APC crises: Buhari heads peace moves

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 62440

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THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015

COLUMNISTS: MOST REV. JOSIAH IDOWU-FEARON: Commitment to inter-faith peace

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'Exporting' terrorists to Anambra? •P.19

N12 trn debt profile >>8 worsens Nigeria's woes

APC crises: Buhari heads peace moves Meets 30-man delegation of aggrieved groups ACF blasts Akande, urges support for Buhari My statement was misinterpreted, says Akande

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor & Luka Binniyat

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ADUNA — LEADERS of the All Progressives Congress, APC, led by President Muhammadu Buhari were, yesterday, running against time to resolve the crises that have partly stymied the new ruling party’s moves to fully constitute the

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12 die as Boko Haram attacks Borno >>9 Mr & Mrs

BOKO HARAM VICTIM—Vice President Yemi Osinbajo with Mrs Aisha Ibrahim and daughter, during the Vice President's visit to victims of Boko Haram insurgency at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, yesterday.

Explain whereabouts of $4.1bn, Oshiomhole tells Okonjo-Iweala >>13 C M Y K

Lagos gets $200m World Bank credit >>54

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POCKET CARTOON

MEETING—From left: Pape Birame Beye, Medoune Niang, Parminder Vir, CEO of the Tony Elumelu Foundation; Tony Elumelu, Chairman, Heirs Holdings; Amie Sow, CEO of UBA Senegal; President of Senegal Macky Sall; Amara Seck and Ahmat Gombo Amady, during Elumelu's meeting with President Sall in Dakar to deepen Heirs Holdings' business and investments in Senegal, yesterday.

APC crises: Buhari heads peace moves, meets aggrieved groups Continues from Page 1 executive and legislative arms of government.

The troubleshooting efforts were, however, almost derailed when the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, came out of its shell to blast the erstwhile interim national chairman of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande over his depiction of the APC crisis as a conspiracy against the Yoruba.

The northern socialcultural organisation flayed Akande, a former governor of Osun State and a right hand man of the APC’s national

leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of diminishing his status as an elder statesman by his assertions.

Akande in a response told Vanguard that he would not respond to those who hold an e x a g g e r a t e d interpretation of his words.

Buhari leads peace offensive The peace offensive was being led by President Buhari, who according to sources, had been persuaded that combative actions of the

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Loving is giving and being loved is receiving.

Loving should not depend on being loved, but to all intents and purposes it should be expressed by how much of yourself you share with another — Olaotan Fawehinmi

I

F you want to be loved, start loving others who need your love. If you want others to sympathize with you, start showing sympathy to those around you. If you want to be respected, you must learn to be respectful to everyone, both young and old.

Whatever you want others to be, first be that yourself; then you will find others responding in like manner to you. The art of listening is golden. Listen to get to know other people’s perspective different from your own. Remember that if, in any conversation, nothing piqued your curiosity and nothing surprised you, you probably weren’t listening. Also, you don’t have to understand other people’s choices to respect or accept them so don’t waste your time or energy thinking about how they need to be different. Let people be, rather work on changing yourself. Give of yourself, but never sacrifice or compromise yourself. Remember that everyone you encounter was created by divine intelligence and has an important role to play in the universe. Treat them as such.

party towards reversing the elections of presiding officers and principal officers of the National Assembly cannot be achieved through democratic or parliamentary means.

In that effort, the President, it was learnt, was last night locked in a meeting with a 30-man delegation of APC lawmakers belonging to the Femi Gbajabiamila group. The progress of the meeting scheduled to commence at 8.30 p.m. could not be ascertained at press time.

Sources privy to the arrangement of the meeting told Vanguard that the President would use the opportunity to calm members of the Gbajabiamila group and appreciate their loyalty to the party even as he prepares them to the fact that nothing again can be done to remove their foe, Speaker Yakubu Dogara from office.

“The President has been appraised of the fact that under parliamentary and democratic conventions nothing can be done to reverse what has been done in the National Assembly,” a source privy to the meeting said last night.

The meeting with the Gbajabiamila group, it was gathered, was to set the stage for the President to lead the peace moves at tomorrow’s scheduled

National Executive Committee, NEC meeting of the party.

That meeting would provide the stage for the first open meeting between the President and the two presiding officers of the National Assembly, Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Speaker Dogara.

Both presiding officers are automatic members of the NEC and the belief in the party is that it would be inconvenient for the President and the party to enter the NEC meeting with two of their leading members being treated as rebels.

ACF blasts Akande The charm offensive nonetheless, the ACF, yesterday, formally responded to last week’s assertion by Akande that the emergence of Saraki and Dogara was the product of a conspiracy by the North against the Yoruba.

Akande had last week alleged that “most Northern elites, the Nigerian oil subsidy barons and other business cartels who never liked President Buhari’s anti-corruption political stance are quickly backing-up the rebellion against the APC with strong support.

While other position seekers are waiting in the wings until Buhari’s

ministers are announced, a large section of the South-West sees the rebellion as a ‘conspiracy of the North against the Yoruba".

Describing the statement as “disappointing, reckless and unbecoming of an elder statesman of Chief Akande's status,” the ACF in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary Muhammad Ibrahim said: “The crisis rocking the r uling party, All Progressive Congress (APC) over the election of the National Assembly Presiding Officers and the composition of principal officers is not only of concern to the ruling party but to all Nigerians in view of the ugly development in both chambers of the National Assembly.

“It is sad that an elder statesman in the person of Chief Bisi Akande who worked so tirelessly with other Nigerians to form APC which subsequently won the 2015 elections at the Federal level and many states, to now say that the crisis in the National Assembly is a “conspiracy of the North against the Yoruba”; this is most disturbing.

“Why should the North comprising of more than 230 out of 250 tribes in the country single out only one of the tribes the “Yoruba” to conspire against? For what?

“Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) considers such statement as uncharitable and a deviation from the main agenda of Change which Nigerians voted for. The era of tribal and religious politics or inciting one tribe over the other has no place in our present political focus.

“ACF, therefore, appeals to our elders and all Nigerians to show decorum and civility in their utterances, as all hands should now be on deck to move the nation forward. “ P r e s i d e n t Muhammadu Buhari needs the support and understanding of all

Nigerians especially his party men and women to clean the mess he inherited. Nigerians expect so much from Buhari’s administration.

Please help and allow him to perform.

“We are of the opinion that the crisis in the National Assembly should be addressed through the party ’s internal mechanism of resolving conflicts and not through reckless and unguarded statements by elders, that are supposed to be reservoirs of wisdom.”

Responding last night, Akande in a telephone interview said: “I don’t want to comment on an e x a g g e r a t e d interpretation of what I wrote and I don’t take abuse for good argument.”

Oando clarifies asset sale to Vitol

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AGOS—OANDO Plc has clarified the voting rights of its downstream assets sale to HV Investments II B.V., a joint venture owned by a fund advised

by Helios Investment Partners, and the Vitol Group.

The deal, which is valued at $276.8 million, will see Oando and HV Investment each holding a post investment voting rights of 49 per cent, while the remaining minority right of two per cent goes to a Nigerian Helios affiliate.

Oando, which clarified this in a statement yesterday, did not however give further details on the Helios Nigeria affiliate.

The statement also read in part: “This unique partnership will allow for accelerated expansion and increased investment for Oando Downstream within the sector, whilst the organisation’s management structure will remain unchanged, and directors instituted to the Board to represent Vitol and Helios.”

6—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015

Gunmen kill bizman, wife in Katsina K

By Isiaka Oyibo

AT S I N A — G U N M E N suspected to be assassins yesterday invaded the residence of a popular businessman in Katsina metropolis and shot him and his wife dead.

The deceased, simply identified as Ikechukwu Eze, had operated a sachet water factory within the city for close to 20 years before he met his untimely death in the hands of his assailants.

Vanguard learned that the six armed men gained entrance into the well fortified residence of the deceased at about 2am and had a field day.

They also shot the wife who was sleeping in one of the apartments.

It was gathered that the assailants upon completion of their assignments, left without taking any property from the house.

Residents said some sympathisers immediately raced to the scene of the incident on rescue mission

but found that the duo were already dead.

Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, in the state

could not be reached for confirmation at press time as his mobile phone was switched off.

PROTEST: Members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, Non-Academic Staff Union, NASU, and National Association of Academics Technologists, NATT, protesting non-payment of their allowances by the University of Ibadan, UI, in Ibadan, yesterday. Photo: NAN.

Suspected killers of ex-FUTA VC docked in Akure A

By Dayo Johnson

KURE—THE two domestic staff who murdered for mer ViceChancellor of Federal University of Technology, Akure, FUTA, Professor Albert

Girl, 16, arraigned for attempted murder

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By Opeyemi Lepe

AGOS—A 16-year-old girl, Cecilia Ukpa, was yesterday arraigned before Apapa Magistrate's Court, Lagos, for attempted murder.

The defendant, who resides on Meyiwa street, Ilogbo Elegbe, Ajangbadi, is facing one-count charge of causing grievous harm preferred against her by the police.

The prosecutor, Supol Olu Ojaokomo, told the court that the defendant did unlawfully assault one Abigael Albert, 17, in her residence on June 25, 2015, by pouring hot water on her, thus causing her body grievous harm.

He said the offence was punishable under section 243 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011.

However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge against her.

The Magistrate, Mr P.A Adekomoya, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100,000 with one surety.

He adjourned the matter till July 22, 2015, for mention.

Ilemode, were yesterday docked before an Akure Chief Magistrate's Court.

The accused persons, Daniel Ita Effiom and Olayemi Bamitale, were arraigned on a five-count charge of murder and robbery before the court sitting at Oke-Eda in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

Police prosecutor, Inspector Isah Atanegbe, told the court that investigation revealed that Daniel and Olayemi conspired to commit murder by strangling the deceased to death in his residence in Ijapo Estate, Akure, on June 21, 2015.

Atanegbe said the offence was contrary to and punishable under Section 324 of the Criminal Code Cap.37 Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria 2006.

The charge read: “That you Daniel Ita Effiom and Olayemi Bamitale on June 21, 2015 at about 9pm at No.1 Ikere Street, Ijapo Estate commit felony to wit: murder and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 324 of the Criminal Code Cap.37 Vol.1 Laws of Ondo State of

OGEDEGBE:

Professor Albert Adeoye Ilemobade and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 401 of the Criminal Code Cap.37 Vol.1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria 2006.”

Atanegbe, therefore, pleaded with the court to remand the suspected killers of the Prof. in prison custody until the legal advice from office of the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, was received.

The presiding Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Victoria Bob-Manuel, thereafter, ordered that the accused persons, Daniel, 24, and Olayemi,36, be remanded in Olokuta Medium Prison and adjourned the matter till September 18 for hearing.

Meanwhile, a visit to the family house of the late Prof. of Veterinary Medicine showed that arrangement was in top gear to give him a befitting burial.

Family members, his children and some clergymen were seen putting heads together in the planning of the date of the burial and his final resting place.

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By Onozure Dania

AGOS—JUSTICE Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of a Federal High Court, Lagos, yesterday, sentenced a 30-year-old man, Adedeji Adeleye, to 10 years imprisonment for trafficking in 100 grammes of Indian hemp.

The convict, who resides on Ilori Bello Street, Ikeja, Lagos, pleaded guilty to the one-count charge preferred against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA. Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia sentenced him without an option of fine, but held that his conviction and sentence were in accordance with the provisions of Section 281 of the Criminal Procedure Act, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

She held that the sentence would take effect from the day of arrest.

Man, 35, charged with N235,810 theft

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By Bartholomew Madukwe

AGOS—A 35-year-old man, Simeon Okoh, has been arraigned before an Oshodi Magistrate's Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing N235,810, property of Royal Exchange Microfinance Bank in Oshodi.

The accused, whose address is unknown, was said to have stolen the money at No. 34/36 ApapaOshodi Expressway, Oshodi, Lagos.

He was arraigned by the police on a count charge bordering on stealing.

The charge read: “That you Simeon Okoh ‘M’ on June 12, 2015 about 10:30am at No. 34/36 Apapa Oshodi Expressway, Oshodi in the Ikeja magisterial district did steal the sum of N234,810.00, property of Royal Exchange Microfinance Bank, Oshodi.”

Family asks Buhari to probe killing

By Simon Ebegbulem

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Nigeria 2006.

“That you Daniel Ita Effiom and Olayemi Bamitale on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district did kill one Professor Albert Adeoye Ilemobade by jointly strangling him to death and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 316 and punishable under Section 319 of Criminal Code Cap.37 Vol.1 Laws of Ondo State of Nigeria 2006.”

“That you Daniel Ita Effiom and Olayemi Bamitale on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district did conspire together to commit felony to wit: robbery and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 403A of the Criminal Code Cap.37 Vol.1 Laws of Ondo state of Nigeria 2006.

“That you Daniel Ita Effiom and Olayemi Bamitale on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district did rob one late Professor Albert Adeoye Ilemobade of an SUV with number plate Lagos GGE589-CF valued yet unknown and the sum of seven thousand naira property of late

Man jailed 10 years for Indian hemp trafficking

ENIN CITY— OGHARA and family of the deceased chairman of the town’s vigilante group, Mr Benson Ogedegbe, who was allegedly killed by an army officer attached to the 19 Battalion, Koko, yesterday

appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to set up an independent panel of inquiry to investigate his alleged killing, illegal arrest, intimidation and militarization of the community by the Nigerian Army.

Widow of the deceased, Mrs Endurance Ogedegbe, in a press conference in Benin City, said her

husband was shot in her presence and pleaded with President Buhari to investigate the matter and fish out the soldiers involved in the dastardly act.

However, spokesman of the Army in the 4 Brigade, Benin, Captain J.E.Unuakhalu, said none of the families of the

deceased was in their custody after last Tuesday’s protest.

“We don’t want to join issues with the family until the ongoing investigation into the killing of Mr Ogedegbe by the Army is concluded. And we are not intimidating anybody in the community, people are moving freely,” he said.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015—7

6 children drown, as boat capsizes in Lagos

By Evelyn Usman & Monsuru Olowoopejo

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AGOS —TRAGEDY struck, yesterday, at Irawe area of Ojo, Lagos State, after a canoe conveying 14 schoolchildren capsized. Six children reportedly drowned, while eight others, including the driver, were rescued.

The incident occurred after a fibre canoe reportedly ran into the passenger boat at about 9 a.m.

At press time, the rescued children , some of whom were said to be primary school pupils and secondary school students, were responding to treatment at

Igando General Hospital.

However, three of them said to have swam their way to safety, were discharged from the hospital at about 5p.m.

Officials of Lagos State Emergency Management Authority, LASEMA, who were contacted, reportedly stormed the scene to commence rescue operation.

However, at 7p.m., the bodies of the six missing children, suspected to have drowned, were yet to be found.

Confirming the incident, LASEMA's General Manager, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the tragedy occurred at Irawe area when a fibre boat collided

with a canoe conveying 14 children to their destination.

Oke-Osanyintolu disclosed that eight children and the driver had been rescued alive, with five of them taken to Igando General Hospital and three discharged.

He said six other children were still missing and that rescue operation was still on to remove the children from the water.

No live jacket

The General Manager lamented that the children were not putting on live jacket when the accident occurred, saying the rescue operation was car-

ried out by the Local Emergency Committee, led by the Executive Secretary of Ojo Local Government Area.

He added that LASEMA officials and others were still combing the water to see if they could get the other children.

South-West spokesperson for National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Ibrahim Farinloye, also confirmed the incident.

He said: “The 14 school children were being conveyed across Ojo to Irawe jetty. Six children are yet to be recovered as I speak. Searches will continue tomorrow (today).”

SCARCITY: Petrol hawkers in business as filling stations refused to sell fuel in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan.

BARKIN LADI: STF raids Plateau village, destroys property

By Marie-therese Nanlong

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OS — THE Special Task Force, STF, in Plateau State, yesterday, reportedly destroyed houses and property at Foron village of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, as part of a search operation.

“About 10 Hilux vans and one Armoured Personnel Carrier, APC, filled with soldiers and some Fulani herdsmen stormed the community at about 6.30a.m.,” a resident, Samson Tsok, said.

He said the soldiers harassed residents, destroying their property and causing pandemonium, forcing the residents to flee for dear lives.

Tsok, who is the Acting National Chairman of Berom Youth Moulders, BYM, said: “One Berom village, Foron, was attacked by unknown gunmen suspected to be Fulani, Tuesday night.

“Two of our boys were killed in the attack and four people are still missing.

“This morning (yesterday), some soldiers of the Special Task Force, STF, stormed the village without notice; we were

embarrassed and felt under siege.

“The soldiers came to ransack our village without informing even our community and youth leaders. We do not even know what they are searching for and they came in company of some Fulani people, who were pointing at the houses to raid.

“At the end of the so-called search, they did not tell us if they found anything.”

Chairman of the local government area, Mr. Emmanuel Loman, said STF should be called to order for the impunity its personnel were perpetrating in the area.

Genesis

Loman said: “Some Fulani went to rear cows at the backyard of some Berom and a disagreement ensued, which led to loss of lives on both sides.

“STF later claimed that some of their members were killed and they came with 10 Hilux vans and APC, breaking people’s houses and causing confusion.”

However, leader of the Fulani herdsmen in Barkin Ladi council, Muhammed Adams, said: “Some of our boys went

for grazing with cows on Tuesday evening and some armed men, suspected to be Berom youths, shot our cows and killed eight.”

Why we invaded— STF

The STF Media and Information Officer, Captain Ikedichi Iweha, said: “We did not go to the village for nothing.

“It started last Tuesday evening, at about 4:30p.m.

About 400 cows were rustled in Foron, we followed up the report and recovered the cows.

“Eight cows were shot and six died.

“The herdsmen could not be found. We later found one body; we are still searching for the other missing Fulani herdsmen.”

Five recommended for trial over DPO's death in Oyo

By Ola Ajayi

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BADAN — FIVE of the 32 suspects arrested by the Oyo State Police Command for alleged involvement in the killing of a Divisional Police Officer in Ibadan, DSP Ike Nworgu, have been recommended for trial by the Ministry of Justice.

Nworgu was on April 1 murdered during the fracas that erupted after alleged discovery of a new kidnapper ’s den, which the police had dismissed as a false alarm.

The mob, which was not convinced by the explanation of the deceased, pounced on him and allegedly killed him.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Muhammadu Katsina, led his team, which rounded up 46 suspects in connection with the crime.

All the suspects were arraigned before Magistrate A. A. Adebisi of the Iyaganku Chief Magistrate’s Court 3, Ibadan.

In a legal advice signed

by Olatunde Mojoyinola, Senior State Counsel, on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions, five of the suspects were recommended for trial, while the remaining 27 were discharged.

According to the legal advice, those recommended for trial are Sakiru Rafiu, alias Lapanpa; Abdulahi Dabiri; Yemi Onifade, alias Olota; Ismail Alli, alias Etti, and Rilwan Muili.

Ex-House of Reps candidate kidnapped in Nasarawa A

K W A N G A ( N A S A R AWA ) — THE Police in Nasarawa State, yesterday, confirmed the abduction of Mrs Mary Enwongulu, All Progressives Congress, APC’s candidate for Akwanga/Nasarawa Eggon/ Wamba Federal Constituency at the general elections.

ASP Ismaila Umar-Numan, the state Police Public Relations Officer, said in Akwanga that Enwongulu was abducted in the early hours of yesterday.

Umar-Numan called on the family members and the public to remain calm as police were doing everything humanly possible to rescue her.

He urged the public to always give vital information to the police towards curtailing criminal activities in the state and the country at large.

Miss Rosemary Audu, Personal Assistant to Enwongulu, said the hoodlums came to the house by 2a.m.

She said: “I was with her

when the abductors came in around 2a.m. I pleaded with them to leave her, but they went away with her.”

Mr. Joel Tanko, her security guard, said: “I was at the gate when I heard gunshots around 2a.m. outside the gate and had to run and hide for my safety within the house.”

Enwongulu, who lost her husband, Emmanuel Enwongulu, on June 5, is challenging the victory of Mr. David Ombugadu at the Election Petitions Tribunal.

