore, expressed optimism that the South-East people will look at their environment very seriously and vote against PDP in the forthcoming elections, for taking them for granted.

Oyegun, who said that the APC had made tremendous progress in the area due to the laudable performance of Owelle Rochas Okorocha in office in Imo State, regretted that the people of the SouthEast have suffered inhuman treatment following the infrastructural decay in the area.

He said: “May be few leaders of the zone are benefiting but it is obvious that the people are suffering.

“The South East case is a bit peculiar because they have always been part of the federal system, that is their history, whatever excuses people may

Oboko predicts victory for Okowa/ Otuaro PDP ticket

By Akpokona Omafuaire

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A R R I — PRESIDENT, Federated Niger Delta Ijaw Communities, FNDIC, Dr. Bello Oboko, yesterday, threw his weight behind the Senator Ifeanyi Okowa/ Mr. Kingsley Otuaro Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Delta State governorship ticket, saying it was capable of ensuring PDP's reelection in the state.

Oboko, in a statement in Warri, said: “For and on behalf of the Otuaro family, we thank God for the PDP considering one of our own, Kingsley Otuaro, as running mate to Senator Okowa, the state governorship candidate of PDP in this year's elections."

C M Y K

give. But we are beginning to tell them that that kind of unending loyalty makes them lose respect, as they are being taken for granted. They are not getting anything from the Federal Government. May be few of their leaders are, but most of the people are not.

“The Onitsha to Enugu Road connecting the whole of the South East is almost

impassable. Take the Port Harcourt axis too. The only motorable road there is from Onitsha to Owerri. So, what are the people getting? The Niger Bridge has been launched three times. It has been awarded many times. I don’t know if the first load of sand has got there yet, to start building the foundation. So, what are the people getting for

this loyalty?

“We are bringing this to their attention. We are beginning to get positive vibes. Of course, the crisis bedevilling the PDP in that area, we are capitalizing immensely on that. God is working for the Igbos, so we expect the results to be better now than before.

The South East is not benefiting from this blind unyielding loyalty.”

END OF YEAR PARTY: Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State (middle), flanked on the immediate right by his wife Mercy and some other executives of the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, during their end of year get-together, in Umuahia.

Beware of Amaechi’s ploy, Obuah warns Ogoni R IVERS State Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Felix Obuah, has urged the people of Ogoni to beware of Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s clever ploy to trick them to support the All Progressives Congress, APC, and his failed governorship candidate.

Obuah made the call in his reaction to a meeting Governor Amaechi held with some Ogoni chiefs, elders and leaders in Government House Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

At the said meeting, Governor Amaechi was said to have promised to zone the speakership of the Rivers State House of Assembly to Ogoni and to also ensure that Mr. Dakuku Peterside hands over to an Ogoni man.

Obuah said: “It is precisely most difficult for Amaechi to choose who will be Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly and successive governors of Rivers State.

“Governor Amaechi had good opportunities to make an Ogoni man Speaker of the Assembly. He also had

opportunity to give an Ogoni man the governorship ticket, but he refused, after several promises.

“Therefore, Amaechi’s latest promises are deceitful and a ploy to gain the support of the Ogoni people. Ogoni people

should, therefore, not take Amaechi seriously. He is out to deceive them once more.”

Obuah assured the people of Ogoni that their environmental and political desires can only be actualised under the PDP.

Odibo to host town-hall meeting on resuscitation of DSC

By Egufe Yafugborhi

W

ARRI—PEOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, candidate for Udu Constituency of Delta State House of Assembly in this year's elections, Elegbete Moses Odibo, is to host a town-hall meeting to negotiate the resuscitation of Delta Steel Company, DSC, Ovwian Aladja, Delta State.

Odibo, following his affirmation as Udu PDP flagbearer for the Delta Assembly poll, said the town-hall meeting billed for January 22, was intended as a precursor to an enlarged stakeholders’

forum to consolidate the growing campaign to revive the moribund DSC. He said: “DSC, one of its kind in Nigeria, was leading an economic revolution in Nigeria and accelerating the local economy for the host Udu community before it went under and has failed to bounce back since its controversial privatization.

“Presently, it has stopped production for upward of three years. People to whom it was privatised are allegedly owing banks over N30 billion and they have abandoned the company, now taken over by AMCOM to recover the debt.”

A-Ibom commits New Year to God at solemn assembly

By Tom Moses

U

YO—AKWA Ibom State Government, in collaboration with the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, will today hold a-one day solemn assembly to commit the new year into God’s hand.

The state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, in a statement, yesterday, said the thanksgiving service which has as theme: It is a good thing to give thanks to God and sing praises unto Thee, is slated for the Ibom Hall grounds .

He said that Governor Godswill Akpabio will be the special guest of honour occasion, while his wife, Ekaette Unoma and the Deputy Governor, Lady Valerie Ebe will be guests of honour.

Delta lawmaker sues for optimism in 2015

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Friday O s a n e b i , member representing Ndokwa East constituency in Delta State House of Assembly, has called on Nigerians to put the past behind them and look forward with hope, optimism and renewed faith in themselves and the country in year 2015 and beyond.

Osanebi in his new year message, said: “The challenges of the past year have helped to strengthen the resolve of Nigerians to overcome the hurdles of nationbuilding and the country has come out stronger in spite of them.

“Nigeria will be better this new year and all citizens must continue to contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of the country."

R

14—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015

2015: Candidates woo voters via new year text messages

By Clifford Ndujihe

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ACED WITH inadequate time to tour the length and breadth of their constituencies for campaigns, some politicians have devised new and quicker ways of reaching the electorate.

Apart from Facebook, Skype, Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp and other social media platforms, some candidates, weekend, tried to reach the grassroots through text messages. And the yuletide celebrations offered them a veritable opportunity.

Among those who used New Year text messages to reach would-be-voters, y e s t e r d a y, i n c l u d e d Lagos Pe o p l e s Democratic Party, PDP, g o v e r n o r s h i p candidate, Mr. Jimi Agbaje; Citizens Po p u l a r Pa r t y, C P P, p r e s i d e n t i a l c a n d i d a t e , D r. S a m Eke, and former President of Association of Local Government of Nigeria, ALGON, who is gunning for a senatorial seat in Enugu State, Ozo Okafor.

In a 18-word text message, Dr. Eke, who is promising Nigerians a tremendous change if elected as president said: ‘’Happy new 2015 from Chief Sam Eke, PhD and Hassan Hassan, presidential and vice presidential candidates of CPP.’’ On his part, Agbaje texted: ‘’Beloved Lagosians, as 2014 ends, I pray peace and prosperity fill our state in 2015. let us be part of the change our dear state needs. Happy new year.’’

I n l i k e m a n n e r, Okafor texted: ‘’As we step into the new year 2015, we wish you God’s blessing and protection. Think of big ideas, continue to support and vote Okpochengene for Senate –Ozo Nwabueze Okafor.’’

C M Y K

Why Jonathan deserves re-election,

by Ahmed Muazu

By Soni Daniel, Regional Editor, North

T

HE PEOPLES Democratic Party National Chairman, Ahmed Adamu Muazu, said yesterday, that the President Goodluck Jonathan deserves a second term ticket because of the enormous work he had done to put Nigeria on a sound track.

Muazu, in a statement in Abuja

last night, accused the rival All Progressives Congress, APC, of engaging in unnecessary propaganda to win elections at all costs.

In the statement, entitled, 'The emptiness of APC propaganda,' and signed by his media aide, Tony Amadi, Muazu said the APC did not need to manufacture non-existing issues in a bid to bring down the PDP since it had done enough to win the 2015

elections.

Muazu said: “There is no need to spin and manufacture propaganda to win elections because the PDP has done a lot to deserve re-election of the President in the 2015 elections next month. Our nearest rivals are not only spinning out of control but have succeeded in elevating propaganda into an art to try and win at all costs.

“All the Peoples Democratic

Chairman, Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P, General Martin Luther Agwai (rtd, right), presenting certificate to Miss Fatimah Abdullahi, at the SURE-P Graduate Internship Scheme, GIS, programme, with the Head of Operation, Mr. Akubo Adegbe, in Kaduna. Photo: Olu Ajayi

2015: Pray for Nigeria, Jonathan tells Muslims at Prophet Mohammed's birthday

By Ben Agande

A

BUJA — PRESIDENT Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has enjoined Muslims in the country to use the occasion of the commemoration of the birth of Prophet Mohammed to pray for peaceful elections in the country.

In a message to Muslims on the occasion of Eid-elMaulud, President Jonathan underscored the determination of his administration to ensuring that the elections were not only free and fair but violence-free.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati said “the President reassures Muslims and all other Nigerians that the

Federal Government will do all within its powers to ensure that the general elections in February are free, fair, credible and violence-free.

“President Jonathan believes that this is essential to guarantee that Nigeria remains politically stable and continues on a steady path to the fulfilment of its peoples’ collective vision of a strong, united and prosperous nation.

“The President also calls on all adherents of Islam in the country to seize the opportunity of the New Year and Eid-el-Maulud holidays to reflect deeply on the need for a greater application of the Prophet Mohammed’s teachings of piety, charity, tolerance, justice and peaceful co-existence with others in the collective effort to overcome current national challenges.”

President Jonathan further assured the Islamic faithful and other Nigerians that his administration will continue to be guided by the ideals of fairness, equity and justice for all in its leadership of the country and that on his watch as President, no Nigerian will ever be discriminated against on the basis of religion, ethnicity or social standing.

“He reaffirms his personal commitment to working diligently and tirelessly to ensure the successful implementation of the Federal Government’s agenda for national transformation, and urges Muslims and all other Nigerians to support the continuation of the present administration’s efforts to build a better nation,” the statement concluded.

Party has to do is state the facts of our achievements on the ground over and over as they stand because Nigerian voters are not dumb or silly. They know that propaganda does not win votes; they only complicate matters because sooner than later, their propaganda and lies will fall flat on their faces.

“The Nigerian electorate know that leopards don’t change their skin over-night. The change Nigerians need is a change in their standard of living, transformation of the basic infrastructure to better roads, better bridges, and better educational standard, better management of the economy as well as better health infrastructure which make us a better country and not change to a political party just to achieve their personal desires “Those All Progressives Congress politicians who consistently point an accusing finger at the Peoples Democratic Party for failing to make a difference in the governance of Nigeria over the past 15 years must know that they share more of the blame for the so-called 'incompetence and cluelessness.'

This is because as they point one finger at the PDP, four of their fingers are pointing back at their APC. “How can the gang of five governors who left the PDP in 2013 extricate themselves from those accusations when they were all part of the decision making organs of the party? For the better part of the eight or four years they governed Rivers, Sokoto, Kano, Adamawa and Kwara, they executed PDP manifesto before they decamped to join the All Progressives Congress where they have continued to execute PDP blueprint for success.

“Nigerians should ask Governor Amaechi if he has executed any other manifesto other than those of the PDP even after he left the party. Ask Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso whether his infrastructure successes were not planned by PDP government that he headed in Kano State?

"Has Sokoto’s Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko done any work that was not originated by the PDP government through which he came to power?

“Let the All Propaganda Congress, APC, continue their folly as Nigerians are no fools. We all know their empty game-plan, the result which will dawn on them after Nigerians cast their votes on February 14, 2015. They will then turn around to say that PDP has massively rigged the elections.

They will fail in their bid to scuttle PDP’s bid for a historic fourth presidential election victory,” Muazu predicted.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015—15

ANAMBRA PRIMARIES: PDP initiates contempt

proceeding against Jega

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

A

BUJA — PEOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, has initiated contempt proceeding against the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, for allegedly flouting an order of a Federal High Court in Abuja in relation to the outcome of its National Assembly primaries in Anambra State.

Anambra State chapter of the party, in a motion for committal filed before the high court on December 31, 2014, accused Professor Jega of disobeying a subsisting court order.

It noted that the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court had on December 5, expressly restrained INEC from accepting “any delegate list or nominated candidates” from the congresses or primaries conducted by the caretaker committee that was purportedly set up by the party’s national leadership to manage the affairs of the Anambra PDP. Justice Evoh Chukwu of the High Court, Abuja had in his judgement on a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/854/2014, filed by the Chairman and Legal Secretary of Anambra PDP – Ejike Oguebego and Chuks Okoye – (for themselves and the state’s Executive Committee of the

party), affirmed the plaintiffs’ as leaders of the party in the state.

Justice Chukwu equally declared the caretaker committee illegal on the ground that it was wrongly constituted while the tenure of the Oguebego-led executive was yet to expire.

Consequently, he restrained INEC and its agents from accepting any delegate list or nominated candidates from primaries or congresses conducted by the said illegal committee.

Following alleged refusal of

INEC to comply with the court order, the party, in a motion on notice filed by its lawyer, Mr. Taiwo Abe, is among other things, seeking for “an order committing Prof Attahiru Jega, Chairman, INEC, to prison for contempt of court, for disobeying and refusing to comply with the order of this court made on December 5, 2014 and served on him on December 8, 2014.”

It is also seeking an order directing INEC, “particularly its Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega – contemnor, to comply forthwith

with the orders of the court”.

The Anambra PDP led by Oguebego hinged its prayers on the grounds that INEC and its Chairman were yet to obey the order, a situation they claimed had adversely affected the nominated candidates that emerged from the National Assembly primary it conducted.

“Except the order sought for in this application is granted, the 2nd defendant (INEC), particularly its Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega will continue to disobey and refuse to comply with

Newspapers distributors chairman campaigns for Umeh

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu,

N

CONFERENCE: From left, Deputy Secretary, Igbo Leaders of Thought, Mr. Elliot Uko; leader of Igbo Women Assembly, Chief Maria Okwor and Coordinator (South-east) Selfdetermination Coalition, Mr. Edeson Samuel, during a news conference after a meeting of Igbo groups on 2015 elections, in Enugu, yesterday.

Falling oil price'll not affect Anambra's devt — Obiano

G

OVERNOR WILLIE Obiano of Anambra State, yesterday, expressed optimism that the current dwindling price of oil in the international market would not affect the progress of the state in 2015.

Obiano made the remark in Awka, in his New Year message to the people of the state entitled “Stretching to a New Height of Excellence”.

According to him, the future of any society lies in its capacity to withstand current challenges and emerge out of it with determination and hope.

“Though many experts have predicted a tough year for Nigeria in the face of plummeting oil prices, such forecasts will never dampen the aspirations of Anambra. With our enormous human and material resources, we shall not surrender to dwindling oil prices in the international markets,” he said.

Obiano further told the people that his administration had taken steps to triple the state’s Internally Generated Revenue from the present N1.1 billion generated annually.

“The same determination with C M Y K

the orders except they are compelled to do so,” the applicants insisted.

Meanwhile, when the matter came up on December 31, the vacation judge at the High Court, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, ordered the service of the processes in relation to the committal proceedings and hearing notices on INEC and Prof. Jega.

Justice Mohammed subsequently adjourned further proceedings in the case to January 7.

which we have pursued our security challenges is what we will bring to fight the leakages in our IGR. He urged the people to pay their taxes, to enable the administration to undertake capital projects and complete them on schedule.

The governor promised to complete the three interchange

and the six-lane stretch of road from Amawbia to Amansea all in Awka, as well as Agulu Lake Hotel Resort and other critical road projects.

“We shall inaugurate more projects, covering the Four Pillars of Development of this administration and lay the foundation for an ambitious economic growth.”

The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to continue with the war against crime during the year, and build a new social and economic order driven by strong family and community values.

“We shall force positive change on various aspects of our lives that have been resistant to our march to progress”.

2015: Ashafa preaches steadfastness ... donates to hospital

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

S

ENATOR GBENGA Ashafa has urged Nigerians to remain focussed and steadfast in 2015 despite the challenges faced in 2014.

The lawmaker, representing Lagos East Senatorial District, gave the advice, yesterday, as his New Year message during the presentation of some medical supplies donated to the Ikorodu General Hospital, Ikorodu.

He said, “Of course, we faced some problems and serious trials in 2014, including atrocious terrorist attacks and natural

disasters but we managed to remain steadfast.

This steadfastness has become a reminder of how close we all are.

"The year 2015 holds a lot of promises for everyone - and collectively as a nation, we must ensure the fulfilment of those promises, most importantly, the promise of change that will be effected when the general elections hold in the next two months. 2015 is indeed the set time, one that cannot be stopped.

"The wish for change has been reflected in the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians who have watched their dear country wallow

for too long in the cesspool of pity amongst the comity of nations.”

While lauding the philanthropic act, the Medical Director of the Hospital, Dr. Mobolaji Olukoya, described the gesture as good and timely.

“Just three days ago the lawmaker visited us in company of his friends and promised us that he would donate some items which he did today and also promised to donate a utility bus next year. We are very pleased at these items, may God Almighty grant your heart desires as well,” he said

NEWI — CHAIRMAN of Onitsha Newspaper Directors and Distributors Association ONDDA, Mr. Jude Oguzie, has called on the people of Anambra Central Senatorial district to vote for the emergence of the National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, as senator to change the district for better.

Speaking in his personal capacity and not for the association, he said Chief Umeh was a man who had the interest of Ndigbo at heart and the people of Anambra Central senatorial district would benefit more if they elected him to represent them in the Senate.

“Chief Umeh is a very courageous man, very intelligent and lover of Igbo people. I believe if he represents the Anambra Central senatorial district, the people will be better than what they are currently having.

"APGA government brought development in the state through former Governor Obi, supported solidly by Chief Umeh. You can see what APGA is doing under Governor Willie Obiano, who is being supported by Chief Umeh, so if he is elected, why will he not perform?

“Anambra Central senatorial seat at the Senate, is not for people who are not courageous, but for those who have the interest of Ndigbo at heart."

16 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015

2015: Shun selective voting, Abaribe tells PDP members

By Charles Kumolu

S

ENATE Committee Chairman on Media and Publicity, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, has called on Abia State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, members to put behind any mixed feeling arising from the recent governorship primaries in the state and work towards the party’s victory in all the elections.

He particularly cautioned party faithful against selective voting, insisting that all the candidates of the party should be voted for in the various elections.

Abaribe, who said this in Lagos at a consultative forum convened by Abia Indigenes Forum, AIF, maintained that selective voting would undermine the vision of the PDP. In his remarks, the Vice Chairman of AIF, Chief Esiaba Chris, described the PDP governorship candidate, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, as a man of vision, who should be supported.

He advised Abians to avoid being deceived by other parties, describing the PDP as Abia’s bridge to transformation.

According to him, ‘’Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu is a wonderful and warm person. He is also a statesman who has vowed to transform Abia into a modern commercial and industrial state. It is on the strength of his pedigree that we ask for massive votes for Ikpeazu. Our people should avoid the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, whose other name is crisis. Since 1999, members of APGA have been going to court.''

Okorocha accuses Imo Police boss of working for PDP zWe'll ensure level-playing field for all parties, says CP

O

W E R R I — GOVERNOR Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, has accused the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Abdulmajid Ali, of working for the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, to detriment of other political parties including the All Progressive Congress, APC. The governor in a statement through Sam onwuemeodo, his Senior Special Assistant on Media, lamented that such glaring partiality did not reflect the federal colouration of the Nigeria police force.

The governor, who made the allegation while donating five Hilux buses to the Imo Police Command to encourage it to continue to combat crimes in the state, said it was shocking that the police in the state provided unparralled security for the Imo PDP before, during and days after their primaries, but could not do the same to APC and other political parties in the state that also carried out same exercise.

Governor Okorocha noted that as governor in the state, he had never interfered in the operations of security agencies because of his firm belief that they were meant to protect the interest of all Nigerians irrespective of their political parties, saying it became regrettable when some of such agencies began to act in a manner that would give the impression that they were being partial.

He said Imo people including

NEW YEAR CELEBRATION SERVICE: From left; Canon Residentiary, Venerable Michael AbrahamOdumuyiwa; Bishop of Lagos West, Anglican Communion, Rt.Rev James Olusola Odedeji; Dean of the Cathedral, Venerable Abel Ajibodu and Priest of the Cathedral, Rev Benjamin Okere during new year celebration service at Archbishop Vinining Cathedral, GRA Ikeja, Lagos. Photo by Diran Oshe. the youths, market women, students, traders, artisans, taxi and Keke Napep operators would defend what was right in the state including protecting their votes in the 2015 election in the state.

He appealed to federal institutions in the state to appreciate the fact they owed Nigerians their duties and not to any particular political party.

The governor however, commended the Police Commissioner and entire police personnel in the state for fighting crimes to a standstill.

F

OR going for equity and fairness, which enabled Abia South Senatorial Zone to produce Abia State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for next month’s election, former Director General of the National Directorate for Employment, NDE, Dr Chukwu Wachukwu, has commended Governor Theodore Ahamaefule Orji.

Since Abia North and Abia Central had produced governors of the state, zoning the seat to Abia C M Y K

parties, noting that the police in the state would ensure protection of lives and properties during the 2015 election in the state.

The commissioner warned parents to guard against their children and wards been recruited by politicians as thugs to cause trouble in the state during the election, threatening that the police would deal decisively with such elements when caught.

He added that the police had fought crimes to zero point, noting that it would not have been possible without the state government's cooperation.

Ekweremadu to politicians: Submit to will of the people

By Francis Igata

E

NUGU—THE Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has urged

politicians to submit themselves to the will of the people to fully entrench the spirit of democracy in the nation's polity.

Ekweremadu spoke while

Ex-NDE boss lauds Orji over Abia PDP gov candidate

By Clifford Ndujihe

Okorocha specifically stated that the commissioner and all the ranks and file of the command in the state, including the DPOs had been very wonderful, noting that the command had dealt a deadly blow on kidnapping, child trafficking, armed robbery and other crimes and that the donation of the buses was to further encourage them.

In his speech, Mr. Ali said the police in the state under his command would not be partisan, but would only ensure a level playing ground for all including political

South dominated by the Ukwa Ngwa ethnic stock and ensuring that the PDP candidate emerged through a free and fair process, Wachukwu said, was one of Governor Orji’s legacies.

Dr Okezie Ikpeazu won the PDP ticket ahead of more experienced politicians like former Minister of Labour, Chief Emeka Wogu; former Abia State Deputy Governor, Chief Acho Nwakanma; Chief Friday Nwosu, Dr. Uche Sampson Ogah and Sir Mac Wabara, the younger brother of former Senate President, Chief

Adolphus Wabara. ‘’The man who has made this happen is TA Orji and it must go down in history as part of his legacy. I don’t care how you try to vilify him, history will judge him most favourably because nobody else had thought about equity.

Politics before TA Orji had always been me, me, me and me. TA Orji could have chosen one of his friends or anybody of Ngwa extraction from Abia South but that was not what he set out to do. He made sure there was no loophole.''

addressing political stakeholders and traditional rulers from Enugu-East senatorial district, led by Senator Gill Nnaji, who paid him a thank you visit in his country home Mpu, Aninri, Local Governme,nt Area of Enugu State.

According to him, “Democracy means that leaders must at all times submit themselves to the will of the people and that is what we have demonstrated in Enugu State. Experience is the key to effective legislation. Legislative work is done through experience and in most cases, the first timer is not easily heard or nominated to make contributions because he or she is sitting at the back.

“The people of Enugu-East should embark on a door-todoor campaign to ensure victory for our party. ''Infrastructural development and other life enhancing projects

will be extended to every part of the state once the incoming government is elected under our party platform. We will work together from the National Assembly to the state and down to the council areas.”

Earlier in his address, Senate Committee Chairman on Communication, Gill Nnaji, representing Enugu-East senatorial district, explained that the purpose of their visit was to thank Ekweremadu for the fatherly roles he played in the just concluded Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, primaries in the state even as he attributed his victory to God, the people and Ekweremadu.

According to Senator Nnaji, ”We have come to say thank you and give honour to whom honour is due. Ekweremadu gave immense support to me at the primaries and also helped me become a senator.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015 —17

E

X-PRESIDENT Olusegun Obasanjo and Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, are at it again. These two grand old men have been at each others’ throats for years; and it doesn’t look as if their colourful verbal battles will end anytime soon.

Last week, my colleague Emmanuel Aziken, Vanguard’s Political Editor, wrote about their most recent war of words - which revolves around “My Watch”, Obasanjo’s controversial new autobiographical trilogy (it’s the subject of legal action, so not yet widely available).

Excerpts from Aziken’s report: Soyinka gave a rebuttal to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s latest book…describing it as a narrative by a career liar always determined to crookedly project himself above his true standing among men.

Affirming his general detestation of such men, Soyinka said the Obasanjo brand was compounded by the inclination of even foisting the lies on members of the younger generation.

Obasanjo had in his book flayed Soyinka as a self serving critic who he said always sought to shine out among men claiming, that the Nobel Laureate is a “misfit as a political analyst, commentator or critic.”

He had written “For Wole, no one can be good, nor can anything be spot-on politically except that which emanates from him or is ordained by him.”

Continuing his assessment of Soyinka, Obasanjo said: “He is surely a better wine connoisseur and a more successful “aparo” (guinea fowl) hunter than a political critic…,” adding “I take him seriously on almost all issues except on the political particularly Nigerian politics.”

Replying, in a treatise, titled C M Y K

*Obasanjo

Entertaining insults!

Watch and Pray, Watch and Prey, Soyinka said: “I had fully attuned myself to the fact that our Owu retiree soldier and prolific author is an infliction that those of us who share the same era and nation space must learn to endure. However, it does appear that there is no end to this individual’s capacity for infantile mischief, and for needless, mind-boggling provocations, such as his recent ‘literary’ intrusion on my peace.

Perhaps I ought to interrupt myself here with an apology to some mutual acquaintances – ‘blessed peacemakers’ and all – especially in this season of ‘peace and goodwill to all men’. Please know that your efforts have not been entirely

in vain. I had a cordial exchange with Obasanjo over the phone recently – engineered by himself, his ground staff and/or a chance visitor – when I had cause to visit his Presidential Laundromat for the first time ever.

During that exchange, I complimented him on making some quite positive use of landed property that was acquired under morally dubious circumstances, and blatantly developed through a process I denounced as ‘executive extortionism’…. …Our author invokes God tirelessly, without provocation, without necessity and without justification, perhaps preemptively, but does he really believe in such an

*Soyinka entity? Does our home-bred Double-O-Seven believe in anything outside his own Omnipotency? Could he possibly have mistaken the Christian exhortation – ‘Watch and Pray’ for his private inclination to Watch and Prey?...

Soyinka goes on to describe Obasanjo as a “Master of Mendacity” and “irredeemable egomaniac” who is heading for “twilight disgrace”.

Obasanjo is also scathingly accused of issuing a “grotesque” statement and “ignoble fabrication”. And so

Xmas message from APC

I

N a Christmas message to Nigerians, the APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said that hope is on the horizon for the millions who could not celebrate this year because of the gloominess that prevails across the land.

“Many cannot travel home due to fears of kidnapping, ethno-religious crisis and insurgency…Many cannot celebrate due to the effects of the economic downturn, as manifested in the weakening Naira and falling oil prices, both exacerbated by widespread corruption.

“Many will mark the holidays in darkness as the country's public power supply seems to have fallen

in a direct proportion to the huge funds ostensibly pumped into the sector in the past few years. Many will be stuck on the roads that have become clogged due to their poor state.

“While there is no magic wand to solve the myriad of problems facing our country in one fell swoop, an APC government will begin to positively impact on the citizenry within its first few months at the helm, to such an extent that Nigerians will have a better Christmas celebration in 2015.”

Alhaji Mohammed went on to solemnly promise that APC will create three million new jobs per annum, sternly tackle corruption, employ an

extra 100,000 police officers, establish a properly-trained and equipped Federal AntiTerrorism Multi- Agency Task Force to destroy Boko Haram and immediately introduce better pay and conditions for all security personnel.

Fine and thrilling words indeed!

Naija politicos have a habit of failing to deliver once victory is in the bag. If APC does wind up winning the election, let’s pray that it sticks to these pledges and doesn’t turn out to be as disappointing as the bunch who are in power now!

Merry Christmas and happy New year to all Vanguard readers and their friends and families.

on. And on. And on and on and on!...until we reach the conclusion of this particular diatribe, a gleeful: Chei!

There is Death o!”

Talk about an un-merry Christmas message and festive ill will!

Soyinka, being a professional writer and pundit, is the more verbose of the two and has the upper hand when it comes to dishing out abuse with style.

But Obasanjo is no slouch on the insults front. He is also (as President Jonathan has discovered!) pretty skilled at putting people down when they annoy him.

Anyway, I nearly fell off my chair, laughing, when I read about the latest Soyinka/ Obasanjo spat. I find the rudeness that they unrepentantly fling at each other hilarious; and I’d like to thank them for providing me with free entertainment at a time when Nigeria is not the most cheerful place on earth.

Responses to: donzol2002@yahoo.co.uk or to 0802 747 6458 OR 0811 675 9752 (texts only).

PLEASE KINDLY NOTE THAT UNLESS YOU REQUEST ANONYMITY, YOUR COMMENTS MAY BE PUBLISHED, WITH YOUR NAMES AND CONTACT DETAILS ATTACHED.

18 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015 IN the ingenuity of the politician, the future of Nigeria is tied to elections. When politicians, who call themselves leaders, engage in phased discussions of Nigeria, they are not contemplating legacies that would enhance the development of Nigeria. Their entire concerns are elections, the struggle for power, the decisions about who becomes what, and those marked for nothingness.

The reduction of the country to this contracted vision is the biggest failure of civil rule since 1999. Every administration, from the local governments, through the States to the centre, sees elections as the platforms to perpetrate either itself or its interests in power. When it leaves, the damage endures.

It appears the most important ambition of the politician is to grab power, stay in office as long as he can, produce a successor that would do his bid, and retire to continue manipulating the system.

Disruptive as this attitude is, it is heightened, to the extent that most administrations do nothing, other than engaging in schemes to hold power which is everything the politician wants. He gets

Our Future, Not Just Elections it first, before thinking of what he would do with it. Rarely do we hear politicians espousing their ideas about the future of Nigeria and expending their energies in ensuring their dream is realised.

It is not surprising that most of those who gain access to power in these circumstances, abuse it. The abuses stem from ignorance, outright greed and an obnoxious contention for narrow interests.

The evidences include governors who have no agenda for their States or the federal, where there are no reflections of national

aspirations in projects that are being executed, if any.

Do politicians realise that each year they spend in their quest for frivolities wastes opportunities for the country ’s progress?

What do they intend for Nigeria in 2015, 2019, 2023? What is their vision of Nigeria by those years beyond elections? Nigeria as a country should be built to last hundreds of years. The future of its institutions, for the benefit of its peoples, should be a primary concern of its leaders.

The well being of its peoples should be at the centre of policies. The Constitution explicitly states these in Section 14 (2b) where is says the security and welfare of the people should be the primary purpose of government.

Our future is not about elections; in the sense politicians see them. Elections are useful as part of the quest for democratic governance. Democratic importance of elections is over-emphasised where the people play minimal roles in them. What is important – always – is what people want to make of their country, elections cannot change our people, not the way politicians use them

OPINION

By Adewale Akande

I

T is very correct that everything connected with nature and natural laws is based upon cause and effect.

Invariably, every problem we experience today is caused by our decisions, as such, we definitely have to be part of the solutions. Gandhi rightly said “We must become the change we seek in the world” some years ago. To buttress this assertion, th Barrack Obama said on the 5 of February, 2008 in Chicago, that a “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change we seek”. The development of any democratic nation of the world is a struggle towards three closely related understandings, according to Moore. They includeto check arbitrary rulers; to replace arbitrary rules with just and rational ones and lastly, to obtain a share for the underlying population in the making of rules.In a truly democratic setup, the mechanism to achieve this laudable feat is through exercise of political right which is the right to vote and be voted for. Voting is an adequate mechanism for a positive change if there is a free and fair election. Voting is a not a yardstick for representatives to disconnect from the citizens after the election and loot the treasury.