8—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015

N12trn debt profile worsens Nigeria's woes

By Omoh Gabriel

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AGOS — NIGERIA’S total internal and external debt stock stood at N12.06 trillion or $63.5 billion as at the end of March this year, up from N11.2 trillion or $67.726 billion in December 2014 according to figure released by the Debt Management Office (DMO) yesterday.

The rise in the naira quantum of the out standing debt is mainly due to the devaluation of the naira against the dollar.

According to DMO, the total external debt of the federal and states stood at $9.464 billion or N1.864 trillion as against the $9.711 billion as at December 2014.

Federal Government domestic debt DMO said stood at $43.185 billion as at March 2015 against the figure of N7.9trillion or $47.05 billion in 2014. This gives a grand total of $63.506 billion or N12.06 trillion.

As at December last year, the total debt stock of the Federal Government and the 36 states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory amounted to N11.243 trillion or $67.726 billion.

States and the Federal Capital Territory as at 31st December 2014 had a domestic debt profile of N1.707 trillion or $10.967 billion. Federal Government’s domestic debt, on the other hand, stood at $47.05 billion or N7.9 trillion, while those of the states stood at $10.97 billion or N1.708 trillion.

Federal Government’s domestic debt is made up of N5.370 trillion bonds, N2.885 trillion Treasury bills and N271.2 billion treasury bonds.

But as at June last year, states in the federation had a domestic debt stock of N1.551 trillion or $9.963 billion. The Federal Government’s share of the rising external debt then stood at $6.363 billion.

Although the DMO did not show the debt profile of state governments as at March 2015, last year December profile showed that $3.146 billion of the debt owed by states were borrowed from multilateral institutions while $118.9 million were bilateral loans.

In the case of the Federal Government, $3.652 billion were loans sourced from multilateral institutions while a total of $2.793 billion were loans obtained from China ExportImport Bank and the funds the Federal Government raised from Eurobond.

Lagos, Kaduna, Cross River, others have high external debt profile

The external debt profile of states has shown that Lagos State has the highest with a profile of $1.087 billion, followed

Chief Femi Fani-Kayode (left), wife Precious and relatives after he was discharged and acquitted at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos of corruption charges, yesterday.

Photo: Biodun Ogunleye

by Kaduna State with a total of $234 million.

Cross River State followed closely with an external debt profile of $131.469 million.

Other states with relatively large external debt are Edo $123 million, Ogun $109 million, Bauchi $87million, Enugu $62 million, Katsina $78 million, Osun $67 million and Oyo State $72 million.

The figure announced by the DMO confirms claims by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo that the country’s debt stood at some $60 billion at the end of Goodluck Jonathan’s term, after he lost to President Muhammadu Buhari in March elections.

FG debt sustainable

The DMO said, however, that the Federal Government debt is sustainable as its debt sustainability analysis showed that the debt/GDP ratio was only 2.4 per cent.

The bulk of the Federal Government loans were concessionary with low interests and long moratorium.

Based on the rising domestic debt profiles of state governments, the Federal Government last year directed banks not to grant fresh loans to state governments until they got the relevant approval and clearance from the Federal Ministry of Finance. The Federal Government had defended its decision to dissuade banks from granting unsecured loans to state governments, saying it was to protect the states from excessive accumulation of debts.

The then Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda, had said that the decision was not aimed at stalling the development efforts of the state governments. The minister said that most of the states have been experiencing difficulties in servicing their existing debts and it would not be advisable to allow them take fresh loans.

Debt profile scary

Yuguda, who was delivering a lecture entitled: Nigeria’s Economic Policies and Reforms: An Assessment of the Real and Informal Sectors, said the country’s overall debt profile, particularly those of the state governments, was scary.

Though he did not provide specific details then, the minister emphasised the need for the states to continue to look inwards for other sources of revenue to pursue their development programmes.

As at December 2013, the total stock of external debt was $8.821 billion indicating a rise of $556 million in the first half of 2014. But as at December 31, 2012, Federal Government’s external debt was $4.14 billion as against a total debt stock of both federal and state governments of $6.5 billion.

As at June last year, Federal Government’s borrowing from multilateral institutions amounted to $3.826 billion while loans from bilateral sources mainly China Exim Bank and Eurobond amounted to $2.537 billion.

In the case of states, a total of $2.904 billion was sourced from multilateral institutions; $108.9 million was obtained as loans from bilateral sources, thus making the states’ total outstanding external debt as at

June 2013, $3.013 billion.

Director-General, Debt Management Office, Dr. Abraham Nwankwo had said last year that although the debt profile had increased, he assured that the debt remained sustainable at a ratio of 12.51 to the Gross Domestic Product, GDP. The D-G also said that the managers of the nation’s debt would apply more caution in further borrowings in order not to run into the crisis of debt overhang, which the nation once suffered.

His words at the time: “The sovereign debt is doing well.

Currently, our total sovereign domestic debt for federal, states and the FCT is about N8.9 trillion and external debt is about $9.38 billion. Our current debt/GDP ratio is about 12.51 per cent which is much lower than the 56 per cent total public to GDP for countries of Nigeria’s group."

"However, this is not an indication that Nigeria can afford to borrow without caution. In spite of the rebasing which means we have more capacity to borrow, we are not going to borrow without caution. In fact, we are going to be more cautious, especially because our Tax:GDP ratio is low. Many economic agents do not pay their taxes.”

Dr. Nwankwo had also said that the Eurobond initiative which commenced in 2011 with the floating of the $500 million Eurobond had positively changed the profiles of Nigerian corporate organisations and their ability to raise long-term funds from the international capital

market.

The Federal Government raised additional $1 billion from the international capital market in 2013 following which several Nigerian firms, especially banks, went to the international capital market to raise funds for their operations.

According to him, six companies issued nine bonds within the last one year, from which about $3.4 billion was raised. The DMO boss said his team would ensure that the funds raised from the capital markets both at home and outside, were utilised profitably in the interest of the nation’s economy.

The D-G disclosed that the funds raised from the Eurobond had been deployed to very critical sectors of the economy, requiring urgent financing to boost the economy, especially, the electricity power, agriculture, solid minerals and the dualisation of the Airport and Kubwa roads in Abuja.

Nwankwo said his team had managed the nation’s debt in line with the national priority needs with a view to creating full values for funds borrowed in order to ensure maximum benefits to the economy.

His words: “We have tailored the nation’s debt management in accordance with our peculiarities. We have used debt management to leverage development of the private sector and it has helped them to raise money to boost the real sector such as manufacturing, solid minerals, agriculture and electricity power supply.

“We have to develop the capital market to develop longterm debt instrument such that rather than what the banks have been used to in terms of giving out 91 day loans, we now have debt instruments of up to 20 years. We have made it possible for the companies to float their own bonds in the domestic market such that between 2005 and 2013, 23 companies raised N223 billion.

“The implication is that with operators in the real sector of the economy being able to raise long-term funds, they can expand their businesses, increase productivity and create more jobs across the country on a sustainable basis.”

Last August, two international rating agencies, Standard & Poor ’s and Moody had upgraded Nigeria’s credit rating because of improved financial stability and optimism over reforms to the banking and electricity sectors. Moody upgraded Nigeria’s rating assigning local and foreign currency issuer ratings of Ba3 to the government. Standard and Poor ratings raised its longterm foreign and local currency sovereign credit rating to BBwith a stable outlook. This is three points below investment grade, from B+. This brings its view in line with Fitch’s rating.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015—9

12 die as Boko Haram attacks Borno villages As two suicide bombers blow themselves up in Maiduguri

By Ndahi Marama

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AIDUGURI— NO fewer than 10 people were feared dead with 7 others sustaining gunshots wounds when suspected members of Boko Haram invaded nearby surrounding villages of Monguno Local Government Area of Borno State.

This is just as two suicide bombers, yesterday, blew themselves up at a village in Maiduguri, capital of Borno State, at the time Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was visiting the city.

Sources said the terrorists, armed with AK-47 rifles were, fleeing from military bombardment by air force raid when they sneaked into the nearby villages, setting many residential buildings, mostly thatched houses, ablaze.

Last Tuesday, over 23 people including members of youths vigilante, were feared dead with scores injured when a bag filled with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) discovered by operatives of the youth vigilante (Civilian JTF) at a deserted camp of Boko Haram near Monguno village in Borno State incidentally exploded.

Monguno is about 155km drive from Maiduguri, the state capital that was under Boko haram control before it was liberated by military early this year.

Residents and eye witnesses said: “The insurgents who were attempting to regroup around one of their destroyed camps were bombarded by a coordinated effort of the military and air force operatives, before some of them who escaped the onslaught stormed some of the nearby villages and killed 10 people with seven others seriously injured.”

A reliable source at the Accident and Emergency Unit of University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) who is not authorized to talk to the press said seven people who sustained gunshot wounds in the Monguno village attacks were brought in and admitted at the UMTH yesterday evening.

“We received seven victims of Boko Haram attacks in Monguno village today (yesterday), I was at the hospital when the victims were brought in by some security operatives with few members of civilian JTF,” the source stated.

Two suicide bombers blow themselves up in Maiduguri

Meanwhile, two suicide bombers, yesterday, blew themselves up at a village in Maiduguri, capital of Borno State, at the time Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, was visiting the city.

Osibanjo was in Maiduguri to assess the security situation in the state capital, and visit the

Internally Displaced Persons camps, before proceeding to Yola, another northeast Nigerian city plagued by Boko Haram insurgency, on a similar mission.

The two suicide bombers, a male and a female, who were suspected to have sneaked into town from Sambisa forest, blew themselves up in Molai Leprosy/General Hospital which is about 100 metres from a new market barely an hour after the vice president arrived the city at 10:45 am and was going about his assignment.

According to witnesses, the first bomber, a female,

suspected to be in her teens, had explosives planted around her body, concealed with her garment. She was seen near the main gate of Mulai General Hospital, 10 kilometres southwest of Maiduguri.

An eye witness, Samaila Babayo, who spoke with journalists said: “I saw the woman trying to find her way into the hospital. She covered herself with a hijab and wanted to enter the hospital but was forced to stop while approaching the facility.

“I strongly suspect that the explosives in her body were remotely controlled because while guards at the gate of the hospital

were shouting at her, we heard a loud bang and that was all. She was completely torn to shreds by the explosive.”

The witness said immediately, the second bomber, who was riding a bicycle arrived a spot near the perimeter fencing of the hospital, he immediately detonated the explosive on him.

One of the security operatives at the hospital said: “The two bombers wanted to enter the hospital, one was a lady and the other a man of about 20 years, who rode on a bicycle, through the back of the hospital.

“But when the gate guards denied them entry, the

explosives in their bodies detonated and killed them,” he said.

Two persons were said to have been injured by the explosions while residents, including staff and patients at the hospital, scampered for safety.

Mato Abdulmuminu, a trader who has a stall opposite the hospital, said: “From the way the lady was advancing towards the hospital, it was immediately suspected that the lady had a sinister motive. The people began to shout at her so she began to turn back and then the bomb went off. The second bomb blew almost immediately.”

Elect your principal officers through zonal caucuses, PDP tells Senators, Reps

By Henry Umoru

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BUJA—NATIONAL leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, asked all the Senators and members of House of Representatives elected on its platform to elect their principal officers through the caucuses in the National Assembly.

Speaking with journalists after a meeting of the National Working Committee, NWC, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, said the lawmakers officers must be guided by issues of ranking, gender and religion while electing their principal officers.

PDP as a minority party in the National Assembly would have the following positions: Minority Leader, Deputy Minority Leader; Minority Whip and Deputy Minority Whip.

According to Metuh, the PDP will not interfere in who emerges as principal officers of both the red and green chambers, adding that in line with the Standing Orders, these officers are elected through the caucuses of the party and not the leadership of the party sending lists of preferred candidates.

Metuh, who disclosed that the NWC during the meeting, zoned the respective principal offices to the six geo-political zones, said that the Senate Minority Leader goes to South South; Senate Minority Whip has been zoned to the North Central; North-East has Senate Deputy Minority Leader and South West has Senate

MEETING: Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media, Mallam Garba Shehu (right) welcoming Governor Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi State and his Gombe State counterpart, Ibrahim Dankwambo, as they arrived for closed-door meeting with President Mumhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

Deputy Minority Whip.

For the House of Representatives, the PDP zoned the Minority Leader to South South; Minority Whip goes to North West; South East has Deputy Minority Leader

and North East has Deputy Minority Whip.

Metuh said: “In consonance with the provision of your Standing Rules, you are through this

medium advised to use your various zonal party caucuses to choose the party’s principal officers to enable you provide effective opposition in the respective chambers of the National Assembly."

Naira depreciates to N230/dollar in parallel market

By Babajide Komolafe, with agency reports

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AGOS — THE declining fortunes of the naira in the parallel market worsened yesterday as it lost N4 against the dollar with the parallel market exchange rate closing at N230 per dollar.

Consequently, the naira has depreciated by N10 against the dollar since last Tuesday when the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, excluded importation of rice, cement and other 39 items from the foreign exchange market.

“For the avoidance of doubt, please note that the importation of these items are not banned. Thus, importers desirous of importing these items shall do so using their funds without recourse to the Nigerian foreign exchange markets,” the apex bank said in a circular issued, Tuesday.

In interbank trading, the naira advanced 0.1 per cent to N198.85 per dollar at 12.05 p.m. in Lagos. The nation’s foreign currency reserves have declined 16 per cent to $29 billion this year.

The restricted items account for as much as $6 billion of

goods imported every quarter, according to , Aminu Gwadabe, President, Association of Bureaus de Change of Nigeria, saying: “The ban is putting pressure on naira on the streets.”

Faced with a 45 percent plunge since last year’s peak in the price of oil, the source of two-thirds of government revenue, the CBN began imposing currency restrictions as pressure mounted on the naira. The Nigerian currency has weakened 18 percent against the dollar in the past year.

10 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015

N19BN CASE: Fani-Kayode acquitted, changes name

By Innocent Anaba

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AGOS—FORMER Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has expressed joy at his acquittal in respect of the money laundering case against him.

He said henceforth, instead of David Oluwafemi FaniKayode, “It shall be David Oluwafemi Olukayode. Olukayode means “the Lord has brought me joy” and today he has done precisely that”.

Fani-Kayode, was, yesterday, discharged and acquitted by a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on the twocount charge of money laundering preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. After reviewing the testimonies of the witnesses, trial judge, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, said from the totality of the evidence, it was clear that N2.1 million was deposited in Fani-Kayode’s account, but the giver was unclear.

The judge said the testimony to that effect was totally unreliable, as it was not clear whether the monies were received without breaching the money laundering law.

“No offence is committed when the amount received is less than N500, 000. From the evidence before this court, the giver of the said monies is hazy and unproven,” the court said.

The court dismissed alleged confessional statement of Fani-Kayode in relation to the N19.5 billion Aviation Intervention Fund, noting that there was nothing to support such.

The judgment came seven years after his (Fani-Kayode) first arrest at the National Assembly complex in Abuja.

Fani-Kayode’s ordeal began when he was arrested on July 1, 2008 by operatives of the EFCC at the premises of the Nigerian Senate after he appeared at the public hearing on the N19.5 billion Aviation Intervention Fund.

Responding to the judgment, Fani-Kayode, said I wish to thank the Nigerian judiciary for dispensing justice in an honest and Godfearing way and for refusing to be intimidated by anyone or guided by anything other than the evidence presented before them in this case.

“I give thanks to God for today’s verdict. It is the doing of the lord and it is marvelous in our sight.''

Lagos Tribunal dismisses Agbaje’s petition against Ambode Let's move Lagos forward, Ambode tells Agbaje Verdict, a miscarriage of justice — PDP PDP pursuing a lost cause — LAGOS APC

By Dapo Akinrefon & Olasunkanmi Akoni

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AGOS—FOLLOWING the confirmation of his victory at the Election PetitionTtribunal, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, yesterday called on the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr Jimi Agbaje to join hands with him in moving the state forward.

Ambode also described the confirmation of his victory at the polls as a reaffirmation of the mandate given to him by the people of Lagos State.

But, the Lagos State chapter of PDP, in a swift reaction, has rejected the ruling which struck out

its petition, describing it as a “miscarriage of justice and a monumental drawback in the dispensation of justice.”

The state election petition tribunal, yesterday struck out the petition filed against the election of Ambode of the All Progressives Congress, APC by Agbaje following a preliminary objection filed by the counsel to the APC candidate, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN).

Reacting to the ruling of the tribunal headed by Justice Mohammed Sirajo, the governor said, “I'm elated at the ruling of the tribunal which is an affirmation of my victory at the polls. On April 11, 2015, the people of Lagos spoke with their votes about continuity and that is what the

tribunal has just reaffirmed”.

Calling on Agbaje to join hands with him to move the state forward, he said “The task ahead requires concerted efforts from everyone. I urge all my opponents to put the election struggles behind them and in the spirit of sportsmanship join hands with me to take Lagos to the next level.”

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Habib Aruna, the governor noted that “It was needless in the first place for the PDP to have petitioned my election which was adjudged to be free, fair and credible. Now that the right thing has been done which of course the people expected, we should all come to-

gether above partisanship and move the state forward” Olanipekun had argued at the resumed hearing on Thursday, June 25, that the petition should be struck out for being incompetent and that there was no correlation between the relief sought by the petitioner and the particulars of application on one hand and the grounds for questioning the election of Ambode on the other hand.

“The grounds and particulars in the petition are at opposites with the facts and reliefs being sought within the purview of Section 285(2) of the 1999 Constitution. I urge my Lordships to dismiss the petition,” Olanipekun had said.

He stated that there is nowhere in the pleadings where the petitioners attacked the victory of the respondents or questioned the conduct of the election, saying “I submit that there is no petition before your lordships known to law. There are no grounds challenging the election of my client under Section 138(b)(c) of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.”

Lagos PDP rejects verdict

Fuel tankers on queue at Cele bustop on Oshodi - Apapa Expressroad, after Governor Akinwunmi Ambode's task force drove them away from the highway few days ago. Photo by Diran Oshe.

OSHODI-APAPA TRAFFIC GRIDLOCK: Tanker drivers defy Ambode, block highway again guard on the ground of anoBy Olasunkanmi Akoni

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AGOS—AFTER two days of absence, tanker drivers yesterday returned to the ever busy Oshodi-Apapa highway with the resultant traffic gridlock.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode last week directed tanker drivers to vacate the Oshodi Apapa Expressway, when he led top officials of the state government and security agencies on an on the spot assessment of major traffic points in the area.

Ambode also announced the immediate setting up of a special enforcement taskforce to ensure 24 hours surveillance of traffic flow,

while stressing that the Lagos Road Traffic Law should strictly be enforced to the latter.

As at 4 pm yesterday, the tankers gradually started building up from Coconut end of the road to Mile 2 Bridge virtually taking over the road without any law enforcement agent in sight to keep them in check Meantime, effort to reach the chairman of the Lagos State Special Taskforce on Environmental Offences as well as General Manager of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, was unsuccessful at press time, as the phone lines were unavailable.

However, a senior official of LASTMA who spoke with Van-

nymity, assured that the taskforce would rise up to the occasion by enforcing the governor’s directive.

According to him, “We have enough enforcement material to deal with the situation and every violator(s) will be dealt with accordingly.

“Already, we have over 50 tankers in our custody which were impounded on the first day of enforcement last weekend. And I want to assure that the exercise is on-going.”

However, the Public Relations Officer, South West of the Petroleum Tankers Association, PTD, Mr. Tayo Aboyeji, denied the report that tankers were back on the road.

Meanwhile, the Lagos PDP has vowed to appeal the ruling said it as petitioned the National Judicial Commission, NJC, for “necessary disciplinary actions.”

In a statement by its publicity secretary, Mr Taofik Gani, the party lamented that “We are very jolted and embarrassed that our petition can die prematurely without it been heard on the merit.”

“We think there is a miscarriage of justice here. We are interested in the motive and motivators. The panel held that it had jurisdiction to hear our appeal; that our grounds are also competent. It however held that the petition had no life because it didn’t include a relief for re-election. This is supposed to be determined during the proper trial. We put as relief a declaration that we be returned as validly elected. The panel cannot dictate to us what relief to demand.

Why should the Panel even expect a relief for re-rerun instead of declaration as winner?”.

It, however, vowed to challenge the tribunal ruling saying “we will not allow this miscarriage. Is this the change APC wants to give us in the judiciary.”

PDP pursuing a lost case — Lagos APC

Also reacting to the ruling, Lagos State APC, said the party did not expect anything less, as PDP is pursuing a lost case.

The party, however, stated that the dismissal of the case filed by Lagos PDP against Ambode has rested the inordinate ambition of PDP to steal Lagos by force.

Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Joe Igbokwe said “it is a well deserved victory by all standard.

The people of Lagos have spoken and there is no going back. It is an affirmation of the peoples’ will and the PDP know it."

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015 — 11

DEATH OF OOU STUDENTS: Amosun wants traffic offences criminalised

ASUU, NASU rivalry worsens at UI

By Ola Ajayi

By Daud Olatunji

I

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N the wake of incessant road accidents in Ogun State, Governor Ibikunle Amosun is set to work towards criminalising traffic offences to adequately bring erring motorists to justice.

Amosun made this known when he visited the scene of last Friday’s accident along Sagamu-Benin highway where a truck driver, driving against traffic, crashed into a bus, killing 12 students of the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye.

He said that highway lawlessness, which has pervaded the nation is more pronounced in Ogun because the expressways predominantly lie within its territory, assuring that the state would look into how the Federal Highway Code would criminalise traffic offenses.

Amosun, who also visited the only survivor, Laughter Akibo at Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilisan, was accompanied by his Deputy, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga, Head of Service, Mrs. Modupe Adekunle, permanent secretaries and security chiefs.

Lamenting that the problem primarily was not the law but its enforcement, he said that the gov-

VISIT: Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State (middle), his Deputy, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga (right) and Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission, (FRSC), Ogun State, Mr. Adegoke Adetunji, during a visit to last Friday's accident scene where 12 students of the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), lost their lives along the Sagamu-Benin Expressway...yesterday. ernment would continue to empower traffic and security agencies for optimal performance.

“We feel this lawlessness everyday. A sane mind does not need to be told to desist from driving against traffic. We need the capacity to address this menace. We will

look into the Federal Highway Code and domesticate it. We will make it more potent and endeavour to criminalise traffic offense.

“Besides, our problem is not the law but its enforcement. We will not relent in supporting our traffic and security agencies for bet-

ter performance,”he said.

While commiserating with the families of the deceased and the university community, Amosun advised OOU students to avoid taking laws into their hands, stating that government is making efforts to get the driver arrested.

Court dismisses FG’s suit to extradite Kashamu

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

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BUJA — JUSTICE Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has halted moves by the Federal Government to extradite Senator Buruji Kashamu to the United States of America, USA, to face a drug-related charge.

In a ruling yesterday, Justice Kolawole dismissed the extradition application lodged against Kashamu, who is representing Ogun-East Senatorial District, by the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA. The application with suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/479/

PDP, most corrupt party in Africa – OSUN APC over three trillion naira of NNPC

By Gbenga Olarinoye

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SOGBO — THE All Progressives Congress, APC in Osun State has alleged that the immediate past Peoples Democratic Party PDP-led government as people whose looting of government finances is ''unequalled in the history of corrupt governments in Africa.

“Yet, some of the beneficiaries of this looting spree across Nigeria, especially in Osun State, still have the effrontery to mock the victims of their crimes by shifting blames of this catastrophe on a government that had done the best for the people in Osun since this state was created,” the APC said.

The Director Publicity of APC, Mr Kunle Oyatomi was reacting to the publication yesterday in many national newspapers that

fund was not paid into the federation account by the immediate past minister of petroleum, Mrs Dieziani Allison-Madueke..

The party stated that, “The leadership of the PDP in Osun were recipients of the looted funds which would have been available to pay salaries if the PDP government of Goodluck Jonathan did not steal such humongous sums and wasted the nation’s resources in the most expensive party campaign for retaining political power that has ever been seen in the continent of Africa.

The statement read in part: “From the NNPC alone, trillions of Naira is said to be missing. The ex-minister of Finance was also alleged to have spent billions of dollars without authorization not to talk of other agencies of the Federal Government which joined in the looting spree.’’

2015, which was filed before the court on May 28, 2015, was signed by the immediate past Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN. The application was predicated on a request by the Embassy of the United States of America seeking the Nigerian government to surrender Kashamu to face one-count drug-related charge before the United States District Court for the Northern Illinois, Eastern Division.

An affidavit deposed to by Assistant US Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Diane MacArthur, attached to the extradition request from the US government was said to be dated April 27, 2015.

The offence for which Kashamu is allegedly wanted in the US, was said to have contravened section 952(a) of Title 21, United States Code, and punishable under section 960 of the same law.

According to the charge, the penalty for the offence on conviction under the law is an imprisonment of not more than 10 years or a fine of up to $10m in the case of an individual, or both.

Meanwhile, in a bid to prevent Kashamu from evading arrest, armed operatives of the NDLEA had besieged his house and kept him under

house detention for days.

The action of the agency was subsequently declared illegal by the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court, which ordered the operatives to immediately vacate his residence.

However, determined to extradite the accused chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the South-West, Senator Kashamu, the drug agency approached the Abuja Division of the same high court with the application that was also dismissed yesterday.

BADAN – COLD war between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) University of Ibadan Chapter and the Non-Academic Staff of the University worsened yesterday as the former complained that they were chased out of lecture rooms by the striking members of NASU. Three non-academic staff unions of the institution had protested earlier in the day over the failure of the management in the institution to pay them their earned allowances at the end of last month as agreed.

The academic union and the non academic unions have been at daggers’ drawn over the insistence of the non academic to be treated equally as the academic staff in connection with allowances and other largesse from the government.

ASUU, which is not in support of the strike embarked upon by its non academic counterpart has called on the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Isaac Adewole to provide security for them while discharging their academic duties.

The academic union made this known in a memo sent to the Vice Chancellor signed by its Chairman and Secretary, Professor Segun Ajiboye and Dr Deji Omole respectively.

While condemning chasing out of its members, ASUU, through its National Treasurer, Dr Ademola Aremu lamented that the harassment had brought hardship to its members.

Tribunal quashes Adeola’s petition against LP rep

By Ola Ajayi

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BADAN — A three-man Oyo State National and State Assemblies election petition tribunal has dismissed the petition filed by the immediate past Majority Leader in the House of Representatives, Mrs Mulikat Akande-Adeola.

Akande-Adeola, who represented Ogbomoso North/South and Oriire in the 7th National Assembly on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party had challenged the election of her Labour Party (LP) counterpart in the March 28 election, Mr. Ebenezer Segun Ogunwuyi.

She prayed the Justice James Abundaga-led tribunal judge, to nullify Ogunwuyi’s election on the ground that he (Ogunwuyi) did not validly resign his membership from his former party, the PDP before joining the LP. Mulikat was represented by her counsel, Yunus Ustaz Usman, (SAN) while Ogunwuyi and Labour Party was represented by Mr. Oluwasina Ogungbade of Afe Babalola’s chamber.

In its unanimous decision, Justice Abundaga said time was of essence and as judges they were bound to interpret what the law is and not the way it should be.

Reacting, Akande-Adeola said she would appeal the judgment.

12—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015

Why we seek amendment to DESOPADEC laws, by Okowa

By Festus Ahon

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SABA—GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, yesterday, said that the move to amend the law setting up the state Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, was to make it more effective in delivering its mandate.

Okowa, when the state chapter of Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas, HOSTCOM, led by Dr. Peter Egedegbe, paid him a courtesy visit, said the financial situation of the country has made it necessary for prudent and judicious utilisation of resources which has made it imperative for the laws setting up DESOPADEC to be amended to make it effective and productive.

Observing that the era when projects were sited without adding value to the lives of the people was over, adding: “We are not repealing the old law, it is not a new bill. The amendment we are proposing is to structure DESOPADEC in line with the Niger Delta Development Commission model.

“This is democracy and I am not expecting that the amendment bill will come out exactly as we proposed it. There will be public hearings, people will make their contributions. I don’t believe in forcing the

hands of legislators.

“I proposed that there should be a Managing Director and Executive Directors to run the day to day affairs of the commission while there will be commissioners who will be on part time basis, representing different ethnic nationalities.

“This gives you room to put in place a proper management process. It requires a smart management not based on

ethnic nationalities but the ethnic nationalities will propose their projects and ensure that such projects are executed. There must be planned process in what we are doing. We should know what is the end purpose of what we are starting. Those who have ethnic sentiments are the commissioners, while the managers of the place will not have ethnic sentiments but will

be committed to delivering on set goals.”

He assured members of HOSTCOM that there will not be changes in the rotational leadership of DESOPADEC, adding that the person who will represent the Chairman of the commission will put ethnic sentiments aside while carrying our his functions as only the Commissioners will have ethnic sentiments.

VISIT: From left; Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State; state chairman, Host Community Producing Oil and Gas, HOSTCOM, Peter Egedegbe and secretary, HOSTCOM, Gabriel Isibeluo, during a courtesy call on the governor by the executives of HOSTCOM, in Government House, Asaba, yesterday. Photo:Nath Onojake.

Death penalty coming for kidnappers in C-River Gov sends bill to state Assembly

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OVERNOR Ben Ayade of Cross River State, yesterday, sent an executive bill seeking death penalty for convicted kidnappers in the state to the House of Assembly for consideration and passage.

According to a statement by Mr Christian Ita, Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser to the governor, in Calabar, the bill also seeks to empower the government to seize property belonging to convicted kidnappers and other criminals in the state.

It said that the bill offers rewards to citizens who volunteer information to security agencies on activities of criminals.

This, according to the statement, is to curb the incidence of kidnapping in the state.

The statement also quoted the governor as saying that the state would not condone any act of lawlessness in view of ongoing efforts at reengineering the state’s economy.

It, however, stated that the state would maintain its

leading position as the most peaceful state in the country and the most investor-friendly.

The statement stated that the

governor had approved the constitution of a security task force, named “Operation Skolombo.”

It named retired Gen. Mannings Nyiam as the chairman of the task force, saddled with the task of ridding the state of criminals.

Wike orders payment of 2-month salary arrears to civil servants

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT— GOVERNOR Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has ordered payment of the two months salaries of civil servants he inherited from the previous administration in the state.

It will be recalled that workers in the state's civil service were owed April and May salaries by the former government before it bowed out on May 29 this year.

The governor, in a statement, promised to give special attention to the welfare of workers in the state's employ.

In another development, the governor has assured that funding will not affect ongoing rehabilitation work on roads in the state.

He gave the assurance while

inspecting work on the East West-Elelenwo-Trans AmadiGarrison Road.

He said that the East WestElelenwo-TransAmadi-Garrison Road was important to the economy of the state capital as it cuts across a major commercial

zone.

“I am not satisfied with the pace of work on this road, although I understand the reason for the delay. We will pay the contractor next week and we expect him to complete the project within four months,” he said.

Bayelsa APC crisis deepens ...as aggrieved leaders set up parallel structure

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By Samuel Oyadongha

E N A G OA — T H E crisis of confidence rocking All Progressives Congress, APC, in Bayelsa State, yesterday, took a new twist as aggrieved leaders of the party announced the dissolution of the Chief Tiwe Orunimighe-led State Executive Committee, SEC, over alleged anti-party activities and diversion of presidential campaign funds donated by some state governors to delegates from the state.

The aggrieved APC leaders, said though the dissolution has not received the nod of the national leadership of the party, the action was to rescue the party from the clutches of the few led by the former governor, Chief Timipre Sylva and ensure victory for the party in the coming governorship election in the state.

The APC members, who grouped themselves under the legacy parties, are made up of members of the New PDP, the Congress of Progressive Change, CPC, the All Nigerian Peoples Party, ANPP. In a statement read in Yenagoa, Prince Timidi announced the dissolution of the Chief Orunimighe executive and the setting up of a new nine-man State Executive Committee led

by Chief Perekeme Kpodo.

He said that the action of the concerned party members was not to create a faction but to restore sanity and internal democracy to the party.

Delta community to AGIP: Meet our demands or He said: “There was an MOU quit Isoko South we entered into with the company

By Ochuko Akuopha

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LEH—THE people of Irri in, Isoko South Local Government Area, Delta State, yesterday, decried their alleged neglect by the Nigeria Agip Oil Company, NAOC. They called on the oil company to meet their demand or be prepared to vacate their land.

Addressing newsmen on their issues with NAOC, chairman of Irri Community Development Committee, Mr. Goddey Igorigo, listed the grievances of the community to include the alleged unwillingness of the company to employ their indigenes and nonimplementation of the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, it entered into with them.

that every year, there should be a particular project they will execute for us. In 2013, they were supposed to construct 1.5km of road in the community; in 2014, another 1.5 km road and in this year 2015, upgrading of Irri electricity. As we speak, even the one of 2013 has not been completed let alone those of 2014 and 2015."

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015—13

Explain whereabouts of $4.1bn, Oshiomhole tells Okonjo-Iweala

By Simon Ebegbulem & Johnbosco Agbakwuru

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BUJA — THE war of words between Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and the former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, continued, yesterday, with Oshiomhole challenging the former minister to explain what happened to the $4.1 billion she presented in her last report.

Governor Oshiomhole also challenged the former minister to explain why she never published simultaneously what was accrued to the Excess Crude Account during the period she published what was distributed.

The governor, who spoke on the state of the economy Channels Television programme monitored in Lagos, accused the minister of habitually playing around statistics.

He said: “The decision to take money from the Excess Crude Account, if she had the power, the law should have been that power is vested in the National Economic Council, NEC. NEC is an institution created by the constitution.

“What she was referring to is her own administrative arrangement. This $2 billion is the last sum, in her last report.

She said we have $4.1 billion, she said so orally but it was captured in the minutes, only to come at the last minute to say

oh ‘X’ is left.

“If you ask her, what is it that she paid for on the strength of augmentation, that is to say, if they were augmenting, it means that even if there is a drop in price, they will take from the Excess Crude Account to make up the difference.

“If they were doing that, you wouldn’t have the kind of situation we are in today where revenue drops by about 45 percent. I think, with all due respect to Okonjo-Iweala, she knows how to play around, (I

don’t want to say, lie) with statistics. I have made this point that she kept open only part of the pages and not the entire book.

“The logic of transparency is that every minister must publish in full what is accruing to the Federation Account, month to month, and what is distributed to whom. What she has been publishing is what went to the Federal Government, each state government and local governments.

“But she has never published

simultaneously what accrued during the period, out of which this said sum was distributed so that you can get the net, what was distributed from all that was collected and see what is left in the excess crude. Now you can see her changing the goal post.

“Okonjo-Iweala was a member of the National Economic Council. I was a member. I had asked her and I am on record as asking her, don’t give us verbal report on matters of Federation Account, give us written report."

HANDOVER: Outgoing Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, Dan Bature (right), handing over to his successor, Chris Ezike, at the state Police Headquarters in Port Harcourt.

Ugborodo community goes to court over naming of port

By Egufe Yafugborhi

W

ARRI — INDIGENES of Ugborodo in Warri SouthWest Local Government Area, Delta State, have asked a Federal High Court sitting in Warri, to restrain the Federal Government from naming the Deep Seaport in Ugborodo after Gbaramatu pending the determination of their suit.

Other defendants in the suit are the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Delta State Government and Delta State Commissioner for Justice.

Plaintiffs in the suit, Chief Ayirimi Emami, Itse Elijah Wilkie, Mike Okoturo, Pastor Emiko Fregene and Samuel Pira, on behalf of Ugborodo community, are praying the court to declare that “The proposed naming of the Deep Seaport sited in Ugborodo land between Madangho and Ubefan, is wrongful, against public policy,

unconstitutional, illegal and therefore null and void.”

Counsel to the plaintiffs, Chief E. Akpofure, SAN, is further praying the court to compel the defendants, “to remove the name Gbaramatu” from the nomenclature of the Deep Seaport project and to replace it with Ogidigben or after any of the communities in Ugborodoland in its Itsekiri name and not Gbaramatu.

The matter is before Justice Shittu Abubakar. At the hearing in the matter, yesterday, Chief Akpofure contended that the naming of the project does not affect its execution, hence the defendants cannot be said to be prejudiced.

According to him, naming of projects like Petroleum Training Institute after Warri before it was changed to Effurun and Delta Broadcasting Service, DBS,

Edjeba, earlier named DBS Warri, caused unrest and as such the plaintiffs do not want renewed hostilities between the Ijaw and Itsekiri, hence the prayer for the order stoping the Deep Seaport from being named after Gbaramatu.

The court, meanwhile, gave the defendants five days to respond to the reliefs being sought by the plaintiffs and adjourned further hearing till July 7, 2015.

NNPC probe panel: Gov Emmanuel promises to deliver

By Tom Moses

U

YO — GOVERNOR Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has promised to carry out his responsibilities without fear or favour to trace the N3.8 trillion allegedly spent unilaterally by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. Governor Emmanuel, who is a member of the four-man committee appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari to scrutinise the accounts of the NNPC, described his appointment

into the committee as a call to duty which transcends party partisanship.

Speaking with journalists at the Ibom International Airport on his arrival from Abuja, where he was inaugurated into the committee by the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, the governor said that he was committed to delivering on the assigned responsibility in line with his oath to serve the country.

He explained that the President just like himself was elected to serve the people and that political party would only serve as a springboard for them to provide quality leadership and deliver

democratic dividends to the people.

2016: APC'll win Bayelsa —Sylva

F

ORMER Bayelsa State governor, Mr Timipre Sylva, yesterday, expressed optimism that the All Progressives Congress, APC, will win the November governorship election in the state.

Sylva, while briefing newsmen after he led a 16-man delegation of Bayelsa State elders on a courtesy visit to the party ’s National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, said: “I am not sure of contesting the governorship election, but I am optimistic that the APC will be victorious in the upcoming poll.”

Sylva, before he decamped to APC, was governor of Bayelsa from 2007 to 2011 on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. He was, however, ousted by Governor Seriake Dickson, also of PDP, after serving a single term.

“My role is to make sure that APC wins the governorship election in Bayelsa State. The APC is going to win. That, we are very sure about,” Sylva said.

He dismissed rumours of division in the Bayelsa chapter of the APC, saying that any reported rancour was sponsored by the incumbent administration in the state.

“It is the people who are not even members of the party that are making some noise. The party is intact; everybody is intact in the party, we don’t even want to discuss them. There is going to be a tsunami rally in the course of the next few weeks. Bayelsa is the next big thing that will happen in the history of this great party,” he said.

14 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015

Church leaders condemn proposed regulations of mosques, churches

P

VISIT: From left, Diana Layfield, CEO Africa - Standard Chartered Bank; Bill Winters, Group CEO - Standard Chartered Bank; Godwin Emefiele, Governor – Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and Bola Adesola, CEO, Nigeria, Standard Chartered Bank, during their visit to the CBN governor, in Abuja, Tuesday.

ROMINENT CHURCH leaders, yesterday, condemned what they described as dangerous proposals included in the 'Exposure Draft of the national Code of Corporate Governance 2015' undergoing public hearings nationwide.

They said the document prepared by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, FRCN, will not only infringe on religious freedom, but further promote terrorism if passed into law.

The document, it was gathered, was drafted by the FRCN to regulate activities of NonGovernmental Organisations, NGOs, and religious bodies, especially on operations, management and finances.

A copy of the draft stated that religious organisations and NotFor-Profit-Organisations, NFPOs, must appoint executive directors and management committees to run their operations.

It also stated that the bodies must appoint non-executive directors entitled to “be paid sitting allowances, directors’ fees and reimbursable travel and hotels expenses.”

Section 9:3 specified that the founder or leader of NFPOs who have occupied governance positions for “more than ten years or is aged 70 or above” must step aside.

The FRCN said the 30-page policy document was hinged on the needs to ensure corporate governance, transparency and smooth transition among NFPOs. But reacting to some of the provisions, the general overseer of Life Gate International Church Lagos, Bishop Mike Oke, contended that the document was drafted to emasculate the operations of faith-based organisations.