The concept of democracy explains the system of governance in which the people choose leaders by casting their votes which is regarded as their sacred power. Besides, C M Y K

Voting as democratic route to change to achieve a lasting and ideal democratic regime, an electoral democracy should be along the same line with the liberal democracy which includes the governance by rule of law and the protection of civil liberties. That is why a former American President, Thomas Jefferson opined that without liberal democracy, electoral democracy is “nothing more than mob rule where 51 percent of the people may take away the rights of the other 49”.

Meanwhile, if there is a way a democratic government enjoys authority by voting, there should always be the same format of ballot mechanism to show the way out to wanting government. This is not always the same in the African context of democracy due to election rigging and mal-practices on the part of the incumbent government and lack of massive participation on the part of the eligible voters. Though psychologists and political scientists explain nonparticipation of individual behaviour depends of rational expectations and lack of trust for the government of the day, but people’s personal participation can influence the outcome of elections and political decisions. There is no party that cannot win or lose an election in a situation of classical grassroots commitment, effective use of latest communication network and unbiased personal participation. Participation should not be viewed only to win an election but winning

for the purpose of changing the nation for the best.

Voting is an important aspect of citizens’ responsibility. It occurs when eligible voters of a nation defy sun or rain to go to the polls and cast their votes for those candidates they think would make good leaders. The greatest opportunity for a change is voting in a democratic society.

A vote is regarded as a present possession that keeps people from repeating past mistake in the future. What or whom voters vote for determines the things or events that will eventually bless or mar their happiness. The most vital thing to the society is who you want to vote for and not who other people want to vote for. We are in this present situation today as a result of decisions taken and accepted as true. A purpose does what it must, talent does what it can, but en-masse voting brings what you want.All eligible voters should register and vote en-masse for the best candidate with trust, integrity and credibility who will serve them better. Our choice (not chance) determines our destiny. Any eligible voter that refuses to vote has already been defeated by bad representation in government. People who do not vote have to wait so long for the future which has already gone. The less people vote in an election, the more the chances of bad candidates and mediocres to be in government.An adult who does not vote is a slave and at the same time like a person waiting to board a ship at the

airport. Sow better seeds by voting for the right candidates and you reap better lives.

Your vote can change your life.

Finally, the electoral authority handling elections must be independent and not partial in order to ensure election results that reflect the wishes of the masses.

The electoral body has the sole responsibility of conducting a free and fair election in any nation and they must be accountable for this activity. The beauty of voting exercise is that you are free to decide within yourself and your conscience the best aspiring patriotic professional candidate of integrity to represent your constituency without any fear or favour. Also, you havethe right of confidentiality in casting your secret ballot without any intimidation. Your vote is your power for positive change. It is your destiny. Your vote is the fight for the future civilization that has to be won. Your vote is not only to win the war but to win the long expected peace and freedom. Your vote will make you stand together until the end. It is the only answer to the problems. George Jean Nathan makes it clearer when he said: “Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote”.

Your vote is your voice. The voice of the people is the voice of God (voxpopulli,vox Dei). Remember, you are free to choose your candidate but you are not free from the consequences of your choice.

*Mr. Akande, an author, wrote from Spain.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015— —19

Between Christmas and 2015

By Clement Udegbe

T

HE period between Christmas and the new year for most people is a time for sober, deep and wide reflections, which may include their spiritual life in the fading year, and what to do in the new year to repair their relationship with their creator, or improve on it where a relationship existed, and to give more to the community, society, etc. Others use the period to celebrate their successes, eat, make merry, gain a few weight which they will struggle to shed in the New Year. Some spend so much, and struggle to rebuild their finances later, while many use the period even to commit more sins of adultery, fornication, stealing, lying, cheating etc, hoping that our Merciful God will understand in the New Year. They forget that whatever a man sows he shall reap, in the fullness of time, because God is in Power and Position, over this earth, and only FOOLS say , think or conduct themselves as if there is no God. Many also use the period between Christmas and the New Year to make resolutions. It was during this period two years ago today, that I resolved never to buy exotic imported shoes, as my own way to support made in Nigerian shoes, and never to wear suits except when appearing in court

for my legal duties, to remind me of my African-ness.

Yes, Africa has all the unique potentials to rise up as a giant continent, but still remains the destination of most goods made outside Africa. Our Leaders milk us dry, and export their wealth, and as a result there are more illiterates, wars, internal conflicts, poverty, deprivation and suffering in Africa, than in most continents of the world. They once called us the ‘Black, or Dark Continent’, but we must rise and show that we have the light of God, the creator of the universe , our Lord Jesus Christ, also in Africa, through fervent prayers and fear of God, in our leadership style.

As I think about Nigeria, it appears more convincingly that Nigeria, as the most populous nation in Africa, may well be a microcosm of Africa with a good dose of her potentials, ills, problems and draw backs. First, take Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, for instance. It was first found in Central Africa in 1973. At that time it had a four days life span only. It lived in the body of the victim for just four days, and if it did not kill the victim within this period, it dies on its own.

It was believed by some research scientists in America to be a biological weapon of mass destruction which was tested in Africa, by the enemies of the continent, those who see

By Yushau Shuaib

T

HIS is indeed a critical period of our national life when a raging war on desperate terrorists has kept military operations in North-East and others parts of the North in persistent media spotlight.

And as would be expected, the subject now dominates the country’s Online media content.

As it is, Online media, which capitalise on rapidly developing and changing new technology unlike its well established traditional media counterpart, is still evolving and ethics and regulations that will guide its conduct and practice are yet to be standardised.

Nonetheless, Online media have the advantage of accessibility, cost effectiveness, longer lifespan, and interactivity, speedy and updated knowledge. It is therefore, not surprising that traditional media have also added Online platforms even though they still strictly adhere to the traditional code of ethics of journalism practice. History relates that the media, as the alternative government is always viewed with suspicion by governments because of its responsibility of keeping governments on its toes but since the ultimate beneficiary is the citizen, both governmental actors and media practitioners tolerate themselves for the lofty end of attaining the desired society.

This writer was therefore, greatly alarmed by the recent turn of events following hot exchanges of missives between the Nigerian Army and a very popular Online medium, Sahara Reporters on issues bordering on the war on terror. The accusations and counter accusations were indeed unnecessary if only the two parties attempted a review and re-examination of their existing relationship.

From Public Relations perspective, one can easily sense the growth of mutual

C M Y K

I fought the Biafra war as an 12 years old boy, thus, if our experiences and history from that war should guide us, and if our descendants will 50 years today, continue to read the Bible, we should think beyond an individual before we cast our votes come February 2015 Africa as expendable in God’s world.

Forty years after, a new strain of the EVD surfaced in Liberia, and Sierra Leone with a life span of 21 days, more vicious and deadly, and was exported to Nigeria February last year.

Nigeria battled with it and by God’s grace only, seem to have overcome EVD. While the devastations still linger in the lives of the individual, family and institutional victims in Nigeria, our sister nations of Liberia, Sierra-Leone, Ivory

Coast, and the Gambia in ECOWAS, are still being ravaged by EVD.The question for 2015 remains, how and where did EVD emerge from initially, and what was their intention for bringing it to Nigeria?

Second, the spirit of military gangsterism,and hatred for human life, which is now referred to within Pentecostal Spiritual Warfare Circles as ‘The Spirit of the Sudan’ hit Somalia in the early 1990s, and within a few years it tore that nation to shreds, and with the rise of Bin Laden and Al-Qaida ten years later, the powers and devastations of that Spirit spread to America and Europe.

It was called terrorism, and that same spirit entered Sudan, Kenya, and it arrived the North East of Nigeria, since 2009, as Boko Haram. It was typically handled by our leaders since that time, with kid gloves for political and economic, wicked and selfish reasons. The result is that between this Christmas and the New year, over 430 persons have been killed in Nigeria!

The world mourns bitterly when 150 persons are killed in a plane crash or any disaster, but since 2009, over 5000 persons have been wiped out by Borko Haram, with over 3000 internally displaced persons within our beloved country.

Yet, some heartless and shameless persons still want to make political and economic capital out of the blood and suffering of these victims. They have all bluntly, with needless impetuosity, refused to shelve the 2015 elections for just a

while, in order to concentrate and wipe away the common enemy, Boko Haram from the land and air space of Nigeria.

The question therefore for the New Year is: What remains of insecurity in Nigeria after 2015 elections since none of the contending political parties can wipe away the Spirit of the Sudan, judging from their antecedents?

As an Igbo son, I ponder over what we are doing to ward off, the incessant attempts by the Spirit of the Sudan to enter Imo Land.

God has been with us delivering us by exposing all bomb attempts, and so what will voting APC in Imo state portend for us all, knowing that Anambrarians rejected that Party only last year, and that decision is paying off handsomely for them?

The concern here is not about the person of the APC governorship flag bearer in Imo state, but about the party, its national and global agenda and Igbo man. It has been established that APC has an agenda that ties with that of Organization of Islamic Conference, OIC in Nigeria. I know the frustrations, and pains of the youth of the North East, because I fought the Biafra war as an 12 years old boy, thus, if our experiences and history from that war should guide us, and if our descendants will 50 years today, continue to read the Bible, we should think beyond an individual before we cast our votes come February 2015.

•Mr. Udegbe, a legal practitioner, wrote from Lagos.

Still on Nigeria military and online media suspicion and mistrust between the military and some Online media, which is quite a disturbing trend that should be addressed in the national interest.

There are many factors responsible for the mistrust. For instance, when the media alleges that Nigerian military is ill-equipped, it ignores the fact that most of the weapons used by insurgents were actually captured from fleeing Nigerian troops; when the press accuse soldiers of fleeing from battle field (a treasonable action), the Fourth Estate of the Realm shies away from recommending stringent measures against cowardice troops; when the military high command passes judgments on mutinous soldiers as deterrents, the press still condemns such verdicts which invariably could erode discipline in the barracks.

Also in desperation for exclusive stories, the media consciously or unconsciously promote terrorists’ agenda by publishing unethical gory videos and alarming statements of the

The only way to win the hearts and minds of those targeted audience is through sustained and improved media relations in order to benefit from mass communication platforms

groups which depict horror with the potential to scare the military and frighten citizens. Such media exposures of terrorism occasionally weaken the morale of troops and boost the confidence of insurgents.

On the flip side however, in their attempt to manage information, the military oftentimes horde stories rather than providing timely and adequate information to reassure the public. The military, apart from being accused of displaying partisanship to the party in power is also faulted on media selectivity (unwholesome preference) rather than treating them equally. While it is true that some media are financed and funded by politicians, the military erroneously assume that the media serves only the interests of their proprietors rather than national interest.

It is unfortunate that, while the military views constructive editorial contents as attacks by enemies and the opposition, the media also view every genuine action and statement from the military with scepticism as mere propaganda.

It is clear that it is not only those in the security services that are concerned about national interest. The media have also shown greater concern for national security by penning editorials to ginger those in authority to do more in protecting the territorial integrity of our nation. We have seen how the media widely celebrates military accomplishments and feat against terrorists with wide screamers in prominent pages and premium spaces without courting favour and commercial patronage. And so, editorial contents should not be seen as condemnation but rather as wakeup call

to improve military and governmental operations in the protection of citizens.

If public officials must take the pain to respond to each and every media criticism, most of which are quite unnecessary, one may ask: how often have they acknowledged and responded to positive reports with the same speed and zeal? If spokespersons don’t respond in equal measures to positive report like critical editorial, they therefore, have no justification to criticise the same media for bias.

Meanwhile, not all perceived negative reports require official rebuttals when appropriate actions can easily douse the tension and resolve misconceptions. It is the antics of typical politicians to issue provocative statements in response to media provocation. In fact, proactive and timely measures can solve many issues.

One message, I learnt as a PR person, is never to underrate or underestimate any medium not to talk of one with repute and wider audience. Each medium has its unique audience. The only way to win the hearts and minds of those targeted audience is through sustained and improved media relations in order to benefit from mass communication platforms.

My appeal to Sahara Reporters and other Online media that are concerned about insecurity in the country is to continue to be focused in supporting the military in its war on terror, while the military should also recognise the fact that the war is not only won by armoured tanks and troops but by the media and the information they provide though their platforms.

•Mr. Shuaib, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Abuja.

20 — Vanguard, FRIDAY FRIDAY,, JANUARY 2, 2015

Celebrating New Year in refugee camps:

The experience of internally displaced persons

By Marie-Therese Nanlong , Jos

‘I

LOST my husband in one of the attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen. I left the village for a while but now, I am back because this is the only place I know and call home”.That was how Mrs. Jummai Dachung, one of the 39 widows displaced from their communities in Riyom and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State, recounted her plight to Vanguard Metro, VM. Mrs Dachung is one of the internally displaced persons, IDP, now taking refuge in the IDP camp located at Ekan Primary School, Rim. For the past three years, residents of Rim, Gwawereng and other communities in Riyom and Barkin Ladi Council Areas, have been facing series of attacks by persons suspected to be Fulani herdsmen. These incessant attacks have left residents of these communities in perpetual fear,

because they are not sure who will be the next victim.

As a fallout of these attacks, women and children deserted the communities, leaving a few men and youths behind in a few “secured houses”.

Last month however, some of those who fled the communities began to return. This followed assurances from the security agencies that the communities are now safe for them and their property.

Not satisfied by the assurances, some of the returnees who no longer have a place of abode because their houses were burnt by the herdsmen, took refuge in the camp for displaced persons in the primary school.

But the adverse weather conditions coupled with the scarcity of foodstuffs, have compelled some of them to return to their homes. In the spirit of brotherhood, those who lost their accommodation to the insurgents, are being sheltered by their lucky neighbours.

Relief materials provided by HIWA Against the backdrop of the biting hunger and cold weather, the returnees who also lost their farmlands and barns to the invaders, have resorted to seeking assistance from churches and other concerned individuals and non-governmental organisations, NGOs. One of such concerned organisations - Hope Initiative for Women in Africa, HIWA recently visited the IDP camp to share the

ROVING CAMERA

When policemen became friends. Pic: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

joys of the seasons with the inmates. When VM visited Ekan Primary School, Rim where some of the IDPs still reside, a widow, reminiscing on the past with tears said: “it is best to come home and stay.”

Mrs. Dachung was one of the 39 widows and many orphaned children who got food and clothing items from HIWA. With tears of joy flowing down her cheeks, she exclaimed, “it feels

good that at least people think about us and remember us and our children in this season”.

However, being tired of sleeping in the colds with scanty food,some of those whose houses are still standing, summoned courage to return home.

Displaced persons Some of them were magnanimous to accommodate those who have no place to lay their heads.“I thank all the people who have been visiting us especially HIWA which brought things for us and our children to celebrate the season with. I just pray these people will allow us to pick the pieces of our lives and stay in peace,” he said.

HIWA visited the Rim community as well as the Zang Commercial School, Bukuru IDP camp where the Stefanos Foundation is taking care of displaced persons from states in the troubled North East region of the country.

Consoling the victims, the President and Founder of HIWA, Mrs. Naomi Olorundare urged them to be thankful to God because they are still alive.

“When there is life, there is hope,” she said. She tasked the women and children not to lose hope but trust in God that the challenges will one day be over.

Mrs Olorundare called on other public spirited individuals to hearken to the cry of the IDPs and give the little they have as it will go a long way in ameliorating the plights of the people.

Responding on behalf of the recipients, Mwagwong Pam and Simon Musa appreciated the organisation for their kind gesture and solicited for more assistance to empower the people to fend for themselves.

Vanguard, FRDAY JANUARY 2, 2015 — 21

Falling crude oil prices:

Labour warns FG against austerity measures

By Victor Ahiuma-young

O

RGANISED Labour, has urged the Federal Government to take sustainable, viable and proactive steps to addressing the consequences of the falling crude oil prices instead of punitive measures against ordinary Nigerians especially workers.

Speaking through Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, labour said the first practical step was the diversification of the nation’s economy as against the over dependence on petroleum with its vagaries in the international market.

NLC in a new year message by its President, Mr. Abdulwaheed Omar, lamented that “in spite of government’s sworn commitment and the presence of a multi-agency task force in the Niger Delta, crude oil theft assumed a phenomenon in the year, accounting for as much as 30 per cent of national output. This has created loss of revenues and divestments. Closely linked to this horrendous crime is the degradation of the environment by illegal refineries, oil spills, cover-ups and related incidents. It would appear that government does not have a structured response to the present volatility in the crude oil market sparked by commercial shale oil mining and deepened by crashing prices across the globe. Practically all the measures mooted or taken so far by government smack of shock and panic and clearly expose our vulnerability.

“Clearly, this would have been avoidable if our suggestions had been taken on board by government. For instance we recall advising government time without number to boost the capacity of domestic refining instead of depending on imports whose landing cost is dependent on prevailing exchange rate and other motivations not far from usury”

According to NLC, “while we appreciate the difficulties brought on by the collapse in oil prices, we caution against the imposition of unselective austerity measures. Already, workers continue to bear the brunt of the savage devaluation of the Naira with possibility of collateral consequences. We also strongly advise against consideration for rationalisation of staff. We support government initiatives to tax the rich through luxury taxes. More importantly, we are convinced that the surest

way to manage the budget under austerity is to reduce the cost of governance.

Bloated prerequisites of political office holders must be cut. Prerequisites and comfort of politicians need to reflect the reality of the times. Mr. President and the state house must lead in this regard. The size of the Presidential fleet, the cost of running the State House and the retinue of political jobbers can all be reasonably cut without reducing the effectiveness of the Presidency.

“We condemn the imposition of exploit-

ative electricity tariff and urge caution in case this leads to some further unpleasantries. We note sporadic protests against these tariff hikes in cities across the nation including Benin, Enugu, Lagos and Kano.

We still stand by our time-tested position that the only permanent solution to the crises of petroleum product pricing is adequate domestic refining. Accordingly, we urge government to put in place realistic appropriate legislation and policy in order to realise this.”

FROM LEFT: Mr. Oladele Sotubom, CEO, Stanbic IBTC Stock Brokers; Mr. Femi Onifade, Head, Premium Board, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE); Mr. Tony Ibeziako, Head, Mainboard, (NSE); Mr. Haruna Jalo- Waziri, Executive Director, Business Development, (NSE); Olumide Oyetan, CEO, Stanbic IBTC Asset Management; Osahon Aire, Product Manager, NSE at the Stanbic ETF Listing.

Local manufacturers of SIM cards, National ID cards, voter cards get N1.1bn BoI facility

By Franklin Alli

T

HE Bank of Industry, BoI, has granted N1.1 billion credit facility to local manufacturers of electronic payment cards, SIM cards, National ID card and Voters card.

Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa, BoI Managing Director, disclosed this during a loan monitoring exercise carried out by the management of the bank to one of the manufacturers, Secure ID and its subsidiary, Secure Card Manufacturing Limited in Lagos.

“Secure ID and its subsidiary are our customers. BoI has supported the factory with N1.1 billion. Am aware they have facilities from two other banks and there are also significant equities that have gone into the business.

“We are delighted at BoI that this project has come alive. We actually saw card production going on and the capacity utilisation is close to 70 percent. So the compaC M Y K

ny is doing very well. Our visit is to see how the money has worked. I am very delighted that when you give a customer a facility and he uses the facility very well and you have come for visit, and you see it was being well used, you get delighted as a banker and we are very delighted today.

This is what we are trying to encouragelocal production in a number of areas and I am happy that in terms of the facility they have established here, not only are they able to manufacture locally but they have been able to establish a kind of facility that is very modern by using smart manufacturing technology.”

The banker described the investment as very significant to the Nigerian economy, stressing “This is the first integrated card manufacturing business not only in Nigeria, West Africa and the entire sub Sahara Africa. As Nigerians, we should be very proud at what the teams at Secure ID

have achieved. They have just done a backward integration. What has happened up to this time is that we used to import a lot of cards that are personalized locally.

The other things I should point out is, we are not just talking about debit and credit cards, the factory here has other capabilities, for instance, they have capability to produce all SIM cards that the telecoms require. The SIM cards today are being imported and there is no reason we can’t get the telecoms in Nigeria to patronise Secure ID and its subsidiary to produce all the SIM cards they require locally.

“What this mean is that as a country we are making progress; I think we need to believe in ourselves; the beauty of it is that Secure Card is 100 percent Nigerian company. Nigeria is a large country; 170 million people are a large market and what we need to do is to take step and ensure we are able to leverage on this population.

$168.30

$3.50

$2,919.00

- $53.00

$14.58

CURRENCY

-$0.03

$59.85

+$2.88

$53.71

-$0.85

BUYING

DOLLAR 167 STERLING 260.687 EURO 202.9384 FRANC 168.738 YEN 1.3995 CFA 0.2935 WAUA 242.0204 RENMINBI 26.9016 RIYAL 44.5001 KRONA 27.2533 SDR 241.8828

CENTRAL 167.5 261.4675 203.54 169.2432 1.4037 0.3035 242.745 26.9826 44.6333 27.3349 242.607

168 262.248 204.1536 169.7484 1.4079 0.3135 243.4696 27.0636 44.7666 27.4165 243.3312

CBN Exchange Rate as 1/1/2015

22 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015

NB confirms SEC’s approval of merger with Consolidated Breweries

By Peter Egwuatu

T

HE management of Nigerian Breweries Plc has confirmed that its merger with Consolidated Breweries Plc has now been finalized with effect from December 31, 2014.

According to a company statement signed by the Managing Director/CEO of Nigerian Breweries Mr. Nicolaas Vervelde “This follows the receipt of approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the sanction by the Federal High Court. Nigerian Breweries Plc has formally informed The Nigerian Stock Exchange of conclusion of merger process as required by the listing regulations” Mr. Vervelde also indicated that the name of the enlarged company arising from the merger will be ‘Nigerian Breweries Plc’ and the company will remain quoted on the Nigerian stock exchange.

expected to deliver a number of benefits for its stakeholders including shareholders, employees, consumers, trading partners, suppliers and the Nigerian economy as a whole.

Meanwhile, some investors’ and capital market operators at the nation’s bourse says the proposed merger of Nigerian Breweries (NB) Plc and Consolidated Breweries, has introduced a new platform for sustainable economic diplomacy.The stakeholders said in separate interviews in Lagos, that the business combination would not only challenge real sectors operators to overhaul the businesses but provided another impetus for foreign core investors to positively review their interest in Nigeria.

According to them, the affirmation of the proposed merger at the Dec. 4, 2014 separate Court Ordered Meetings (COM) had further leverage the Nigerian real sector operations.

Mr. Godwin Anono, Chairman, Nigeria Professional Shareholders Association, said that the shareholders had supported the merger because of the enhanced exchanged ratio proposed by the companies.Anono said that the exchange ratio of four NB shares to five Consolidated Breweries was a fair deal when compared with developments in the market where shareholders were shortchanged.

He said that the shareholders had supported all the resolutions of the COM to ensure speedy conclusion of the merger plan.

Anono also said that the merger would stimulate economic growth and development of the capital market.

Mr Timothy Adesiyan, President, Nigeria Shareholders Solidarity Association (NSSA) had expressed shareholders readiness for the consolidation exercise. Adesiyan said that the merger would turnaround the fortunes of both companies in terms of robust growth and return on investment. The NSSA boss called on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to ensure protection of the minority shareholders in the merger process.

Regulatory authorities While thanking the stakeholders and regulatory authorities for their support and approvals respectively, the company stated that the process of operational integration of the two businesses “will commence immediately in January 2015”.

With the conclusion of the merger, the enlarged Nigerian Breweries is now enabled to fully capitalise on the opportunities of the Nigerian beer and malt drinks market and create significant value through delivery of broader product offering, operational efficiencies and access to new markets. The merger is also

From left: Mr Haruna Jalo-Waziri, Executive Director, Business Development, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE); Sidney Onoriode Esiri (Dr Sid), recording artist, Mavin Records; Ms Tinuade Awe, Head, Legal and Regulation Division, NSE and Ade Ewuosho, Head, Market Services, NSE at the Year End closing of gong ceremony.

‘Regulatory synergy critical to capital market recovery’

By Nkiruka Nnorom

O

PERATORS in the Nigerian capital market have said that synergy among the various arms of the financial markets and industry regulators, including the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, and the Pension Commission (Pencom) is required to sustain growth recovery in the market.

The NSE All Share Index (ASI), which fell from an all time high of 66,371.20 as at March 2008 to 20,827.17 as at December 2009, due to global financial crises, as at Wednesday December 24, 2014 had risen to 34,428.82 after climbing to over 40,000 points a year earlier.

Similarly, the market capitalisation which fell from an

all time high of N13.5 trillion as at March 2008 to less than N6 trillion as at December 2009,

by Wednesday December 24, 2014 had also risen to N11.402 trillion after hitting over N12 trillion a year earlier.

Despite the lingering effects of the global financial crisis, in 2012, the Nigerian capital market was able to return its strongest performance since the 2008 crash and topped that the following year. The All Share Index (ASI) grew 35.45 percent and the equities market capitalization grew from N6.54 trillion to N8.98trillion in 2012. the ASI grew further by 47.19 percent in 2013 and equity market capitalization jumped from N8.98 trillion to N13.23 trillion, induced partially by foreign investors looking for higher returns in emerging and frontier markets.

In her presentation at the

Capital Market Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CAMCAN) workshop recently, Mrs. Oluwatosin Sanni, the Chief Executive Officer, UBA Capital Plc, said that the collaboration was imperative for sustained development of the capital market and prevention of the regulatory lapses experienced previously.

She also emphasized the need for implementation of international best practices regarding transparency, corporate governance and reporting standards as well as implementation of robust risk management systems.

She noted that by collaborating and taking actions geared towards growth, Improve liquidity, boost investor confidence, raise issuer confidence and attract new listings.

Furthermore, increased collaboration would assist in attracting and maintaining foreign investment.

According to her, it would, facilitate product development and shift dependence on bank funding to capital market funding Speaking the recovery achieved where the All Share Index has grown to over 30,000 points and market capitalization rising to over N11 trillion, Sanni stated that recovery was also as a result of improved confidence in the market and it’s leadership, a much stronger regulatory environment and favourable policies by regulators and key stakeholders and implementation of market making programme that provided slightly improved liquidity.

After 2014’s party, investors in US stock market may face hangover

R

EVELERS ringing in of the new year this week need to watch out for the next day’s hangover. And investors may experience a similar feeling early in 2015 after a twoyear run that has propelled U.S. stocks up by nearly 50 percent.

Headed into the last trading day of 2014, the S&P 500 has gained nearly 13 percent on the year, shaking off concerns about valuations thanks to improved economic growth and a very accommodative U.S. Federal Reserve. Add in dividends and the advance is 15 percent.

However, the S&P 500’s forward price-to-earnings multiple - based on 2015 earnings expectations - is at about 17 now, exceeding the 15year average of about 15.

It means that a pick-up in profits growth may be essential if the market is to continue to add to its historic gains. And yet Wall Street analysts’ estimates for S&P 500 earnings growth for coming quarters are languishing in the mid-single digits.

With the Fed ready to begin raising interest rates for the first time in a decade, and the strong dollar providing a headwind for companies with overseas operations, a lot will depend on whether the recent strong growth in domestic demand can drive corporate profits higher than those estimates. Whether consumers and companies benefit enough from lower oil prices to more than offset the effects of the slide on the energy sector is also critical.

“Multiples almost always go down when the Fed raises rates - you’re going to have to depend on earnings,” said Jim Paulsen, chief investment strategist at Wells Capital Management in Minneapolis, which has $345 billion in assets under management.

The S&P 500’s forward priceto-earnings ratio sat at about 13 times at the beginning of 2013; it is now closer to 17, according to Thomson Reuters data.

Since 1940, such a level is associated with S&P returns (excluding dividends) of about 5 percent over a 12-month period, according to data from Citigroup.The high valuation concerns are starting to have some impact on trading. Stocks have been noticeably more volatile in the last few months; the CBOE Volatility Index, or VIX, has averaged 15.4 over the past 12 weeks, compared with 12.6 at the end of August.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015—23

Nigerian youths can change the face of agric —Ademoh TWENTY-THREE years old Fatima Oyia Ademoh was one of the 35 finalists selected from over 800 young African drawn from 18 countries that submitted business ideas via the online platform for a youth competition dubbed Agribiz4Africa organized by Syngenta.

The contestants had the option to come up with scalable business ideas in selected crop value chains or develop agribusiness video messaging on how to make agriculture cool! Successful 25 semi finalists received USD 1,000 cash grants to test out their agribusiness ideas in real business situation.

Fatima of the Youth Agro Entrepreneurs, Abuja was the 2nd runner up for the essay idea. In this interview at the African Union Building, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia before the award ceremony, the finance graduate from the America University of Nigeria University of Leeds in UK spoke with JIMOH BABATUNDE on her projects.

Here is an excerpt

O

N how she got to enter for the competition I am a member of website called fund for NGO and I got to know about the competition through the website. The Africa Agribusiness Competition targets youth aged 18 – 30 years and has two parts: an essay (or Business Idea Competition) and video clips (or Agribusiness Messaging Competition) Its objectives were to promote new business opportunities in crop value chains in Africa; raise awareness of opportunities in agriculture; identify wealth creation activities among communities in Africa and make agriculture “cool” for the youth.

So I decided to upload a video on what I was trying to do. The video was about a training program called Youth Agricbiz training, a social enterprise incubator that aims to create the next generation of Agricultural Entrepreneurs in Nigeria.

It is basically an 18 months training program where youth get training in agriculture and entrepreneurship and business planning.

Seed funding Why it is innovative and different from other training is that the youth get to earn money while learning through out the 18months program. What they are earning during the program will provide some seed funding for them in starting up their own businesses afterward.

On where the fund they earn come from Those participating in the training actually work on the farm where they partake in both practical and theoretical work, so the farm actually pay them while learning. Basically at the end of the training program they have part of the money they earned that was kept in a savings account which will only be accessible to them at the end of the program.

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The money becomes a seed funding for them. We all know how difficult it is to get funding for a start up business especially for agric business.

On how she came about the idea I have been passionate about agriculture even though my background is not in agriculture, I believe we have about 60% unemployment among the youth and I believe the youth have a great role to play in improving agriculture in Nigeria and Africa.

And that there is also a training gap in terms of agricultural training and that was why I decided to fill that gap by creating youth agric biz training.

On what Youth Agro Entrepreneur (YAE) stands to do Youth Agro Entrepreneur (YAE) will seek to rebrand farming as a viable, profitable and honourable profession for a new generation of farmers. YAE will be a social enterprise incubator that will teach youth the agricultural practices and business skills required to support the development of youthled agricultural enterprises.

Training ground

•Fatima Oyia Ademoh YAE aspires to become a financially self-sufficient organization which will empower unemployed youth with the knowledge, skills and drive to become consultants and agricultural entrepreneurs.

YAE hopes that this will contribute to alleviating the problems of extreme poverty and high levels of youth unemployment in Nigeria.

YAE research team will visit selfsufficient schools that exist in Africa and South America where they will observe the process and procedure of how hands-on and knowledgebased learning is being practiced and applied. Furthermore, consultants from similar established institutions will be sought to bring expertise and experience to the development of agricultural schools in Nigeria.

GES: 11, 500 wheat farmers to receive fertilisers, seeds in Kano State

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On when the training started It started in 2012 from research grant from the Rockefeller Foundation where I was a winner in 2012 and after the research grants I started YAE and I am currently doing the pilot phase where about five youths work with me directly and 2000 youths indirectly using different social media platform.

The research on the feasibility of the training centre and developing partnership with stakeholders carried out with the grant finished this year and the pilot phase just started this year, so we are just working with youth now in Abuja.