“I believe with all my heart that this is against wanting to checkmate the Progressives Congress, works of God across the APC, Chief Clark admitted nation. No one is against that many people have transparency and deserted them compared to accountability. We all how it used to be before preach and practise it.

March 28, 2015.

“But when you ask faith-based organisations to operate like secular bodies, you have reduced their influence. It means we will now have more business HE 9TH annual Ramadan meetings than Lecture being organized practical fellowships under the aegis of the Lai in worship centres.”

Mohammed Ramadan Lecture He also countered Series will hold today, July 2, the provision that 2015, at the Muslim Praying leaders or founders of Ground, Oro, Kwara State, at 10 NFPOs must resign a.m. prompt. after 10 years or According to the organizer, attainment of 70 Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the years.

Ramadan Lecture is an annual The senior pastor of event for political and religious Living Waters leaders as well as captains of Unlimited Church industries from far and near.

Lagos, Rev. Ladi It is unarguably the biggest Thompson, described Islamic event during the holy the draft as month of Ramadan in the Kwara “packaged poison.”

South senatorial district.

Thompson, a Reputable Islamic scholars like counter-terrorism Dr. Femi Abbas, a columnist; expert, said: “It Sheikh Ahmad AbdulRahman, would seem that the National Missioner of Ansar those behind this ud deen Society of Nigeria; Alhaji Financial Reporting Abdul Lateef Bello, the Chief Council of Nigeria missioner of the Al-Faith-ul were commissioned Quareeb Islamic Society of by unnamed people Nigeria, Ota Branch, and in the shadows to reputable clerics from within and create an occasion for out of Kwara State had at various the conflagration of times been guest speakers at the Nigeria by terrorists." lecture series.

When our This year ’s lecture will be correspondent called delivered by Khalifah for clarifications from Muhyideen Nojimudeen FRCN’s CEO, Mr. Al’kubra 11, Chief Missioner of Jim Obazee, he was Al’Rahman Islamic Centre, said to be unavailable United Kingdom. for comments.

UNPAID SALARIES: Govs Bring light, hope into the lives of people

F

ASTING FOR a couple of days might be all it takes to understand the suffering of those who go without food in their own way of life. Understanding the plight of the poor is one part of what Ramadan is ordained to achieve.

We are, therefore, reminded severally both in the Qu'ran and hadiths that giving food to fasting Muslim is a great deed in the month. In fact, feeding of 60 people is regarded as equivalent to a day fasting. (Remember the penalty for breaking fast?)That is to tell us how much Allah values putting food at the table of the poor.

Ibn Abaas said: “The Prophet (peace be upon him) was the most charitable amongst the people, and he used to be more so in the month of Ramadan when Jibreel used to meet him on every night of Ramadan till the end of the month.” (Al-Bukhari) The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “He who gives food for a fasting person to break his fast, he will receive the same reward as him, without anything being reduced from the fasting person’s reward.”

(At-Tirmidhi) The Prophet was exceptionally charitable in all the Ramadan he observed. He was the most generous of people at all times. He never hesitated to give away whatever he had, trusting always that God will give him more for his charity. In Ramadan, however, he was exceedingly charitable, with no limits to his generosity.

How much better it would be if we could let others see the sweet and beautiful message of Islam by the way of giving. We should not allow this special month to go without a good account of what we have added in somebody’s life. We need to be asking ourselves all the time, especially how we are going to benefit maximally from the holy month. What are we going to do to make the most of Ramadan? Surely, it is a profitable venture in which there is no risk, but fat rewards. There are rewards in this life and the hereafter for giving in charity at any moment. In this world you are also rewarded by the personal satisfaction you will feel, and the feeling of the receivers of your charity towards you and towards their fellow humans in general. It is the month of charity, and a month in which a believer’s sustenance is increased.

Whoever gives food to a fasting person to break his fast, shall have his sins forgiven, and he will be saved from the Fire of Hell, and he shall have the same reward as the fasting person, without his reward being diminished at all.”

We can bring light and hope into the lives of many people who have none. Islam is the natural religion.

Many in the world know nothing about Islam, except for the attitude of a few miscreants which they erroneously think is Islam. By way of giving, by being charitable, by sharing even as little as you have with others who don’t have, we can change that misconception. By our giving for Allah’s sake, we can teach the world how beautiful Islam really is. Maybe our giving could also help us to be better Muslims in Ramadan and always. Some body somewhere is in dire need, this is the time to maximize the reward of giving.

have no excuse, they should cut lavish lifestyles —Clark

...says over-reliance on oil responsible

By Henry Umoru

A

BUJA — FORMER federal Commissioner for Information, and South South leader, Chief Edwin Clark, yesterday, lampooned state governors who cannot pay salaries of workers in their respective states, saying that they have no excuses not to settle the poor workers, who have families, just as he asked them to reduce their security votes and cut their lavish lifestyle as a way of cutting cost.

He, however, attributed the present economic crunch in the country where 18 states of the federation cannot pay workers’ salaries to what he described as over-reliance on oil, saying that many countries without oil are doing well.

According to him, if states must be out of the economic mess, it has become imperative for state governors to find ingenious ways to raise funds to run their states as well as increase the Internally Generated Revenue, IGR. Speaking, yesterday, in Abuja when a youth group, under the aegis of Middle Belt Youth Council paid him a condolence visit at his Asokoro residence over the death of his grandson, the elder statesman warned that what the country and

the states in particular were currently facing, was an indication that the era of waiting for the centre for money was gone.

Clark said: “States must survive. The governors should be able to do things in a practicable way, states should collect taxes. Most states don’t want to do anything as they are satisfied with what comes in from the federation account.

“If you think the only way to get money is to come to Abuja, then you are not fit to govern. If you cannot pay salaries of your workers then resign. It is criminal for states to owe their workers, how do they (workers) eat, don’t you think about their families?

The Ijaw leader, who asked how the governors would be able to pay in the future should the Federal Government bail them out now, said: “ I want the governors to ask themselves if the Federal Government should bail you out now, who will pay the next one?

“We have to re-organize our country, what we have now is a shame. We recommend that this government should look at the report of the national dialogue.”

Reflecting on the last election where former President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP lost to President Muhammadu Buhari of the All

Lai Mohammed’s 9th Ramadan Lecture holds today

T

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015—15

Umahi swears in 18 new commissioners

By Peter Okutu

A

BAKALIKI— GOVERNOR Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State yesterday swore into office eighteen newly appointed commissioners, special advisers and chairmen of various boards in the state.

The appointees were screened last week by the state House of Assembly.

The commissioner swornin include Sen. Emmanuel Onwe who is to take charge of Information and State Orientation; Mrs. Elizabeth Ogbaga, Commerce and Industry; Mrs. Rebecca Ogbuewu, Women Affairs; and Augustine Nwankwegu, Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General.

Others are Uchenna Orji, Agricultre; Chief Emma Uguru, Power; Chief Sunday Inyima, Lands, Housing and Urban Development; Deacon Obinna Nwachukwu, Border, Peace and Conflict Resolution; Chief Donatus Njoku, Solid Minerals; Dr. Umezurike Akuma Daniel, Health; Akpunike Emeka Charles, Sports and Youth Development; and Engr.

Francis Udu Orji, Water Resources.

Army vows to deal with Okada operators for overloading

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

N

NEWI—THE Commander 302 Artillery Regiment, Onitsha, Col. Mohammed Bello, yesterday, said the army will deal decisively with commercial motorcycle operators, popularly known as

Okada, found over-loading passengers within the cantonment.

Col. Bello gave the warning while addressing Okada operators doing business within Onitsha Military Cantonment, Anambra State, during a workshop organized in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC.

He said: “Each Okada operator in the cantonment must comply with the government directive of having two crash helmets – one for himself and another for his passenger.

“We do not want any confrontation with the civil authorities; you must comply with all laid down safety rules of operating a commercial

Igbo professional group moves to unite ethnic nationalities in Lagos

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

A

GROUP, The Igbo Conscience, TIC, has disclosed plans to build a common platform to unite all Nigerians.

Protem chairman of the group and former chairman of Ikeja NBA, Mr. Monday Ubani, stated this at a media briefing in Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday.

Ubani said the group, made up of professional Igbo indigenes, would seek to work for the interest of Ndigbo and other Nigerians towards forging a common bond of national unity, He explained that the group is a child of necessity birthed out of

the increasing intolerance that had marked the relationship between the various ethnic nationalities that make up Nigeria.

Ubani noted that Ndigbo, particularly, had been objects of attacks for reasons located in the dangerous politics leading to the last general elections.

He said: “The failure of many groups and organizations that purport to speak and represent Ndigbo at a time like this is very instructive. ‘’The inability to proffer workable solutions to the problems besetting Ndigbo, especially those arising from the last political choices we made

exposes Ndigbo to dangers, we will not sit idly by and allow it further to degenerate.

“With the fear of xenophobia threatening to catch up with Nigeria, TIC feels it has got to a time Nigerians must come together and mold a country where no one is oppressed. ‘’We feel Ndigbo must bond with other Nigerians for them to excel in whatever they do most especially. ‘’We feel it has come to a time we must work fully on the task of working on building a common platform of understanding and unity that will unite all Nigerians as one and not fan divisive embers that diminish us individually and collectively."

motorcycle as well as maintaining a very limited speed within the cantonment.

“The days of carrying four passengers are over and I have also warned soldiers to desist for such risky act; however, we would monitor everybody and apportion punishment at once.

“Make sure you have a valid driver's licence, which would support your qualification to ride because the day of reckoning for those among you without licence is coming.”

The commander also urged them to identify the bad eggs among them who are engaging in riding at unauthorized hours and are in the habit of smoking cannabis.

FRSC Senior Route Commander, Mrs. Elizabeth Ejiogu, cautioned Okada operators against the use of hard drugs and stimulants and advised them to always put on their crash helmets, wear thick clothes and sun/wind shade glasses in order to cover their body against cold and protect their eyes.

“By adhering to safety standards, you are not only saving yourself but also your families that depend on your daily struggles," Mrs. Ejiogu said.

16—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015

MAMA 2015:

'Best New Act' holds in Lagos

By Providence Obuh

T

HE 2015 'Best New Act' MTV Africa Music Awards will hold in Lagos as Absolut Vodka announces sponsorship plans.

Absolut Vodka is owned

by Pernod Ricard Nigeria Limited, a leading spirit and wine company in Nigeria, while MAMA award scheduled to hold on July 3, 2015, at the Federal Palace Hotel, is a staging of performances by prominent international artistes, showcasing an all-star collaborations among artistes of different genres.

Five nominees selected for the award category include: Anna Joyce (Angola), Cassper Nyovest (South Africa), Duncan (South Africa), Patoranking (Nigeria) and Stonebwoy from Ghana.

In a statement, Marketing Director, Pernod Ricard Nigeria, Mr. Sola Oke, said :“We are proud to be part of a pan-African music celebration such as the MAMAs and our partnership with the music platform will again allow us to connect with young consumers via the Africa is Absolut campaign.

"The MAMA platform gives Absolut Vodka opportunity to furt- her ingrain artistes outside their localities to sub-

Tension in Imo community over activities of cultists

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI—UMUOBI Ikwerede in Ohaji/ Egbema local government area of Imo State is boiling, following the dangerous activities of cult groups in the area.

Already, a man, simply identified as Abacha, was killed last Sunday by a rival cult group,

while several houses and personal effects have either been burnt, destroyed or looted by another cult group said to be on revenge mission.

Vanguard gathered that the crisis started as a mere disagreement in beer parlour at Umuobi and later snowballed into a huge conflagration that had sent several villagers scampering into neighbouring communities.

“All I can recall for now, is that a group of boys came into a beer parlour in the village and were enjoying themselves. Their presence did not spark off any suspicion, but not too long after, an argument ensued and sadly degenerated into a fight,” an eyewitness recounted.

The eye-witness said that before other people at the scene could decipher what was really the

VISIT: Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State (5th right); Chief Executive Officer, Traveri NH3 Group International, TNGI, Mr. Innocent Obande (4th right); President of TNGI, Mr. Robert Leth (3rd right), and officials of the company, during their working visit to the governor in Enugu, yesterday. Photo: NAN

Police set up outpost to curb robberies, Fulani herdsmen attacks

By Francis Igata

E

NUGU—Worried by incessant attacks on hapless motorists and residents plying Ugwuogo-Nike-OpiNsukka expressway by suspected armed bandits and Fulani

herdsmen, Enugu State police command will today commission police out-post and deploy patrol vehicles on the road.

This came as motorists and residents passing through the road have decried consistent attacks on the road by armed robbers and Fulani herdsmen

who maim, kidnap, rape and kill their victims.

The police out-post, christened, Unity Police Station, will be commissioned by the state Commissioner of Police, Adamu Mohammed.

Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu,

NAFDAC seizes N6.8m worth of sub-standard products at Akanu Ibiam Airport

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

N

NEWI—NATIONAL Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has seized substandard and unregistered products worth over N6.83 million at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

According to the South East Public Relations Officer of NAFDAC, Mr. Celestine Nwauruku, the products seized, Monday, were made possible through a tip-off by public spirited individuals.

Nwauruku said: “Some of the owners did not show up to collect the products left at the airport terminal, even when several telephone calls were made to them and as a result, the Customs officers released the consignment as seizures after waiting for the statutory 90 days.

“The consignment seized included 242 bottles (35mls) of perfume without ingredient C M Y K

issue, one of the cultists stabbed one Abacha with a broken beer bottle.

He told Vanguard that the deceased, whose proper name could not be ascertained at press time, hailed from Umuodibe in Ochia village, while the suspected murderer is a native of Umuobi, Ikwerede.

Another woman from the community recalled that as soon as the news of Abacha’s death spread like wild fire in the area, his own group quickly mobilized and unleashed terror and mayhem at Umuobi, burning houses and destroying precious property.

Similarly, reports filtering in from Obiakpu autonomous community, also in Ohaji/Egbema local government area of the state, has it that the people are now living in fear, following what some of the villagers described as incessant killings in the community by a yet-to-be identified group that adopted guerilla warfare tactics in its operation.

Vanguard could not ascertain the number of times the faceless group attacked the community but most of the residents have fled from the area and relocated to safer areas.

listing, no date markings and address of the manufacturer and 100 pieces of 100g water fading paste.

“Others include oil fading paste 20 x 100g, which are without registration and are sub-standard, 5,000 packs of body grease oil with no date markings, no address of manufacturer and no ingredient listing.”

Mr. Nwauruku also disclosed that four cartons of eye drops of 3120 x 10ml, which are substandard and 728 tablets of unregistered medicated soaps weighing 80g each were also seized.

“But the clearing agents for the eye drops, medicated soaps and body grease products showed up, but did not have satisfactory documentations and reasons to clear the product and NAFDAC could not release the product to them," he said.

“NAFDAC Deputy Director incharge of Airports Operation, Mr. John Okwori, has warned fakers, who may think that Enugu Airport

is haven for bringing in fake, unwholesome and expired products into the country should have a ret-hink as NAFDAC would stop at nothing in tracking fake products in the airports.

“We already have eagle-eyed NAFDAC operatives working in

collaboration with other airport security agencies and wellmeaning members of the public to track down any fake, substandard and unregistered, expired drugs and products peddlers,” he said.

assured the public of the command’s efforts to rid the road of criminals, adding that the police out-station and patrol vehicles had been strategically stationed along the road.

Amaraizu said: “We will commission the Unity Police Station tomorrow (today) and deploy patrol vehicles at flash points along the road to forestal the activities of these miscreants.

“This will instil confidence in members of the public plying the route and put our men on the ground to ward off any impending attack from criminal elements. ‘’This is part of efforts by the commissioner to bring security closer to the grass root and ensure that we hearken to the cries of the public.”

Labour poised for war over motor-parks privatisation in Imo

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI—ORGANIZED labour in Imo State is spoiling for war against the state government over the latter’s plan to privatize all the motor parks in the state.

Already, the leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has sent a strongly worded letter to Governor Rochas Okorocha on the issue.

According to the letter dated June 24, 2015, and signed by the state NLC chairman, Austin

Chilakpu, organized labour advised government not to go ahead with the privatization arrangement.

Labour contended that with such privatization, over 200,000 youths working in the parks would be rendered jobless.

“An action that would render over 200,000 workers jobless, will really be against the policy of government that is priding itself of creating more jobs for the jobless youths in the state,” the Imo NLC boss stated.

Labour advised government to go into meaningful dialogue with

the state leadership of National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, with a view to ironing out contentious areas capable of engineering fractions.

It will be recalled that all government parastatals recently handed over to private concerns had one problem or the other, which it would not like to continue.

Labour was, therefore, of the opinion that any policy or action of government that would cause the loss of over 200,000 jobs, was not in the best interest of the state and its citizens.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015 — 17

I

N 2013, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby, conferred the award of Cross of St Augustine on the Bishop of Kaduna Diocese, Anglican Communion, the Most Rev. Josiah Idowu-Fearon. The announcement by Welby said that the award was "in recognition of his courage and vision in relentlessly promoting dialogue and peaceful reconciliation between Christians and Muslims, two major religions in a country that has suffered untold religious violence and insecurity."

The Archbishop of Canterbury, in a personal letter written to Most Rev. IdowuFearon told him that one of the awards that he is able to grant to people who have given long and exceptionally distinguished service to the Anglican Communion is the Cross of St. Augustine. He underlined his choice unambiguously: “It would give me great pleasure to honour you by presenting you with the cross of St Augustine”, Welby stated, adding further: “Your extensive service to the Anglican Communion as a whole in the area of Christian-Muslim dialogue, and your ministry in Nigeria promoting dialogue and reconciliation between Christians and Muslims, has been tireless, and you have displayed courage and vision in often the most difficult circumstances.”

In Northern Nigeria, especially, where the Most Rev. Idowu-Fearon’s work is well known, the award was very well celebrated. In interviews and writings, this remarkable servant of God has consistently used his spiritual and intellectual resources to preach words of peace and reconciliation between and amongst religions and faith groups and the background for his work comes from his remarkable knowledge of Islam.

MOST REV. JOSIAH IDOWU-FEARON:

Commitment to inter-faith peace Most Rev Idowu-Fearon holds a doctorate degree in Sociology and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria; an MA in Islamic Theology from Birmingham University as well as a BA Theology from Durham University, both in the UK. This background gives him the broadness of vision to understand Islam, Muslims and our concerns, and from his deep spiritual convictions, he has been able to work with honesty, courage and commitment to inter-faith peace and harmony, in the context of the serious crises that we have witnessed in our region of Nigeria over the past few decades. Most Rev IdowuFearon belongs to a distinguished cast of clerics like John Cardinal Onaiyekan and Most Rev Ignatius Kaigama, the Catholic Archbishop of Jos, amongst several others, who consistently make that effort to promote the tendency towards peace and reconciliation in Northern Nigeria.

This month, July 2015, the Most Rev. Josiah Idowu-Fearon is taking up a new appointment as the Secretary-General of the Anglican Communion. He was

selected out of an initial field of applicants for the job, from Oceania, Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. The person specification for the role of Secretary-General had indicated that the next occupant of the position was expected to “assist the Communion to become even more faithful to, and engage in, God’s mission of reconciliation. The successful candidate will be a committed Christian, a person of deep faith and prayer, a visionary ambassador of Christ and his Church, a bridge-builder to effect healing amongst the

In the Most Rev. Josiah IdowuFearon, we are giving the world a true ambassador of the very best of all that is good about Northern Nigeria and our country

churches of the Anglican Communion, a creative and imaginative thinker, and an inspirational leader who will help to renew witness and effectiveness of the Communion, its structures, and its programmes.”

It was remarkable that given that extensive list of criteria, they found OUR OWN Most Rev Idowu-Fearon the BEST candidate for the position!

When the announcement came Dr. Idowu-Fearon said: “I am excited to take up the post of Secretary-General of the Anglican Communion, and to continue the fine work undertaken by my predecessor in this office. It is a privilege to be honoured and recognised by the Communion to serve at this level. I look forward to serving the Anglican family with my future colleagues at the Anglican Communion Office and the Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury ”.

And in response to the appointment, the Chair of the Anglican Consultative Council, Bishop James Tengatenga, warmly stated that: “I am delighted that Bishop Josiah has accepted the position. He will bring a vital new perspective on the Anglican

Communion, its life and ministry. His experience and expertise in Christian-Muslim relations is particularly welcome at this time”.

The Most Revd Dr.IdowuFearon has been the Bishop of Kaduna since 1998 where he doubled as Director of the Kaduna Anglican Study Centre. Before then, he served as Bishop of Sokoto, Warden at St Francis of Assisi Theological College in Wusasa, and Provost of St. Michael’s Cathedral in Kaduna. He is an Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON). But most central to his work is his love for Northern Nigeria that he tirelessly worked for. I sent him a belated text last week to congratulate him on his appointment, while noting the work he did for inter-faith relationship in Northern Nigeria. He replied me thus: “Dear Modibbo, thank you so much for your very encouraging words. We must stand for our region and people, promote the ideals that unite us so we can also develop. Keep praying for me and play your own little part. Na gode. Salam. Fearon”.

That was the man! I have imagined just how Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto and late Premier of Northern Nigeria, would have been delighted at the Most Rev Idowu-Fearon’s appointment!

He would have seen and appreciated the value in the fact that a son of Northern Nigeria has been given a position of trust and leadership by one of the most important religious bodies in the world, the Anglican Communion. That would have been an indication of the steady progress we have made as well as a reflection of the moral and spiritual richness of our people. In the Most Rev. Josiah Idowu-Fearon, we are giving the world a true ambassador of the very best of all that is good about Northern Nigeria and our country, Nigeria, and I feel really proud of his accomplishments!

OPINION Sundiata Post: An Ode to Max Amuchie

By Adeniran Adedokun

T

HE journalist is possibly the most endangered professional in today’s Nigeria. When I was growing up, the teacher had that cap. I heard it a lot of times that the reward of teachers awaited them in heaven, I guess we should hand it over to the journalist now.

Journalism is a hazardous endeavour anywhere in the world but much more so in Nigeria. The job is dangerous and thankless at the same time. It is poor paying or not paying at all, yet it puts a demand on the totality of the practitioner’s being. Journalism takes no excuses from people. Unpaid salaries is no explanation for not covering your beat.

Salaries pile up for months, yet you must file reports daily, because society, which moves on without you, without any jot of understanding of what you pass through, has expectations from the medium that you work for. And the owner of that medium, not unaware of the state of your finances, having imposed it on you himself (sometimes through no fault of his) takes it out on you when you do not deliver. A journalist must learn to be a yeoman at his job.

In journalism bragging rights for an accomplishment is tentative. Don’t even dwell on it, at least for not more than 24 C M Y K

hours. This crown with which you were crowned yesterday was made and labelled for yesterday alone, so don’t come to work today with that “I have conquered the world” sense for you may just be in for a shocker. It once happened in my very presence that a journalist did a story that got him effusive commendation from his employers and a little slip the next day saw him out of the organisation. Here, you live each day on the tether, not sure what the next moment holds. One of my mentors once told me that he considered every day to be his last when he was editor of a newspaper. He cleared his table like he was not going to return the next day at

Max has brought his creativity, hard work and passion to bear on Sundiata Post, which is to my mind one of the neatest, well laid out news platforms for Nigeria today

the end of every work day. Such insecurity is the nature of journalism.

How do people move on with life that way, no salaries, no insurance, no allowances to help with a home, or get a car, or send your child to school these days when public schools have become a mockery of education? But the Nigerian journalist moves on, feeding you with information every day, no matter how indisposed he feels.

This is why I respect journalists. And I encourage you to, next time you see a gentleman of the press, accord them some honour for the sacrifices they make for fatherland in spite of all those misgivings you may have. Journalists are after all human.

Then when I see someone who hung on and kept at it, until he is able to leave and do something for himself, I am totally awed. Being a journalist for two decades is enough work but sticking to it and then going ahead to establish a platform where you no longer echo the voice of another is one reward beyond compare.

Anyone who achieves this is blessed by God in measures he cannot even imagine.

You need single minded tenacity to start and stick to a career in journalism in Nigeria and then go ahead to be a publisher. You need creativity to keep your life together and be all that you can possibly be to everyone around you at the same. Such feats are made possible only by divine grace.

This is why I celebrate, my brother and friend, Max Amuchie as he unveils his online newspaper, Sundiata Post in Abuja

on July 7. It is no surprise that Max finds the grace to establish one of the fastest growing online newspapers in Nigeria today really. The dedication and commitment with which he handles what he has to do for others is a virtue that the heavens would be unjust not to reward.

But then unlike man, God is fairness personified and He has given Max the reward which over two decades of slaving it out for other people may not have brought him materially.

Max has brought his creativity, hard work and passion to bear on Sundiata Post, which is to my mind one of the neatest, well laid out news platforms for Nigeria today. It takes a lot of alertness to remain relevant as an online newspaper and give us the news as it breaks.

There sure is dignity in labour, just as there is reward. Max’s reward has come from the experiences of the years of meagre and unpaid salaries. He has sowed and invested in the work of others and now he has his harvest.

It is not like the struggle is over though. The road will be rough especially with the harsh business climate in Nigeria and the daily challenges that an entrepreneur faces.

But if we agree that it takes a measure of grace to get this far in Nigeria, that grace is in abundant supply. I pray that my friend continues to find the grace to keep at it and make Sundiata Post a legacy that generations will talk about.

*Mr. Adeniran Adedokun lawyer, wrote from Lagos.

a

18 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 02, 2015 WITH the stark realities of the current economic downturn staring all tiers of government in the face, it has become obvious that something drastic has to be done to reduce the high cost of governance in Nigeria. But the question remains, how far is the country ready to go in order to achieve optimal success in this direction?

What we have seen so far smacks of cosmetic measures. Some governors and members of legislative houses have announced with fanfare that they would give up proportions of their salaries and allowances. The Federal Government has also hinted that it will cut down the number of ministries, departments and agencies. It remains to be seen how many of the over 500 federal agencies will be done away with, and what will happen to their workers by the time the President Muhammadu Buhari administration is through with its “painstaking” exercise.

These are largely superficial measures.

The heavy drainage of the public treasury has very little to do with the salaries and allowances that political office holders are

Cutting Cost Of Governance paid. Very little will be gained from the socalled voluntary forfeiture of such in part or whole. They will not serve much purpose beyond making sensational headlines. Since governors have unlimited access to the treasuries of their states, their salaries mean little or nothing to them.

What we need is a comprehensive overhaul of the system. We need to reexamine the 1999 Constitution and reform it to reduce the sizes of governments, both at the state and federal levels. It is only through constitutional reform that we can adjust the number of ministries, departments and agencies, and address the administration of the Federation

Accounts, revenue sharing and resource control.

It is only through this mechanism that we can escape the trap of having to use threequarters of our annual budgets to service overheads and personnel costs of public sector workers, thus crowding out the vast majority of the population who operate in the private sector. Our high infrastructure deficit can never be overcome with mere pittance being devoted to development activities.

The danger in cosmetic approach to this problem is that as soon as the heat of the moment passes, as soon as another good fortune in oil prices intervenes, politicians will return to the squandering of riches.

We have seen this repeatedly.

The era of centralised control of the resources of the nation and large governments has passed. This is part of our inglorious military legacy which we must now give up. It is time to take the people’s money – and the economy as a whole – closer to the people. That is the only permanent solution to the financial crises.

OPINION combines the features of Gas Ogogoro deaths and proposed ban that Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry to identify different substances within a test sample. That is, GC-MS is a hyphenated on local Gin (2) technique, which combines the separating Continued from yesterday's pg 18

By Chukwuma Nwaonicha

W

HILE the basic processes for production of ethanol from sugar crops and starchy plants are similar, there are clear advantages in producing ethanol directly from sugar crops because of the additional process required to convert starches into sugar prior to fermentation. The conversion of complex polysaccharides (starch) in the biomass feedstock to simple sugars is a hightemperature process using acids and enzymes as catalyst. Because of this additional step, energy and greenhouse gas balances are mostly more favourable for producing ethanol directly from sugar crops as compared to starchy plants. The energy requirement for converting sugar directly from sugar cane into ethanol is about half that of using corn.

From the above analysis, if the traditional fermentation process of making Ogogoro with or without yeast produces only alcohol and water, the question is where does the poison or contamination come from? This is the question to be answered by the authorities in both States and NAFDAC. Therefore, the solution to this puzzle should be

scientific and professional means and not banning Ogogoro entirely. However, Ogogoro should be banned or confiscated in the affected areas in the States to avoid further death toll or spreading the deadly local gin to other States.

Possible Solution: random samplings of local gin in the affected areas or States and other States in the Niger Delta region (as reference samples) should be collected.

The samples should be analysed to determine the composition of the local gin, which supposed to be ethanol and water.

The sample should be analysed with Gas Chromatography-Mass spectrometry (GCMS) interface, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy, and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) among other analytical instrument and tests.

A Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry is an analytical method

The question for NAFDAC is: who imports and distributes the contaminated or denatured alcohol?

power of Gas Chromatography, with the detection power of Mass Spectrometry.

Applications of GC-MS include drug detection, fire investigation, environmental analysis, explosives investigation, and identification of unknown samples among others. GC-MS can also be used in airport security to detect substances in luggage or on human beings. Additionally, it can identify trace elements in materials that were previously thought to have disintegrated beyond identification.

NMR provides information about the carbon-hydrogen framework of a compound. NMR spectroscopy is a spectroscopic method of measuring the absorption of radiofrequency radiation by certain nuclei when the nuclei are in a strong magnetic field.

The most important NMR spectra for organic chemists are proton NMR spectra and carbon-13 NMR spectra. These two types of spectra provide structural information about the carbon framework of the molecule, and about the number and environment of hydrogen atoms attached to each carbon atom.

As is a spectro analytical procedure for the quantitative determination of chemical elements employing the absorption of optical radiation (light) by free atoms in the gaseous state. In

analytical chemistry, the technique is used for determining the concentration of a particular element (the analyte) in a sample to be analyzed.

In conclusion, once the chemical characterisation of the local gin has been completed and the chemical causing the deaths identified; the production/ distribution sources of the contaminated or poisoned alcohol should be traced in order to reduce the death toll and the spread of such product to other part of the Nation. Just before I finish this write-up, NAFDAC casually and reluctantly stated that methanol, and not ethanol was responsible for the death of more than 70 people from the consumption of local gin, the question is where does the methanol come from? Does it mean producers of Ogogoro are using denatured alcohol as local gin? If so, that is intentionally poisoning customers and it is a criminal act because denatured alcohol is an industrial or laboratory grade alcohol (unfit for consumption) as opposed to a pharmaceutical grade alcohol –pure alcohol (for consumption). The question for NAFDAC is: who imports and distributes the contaminated or denatured alcohol? The issue is that the locals cannot produce methanol, which is largely produced by the catalytic hydrogenation of carbon monoxide or pyrolysis of wood (wood alcohol).

Concluded

•Dr. Nwaonicha, a clergy, wrote from Lagos.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 2 2,, 2015— 19 Send Opinions & Letters to: opinions1234@yahoo.com

‘Exporting’ terrorists to Anambra?

W

HEN at first I heard that traders all over Anambra State had shut down the markets and were protesting over alleged plans by the Federal Government to send Boko Haram convicts to jails in the state, I did not take it serious.

There are things you hear and you simply dismiss them instinctively. But bearing in mind that Igbos only shut down markets to express deep feelings over unfolding issues, I kept an eye on the matter.

I was a little reassured when the All Progressives Congress (APC) spokesman in the South East, Osita Okechukwu, issued a statement debunking the “rumour”. As it stands, it seems the APC spokesman was either ignorant of what the government led by his party was doing or he was only trying to shield it from responsibility for presenting such an explosive Greek gift to the South East within one month of assuming power at the centre. Okechukwu was not the only one playing cover-up. A spokesman of the Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS) said on Radio Nigeria network news on Monday that there was no such thing.

The source said it was not possible to transport Boko Haram terrorists from the far North to Anambra. According to him, it was standard practice to keep awaiting trial detainees closer to the courts where they are being tried, for convenience. He, however, added that the NPS has the right by law to send convicted criminals to any prison in the country.

It turned out that 47 convicted Boko Haram terrorists and prisoners of war (POWs) were actually brought to the Ekwulobia Prisons in Aguata Local Government Area as reported by THISDAY Newspaper. There is also incontrovertible evidence that the Governor of Anambra State and its Chief Security Officer, Chief Willie Obiano, had reached out to the authorities, imploring them to desist from taking measures that could unsettle the atmosphere of peace and security which his administration has fostered in its one year in office to the satisfaction of the people of the state both home and abroad.

The motive behind sending these violent Jihadists to Igboland stinks

to high heavens. For avoidance of doubt, nobody is arguing against the Federal Government’s right to send its prisoners to any part of the country. There is nothing ethnic, religious or sectional about crime and correction. But Boko Haram Jihadists are no ordinary criminals. These are people who have condemned their lives to ensure the destruction of Christians, Jews, the West and those who do not believe in their Islamic faith. How would such individuals feel when transferred to a place inhabited

by Christians and “unbelievers”?

Won’t they feel they’ve been sent to an area of “juicy targets”?

More importantly, how do you expect their unwilling “hosts’ to feel?

There must also be a sinister motive in the NPS spokesman denying the posting. Why were they covering it up? Why were they lying?

It will not be wise to play into the hands of these sabrerattling, socalled “Biafra” activists ranting daily on their pirate radio and seeking to pitch the Igbos against fellow Nigerians

‘Ogogoro don dey sour’ but its ban is not a remedy (1)

O

GOGORO is a local gin brewed originally from raffia palm. With time, a lot of adulterations produced from cheap chemicals have been located in most markets.

In the 1980s, a popular Nigerian musician hit the airwaves with a number that rose quite high on the music chat of that time, “Ogogoro no dey sour”, which means that ogogoro doesn’t get sour, no matter how long it stays.

This is perhaps the equivalent of the view they hold in the West about their wine – it gets better with age.

But truly, no organisation can grow much higher than the environment in which it exists. That explains why, in Nigeria today, ogogoro has become sour, both in taste and functionality – all because corruption, which is virtually a way of life, has also crept into the industry, no thanks to the merchants of death.

We wonder what can be sourer than the “ogogoro-mania” currently ravaging the entire country. In August 2010, authorities of Benue State cried out that the workforce base was hopelessly weakening by the day and the awkward situation was quickly traced to excess consumption of ogogoro.

It would be recalled that Benue State is basically agrarian. Not only was the drug of addiction weakening the youths and making them unable to engage meaningfully in the normal agricultural pursuit, it was also responsible for most early deaths among them.

As happened in the case of marijuana, the authorities in Benue State soon began to see ogogoro as an intoxicant sought after primarily as something that gives pleasure and sensation to its user. It also provides a spiritually redeeming morning-after hangover. They saw its use

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as a pleasurable, hedonistic, nonproductive and sinful practice, which as a social, legal and philosophical entity, had assumed menacing proportion.

To the authorities in Benue State, the test of a humane society does not lie in the respect it pays to the strongest and most articulate; but that which it accords to the weakest and least articulate. They could not see themselves doing nothing while ogogoro was taking its toll on people.

A law was quickly put in place – criminalizing the production, possession, sale and use of ogogoro. They made the penal sanctions to be imposed on convicted ogogoro offenders comparable to those that obtained for arson, robbery, burglary and other felonies.

In April 2015, there was an outbreak of ogogoro-mania at Ode-Irele, a community in Ondo State, where over 20 people allegedly died after drinking ogogoro.

In the Irele case, the illness leading to the death of the ogogoro victims was initially thought to be the Ebola virus disease or similar virulent infectious diseases.

Before the dust generated by the Irele deaths could settle, there was a major outbreak of another round of deaths caused by contaminated ogogoro in Rivers State.

The Rivers State episode was initially difficult to locate. Some called it death

How else do you cure those incessant malaria fever attacks without those roots and herbs properly fermented in ogogoro

Again, granting that the NPS has the right to send prisoners to any of its facilities in any part of Nigeria, why send 47 suicide bombers to an already overcrowded Ekwulobia prison?

The jailhouse, which has the capacity for 85 prisoners already had 135 inmates before the newcomers arrived. Standard, best practice in parts of the world where terrorists have established footholds demands that such violent criminals are kept in maximum prisons and specialised institutions where they can be effectively caged.

They are never kept in the company of other, less devilish convicts for fear of spreading the virus of their warped vision of Islam to others. That was the argument behind quarantining Al Qaeda convicts captured by America and her allies in Guantanamo Bay in remote Caribbean Cuba. You don’t keep such people in high-density towns and force innocent citizens to live in fear.

The Ekwulobia Prisons is a very vulnerable place to keep terrorists. Bearing in mind that Boko Haram has repeatedly carried out bombings of prisons (such as Koton Karfe in Kogi State) to release their incarcerated members, there is nothing to stop them from targeting Ekwulobia, the fourth largest city in Anambra State. If this happens, whoever planned this transfer would have succeeded in exporting Boko Haram terror to the South East. If the worst fears of the locals come to pass, it is capable of breeding dangerous consequences for the peace, stability and unity of our country.

It is important for President Muhammadu Buhari to step into

from dog meat pepper soup. It all started at a popular dog meat joint in Woji, a community in Obio/Akpor L o c a l Government Area, where friends had gathered to celebrate one of their own who had just been given a chieftaincy title; and at the party, ogogoro and dog meat pepper soup flowed freely.

At the last count, no fewer than 71 people had perished in various parts of Rivers State as a direct result of the consumption of the contaminated liquor.

In an attempt to stem further ogogoro deaths, the Federal Government, through the National Agency for Foods, Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has slammed a blanket ban on the production, sale and consumption of the distilled gin.

As would be expected, this has not gone down well with the producers, sellers and consumers of the favourite drink of most people in the Niger Delta sub-region.

Again, perhaps unwittingly, by trying to prevent death, the Federal Government is bringing about more deaths. In the process, the Federal Government is throwing away the dirty bath-water, the bath-tub and the baby. The few core Deltans we spoke to in the course of writing this piece, all agree that a ban on ogogoro is more of a death sentence on them because ogogoro production and distribution is a major legitimate industry in the Niger Delta.

Why must the Federal Government always follow the path of least resistance?

Having agreed that corruption has crept into the ogogoro industry through adulterations by the use of cheap chemicals like ethanol and methanol; couldn’t the Federal Government have gone after the importers of the evil

this matter and resolve it. He cannot pretend not to have heard about it. The posting of Boko Haram terror convicts is a very emotive issue for many, especially people who had to flee from the North because of them. Many families have lost loved ones. To have such people brought to their doorsteps amounts to pushing people too far as if to dare them to do their worst.

Those who blamed the people of South East and South for refusing to vote for Buhari can see for themselves why they did what they did. Igbos felt safer under Jonathan because they were led to believe that Buhari who fought the civil war, might, like Olusegun Obasanjo, be hostile to the interests of the Igbo people. Moreover, Buhari’s several pro-Sharia declarations were widely republished during the campaigns.

Irrespective of who voted for Buhari, he has an obligation as the president of the country to protect the interests of every Nigerian and keep them safe from our common enemies. It will not be wise to play into the hands of these sabre-rattling, so-called “Biafra” activists ranting daily on their pirate radio and seeking to pitch the Igbos against fellow Nigerians. It is such clearly hostile government policy measures that drive the youth to the warm embrace of extremists who do not wish to continue in a union that treats their people with contempt.

We must avoid opening up another front of ferment while trying to tackle the Boko Haram challenge. Buhari should quietly direct the prison authorities to relocate the terrorists to correctional facilities meant for their sort.

products and possibly, closed down the production lines of those using the addictive? Couldn’t NAFDAC regulate and issue approval numbers to those genuinely engaged in the business?

In the fight against corruption, no one has ever sought to ban the use of money; and in the fight against fake drugs, we have never sought to outlaw the use of all drugs. Rather, we have always sought to remove the corrupt particles in the economy. Why, then, are we placing a blanket ban on ogogoro?

The situation before us today is akin to placing a total ban on fuel simply because we have stumbled on some adulterated petrol.