Basically, the five youth we are working with directly, we are using them for the pilot phase, with feed back from them, we will be able to improve our curriculum , improve how the training schedule work before we go on expansion.

o fewer than 11, 500 wheat farmers in Kano State will benefit from the Federal Government’s fertilisers and other farm inputs during the current dry season farming.

Alhaji Adamu Shehu, the Acting Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in the state, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Tuesday.

Shehu said the federal government had started distributing the commodity under its Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES) to the registered farmers in five designated centres across the state.

He said under the programme, each farmer would collect two bags of fertilisers and a 50 kg bag of hybrid seeds at a subsidised rate of about N6, 500.

‘’The distribution of the commodity which started about 10 days ago, is being carried out at Bagwai, DanHassan, Gwarmai, Wudil and Shanono areas. ‘’The federal government provides the fertiliser and seeds at subsidised rates as part of efforts to boost wheat production in the state and the country,” he said.

He also said that there were other farmers who had registered for similar assistance from the federal government, and that their applications were being processed.

The acting director urged farmers in the state to embrace irrigation in order to enhance their socio-economic status.

He also called on farmers in the state to register to enable them benefit from the GES programme.

We are currently looking for funds to fund the expansion phase because we basically running this project with personal funds right now, funds from myself, family members and Ajuma farms.

On relationship with Ajuma farm The Ajuma farm is a family farm in Abuja and has been in existence for almost 32 years and currently trying to go into training because they share my vision and we need to encourage African youths to go into agriculture and they have been so kind enough to allow me use their own farm, because I don’t have the fund to start up a new farm. So I am basically using their farm as a training ground.

She grew up in a farming environment Yes, my father is an agriculturist, he has a farm which started as a hobby but is now a business enterprise for him, and so I have been very much in the agricultural industry from young age.

On the obstacles to youth farming I think it is earning potential because when you talk to youth, what do they want? They want to be able to earn money, they don’t want to earn a livelihood and we are trying to entice with the earning potential using agriculture because I doubt if there is any other training program where you work and earn some form of money.

On Nigeria’s agriculture With the current minister, I think we are focusing on processing because the value chain is broken.

We have farmers in Nigeria that don’t have enough buyers for their produces and we are having processors who don’t have produce to process, so there is a break in the value chain.

I think with the foodstuff processing zones project the minister is working on is basically to improve that value chain by having six processing zones in the country that can be able to process some of this food.

24—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANAURY 2, 2015

Job creation: How govt funds can reach the people — Chukwu Wachukwu

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E started by disclosing his profile: “I am a public figure. People know Chukwu Wachukwu, former Director General of Nigeria Directorate of Employment, NDE. I was a commissioner in the old Imo state.

I am a consultant economist and I was at level 17 when I left public service.

When I took over as NASSI President three and a half years ago, I met nothing, absolutely nothing on the ground. NASSI‘s voice on economic issues was at the lowest ebb.

In fact, before now when you say NASSI, people asked what is NASSI but now people are going to know more about NASSI because there will be 100 companies owned by NASSI members in every local government area of this country.

Umbrella organisation “I am now driving the vision of NASSI which is Industrial Self- Employment and that is innovation. So NASSI is the umbrella organisation of entrepreneurs. It has offices in all the 36 states ofn this country as well as in FCT and rapidly growing in all the 774 local governments. So it is a huge network and we intend to position NASSI to drive the Nigerian economy especially now that there is a decline in crude oil revenue.

“NASSI is the critical platform for this country to use to create employment and wealth. We can’t run away from it, we are all over the place and we are mobilizing right now.

NASSI is actually driving a serious system that will translate this to active job creation. So what we need to do now is to forget all these old strategies of government and build -up capacities in the private sector as represented NASSI.” Asked how he intends to

achieve his vision for NASSI, he replied, “I am going to attract people from paid employment to self employment because really, there is no future in paid employment. I want Nigerians to turn away from being paid employees to employers of labour and wealth creators. I want Nigerians to create jobs; help the President to create jobs, he has the money for you.”

Wachukwu further disclosed that NASSI has formed a strategic partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Raw Materials Research and Development Council, RMRDC, NASENI and SMEDAN to build the capacity of its member companies and to organize them into raw materials clusters.

“When we succeed in what we are doing, the primary processing for raw materials for textile must come from Kano, and so we are going to position our members do to the primary processing of cotton. The brewery industries must require raw materials which will be grown by our people. The rice processing mills will depend on raw rice grown by our people; tomato industries, etc.

RMDC has data on available raw materials for every industry in this country.

Accessing of funds

•Chukwu Wachukwu agric value chain and industrial value chain.

We are going to have rice clusters and paddy rice will become raw materials processing mill; that means we are going to have off-takers. That is what I mean by value chain.

That means we are going to have raw materials-based clus-

Strategic partnership The new director general has seen the need for this strategic partnership with NASSI and together with the Raw materials; NASSI is now powering the emergency of cluster because NASSI is a private sector. So we are going to be addressing the press together with RMRDC. RMRDC will be coming up with raw materials based industrial clusters in every local government of this country.

You can imagine the huge impetus it will create when you have a hundred businesses in 774 local governments- can you imagine what it will mean?

And this will be done along

Govt can't create employment

“Let me digress a little; government can’t create employment; employment and wealth creation must be private sector-driven. If you give the N220 billion MSMEs fund to agencies of government, do you know what they are going to do with it? They will create bureaucratic empires- they are going to have MDs, deputy MDs with all the attachments and this money will just go but the correct thing to do is to find a critical strategy to get this fund directly into the businesses to create employment and wealth.

DR Chukwu Wachukwu is the National President of Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI). In this interaction with Vanguard, he said that most government agencies have failed to create employment while government continues to pump money into them. “I am using this opportunity to call on the presidency to revaluate huge sums of money they pump into public sector agencies and put them directly into Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) like the Bank of Industry and the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) for onward lending to private sector organizations.”

By Franklin Alli

that is you cannot access them, so they remain a mirage. The N220 billion has continued to be a mirage; it is there but you can’t touch it.

Can you imagine the huge impetus clusters will create when you have 100 businesses in 774 local governments, can you imagine what it will mean?

And this will be done along agric value chain and industrial value chain

ters for NASSI members.

“We are going to have this strategic partnership with NASENI; NASENI has such a depth that many people in this country don’t know- they produce prototype equipment and commercialize them for the private sector.

NASENI has a solar energy plant. So what NASSI and RMDC want to do is to form this cluster to be powered by solar. Soon, we are going to unveil the whole thing to the public. I don’t want to jump the ship.

The future is bright and NASSI will push it because we are well organised. We didn’t do it in the last four years because of the difficulty of welding the things together but now we are set. You will really see the transformation.“ According to him, NASSI is also working closely with the BOI and BOA: “We are in partnership with these banks; as you know, for the first time in this country a very intelligent gentle man called Olusegun Aganga has put together under visionary President Goodluck Jonathan, the National Council on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, MSME. Everybody has always talked about the SMEs but this is the first time in the history of this country that a practical approach was put in place and I must commend the President.

Not only did he do that; through the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, he had put in place N220 billion funding for MSMEs. That is a serious intervention but the problem with funds like

So at the very first meeting of the MSMEs Council, the memo that came up was access to finance and the Vice President realised that a big chunk of the problem we have is how to really access finance. So the CBN guidelines as published would make it impossible for anybody to access that fund.

That is what happened to what they called SMEIS fund and all kinds of funds domiciled at the CBN. So Vice Present, Namadi Sambo set up a subcommittee; I am a member of that subcommittee. The SMEDAN and Bank of Industry, Bank of Agriculture are also members. We are trying to find a particular approach to how entrepreneurs can really access the fund.

Govt agencies' inability to create jobs On jobs creation drive by government agencies, he noted: “Most of these government agencies have failed to create employment but government continues to pump money into them. You can’t imagine an agency might get N3 billion and go to some states and buy seven machines for about 10 people.

I am using this opportunity to call on the presidency to revaluate huge sums of money, they pump into public sector agencies and put them directly into development finance institutions (DFIs) like the Bank of Industry and the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) for onward lending to private sector organizations.

They understand the concept of short-term financing which the Deposit Money Banks (DMBs)don’t understand. By the same token, I am asking the DFIs, they must allow the intervention agencies of the federal government to give effect to the fiscal policy of government. Their duty is not to make money and not to show increased balance sheet.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015—25

I N S I D E

ELECTION SPENDING: Who will bell the cat?

•Okowa: I am on the same page with the governor and my rivals

DELTA GOV TICKET:

Why should we not impeach the president?

— Sen Husain

what was the magic?

Well, my victory is all about God. It was because of God’s grace and I want to believe that God has a purpose for Delta State and to that extent; I did the best of work. God gave me the strength to move round my people, I have been consistent with the people. I am not an accidental politician. I have been there with the people, rising through the grassroots politics and offices that I held as an elected local government chairman.

I have been commissioner in the state; I have been Secretary to the State Government and today, I am representing them in the Senate. So, the people know me and I know them, they understand me and I understand them and I believe too, that over the years, they have come to trust me just as I trust them. As long as the people’s will is there, it’s very difficult to stop God’s will.

Can we know your agenda for Delta State?

Well, in the first instance, we are still growing as a state and I agree that there are some levels of infrastructure being put because we have the roads being rehabilitated. We also have the health sector in which the current governor

How God’s

will won — Sen Okowa SENATOR Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa is the senator representing Delta North Senatorial District. Senator Okowa’s recent political feat in upturning political permutations in the contest for the governorship ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in his native Delta State was only reflective of the deep rooted political sagacity of the medical doctor turned politician. Senator Okowa’s political ascendancy has been on the horizon since his days first as a local government secretary, local government chairman and subsequently, commissioner in the second civilian government of Delta State. When push came to shove last December as political intrigues overwhelmed the permutations for the governorship ticket of the PDP, Senator Okowa called in his robust political network across Delta to confront the establishment that had been decked against him. It was a battle of wits that Senator Okowa in this interview says saw the manifestation of God’s will. Humble in victory, Senator Okowa affirms that the intrigues remain in the past as he attests to an unusual cordiality among the former political gladiators. He also speaks on his plans for the state among other issues. Excerpts:

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru & Joseph Erunke

I

N spite of the speculated endorsement of a certain

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candidate at the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, primaries in Delta State by the state government and the

alleged gang up of aspirants from a particular side of the state, you still emerged victorious at the primaries,

My victory is all about God. It was because of God’s grace and I want to believe that God has a purpose for Delta State and to that extent; I did the best of work

carried out. But in going forward, there are a lot of things and new challenges that we have.

First is the growing unemployment nationally, it’s not about Delta State alone. So we must find a way of tackling the unemployment problem and if you are going to tackle the unemployment problem, we need to look at the various aspects of economy.

The agricultural sector has to gain real prominence in whatever we do and in government policy, so we will definitely need a reform approach to developing agriculture.

We also need to look at industralisation and how best can we do it because government cannot continue to employ people, otherwise, you will just keep on increasing the recurrent expenditure and you carry it out to capital expenditure. A lot of our people are still farmers, many of them into crop farming-both cash crops and perennial crops.

Issue of power Two, is the issue of power.

In the power sector, the president is doing quite a lot but it has not stabilized and you find that most of the companies do businesses on independent power. So, in other to reduce or cushion effect of these two negative factors that affect businesses, we intend to establish industrial parks, one in each of the senatorial districts where we will provide common services and the needed infrastructure and we would also provide sustainable power to that extent.

We intend to have industrial estates in each of the three senatorial districts and then ensure that our people are able to get employment because when the cost of doing business is less, industries can be attracted from everywhere to Delta State, then you must also provide something at the background, in ensuring that there is peace in the state.

We are going to put processes in place to ensure that we actively bring peace in the state and that means we are going to have regular Continues on page 26

26—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015

people across the various ethnic groups and that is how it should be. We should be looking to a state where we stay united, where there is equity, there is fairness in distribution of positions, there is fairness in the distribution of infrastructure and where we are able to sit down on the table to talk on a lot of issues without really limiting ourselves to taking ethnic positions, believing that the government is for a particular ethnic group.

I don’t want to be governor of the Anioma people; I want to be governor of Delta State.

And I think that whoever is aspiring cannot aspire to be governor of the Isoko people alone or governor of the Urhobo people alone.

I got votes from the Aniomas, I got a lot of votes from the Urhobos, I got votes from the Itsekiris, the Ijaws and the rest. In going forward, I want to stay with that belief that I seek to govern Delta State and not a particular ethnic group.

I have my respect for all ethnic groups including the Urhobos and I will try to do my best when elected into office.

DELTA GOV TICKET:

I will be gov for all - Sen Okowa Continues from page 25

sessions and forums with the traditional rulers and opinion leaders across the state and call on our well meaning elders to constitute themselves into committees that can proactively bring peace and not wait for crises to come before we look into that.

Beyond these, the health sector and the education sectors are very key and very important. In the health sector, the first thing I am going to pursue is to ensure that we start the process of our people getting engaged in having health insurance policy.

People all over the world, even Ghana that is nearby here, you will find out that a lot is being done to encourage people to buy into health care policies.

We will support the people, we will encourage them to pay some minimum contribution and we give support to them.

Health policies The whole idea is to ensure that when we have health policies at least for basic ailment, people do not die needlessly, people do not have to go borrow money when their children are sick.

In the education sector, yes,

by God’s grace, we have a lot of institutions.

Four polytechnics are there at the moment and we have colleges of education in two places, we have schools of nursing in three places and a university with three campuses.

We need to bring these ones to proper standard but first is to ensure that we put up a team of experts to rework our curriculum in such a way that it could be better productive, with respect particularly to the polytechnic education because anybody coming out from the polytechnic should be able to feel confident enough to stand on his own or stand in a group to set up something for themselves.

We will provide a platform that will enable our children to come out and be ready for such. To that extent, we are going to raise the technology incubation centres established in which we can grow those who acquire some reasonable level of skill with the hope that within two to C M Y K

three years, they have graduated and able to stand on their own. Of course, they will be financial programme to support them.

Most times, finance is a problem, how do you intend to finance some of these projects you have enumerated here if you emerge as governor?

Well, by the special grace of God, apart from the revenues that we expect, Delta State has the potential of generating quite some reasonable revenue internally, so we need to look into the process of what is going on now with the state Board of Internal Revenue and find ways and means of improving our target in terms of revenue generation.

I believe that when we continue to stay accountable and focused, and ensure that we have value for money in the contracts that we will give, we will be able to. We are not expecting that everything will be done in one year but progressive planning and being accountable is very important.

•Okowa: We must play down ethnic politics in Delta

There are fears that given that your emergence was contrary to the governor’s expectation, he may work against your victory at the poll, don’t you see that coming?

No, the governor is governor of the state, he is a PDP governor and so, I will not expect that he will work against the party. He is my friend and we have been putting up our structures together, the structure of the party because it is not just about me, it’s about the candidate of the PDP.

Structure of the party

Whoever is going to emerge as governor of Delta State is going to be governor for the entire state. I don’t think that even the UPU will be wanting a governor for the Urhobo people

He is a gentle man and I believe too, that he is in love with the PDP so I don’t see him doing anything to the contrary.

How has your relationship with the governor been since your emergence as PDP governorship candidate in Delta State?

Our relationship has been very cordial; we have been friends for 17 years, even before I came into office as commissioner.

Since your emergence, some ethnic nationalities in the state have been threatening here and there, how do you intend to

confront the opposition, especially the ones coming from Labour Party and maybe, APC? Well, I know that they have a candidate in APC and O’Tega is my friend and Chief Great Ogboru intends to run from Labour Party. They have the right to run and we will play politics on the field. I will present my programmes to the people and I am sure they will also present theirs. We will campaign but I am sure that at the end, I will excel.

On the issue concerning ethnic colouration, my appeal is that while we have the right to take decisions, while we have the right to offer advice to our people, whatever advice or decision we take should be such that we are able to create a united front.

I don’t think that at this stage, we should be talking about candidate of a particular ethnic group; I don’t think that it’s right because whoever is going to emerge as governor of Delta State is going to be governor for the entire state. I don’t think that even the UPU will be wanting a governor for the Urhobo people.

In Delta State, we have the Urhobos, we have the Aniomas, the Itsekiris, the Ijaws and several others and so whoever aspires to be governor of the state must be governor for all, he must be a friend to all, he must accept

Sensitive divides That led me to appeal and caution that we need to be careful the kind of words that we use so that we don’t begin to create very sensitive divides among ourselves because the state can only truly grow and grow properly when we see ourselves as one.

A divided state obviously has limitation in its progress.

What has been your relationship with the aspirants that lost out?

Oh, very wonderful. They have been very wonderful, all of them have called in to congratulate me and we held meetings twice in Abuja here, one at the instance of the governor and about 14 of them were present at that meeting and thereafter, that same evening, I met with them privately too, in a meeting at Transcorp and they were all in attendance.

So the relationship has been very wonderful. They have actually been very wonderful.

We just inaugurated our campaign council in Asaba and they are members of the campaign council, all of them that were there in the contest.

So they have been truly wonderful and cooperative and I must appreciate their acceptance of the result.

Whenever you have a free and fair process, that is the likely result but I must say that I appreciate them individually and collectively for the support that they have given to me since after the election.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015—27

THE uproar that arose from the reported inflow of N21 billion into the re-election purse of President Goodluck Jonathan was one that shook the polity in the twilight of last year. But is the president alone on the issue?

By Charles Kumolu

P

OLITICAL opponents of the president saw it as an opportunity of lampooning the president and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, given their claim that the money would more than be enough to attend to many failures in the government.

Indeed, the fact that a number of the state governors who contributed to the N21 billion election project were not able to pay their workers at the end of last year it was easily a scandal in the perception of opposition politicians that such governors would be pouring out billions on an election project.

To them it was another example of the hypocrisy that is evident in the PDP, even if that did not remove the fact that the opposition parties were also not innocent of pouring huge funding into their own election projects.

Civil society activists and lawyers were, however, more worried that the huge campaign funds marshalled for the president touched on provisions of the law bordering on limitations on election funding.

Election funding The 2010 Electoral Act governing the ongoing election provides for a N1 billion spending limit for presidential contenders.

However, with an electoral umpire that is known for conducting expensive elections in the country, it is not too shocking that political parties and candidates expend limitless funds to finance elections.

Before now, controversies had trailed the nearly N100 billion spent by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on the 2011 general elections.

Already, political parties seem to be walking on a similar path, with the quantum of money being mobilised and spent in the bid to acquire political office.

Unarguably, conducting C M Y K

•Buhari: N54 million richer

•Jonathan: N21 billion richer

ELECTION SPENDING:

Who will bell the cat? elections requires huge financial, administrative and logistical commitments globally. However, the dimension it has taken in the country, has popped up so many questions.

Irked by the manner various political offices now go to the highest bidder, there are doubts on the workability of Nigeria’s regulatory framework for funding elections.

With major players in the scene spending recklessly to get elected in a country with a wide gap between the rich and poor, it may be safe to say that concerned authorities failed to enforce earlier regulations.

Indeed, the leading parties are currently putting credibility to such assumption, with the robust and colorful of patterns of their campaigns.

Remarkably, the just concluded primaries into various positions, brought the matter to the fore, as allegations of financial inducement to the delegates were reported as widespread in all the major political parties.

That informed concerns about the likelihood of many overshooting the N1 billion

ceiling placed on presidential campaign finance by section 91 (2) of the amended 2010 Electoral Act. Faced with this, analysts are worried that failure to arrest the trend, would automatically isolate good minded people with less financial resources from the process.

INEC had earlier said it had taken measures to track campaign expenditure incurred by political parties when it lifted the ban on election campaigns.

The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC chairman, Kayode Idowu, who in a recent session with journalists disclosed this had said: “That structure did not exist in 2011 and we could not do much in that regard.

Now we have been able to put structure in place to track expenditure and we are going to be doing that.

The situation now is that we can only know whether a person has over spent until he or she has spent it. You cannot stop people from spending until the person has spent.

“What the law anticipates is that we have put ceiling on spending and we will now monitor to know whether we can make a case about it.”

He also stressed the need for

parties to adhere to the law, but likelihood of that is in doubt under the prevailing circumstances.

It particularly said: “The maximum expenses to be incurred by a candidate at a presidential election shall be

The 2010 Electoral Act governing the ongoing election provides for a N1 billion spending limit for presidential contenders

N1 billion and N200 million for governorship.”

The act also stipulated sanctions for candidate who flaunted the campaign spending limits.

As gathered, the penalties include; N1 million or 12 months imprisonment for erring presidential aspirants, offending governorship aspirants are to pay N800,000 or spend nine months.

While the sum of N600,000 or six months imprisonment is stipulated for a senatorial candidate, the sum of 500,000 or five months imprisonment is also stipulated for a House of Representatives candidate who defaults on the campaign spending Findings also showed the existence of a department to monitor spending of candidates ahead of the 2015 exercise.

Expectations that the commission may wield the big stick against big spenders, might be fruitless since it may not be able to do so until after the polls when the big spenders may have comfortably settled down in office with the power of immunity about them.

28—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015

Why should we not impeach the president? — Sen Husain SENATOR Mudashiri Husain, representing Osun West Senatorial District, Osun State in the Senate was a two term member, House of Representatives, representing Oshodi/ Isolo Federal Constituency Lagos State on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy, AD. In 2007 he returned to his native town Ejigbo in Osun State, where he launched the battle for the Senate but lost to the former governor of Osun State, Alhaji Isiaka Adeleke then of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). However, after the courts declared Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as the duly elected governor of Osun State in 2010, the ground was softened for him to win the Senate seat in 2011.

Senator Husain’s plans for a second term in the Senate from 2015 were swallowed by what he alleges as a conspiracy against him from within his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC as the ticket was conceded to Senator Adeleke who recently crossed over to the APC. In this interview, he gives a rundown of the intrigues that were laid against him among other issues in the polity.

Excerpts:

By Gbenga Olarinoye

W

AS it true that some Senators made attempt to impeach President Jonathan?

(Smiling). Impeachment is a weapon of any parliament and any parliament with sufficient grouse with the President or governor could wield it. If there was any move like that against Jonathan, certainly, the President brought the situation to being.

Magnitude of corruption However, the question is, why we must not impeach Jonathan if our nation is sane?

Talk of impunity, magnitude of corruption, number of them being probed by the National Assembly; talk of insecurity and lack of capacity on the part of the Commander in Chief of Armed Forces; talk of mismanaged economy.

Only one of the variables mentioned is enough for a president to resign or be sacked. So, if there is an impeachment move against Jonathan, I think it is legitimate.

You lost your return ticket to Senator Isiaka Adeleke in the last primary election of your party, APC? (Frowns) Well, let it be clear that there was no primary election and I did not lose to Senator Adeleke, but to a conspiracy of some leaders who sold fake narratives to my governor and leader, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on their selection process that never was but I have put that behind

me, I am moving on now.

Who were those leaders and why would they sell fake narrative to the governor in your absence?

I was away in Abuja for an assignment and Gov. Aregbesola knew about it then.

So, I heard that some of our leaders, ten of them precisely of which four came from Iwo township alone, out of hundreds of leaders we have in ten local governments under my senatorial district, went to the governor and narrated how my ticket should be returned to Iwo, but that they had resolved to release the ticket to Senator

Only one of the variables mentioned is enough for a president to resign or be sacked. So, if there is an impeachment move against Jonathan, I think it is legitimate

•Husain: Adeleke did not win primary Adeleke.

The governor was said to have demanded the presence of others, and as part of their script, they said the leaders were at the banquet hall of the Governor’s Lodge, and when the governor got to the place, he met them with Senator Adeleke; that might have arm twisted him, and thought that their demand was genuine; an action Mr. Governor regretted when I confronted him with my exclusion, the exclusion of the Speaker, House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Najeem Salaam and other leaders from the so called meeting.

However, for the sake of cohesion and peace in our party and love for my friend and brother, the governor, I allow the matter to lie low.

Would you have defeated Senator Adeleke if the primary was conducted?

Why not if not? With due respect to Senator Adeleke.

Yes, he is a leader and statesman, he was an exgovernor, but he contested with me in 2011 and I won.

Now, I have touched lives and delivered on my mandate,

and I am proud to say that we are partners in progress in the Osun project.

Ogbeni Aregbesola has said it severally that we contribute our constituency funds to the same wallet for projects you see today across the state. Besides, from Iwo to Gbongan; from Ejigbo to Ayedire; from Ikire to Iwo; from Ede to Egbedore, you will see my impact and projects we have facilitated.

Electoral contest Though, I did not distribute cars, I empowered women and farmers and I am confident that my performance makes me a candidate to beat in any electoral contest.

Given the array of governors in the APC why did the party choose Prof. Osinbajo as running mate to Gen. Muhammadu Buhari?

This question highlighted the fear in the PDP camp immediately after the announcement of Prof.

Osinbajo. In the first premise, PDP knows there is nothing to

say about Buhari having exhausted all lies against the man in the last three contests.

Two, the PDP was waiting for a candidate of suspicious character or one that would ginger their divisive campaign on religion.

Three, the PDP was shocked to have found out that our party settled for a man they have not profiled in the propaganda machine. So, Osinbajo is a shocker.

Look, all our governors are performers and poster guys for election any day, but for choosing Osinbajo, we have demonstrated capacity to spring surprise at any given time.

Besides, Osinbajo is integrity personified and one any presidential candidate will desire to have on his ticket.

This man is a giant in his profession, a lawyer of world standing; he is an erudite scholar and a reader, a nation like ours needs such a man now, because a reader is a leader.

The 2015 general elections are almost here. What do you expect as a stakeholder?

The next election promises to be very interesting and the date palpitates my heart. One, the preparation of INEC is not exciting, because the distribution of permanent voter’s card was a false start.

Meanwhile, the relationship between the ruling PDP and our security agencies is killing confidence of the people.

Formidable opposition Ditto for the desperation of the Jonathan presidency. It will be too feverish for all political actors and stakeholders next year, because I do not see the formidable opposition in APC letting down its guard. Two, I am praying against the prediction of the West that Jonathan may be the last president of Nigeria, but I observe that what our past leaders were avoiding like religion has become an instrument of division in the hands of the president’s handlers.

Oh, we have never been this divided in the chequered history of this country.

Therefore, 2015 is one year that will determine a lot, I just pray the people saddled with responsibilities will not stoke fire through their narrow interests.

VOL. 1: NO. 6

FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015

2015 ELECTIONS:

Men who’ll decide the fate of contestants in S/West

By Charles Kumolu

T

HE December 24, 2014 nationwide redeployment of 37 Resident Electoral Commissioners, RECs, by the Independent National Electoral Commission ,INEC, popped up six men, whose professional wisdom is expected to guide the 2015 general elections in the South West geo-political zone.

Notably, these RECs are distinguished

from their peers across the country by a common identity, as they are Yoruba— the common race of the southwesterners.

None could be described as a rookie in the business of election management, given that they had at various times overseen both controversial and nondisputable polls.

This baggage of experience, is expected to be brought to bear in a

region regarded as the hotbed of the opposition and the home of the progressively inclined politicians.

In the course of their duties, jinx would be broken, records would be made, while history may be distorted.

A letter dated December 24, 2014 by the Secretary of INEC, Augusta Ogakwu, stated that the RECs were directed to conclude all handing and taking over formalities yesterday.

OYO STATE: Until his recent appointment, the 1973 University of California graduate of Political Science, was the REC in Osun State.

Rufus Akeju obtained his Masters of Arts in International Affairs in June, 1974 at the Ohio University Athens, Ohio USA. He earned his Ph.D in Political Science with specialization in International Law/Relations, Public Administration and Policy Analysis,

Continues on Page 3

IN THIS EDITION

•Page 2 C M Y K

When Army officers’ wives fete bereaved colleagues in Lagos, Ogun

•Page 5

Amosun, workers bicker over Dec pay •Page 3

We enjoyed Christmas with gov’s largesse — Ekiti beneficiaries

NEW YEAR REQUEST: Worker accuses Ondo Football boss of assault over wage increase •Page 7

2 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015

EKITI STATE

By Gbenga Ariyibi

A

DO EKITI- When Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, during the inauguration of his secondcoming told thousands of Ekiti people, who had converged at the popular Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado Ekiti on October 16, last year that he would create a special ministry to be called Ministry of Stomach Infrastructures, many political observers within and outside the state took his words with a pinch of salt.

Condemnations poured in from several quarters, as many people who derided the governor for the announcement of a stomach infrastructure ministry argued that such was only a political statement that needed time to see how it goes.

No doubt, as expected the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state had accused Fayose of trying to degrade Ekiti people to perpetual beggars of sorts, by given them unsolicited gifts of rice,chickens and money.

But, following the successful exercise of the fulfillment of Fayose’s stomach infrastructure initiative this Christmas, it seems some states are now copying the concept which stirred controversies on arrival.

For Fayose, it seems he has remained resolute to achieve this objective to reducing hunger in Ekiti State, which he claims is a clear departure from the past administrations which satisfies

•Governor Fayose distributing chicken, rice and money to Ekiti people

STOMACH INFRASTRUCTURE:

We enjoyed Christmas with gov’s largesse — Ekiti beneficiaries majorly the interests of the few elites in the state during Christmas and other festivities.

Fayose’s welfarist programme is not new as records have it in his first reign as governor between 2001 and September 2003, he started the distribution of water through water tankers, kerosene,

medical needs and money to the people of the state free.

So, few days to December 25, last year, Ado Ekiti, the state capital and its environs were agog, as thousands of Ekiti people stormed the Governor’s office to get their own share of the Christmas largesse.

Governor Fayose personally supervised the distribution of the gifts to the people, among whom are the old and young, widows, widowers and the less privileged.

In his characteristic manner, Fayose ensured that nobody was left behind nor discriminated against on in whatever guise.

Vanguard gathered that the same approach was replicated in all the remaining 15 local governments areas of the state, as there was a designated centres where beneficiaries including public servants and teachers were attended to .

It was also gathered that no fewer than 80,000 birds, 100,000 bags of rice and cash gifts were distributed to the people, as the people for three days running (December 22, 23 and 24) continued to besiege the Governor’s Office to collect their own share of the Christmas goodies.

Speaking at the exercise, Fayose stated that what takes priority in his heart daily is the welfare of the people of the state who against all odds returned him to office eight years after, in a landslide victory.

He noted that he will continue to pursue his welfare programmes with all his strength, adding that he could not withstand the people of the state suffering.

According to him, the current financial situation will not deter him from reaching to the people of the state, noting that he had made a covenant with God to ensure that the people are liberated from the shackles of poverty.

When asked why he gave them money, the Governor said, “ they need to buy pepper, salt, maggi, palm oil and other ingredients to cook the chicken.

When Adeboye, Kumuyi intercede for troubled Ekiti

By Gbenga Ariyibi

A

DO EKITI- It seems palpable calm will return to Ekiti State this new year, following the spiritual visit of sorts, by the General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye and the Founder/General Superintendent of Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor William Kumuyi to the state during the Christmas for an evangelical work.

In their characteristic manner, Adeboye and Kumuyi, reinvigorated hope among the Ekiti people who have been bothered about the one-dayone-trouble that their state has been thrown into recently, following the ding-dong between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC. Showering blessings on the people for the peace, progress and development of the state, the clergymen predicted a brighter future for Ekiti State, stating that God has intervened C M Y K

in the various problems of the people.

At the Governor ’s Office, Pastor Adeboye prayed for the state governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose and members of his cabinet, saying that the state would soon come out of its present economic quagmire bedeviling it.

Adeboye who was in Ekiti, in continuation of the annual statewide crusade christened ‘Let’s Go A-Fishing ‘ explained that it was not his character to visit governors in their offices,except on invitation, saying God will soon answer the prayers of the people of the state.