Why are we so quick at forgetting our little beginnings? No one of the Niger Delta extraction will in any way under-rate the importance the people attach to this liquor.

If you like, bring in the choicest wines, the best champagne, the best brandy and the best whisky; there are aspects of many ceremonies in the Niger Delta that will be incomplete if ogogoro does not report.

Again, how else do you cure those incessant malaria fever attacks without those roots and herbs properly fermented in ogogoro? How else do the fishermen keep the cold breeze at bay in their fishing expedition on the high sea without the occasional sips?

And how does that political leader, who cannot yet afford the Western drinks, keep his followers other than by the possession of bottles of different medicinal roots carefully conserved in ogogoro?

20 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015

CSR: Vanguard rehabilitates bad access road •Tasks Ambode on proper rehabilitation

By Mike Ebonugwo & Olasunkanmi Akoni

F

OR residents of different communities in Lagos Sate, the rainy season is always a period to dread. It comes with many challenges and mishaps, ranging from flooding, building collapse, eroded roads, traffic chaos, among others. When these happen, people are given to lamentations and telling tales of woes, especially as many roads become impassable for motorists, homes are flooded, property worth fortunes are destroyed and human lives lost in some cases.

The early rains this year have given a clear indication that there will be no exception as the attendant problems are already being felt in different parts of the state. In particular, the rains have exposed the poor state of roads across the state.

Forecast of down pour, flooding Earlier in the year, the then Commissioner for the Environment and now Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, had alerted residents on the high volume of rainfall expected to be accompanied by strong winds.

Weather forecast indicated that strong winds would be experienced during the onset and cessation of every rainfall.

The state government, therefore, called for caution on the part of residents, urging them to take care of drainage channels.

Advertising and telecommunication agencies were also advised to ensure that bill boards and telecommunication masts are properly placed or mounted to prevent them falling and causing disasters.

“Emergency agencies, traffic agency, road repair, Power Holding Authority and all related bodies must endeavour to put in place safety measures to reduce accidents on our roads which may be as a result of flash flooding and strong winds within and around the state,” the state government said.

But as part of measures to reduce traffic gridlock and prevent avoidable accidents on the roads, the management of the Lagos State Public Works Corporation, LSPWC, recently embarked on massive

rehabilitation of about 100 identified bad roads in the state.

Gov Ambode’s directive on roads rehabilitation The exercise was based on the directive of the Lagos State Gover nor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, who stressed the need to provide a sort of palliative measure for motorists along bad roads.

It would be recalled that LSPWC, early in the year announced that the corporation would rehabilitate 1,400 roads in the state this year.

Last Thursday, Ambode, accompanied by top officials of the state government and security agencies, visited major traffic points in the area to have an on-the-spot assessment of the perennial traffic chaos in the Rainbow, Mile Two, Berger and Coconut axis of the OshodiApapa Expressway which seemed to have defied all solutions.

*Workers busy at a failed section of the road.

Failed access road: Vanguard to the rescue The Governor assured residents that roads in deplorable state in Apapa

staff, clients and other visitors to connect the expressway.

The first major tarring of the road was done on the directive of the then Military Administrator of Lagos State,

Company vehicle being loaded with granite at a flooded spot on the road

We expect the new administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to promptly intervene by ensuring proper rehabilitation of the road through relevant authorities in the interest of the general public

would also be given attention.

While waiting for government to make good its promise in this regard, Vanguard Media Limited, Publishers of Vanguard Newspapers, last weekend embarked on partial rehabilitation of the heavily eroded Vanguard Avenue, off the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway. Before now it was always difficult driving through the road due to potholes on several failed sections of it. The direct labour rehabilitation effort, according to the newspaper outfit, is a palliative measure intended to make the access road motorable and easy for

Brigadier-General Mohammed Buba Marwa (retd). It was re-tarred by the state government during the administration of Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Palliative repairs of road Since then Vanguard had always taken it upon itself to carry out palliative repairs each time the road went bad.

This is in spite of the fact that the road is also used, and even more so, by some multinational companies, including a construction outfit.

Last weekend, defying the mid-day downpour,

Vanguard staff rolled out trucks and building materials to fix major portions of the bad road with granite and cement.

It was gathered that the company has already spent substantial funds in the rehabilitation of the road.

Govt intervention for proper rehabilitation The Administration Manager of Vanguard Media Limited, Mr. Victor Gotevbe, lamented that the company and staff had suffered a lot due to the bad road.

According to him: “Most of our clients who come here to do business with us complain bitterly on account of the bad road which they said cause serious damage to their vehicles.

“Most importantly for us, our effort in this regard is a way of giving back to the society. It is a way of demonstrating Corporate Social Responsibility, despite the fact that we are not only the company on the road.

“But we expect the new administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to promptly intervene by ensuring proper rehabilitation of the road through relevant authorities in the interest of the general public.

“Honestly, we appreciate Governor Ambode’s intervention which led to the easing of traffic jam on the expressway. But we are also expecting him to intervene on this road.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015

COMMISSIONING: From right: Divisional Head, Human Resources and Change Management,First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Felicia Obozuwa; Managing Director, Sweethome Limited, Chief Amobi Ikeh; his wife, Chisom; Regional Director, Lagos, of the Bank, Mrs. Bukola Smith; Branch Manager, Amuwo Odofin, Mrs. Uchenna Ezeani and Chairman of Chinbell Group of Companies, Chief Ben Chinemelu, during the commissioning of the new branch of FCMB at Amuwo Odofin in Lagos, yesterday.

Nigeria loses N59.6bn to pipeline vandalism — NNPC

By Michael Eboh

T

he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, yesterday, stated that the country lost crude oil and other petroleum products valued at N59.597 billion to pipeline vandalism in 2014.

The NNPC, in its Annual Statistical Bulletin for 2014 released yesterday, disclosed that pipeline vandalism increased by 4.54 per cent compared to the situation in 2013.

The NNPC noted that 355,690 metric tonnes of petroleum products valued at N44.75 billion was lost in the period under review, in addition to 1.08 million barrels of crude oil valued at about N14.847 billion.

$130.90

-0. 80

$3,300.00

-36. 00

$12.19

0.37

$63. 10

58.83 CURRENCY BUYING DOLLAR

195.9 POUNDS 307.9354 EURO 218.9349 FRANC 210.2017 YEN 1.5985 CFA 0.3134 WAUA 274. 2648 RENMINBI 31.5937 RIYAL 52.2338 KRONA 29.3409 SDR 275.5841

1.09

0.50

CENTRAL 196.45 308.7212 219.4936 210.738 1.6026 0.3234 274.9647 31.6748 52.3671 29.4157 276.2873

196.95 309.5069 220.0522 211.2744 1.6067 0.3334 275.6645 31.7559 52.5004 29.4906 276.9905

CBN Exchange Rate as at 01/ 07 /15

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It said, “A total of 3,732 line breaks was reported on NNPC pipelines out of which 3,700 was as a result of vandalism, while 32 cases were due to system deterioration resulting in a loss of 355.69 thousand metric tonnes of petroleum products worth about N44.75 billion.

“Also 1.08 million barrels of crude oil worth about N14.847 billion was lost in the same period. There were 32 cases of fire incidents during the year under review.”

Giving a breakdown of crude oil loss, the NNPC stated that the country lost 17,964 barrels of Bonny Light valued at N264.37 million, while 586,776 barrels of Escravos Light valued at N8.636 billion was lost to pipeline vandalism in the period under review.

In addition, the activities of the

A total of 3,732 line breaks were reported on NNPC pipelines out of which 3,700 were as a result of vandalism, while 32 cases were due to system deterioration resulting in a loss of 355.69 thousand metric tonnes of petroleum products

— 21

pipeline vandals led to the loss of 341,566 barrels of Ughelli Blend valued at N5.027 billion while 62,499 barrels of Seplat blend valued at N919 million was lost in 2014.

In the area of petroleum products loss, pipeline vandalism in the Port Harcourt network, led to the loss 7,460 metric tonnes of petroleum products valued at N958.72 million; Warri lost 14,290 metric tonnes valued at N2.312 billion, while Mosimi lost 332,850 metric tonnes valued at N41.279 billion.

Also, the vandalisation of the pipeline network in Kaduna led to the loss of 1,080 metric tonnes valued at N200.39 million.

Furthermore, the NNPC disclosed that the country recorded crude oil and condensate production of 798.542 million barrels in 2014, dropping by 0.24 per cent from 2013’s production. This, according to the NNPC, represented an average crude oil output of 2.19 million barrels per day.

In the gas sector, the NNPC noted that 28 companies produced 2.524 trillion Standard Cubic Feet (SCF) of natural gas in the period under review.

It said, “This shows an increase of 8.56 per cent when compared with 2013 production. Of the quantity produced, 2.233 trillion SCF, representing 88.53 per cent of total production was utilised, while 289.60 billion SCF, representing 11.47 per cent of total production was flared.”

In addition, the NNPC stated that the local refineries received a total of 25.839 million barrels (3.492 million metric tonnes) of (dry) crude oil, condensate and slops and processed 23.360 million barrels (3.157 million metric tonnes) into various petroleum products.

“The total production output by the refineries was 2.665 million metric tonnes of various petroleum products. The combined average refining capacity utilization for year 2014 was 14.4 per cent as against 22 per cent in the previous year,” the NNPC stated.

Nigerian, Greek shipowners sign MoU on vessels acquisition

By Godwin Oritse

T

HE Nigerian Shipowners Association of Nigeria, (NISA) and some Greek shipowners yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding on vessel acquisition with a view to building a formidable fleet for Cabotage trade.

Speaking at the ceremony, President of the Nigerian Shipowners Association of Nigeria, Captain Olaniyi Dada Olabinjo said that the project to re-build the local fleet will benefit both the Nigerian and Greek economy as both countries are currently facing economic challenges.

Olabinjo explained that indigenous shipowners will make a whooping sum of N4.5billion every month if Nigerians are involved in the light rage of refined petroleum products that anchors outside

the ports.

“We currently import 1.8billion litre of refined petroleum every and it will N3.00 to move one litre from anchorage to the depots and when you multiply three by 1.8billion litre of fuel, the answer is N4.5billion of disposable funds every month.” He added He also explained that with the current 2.5million barrel of crude oil being produced in Nigeria, which add up to over 996million barrel of crude oil, not one drop is carried by a Nigerian owned vessel adding that we need to use potentials in the maritime industry to rebuild the economy.

He lamented that the non-implementation of the Cabotage law reiterating that Nigeria can only be regarded as a maritime nation if the law is fully implemented.

The NISA boss also lamented that political will on the part of government to implement the law, this lack of political will has stunted the growth of the nation’s coastal trade.

He said “in countries all over the world, tonnage drives Cabotage and Nigeria has the tonnage, we have allowed our domestic trade to be taken over by foreigners .

“The maritime industry can make between N3trillion – N7trillion annually if the potentials of the industry are properly harnessed.

“Even oil and gas do not earn Nigeria that kind of money.”

“The Greeks will provide Nigerian shipowners with 40 vessels of various classes and tonnage and some Nigerian Banks are also ready to give financial support to this project”.

22—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 02, 2015

The first thing you need to do is take a look at what your business has to offer to consumers

,

,

How to determine target market

B

efore you can begin marketing your products or business, or even start a business, you will need to know who you are marketing to. Who are your customers?

There are a number of reasons that knowing your target audience is important, including knowing how to tailor your message to resonate with a specific audience and what marketing mediums would be the most effective in reaching that group of consumers.

Without knowing this little detail before promoting your products or services, you’ll be missing out on reaching a huge amount of people who would have been interested in what your company had to offer.

Follow these tips in order to

Knowing the right people can be a valuable tool to helping your business grow discover what demographic you should be trying to reach.

Your products The first thing you need to do is take a look at what your business has to offer to consumers. What problem would your products or services provide a solution for?

Who would benefit from your products or services?

Do your research The next step in discovering your target market is doing research on your industry and competitors. There are many resources available through the Internet to make this search easy for you, but you should be able to get a keen sense of what type of customer would be interested in your business.

Information you should try to collect is demographic info (income, education level, age, sex, and even location if it is a business that may do better in one area than another), buying patterns, and any other information that would be helpful in your search.

Most of this research has already been done for you, but if you aren’t able to find all of the facts you are searching for, hiring a marketing research firm may be the best way to get

all of the data needed.

Determine your customers’ media Although 52 percent of businesses have found a customer through Facebook, according to WebDam, the reality is that the same social media websites will not work for everyone. Believe it or not, there are still plenty of people who refuse to become a part of the social media scene, which may have to do with your target market’s demographics.

After doing your research, you should have the demographic information needed to make the decision on how to sell your products or services. For example, if you average customer is retired and in their 60’s, there’s a good chance you won’t find them surfing their social media channels.

Knowing how to reach your customers will make a huge difference in how effective you are at reaching them.

Network Knowing the right people can be a valuable tool to helping your business grow. Find and meet the right people through trade shows and other networking events, or by simply calling or stopping by local businesses that are related to your industry.

Analyse competition Not only should you evaluate your competitors in order to find out who their customer is and how they are selling their products or services, you should also figure out what makes you different from them. What do you have to offer that they don’t? While it is highly recommended that you refrain from copying any of their marketing ideas, knowing what they have done in the past will give you some ideas.

Unfortunately, according to The Facts of Business Life by Bill McBean, less than 30 percent of businesses last more than 10 years. The primary reason for this is the owner doesn’t know how to plan for business success or simply doesn’t know how to run a business. The first thing every successful company must know is who will buy their products. Knowing who your customer is and what they like will make a huge difference in how well you promote your products or services to them.

BUSINESS NAIRA EXCHANGE RATES (01/07/15) Currency DOLLAR STERLING EURO FRANC YEN CFA WAUA RENMINBI RIYAL KRONA SDR

Buying(N)

Central(N)

Selling(N)

195.95

196.45

196.95

306.7401 217.6025 208.1253 1.5936 0.3151 274.8825 31.5932 52.2464 29.1605 274.7611

307.5228 218.1577 208.6564 1.5977 0.3251 275.5839 31.6743 52.3797 29.2349 275.4622

308.3055 218.713 209.1875 1.6017 0.3351 276.2853 31.7554 52.513 29.3093 276.1633

Commod Light Crud

Natural G Sugar Coffee Cocoa

Bead making: Turning pastime into business

By Yinka Kolawole, with agency report

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ead-making is a very lucrative business with a lot of money making potentials for those who know the art and understand the target market. Beading does not require a lot of space or significant technical training, making it an attractive home business option.

Beads are small (or large) decorative objects or pieces that are pierced and strung on threads or thin wires.

They can be made into all sorts of jewellery and ornaments such as necklaces, earrings and bracelets. Beads are made from different materials like polished stones, glass, plastic, wood, ceramic and seeds. Others are bone, animal teeth, horn, ivory, metal, shells, pearls, coral, etc. Because bead can be made from all sorts of materials, it provides a lot

of room for artistic creativity and flexibility. The size, shape, style and form of bead jewellery people can make are entirely up to their imagination.

To make beaded jewellery, all that are needed are a few simple tools and a little creativity. In fact, you really don’t need any formal training to start making beautiful pieces of bead jewellery. There are hundreds of resources obtainable on the internet to get started.

Some of the materials required include some metal strings for connecting the beads, wire cutters, a tape measure, pins, clasps and different types of beads, of course. More importantly, you will need a bead design board to help make the job much easier and organised.

Tools and materials Flexible beading wires (N3500); Lobster claw clasp (N1,000); Bead design board (N2,000); Wire cutters (N3,000); Chain nose pliers (N2,500); Measuring tape

(N500); Beads (N3,000 for a container of about 1,000 pieces); Packages (N1,000) – Nylon packs (100 pieces), Carton packs (50 pieces).

Marketing Create a website - Take your business online by creating a web address which showcases your services and materials. Advertise Advertise in local newspapers and lifestyle magazines, and employ use of business cards and flyers.

Social Media - Post your work on Facebook and Twitter to attract more customers.

Testimonials In 2006, when a frustrated Abimbola Balogun could not get a job after graduating as a petroleum marketer with Higher National Diploma (HND) from the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Warri, she decided to keep herself busy making bead necklaces pending when she would secure a good job.

Balogun started with an investment of just N400 on beads to make two necklaces,

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 02, 2015 — 23

,

& YOU

dity de

Gas

COMMODITIES (01/07/15) Last 57.69

Change ($) -1.78

% Change -2.99

2.80

-0.03

-1.20

12.51

+0.04

+0.32

127.60

-3.05

-2.33

3,276.00

-60.00

-1.80

which she later sold for N5,000 - more than 1,100 percent profit.

She reinvested the money in the business, but the worth of her business, Bimbeads Concept, has since grown more than N8 million.

In an interview with BBC, Balogun said she just wanted something to keep her busy until “the real thing came” and she found a proper job, noting that “now the beading has overshadowed the real thing”. According to her, having realised that the market was full of bead jewellers, she decided to set herself from the pack by making high-end products with special gems and she started looking at design websites for inspiration. She perfected her quality by adding precious and semiprecious stones which made her products stand out. “I knew I had to be different from every other beaded jewellery designer, so I went online. My designs are different because they are customised. They are designs that are uniquely and individually crafted,” she explained.

Balogun said she knew very little when she started out but has learnt everything on the job, and has also continued studying. After starting the business, she said Goldman Sachs 10,000 Woman Initiative offered her a scholarship to study E n t r e p r e n e u r i a l

You can turn an ordinary craft or hobby into a successful business

Management at the Lagos Business School. She recalled that it was tough at the beginning to break into the top tier of the market, but with consistency, passion and hard work, she was able to overcome the odds.

She currently hosts a weekly TV programme that focuses on bead making. This has boosted her profile and business, which currently serves the country through two outlets in Lagos.

For Mrs Ojuolape Kolawole, she got into bead making after marriage, when she had to suspend her clothe-trading business by staying at home to raise her young children. She got the initial training from friends who were already into beading, but later went for further training outside when she started developing passion for the craft.

Today, bead making has become her mainstay, with her products being sold overseas periodically apart from steady local demand from a growing client base.

“To the glory of God, my beading business, RoyalKrafts, which started as a pastime has grown steadily to become my main source of income. Now that my children are grown up, my other businesses are secondary to beading in financial terms,” she said.

The experiences of Balogun and Kolawole are proofs that one can turn an ordinary craft or hobby into a successful business.

Products There are a lot of things that can be made with beads, and new discoveries are springing up every day. The following are some of the things that can be done with beads: Necklace, ear rings, hand bags, waist belts, shoes, flower vase, play toys, rings, interior decors, bangles, handset carriers, wallets, purse, crowns, etc.

When we begin to think differently, we would realise that there is no just one way of doing things

,

How great companies and institutions think “If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn’t thinking”…George S Patton

I

t is possible for people to have different reasons for setting up businesses. The same applies to small businesses or big corporations. Regardless of whatever reason(s) any business was established, the desire to achieve better result will always play out.

Then, again, achieving better result to most organisations is characterised by increase in profitability. Desiring increased profitability is an acceptable proclivity for organisations as a result of the services being rendered and paid for. But, the disappointing part of it is that no organisation or corporation can achieve increased profitability by mere desiring or just wishing for it except by doing things differently when others are busy with the status quo.

After hearing Steve Haines for the first time that: “you don’t need to think more, you just need to think differently”, I had a different worldview about thinking. It made me to realise that we do not need to think more (haphazardly) just for thinking sake, we need to think differently with the result in mind – we need to think strategically. The same applies to organizations, to achieve better results, we may not necessarily do so many things for our customers in terms of quantity, but we need to begin to do things differently for them. We might just focus on doing one particular thing differently for them. Few years ago during a retreat, I was discussing with an executive whose company had spent so much money on transformation, and I realised one key thing that was lacking – attitudinal change. For an organisation to think differently and achieve its transformation goals, attention must be paid to develop the right attitude of its workforce first and foremost. This is because one person with a wrong attitude can sabotage and make a mess of all the transformation effort. Yes, I know I am not

BY ‘UJU ONWUZULIKE

Thinking differently is akin to committing to make a difference writing about attitudinal change, but then right attitude is like a lubricant that will oil the wheels of “thinking differently”.