Rapid transformation The cleric pointed that his visit to Ekiti would herald good things and rapid transformation in the coming years “Everything you propose to do for Ekiti State will succeed. God will take Ekiti to greater heights.You are the burden bearer, come and bear the burden of the governor in all areas of his life. As from now,

Adeboye praying for Fayose and members of his cabinet at the Governor's House

we shall continue to hear good news from Ekiti State.

Earlier in his remark, governor Fayose disclosed that his insistence to receive Adeboye in his office was to have a feel of the anointing.

Fayose who expressed concern over the current economic problem confronting the state, noted that only prayers could get the state out of the woods In his sermon at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, venue of the

Crusade, Adeboye urged Christians to take advantage of the yuletide to review their relationship with God, even as he urged whoever that has not given his or her life to Christ to do so without further delay.

Also, Pastor Kumuyi has predicted that Ekiti State would be blessed bountifully in the years ahead, despite the current challenges facing it.

Pastor Kumuyi who arrived Ado Ekiti on penultimate Wednesday, for a three day

crusade tagged “Extra Ordinary Encounter with God’s Miracle” told newsmen that God has directed him to end this year crusade in the state “This is a dream come true. I have traveled to all parts of the country for evangelical work, but God has directed me to round this year’s crusade up in Ekiti State. Ekiti State and indeed Nigeria shall witness peace, prosperity and love, and Nigeria will move forward.”

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015 —3

OGUN STATE Men who’ll decide the fate of contestants in S/West Continues from Page 1

•Ogun Government House, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta

Amosun, workers bicker over Dec pay •We paid salaries with 10% bonus – Govt •We received no alert – Workers

By Daud Olatunji

A

BEOKUTA-In what was termed a bleak Yuletide for civil servants in Ogun State, following the alleged failure of the state government to pay their December salaries, hope seems to be lurking around for the workers, as the government, Tuesday, said it has paid the said salaries with a 10 per cent bonus.

Even though as at the time of filing this report, the Chairman, Public Service Joint Negotiation Council, Abiodun Olakanmi was still insisting he was unaware that the State government had paid the workers, in a swift reaction, the state government clarified that only Lagos and Ogun states have paid December salaries alongside with bonus.

Salary imbroglio A mild drama however played out Tuesday at the governor’s office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, when the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Taiwo Adeoluwa Adeoluwa and Olakanmi were seen trading words at a press conference convened by the state government over the salary imbroglio.

The SSG, who led other officials including Chief of Staff to the governor, Ganiyu Olatunde; Commissioner for Finance, Kemi Adeosun and her counterpart in the Information ministry, Yusuph Olaniyonu, to address newsmen over the issue had said that government had paid the December Salary of all civil

servants, contrary to an interview earlier granted by Olakanmi.

He added that Olakanmi was just being mischievous and wrongly informing the public over the development.

However, when Olakanmi who joined them at the press conference was asked to confirm the claim, he swiftly refuted the claim, saying, as far he was concerned, none of his members had received any alert.

According to Olakanmi “I am just hearing this for the first time, and for anybody to say I am being mischievous, that is not correct. I still maintain my position on the radio interview granted in the morning, I am not aware of any salary payment.”

In a dramatic turn, government secretary took the microphone and tongue-lashed Olakanmi who was accompanied by three other union officials.

In a later development, Barr.

Adeoluwa at a press conference disclosed that in spite of the huge reduction in Federal Allocation, as a result of which many states have not been able to pay their workers for about three months, the Senator Ibikunle Amosun administration has painstakingly ensured the full payment of workers’ salaries.

His words: “Since July 2013, all the states in the country have been undergoing definite degree of financial uncertainties. As at last month, 23 states were not able to pay salaries while in Ogun State, salary has never been an issue.”

Adeoluwa also applauded the governor’s investment initiatives, which he said has brought many foreign investors to the state and

also enforced all dwellers in the state to remit their taxes to the state of their residence, thereby increasing the Internally Generated Revenue from which the government would be able to pay the workers without borrowing.

He pointed out that the state has never borrowed to pay workers’ salaries due to the investment initiatives of the present administration.

“I imagine what would have been the lot of the state if His Excellency had not brought investors, which has increased the IGR from N730 million to over N6 billion in the state.

Celebrating new year with smiles The government has been working round the clock to ensure that workers celebrate the new year with smiles on their faces”, he said.

While fielding questions from journalists, the State Commissioner for Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun stressed that in spite of delay of the Federal Allocation for December, the state government has been able to achieve this fit through its IGR from employees of labour and tax remittance from residence who work in nearby states.

She added that the 10 percent bonus has been paid alongside with the salary, adding that the “payment of 10 percent of the basic salary has been paid along with the salary.

“Only Lagos and Ogun states have paid December salaries alongside with bonus”, she stated.

Comparative Politics and Development.

The former Ambassador to Cuba was made a REC on July 22, 2010. Akeju, who was born in Lagos May 25 , 1947, hails from Lagos State. His tenure in Osun was not short of controversies, as he was accused of partisanship by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. At various times, there were demands for his removal following allegations that he is a card-carrying member of the All Progressives Congress APC. He was eventually removed from the state one month before the last governorship elections.

Mr. Kayode Idowu, the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Attahiru Jega, in statement, said Akeju was requested by the Commission to step aside against the backdrop of intense partisan acrimony over his person.

“He acceded to the request, knowing the effort being invested by INEC to make the Osun governorship election free, fair and credible. He has not been indicted for any offence, and the appeal by INEC for a stay of execution of the interlocutory order restraining the Commission from recognising him as Osun REC still subsist,”Idowu state.

Akeju, who once served in the administration of Bola Tinubu in Lagos State, is believed to be a strong ally of the APC leader.

OGUN STATE: Timothy Ibitoye, who before now was the REC in Kwara State, is from Osun State.

He assumed office as the REC in Kwara State in 2010, after which he conducted the 2011 governorship elections that ushered in Abdulfatah Ahmed as the state governor.

Since the state is not known for rancorous transfer of power, his four-year tenure in Kwara was bereft of controversies.

OSUN STATE: The Oyo State born Ogunmola, is resuming in a state where his predecessor was virtually in the eye of the storm while he presided over INEC .

The man he succeeded was enmeshed in controversy leading to demand by major opposition parties that he be redeployed over allegations of partisanship.

He hails from Oyo State.

LAGOS STATE: The man, who will supervise the 2015 elections in one of flashpoints of the opposition, is an indigine of Ogun State.

Prior to his secondment to oversee the exercise in the most priced state in Nigeria, Akin Orebiyi had been the REC in Ondo State, where he successfully conducted the election of Olusegun Mimiko. The product of Olivet High School, Oyo, also conducted the contentious Ilaje/Ese-Odo House of Representatives by-election.

EKITI: Mr. Sam Olumeku, who hails from Ondo State, was the REC in Ogun state before his redeployment to Ekiti State.

He has assumed the mantle of leadership in a state, where the immediate past REC is famed for conducting one of most credible governorship elections in the country.

With such template, expectations of an unquestionable performance from him, are widespread. But the state’s sobriquet of a theatre of political absurdities, may naturally place Olumeku in the eye of the storm.

ONDO STATE: From the comfort zone of Kogi, Mr. Segun Agbaje was temporarily moved to Osun, where he conducted the last governorship election. His interim leadership of INEC in that state, was a fallout of stringent calls for the replacement of Akeju ahead of the gubernatorial polls.

Agbaje consequently, resumed duty in Osun State in July as directed by INEC headquarters in Abuja.

His supervision of the August 9, 2014 exercise, was not devoid of complaints, as the PDP candidate, Oyiola Omisore alleged that the election was flawed. ‘’We affirm that the announced outcome of the August 9, 2014 gubernatorial election in Osun State are not a true reflection of the votes cast in the election, and rejected in all its entirety. We shall seek to retrieve our stolen mandate that was freely given to our candidate and party, using legal means as provided for by both the constitution and electoral laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Omisore alleged.

He hails from Ekiti State.

C M Y K

4 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015

OWAN'BE... THE SOCIAL LIFE OF YORUBA Imput by Onozure Dania (08026651636)

•Mother of the grooms, Hajia Abi Odun Yuguda with Umar and bride, Sefiya •Dayo met Omotoyosi, through his best friend and they later got to meet each other during the best friend's wedding. Dayo said immediately he saw her, he felt he has seen his mother because she reminded him of his late mother and the rest is history.

•Henry Oladele and his wife Tomisin Erogbogbo and a guest dancing.

•Yahaya feeds his wife, Mojisola with instructions from Mrs. Mulikat Akande, House Majority Leader.

•The couple in a deep kiss

•Umar and Sefiya cutting their wedding cake aided by former first ladies, Mrs. A joke Murtala Muhammad, Mrs Titi Atiku.

•Henry Oladele and his wife Tomisin Erogbogbo and a guest dancing.

•Dayo Olomoyoyo and his wife Omotoyosi RemiSurakat, during their traditional marriage.

•Henry Oladele and his friends, during his traditional marriage

•Umar and Sefiya cutting their wedding cake aided by former first ladies, Mrs. A joke Murtala Muhammad, Mrs Titi Atiku.

C M Y K

•Cross session of guest

•Dayo Olomoyoyo and his wife during their traditional wedding

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015 — 5

By Evelyn Usman

I

KEJA-The sight of a 24 year-old widow of one of the soldiers who lost his life in the ongoing onslaught against insurgency in the North-East part of the country elicited pity, as she stood among other women who were plunged into same fate, in an open field at the 9 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Ikeja, Lagos,last Weekend.

The widows, numbering over 200 wore long faces, owing to the prevailing tragedy.

Some of them were advanced in age, but a particular one that struck the attention of all was the 24-year-old woman who did not want her name in print.

She cuddled her one-year and six months old baby as if her existence depended on her, as she tried at the same time not to betray her emotion.

Checks by Vanguard revealed that the widow was barely two years in marriage when death snatched her husband, a private soldier in the war front during a shoot-out with members of the Boko Haram sect.

The widows converged at the open field to welcome wife of the Chief of Army Staff and President of the Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association, NAOWA, Mrs. Felly Minimah, who was on a familiarization tour to Army Units and formations in Lagos and Ogun states.

At the occasion, Mrs. Minimah distributed food stuff which comprised half bag of

•Gift items donated by NAOWA to bereaved colleagues in Ogun State

When Army officers’ wives fete bereaved colleagues in Lagos, Ogun rice, salt, tubers of yam and vegetable a keg of oil, including cooler and six yards of wrapper to each of the widows and wives of serving soldiers.

No fewer than 200 widows and over 800 wives of serving soldiers benefited from the gesture in Lagos, even as the same donation took place at Alamala Barracks in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital where about 1, 000 women comprising widows of officers who lost their lives in the line of duty both in Nigeria and at international peace operations benefited.

The wives of serving soldiers also benefited.

Ray of hope At a point, the seeming sad

disposition on the faces of some of the widows disappeared, giving way to a mixture of confusion, uncertainty and disbelief, following revelation

by Mrs Minimah that some of their supposed dead husbands were alive after all!.

According to the august visitor, who spoke in pidgin, apparently to convey her message better to the distraught widows: “Some of our soldiers whom we thought are dead, may not be dead after-all! This means that some of you referred to as widows may turn out not to be. This is because in one of the divisions which I visited, I heard some soldiers were missing in action.

It means they are not dead. In

this case, normally when their wives call their telephone lines for days and months without any response, they begin to wail and conclude that their husbands are dead.

“But some of our soldiers are not dead, they are still living. I want to reassure you that after the war is won, you will see some of our soldiers surfacing, said she.

Pray for our soldiers Taking a swipe on some wives of serving soldiers accused of raining curses on their husbands, as well as enjoining them to caution their children against indulging in criminal acts that could tarnish the image of their families and the Nigerian Army, Mrs Minimah

warned that such act should stop, admonishing rather that all that was required at the moment was for wives to pray for their husbands, as well as respect them.

“Part of the reason why I am here today is to advise you to stop raining curses on your husbands. If your husbands are in the battle front, pray for them. Not that when they have not sent money down, you will be cursing them. The idea of some of you fighting and reporting your husbands to their superiors in their respective offices should stop .

“This Boko Harm issue is enough stress for them. Your husbands are very important in the Army. It is only in your mouths that we hear that your husbands are useless and foolish. Who told you the Army recruits useless people,” she queried.

How 68-yr-old ex-NPA staff disappeared since Dec 11 •Family petitions Lagos CP

By Ikenna Asomba

A

JEGUNLE-Since Thursday, December 11, when Mr. Surajudeen Olugbade, an indigene of Kobiti, Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State, left his home at 4, Ezeagu Street, Ojo Road, Ajegunle, Lagos, to attend the afternoon prayers at a nearby Mosque in his community, that was the last his family set eyes on him till date.

Olugbade, aged 68, a retired civil servant of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Lagos, was said to have left home that fateful day at about 1.00pm in a brown Jalamia clothe for prayers at a mosque on Mosolashi bus-stop, along Okoya Road, Ojo Road, Ajegunle.

According to his son, Sulaimon Olugbade, who works with the Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Council, the family started smelling rat when their father who was supposed to have returned from mosque at least by

1.30pm that fateful day was no where seen around home after the prayer sessions.

He disclosed that the father who though has hearing impairment, is dark in complexion, speaks Yoruba and English fluently, and had a n Identity Card on him before he got missing.

How it happened Narrating how the unfortunate incident happened, he said: “My father usually goes for prayers five times everyday in the mosque at Mosolashi bus-stop, Okoya. So, that very day, my mum and one of my cousins were at home before he left. He told them to lock the door if they were leaving home, because he was with his own spare key.

“But my mother smelled something was wrong, when she waited for him even by 2.00pm and he was not yet back. She thought that perhaps, he must have taken a walk as he usually does.

“But when it was time for the next prayer by 4.00pm, some worshipers in the mosque, after the prayer session, came to enquire why he didn’t come for the prayers. That was when my mum raised the alarm that he has not come back home after he went for the 1.00pm prayers in the mosque.”

Police report Continuing, young Olugbade said they waited endlessly for their father to return that day, but to no avail, adding that efforts at searching for him within and around the neighbourhood was also futile.

He said it was the next day, Friday, December 12, that they reported the matter to the Layeni Police Post, Ajegunle, but expressed fear that the police post was not doing a good job.

Olugbade, however, called the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Mr. Kayode Aderanti to come to their aid.

According to him, “Our fear about those handling the case at

•Missing Surajudeen Olugbade the Layeni Police Post came alive when one police woman there demanded N4,000 from us, claiming that she would help us report the matter to Radio Lagos, Alausa.

“Since that day, we have always been tuned to the station but didn’t hear any announcement like that. We waited till Thursday, December 18, always tuned to the station but didn’t hear any announcement of such.

“So, I and two of my brothers went to the radio station ourselves, and we were told, nobody came to lodge such

•CP Kayode Aderanti complaint. Despite the N1, 000, they also collected from us to write police report, we have not heard any tangible results.”

Lamenting, the civil servant cried “Please, please, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police should come to our aid, because we are still young to lose our father.”

He however, urged anyone with useful information about the whereabouts of t he retired NPA staff to call 07061179672, 08068650806, 08028123615 or report to the nearest police station.

C M Y K

6 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015

OSUN STATE

One year after arsonists killed blind Ilase Ijesa monarch, community boils again

By Lateef Dada

O

SOGBO-ONE year after visually impaired Oba Ezekiel Anibijuwon, Onilase of Ilase-Ijesa, in Obokun Local Government Area of Osun state, was burnt to death by arsonists who were suspected to be members of Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, the community has been thrown into turmoil, as efforts to fill the vacant stool has proved futile.

The people of Ilase-Ijesa were said to be living in peace, until the monarch, Oba Anibijuwon was strangled and burnt inside his palace on November 20, 2013. Since then, the calm of the community had been ruptured as the people have known no peace.

The monarch was burnt beyond recognition while his charred remains was buried some days later at the mortuary of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, LAUTECH, Osogbo, Osun state capital.

According to investigation, some people who claimed to be members of Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, came and demanded to see the monarch but they were told that the monarch was asleep.

Octogenarian monarch It was learnt that shortly after, when the strange visitors came back, they firstly met the housemaid living with the monarch who they threatened pointing gun to her head. It was after this that they forced themselves into the palace where they strangled the octogenarian monarch who had been blind for over nine years.

They were also said to have set the palace ablaze as the upper floor of the two- storey building where the monarch resided was completely razed.

Reason for the merciless killing of Oba Anibijuwon still remains a misery as it was learnt that there was no land dispute nor chieftaincy tussle in the town to have offended the arsonists to the extent of murdering the monarch.

However, when there were no vital details about the purported killers of the monarch, the community had to perform necessary rituals to forestall reoccurrence of the incidence and resolved to continue living in peace and harmony.

But, the community’s effort to get another king has proved abortive as there is an ongoing conflict of the compound to produce the next king.

• The razed palace of the Onilase of Ilase Ijesa where the monarch was murdered

Vanguard learnt that one Moses Adegboyega Bamidele has been at loggerheads with Adesina Isiaka, who was chosen by the kingmaker.

Bamidele’s opposition to Isiaka’s emergence was not unconnected to his interest in the royal post having come from the same compound with Isiaka and also his elder brother.

Vanguard gathered that entitled to the royal stool in the town are members of the Arojojoye, Anibijuwon and Ajarabiolu’s compound respectively.

According to investigations, Arojojoye has ruled the town

before Oba Anibijuwon who was lynched, hence, the turn of Ajarabiolu’s compound.

It was revealed that the kingmakers have written Ajarabiolu’s family to present three candidates for screening before the kingmakers for the position of Onilase of IlaseIjesa.

However, the compound was said to have sent three persons where Isiaka Adesina was choosen by the kingmakers, after having consulted the oracles of the land.

They have also set out modalities to forward his name

By Gbenga Olarinoye

O

SOGBO—THE Osun State Police Command has commenced investigation into circumstances surrounding the death of two teenagers who were drowned in a swimming pool of a popular hotel in Osogbo during a Christmas party.

The incident occurred on December 23, last year, when the teenage group from a Christ Apostolic Church in Ile Ife organised a picnic for members of the group, as part of activities marking the Christmas celebration.

V a n g u a r d authoritatively gathered that the Pastor of the church and his wife, have been invited by the police to help them in their investigation into the matter.

It was further learnt that the police invited the leaders of the church following the disappearance of the leaders of the group that organised the picnic outside the domain of the church.

The victims are:

to the appropriate authorities for official ratification, before confusion marred the process, when his brother, Bamidele, wrote the kingmakers that he is interested in the post and asked them to denounce the candidacy of Isiaka.

Speaking with Vanguard, Chief Ogungbe Ogundele, the Loogan of Ilase, said Adesina Isiaka has been ratified and the town has endorsed his candidature, having been confirmed by the oracle.

He told Vanguard that Isiaka was ratified in June, but Bamidele wrote a letter to the

kingmakers in October that he is interested in the post and urged them to stop the process on Isiaka.

Chief Ogundele confided in Vanguard that Bamidele’s interest has political undertone as he alleged that he is being sponsored by a politician in the town. He expressed fear that his insistence on the Ilase stool may tear the town apart if urgent steps are not taken to pacify him.

Also, Chief Ajayi Ogunleke, the Asipa of Ilase-Ijesa, confirmed that Isiaka has been nominated by the elders in Ajarabiolu’s compound, adding that “as a leader of the hunter in the town, we have asked the gods and Isiaka is the right candidate for the stool.”

An elder in Ajarabiolu’s compound, Mr. Wahab Ajarabiolu, also confirmed that Isiaka’s name has been approved by the compound and that the kingmakers have ratified him, adding that “by the grace of God, Isiaka would be the king of Ilase.”

Vanguard however learnt that Isiaka’s name has been forwarded but Bamidele’s push has stalled the name from getting to the governor of the state for official ratification as it was learnt that Bamidele is an associate of an aspirant of the House of Assembly under the platform of All Progressive Congress, APC.

Tragedy as two teenagers drown in Osogbo swimming pool Ayomide Fagbola and Ifeoluwa who were said to be about 17 years old.

A reliable source told Vanguard that Ifeoluwa was the first to fall inside the pool and Ayomide, in an attempt to rescue his friend was said to have also drowned.

It was gathered that all efforts by members of the

•Swimming pool

group to rescue the drowned teenagers proved abortive.

The leaders were said to have gone into hiding out of fear and the colleagues of victims were said to have taken the bags of the deceased to their parents on the guise that they would return home.

The parents after waiting

more than three hours and there was no trace that their children would be coming home raised alarm and later reported the matter to the police in Ile-Ife. At this point, search team were raised to visit all the recreational parks in Osogbo, the state capital but later found their corpses at the mortuary.

When contacted, the State Police Public Officer, PPRO, Mrs. Folasade Odoro (DSP) confirmed the incident.

She said that the pastor of the church and his wife were only invited when the leaders of the group that took the teenagers out of the church were no where to found.

Mrs. Odoro said that the incident happened outside the church’s premises, adding that there is limit within which links the church into the matter.

She appealed to the leaders of the group to come forward to assist the police in the investigation of the case.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015 — 7

ONDO STATE

2015: Ondo senator donates 13 patrol vehicles to boost policing

By Dayo Johnson

W

ORRIED by the spate of insecurity across the Country, Senator Boluwaji Kunlere representing Ondo Southern Senatorial district in Ondo State, in the National Assembly, has donated13 Police patrol vehicles to the state Police command to boost the combating of crimes before, during and after the 2015 general elections in the state.

The state Police Commissioner, Isaac Eke has consistently waged war against criminals, warning them to relocate from the state in their own interest or be ready to face the superior fire-power of his men.

It is against this backdrop that the Command responded swiftly to the outcry of the people of the state, by setting up a 39-Man Special Anti Cultism Squad, SACS, to stamp-out activities of criminal elements in the state.

The squad, according to Eke is saddled with responsibility of fighting cultism and other related violent crimes in the State.

Vanguard gathered that this has paid-off with the arrest of over 50 suspected cult members in the last two months of the inauguration of the

•The new Hilux Police patrol vehicles donated by Senator Boluwaji Kunlere in Akure squad across the state.

Other criminals paraded by the police and in their net include fraudsters, kidnappers, armed robbery suspects, rapists and others.

Poised to strengthening the efforts of the state Police command in providing adequate security of lives and properties of the people of the state, Senator Kunlere said he donated the patrol vehicles to the Command.

Speaking during the handing-over, Kunlere said that he procured the vans with the 2014 constituency allowance to support the security operatives in his constituency in order to reduce crime and criminal activities.

He noted that although Ondo state has been adjudged as the most peaceful state among the nine states within the Niger Delta region, but kidnapping activities have been on the

increase in the Southern Senatorial district which he represents.

Kunlere recalled the traumatic experience he had when he showed interest to contest for the Senatorial seat in 2006, saying “almost all the known highly placed people in the senatorial district had one time or the other be victim of kidnappers and attacked by criminals. As part of our contributions towards reducing

Worker accuses Ondo Football boss of assault over wage increase

NEW YEAR REQUEST:

By Dayo Johnson

A

KURE— FOR her effrontery to demand a salary increase in the new year, a contract staff with the Ondo State Football Agency, ODSFA, Funmi Alao- Kawell has received the beating of her life.

Funmi alleged that she was assaulted by her Chairman, Akin Akinbobola at the Premises of the Agency.

Save for the timely intervention of other contract staff and workers of the agency, Alao-Kawell would have been sent to her early grave.

But in a telephone interview, Akinbobola denied the allegation saying that he was in Lagos.

Akinbobola claimed he had nobody bearing Funmi AlaoKawell on her staff register.

Narrating her ordeal in the hand of her Chairman to newsmen in Akure, AlaoKawell alleged that the

beating caused her strained neck and body injuries, as she is currently receiving medical attention at the State General Hospital in Akure.

According to Alao-Kawell, who has been a contract staff in the agency since March 2014, as a maintenance manager “I was invited to the chairman’s office for a discussion after I asked for increment in my salary through a text message.

Recently, the management of the football agency increased the salaries of all contract staff, but I realised there was a slight difference between my salary and that of others under me, because I am the Coordinator and the head of the contract staff.

“I discovered that my salary was only N200 higher than those under me and I text the chairman to help review the salary. Following this, he invited me to his office for discussion via a text message too. So, while I was in his

• Funmi who was assaulted by her Chairman in Ondo for asking for wage increase office to table the matter before him (Akinbobola), rather than explaining the rationale behind his action ordered me out of his office and raining curses on me.

“In the process, he hit me on the chest and dragged me out of his office in annoyance.

When I held on to his clothes in order to stabilise myself at the staircase, where he was

the crime rates and ensuring a secured environment for the people in their day-to-day activities, we have chosen to empower all the 13 Police Divisions in the Ondo South Senatorial district."

Among the Police divisions that are beneficiaries of the patrol vehicles are Igbotako Police Division,Ile-Oluji P o l i c e Division,Oke-Igbo P o l i c e Division,Ilutitun Police Division and Okitipupa Police Division.

Others include Igbokoda Police Division,Igbekebo P o l i c e Division,Irele Police Division Ajagba Police Division, Akotogbo Police Division, Odigbo Police Division,Ore Police Division and Araromi Obu Police Divisions.

Receiving the support vehicles, the State police boss, Isaac Eke while lauding the senator for the rare gesture said it will go a long way in combating crimes within the districts.

Eke represented by his Deputy Alhassan Mahmuda called on well meaning Nigerians to follow the footsteps of the donor declaring that “funding of security agencies should not be left to the government alone.”

pushing me, he tore my clothes, pulled me by my braided hair while dragging me around the reception.

“As soon as I escaped from his grip, I left the office immediately and I packed some of my hair which he pulled-off and left for nearest police station to report the matter, before I was taken to the hospital for treatment,” she explained.

Vowing to pursue the case of physical assault on her to a logical end, through her lawyer, she alleged that the Chairman has said that “nothing can be done to him on the matter as he is close to the governor and can do anything and get away with it.”

However, Akinbobola told newsmen that the lady fabricated the story to smear his good name.

When contacted, police officers at the Divisional Police Station in Akure confirmed that Alao-Kawell had lodged complaint with them, adding that the ODSFA boss will be invited for questioning in the cause of their investigation.

8 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015

BITS Briefs With IKENNA ASOMBA

Why Buhari will lose Ogun State — PDP chieftain

A

•Worshipers at Imeko City Altar Mercy Land, Abeokuta, Ogun State

Imeko 2014: Celestial holds Christmas convocation A

BEOKUTA, the capital of Ogun state, penultimate Tuesday, was up and alive as members of the Celestial Church of Christ, in their tens of thousands passed through to Imeko-Afon for the 2014 Christmas convocation.

The Christmas convocation is an annual gathering of members of the church for a four-day revival and prayer at the Church’s Prayer City in Imeko-Afon, a suburb community in Ogun state, few kilometers away from the Republic of Benin.

As Nigerians and other African nationals stormed the city, the event, which held between Monday, December 22 to Thursday, December 25, undoubtedly increased vehicular traffic in and around Abeokuta, home of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The convocation afforded many members the opportunity to engage themselves in uninterrupted prayers, as chances to meet friends and family, are usually slim.

At the 2014 convocation, the first and most vibrant Bible Teaching ministry in Celestial, Maranatha Pavilion International Ministries arrived two days earlier to hold daily revivals aimed at healing, breakthrough, forgiveness of sins and deliverance.

Speaking during one of the evening sermons, Visioner of the ministry, Dr. Omololu Oladosu charged members to be Heaven conscious in their dealings with fellow human beings.

Similarly, youth members of the church engaged in a doorto-door evangelism to preach the essence of Christ’s birth to everyone, Imeko villagers in particular. The youth did this C M Y K

through well-organized rallies.

Meanwhile, the convocation got to its peak every night as gospel artistes who were members of the church treated audience to soul lifting gospel songs.

Among the artiste present for this year’s convocation include, Abel Dosumu (aka Mega99), Esther Igbekele Iwalesin and the King of gospel himself, Femi Opalemo.

Others were Remilekun Olabamiji, Steve Pelemo (BroBro), Johnny Souru, from the Republic of Benin as well as evergreen gospel singer, Akin Adebayo popularly known as Imole Ayo and many others.

Also, Choirs of more than 14 parishes participated in the yearly musical competition, to give members a thrilling and memorable experience of the three-day activities.

n Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chieftain, Otunba Olukoye Ijaduoye, has said that the dishonouring of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s home by the Buhari-led military regime and the brutalisation of other sons of the state by the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari barely three days after he assumed power through a military coup would make him fail to get votes from the state in the 2015 Presidential election.

Ijaduoye, who made this assertion pointed that Buhari had manifested his hatred for the Yoruba people and Ogun state in particular with the unlawful detention of the former Governor of the state, Late Bisi Onabanjo – the Aiyekoto himself, whom he detained and sent to Bauchi prison; Papa Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade and the highly respected Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero who were not detained, but were virtually restricted to their palaces and had their passports seized.

Don’t trade experience for experiment, Fashola tells Lagosians

T

housands of Artisans, tradesmen and farmers in Lagos State, were urged on Tuesday, not to trade experience in government business for experiment, trial and error that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP wants to bank on in the state.

Governor Babatunde Fashola made this remark when he presented the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in the state, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode and vice presidential candidate of the party, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, to them.

At the interactive town hall meeting at the Agidingbi premises of LTV, Fashola said Mr Ambode is better suited for the state’s number one job because of his competence, saying he worked with him for over six years as Accountant General of the state and would start from where he hands over the baton to him.

He said he can thump his chest and vouch for the governorship candidate of the APC in Lagos State as one who would be a worthy successor to him.

2015: I ‘ll develop Oke Ogun area, if … — Ladoja

A

CCORD Party governorship candidate in Oyo state, Senator Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja has stressed that Oke Ogun area of oyo state holds the key to the economic development of the state if the natural resource God has deposited there is fully harnessed.

Addressing leaders of Oke Ogun led by former deputy governor of the state, Chief Hamid Gbadamosi who visited him in his Bodija resident in Ibadan, to pledge support for his aspiration to govern the state, Accord governorship candidate expressed gratitude for the support shown him by the elders pointing that Oke Ogun could play a pivotal role that will ensure the state becomes less dependent on what it gets from the federal government.

Noting that monies accruing to the state are increasingly becoming insufficient with the dwindling oil prices, he said the state needs to look inward to meet her financial challenges.

•Worshipers at Imeko City Altar Mercy Land

THE TEAM Editor: Adeleke Adeseri

Correspondents: Ola Ajayi Gbenga Olarinoye Dayo Johnson Gbenga Ariyibi Dapo Akinrefon Daud Olatunji Olasunkanmi Akoni Monsur Olowoepejo Ikenna Asomba

Ibadan Osogbo Akure Ado Ekiti Abeokuta Lagos

PDP Crisis: Bode Olajumoke calls for truce in Ondo

T

he Senatorial Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the Ondo North Senatorial District of Ondo State, Dr. Bode Olajumoke, Tuesday, called for truce in the crisis bedeviling the party. He appealed to the aggrieved members of the party in the state to bury the hatchet and come fully on board for victory for the party in the 2015 elections.

This is coming as jubilation greeted the acceptance and clearance by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, of the Senatorial and the House of Representatives’ candidates.

Olajumoke, while addressing PDP top shots in the District at his Campaign Organization office in Akungba Akoko, asked them to join hands with Governor Olusegun Mimiko in his quest for victory for the Party.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015—29

Style-Plu s huge com plans eback

.Manage m e problems nt d r o ve us apart , says Shi fi

STYLE-Plus was one of the hottest groups in the modern day Nigerian music scene,which made waves in the early 2000, with the smash singles, “Runaway” and “Olufunmi.”

Unfortunately, the group went underground several years ago, after one of the trio, Tunde Akinsanmi decided to embark on a solo career, leaving Shifi Omoefe and Zeal Onyecheme to their fates. While many have attributed the demise of the group to selfish ego and dwindling musical fortunes, Shifi in this exclusive interview with Weekend Groove blames their misfortunes on management issue, revealing, however, that the group is planning to stage a comeback next year.

By Benjamin Njoku

Your fans have been missing the group since you went underground many years ago. Do you have any plan to stage a comeback?

Imelda J makes headline again!

C M Y K

Ye s , we are looking forward to staging a comeback next year. We might release a single before the end of this year(last year). If everything works out the way we planned it, we also might be doing a collaboration.

But hopefully, we are going to drop an album next year.

What happened to the group?

A lot of things happened. We had a fallout with our management twice.

Best Nollywood movies of 2014

More so, one of us left the group. There has been a lot of repackaging so to say. Sometimes, our fans think the group is disbanded, while in actuality, the group is still in existence. Only one of us left the group. There was a period when everything was a bit edgy, but we have come together again.

The return of NITEL and other tech surprises 2015 might bring

Why did Tunde Akinsanmi walk out of the group. Was there any internal squabble?

He embarked on a solo career, which he’s currently pursuing. That’s what he wanted for himself. It’s not like we were married in a court of law. He felt, it was the direction he needed at that stage of his career. He’s getting on well and it will surprise you to see three of us come together again some day.

But what have you been doing since the group went underground?

We still sing. We still attend a lot of events, especially in the northern part of the country and sometimes in Europe. But apart from that, for years now, we all have our hands in different businesses to make ends meet.

Don’t you think your disappearance from the scene was a serious setback to the group?

You know, as people grow with age, individual priorities tend to come up, and sometimes, they overshadow that of the group. If you call it a setback, you just want to. But it’s about life and life happens. It could have happened six years ago,or four years from now.

But the major thing is that, if the music is in you, you keep singing and do

Continues on page 30

30—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015

Synopsis

Management problems drove us apart, says Shifi w e n t underground as a group?

We didn’t miss anything. For us, it’s not about money. When we started, we didn’t plan to sing for commercial purposes.

We liked the way our music sounded and the way our fans enjoyed listening to our music.

Continues from page 29 not look back.

Do you feel worried that your fans over the years have been missing your music?

As a group, we have gone through a lot.

Inasmuch as we are sympathetic to the feelings of the fans, the truth remains that the group faced a lot of challenges.

If we were unable to resolve the internal problems, even when we decide to go into the studio, it would be difficult to give our fans a good music comparable to the ones we released back in the days. So, it’s important to address the internal problem first and foremost before anything else.

Your style of music is quite different from what obtains today, how do you intend to cope with the trend when you stage a comeback?

It’s simple, just do the best you can: follow your instinct, your talent and your musical ability and leave the rest to God. Do what you have to do, we are not competing with anybody.

Can you give us an insight into your forthcoming album!

It’s a blend of RnB and pop. It has an RnB version as well as a dance version. Above all, it has a regular Styl-Plus RnB flow. We like it and hopefully, our fans will embrace the songs too.

How did you come together as a group?

It was during our university days that we formed the group in 1997. I read Quantity Survey. After graduation, I picked up a job in an Aluminum company and worked for about a year and half.

Then, we have already formed the group, and I was combining my work with attending shows. Then, our music was not all that popular. But when our music started making waves, I couldn’t continue as I quit the job to pursue my career in music.

What’s your most memorable moments on stage?

Every time you think you have had your memorable experience on stage , something shows up that is more memorable than the former.

Tonight(Felaberation 2014) is the most memorable moment for me. This is because we disappeared for some years now and still hit the stage.

Performing on stage, it looked as if we never disappeared.

What have you missed since you

How I nurtured my musical talent in the creek — Ex-militant turned musician, Bowei

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x-militant, Maxwell Patrick Ogolomo popularly known as Bowei who has since laid down his arms for the microphone recently took a trip down memory lane, narrating how he nurtured his talent in music while fighting in the creeks of Niger-delta.

“I have always loved singing and entertaining people,” Bowei said, adding “While fighting to liberate my people from the shackles of poverty and total abandonment in the creek, I used to sing and entertain my colleagues in our various camps,”Bowei, who is currently signed to El-Montage Records owned by popular entertainer, Tarila Thompson enthused.

Although the Bayelsa State-born ex-militant-turned-musician said,

his passion for music started during to his primary school days, he, however, actualized the dream immediately after he came out of the creek.

Bowei’s latest single, “Kalakala” which he recently dropped alongside the video is already enjoying massive airplay. He could back his joy, as he thanked ElMontage Records for discovering and helping me to actualize his dream of becoming a singer. “Henceforth, my aim will be to project the plight of my people through my songs. This was the main reason I laid down my gun for the microphone,” declared.

Bowei said, he’s seriously planning to return to the classroom, where he hopes to study Theatre Arts.

TOP MOVIES OF THE WEEK · · · · ·

3 0 DAYS IN ATLANTA ANNIE C H A M PAGNE MAGIC IN THE MOON LIGHT BOXTROLLS

Movie schedule from Januaary 2nd — 8th 2014 SILVERBIRDCINEMAS, VICTORIA ISLAND Magic in the Moonlight : 11:30pm,6:50pm Annie : 1:25pm,4:10pm,6:00pm Champagne : 11:25am,6:20pm 30 Days in Atlanta : 8:40pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, IKEJA Magic in the Moonlight :10:35am, 12:15pm,7:10pm Annie : 10:00pm,2:20pm,4:35pm Champagne : 12:35pm,8:50pm Box Trolls : 12:50pm 30 Days in Atlanta : 6:50pm,9:05pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, SEC Annie : 11:50am,2:10pm,4:30pm,6:50pm,9:10pm Champagne : 2:50pm,6:40pm,8:40 Magic in the Moonlight : 1:10pm,5:00pm,8:55pm 30 Days in Atlanta 12:10pm,2:20pm,4:30pm,6:40pm,8:50pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS CEDDI PLAZA , ABUJA Annie :2:35pm,4:15pm Magic in Moonlight : 10:45am,1:45pm SILVERBIRD CINEMAS, PORT HARCOURT Magic in the Moonlight : 2:40pm,4:40pm,9:15pm Annie : 11:00am,3:10pm,5:25pm, Champagne : 11:35pm,3:15pm,7:00pm 30 Days in Atlanta : 1:50pm,6:15pm,8:30pm GENESIS DELUXE CINEMAS LAGOS Annie : 11:00am,3:40pm,6:15pm,8:50pm 30 Days in Atlanta : 3:05pm,5:25pm,7:45pm,8:05pm Champagne : 8:30pm GENESIS DELUXE CINEMAS, PORT HARCOURT Annie : 10:20am,2:40pm,6:20pm 30 Days in Atlanta : 10:10am,2:00pm,5:50pm,8:00pm GENESIS DELUXE CINEMAS, ENUGU Annie : 10:05am,2:35pm 30 Days in Atlanta : 12:25pm,4:55pm,9:50pm

:

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015—31

Olamide, Yemi Alade, Davido end 2014 in style

Don’t start in a group, Presh tells upcoming artistes

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IGERIA pop stars seem to have ended 2014 on an excellent note as they are reaping from the work they have put into the previous year. Just when the 2014 was coming to an end , Badoo sensation Olamide took to his instagram to announce that he just acquired new super automobiles. The YBNL boss took delivery of a brand new Black Range Rover Sport as well as a white Mercedes Benz G Wagon.

He captioned it this way on instagram: “My baby is finally home … Black range x white G.” The duo of Yemi Alade and Davido are also not missing out in what 2014 offered . They took to their social media accounts to disclose that they just inked a deal to become brand ambassadors of Close-Up. In a recent post on Instagram, Yemi Alade wrote: “Closing up the year with close up! goodies coming your way from the new team soon.”

In the same vein Davido announced:” Just signed a deal with close up! Great way to end the year non -stop thank you Lord!! “

By Kehinde Ajose

I

t would appear Presh is not having fond memories of his association with Kcee when the duo hooked up as a group known as KC-Presh. The singer in an encounter with WG spoke his mind about artistes starting out in groups.

“Don’t start in a group. If you know you have it, go all out for yourself. Even if the person is your brother, it’s good to differentiate yourselves. If you have to do it, do it yourself because you get to take your own decisions and keep growing from there.”

Kcee and Presh started out as a singing duo known as KC -Presh, but went their separate way to pursue their individual music careers.

Commenting on the why he collaborated with Tiwa Savage on his new song I no dey lie, he said: “I had a song and I asked myself who will actually fit in and I decided to go for Tiwa Savage” he said.

•Presh

Imelda J makes headline again!

By Iyabo Aina

•Imelda

Imelda J who made headlines when she was rumored to be in hot romance with Jaywon is in the news again. This time, the news is for good. The Benue State-born music damsel, Imelda Ada Okwori (well known as Imelda J), has got some special inborn talents and she is dishing them out in bits to the delight of her growing fans, who don’t seem to be getting enough of her pop style.

The songstress has resurfaced with a new singles titled;’ Christmas time’.

In a recent chat, she said, “Christmas time” is another wonderful song in my collection, and I am just dishing things out little by little for the listening and dancing pleasure of my fans. I personally love the playful nature of the video and the message in the song is so on point. I have come to stay because I believe I have what it takes to survive in this industry. I want to create a niche for myself. Also, I am the first indigenous artiste to shoot a Christmas music video in 2014,” she said.

Bimbo Thomas, Koffi unveiled as ‘Folk idols’ Africa talent show hosts •Bimbo Thomas

By Iyabo Aina

A

s talent-hunt show, Folk idols prepares to hit TV screens on January 17th to 18th, producers of the show have unveiled Season 12 s hosts. The hosts are popular Yoruba movie diva Bimbo Thomas, stand-up comedian Koffi, and film maker, director and actor Fred Amata.

The producers of the show have promised viewers to expect immense talents from the audition centres in Abuja and Lagos. Those who will scale the auditioning will have the rare opportunity to compete in the finals.

The winner will be given an opportunity to become Nigeria’s next •Fred Amata international superstar.

Emem Isong steps out with hubby to ‘Champagne’ premiere

By Juliet Ebirim

Y

ear 2014 ended on a very good note for Nollywood producer, Emem Isong as she premiered her new movie ‘Champagne’. The event took place at the Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island on December 19th. Emem Isong and her husband, Misodi Akama were spotted at the event.

This is the first time the couple would step out together with her hubby since getting married a few weeks back.

Also spotted at the event were other Nollywood stars Majid Michel, Belinda Effah, Desmond Elliot, Kemi Lala Akindoju, Kenneth Okolie, Mary Lazarus, Tana Adelana, Queen Nwokoye amongst others.

The movie ‘Champagne’ is a romantic thriller about a young c o u p l e (played by Alex Ekubo & Ro s e m a r y Zimu) who decide to s c a m unsuspecting people for money until they meet t h e enigmatic Mr D o u g l a s (Majid Mchel) who takes them on an unexpected ride.

Other actors in the movie are Tana Adelana, Mbong Amata, Padita Agu, Susan Peters. The movie is screening in cinemas nationwide.

•Koffi •Emem Isong and hubby

32—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015

Best Nollywood movies of 2014 IT was a good box office experience for some Nigerian movies in 2014, with many of them making handsome outing at the cinemas.In no specific order, below are Nollywood movies released in 2014 that topped box office charts. It should be noted that figures are obtained from press statements from managements of various productions. The list is not limited those highlighted here. Some are omitted because the figures are not available at press time.

By Juliet Ebirim Half of a Yellow Sun grossed N280m

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he movie is a Nigerian historical drama directed by Biyi Bandele and based on the novel of the same name by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. The film is a love story about two sisters who are caught up in the outbreak of the Nigerian Civil War. It stars Chinwetel Ejiofor, Thandie Newton, Onyeka Onwenu, Anika Noni Rose, Genevieve Nnaji, OC Ukeje and John Boyega.

The movie which was released in May, 2014 is about Olanna (Thandie Newton) and Kainene (Anika Noni Rose) who are glamorous twins from a wealthy Nigerian family. Upon returning to a privileged city life in newly independent 1960s Nigeria after their expensive English education, the two women make very different choices.

Preoccupied by their romantic entanglements, and a betrayal between the sisters, the events of their lives seem to loom larger than politics. The movie generated N280 million as at July 2014.

October 1 is N330m in box office rating

O

ctober 1 is a 2014 Nigerian psychological thriller written by Tunde Babalola, produced and directed by Kunle Afolayan. It stars Sadiq Daba, Kayode Olaiya, David Bailie, Kehinde Bankole Kanayo .O. Kanayo, Fabian Adeoye Lojede, Nick Rhys, Kunle Afolayan, Femi Adebayo, Bimbo Manuel, Ibrahim Chatta and introducing Demola Adedoyin and Deola Sagoe. The film which is set in Colonial Nigeria,

narrates the story of Danladi Waziri (Sadiq Daba), a police officer from Northern Nigeria, who is posted to a remote town of Akote in Western Nigeria to investigate the frequent female murder cases in the community, and have the mystery solved before the Nigerian Flag is raised on October 1, Nigeria’s Independence Day. The movie was released on October 1st, 2014 and features Sadiq Daba, Kayode Olaiya, David Bailie, Kehinde Bankole, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Fabian Adeoye Lojede, Nick Rhys, Kunle Afolayan, Femi Adebayo,Bimbo Manuel, Ibrahim Chatta, Demola Adedoyin, Deola Sagoe. It’s box office rating is N330m. ’30 Days In Atlanta’ made N85m in 8 weeks,

W

ithin eight weeks of release in cinemas across the country, 30 Days in Atlanta, a feature film produced by comedian Ayo Makun, aka AY, is said to have attained an unusual feat, grossing N85 million.

With a nationwide box-office gross of about N85 million in 8 weeks of showing at the cinemas across the country, ’30 Days in Atlanta’ has been announced as Nollywood’s highest Grossing Cinema Movie of all time. The movie is produced by Nigerian comedian, AY. 30 Days in Atlanta released in October 2014 is an adventurous love story spiced with lots of action and hilarious moments. It paints, in beautiful colours, the hugely popular (and social media trending) Akpos character which was created from the AY Show’s “Who Wants To Be A Billionaire” hilarious skits.

The movie features AY, RMD, Ramsey Nouah, Mercy Johnson, Desmond Elliot, Vivica Fox, Lynn Whitfield, Karlie Redd, Majid Michel, Juliet Ibrahim, Kese Jabari, Rachel Oniga and Ada Ameh.

Being Mrs Elliot made $5m Dollars in three days

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eing Mrs Elliot is a 2014 Nigerian romantic comedy film, co-produced and directed by Omoni Oboli. It stars Majid Michel, Omoni Oboli, Ayo Makun, Sylvia Oluchy, Seun Akindele, Lepacious Bose and Uru Eke. It premiered at Nollywood Film Festival in Paris in June 2014.

It received 6 nominations at the 2014 Best of Nollywood Awards and was also nominated in 9 categories at the 2014 Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards taking place in October.

The movie which premiered at the Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island, Lagos opened in cinemas across the country on Friday, September 5 and recorded good box office figures, topping the chart alongside other movies. The movie made over $5m in its first three days in the cinemas, making it number one in the cinemas over that weekend.

A Place In the Stars rates in $984,000 in box office

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he movie, an action thriller was inspired by the tenure of Late Professor Dora Akunyili as the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control(NAFDAC). Directed by Steve Dukas, it stars Gideon Okeke, Segun Arinze, Matilda Obaseki, Yemi Blaq, Femi Branch, Dejumo Lewis and was released in November, 2014.

Estimated to have cost slightly over N162 million ($1 million), the movie tells the story of Kim Dakim, a young lawyer who gets a client with a case that leaves him conflicted. The movie said to have taken five years to produce has box office rating estimated at $984,000.

Finding Fela rates $120,372

F

inding Fela tells the story of Fela Anikulakpo Kuti’s life, his music, social and political importance.

It takes a look at the man who created Afrobeat (a fusion of Jazz, traditional West African rhythms, Funk, Highlife, and psychedelic rock) . It also reveals Fela’s fight against the dictatorial Nigerian government of the 1970s and 1980s.

With his audacious music and a great deal of courage, Fela Kuti helped bring a change towards democracy in Nigeria, promoted Pan Africanist politics to the entire world and became an inspiration in the global fight for the rights of all oppressed people. It’s box office rating is estimated at $120,372.

It features Fela Kuti, Yeni Kuti, Femi Kuti, Seun Kuti, Bill T. Jones, Okwechime Abdul, Tony Allen, Kewe Anikulapo -Kuti, Hettie Barnhill, J.K. Braimah, John Darnton, Lemi Ghariokwu, Ogugua Iwelu, Sandra Isdore, Francis Kertekian.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015—33 With PRINCE OSUAGWU princeosuagwu@gmail.com 08050498513

in partner with a major telecom operator to get the right structures in place. What’s more, tariffs on the new NITEL are expected to be cheaper than on other networks. Could this mark the reemergence of landlines?

No one knows for sure, but it wouldn’t be the first time talk about going back to landlines would be coming up in tech circles. In fact, at the 2nd West Africa Conference on Electromagnetic Fields, EMF, and Health, experts debated that in the long run, landlines could be considered as safer for the general well being of people than mobile phones.

Cheaper calls If reports of the new NITEL’s cheaper tariffs are anything to go by, then calls might just become even cheaper across all networks because of the new competition. This would be good for the industry as a report in early 2014 revealed that Nigerians have one of the highest tariffs in the world.

Broadband penetration

The return of NITEL and other tech surprises 2015 might bring

By Laju Iren

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t is often said that because it is a new year doesn’t mean everything will automatically become new. That might be true for some sectors, but Nigeria’s tech world, there is bound

to be a lot of new changes come 2015. Glamtech sheds light on juicy surprises to expect in the New Year.

The return of Nitel One of the most exciting developments 2015 is

expected to bring is the rebranded return of the moribund Nigerian Telecommunications Limited, NITEL, and its mobile arm, Mobile Telecommunications, MOBITEL. Recall that with a bid price of $252. 25

million, NATCOM finally became the preferred bidder for NITEL after years of haggling among different bidders. That is no longer news. But industry sources say that the new company is set to launch next year and is currently

Even though Nigeria has at least 120 million active lines, broadband penetration still stands at a meagre 6%. This is not expected to remain so for long as the Minister of Communication Technology, Dr. Omobola Johnson, and other high ranking officials in the sector have been campaigning for more and more investment in the area of broadband.

More start ups, inventions and contribution to GDP The dwindling oil prices and consequent cuts in the 2015 budget mean that other sectors are becoming more and more essential in their contributions to the country’s Gross Domestic Product. Information and communication technology, ICT, accounted for 9.58% of Nigeria’s GDP in 2014.

With a growing enabling environment for more start ups and inventions, this percentage is very likely to increase in 2015.

34 — Vanguard, JANUARY 2, 2015

15 things to do in 2015 I

t’s a brand new year, and that time for new resolutions. But we all know resolutions are made to be broken, meaning don’t make resolutions- just do it!

1) Travel If you are the sort that only goes to familiar places, 2015 is a good year to connect with your adventurous side. Travel to other states of the country for a change, and for your vacations choose somewhere off the beaten track like Thailand or Siberia or Morocco.

2) Do a check If you are the type that grows gray hair at the very thought of having a tooth out, 2015 is a good time to overcome your fear of dental and medical check-ups. A comprehensive medical check-up is in order, as well as the appropriate treatment if necessary.

3)Make a friend Making friends is an exercise that should not have an age limit. Unfortunately, most of us cannot make a friend past the youth service year. Hook up with someone of the same or even opposite sex at least once a month and relearn the freedom that you to appreciate what goes comes from cultivating real into baking one.

7) Think of your financial friendships. Also, don’t forget future the old friends and the value If you’ve never thought of they’ve always added to your life after work, there’s life. absolutely nothing strange 4) Take a course For good students of life, about you: the majority of learning is a never ending people don’t. But they process, and the journey to should, so it’s the year when self improvement has no you make a decision about destination. In addition, no what to do with life after knowledge is ever wasted. retirement. You just might Pick up a course sometime at live that long!

8) Have your phone off for the beginning of this year and a week see it to a logical Clearly you think conclusion.

It this would mark doesn’t have to be a the end of your life difficult course. as you know it but 5) Give to charity hey- calm down. It Got a few bucks for won’t. instead, an extra something getting rid of your here and there? Give For good cellphone for a it to a cause. It’s week might be one been said that the students of the most most fulfilled people of life, emancipating are the ones that learning experiences of give so why not join is a never your life. the bandwagon?

9) Actually eat an 6) Bake a bread/ ending apple a day, or an cake process, orange as the case Baking a bread and the may be. Who from scratch is one thing the average journey to knows, you just might get used to person would never self contemplate, yet improvement it and at the very worst, you’ll come bread is an everyday has no out with great skin. part of our lives.

10) Recyle Baking one from destination something scratch might help

Well, you’re either part of the planet’s problems or part of its solution. In an attempt to be part of the solution, use all your plastics again, only buy refills

and make art with your broken glass. Go green or die trying 11) Give back to your profession

Maybe by mentoring someone new in your field, speaking at a conference, or being active in a local computer club (e.g., at a nearby high school). Let it be known that you walked this hallowed profession.

12) Declutter A good place to start at decluttering your life is to give out half of the stuff in your wardrobe. Giving out stuff you don’t want is easy enough. Try giving out some stuff you want just so they will give someone else the joy they gave you.

13)Attend a funeral It’s easy enough to attend a wedding or a naming ceremony, but not a funeral.

Summon up the courage and invite yourself to one. There’s nothing like a funeral to remind you what your priorities are.

14) Do a puzzle Any puzzle at all, and just because you can. Nothing like a puzzle to put you in touch with that inner child you lost so long ago.

15) Vote It’s an election year. Make your voice count. If you have no candidate to vote in, at least you can vote out someone that doesn’t tickle your fancy.

Vanguard, FRIDAY,JANUARY 2, 2015 —35

By Anino Aganbi

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World AIDS month: The need to do more for youths

orld AIDS Day is the first ever global health day, instituted in 1988 and is st commemorated every 1 December for people across the globe to unite in the fight against HIV, show their need. In Lagos State, Health support for people living with Education as well as HIV HIV and to commemorate Counselling and Testing was those who have died. held for staff, distributors and OLAM Nigeria joined the retailers of Olam and its rest of the world to observe sister companies; along with World AIDS Day with residents of its surrounding activities in two states of the communities in Lagos.

Federation, Lagos A d e q u a t e and Cross River information on the State Nigeria, This is a importance of reaching over 2,000 knowing their wake up persons. The theme status and of the event call for practicing the ABC “Closing the gap” the nation (Abstinence, Be was done with the to do faithful, Condom sole purpose of use) formula to a more empowering and healthy sexual life enabling people pertaining was provided for everywhere, access the youths staff. Information the services they was also provided

about ART (Antiretroviral Therapy) and confidential voluntary HIV Counselling and Testing by trained testers was made available.

The AID’s awareness events in Lagos saw participation from more than 2200 people out of which about 400 were tested and counselled.

OLAM Nigeria funded these initiatives in full support of this year ’s World AIDS Day theme, “Close the Gap” between people who have access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services and those who do not and in so doing end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

Dr. Esther Somefun stated that “Although the HIV virus knew

no gender bound, women and children are more vulnerable to the disease.

There is no young person who is willing to access care for HIV because people are judgmental. These services are available but young people still need to be reached out to because the equivalence of HIV in them in Lagos state is high”.

She further said that “Lagos State is doing a whole lot but we still have to reach out to the next generation in different methods. We need more adolescent and youth friendly clinic.

The ages 10-24 need more attention because they are the generation of the country. If you have a very high percentage of those infected in that generation, it will affect every thing in all aspects. We all need to bring down the rate of increase of the virus especially in the next generation.

This is a wake up call for the nation to do more pertaining the youths. It should not be just for HIV alone but also other diseases that could affect them. So we need to do more for our young generations who are the future of Nigeria”.

By Caleb Ayansina

A

BUJA – FEDERAL Government has called on Nigerians to change their perception about the issue of adoption, saying there is nothing strange or negative in adopting a child from an orphanage home, as they also deserve to have a better life.

It said negative perception of adoption in the country is one of the obnoxious culture built in the country among the peoples of all cultures that must be changed, for a better society.

This was coming at a time, when a group under the auspices of Zion City with the support of Busy Mind Entertainment premiered a movie titled; Revelation.

Revelation, a Nollywood/ Hollywood movie that focuses on parenthood and the family, shows that a happy and fulfilled life is strongly linked with starting a family irrespective of how a child comes into being.

Speaking at the occasion, the Deputy Director (Child Welfare), Social Development Secretariat in the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Mrs Agnes Uta Hart said children in motherless homes desire family, and it could only be achieved through an adoption.

She further noted that although people complained of long process, “it is necessary in the interest of the child and even the parent.”

The writer of the story, Mrs

Sandra Nwugo, who said she was touched by hardship going through by some families due to childlessness, urged people not to be tied-down by unfounded norms African tradition.

According to her, “The unfortunate thing about having a child through other ways like adoption except natural birth is a taboo must change in Africa.”

The Movie Director, Mr Femi Abatan maintained that there were many people

Build a life by adopting a child, FG urges parents ...as group premiers movie on adoption today, who still share in the unfortunate African norms.

He added that the belief still compelled some parents to be childless, while shortened doors of opportunities of having home against some

children in motherless homes.

Abatan said; “This is not right, it is callous, the ideal is barbaric, selfish and a display of ignorance.

“The society should look

closely into the issue of adoption and give hope to a helpless child. As a matter of fact, no child chose his parentage, and every child deserves a happy home.”

36 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015

By Jimoh Babatunde

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HE Calabar carnival has been a game changer for the economy of Cross River state and its people since its inception in 2004, when the then governor of the state, Donald Duke, had a vision of making the state the hub for tourism and hospitality in Nigerian and in Africa.

Calabar has become the pride of Nigeria as far as tourism, carnivals and hospitality are concerned. Calabar Carnival is a unique display of African heritage, showcased through music, dance, drama and visual creativity, which is reflected in the design of floats, costumes and make up. Since inception, this festival has grown tremendously in popularity and scope.

It is not uncommon to now have families choosing Calabar as their tourism destination for their annual Christmas break which has made the carnival to grow in leaps and bounds.

So, the 2014 edition of the carnival was chosen to celebrate the successes achieved in the last ten years with the theme “Celebration Time.” Governor Liyel Imoke attested to this when he flagged off the carnival Saturday at the Millennium Park, saying that the carnival has grown in leaps and bounds, becoming the biggest street party in Africa.

According to him, for the first time in the history of the carnival, the state government did not advertise the carnival, yet the crowd that thronged Calabar to witness it was unprecedented.

Hallmark celebration For the Deputy Governor, Mr. Efiok Cobham, this year’s event was significant in the life of the administration as it was the last to be hosted by his government.

He said the 10th edition served as a hallmark celebration to usher in the next administration.

“Ten years is no mean feat. For us, Carnival Calabar has grown bigger and bigger as we promised Cross Riverians and Nigerians when we came on board in 2007. With our vision of institutionalizing the event, by allowing private sector to be the main drivers while government regulates, there is greater hope that this Carnival will grow in lips and bounds,” he assured. “He said that the institutionalization of the annual Carnival culminated in the formation of the Carnival Calabar Band Associations who are now the main drivers of the event, emphasising that, “last year you said it was the biggest carnival , but this year from what you have seen is extra ordinary.”

As the present government wound up in few months from now, the Governor Imoke has C M Y K

Wife of Cross River State Governor, Mrs. Imoke with Nollywood star, Kate Henshaw, Kaffy and Angela Okoro during the parade by Masta Blasta Band.

Calabar Carnival:

Celebration time @ 10 … Masta Blasta wins again promised the people of the state and Nigerians that the carnival will not die.

“This year’s carnival is my last carnival as the governor of this state. But I believe it will continue in the years ahead. It has truly become the ambassador event for Africa. We are planning to privatize it. There must be continuity in leadership which is very critical for us. Once we can do that, I believe we will continue to deliver great performances and improve on what we have already done over the years.”

Speaking on the success of the Carnival, Chairman of the Carnival Commission, Gab Onah, attributed the gains of the last ten years to team spirit, strong political leadership, strong governors, humble people and loving people.

Mr. Gabe Onah added that today the private sector has taken full ownership of the celebration with the band enjoying enormous sponsorship.

Spectators After the flag off of what has become the biggest street party ever in the annals of the African continent by the Governor, Liyel Imoke joined by his wife, the deputy governor and his wife; the Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke; the duo of Peter and Paul Okoye of P-Square fame,

Senator Ben Ajade, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP governorship candidate for 2015 election in Cross River State with Nollywood star, Jim Iyke during the parade of the Masta Blasta Band. Pics: Jimoh Babatunde.

and Senator Ben Ajade, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP governorship candidate for 2015 election in the state, the spectators throng to the street to savour what the five bands have offer .

The Israeli ambassador to Nigeria and the Rwandan Minister of Sport and Culture, Ambassador Joseph Habineza

Carnival Calabar has grown bigger and bigger as we promised Cross Riverians and Nigerians when we came on board in 2007

were among the tourists that flooded the 14 kilometers carnival route stretching from the U. J Esuene Stadium through Mary Slessor Way down to the popular Mobile before moving back to the U. J Esuene Stadium in the early hour of Sunday.

There was nothing to stop the people and the bands from enjoying themselves as they turned and twisted with magical ease in their various costumes, music, and choreography, depicting their interpretation of the theme of the carnival “Celebration Time”.

The Carnival bands, Passion 4, Freedom, Bayside, Masta Blasta and Seagull, with beautifully costumed girls that captivated the audience with their curves tried to undo one another with their dances and floats. At the end of the day, Masta Blasta band, with its presentation of ‘the Masta’s Fiesta’ which celebrates the people’s values, again came top.

The Masta Blasta band this year opened the people’s eyes to see light through the prism of Masta by celebrating the essence of life which starts with the presence of light and the love which the people need to co exist despite the differences.

Through drumming, the decoration f the static float, the throne and cake that symbolizes the essence of celebration of the 10th anniversary, Masta Blasta

won the heart of the judges and people.

Minister commends winner Speaking on the Masta Band, the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Edem Duke, who is a member of the band, said “the band is the largest of the carnival band in terms of population, it has a lot more of the masses as its membership.”

The Minister added that the band has come to be regarded as the spirit of the carnival, because is an aggregation of people from all strata of the society and it is very informal organization and we all just have fun which culminated in winning the carnival in 2012 , 2013 and 2014.

SIDE KICKS The announcement of the Masta Blasta Band also known as “The Orange Family” as the winner of the 2014 carnival did not surprise many as the band paraded the Governor, Imoke and his wife with Nollywood stars like Kate Henshaw, Jim Iyke and Angela Okoro and the duo of Peter and Paul Okoye of P-Square fame. Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa who is arguably the face of the Seagull band was missing this year, though she was sighted a day before the carnival at the stadium.

The absence of the former Governor Donald Duke and his wife, Onari Duke, were also missed by the Bayside band.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015—37

EMPLOYMENT DISPUTE: Union pickets Chevron

By Godwin Oghre

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S C R A V O S — FOLLOWING the expiration on Wednesday of the 21-day ultimatum by the Escravos chapter of Seamen and Water Transport Workers Union, an arm of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, to Chevron Nigeria Limited, to resolve the employment dispute with the workers, the union, yesterday, embarked on an indefinite nationwide picketing of all the branches of the company.