Unbelievably, and despite the fact that most organisations are doing the same thing year in year out, using the same business strategy and initiatives that have not worked, and yet they expect to have different and better results (that is impossible). With the stiff competition in the business world, if you keep doing your business the same way you have done it for five years; you will never even achieve the old results that you are used to, but rather below what you have been achieving. That goes to show that to desire improved results in all facets of business operations, we must have a paradigm shift, and that comes by thinking differently. The truth of the matter is that sometimes, we know why our organisation is performing so badly, but we are stuck to the old ways of doing things – and we are not ready to try something new.

All organisations that are stuck to the old ways of doing things that have not yielded them better results will end up becoming “Defenders of Decline” instead “Architect

of the future”( example is Apple Inc. vs. others). Apple succeeded in becoming the “architect of the future” while others are busy defending the decline, little wonder Apple’s slogan is “Think Different”.

To paint a clearer picture of what thinking differently should mean to organisations, we need to realise that in our various organisations, there are strategies that are not working, marketing initiatives that are not producing the numbers, activities that are not worthwhile and generally things that are not working for the organisation.

Thinking differently starts when we begin to question the old ways of doings that that have not yielded expected results and begin to push the boundaries and think in new ways that lead to improved results.

Thinking differently is akin to committing to make a difference. In order words, organisations that are thinking differently want to make a difference in the lives of their customers and employees. It is this commitment to make a difference that brings improved and sustainable results for the shareholders.

When we begin to think differently, we would realise that there is no just one way of doing things. Of course, it is a red signal to assume there is only one way of doing things. Employees must begin to ask optimal questions in order to have optimal answers. Questions like: why are we not achieving our desired results? Why are we not having enough customers to patronise our business? Why do our customers complain?

Are there things we are not doing well? How can we be different from the competitors? The fact is that when we blend in to what others are doing, we may not be able to stand out with a different result. That means we need to be different in all areas of our business (we need to be perceived differently and better) and that is the only time we shall stand out as an organisation of choice.

C M Y K

24 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015

BRIEFS

Innoson debunks allegation of indebtedness to GTB

Stop keeping revenue accounts for MDAs —CBN warns bank

Stories by Babajide Komolafe

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nnoson Nigeria Limited has debunked allegation of indebtedness to Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (GTB) accusing the bank of subjecting its accounts to excess charges of N560 million.

In a response to a publication in Vanguard on Monday titled “Innoson’s outstanding indebtedness reconfirmed”, Public Relation officer, Mr. Andrew Udeh, said, “GTB is not the only Bank in Nigeria.

Innoson has been having dealings with other Banks in Nigeria - 15 of the Banks and none of them is having any issue with Innoson and its managing director.

He said, “At all material times Innoson Nigeria Ltd operates a current account with GTB. Subsequently, Innoson discovered that GTB imposed excess and unlawful charges in its current account in the sum of N560 Million and was demanding it to pay this to it with the accrued interest thereon. Innoson requested GTB to credit its account with the N560 Million and the accrued interest. GTB refused this request. As a result Innoson commenced suit No: FHC/AWK/CS/139/ 2012 against GTB at the Federal High Court, Awka and obtained judgement in excess of N4.7 Billion against GTB. “GTB appealed against the judgment to the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, appoxite Appeal No: CA/E/ 288/2013. The Court of Appeal Enugu in a considered ruling ordered GTB to pay the judgment debt of N5.7 Billion inclusive of the accrued interest and any interest that would subsequently accrue thereon into an interest yielding account in the name of the Chief Registrar of the court.

“Nigerian Customs services sold Innoson Nigeria Ltd’s goods by auction. Innoson commenced suit No: FHC/L/ CS/603/2006 against customs. Thereat, judgment was rendered in excess of N2.4 Billion in favour of Innoson in the suit against customs. Subsequently, Innoson garnisheed customs’ account with GTB. Through a garnishee order absolute the learned trial judge ordered GTB to pay the judgment debt of over N2.4 Billion to Innoson from customs account with it.

“GTB appealed against this decision to the Court of Appeal, Ibadan Division, vide

T

SEMNAR - From left: Kalu Balogun, AD Capital Projects PWC, Bola Bamidele, Senior Advisor, Access Bank; Patrick Mgbenwelu, Head Debt Solutions FBN Capital Limited, and John Delano, LL.B at the recent ALP Seminar Series on Infrastructure and Project Finance.

Appeal No: CA/I/258/2011.

However, in a considered judgment of 6 th February 2014, the court of Appeal, Ibadan Division dismissed GTB’s appeal, affirmed the decision of the Federal High Court and ordered GTB to pay the judgment debt of over N2.4 Billion to Innoson from customs account with it.

“GTB granted various facilities to Innoson which Innoson secured with a legal mortgage of over N4 Billion and had defrayed them save the illegal, dubious and excess charges which was a subject of law suit in suit No: FHC/AWK/CS/139/2012 at the Federal High Court, Awka for which Innoson has subsisting judgment in excess of N6 Billion in its favour against GTB. In the GTB’s case – suit No: FHC/L/ CS/1119/2014 against Innoson at the Federal High Court, Lagos, GTB never claimed or mentioned that Innoson was indebted to it in the sum of N2.4 Billion.

“The suit which GTB filed against Innoson Nigeria Ltd, appoxite suit No: FHC/L/CS/ 1119/2014 at the Federal High Court, Lagos Division

and froze Innoson’s account in all the Banks in Nigeria from 18th September, 2014 until 10 th June 2015 was dismissed and the freezing order set aside. As a result Innoson commenced N30 Billion suit against GTB for damages it suffered as a result of the freezing order.

“At all material times, goods imported by Innoson were consigned to GTB under the relevant Bills of lading. GTB endorsed the Bills of lading

GTB released all the Bills of lading to Innoson and they were all dully recorded and signed for in GTB’s recordbook

to Innoson and released same to Innoson. GTB recorded its endorsement and releasing of the Bills of lading to Innoson in its records. To this extent, before GTB released any of the Bills of lading to Innoson, it would first enter the particulars or details of the Bill of lading in a book – register – and then both the GTB officer releasing the Bill of lading and Innoson’s staff collecting the Bill of lading signed the book- the register. GTB released all the Bills of lading to Innoson and they were all dully recorded and signed for in GTB’s record-book.

Again, all the duties paid for the consignments – goods – were paid by GTB. Upon completion of clearing and taking delivery of each consignment, Innoson returned the exchange control copies in relation thereto to GTB for onward transmission to CBN, which GTB transmitted to CBN. EFCC discovered in conjunction with NDIC that reconciled and or audited Innoson’s account with GTB that GTB imposed excess and unlawful charges.”

UBA director calls for economic diversification

F

emi Olaloku, Executive Director, Treasury and International Banking, UBA Plc has called on the Federal and State governments to move to diversify the productive base and foreign exchange earnings of the Nigerian economy in order to overcome the challenges brought about by dwindling revenues from crude oil sales.

Olaloku made the call while speaking as one of the panel discussants at the Bloomberg/Nigerian Stock Exchange CEO Roundtable on the Banking and Oil industry.

“Dwindling oil prices around the globe

poses serious challenges to a developing economy like Nigeria, hence the need for government to also consider various diversification options” he said.

Further devaluation of the naira is imminent, this will make the importation of goods into the country more expensive, encourage local manufacturing and inflow of foreign capital according to Olaloku.

He assured that Nigerian banks have been strengthened over the last few years and are now well positioned to fund new opportunities that the country may wish to explore as a result of dwindling oil prices.

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has warned banks to stop keeping revenue accounts for ministries, parastatals and agencies of the federal government.In a circular titled, “Re: Public Sector Revenue Accounts with Deposit Money Banks’, signed by Mr. O .O Idris of the Banking Supervision Department, the CBN said, “We have observed with dismay that most banks are yet to comply fully with the provisions of the circular directing banks to transfer ALL revenue accounts collected on behalf of the Federal Government and its Agencies to CBN account within 24 hours of the value date of such collections with effect from February 28, 2015. Banks are therefore, by this circular, directed to ensure strict compliance with effect from the date of this circular, failing which severe financial and administrative sanctions will be imposed. For emphasis, June 30, 2015 shall be the FINAL deadline. Please be guided accordingly.”

UBA Director calls for Economic Diversification Femi Olaloku, Executive Director, Treasury and International Banking, UBA Plc has called on the Federal and State governments to move to diversify the productive base and foreign exchange earnings of the Nigerian economy in order to overcome the challenges brought about by dwindling revenues from crude oil sales.

Olaloku made the call while speaking as one of the panel discussants at the Bloomberg/ Nigerian Stock Exchange CEO Roundtable on the Banking and Oil industry.

“Dwindling oil prices around the globe poses serious challenges to a developing economy like Nigeria, hence the need for government to also consider various diversification options” he said.

Further devaluation of the naira is imminent, this will make the importation of goods into the country more expensive, encourage local manufacturing and inflow of foreign capital according to Olaloku.

He assured that Nigerian banks have been strengthened over the last few years and are now well positioned to fund new opportunities that the country may wish to explore as a result of dwindling oil prices.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015 — 25

CONVOCATION: From left; Guest Lecturer, immediate past Director (UNIDEP) Senegal, Professor Adebayo Olukoshi; Chairman, Board of Regents Covenant University, Dr. David Oyedepo; his wife, Pastor Faith Oyedepo and former Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof Peter Okebukola, at the 10th Convocation ceremony of Covenant University at the university campus Ota, Ogun State.

Institutions should focus knowledge application, —Webster President

By Dayo Adesulu

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EBSTER University's President, Professor Benjamin Olayinka Akande, a Nigerian-born American citizen has urged decision makers of institutions of higher learning in Nigeria to focus more on application of knowledge and less on theory adding that our curriculum should be adjusted to reflect

On the trail of Covenant varsity's first class graduates PG. 29

REALISTIC UNIVERSITY TUITION: Matters arising (3) PG. 28 C M Y K

this.

“The Nigerian educator sector is strong because it prepares people to succeed in a very difficult situation. What we need to do is improve in it and focus on application and less on theory.’’

According to him, Nigerians

by nature are very industrious and intelligent people who can make the most sweetest from the most bitter lemon adding that the best way to do this is by focusing our attention on education that get to do with application of knowledge.

The Vice-Chancellor, with

more that twenty -five years as a professor and administrator said.’’ What we hear from banks, institutions is that when they hire Nigerian graduates, they know the theory but don’t know how to apply it. So what is missing in our education sector is how do we create a

curriculum shifts theory to application. We are to apply our theory to make decisions in real live situation.

Akande who spoke during the unveiling of Webster MBA in Lagos said that the shift might not be too easy because it will Continues on page 26

Expert blames poor education of challenged children on parents

By Amaka Abayomi

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member of the Committee of Experts of the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Mr. Danlami Basharu, has blamed the declining rate of educating children with disabilities on ignorant parents who see these children as burdens that need to be hidden.

Speaking to Vanguard at the recently held International Conference on Disabilities, Basharu, who is the Director, Anglo Nigerian Welfare Association for the Blind, said with the availability of inclusive schools, there are better

opportunities of educating children with disabilities so as to give them better chances of survival and independence.

His words: “It is really very unfortunate that education for children with disabilities is declining despite the fact that the United Nation’s Convention, in Article Seven,

dwells on the rights of children with disabilities and talks a lot about educating them.

“We need to create more awareness about educating children with disabilities for parents to be aware of the numerous opportunities open to them to bring these children to schools. With the availability

With the availability of inclusive schools, there are better opportunities of educating children with disabilities so as to give them better chances of survival and independence

of inclusive education, parents can actually take their children to any school in Nigeria and these schools are obliged to accept these children and educate them alongside other children. Also, the various education authorities need to also know that these children have the right to go to school.”

Commending government’s efforts at providing inclusive education, Basharu said a lot more still needs to be done by government to ensure that every child with disabilities are educated.

“It is true that government has done considerably well in

Continues on page 26

26 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015

Expert blames poor education of challenged children on parents Continues from page 25

LECTURE: From left; Ayodele Aderinwale, Chairman, Business School Netherlands, Nigeria (BSSN); Taco Westerhuis, First Secretary, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Netherlands Trade & Investment Office Lagos, Johnson Salako, Pioneer student of the MBA and CEO, Mobitel Limited; Lere Baale, Chief Executive, BSNN, during BSN First Alumni Lecture, in Lagos.

Institutions should focus knowledge application Continues from page 25 take commitment from decision makers in institutions of higher learning to make the adjustment.

He averred that if the application of knowledge is introduced in the curriculum, Nigeria in no time will be able to produce the next Bill Gate or Steve Job. According to him, Webster University which has berthed in Ghana is willing to come to Nigeria to provide MBA education.

Akande who lamented the backlog of students who were unable to get admission into university system yearly noted such scenario will form a compounding unemployment.

He said even if the government is willing to employ them, they are unemployable as they don’t have the focus, preparations to go to employment place.

The administration, he urged should focus on dealing with that situation, noting that no country can be viable and relevant without a very strong oriented educational process. ‘’That is a pr-crossroad in creating jobs to innovations and entrepreneurship,’’ he added.

He said:’’Right now the educational system in Nigeria is not moving in the full scale speed it needs to go. We need resources but we also need a re-commitment.

Speaking on the need for drivers of sector to be focus, he advised them to chose a direction to what is important to us? He asked: ‘’It is to prepare students for medicine, entrepreneurship and be great managers, engineers. What kind of focus? If it is engineering, will it be civil or mechanical. Are we focusing on

road construction or on technology? We need to decide where we are going to commit our resources as a country.

Asked why Webster University is not in Nigeria but in Ghana, Akande said it is all about a government being able to open to new ideas that broaden the horizon of its education sector.

According to the President, Webster University which is in different part of the world has not failed in the opportunity to collaborate. His words: Nigeria is the most important and viable market because it has a strong economy and a population base which is very significant. That is why we are going to spend a lot of time in Nigeria.

On why there are no international schools in Nigeria, he said:’’ The process of establishing school in Nigeria is a steep hill to climb.

They don’t make it easy for established US organisations to come to this country. ‘’May be the established universities do not need competitions,

If the application of knowledge is introduced in the curriculum, Nigeria in no time will be able to produce the next Bill Gate or Steve Job

however, there should be some considerations. If Nigeria is going to be relevant, we have to allow other institutions to come in and share their knowledge. What we bring to Nigeria is intellectual property of over an hundred years experience in education that has produced president of Indonesia, that has produced astronauts, captains of industries in the Unite State if America. “ We have done it for over two hundred years and we believe we can do it in Nigeria.

The key point is, does the government enable it for us?

The regulations, processes do not make it happen. I hope the administration of president Buhari will embrace the idea as many international schools want to come to Nigeria.

To actualise the aforementioned goals, he said there need to bring a new established regulation that basically states that we want to welcome other institutions around the world in the country. “ the government has to state clearly the type of programme it needs in Nigeria.

If the criteria is set, I know that we will like to meet them just like we met other countries of the world. If you look around, a very few outside us participate in Nigeria’s education economy. When Webster took its decision with Ghana, it was a bit more comfortable. I am a Nigerian and I will want to see more of American institutions here. It is about access and affordability.

I got a chance of going to America 36 years ago as a son of a Baptist minister. My dad did not have wealth, but America provided education for me and I am were I am today because of an opportunity. I

the area of inclusive education but there are still areas of lapses that need urgent attention.

Areas such as conducive environment, proper and adequate facilities and employment of special teachers need to be addressed to reverse the dwindling trend.

“Most schools lack the right environment and teachers for these children, thereby making parents reluctant to allow their children to go to school. More special teachers are needed to support the regular teachers in inclusive education settings, and it is very unfortunate that majority of the special education teachers that are churned out from universities and colleges of education are not being employed to help train these children.

“It is not too expensive to educate children with disabilities as the only difference is providing the necessary educational

equipment to aid learning. The issue of cost should not come up when it comes to educating them because at the end an educated person with disabilities has better chances of making it in life rather than waiting for someone to assist him eek a living in the streets.

“If education for children with disabilities is handled by specially trained teachers, rather than the regular teachers, more parents would be inclined to send their children with disabilities to school believing that their children would be well attended to.

“There isn’t enough funding for children with disabilities and federal and state government and the Universal Basic Education Commission should provide the necessary education facilities for these children, while efforts should be made to provide transportation to and fro school for those in rural areas if we are really serious about educating them.”

BSN retrains trainers, emphasises action learning for MBA

By Dayo Adesulu

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onsistent with global best practices, Business School Netherlands, Nigeria, has hosted Action Learning Coaching certified by the World Institute of Action Learning (WIAL) at the school for the benefits of its Set Advisors, Mentors and other stakeholders.

The programme which served as a platform to exchange ideas, discuss on how to move forward professionally and achieve an all-round development of the stakeholders, was attended by faculty members including, Set Advisors, Mentors and the Operations Manager of the school.In his presentation,Lere Baale, Chief Executive of Business School Netherlands, Nigeria (BSN)noted that it is in the DNA of the institute to conduct trainings from time to time, saying it provides the opportunity to share most valuable lessonsand insights the MBAs can bring to organisations, especially the Action Learning approach, which leverages critical thinking and evaluation of real trade-offs to solve organisational challenges and create learning organisations.

“Today, not every MBA provider sees ActionLearning as a tool to embrace.Many of them feel uneasy and anxious in going through the rigorous but rewarding process.

Interestingly, here at BSN, we do not have such scenarios. We

go through the process to arrive at implementable solutions to give executives and organisations the requisite boost. This is why this institution incorporated this tutelage into the system,” Baale observed.

Indeed, the lecture created learner-driven environment as there was idea exchange and visioningbetween the mentors and set advisors on the Action Learning concept which recognises that real learning only takes place when the solutionshave been implemented and the results seen.

Confirming the Action Learning process, another speaker, Gideon Ataraire, a renowned learning and development specialist, distinguished the Action Learning practice from other typical problem solving techniques.

“In Action Learning, learning is as important as solving the problem.Everyone is charged with creating the solution.Membership of the action learning is not reserved to experts.Action Learning addresses the problem, not the symptom. Also, it is not a puzzle, it is real problem,” he concluded.

The lecture ended with a call to action, enjoiningother MBAproviders to become certified and form the Nigerian affiliate by having a couple of certified, more action learning coaches as BSN for overall organisational success.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015 — 27

REALISTIC UNIVERSITY TUITION:

Matters arising (3) “Stories abound about sticky-fingered Vice-Chancellors who have made good in the Nigerian fashion. In other words, higher tuition fees may only translate into more resources for the boys.” Professor Kayode Soremekun, NOUN UNIVERSITY, PUNCH, June 2, 2015, p 2.

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BRIEFING: From left: Mr Christian Nwaigwe, Group Managing Director, Sterling Business Network, Mrs. Tiro Ovakporie, Executive Director, SBN, Lagos and Mr. Raymond McMillan, Chief Executive Officer, SBN during a press briefing to teach on entrepreneurship held at Oriental Hotel, Lagos.

Okebukola lists measures for safety in schools

By Tare Youdeowei

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HE Frequency with which on-campus violence and shootings take place is alarming, in Nigerian varsities as cult killings and foreign universities as shootings, stabbings alike.

Dylan Roof planned to kill students in Charleston University before changing his mind to attack a church, the massacres in Virginia Tech in 2007, Northern Illinois University Shooting in 2008 to mention a few, are the cases of on – campus killings that Professor Peter Okebukola,past Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) and current ProChancellor of Crawford University, addressed in his speech Higher Education and Africa’s Future: Doing What is Right which he gave at the th 10 Convocation Distinguished Lecture of Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, where he provided an array of propositions on safety against extremist individuals and groups on campuses in Nigeria and other countries of the world. Excerpts ……

Safety in schools has become a subject of global concern. It is a small animal in the education menagerie with a loud roar! No country is exempted as narratives of

practices and actions which harm members of the schooling community including students, teachers and administrator have rented the airwaves over the last 10 years, at least.

Safety in schools is a human security issue. There are at least three compelling reasons for asserting a focus on safe schools.