Delta State Chairman of the union, Mr. Boro Ekotoro, told Vanguard that the union got the mandate to picket the company from the panel for labour dispute of the International Maritime Organisation, IMO, sitting at The Haque, Netherlands, where the union and the company are currently slugging it out.

He said: "Chevron is not determined to address the violation of our rights under the Nigerian constitution as well as the Act of Parliament, which gave credence to the

‘Otuaro’s choice as Okowa’s running mate divine'

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PEOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, stalwart in Burutu Local Government Area, Delta State, Amafini Akemotubo, has described the selection of Deacon Kingsley Otuaro as the running mate to Delta State PDP governorship candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, as divine and a choice that will further enhance the fortunes of PDP in the 2015 general elections.

Akemetubo, in Warri, said that the PDP and Senator Okowa’s choice of Otuaro, who is a lawyer, as a running mate will translate into massive support and victory for the party, as the duo have the academic, political and spiritual acumen to work as a team in the development of Delta State.

Congratulating Otuaro on his selection, Akemetubo described him as a youthful, energetic, God fearing and detribalised Deltan, who is known for excellence and quality service delivery.

union and other international labour treatise.

“The picketing is total and you can find our members at all the premises and installations of Chevron across Nigeria. Here in Escravos, our members will remain at Chevron Terminal till further notice. Our branches in the United Kingdom and the United States are participating

by way of solidarity with us in all Chevron facilities in their domains. There is no going back.

“The ground for this picketing is that Chevron has chosen to handle its employment issue relating to our union with a group, Itskiri Coastline Communities Association, instead of the union itself, an action that

negates the rules of this union and the enabling Act of Parliament which sets this union up. The same Act empowers our members to do this picketing and we shall not be daunted by the presence of security agents.”

When contacted, the company ’s spokesman, Mr. Henry Onwusero, refused to comment on the issue.

END OF YEAR PARTY: From right: Mr. Sola Ogundipe, Health Editor; Innocent Anaba, NUJ Chairman; Onochie Anibeze, Saturday Editor; Rev. Udo Ibuot, Chief Sub Editor; Eze Anaba, Deputy Editor; Dada Adekola, Cartoon Editor; Solomon Nwoke; Kayode Matthew, News Editor; Joe Akintola, Photo Editor; Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor; Simeon Ndaji and Diran Oshe, all of Vanguard Editorial Division, during the Vanguard NUJ end of year party, in Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau.

A-Ibom people urged to suppor t Jonathan, Emmanuel

By Chioma Onuegbu

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YO—A GROUP, Affiliated Goodluck Support Group Leaders, AGSGL, has called on Akwa Ibom State people to vote massively for President Goodluck Jonathan in the presidential election scheduled for February 14, this year.

The group also called on the people to ensure that all the candidates of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, including, Mr. Udom Emmanuel and Governor Godswill Akpabio as governorship and senatorial candidates, were delivered at the coming polls.

National president of the group, Mr. Usoro Jumbo, in a statement, noted that Jonathan deserves to be re-elected following his record of achievements since his assumption of office. He expressed the commitment and determination of the group to make sure Jonathan got 100 percent vote from Akwa Ibom State.

He said: “We members of AGSGL are throwing our weight behind President Jonathan’s re-election on

February 14, because we believe that he has done well within the parameters of good governance. The social, political, and economic developments recorded since he assumed office are commendable.

“Therefore, we are soliciting the support of all our citizens, at home and in the Diaspora to join us in this crusade to

deliver Jonathan in the state.

We did it in 2011 and we will do it again in 2015. As a group, we urge the people to remain focused and committed to the victory of all PDP candidates in the state and to ensure that the party retains its status as the predominant political party platform in Akwa Ibom with over 95 percent membership of eligible voters."

Dickson urges prayers against demonic politicians

By Samuel Oyadongha

Y

E N A G O A — GOVERNOR Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, yesterday, called on the people of the state and the entire country to intensify prayers against politicians he described as having “demonic strongholds” and seeking political power for the wrong reasons in this year's general elections.

Dickson said though his faith in God has revealed to him that the year was for the children of God who believe in what is good, the new year should also be used as a prayer point for the destruction of demonic

strongholds by some persons seeking political power for the wrong reasons.

He spoke at Toru Orua, his hometown, in Sagbama Local Government Area of the state at an open air church service to usher in the New Year.

The governor called on the people of the state to remain united and guard against agents of destabilisation, who want to foment crisis to truncate the prevailing peace and development in the state.

He said: “People of the state should remain steadfast in God and pray for peace and stability to be sustained in order to achieve the greatness God has destined for the state."

Itsekiri group commends Uduaghan over Oyibo’s appointment

By Festus Ahon

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S A B A — A POLITICAL pressure group, Itsekiri Land Patriots, ILP, has commended Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State for appointing Olumami Oyibo as Chairman of the state Local Government Service Commission.

Chairman of the group, Mr. Victor Ometie, in a statement, described the appointment as putting a square peg in a square hole.

Noting that the state was suffering from leadership problem, the group said that Governor Uduaghan was providing the needed leadership for Deltans at a time the state was yearning for good leaders.

According to the group, Oyibo will use his wealth of experience to reposition the Local Government Service Commission for greater service to the people of the state.

Be hopeful in the New Year, Peterside urges Rivers people

By Gbenga Oke

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HE governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has urged the people of the state to be optimistic and peaceful as they celebrate the new year.

Peterside, in a New Year message by the Director of Communications of his campaign organisation, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, called on the people of the state to be hopeful as they enter the new year, promising that the year will be prosperous and historic.

He said: “Peace is an undeniable ingredient for progress and development. We can only work together successfully when we have peace. It is only when we are at peace with ourselves and our neighbours that our success can be guaranteed."

38—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015

Abia PDP governorship candidate flays claims of tax evasion

Foundation honours teachers, students

By Anayo Okoli

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N line with its objective of promoting education through recognition of hardwork in students and teachers, the Austin Epadi-Igbuku Lights on Foundation has given out 31 awards to selected schools in Isoko North and South Local Government areas of Delta State, in its 6th annual award ceremony.

The event, held at Aviara Secondary Commercial School, saw awards given out in Best Behaved Students, Overall Best in Mathematics, English, Literature, Economics, Science, and Best Female Student categories.

Miss Edhere Priscella Oromena from Oyede Comprehensive High School, emerged the Overall Best Winner.

The foundation also commissioned two water projects in Aviara Secondary Commercial School: one to serve the principal and teachers quarter, the other to serve the National Youths Service Corps, NYSC, lodge.

MUAHIA—PEOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has dismissed allegation of irregular tax payments or documentation, saying those peddling the rumour were mischief makers who wanted to mislead the electorate.

He said as a public servant for the past 12 years, there was no way he could have evaded tax, which was normally deducted from source.

Ikpeazu, who spoke in Umuahia yesterday, said those who approached the court with such allegations were misguided and bad losers.

According to him, “as a public servant, even when I never wanted to pay my tax, I do not have any choice than to pay, as it must be deducted at source before my salary is paid into my account.

“So anyone saying that I have not being paying tax is just being mischievous.

Payment of tax was not a matter of choice but I paid compulsorily as a civil servant.

Therefore, payment or nonpayment cannot be an issue

for a public servant; every public servant pays tax on payas-you-earn system.”

HE Onye Nwon Ihian of Agbor Kingdom in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, Chief Julius Imudia, has been installed as the Odion of Alisogban Quarters in AlisimieAgbor.

The position, made possible since he is the oldest person in

the community, confers on him the responsibility of promoting sustainable peace and unity in the community.

As the Odion of Alisogban, he is also expected to provide a leadership that will inspire sustainable growth and development in the community

By Peter Okutu

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BAKALIKI—A former lawmaker, who represented Onicha West constituency at Ebonyi State House of Assembly between 2007 and 2011, Michael Ude Umanta, yesterday, called on Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, members who defected to the Labour Party, LP, to return, not minding the challenges that faced the party during the last

primaries in the state.

In a chat with Vanguard in Abakaliki, he debunked insinuations in some quarters that the party was a sinking ship, even as he explained that the party was a wide umbrella which could still accommodate both new and old members at all times.

According to him, “LP do not possess the capability to wrestle power from PDP in the 2015 general elections.”

ISHING everyone out there a wonderful new year ahead with all the best things in life. Even if 2014's expectations were not really met, I am optimistic that 2015 will surely be great in Jesus name. Happy New Year to Nigerians.—Miss Anwulika Nduba, NYSC Member.

C M Y K

He called on the governorship candidates of PDP, Dave Umahi, All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Julius Ucha, and LP, Edward Nkwegu, not to face the forthcoming governorship election with their personal interest, but with the collective interest of the people of the state.

Umanta charged them to shun violence, thuggery and other forms of crimes capable of undermining the peace and stability of the state.

SURE-P/GIS trains 102 in Edo

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DO—THE Graduate Internship Scheme, GIS, component of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P, has trained another 100 interns and two firms in Edo State.

Similar employability

through a well-articulated policy frame work that would strengthen communal participation in developing the area.

The installation ceremony was performed by the Odionwere of Owuwu, Sir. J. O. Okumbor.

orientation training was organized by the Federal Ministry of Finance, between December 1 and 3, 2014, which was delivered by SIGADEP Foundation to enable interns optimize opportunity of the scheme by developing useful skills and positive work habits.

In his message at the training, National Project Director of SURE-P GIS at the Federal Ministry of Finance, Mr. Peter Papkar, who was represented by Mrs. Olufunke Olanike Babalola, disclosed that the training provided comprehensive instruction on effectiveness in work place performance, skills, ethics and etiquettes of the workplace, financial

literacy and performance management as well as career path development.

She urged the Edo State interns and firms to maximize the opportunity of the programme and assured them that the Federal Government would sustain the tempo with the aim of providing the graduates with something to do and somewhere to go for a sustainable living.

The Head of Operation of SIGADEP Foundation, Mr. Noah Nelson Alilu, commended government for the passion to positively reposition the Nigeria youth for the task of national development.

He also applauded the enthusiasm of the interns and firms, which had contributed to the success of the programme.

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

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National Electoral Commission, INEC, before the issue of tax evasion came up in the court.

... as Ebonyi ex-lawmaker woos defectors back to PDP

Alisogban community gets new Odion

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He said that he had submitted the requisite documents to Independent

What would you say about the new year?

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APPINESS is not something you postpone.

It is something you deliberately design for the present. I wish all Nigerians a prosperous new year that will be free from any form of unjust killings and destruction of property.— Miss Blessing Adichie, Student.

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E shall journey through 2015 in good health, wealth and peace in the land.

Things we could not do last year as a nation and as individuals, we shall all achieve them abundantly this year. It is well with Nigeria and Nigerians in Jesus name. — Miss Tina Mba, Student,

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ET me use this medium to wish Nigerians a happy New Year. I am so happy for the year 2015 because God will do greater things in this country. There shall be peace in all parts of Nigeria by the special Grace of God. We need to beleive and have faith.— Mrs Maggie Unuane, Graduate.

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AST year was a year that Boko Haram killed many Nigerians in the North-East. In 2015, I want to call on Nigerians to be more prayerful, especially as it is a year for the general elections. No matter what, there must be peace in the country.— Mrs Ogbue Immaculate, Student.

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really thank God for carrying me this far, and I know that He will see me beyond this year.

I wish Nigerians a wonderful New Year, where peace shall reign in the land. Whatever it is that we have lost in 2014, shall be recovered in tripple folds in 2015.

— Miss Ukogu Chinasa, Musician.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015— 39

Wada presents N110.2bn Budget for 2015 L

By Boluwa Obahopo

OKOJA—GOVERNOR Idris Wada of Kogi State Wednesday, presented his 2015 budget proposal of N110.2 billion to the state House of Assembly for consideration and approval.

The proposal tagged, “Budget of Stability” has N50.15 billion allocated for recurrent expenses representing about 45.51 per cent, while N60.05 billion or about 54.

49 per cent, was earmarked for capital expenditure.

Wada said the budget which was N18.7 billion (14.5 per cent) lower than last year’s own, would be financed from traditional sources of “Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, statutory revenue to be funded from allocation from the federation account, reimbursement from the Federal Government as well as bonds from capital market."

Wada, however, said that the dwindling revenue from the federation account affected the budget.

“Our nation is faced with precarious economic challenges resulting from decline in the international price of crude oil coupled with the negative impact of criminal activities like pipeline vandalism and theft of crude oil which have hampered the nation’s ability to meet its daily production quota.

“The future looks challenging, more so, as new technologies have now been developed and are being used to extract crude oil,

resulting in the loss of Nigeria’s major buyer - the United State of America.

“In addition, the developed world is turning inwards to seek and utilize alternative sources of energy to reduce their dependence on the importation of crude oil. The effect of these developments has already manifested significantly in the acute reduction of fund that accrues to federation account.

This will in turn, affect the

state’s share of funds from the federation account.

“This is the grim picture of the nation’s economy which we must rise up to as a state in order to minimise its effects on our resolve to reduce the suffering of our people and improve their living standards,” Wada said.

Reacting, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Momoh-jimoh Lawal, commended the overnor for his commitment in transforming the

state and promised speedy passage of the budget.

He said: “As a measure to maximize scarce resources and stabilize the economy, we have domesticated the Fiscal Responsibility Act and established procurement regulatory agencies and other ancillary laws enacted to ensure prudent management of public finance and maximise public value from public expenditure."

WEDDING: From left: Ambassador Yuguda, Vice President Namadi Sambo, Kaduna State Governor, Ramalan Yero and Defence Minister, General Aliyu Gusau, retd, during a wedding Fatiha, at the Jumat Mosque, Kanwuri, Gusau, Zamfara State.

....As Al-Makura presents N107.9bn Appropriation Bill to Assembly L

By Abel Daniel

AFIA—GOVERNOR Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has presented his 2015 budget proposal of N107,904,045 to the state House of Assembly for its consideration and approval.

The budget is lower than last year’s proposal by N5,171,500, 923 or 4.7 per cent.

Al-Makura who was expected home from his medical trip abroad was represented by the Supervising Commissioner for Finance, Mohamed Dan-azimi.

According to the governor, the recurrent expenditure would gulp N63,431,415,954 million, representing 58.79 per cent, while the capital expenditure took N44,473,475,091, representing 41.21 per cent.

The governor blamed the decrease in the budget on the paucity of funds from the federation account to the state.

He, however, spoke of an expected improvement in the Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, following the measures put in place by government to improve revenue generation,

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adding that the government would access the remaining 50 per cent of the bond approved by the Federal Ministry of Finance in conjunction with Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC. In his speech, the Speaker of the House, Hon. Ahmed queried some of the claims made by the governor in his proposal even as he expressed

doubt over his claim that the state accounting system was based on the world’s new accounting standard. He therefore, requested that all staff of the Ministry of Finance be made to go through some trainings and re-trainings on new accounting systems.

On youth empowerment the speaker said: “I wonder how you got the fund you used to fund

the Youth Empowerment Programme. I can remember that in the last appropriation bill the issue of youth empowerment was deleted based on our agreement with you that certain conditions must be met before the issue of youth empowerment is brought to fore. But today you said the issue was taken though not in the budget of 2014.”

See 2015 as year of endless possibilities

SEN SARAKI TO NIGERIANS:

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By Demola Akinyemi

LORIN—FORMER governor of Kwara State, Senator Bukola Saraki, has charged Nigerians to see 2015 as the year of endless possibilities, saying that, ‘’We must view the faults of the past as foregone days of lessons that we have learned from and see the future as a chance to attain greatness.”

This was contained in his new year message to Nigerians.

In a statement in Ilorin, Saraki, who is the chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology said: ‘’As we come into 2015, we come into a year of endless possibilities. We must view the faults of the past as foregone days of lessons that we have learned from, and see the future as a chance to attain greatness. In this new year, we must set for ourselves, the task of moving forward with the goal of

creating a new Nigeria that our sons and daughters can be proud of; a Nigeria that works for the betterment of many, as opposed to working for the greed and excesses of the few; as a new opportunity to redefine our collective bond as a nation, and work to elect leaders that will serve the people, listen to the people, and most importantly, fight for and on behalf of the people."

Nasarawa APGA disowns Ombugaku as party's gov candidate

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By Abel Daniel

AFIA—The All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, in Nasarawa State, has disowned Mr. Mathew Ombugaku as its governorship candidate, saying he did not meet its nomination requirements.

State Secretary of the party, Mr. Hosea Kuje who spoke to newsmen in Lafia said: “Ombugaku did not meet the requirements to become the gubernatorial candidate of the party.”

Kuje also said that the party did not hold any primary election to elect Ombugaku.

There were indications that the former Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku had expressed interest in running on APGA’s platform as governorship candidate, even as the secretary said that the party would make its final declaration on who would fly its flag in the state tomorrow, to clear the air on the issue.

Kogi gov's wife donates food items, cash to widows

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AFIA—THE wife of Nasarawa State Governor, Hajiya Salamatu Al-Makura, yesterday, donated foodstuff, clothing and cash to more than 500 widows in the state as part of the New Year celebrations.

Distributing the items in Keffi, Al-Makura said the gesture was part of her Mother and Child Care Enhancement commitment to alleviate the suffering of widows and the less privileged in the state.

The foodstuff included bags of rice which were distributed to the beneficiaries.

She said: “I am here to donate and distribute foodstuff, clothing and little cash to the you (widows) in order to improve your standard of living and to make you happy in the New Year.

“The essence of the donation is also to show love to the you and to let you know that you are very relevant to the society."

40—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015

COUNTDOWN: Head of Marketing, Seven-up Bottling Company, Norden Thurston (left), and Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), at the Lagos FIREWORKS: Display of fireworks to herald New Year, amidst pump and pageantry, Countdown, which came to an exciting end January 1, 2015. courtesy the State Government, at the Freedom Park, Osogbo, Osun State, yesterday.

FIRST BABY: From left, Mrs. Bola Ambode, wife of APC Governorship Candidate, Lagos State; Dame Abimbola Fashola, First Lady of Lagos State, carrying the First Baby of the Year 2015, at 12:01a.m: Male, Weight 2.5kg, at Isolo General Hospital, in Lagos State, born to Mr. and Mrs. Onyejieke; Dr. Jide Idris, Commissioner of SERVICE: From left, Proto-presbyter, Methodist Church Trinity of Tinubu, Very Rev. Health, Dr. Yewande Adesina, Special Adviser to Governor on Public Health, and Dr. Stephen Tunde Adegbite; prelate, Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Eminence Dr. Funmi Bankole, Acting Medical Director, Isolo General Hospital, Isolo Lagos, during Samuel Kanu-Uche; Chaplain to the prelate, Very Rev. Rufus Atolaye, and public the celebration of the First Baby of the Year 2015 with Dame Fashola, in Lagos, relations officer of the church, Rev. Oladapo Daramola, during the new year 2015 yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez first service, at the church's cathedral, Tinubu, Lagos. Photo Lamidi Bamidele

BIRTHDAY: Deputy Managing Director of Arik Air, Captain Ado Sanusi, celebrator (middle), and some senior pilots of the airline, during Captain Sanusi's birthday celebration, at Arik corporate Head Office, Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja.

SERVICE: Worshippers praising God during the new year church service, at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland, Lagos. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele C M Y K

From left, Mr. Sola Ogundipe, Health Editor; Innocent Anaba, NUJ Chairman; Onochie Anibeze, Saturday Editor; Rev.Udo Ibuot, Chief Sub; Eze Anaba, Deputy Editor; Dada Adekola Cartoon Editor; Kayode Matthew, News Editor; Joe Akintola,Photo Editor; Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor; Simeon Ndaji, and Diran Oshe, all of Vanguard Newspapers, during Vanguard NUJ's End of the Year party, at Vanguard newsroom, Apapa, Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau

SERVICE: From left, Canon Residentiary, Venerable Michael Abraham-Odumuyiwa; Bishop of Lagos West, Anglican Communion, Rt.Rev, James Olusola Odedeji; Dean of the Cathedral, Venerable Abel Ajibodu, and Priest of the Cathedral, Rev. Benjamin Okere, during new year celebration service, at Archbishop Vining Cathedral G.R.A. Ikeja, Lagos. Photo: Diran Oshe

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015—41

Anambra primaries: PDP files contempt proceedings against Jega

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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BUJA—THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has initiated contempt proceedings against the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega for allegedly flouting an order of a Federal High Court in Abuja in relation to the outcome of its National Assembly primaries in Anambra State.

The Anambra State chapter of the party, in a motion for committal it filed before the high court on December 31,

2014, accused Prof. Jega of disobeying a subsisting court order.

It noted that the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court had on December 5, expressly restrained INEC from accepting “any delegate list or nominated candidates” from the congresses or primaries conducted by the caretaker committee that was purportedly set up by the party’s national leadership to manage the affairs of the Anambra PDP. Justice Evoh Chukwu of the High Court, Abuja had in his judgment on a suit marked FHC/ ABJ/CS/854/2014, which was filed by the Chairman and Legal

Secretary of Anambra PDP, Ejike Oguebego and Chuks Okoye, (for themselves and the state’s Executive Committee of the party), affirmed the plaintiffs’ as leaders of the party in the state.

Justice Chukwu equally declared the caretaker committee illegal on the ground that it was wrongly constituted while the tenure of the Oguebego-led EXCO was yet to expire. Consequently, he restrained INEC and its agents from accepting any delegate list or nominated candidates from primaries or congresses conducted by the said illegal

committee.

Meantime, following alleged refusal of INEC to comply with the court order, the party, in a motion on notice filed by its lawyer, Mr. Taiwo Abe, is among other things, seeking for “an order committing Prof Attahiru Jega, chairman, INEC, to prison for contempt of court, for disobeying and refusing to comply with the order of this court made on December 5, 2014 and served on him on December 8, 2014.”

It also seeks an order directing INEC, “particularly its Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega – contemnor, to comply forthwith

with the orders of the court”.

The Anambra PDP led by Oguebego hinged its prayers on the grounds that INEC and its Chairman were yet to obey the order, a situation they said had adversely affected the nominated candidates that emerged from the National Assembly primary it conducted.

“Except the order sought for in this application is granted, the 2nd defendant (INEC), particularly its Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega will continue to disobey and refuse to comply with the orders except they are compelled to do so,” the applicants insisted.

Meanwhile, when the matter came up on December 31, the vacation judge at the High Court, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, ordered the service of the processes in relation to the committal proceedings and hearing notices on INEC and Prof.

Jega. Justice Mohammed subsequently adjourned further proceedings in the case to January 7.

2015: Ambode kicks-off campaign

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HE governorship flag-bearer on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, has taken political engagement with the electorate a notch higher with a strategic engagement with the people of the state delivered through a goodwill message for the New Year.

In his message, Ambode promised to consolidate on the gains of APC in Lagos, particularly solid achievements of the outgoing administration of Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola and wished Lagosians the best of 2015 while enjoining them to use their votes wisely at the coming general elections, so as to elect quality leadership that would guarantee a better Lagos.

His words: ‘The great promise of Lagos shall continue to be fulfilled.

Our expectation of success, peace and prosperity shall continue to be sustained. Our belief in a greater and better Lagos shall not be dashed.’ He wished fellow Lagosians a prosperous New Year, saying “I know that 2015 will bring good tidings to all of us”.

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42— VANGUARD,

FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015 HE 63rd Jalsa Salana (an nual conference) of Ahmadiyya Jamaat, Nigeria held in Jamia, Ilaro, Ogun State has now closed. It has been a remarkable gathering, emphasizing throughout the three-day event, aspects of religion in politics, social Justice, and global peace. The weather was all that could be desired and a large number of people were present, so much that a toddler could tell you, “the Muslims are gathering in the village.” The commercial vehicles and the popular okada had only one route, Jamia, venue of the Jalsa Salana.

This was my first attendance apart from the South-East Jalsa Tarbiya held a few months back in It was an opportunity to learn Warri, Delta State. more about the ideas and see what Right from the first gate, at the people say about Ahmadis, rekincar park, you could hear clearly, dle our faith and see what others the proceedings through a number have been doing to earn more reof gadgets scattered everywhere wards from Allah. in the Jamia. With the assistance With the theme, “Politics, Social of a guard, I had to walk down Justice and Global Peace: The Diabout 300meters to the main con- lemma of Religion,” Ahmadiyya ference ground. By the right, Muslim Jama’at, Nigeria brought some few meters after the car park, together a list of distinguished and were the clinic, Atfal Shed which accomplished scholars to present housed the bookshops, the infor- different papers on the topic. mation center and business stand The conference was meant to where Islamic materials were on sensitize Muslims, who constitute display. The kitchen closely struc- an important segment of the socitured to the dining was busy, then ety of the need to contribute their a Mosque. quota in the search for credible transition of governments and also Deeper a peaceful and progressive sociedevotion ty. Apart from the spiritual benefits which cannot be quantified Along the pathway to the Jalsa and the fervent prayers for the and adjacent to the mosque, was country and our leaders, this is the burial ground, another ex- one generous contributions of Ahpanse of land. The main Jalsa madiyya Muslim Jama’at towards ground was filled to the brim. See- national development. ing the crowd of Muslims, exciteIn this part of the world where ment bubbled beneath my skin, religion plays prominent role durand vibrated right down my bones. ing election, where unfortunately I remembered the hadith that says, though, politicians use religion to Angels surround gatherings manipulate and divide the peowhere Allah is remembered. One ple, the topic becomes very gerof the organizers said 49, 246 had mane in our quest for peaceful, registered for the conference. Of free and fair transition of power course, that is one of those incen- in the next few months. tives for deeper devotion to the In all, five lectures were delivservice of Allah. I managed to stay ered by the scholars. In the first at a distance afar from the podi- lecture delivered by Ustaz Jamia um, following the programme. At Ahmadiyya, Maulvi Abdul one of the intervals, I moved clos- Azeem Ahmad on Khilafat and er and I was ushered to the high- global peace, he stated that Islam table. was misconceived as a religion of

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Echoes from Ilaro Jalsa Salana

•The love message terror, adding that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and Hadrat Masih Maud (a.s) did a lot to ensure social Peace and Justice. “Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) who was Khalifatullah alai ardh gave a charter of human rights. If that charter is implemented, the whole world will

...as Muslims, riding on the crest of the Prophet’s saying that: “None of you will believe until you love for your brother what you love for yourself,” we should use these moral values to spread the message of Islam

become a peaceful paradise. In his farewell address, he said: ‘An Arab possesses no superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a nonArab over an Arab. A white is in no way superior to a black, nor for, that matter, a black man better than a white, but only to the extent to which he discharges his duty to God and man. The most honoured among you in the sight of God is the most righteous among you”.

He continued: “In the world of today, capitalism has bonded the people in its clutches. One continues to borrow from one’s future. And it is a known fact that wherever any international chaos faces the world, it has its deep roots in socio-economic unbalance. Justice begets peace. And peace cannot be achieved by force; it only can be achieved by understanding,” he surmised.

In his paper, Dr Saheed Olurotimi Timehin postulated that Islam has two schemes to offer for the promotion of peace: (a) a real and long- term scheme, and (b) a short-term or interim one.

He said: “As regards the real, durable, and universal scheme to bring about peace on earth, Islam asserts emphatically and unambiguously that it can be achieved only through responding to the call of Islam, by believing in Allah (SWT) as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe and submitting to His will as expressed in the last divine revelation which is

the Holy Qur’an.

A true Islamic society has the potential to expand and take the entire world into its fold, and thus to save all human beings from exploitation, disruption, oppression, and disquietude. The vicissitudes of human history are witnesses to the fact that whenever humanity adopted an ideology and way of life other than Islam, the world was torn by injustice and warfare.

He added: “It is necessary to reiterate that lslam, and indeed all revealed religions, have offered us such fundamental concepts which alone can bind the human race in one single totality. If all human beings living on the surface of this earth realize that they are from one primordial pairAdam and Eve - and as such they are kith and kin; if all of us believe that our Creator is Allah (SWT) and as such are all equal in His sight; if political leaders, whatever their religious orientation, establish social justice and outlaw all kinds of oppression; there would be peace in the world.”

Universal brotherhood “Islam and all the revealed religions are united in this; but Islam takes a step further by insisting on the universal brotherhood of humanity and by condemning in totality all baseless values and attitudes, treat some people as inferior to others in any respect whatsoever. The contents of the verse of Surat ul-Hujurat mentioned earlier have appeared in reverse order in the second verse of Surah AI-Nisa thus: “O mankind! Be mindful of your Guardian-Lord Who created you from a single person. Created, of like nature, his mate and from them twain scattered countless men and women.

Be mindful of Allah through Whom you demand (your mutual rights), and (be mindful of violating relations based on) the wombs; for Allah ever watches over you. (AI-Nisa4:2)” Continues on page 41

Leaders are answerable to Allah —Akinbode •As NASFAT prays for nation

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From left: Alhaji Abdullah Akinbode, National Chief Missioner, NASFAT; Prof Abdul-Ganiyy Olatunde, Chief of Staff, Ogun State, representing Governor Ibikunle Amosun; Engr. Kamil Bolarinwa, President, NASFAT and Alh Ladi Ogunneye, member Council of Elders, NASFAT during the monthly prayer held in NASFAT Village, Mowe, Ogun State, recently.

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HE Nasru-llah-il-Fatih Society of Nigeria has said it will con tinue to offer prayer for peace and development of the country especially during this auspicious time of electioneering.

He noted that all leaders will be answerable to Allah, just as he prayed that those who will emerge as leaders will be kind to the people.

The National Chief Missioner of the group, Alhaji Abdullah Gbade Akinbode made this known to newsmen during the monthly prayer meeting held at NASFAT village, Mowe, Ogun State last Sunday.

Akinbode said: “We observe prayers every week, but the monthly programme is meant to create a larger congregation where all branches in various zones will congregate here and together pray for ourselves, the nation and our leaders. This is because the love of your nation is an integral part of faith.

We believe that when we congregate and do what is right, Almighty Allah will always support us.”

He continued: “Prayer is the only pivot that a nation can rest upon and gets to a station of glory. A life devoid of spiritualism and morality is a satanic life. Apart from prayer, in a gathering like this, you talk about God and you educate the masses on what to do and what not to do; inculcating the spirit of God in them. This way, we would have helped them to follow the injunction of God and the saying of the Prophet that: “the best of you is one who is beneficial to the society and to mankind.” In other words, we are creating an environment of love and peace and harmony. That is our mission,” he stated.

The cleric urged Muslims to cast their votes during election and conduct themselves in peaceful manners after the election.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015— 43

The 63rd Jalsa Salana 2014 of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaát in pix

Oloyede canvasses for more Islamic varsities F

ORMER Vice Chancellor, Fountain University, Osogbo in Osun State, Prof.

Hussein Oloyede recently called for the establishment of more Islamic Universities by the Muslim communities in Nigeria.

He made the appeal while declaring open 1436 Conference of the Companion in llorin.

Oloyede noted that apart from the Fountain University that was established by NASFAT, some 20 years ago, there had not been any concrete efforts by Islamic societies to establish new ones.

“We have serious challenges of Islamic University, we are yet to see the result.

He, however, acknowledged that some individual Muslims have established their own private universities.

Oloyede said that the death of those individuals might be the end of those universities.

“If the wives and children do not believe in it, that might be the end of it,” he said

Oloyede challenged the Companion and other Islamic societies in the country to come together and establish at least two Islamic universities that everyone will be proud of.

The guest speaker at the occasion and the Speaker, Kwara

House of Assembly, Mr Razak Atunwa, who delivered a lecture on the topic “Corruption And Good Governance: Our Roles As Nation Builders,” urged Muslims to participate in all electoral process.

From left: Naib Amir, South West, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaát Nigeria, Mr Azeze Alatoye; Guest Lecturer and National Tabliq Secretary, Dr. Saheed Timehin and Missionary-in-Charge, Maulvi AbdulKhalique Nayyar, during the 63rd Jalsa Salana 2014 of the Jamaát held at Jamia School Ilaro, Ogun State.

UNIFEMGA hails Muslims for winning prizes at OAU

By Abdulwahab Abdullah

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ATIONAL President of the Obafemi Awolowo University Muslim Graduates Association (UNIFEMGA), Prof. Wahab Egbewole has commended 10 Muslim students who clinched First Class degrees and won prizes at the recent convocation of the University.

Prof. Egbewole in a commendation letter expressed delight that UNIFEMGA Scholars were the best in their respective departments and faculties and said the association was proud of the students for their out-

standing performance in their studies and for giving good account of themselves as UNIFEMGA scholars.

He vowed that the Association would continue to invest more in education and empowerment of its members for human and capital development of the country.

“UNIFEMGA is very proud of you all. We will continue to give supportive role not only in the spiritual realm but to education, membership empowerment and economic advancement of all members” he said.

From left: Akinrun of Ikirun, Oba Abdul Raufu Olawale Adekeji 11; Amir, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaát, Nigeria, Dr. Mashhud Aderenle Fashola; Olu of Ilaro, Paramount Ruler of Iyewa land, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle; Onigankoto, Oba Mikaila Salako Adokun of Igan Koto and Missionary-inCharge, Mauliv AbdulKhalique Nayyar, at the event.

Spreading the love message Continues from page 40 The Amir of the Jama’at, Dr. Mashhud Adenrele Fashola who also presented a paper titled: Social Justice and Sustainable Development: The Islamic Perspective gave insight into the major threats to sustainable development in the world. According to him, these threats include; political conflicts due to self interest, environmental degradation, injustice among others.

He said: “Urbanization has to be arrested otherwise we are heading for eventual disaster. Islamic solution to this is contained in Qur’an 20:I19-121whereman(Adam)was commandedAllah(SWT)toensure that everyone is provided with adequate food and nutrition, shelter, clothing and access to safe water.

In addition, the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said education is incumbent on every Muslim male and female.

“If all these social facilities and means of livelihood are available everywhere, there will be no need to migrate to other regions where social facilities are available. Government at State levels must ensure security of livelihood for every of its citizen by either promoting gainful employment or grant subsistence allowance to ensure meaningful existence. Government should furthermore make educaC M Y K

tion free or affordable for all,” he stated.

Also, Dr. Abdullateef Busari, the Executive Secretary, National Sugar Development Council and Circuit President, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, Abuja, in his own presentation pointed out the responsibilities of Muslims before, during and after election in order to contribute to the task of building a peaceful and progressive nation.

“Let us not sit on the fence. The election of 2015 is another unique opportunity for us to have a hand in determining the future of our country. Allah says in Q53:39–40, “That no bearer of burden shall bear the burden of another and that man shall havenothingbutwhathestrivesfor”.

The task of enthroning effective democracy and good governance in Nigeria is our burden, our responsibility and we shall only have it by striving for it – through all the legitimate means at our disposal.”

Another interesting presentation was that made by Barrister AbdulAzeez Alatoye, Naib-Amir (SouthWest). He dwelled on “Crossing the threshold of differences in a multireligious society.”

Using the slogan of the Jama’at, ‘Love for all and Hatred for none’ propounded by Hazrat Mirza Nasir Ahmad r.a (1909 – 1982) in his book called “Message Of Love And Brotherhood To Africa,” Alatoye explained the need for all to shun all religious

differences and take ourselves as one since all human beings emanated from the same source, Adam and Eve. He added that love is needed to eliminate all forms of transgressions and as such peace would reign.

This is an area other groups of Muslims need to develop instead of the myth and antipathy for the Ahmadis who have taken one of the moral lessons of the Quran and the hadiths as a creed.

In fact, as Muslims, riding on the crest of the Prophet’s saying that: “None of you will believe until you love for your brother what you love for yourself,” we should use these moral values to spread the message of Islam.

I believe this is what the nation and of course the world need for the much desired peace. All acts of wickedness, cruelty, kidnap, killings, corruption, mis-governance, selfishness among others will be reduced to the barest minimum if we all show love for all and hatred for none.

If we Muslims embrace our common values, not differences; if the peace-loving culture prevails amongst us; one that treats differences with understanding, uses its strength and energy for Islam and the benefit of Muslims and humanity alone, perhaps, others will appreciate Islam better than how they conceive it now.

From left: Grand Khadi Sharia Court of Appeal, Kwara State, Abdul Fataah Saheed; Naib Amir, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaát Nigeria, Special Duties, Engr. Alhaji Ahmed Alhassan; Naib Amir, Eastern Zone, Dr. Abdul Ganiyu Enahoro and Amir, Dr. Mashhud Aderenle Fashola, at the event.

From left: Circuit Missionary, Kaduna State, Maulvi Naseem Abdul Butt; Maulvi Abdul Azeem Ahmad of Jamia School and Chairman, Jalsa Planning Committee, Alhaji Mufalilu Bankole, at the event.

44— Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015

Parents indict FG in kidnap of Chibok Girls zParent narrates how her daughter was abducted because of N300

By Laide Akinboade

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BUJA—PARENTS and guardians of 219 abducted Chibok Girls’ Secondary School, CGSS, students in Borno State, yesterday, accused the Federal Government of allegedly having a hand in their kidnap on April 14, 2014.

Nine parents whose daughters were among the those in Boko Haram captivity, who met with the #BringBackOurGirls, BBOG, group in Abuja, faulted President Goodluck Jonathan for failing to bring back their daughters six months after he promised to rescue them.

The spokesman of the parents, Rev. Mark Enoch who made this known accused the government of having a hand in the abduction, noting that the Principal of CGSS, had locked the girls in their hostel and warned them against leaving, hours before they were abducted.

He also, alleged that the relatives of the Principal and the school matron, were able to rescue their daughters from the sect, leaving other girls with the terrorists.

According to Enoch; “This is intentional, the hand of government is in the kidnapping; we want the government to bring back our girls. If they cannot do it alone, they should seek the assistance of the United Nations and other countries. I believe the government has a hand in the kidnapping.”

The cleric praised the BBOG for not allowing the issue to be swept under the carpet.

A parent, Mrs. Samuel Abana, who lamented the abduction of her daughter begged Jonathan to fulfil the promise he made in July last year that he would secure the release of the girls, when he met the parents.

Abana recalled that the government had initially denied the abduction, before Jonathan met with the parents and pledged to rescue their daughters.

“I want to remind the President, of his promise when he met with us. He promised to rescue our daughters. He said he would bring the girls back, but six months later, there is no result. Mr. President, will you fail to rescue them, if your

daughter is among those abducted? If you can’t do it alone, invite the the United Nations to come and rescue our daughters”, she said.

Bulama Jonah also narrated how his daughter was abducted just a day after she left the house

for school.

He said: “The saddest thing was that my daughter was sent home because of N300 just a day before she was kidnapped; I gave her the money for her testimonial and she went back to school only for her to be abducted.”

NEW YEAR SERVICE: From left: Deputy Registrar, Diocese of Lagos, Mr Olusegun Ajayi, Diocesan Bishop of Lagos and Dean Emeritus of the Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Ephraim Ademowo, husband of Lagos State Deputy Governor, Abiodun Adefulire, and his wife, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, at the New Year Service, at Cathedral Church of Christ, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

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AKURDI—BENUE socio-cultural group, Opiatoha K’Idoma, yesterday, raised alarm over renewed invasion and killings in Benue communities by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

The outcry is coming on the heels of the recent killings of seven women, children and the elderly in Agatu Local Government Area, by the suspected herdsmen who also razed several houses and farmlands in the area.

C M Y K

K

AGORO—VICEPRESIDENT Namadi Sambo, yesterday, said he was personally in support of the creation of New Gurara State out of the present Kaduna State.

Sambo, who made his position known at the annual Afan Festival held at Kagoro, Kaduna State, said the demand for Gurara State was a positive agitation aimed at uplifting the quality of lives of the people.

According to him, the Federal Government recognises the inalienable rights of the citizens to operate within the confines of the law for self-determination, promotion and harnessing the potential of its people.

“Therefore, the sociopolitical emancipation of a people lies in their conscious effort to champion a cause that will progressively move them to the next level,” he noted.

The vice-president expressed Federal Government’s sympathy over the loss of lives and property in the Southern part of Kaduna State, saying government was committed to setting up a military formation that would ensure adequate security in the area.

ED EL MAULUD:

IGP orders Police formations to remain at alert

By Kingsley Omonobi

FIRST BABY OF THE YEAR: Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Mrs. Feyisetan Fayose (2nd left), holding the first baby of the year. She is flanked by wife of the deputy governor, Deaconess Janet Olusola (left), mother of the baby, Mrs. Aduloye Omolewa (right) and others, during the presentation of gift to the first baby of the year by the governor's wife in Ado Ekiti, yesterday.

Group raises alarm over incessant killings in Benue communities

By Peter Duru

I support creation of New Gurara State —Sambo

In a statement at the end of its emergency meeting, in Makurdi, signed by Chief Baba Odangla and Adoka Adaji, President and Secretary General respectively, they regretted that despite the levels of destruction of lives and property in parts of Idoma land and Agatu in particular, “the federal and state governments have failed to take steps to stem the ceaseless killings.

“We advise the Benue State

and federal governments to establish a Joint Security Patrol team in the areas affected in order to stem the sudden resurgence of conflicts and killings between Idoma farmers and Fulani herdsmen in the area.

“Moreover, both governments should take urgent steps to provide designated camps for the internally displaced persons with adequate relief materials in order to give succor to the people who are in dire need of help.

“This has become imperative

because these attacks have continued intermittently for three years now, claiming so many lives of Agatu people, and displaced women and children who became refuges in Otukpo and other places within and outside the state.”

The group, however, appealed to the Idoma Area Traditional Council to summon an urgent meeting between the council and the Fulani leadership in the Idoma area in order to bring the unwarranted attacks to an end.

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BUJA—THE InspectorGeneral of Police, IGP, Suleiman Abba yesterday ordered all police commands and formations across the country to remain at alert and ensure that the security measures put in place were improved upon to ensure adequate protection of life and property during Eid el Maulud.

He also charged them to supervise the control of the flow of traffic and safety of commuters and all road users.

While acknowledging the hard work of officers and men as exhibited during the Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year festivities, Abba further asked police officers to be more professional in the course of discharging their duties so that the citizens can have a hitch-free holidays and Eid-el Maulud celebrations.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015 — 45

C M Y K

46 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 TAURUS: Make sure you strike a balance between time given to domestic affairs and career/business-related issues or else, avoidable trouble would come up unexpectedly.

GEMINI: Do away with unnecessary argument and focus on the best way to enhance your career/business prospects.

The more legal minded you are, the better.

CANCER: It is important you guard against deception especially on finance-related issues. The more legal minded you are, the better for you. Don’t neglect your love life.

LEO: Domestic-related issues may become a little bit stormy but if you take good advice, you’ll resolve the whole thing. It’s wrong to take partners for granted.

VIRGO: Take very good care of your health and refuse to take unnecessary step capable of disrupting peace within your working arena. Evening period is progressive.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

T

HIS is the time for stock taking.

The goals you set for yourself this year, have you achieved them?

The target you intended to reach, are you somewhere close to it or have you surpassed it?

New Identity Have your name changed for good or better? What is your new identity?

Whatever you are now, you can become better.

For example, if you are a tailor today, you can transform to be a

TERROR MUDA

fashion designer, are you a clerk, you can use that as a stepping stone to be an accountant.

Create a new positive identity for yourself. Do not be contented with being

in “Never say goodbye”

known and called the governor ’s brother.

Answer to your own name – be a good lawyer, be a good accountant, be a good musician, be a great journalist etc. Identify the new things you want in your life and make them happen to your life.

By Lanre Kehinde

LIBRA: With effort, you’ll be at an advantage position and benefit from happenings within your working arena. However, you must not allow friends to mislead you on matters of-the-heart.

SCORPIO: Although your workload has been on the increase with additional tension along your career/business line in the recent times, if you are consistent, you’ll emerge winner eventually.

SAGITTARIUS: Guard against miscalculation and being confrontational with the law enforcement agents; respect the law and think about your immediate future.

CAPRICORN: If you’re not sure of the intention of others when it comes to financial transactions, you better be cautious and say no.

AQUARIUS: Now that you are closer to people of power and influence, you would do yourself good if you let them know what you can do, especially along your career/business line.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

PISCES: You are known to be a peace-loving person, thus you’ll further enhance your status if you oil the troubled water within your working arena.

ARIES: If you take friends for granted, you would be disappointed. And this is the wrong time to gamble with matters-of-the heart. Try to be practical.

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

Analyse my star please!!!

VIRGINIA

dadadekola@yahoo.com

Dear Joshua, I want you to tell me everything about my Star particularly the kind of person I am. The more blunt you are the better for me Israel, Abuja.

Dear Israel, What space can take will be given here under ANALYSIS OF YOUR HOROSCOPE DATA/PLANETARY PLACEMENT Aries that hosted the most important heavenly body (the Sun) together with indicator of mental focus lens-Mercury, is known for special leadership quality and higher degree of positive aggressiveness. Yes you were endowed with leadership talents which can manifest either in the business world or POLITICS and probably both.

It is true that Aries can be very aggressive, but with many planets placed in more mild Star signs, with less than 50% of push-full influence, loving Venus as most influential planet when you were born, certainly aggression of Aries is greatly water down to the minimum . That is not to say you are the timid type but yours is a balanced personality.

You are gentle, honest and straight forward person. Preponderance of fixed and earth in your chart are pointers to the fact that you are the careful type who will not change his mind just for the fun of it. Then as peace loving Venus was the most influential planet when you were born, peace and harmony will always come first whenever you want to take any (important and/or) decisive action.

Placement of mighty Sun (indicator of basic-self hood) the Moon (indicator of sub-conscious self/emotion) and the Stellium (that is more than two planets in one Star sign} in Aries, Pisces and Taurus respectively mean that basic characteristics of the three Star signs stated in this paragraph as are highly pronounced in your inner-self.

HOME & ABROAD

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015—47

Experts seek review of Nigerian health sector

Yuletide: Don’t drink on an empty stomach — Experts warn

...As HealthPlus targets 48 new branches this year

By Chioma Obinna

W

ORRIED about the huge economic loss due to medical tourism, health professionals have called for total review of the Nigerian health sector with a view to providing better healthcare services for Nigerians.

In the views of the Managing Director, JNC International Limited and President, Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN), Mrs. Clare Omatseye at the 7th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner and Awards of HealthPlus Limited with the theme: “Expanding Our Frontiers” in Lagos recently, blamed most challenges in the health sector on poor funding.

Omatseye who lamented poor health budget by the Federal Government regretted that Nigeria could not meet WHO recommended 15 percent budgetary allocation for health.

“Nigeria only spends 6.1 percent.”

Omatseye noted that the meagre amount apportioned to the sector, 82 percent of it goes to recurrent expenditure (paying of salaries) leaving little to nothing for the provision of infrastructure and development of the sector.

Stating that Nigeria is still lagging behind in terms of healthcare, she stressed ýthe

D

• Some of the 250 Ebola volunteers in pix. need for a concerted effort by relevant authorities to curb the rise in brain drain and patient drain which she noted not only affects our economy but also the health of the citizens. She said there are 64, 000 registered doctors in Nigeria but only 34, 000 are practicing.

“The same number of registered doctors who are Nigerians are outside the shores of the country doing very well and providing quality healthcare to citizens of other nations while there is a big

gulf in patients to doctor ratio in the country which is now one doctor to 5000 patients as opposed to one doctor to 700 patients recommended by WHO. Speaking, the Founder and Managing Director, HealthPlus Limited, Bukky George has reiterated the company’s resolve of becoming the household name in pharmaceutical business in the country and help in delivering quality.

Speaking at the event where she rolled out the long-term plans of

the company, Bukky who rolled out a long term plan for the organisation said the company will establish additional 48 new branches to its existing 40 by 2015 adding that a cumulative 200 branches scattered all over the country by 2018 was already on the pipeline.

She said the Company clocked 15 on April 2, 2014, with 40 branches in five states of the country. Strategizing to become the biggest pharmacy in subSaharan Africa by 2018.

2014ininreview: review:Nigerians Nigeriansspeak speakout out 2014 needs to do is to adopt a policy which the Indian government did.

Doctors, health workers have lost interest in saving lives — Popoola

• Mr. Olusegun Odukoya

FG did very well controlling Ebola — Olusegun Odukoya “I must congratulate the Federal Government on the containment of Ebola but Nigeria is losing serious money to medical tourism.

To redeem this, the Federal Government should emulate Indian Government who at a point brought all their personnel practicing abroad home and gave them a unit interest of about 3 to 4 percent.

We are moving in the right directions and let me say that Nigeria pulled all its power during Ebola virus. It was prompt; it was really Nigeria in action. The federal government did very well in controlling the Ebola virus. But Nigeria is losing a lot of money to the developing world due to medical tourism. The services that are being rendered there can be rendered right here in Nigeria. There are Nigerians all over the world who is experts in their field and doing well. All that government

• Miss Yemisi Popoola THE spate of incessant strikes in the health sector is not in any way a surprise to me and the end is not in sight because the perception and orientation of health workers does not in anyway suggest solution or relief in which the government is also fueling the matter.

The mentality of health workers nowadays is majorly revolve around money and I don't think it is easy to reshape it. In those days, doctors derive pleasure in saving lives but the revearse is the case today. If they record success in one major operation that involve saving life, they don't value it because it is nothing to them. They can not celebrate it but they can do that when there is increase in their salaries. Until the doctors start to attach

more value to the life of patients and consider money secondary, we will continue to experience strike.

Health sector strike cannot end until we address corruption — Sunday THE health sector strike can not end until we address corruption. People in government office are riding luxury cars and living a comfortable life. It is this way of life that encourages the unrelenting demand by health worker to keep pressing for something that can make them also live in such manner.

Everybody wants to live big, for this reason their demand can not know an end. Also part of the health workers problem is that they know much. If you know how much our country is generating monthly and how those people holding government office are

• Mr. Adeoye Olabisis Sunday

IABETES remains a major health problem and can cause a long term complications on the arteries or nerves. This artery damage results in medical problems that are both common and serious. Although, some studies have shown that if you have diabetes, drinking alcohol will cause your blood sugar to rise, experts say people with diabetes can enjoy some alcohol but they must not drink on an empty stomach.

According to the experts, rules are the same as for everyone else: one drink per day for women; two for men. But you need to know how alcohol affects your blood sugar. A sugary drink might spike your blood sugar. But if you drink on an empty stomach or take certain medications, your levels could swing too low.

The experts warned against drinking on an empty stomach because food helps individual process alcohol. They argued that there was no need for people to drink their meals as booze lowers blood sugar. Don’t forget to test. Alcohol can affect your blood sugar for up to 24 hours.On drinking dos, they recommend that people should stay hydrated — it helps keep you sober. Be careful if you take insulin — alcohol can make your blood sugar drop.

sharing it, you will be tempted to demand for more.

Health workers strike is all about self interest — Nonye

• Mrs. Umeyo Nonye THE problem of health workers are too much, there is no single day you will open papers without reading about one section being on strike or the other threathening to embark on strike, they do not in any way value human life. Even when they are working, their attitude discourages many patients. Their strike is all about self interests not for patient care. I have never read on the pages of newspapers or seen on television that doctors went on strike because of the working condition. If they are using one equipment for you and you complain that you don't like it they will tell you the hospital is not their father’s property, if you are not contended you can go elsewhere. This attitude cannot make them enjoy any sympathy from the Nigerians.

48 —

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015

NEW YEAR PREDICTIONS: Insurgency'll be weakened worldwide — ADEBOYE zKumuyi predicts glorious year ahead; Methodist prelate says Nigeria is drifting

By Sam Eyoboka & Olayinka Latona

L

AGOS—GENERAL Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, has predicted that insurgency worldwide will be weakened in the new year and the dreaded Ebola virus which have killed thousands of people especially in West African sub-region will finally be defeated.

This came as the General Superintendent, Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi predicted a glorious year for Nigeria.

Speaking at the crossover night last night, Kumuyi told the gathering that this year would usher in signs and wonders into the lives of God’s people, stressing that before God could bless them, they must lay a solid foundation by giving their lives to Christ.

The man of God was optimistic that God would pour out His abundance on His children in this New Year, urging them to trust God and look on with hope as they go through the year.

Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence Samuel Kanu Uche yesterday said Nigeria is drifting from the kingdom of God as evident in the multi-faceted socio-economic challenges facing the country. In a New Year goodwill message to Nigerians made available by the church’s Media and Public Relations Officer, Rev. Oladapo Daramola, the prelate said “it is apparent that the nation is drifting from the kingdom of God as evident in what seems to be a helpless situation confronting her.

Adeboye made the revelations in his annual predictions listed under four categories of individual, international, prediction for the RCCG and the Nigerian nation during the crossover service at the

Redemption Camp, Kilometre 46, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, to usher in year 2015.

Rolling out the New Year predictions after the new year thanksgiving service at the camp, Adeboye said God directed the world to pray against “Massive calamities, massive earthquakes, strong hurricanes and typhoons.”

On the international scene, he said scientific and medical breakthrough “Will be many particularly in the areas of lack of sleep, dreams and brain disorders. Ebola will die out. All over the world, insurgency will be considerably weakened. God said we should pray against massive calamities, pray against earthquakes, strong hurricanes and typhoons”.

For Nigeria, the man of God said 2015 being an election year, he has to be cautious with what God has told him about Nigeria, noting that at the end of the year many in the country will say “all is well that ends well”.

In his words: “You are all ready for what God has for us in Nigeria, unfortunately, because it is election year, I can’t tell you all that God told me about Nigeria. But I will tell you this: ‘By the end of the year, many will say all is well that ends well,’” leaving the congregation in suspense without explaining what he meant by “all is well that ends well.”

Adeboye said for members of the church, who obey the instruction to fast for 100 days in 2014, they should expect great harvest of blessings from God, explaining that the harvest of the 100 days spiritual exercise will be rewarded by God in the new year.

“The harvest of 100 days fasting will be given in 2015.

AWARD: Miss Edhere Priscella Oromena of Oyede Comprehensive High School (2nd right), receiving an award as the overall best student in the 6th annual award ceremony of the Austin Epadi-Igbuku Lights on Foundation at Aviara, Delta State.

This year will be full of testimonies, some will swim in the river of abundance this year, there will be miraculous completion of projects, there will be fulfillment of dreams, there will be miraculous restoration and the songs of many will be the Lord has been good to me”.

On what members of RCCG should expect in the New Year, the cleric, fondly called Daddy G.O. by all and sundry, told the gathering that the prophecies would be relayed to them through their pastors.

Methodist prelate explained that the nation’s situations are enemies which include home grown terrorism, infrastructural decay, economic saboteurs, deepening corrupt practices in the formal and informal sectors, religious extremism and fundamentalism, flagrant

disrespect for the rule of Law and a complete collapse of our social values and moral ethics.

“The Kingdom of God as we know it is that which promotes peace and tolerance, an egalitarian society where equity, fairness and justice reign and a place where there is abundance and prosperity especially in a country like ours with vast resources and endless opportunities. However, because of the insatiable and greedy thirst for power and wealth especially by the political elite and those who have lost every human decency and dignity, our nation continues to drift from the kingdom of God,” he stated.

The Prelate, however, said the situation is redeemable only if Nigerians will move closer to God in 2015 and be more prayerful than before, stressing,

Pope seeks collaboration among world leaders to check trafficking

T

HE Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francis, yesterday, called for collaboration among world leaders to eradicate human rights abuses, trafficking and slavery.

The call is contained in the Pope’s message entitled: “No Longer Slaves, but Brothers and Sisters” read by the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos.

The message was to the 48th World Day of Peace, which is Jan. 1, celebrated by Catholic faithful, the world over.

Pope Francis said human trafficking had destroyed the lives of millions of children, women and men, making it a real threat to peace.

He described human trafficking

as crime against humanity, an open wound on the body of contemporary society, and a scourge upon the body of Christ.

He said “Many people think that slavery is a thing of the past, this social plague remains all too real in today’s world with child labour, forced prostitution, trafficking of organs and other forms of forced labour.

“Trafficking, which generates huge amounts of income for organised crime, threatens world peace because it is based on the lack of recognition of fundamental human dignity of its victims.

“Fraternity requires us to reject any inequality which will allow

one person to enslave another.

“Our purpose is to build a civilised world based on equal dignity of every person without discrimination through collective efforts.”

The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Adewale Martins, while fielding questions

from newsmen urged Nigerians to put aside their differences, embrace peace, love and care for one another.

Martins said most societies were experiencing profound poverty of relationships as a result of the lack of solid family and community relationships.

that prayer answers all things.

“I firmly believe that this nation can overcome these humongous challenges confronting her but it will require the prayer of all and sundry and the president and Commander-in-Chief must be prepared to be courageous and provide purposeful and inspiring leadership at this crucial moment in our national history. With fervent and faithful prayers, the elections will go smoothly and there will be no violence no matter how hard the enemies of this nation try,” the prelate stated.

He then called on politicians to commit themselves to the worthy cause of nation building as Nigerians are suffering unjustly in the midst of plenty, pointing out that the gift of God to this nation is not for the control of a minority over the majority but for the benefit of all. He said God is a God of justice who will never hold back from fighting for the oppressed.

The Prelate said there will be relative peace in the country in the New Year but “it is equally important that Nigerians pray without ceasing”.

In his crossover sermon titled; “Power of Testimonies”, Pastor Adeboye explained that when believers appreciate and testify about God’s goodness in their lives, God will do more for them.

NiMet predicts moderate dust haze, misty weather today

A

BUJA—THE Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), yesterday predicted that the central states would experience dust haze to moderate dust haze weather conditions today This is contained in Weather

Outlook issued by NiMet’s Central Forecast Office (CFO) in Abuja, made available to newsmen.

NiMet also predicted that the southern coastal areas would experience misty conditions in the early hours of the day.

It said prospects of localised moderate dust haze were also expected over the region in the afternoon and evening.

It predicted that there would be partly cloudy conditions in the afternoon, with misty conditions in the early hours of the morning.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015 — 49

Wamakko, Kwankwaso, others betrayed PDP – LAMIDO

By Aliyu Dangida

D

UTSE–GOVERNOR Sule Lamido of Jigawa State has lampooned his counterparts in Sokoto and Kano States, Aliyu Wamakko and Rabiu Kwankwaso respectively for defecting from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, saying that their defection with others was not only a betrayal of trust but deceitful and selfish.

Apart from Kwakwanso and Wamakko, others said to have been tongue- lashed by Lamido for for abandoning the PDD included the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Bello Masari and the former Minister of the Abuja Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Mallam Nasiru el-Rufai.

Lamido spoke while addressing thousands of party supporters during the flag off of the Jigawa North Central zonal rally of the PDP at Gwaram town.

According to the governor the defection of the former party men showed that they were not politically mature as they merely left the PDP to enable them occupy elective positions using the former Head of State, Muhammadu Buhari as the vehicle.

Lamido said that the defected politicians who were either elected or appointed into different positions were always eager to describe Buhari, who is the presidential candidate of the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, as thrust wordy but were not displaying the same traits like Buhari.

He said that the PDP would defeat the APC in this year’s general elections from federal to state levels, as people have

benefited from the dividends of democracy and projects executed by the PDP led administration in the country; thus continuing to maintain it position as the largest party in Africa.

Said he, “Some politicians used General Muhammadu Buhari as a weapon to win election simply because people describe him (Buhari) as trustworthy but the question is, those using his name; are they trustworthy as such Buhari? People should be mindful of such politicians.

“This has clearly indicated that they are in politics for elective positions and appointments.

The PDP has done everything good for these people but to our greatest surprise they abandoned the party that gave

birth and nursed them..., simply because these people are not satisfied with the style of their governance.

He further said that those who decamped from the PDP should blame themselves not the party because their people have lost confidence in them and the party has no alternative then to replace them with qualitative and trusted leaders.

He stressed that the PDP had not been harmed as a result of the departure of the former members pointing out that other people had equally joined the party.

Governor Lamido along with other six PDP governors (G7) had fought against the leadership of PDP under Bamanga Tukur accusing him of incompetence

which led the formation of a breakaway NewPDP. Five of the governors including Wamakko and Kwakwanso later quit the party and joined the APC while Lamido and his Niger State counterpart, Dr Muazu Babngida Aliyu remained in the PDP. However, the failure of Lamido and Babangida to join their colleagues in the APC had generated controversies and enmity among them as the five governors accused them of sycophancy and betrayal by remaining in the party.

The G7 governors at that time included Governor Sule Lamido, Babangida Muazu Aliyu , Aliyu Magatakarda Wammako of Sokoto, Governor Abdulfatah of Kwara, Governor Rotimi Amechi of Rivers and Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa States.

WEDDING: From left; Olumayowa Omotoyosi Olugbile, groom; Oyindamola Danielle Adesina, bride; groom's parents, Dr. Femi Olugbile and Mrs Yemi Olugbile at the wedding ceremony of Oyindamola and Olumayowa at Christ the King Rescue Global Ministry, with reception at Ostra Hall, behind MKO Gardens, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos. Photo by Akeem Salau.

Kafanchan campus of KASU to become full-fledged varsity — YERO

K

ADUNA—GOVERNOR Mukhtar Ramalan Yero of Kaduna State has said that plans had reached advanced stages to upgrade the Kafanchan campus of the Kaduna State University, KASU, to a full fledged university.

Speaking at the 2015 Annual Afan Day Festival at Kagoro, in southern Kaduna, Yero said that a technical committee had already been set up on the establishment of the university.

“In view of the challenges being

Kwankwaso flags off Kano Freedom Tower

K

ANO — G O V E R N O R Rabiu Kwankwaso yesterday commissioned the Kano Freedom Tower.

The commissioning of the Freedom Tower located within the Mahaha Sports Complex, Kofar Nai’sa along the BUK Highway was witnessed by about 5,000 people.

Chants of Allahu Akbar (God is Great) by the huge crowd rented the air as Kwankwaso unveiled the plaque.

The governor was accompanied by his Deputy, Dr Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, top government functionaries and a many Islamic clerics.

He said, ‘’I have given the state what you see in major capital city of developed economy on television,” adding that the Freedom Tower would host religious functions and other ceremonies of international standard and asked the residents to protect the tower from vandals.

faced in securing admission into universities by our students, our administration has concluded plans to upgrade the Kafanchan campus of the Kaduna State University, KASU, into a fullfledged University of Technology.

A technical committee under Prof.

A. Abdulrasheed as chairman and Prof Barnabas Qurix as deputy will soon be inaugurated to commence this process,” he said.

Yero also said that plans were already on for the establishment of a Federal Medical Centre in Kafanchan.

“To improve health care delivery, we have intensified efforts towards the establishment of a Federal Medical Centre in Kafanchan to cater for the health needs of our people. While we are sustaining that effort, government has directed the upgrading of the General Hospital, Kafanchan for improved services. We have also

made a provision in the 2015 budget for the completion of upgrading of PHC Fadan Kagoma to a rural hospital.”

He then declared his full support for creation of Gurara State for the people of Southern Kaduna, adding that, ‘’As you are aware, the state House of Assembly has voted for creation of new states; that position is also supported by the state Executive. We are in support of actualization of the rights of our people to self determination, so we are fully in support of creation of a new state from Kaduna State.”

The governor counted several achievements of his administration in the Southern Kaduna zone, to include completion of road projects, upgrading of hospitals, rehabilitation and construction of schools, distribution of subsidised farm inputs to farmers, as well as provision of employment for thousands of youths.

Residents beg FG to re-connect power supply to Maiduguri

M

AIDUGURI— SOME residents of Maiduguri on New Year’s Day appealed to the Federal Government to reconnect power supply to the city, the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports.

NAN recalls that electricity supply was cut in June, 2014, after a suspected insurgents attack on a power station in Damboa, headquarters of Damboa Local Government Area.

A cross section of residents interviewed by NAN in Maiduguri, expressed reservation over the delay by the government in restoring power supply to the city.

Alhaji Mohammed Zarami, a businessman, said that the lack of electricity in the city had caused severe damages to social and economic life of citizens.

“It is sad that we have had to stay for this long without electricity supply in Maiduguri.

“It is even more sad with the current improvement in power supply in the country where some states enjoy uninterrupted supply for days,” Zarami said.

He said that the situation had forced some residents to rely on power generating sets for power supply.

“Most residents depend on power generating sets for power supply daily, but those who cannot afford the high cost of maintaining the sets end up sleeping in darkness,” Zarami said.

Alhaji Bukar Bulama, an artisan, who spoke in the same vein, said that the situation had forced many artisans to look for something else to do for their survival.

“The prolonged power cut has negatively affected the economy of the state.

“Many artisans have been forced out of business as they cannot afford to power their system daily.

“Buying petrol or diesel to run power generating sets for business on daily basis is not an easy thing.

“Many artisans have either shut their shops or joined other businesses to survive,” he said.

Mr John Marie, a provision seller, said that the prolonged power outage had almost forced him out of business.

50 —VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2 , 2015

BRIEFS Abbas trades stalemate for confrontation in ICC move

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Syria’s war killed 76,021 in 2014 T

HE conflict in Syria killed 76,021 people in 2014, just under half of them civilians, a group monitoring the war has said.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights yesterday said that 33,278 civilians were killed last year in the conflict, which started with protests in 2011 and has spiralled into a civil war.

The United Nations says around 200,000 people have been killed since 2011.

No group enjoys significant momentum going into 2015 and the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said last month he expected the conflict to be long and difficult.

Assad visited a district on the outskirts of Damascus and thanked soldiers fighting “in the face of terrorism”, his office said on Twitter late on Wednesday, posting pictures of the rare trip.

Assad, who is commander in chief, is not frequently pictured in public, though he has visited troops in the past, according to state media.

The presidential website said the latest visit was to Jobar, northeast of Damascus.

“If there was an area of joy which remained in Syria, it is thanks to the victories that you achieved in the face of terrorism,” Assad told troops, according to the Twitter account.

State news agency SANA said he “wished a speedy recovery to the wounded” and praised their sacrifices.

ALESTINIAN President Mahmoud Abbas has entered into his most serious confrontation yet with Israel by signing onto the International Criminal Court.

His decision on Wednesday gives the court jurisdiction over crimes committed in Palestinian lands and could even lead to cases being brought against Israeli or Palestinian leaders.

The nearly 80-year-old bespectacled former teacher, advocating non-violence, has spent his ten years in office trying to clamp down on armed groups and build up his administration in the Israelioccupied West Bank.

But the failure of peace talks this year to win a state or halt the spread of Israeli settlements seems to have clinched his decision that now is the time for what commentators on both sides describe as “lawfare” - conflict by means of law.

US, allies hit Islamic State in Syria, Iraq

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Police carry debris from a boat believed to be an oxygen tank from the AirAsia QZ8501 jet at the Kumai Port, Pangkalan Bun, Central Kalimantan, yesterday.

Weather stalls search for AirAsia black box H

EAVY seas stopped divers reaching the possible wreck of an AirAsia Indonesia jet off Borneo yesterday as an aviation official said it could be a week before the black box flight recorders will be found.

Nine bodies have so far been recovered from the Airbus (AIR.PA) A320200, which crashed on Sunday en route to Singapore from the Indonesian city of Surabaya with 162 people on board.

The bodies were brought in numbered coffins to Surabaya where relatives have gathered for identification. AirAsia Indonesia’s CEO Sunu Widyatmoko was seen weeping when authorities handed over the body

of the first victim, Hayati Luthfiah Hamid, to family members at a Surabaya hospital.

Hamid, 49, was buried on Thursday before sundown in the suburb of Desa Sawotratap, a few kilometers (miles) from the city, at an Islamic ceremony attended by relatives and neighbors.

Three members of her family were also on board the plane.

“Their house has been in a panic since Sunday,” Umaroyah, a neighbor, said. “Everyone in the neighborhood knows someone who was on that plane.”

Searches on Thursday spanned an area of 13,500 square km (5,200 square miles) involving 19 ships, four helicopters and five planes, said Fransiskus Bambang Soelistyo, head of Indonesia’s Search and Rescue Agency.

N/Korean ready to open talks with South

N

ORTH Korean leader Kim Jong Un said in a New Year speech yesterday that he is open to more talks or even a summit with his South Korean counterpart, a statement welcomed by Seoul,

•Syrian President Bashar al-Assad praised soldiers for their victories “in the face of terrorism

which in turn urged the North to take concrete steps toward normalization of relations.

Related Stories Kim’s call for improving inter-Korea relations comes as Pyongyang is facing heightened criticism over its human rights record and souring ties with Washington over allegations it was involved in the massive hacking attack on Sony Pictures linked to “The Interview,” a dark comedy that portrayed an assassination attempt on Kim. North Korea has denied involvement, but said the hack was a “ righteous deed” and suggested it might have been carried out by sympathizers or supporters abroad.

HE United States and its allies staged 29 air strikes on Islamic State targets in Syria and Iraq on Wednesday, the Combined Joint Task Force said on Thursday.

The action in Syria included 17 strikes near the cities of Al Raqqah, Dayr az Zawr and Kobani. A variety of Islamic State buildings, fighting positions and units were hit.

In Iraq, 12 strikes targeted Islamic State buildings, fighting positions and units near the cities of Mosul, Fallujah and Sinjar.

Fighters, bombs and remotely controlled aircraft were used against Islamic State, which has taken parts of Syria and Iraq in a bloody campaign to establish an Islamic caliphate.

Man with automatic weapon detained near Istanbul palace

A

man carrying an automatic weapon was detained near the Turkish prime minister’s office in Istanbul yesterday after he threw a homemade bomb at police, local media reported.

The bomb failed to explode and the man, aged around 30, was seized by security forces at the Dolmabahce Palace in Turkey’s largest city, media added.

Istanbul’s police chief said the assailant had served time in prison and had links to what he described as terrorist organizations, without going into further details, Dogan News Agency reported.

It was not immediately clear if Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu was in the palace at the time, although both he and his predecessor, current President Tayyip Erdogan, have used the office there regularly.

Shanghai new year crush: Xi Jinping orders investigation

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HINA’S President Xi Jinping has demanded an investigation into Shanghai New Year’s Eve crush that killed 36 people and injured 47.

The crush happened in Chenyi Square in Shanghai’s historic Bund district, where thousands of people had gathered to countdown to the new year.

Investigations are likely to examine whether there were enough police on duty to manage the huge crowds. New Year’s Day festivities in the city have been cancelled, Chinese media say.

French economist rejects award

F

RENCH economist Thomas Piketty, the bestselling author of Capital in the 21st Century, has turned down France’s top award, the Legion D’Honneur.

“I do not think it is the government’s role to decide who is honourable”, Mr Piketty said.

His book examines income inequality in society and became a surprise hit, topping the bestseller list in the US. It is very rare for anyone to turn down the award, says the BBC’s Hugh Schofield in Paris.

VANGUARD, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2 ,2015 — 51

AFRICAN NEWS

7,905 Ebola deaths reported in West Africa T

HE World Health Organization, WHO, has said that the number of reported Ebola deaths in West Africa has risen to 7,905.

The WHO says altogether some 20,206 cases of Ebola virus disease have been reported since the outbreak in December 2013.

Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone have been the hardest-hit countries in the epidemic.

An update released late Wednesday by the WHO says that new cases in Liberia have mostly declined in the past six weeks.

In Sierra Leone, there are signs the increase of new cases has slowed, but the agency says “the country’s west is now experiencing the most intense transmission of all the affected countries.”

The situation of the epidemic in Guinea is fluctuating, with between 70 and 160 confirmed cases over the past 15 weeks.

Meanwhile, the United Nations’ new Ebola mission chief, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, will travel to West Africa next week for his first visit since his appointment in early December.

Ould Cheikh Ahmed will be accompanied by UN special envoy for Ebola David Nabarro, who is making his sixth trip to the epidemic-hit region.

UN officials said the visit will begin in Ghana on Monday and include stops in Guinea, Mali, Liberia and Sierra

Leone, where the UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER) has set up operations.

The United Nations is leading international efforts to beat back the virus that has killed more

than 7,800 people, almost all of them in West Africa.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon in early December appointed Ould Cheikh Ahmed to take over from American Anthony Banbury, who returned to New York to begin a new

UN position.

The 54-year-old Mauritanian diplomat served as number two in the UN mission in Libya and has worked for various UN development and humanitarian agencies in Syria, Yemen, Kenya and Georgia.

Court orders retrial of 3 al-Jazeera journalists

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GYPT’S top court has ordered a retrial of three al-Jazeera journalists jailed on charges of spreading false news.

The decision was made after the hearing in Cairo of an appeal by the three,

•People walk past a billboard with a message about the Ebola virus in Freetown, Sierra Leone

‘Terrorists’ blamed for Gambia coup bid

S

OLDIERS loyal to Gambia President Yahya Jammeh yesterday went houseto-house in search of opponents Thursday after the longtime leader blamed “terrorist groups” for staging an attempt coup earlier this week.

Jammeh, who had been out of the country at the time of Tuesday’s attack and has since returned to Banjul, the capital, alleged that the

coup plotters had received backing from some foreign countries.

After hours of fighting, forces loyal to Jammeh’s regime succeeded in getting the upper hand, killing five insurgents.

It was not immediately known how many casualties were suffered by the national military.

“We are all gripped by fear,” said a Banjul resident who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.

Gambia is a small sliver of a country surrounded by Senegal where human rights activists say Jammeh has long targeted political opponents, journalists, and gays and lesbians.

U.N. SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon has called for “a t r a n s p a r e n t investigation” into Tuesday ’s events that respects human rights, due process and the rule

of law, U.N. spokesman Farhan Haq said.

Jammeh is one of Africa’s most vocal antigay leaders and has previously threatened to behead sexual minorities found in his country.

The U.S. government recently removed Gambia from a trade agreement in response to human rights abuses, including a law signed in October that imposes life imprisonment for some homosexual acts.

5 Germans killed in Africa

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•Jammeh took power in Gambia at the age of 29 following a coup in 1994 .

HE German Foreign Ministry has disclosed that five Germans have been killed in two separate incidents in Africa.

The ministry said yesterday that two Germans were killed last weekend in Nigeria. It declined to give further details but said it was investigating the cases in close cooperation with Nigerian authorities.

Germany media reported the two men,

who worked for the German construction company Julius Berger, had not returned from a motorcycle trip.

Meanwhile, the company could not immediately be reached for comment.

Last October, gunmen kidnapped a man and killed another German who had also worked for Julius Berger.

In a separate incident, the foreign ministry said, three Germans were killed in a car accident in Namibia on Monday.

Peter Greste, Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed, against their conviction.

P r o s e c u t o r s acknowledged major problems with the verdict, defence lawyers said. A new trial will occur within a month but the trio must stay in custody.

Al-Jazeera called on the authorities to release its journalists quickly.

The journalists deny the charges, which included collaborating with the banned Muslim Brotherhood after the overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi by the military in 2013.

They say they were simply reporting the news.

Two of them are foreign nationals - Peter Greste, a former BBC correspondent, is Australian, and his producer colleague Mohammed Fahmy holds Egyptian and Canadian citizenship.

The three journalists have now spent a year in jail since they were first arrested in December 2013.

They were convicted in June - with Fahmy and Greste jailed for seven years and Mohamed for 10 years.

Sri Lanka flash floods cause deadly havoc

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LASH floods and mudslides in Sri Lanka have killed at least 39 people and more than one million have had to flee their homes in the past two weeks, data from the country’s Disaster Management Centre show.

At least another 20 people have been injured and two are still missing after torrential rain, mostly in central Sri Lanka, the data show.

Thousands of hectares of crops, mainly the food staple rice, have been destroyed in the agricultural heartland of the North Central and Eastern provinces.

In October, a landslide in a hilly tea plantation caused by heavy rains killed at least 16 people and left over 100 missing.

52—Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015

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Islamic council flays FG over absence at voting

By Demola Akinyemi

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LORIN—THE Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), yesterday, criticised the Federal Government for abstaining from voting at Wednesday ’s Security Council meeting held to resolve the 66 year old crisis involving Israel and Palestine describing her absence as mischievous.

Secretary General of the Council, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, who addressed journalists in Ilorin expressed the disappointment of the NSCIA over the position of the Federal Government.

The former vice chancellor of the University of Ilorin noted that officials of Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs ministry by abstaining from voting “had taken a step against freedom”.

He wondered why “Nigeria which has always been on the side of justice and liberation for freedom of the people”, suddenly turn around to play a “mischievous role” at the security council meeting where only nine votes was required to secure freedom for Palestine.

Oloyede noted that the NSCIA was sad and worried that the Federal Government had allowed its domestic divisive tendency of running a government to play out at the foreign affairs policy, adding, “They are muddlling things together that they don’t even know where to put a stop on issues.”

The don said that the Federal Government would have to explain to Nigerians and the world why it had to “veto such progressive step”.

While describing the d e v e l o p m e n t as”despicable” and that which “must be condemned by all lovers of peace and liberation, the don said the country ’s action had "created a serious foreign policy problem for Nigeria” The text of the address reads in full”The main thrust of our position is to call the attention of people of Nigeria to the very, very sad situation in which we have been plunged to by the government of Federal Republic of Nigeria."

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015 — 53

Egypt can’t stop us in Cairo — Quadri Barely two weeks to the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Africa Senior Championships, Nigeria’s number one table tennis player and world’s number 31, Aruna Quadri has boasted that the hosts cannot stop Nigeria’s dream of emerging tops at the tournament. The rivalry between Nigeria and Egypt will again be rekindled in Cairo come January 23 to 29.

Quadri has opened up on his intention to lead the battle against the Egyptians just like he did during the 2014 ITTF Africa Top 16 Cup where he defeated Egypt’s duo of Omar Assar and El-Sayed Lashin to clinch the title. The Portugal-based player said in this interview that he is hopeful that Nigeria will halt the North Africans dominance. However, the Oyo State-born athlete also appealed to the Director General, National Sports Commission (NSC), Gbenga Elegbeleye and Minister of Sports, Tammy Danagogo to ensure that funds is provided for the team to be part of the tournament, which also serves as qualifiers for the 2015 World Championship in China. Excerpts:

W

HAT are you l o o k i n g forward to in Egypt?

As a member of Nigerian team, I am looking forward to a good outing in Cairo.

Egypt has been ruling Africa for years now and our men and women teams are looking forward to stopping Egypt’s dominance. I never won the African championships individual event in my career and winning it will make me happy in January and I seriously believe it’s possible and God will help me as am working hard for the war in Cairo.

Egypt has been dominating the tournament in the last five years, do you think Nigeria can halt the reign of the Egyptians?

Yes it’s true and I seriously believe it is very possible to stop them in January. It’s not going to be easy for any team to defeat them due to the players their team has but it’s very possible if our team has the needed support.

Meanwhile, Tunisia and Algeria, including Congo Brazzaville are not going to be a walk over. But we see these teams as lesser threats to our campaign in Cairo.

How ready are Nigerian players for the tournament?

We are all ready for the war in Cairo due to the fact that everyone knows what’s at stake and we will all fight to C M Y K

retain our lost glory in Africa this time. Our federation has been working hard and this is the right time that we can compensate the great effort of our federation president and his members.

Just like we put a smile on his face at the Commonwealth Games, we are all working hard as a team to make him the happiest man in Cairo and may God help us more than our imagination Egypt’s Lashin is the men’s single champion, are you targeting the title?

As a matter of fact, the title with Lashin is still eluding me in Africa and winning it will make me a fulfilled man a little bit just like the way am targeting African games title that was won by Lashin’s compatriot Omar Assar in Maputo.

Winning the games individual title as well this year will make me fully fulfilled in Africa and it’s very possible with hard work.

How prepared are you for the competition?

I think I will be well prepared for the tournament, after the IT TF Star Awards in Dubai, I am going straight to Porto to join my team mates and practice together for two weeks in the same venue that I prepared for the World Cup. Presently everyone is on holidays but I am not on holidays fully as am running day after day to keep fit and

•Aruna Quadri on the offensive ahead of Cairo.

I wish myself and the entire team members best of luck.

What are your targets in 2015?

Like I said earlier, winning African games team and individual

events is one of my objectives for 2015.

African championships singles is also yet to be registered in my career and am hoping and praying to win it, retaining my singles cup

title is another hard target of which is very possible again in 2015, if I am lucky to do so. Surpassing my World Cup record is another objective. I hope to feature in about ten world tours in 2015

provided that I get sponsors as am still looking for sponsors to play tournaments. If I am lucky to get sponsors, making it to ITTF World Tour finals is my biggest target in 2015.

Eduok joins Eagles camp, ready for CIV, Sudan

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OLPHINS of Port Harcourt hot shot, Emem Eduok, who is reportedly heading for a Tunisian side in the January transfer window has boosted the camp of the Super Eagles with his arrival in camp from Tunisia yesterday morning.

Though, he missed the morning training session, he was ready for the evening session at the Abuja National Stadium under the watchful eyes of Assistant Coach, Dan ‘The Bull’ Amokachi.

The former power playing Everton of England forward said with the arrival of Eduok, the team is not expecting any other player as Godwin Igudia earlier invited has sent a message that he is nursing an injury.

He reiterated that only 19 players will be taken to Abu Dhabi from the 24 players currently

AAU promises Edo medal haul at National Sports Festival

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•Eduok sweating it out for shirts.

Eduok, himself said his trip to Tunisia was a huge success but he will still need proper clearance from his parent club, Dolphins of Port Harcourt after the two friendly games against Cote D’Ivoire and Sudan. “The trip was okay, I have done my medicals and concluded terms with my new club but Dolphins will still have to clear me after our friendly games”, he said.

HE sports team of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma in Edo will boost the medals prospects of the state’s athletes at the 2015 National Sports Festival, an official has said.

The institution’s Sports Council Chairman, Mr Emmanuel Akhigbe said in Benin that their athletes were well groomed to do the state proud.

“We hope to capitalise on the open nature of the sports festival in Calabar to boost the medals prospects of the state.

“We are going to ensure that athletes from AAU participate and represent the state in different sports at the festival,” the official, who is the current Chairman of the state Handball Association, said.

Akhigbe, who is a

former Technical Member of the International Handball Federation (IHF) and Confederation of Handball Federation (CAHB), said the festival was going to help the institution too.

“We also hope to use this opportunity to expose our athletes, especially our handball players, to proper training and to discover some others in different sector,” he said.

The official said he was sure the state was going to be the better for it. “I have been involved in sports at all levels, from the IHF to the CAHB administration and Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN).

“Being in charge of sports in AAU, we know what takes to achieve result for both the school and the state in general."

54 — Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015

Lampard keeps City on title course F

RANK Lampard came off the bench to score the winner for Manchester City as they defeated Sunderland 3-2 in an exciting clash at the Etihad Stadium.

Just hours after agreeing to remain at the Etihad for the remainder of the season, Lampard spared City’s blushes as he headed Manuel Pellegrini’s side into the lead with virtually his first touch.

Yaya Toure and Stevan Jovetic scored within the space of six minutes of each other to give City a two goal cushion, but a remarkable three minutes saw Sunderland draw level through Jack Rodwell and an Adam Johnson penalty before Lampard celebrated his new deal with a superbly-taken header.

City dominated from the start but they were unable to find the breakthrough as Toure and David Silva both saw their efforts fail to hit the target.

The reigning Premier League champions continued to frustrate the visitors but Gus Poyet’s side defended well to keep themselves in the game.

Southampton shot down depleted Gunners

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HIS was always going to be a really tough test for Arsenal.

Already having to cope with so many key player out of action due to availablility, the last thing Arsene Wenger needed was to lose our only regular central midfielder, but that is exactly what the manager had to do after Mathieu Flamini was ruled out.

So Calum Chambers and Francis Coquelin were given the unenviable task of keeping an in form Southampton from controlling the centre of the pitch. To be fair to the youngsters, they did not do too bad a job and cannot be blamed for the way the home side took the lead around 10 minutes from halftime.

That blame can be shared by Mertesacker, Szczesny and Koscielny, with the keeper most at fault for me. We did have some chances, with Ca-

TOP MAN... Frank Lampard gives the thumbs up after scoring Man City’s third goal as Sunderland goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon stands dejected.

•Southampton’s Dusan Tadic (Front) vies with Arsenal’s Mathieu Debuchy. zorla’s probably the best. You would say that Southampton shaded it but we could easily fgeel a bit unlucky being behind at the break. But the old enemies of not making the most of chances and making mistakes at the back had cost us again.

Swansea boss dubs QPR’s Henry a ‘leg breaker’

Liverpool throw away two-goal lead S B

RENDAN Rodgers made two alterations to the team that trounced Swansea City

4-1 last Monday night, as Liverpool looked to build on a good recent run of results.

Captain Steven Gerrard returned, with Jordan Henderson switching to right wing-back in place of Javier Manquillo, while Kolo Toure came in for the suspended Martin Skrtel.

The brilliant front three of Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana and Raheem Sterling all started again, while Emre Can was restored at centre-back. Three points were expected, but they were far from a given.

Leicester were almost ahead after just a minute, with Riyad Mahrez’s free-kick coming back off Simon Mignolet‘s post. It wasn’t far off being a similar goal to Fabio Aurelio’s terrific Champions League effort at Chelsea in 2009.

It was a really positive start by Nigel Pearson’s side, and an extremely sluggish one by the Reds. Mahrez had a glorious chance after 11 minutes, but curled the ball wide of the Kop goal.

Jeffrey Schlupp also dragged an effort wide.

WANSEA manag er Garry Monk was furious with the decision to send Wayne Routledge off during his team’s 1-1 draw at QPR. Routledge, playing against his former club, was red-carded late on for his reaction to a challenge from Rangers midfielder Karl Henry. The Welsh club plan to appeal against the dismissal.

Henry’s challenge angered Monk, who said: “It was a leg breaker.

Everyone in the stadium knew it apart from the official.

“It was a double

•Henry whammy because he was then sent off for kicking out when he didn’t.

“It [Henry ’s challenge] was absolutely out of control and could have broken Wayne’s leg.

West Brom hire Pulis as Newcastle’s Taylor bows to head coach EST Bromwich was sacked on Monday injury named following a run of seven WAlbion

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CELEBRATION .. . Liverpool’s midfielder Steven Gerrard (L) celebrates with a team mate, Emre Can after scoring his first goal Leicester City. Photo: AFP C M Y K

TEVEN Taylor is out for the rest of the season after rupturing his Achilles tendon.

The defender suffered the injury in this afternoon’s 3-3 home draw against Burnley.

And it leaves caretaker manager John Carver short of options at the back.

“It looks like Steven has ruptured his Achilles tendon,” said Carver.

“It’s not the one he did previously, so I think that’s probably him until the end of the season.”

Luckless Taylor has been beset by a series of injuries over the past five years.

former Stoke City and Crystal Palace boss Tony Pulis as their head coach on Thursday, tasking the 56-year-old with the club’s Premier League survival.

Pulis has agreed a 21/2 year contract with the Baggies, the club said in a statement, replacing Alan Irvine who

defeats in nine games.

“Every successful club is built on unity and that is what I shall strive to help bring to Albion,” Pulis said in the statement.

“We need everyone together from top to bottom – the supporters, all the staff, the players, everyone who has an interest in the club’s welfare."

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015 — 55

Onazi set to quit Lazio W

I T H O U T mentioning his possible destination, Tuttosport has reported that Ogenyi Onazi will end his collaboration with Lazio when the transfer market reopens for business.

The Turin - based sports daily has informed that the Nigeria international plus Alvaro Gonzalez and Abdoulay Konko are destined for the exit door.

In recent days, Onazi has been linked with a transfer to Liverpool, but the Italian club have refused to part with him except their English counterparts cough up 10 million euros as transfer fee.

Due to the injury he picked up at the World Cup, the former My People FC ace has struggled for form since the season began, with only 406 minutes of playing time under his belt.

The central midfielder is tied to the Biancocelesti for the next three and a half years.

have a strong presence of the home based players.

Sanusi also revealed that the president of the NFF Amaju Pinnick has started a genuine move to reconcile all the aggrieved stakeholders in Nigerian football even as he urged them to sheath their swords in the interest of the beautiful game.

“What we are doing now is the rebuilding process to build a formidable team that Nigerians can be proud of and the first practical step is the international friendly matches against Ivory Coast and Sudan coming up on the 12th and 17th of January.

“Also another way of looking forward is the effort of the Amaju Pinnick led executive committee which is making frantic efforts to

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RGENTINA striker Carlos Tevez, quizzed over the chances of him returning to Boca Juniors, said he has no plans to sign a contract extension with Juventus.

The Italian champions reportedly want to offer Tevez, whose contract runs until June 2016, a deal to stay in Turin to 2018.

“I said I wanted to fulfil my contract and that’s my idea, I’m not thinking of signing an extension because that’s not how I feel at the moment,” Tevez told reporters in Buenos Aires on Wednesday.

“As I always said, my idea is to complete my contract.

Everyone knows I said so from the moment I arrived at Juve,” the 30-year-old former West Ham United,

•Onazi

Hughes: Moses still at Chelsea S

TOKE City manager, Mark Hughes, says on-loan forward Victor Moses is still at parent club Chelsea undergoing fitness regimes in his bid to return back from an injury.

Moses was due back at Stoke after the Christmas fixture but Hughes comments

Eagles Continues from B/P

Tevez won’t extend Juventus contract A

reconcile the entire Nigerian football family after the crisis that rocked the game last year. I want to seize this opportunity to appeal to all the stakeholders to give peace a chance and let the game move forward”.

The director of competitions further revealed that the technical crew of the NFF has been given the mandate to always ensure that henceforth, the nucleus of the national team will be made up of mainly players plying their trade in the Nigerian league.

However, he further argued that the past year was a good one for the nation’s football except for the failure of the Super Eagles to be in Equatorial Guinea to defend the African title which they won in South Africa in 2013.

means the 24-year-old is likely return back in February 2015.

Hughes, who has already expressed his anger at not being able to have Moses treated at Stoke, commented: “He’s still at Chelsea and working with the physios there.

“We are probably still looking at three to four more weeks, I would suggest, so if we can get him back before the end of January we would be delighted.

“The injury is a difficult one where it is and is notorious for having to be careful

C

•Ammani

Manchester United and Manchester City striker said.

Tevez, who has been in fine form since joining Juventus from City last year and earned an Argentina recall in October after a three-year international absence, said it was too soon for him to think of returning to his first club Boca.

with.

“The last thing we want is for him to come back too soon and re-injure himself.”

Moses hasn’t played since picking up a thigh injury in the home defeat to Burnley on November 22.

Stoke’s medical team did enjoy a brief glimpse of Moses when he popped in to see them before the game at Crystal Palace on December 13, but they have otherwise been relying on second-hand information from their Chelsea colleagues.

Pillars fire Ammani, 9 others Bello Musa Kofarmata, HAMPIONS Kano Pillars have released Nazifi Ammani and nine other players ahead of the new season.

Among the other players laid off are

•Tevez

Kingsley Udoh and Kabiru Umar.

Fullback Ammani has endured long-term injuries in the last two seasons, same as former Enugu Rangers and Heartland striker Kabiru Umar.

Pillars, who will represent Nigeria in the 2015 CAF Champions League alongside Enyimba, have signed several other players including Nasarawa winger Tony Edjomareigwe, Samuel Tswanya from Bayelsa United and Christian Obiozor of Enugu Rangers.

•Moses

Falcao Continues from B/P striker did well to dispossess Jonny Evans, before firing horribly wide with only De Gea to beat.

United eventually leveled matters in the 26th minute courtesy of a close range finish from Radamel Falcao from three-yards out, his third goal for the club.

The visitors came close to taking the lead in the 67th minute, as Juan Mata picked out Robin Van Persie, who’s

acrobatic effort sailed inches wide of the upright.

Peter Crouch almost restored stoke’s lead a minute later but his glancing header was keep out by the woodwork.

United dominated possession for large parts of the second half but failed to create any meaningful openings.

Louis Van Gaal’s side have now drawn a second successive league game but remain in third spot on the table.

Vanguard, FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015

RESULTS Stoke City Aston Villa Hull City Liverpool Man City Newcastle QPR Southampton West Ham Tottenham

1 0 2 2 3 3 1 2 1 5

Man U Crystal Palace Everton Leicester Sunderland Burnley Swansea Arsenal West Brom Chelsea

1 0 0 2 2 3 1 0 1 3

Eagles ‘ll make Nigeria proud again — NFF

BY JUDE OPARA, Abuja

A

LEVELER: Radamel Falcao jubilates after drawing level for Manchester United in their 1-1 draw with Stoke City yesterday.

GAINST the backdrop of the failure of the Super Eagles to qualify for the forthcoming 2015 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament kicking off in Equatorial Guinea on January 17, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has promised to raise a national team that will make Nigerians proud again.

The NFF, Director of competitions, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi told journalists in Abuja that having realized where it got it wrong last year,

the federation has started building a new national team which will

Continues on pg 55

Falcao ruins New Year party at Britannia

M

ANCHESTER United were forced to settle for a point, after playing out to a 1-1 draw with Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium on Thursday afternoon.

Stoke took the lead as early as the second minute, as former United player Ryan Shawcross fired past David de Gea from sixyards out.

Mame Biram Diouf should have doubled Stoke’s lead in the 19th minute, the Senegalese

Continues on pg 55

ITTF Africa Snr. Championships

‘Egypt can’t stop us in Cairo' •Pg 53 •Mikel

QUICK CROSSWORD

TODAY'S

PUZZLE

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Choose (6) 5 Empty (4) 8 Harmonium (5) 9 Steal (3) 10 Naked (4) 11 Family (4) 12 Composition (5) 13 Overseas (6) 16 Symbol (4) 18 Stuff (4) 20 Consumed (3) 22 Fate (3) 23 Longing (3) 24 Jetty (4) 25 Detail (4) 28 Deflect (6) 30 Twist (5) 32 Foundation (4) 33 Close (4) 34 Vehicle (3) 35 Barrier (5) 36 Burden (4) 37 Card-game (6)

DOWN 1 Scatter (6) 2 Free (8) 3 Sailcloth (6) 4 Offered (9) 6 Sole (4) 7 Sand-hill (4) 8 Poem (3) 14 Industry (9) 15 Male (3) 17 Obtained (3) 19 Reticent (8) 20 Objective (3) 21 Built (7) 26 Reflect (6) 27 Posture (6) 29 Spoken (4) 30 Settee (4) 31 Tiny (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 3, False 9, Raider 10, Awning 11, Educe 12, Idle 15, Yarn 17, Leaning 20, Net 21, Tenor 23, Idol 25, Beau 26, Yearn 28, Bed 30, Eagerly 33, Eden 35, Ludo 36, Vague 38, Assail 39, Recede 40, Model.

DOWN: 1, Trail 2, Villa 3, Fee 4, Ardent 5,Sack 6, Ewe 7, Titan 8, Agent 13, Decided 14, Enjoy 16, Rebuild 18, Genre 19, Mob 22, Rebel 24, Lee 27, Nature 28, Began 29, Dense 31, Ruler 32, Yokel 34, Halo 36, Vim 37, Eel.

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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