Without safe schools, our dream of harnessing the power of education for achieving goals in health, food, employment, environmental, energy security, among a miscellany of other subsets of human security will come to naught. Without safe schools, Education for All will remain a pipedream, so also attainment of post-2015 global development goals. Without safe schools, quality education yearned by all countries of the world will be hindered. The terminal point of the logic is: no

We offer no simple solution to the complex problem of unsafe schools which is rooted in ideological, policy and other contextual factors

safe schools, no future for the world.

How can schools be made safe? We offer no simple solution to the complex problem of unsafe schools which is rooted in ideological, policy and other contextual factors.

The obnoxious and warped ideologies of jihadist groups which abhor schooling, especially of girls and women cannot be demolished by a few trite statements of condemnation. The pervasive use of the Internet has opened a new vista of cyber-bullying by school mates which has led to the death of many youngsters. We can however suggest minimum standards for safe schools to which we implore all African governments and others outside the region, as well as proprietors of schools, to uphold.

Minimum standards for physical and psychological safety are of concern here.

Physical safety standards will include at least seven elements. These are physical screening of the perimeter of the school against intruders with installed and functioning CCTV coverage; all areas within and immediately outside the school are designed with safety in mind; access into the school is controlled and visitors are monitored.

SBN holds entrepreneurship launch tomorrow

I

n its quest to see students, business owners in Nigeria thrive in entrepreneurship, Sterling Business Network,SBN, a professional business network based in the United Kingdom has berthed in Nigeria.

Speaking in Lagos on Tuesday, its Chief Executive Office, Mr Raymond McMillan during a press briefing said: “We are very pleased to announce the

launch of the SBN Lagos Professional Business Network at the prestigious Oriental hotel in Victoria Island tomorrow, Friday at 5pm” He said that the occasion will provides a platform for core groups of professionals to collaborate; working in synergy to generate qualified business referrals and income for members of each branch.

At the launch, he added that participants will have an opportunity to meet and

network with over 200 business owners and professionals from a variety of industries.

SBN is a UK based International Business Networking Group connecting individuals, business owners, investors and Corporations from all sectors/industries with the sole aim of generating more business and revenue globally.

oremekun had been in the university system for years and he should know quite a lot about universities and corrupt practices. However, even if he knows everything, the logic in that statement escapes an objective reader. Is he saying that because “some stickyfingered Vice-Chancellors” looted their universities all VCs are to be indicted and their universities should be starved of funds? If so, this is like saying that since some Pastors steal their churches collection, all collections should be stopped. Since when has guilt-by-association become the basis for deciding a national matter which is basically economic in nature? The following are economic facts which can never be wished away.

First, prices of resources required to run universities generally go up as long as there is inflation. At 5%, prices double in approximately sixteen years; at 10% it comes down to about eight years. Price increases will occur irrespective of whether there is corruption or not. And because universities shop for goods and services, like other organizations, they must generate sufficient revenue to maintain services at a certain standard. When tuition had remained static for over ten years, somebody had been bearing the brunt of the upward spiral of prices. If not, universities deteriorate – as they are doing now.

Second, unless society had decided on free university education, then what we now have is a Public-Private Partnership, PPP, with respect to funding public universities. Under every HONEST partnership, each party must be prepared to pay its own share of the costs of running the organization. If parents/guardians/students, on the one hand had been footing 25% of the bill, they should also be prepared to pay 25% of the increased cost of running the universities.

Third, corrupt practices, which have been occurring since Jacob swindled his father to rob Esau of blessings, are matters calling for strengthening audit procedures. But, even the most honest VC cannot stop prices of vehicles, fuel and air travel, etc or the cost of renovation, from going up. Anybody thinking otherwise is either being selfdeceptive, or, out rightly dishonest.

Fountain-3 techs partners LASG to promote culture among students

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ETERMINED to embolden and sustain Nigeria’s cultural heritage and education, Fountain-3, a business planning, information communication technology company, has announced its strategic partnership with the Lagos State Government to raise culture consciousness among Nigerian students with Culturefest 2015. The event will take place at the Main Hall of the Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture on Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja, in September.

Being the maiden edition, guests will be thrilled by the Lagos Children and Youth, Arts and Cultural Education. Some notable ministries and agencies that have also thrown their weights behind event include the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Lagos State Council for Arts

and Culture (LCAC), the Ministry of Education, and Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LSUBEB) respectively.

Commenting on the motivation behind the Culturefest initiative,the Business Planning Manager, Fountain- 3 Technologies, Mr. Francis Martins disclosed that, “the project is conceived as our quota towards the goal of protecting Nigeria’s culture through education, fun and practical display of skills.

Fountain-3 Technologies is motivated by the belief that our local cultural heritage should not go into extinction but should rather evolve with the advent of globalization as a mixture, retaining salient values for posterity”.

He added that the culturefest programme is a bold step to preserve Nigerian cultural heritage which the patriarchs handed to us.

28 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015

SUCCESS RECIPE WITH UDEME ARCHIBONG successrecipe2009@gmail.com www.worldlightbearersint.com 08035095243

A mind-full of peace in a troubled world A

AWARDS: From left, Godfrey Osakwe of Frima Ltd., Dr. Charles Oseji of Anioma Asso. USA, INC., with Lily Sanya of International Organisation for Migration (IOM) presenting certificate of scholarship to Ine Isioma Lawrence of University of Ibadan.

ERC commiserates with OOU students

By Amaka Abayomi

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HE Education Rights Campaign, Ogun State Chapter, has joined students and staff members of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye to mourn the untimely and unfortunate death of 12 students of the institution in in a fatal accident along the SagamuBenin expressway.

Commiserating with their families for the huge loss that their death means for them, having laboured tirelessly to fund their education, the Acting State Coordinator, Comrade Ayo Ademiluyi, said the gory tale of the fatal

accident in which a truck laden with a container had an head-on collision with the commercial bus in which the students were traveling in is a metaphor for the backward conditions of life in present day Nigeria.

His words: “Despite enormous riches in crude oil, human and mineral resources, Nigeria parades one of the worst and backward transportation systems in the world. If the railways were working, as they should, there would be no need for trucks to be on our roads as haulage for heavy goods, especially across great distances.

“But decades of looting of public wealth by Nigeria’s capitalist ruling elites have reduced us to a nation where the only available means of transportation is by road. To make matters worse, even the roads are, in most cases, filled with potholes and gullies such that they have become deathtraps for vast majority of Nigerians.

“We support all the mass actions that have been undertaken by the students and the demand that all the culprits of the ignoble act be brought to book.

PZ Cussons Foundation renovates classrooms, library at Kogi school

By Tare Youdeowei

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EACHING and learning will now be easier for teachers and students of Okuta Dudu High School at Odo Ere in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, as an NGO, PZ Cussons Foundation recently renovated and handed over a fully furnished block of four classrooms and a library in the school.

This is part of the corporate social responsibility programme of top household products maker, PZ Cussons.

In his address at the handover ceremony, H.E. Executive Governor of Kogi State, represented by the Honourable Commissioner of Culture and Tourism, Barrister David K. Olowomoran expressed great appreciation for the gesture. He thanked the Foundation for taking interest in the educational development of the state and called on other corporate organizations to emulate the gesture.

In his speech, Chairman, PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC and former Minister of Industry, Dr

Kola Jomodu, , extolled the contribution of the company to the Nigerian economy. He said the company has kept faith with the country in good and trying times since it started operation over a century ago, adding that "It will continue to grow and expand its operation and will keep imparting technical and managerial skills on Nigerians.

He enthused that the company will consistently live to its mission of providing goods that will make life better.

In his remarks Member, Board of Trustees of the Foundation, Engr. Tunde Oyelola said the Foundation has executed over 48 projects across the country. He said Kogi State has had its fair share with about 5 projects located at Lokoja, Isanlu and now Ode Ere. He urged the beneficiaries to make the best use of the facilities and maintain them for the use of future generation of students.

COMMISSIONING: Chairman, PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, Chief Kola Jamodu unveiling the plaque to commission the fully furnished block of four classrooms funded by PZ Cussons Foundation at Okuta Dudu High School, Odo Ere, Kogi State.

business executive, fifty years of age was found dead at his desk with a revolver in hand. The note he left behind revealed that tension and exasperation were “driving him mad” and he could stand it no longer, so he simply ended his life. A man left his wife and three children without telling anyone of his departure and whereabouts leaving his jobless wife to fend for his family and he returned about three years later. He left for the apparent reason that he could not shoulder the responsibility of providing for his family and the way he knew to handle the situation was to run from his family.

Everyone has a way of reacting or responding to the frustrations and troubles of life. In many lives peace and happiness are strangers to them.

A calm, serene and peace-full mind commands power and creativity, exercising sound judgment. With peace at the center you can wade off and dissolve crises efficiently from your life. The quality of your well-being hinges on the level of peace of mind you enjoy. Wellness is equated with peacefulness. A mind that knows peace is a life that lives in harmony with its highest values and innermost convictions that are based on correct, universal, timeless and self evident principles. A balanced life eliminates tenseness and floods the mind with peace. Without peace of mind, everything else in life loses value. The enemies of peace of mind are fear, anger, doubt, guilt, resentment and worry. The entrance of stress is the exit of peace. The habitation of negative emotion in the mind eliminates peace. When you detach yourself from negative people, situation and emotions you attach yourself to peace of mind.

To enjoy peace-full mind in a tensed and troubled world, you must pursue and enjoy peace in all your relationships: The start-up of a mind-full of peace is developing and maintaining peace with God. When you are grounded in the knowledge that God loves and accepts you unconditionally; He does not love you more because you are good and He

Take away the rush from your life and run your life with balance and moderation in all things. Ultimately, let go and trust God; maximizing the present and you will have a mind-full of peace in a troubled world does not love you less because you act badly. God’s love is always unchanging. It gives us a reassuring peace and frees us to develop lifestyle that will make God proud of us.

Therefore, God’s peace floods our minds even in the midst of the storms of life.

Developing and maintaining a healthy relationship with self is a vital necessity in possessing a mind-full of peace. I’m in love with the questions Joyce Meyer poses in regards to relationship with self, “Do you enjoy spending time alone?

Can you handle being with yourself or do you always need people and noise to distract you from the way you feel inside?

Are you able to forgive yourself (receiving God’s forgiveness) when you make a mistake? Are you patient with yourself while God is changing you? How much time do you waste feeling guilty and condemned about things in the past? Do you compare yourself with other people and struggle trying to be like them? Do you feel the need to compete with others and try to be good at what they are good at? Do you let the world’s standard of looks and body image become your standard? Or are you able to freely be the precious individual that God created you to be? To be at peace with yourself, you need to love and accept yourself unconditionally.

To have a mind-full of peace, you need to have stress-free relationship with people. You must understand that nobody is perfect, so don’t have unrealistic expectations of others and give allowances to forgive others. You must give people the freedom to be themselves, don’t clone people into your expectations and your own mould. You must encourage, love and accept people unconditionally if you want to have a mindfull of peace.

Practice staying calm and serene by thinking and visualizing peace-full situations. Take away the rush from your life and run your life with balance and moderation in all things.

Ultimately, let go and trust God; maximizing the present and you will have a mind-full of peace in a troubled world.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015 — 29

On the trail of Covenant varsity's first class graduates

By Dayo Adesulu

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HAT'S the noise all about this First Class Honours of a thing? What is so special about these graduates with first class that everybody wants to know them? Many people don’t know that it’s just a lower margin in scores that brings a student down to second class Upper division.” These were the statements of some graduands at the Covenant University, Ota when a Vanguard reporter approached them to help spot out the first class among them for interview. Unfortunately that is one of the many regrets some graduates will live to remember in life.

Covenant University last Friday churned out 1,315 graduates, out of which 104 made first class honours in their respective disciplines.

Similarly, in 2013, out of 1466 graduates, 114 bagged First Class Honours and in 2014, 82 bag First Class degree out of 1,429 that graduated. These numbers of first class graduates have been given concern to many stakeholders in the sector.

Many people are criticizing this academic feat of the institution asking if first class is that easy to obtain? Some critics say, Covenant University has turned first class to pure water, dragging education value on the floor.

“Let them go to federal university, such students with first class will manage to obtain 3rd class.”

“Why can’t they pass JAMB very well to earn them access into Federal University if they really have a first class student brain.

Some describe such degrees as a questionable, adding that those with 3rd class in private university will not graduate at all in federal university.

While some people believe it is the reward of going to a private university, others said it is their money speaking for them arguing that it cannot happen in federal university

where little amount of school fees are paid. “ If Covenant University standard is high, their grading system also should be high,” a student argued.

On the contrary, a respondent said: “the system that produced the first class should be checked by standard practice, once found clean, good, the first class and school should not be criticized.

Anonymous said: “Many people forgot that the school in question is a religious one with high moral standard and academic discipline, high quality facilities and amenities couple with conducive environment with the best teaching and non teaching staff.

“What makes you think first class is that difficult to get? Any university with right environment with the right environment can produce as many first class as possible.

“Go to our federal and state universities and see what is happening there. It is a complete pile of shit. No good infrastructure, nor quality lecturer, some are busy selling handout and intimidating female students. “What shall I more say about strike actions that will keep students at home for a session. How can such students make first class?

Worrisome to note that in some public universities, lecturers boast in class with statements like “the last time we produced a first class student in this faculty was in 1977”. A lecturer once told me in class that “only God could score an A in his course.” How do you expect to see good number of first class graduates in such institutions.

However, in the cause of our interview with nine first class graduates at Covenant University, we discovered a key words ‘hard work, diligence, conducive environment for learning and infrastructure as causative agent to their academic success.

Among the 104 First Class Honours graduates, Mr Oti Ebubechukwu Emmanuel who

Mr. Oti Ebubechukwu Emmanuel emerged overall best student with cumulative GPA of 4.96 in Electrical and Electronics Engineering was a cynosure of all the well wishers.

Oti 22, who haled from Aruchukwu, Abia state, was born into a family of seven where father, mother and other two siblings are scientists.

Oji who noted that he took after his parents in science subjects said, “I am good at Physics and will work towards

People should see education as not only getting a degree but as something that will improve and impact their lives to become change agents in their world

being an inventor in the future.

According to him, during his secondary education at Jephthah Comprehensive Secondary Warri, he made 8As in science subjects including English and Mathematics.

“I made the first class with a lot of sacrifices and hard work, as I always strive to put in my best in everything,” he said.

On his reading pattern, he noted that because test and exams could come at any times you do not plan for, he endeavours to read as much as possible every day.

He advised students to focus on whatever thing they want to do and be their best.

Though, Oti identified God as key to his academic success, he said, “I tried to balance up my social life with academics.

I am a basketballer which I do for leisure, I chat and crack jokes with people and make them happy.”

On his future plans, he said hope to do his masters in electrical engineering either in the US or UK basing his research works between power electronics or robotics.

“I am working to be an inventor and do something worth recognition in academia and win a nobel prize. I like physics a lot.”

Debunking claims that Covenant University students are local champions, Oti during his speech said:

“There have been good testimonies from employers on the intergrity and competence of our students during their internship and interview.

Academically, we have students of petroleum engineering who won the best students paper in Africa and will be representing, covenant University and Nigeria in the United States this years.”

According to him, the core values of Covenant University made students stable academically.

On his part, Okorie Emmanuel with CGPA 4.57 in computer and information science said he got this grade through hard work and Gods hands upon his life. “From my hundred level, I had a determination to emerge first class. “Therefore, I worked towards this academic goals through direct planning, mentorship, advice from those ahead of me and my course adviser who put me through at difficulties times. I succeeded basically through hard work and diligence.

Talking about his reading habits, Okorie structured his reading habit based on his time tables for classes and based on activities engaged in school. His words: “I always have time table for my classes and study hours which helped me complete my note before and after classes, so I dont get a bulk of note at the end of the day.

“I read approximately five to six hours a day. I studied my lectures to know what they want and exactly what they need. I also endeavour to read ahead the class. I go to the library to get materials that made me understand the course so that no matter what I am ask to deliver, I always have the answers.

“People should see education as not only just getting a degree but as something that will improve and impact their lives and become change agents in their world.

In the future, I hope to take my course further to the professorate level to be a professor of psychology at the end of the day.

Meanwhile, Miss Okeke Amarachukwu Stephnie 19, who also graduated CGPA 4.69 from the department of information and computer sciences said she between six hours everyday.

She said: “My reading habit was pretty serious because I mostly read at night from 12 midnight to 4am and two hours during the day. The technics she adopted was to first study, write, read again and reverse. She urged students to always put their heart and mind on what they want to do and believe that they can always do it no matter the course.

30— Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015

RESEARCH & DEVT

We made vehicle body parts from agric wastes —Okonkwo Because of their lightweight, plastics are being increasingly used in body structures and in engines.”

If Nigeria cannot manufacture the whole vehicle, it can at least produce some parts using its abundant natural resources.

By Ebele Orakpo

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SE what you have to get what you want, is a popular phrase among women of easy virtue but in recent times, the phrase has been given a positive connotation in Nigeria. At the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, a lecturer in the Mechanical Engineering Department, Dr Ugochukwu Okonkwo, led his students to build various car body components from agricultural wastes as part of their course requirements. They used raw materials such as cashew nut shell liquid, resin reinforced with palm fruit bunch refuse fibres etc. In this chat with Vanguard Learning, Okonkwo who is also the Deputy Chairman, University/Industry Research Committee, speaks on the project.

Excerpts: The problem: The car industry uses materials such as iron, aluminium, copper, steel, plastic steel, glass, rubber, petroleum products etc., to build cars. Most of the weight of vehicles comes from steel.

According to a report in Financial Week, 'in 2007, the average car contained about 1,090kg of steel, and the average pickup truck or SUV used nearly

•Dr. Ugochukwu Okonkwo 1,360kg of steel. Most cars now weigh around 1,360kg, and most SUVs weigh around 1,810kg. Apart from the cost, weight of vehicles and the problems associated with it, the fact is that Nigeria is still struggling with its steel manufacturing plant and is not yet producing iron and aluminium in large quantities, hence, the need for viable alternatives. Today, most door beams, exhausts, roofs and body panels are made of steel.

Also, a report by the American Chemistry Council says that plastics make up about 50 per cent of the construction of new cars today because “plastics are durable, cheap and can be turned into just about anything.

Dashboards, gauges, dials, switches, air conditioner vents, door handles, floor mats, seat belts, airbags, etc., are all made from different types of plastics.

Solution: According to Engr. Okonkwo, "the need to reduce the weight of vehicles because of the problems and costs associated with it, led us to find alternative, more sustainable materials. This will also reduce the cost of fuelling.

“We utilised available resources like palm bunch fibre, coconut fibre, cashew nut shell liquid and some other fibres to produce car body parts.”

Products: “We are not only considering the design of the aesthetics, we are also involved in designing the aerodynamics of the vehicle in question. We have produced bonnet/hood, front and rear bumpers, fenders/side panels and car doors. We are also making it really scientific, optimising the production processes using well advanced scientific methods in optimising the variables because when you talk of fibre orientation, you talk of fibre size, length and some other variables that may need

to be tinkered around to get the optimum that will give the best result.

“We are using response surface methodology, we used Taguchi methodology in our designing processes and we have gotten some good results after carrying out mechanical tests like flexural, tensile, energy absorption tests and so on, and we are getting good results that are comparable to what we have now in the market and having the advantage of sourcing it locally is a plus.”

Raw materials/ method: Palm fruit bunch refuse fibres were used as reinforcement in some of the parts while woven

We utilised available resources like palm bunch fibre, coconut fibre, cashew nut shell liquid to produce car body parts

raven glass fibres were used in others. Cashew nut shell liquid was used as resin in some while in others, polyester was used.

The preparation of the fibre/ reinforcement and the resin which includes extraction, processing, treatment, characterization, design, fabrication etc., were carried out. Static mechanical properties of the composites such as tensile, flexural, electrical and heat conductivity and water absorption tests were carried out.

The work exploits the potentials of the abundant resources from plant wastes for use as fibres in reinforced composites. It also identified various independent variables like fibre content, fibre size, fibre orientation; fibre treatment that can impact on the desired dependent variables.

“Hence, optimization of targeted properties can easily be carried out using well designed experiments like response surface methodology or Taguchi method,” he said, adding that they hope the study will “open the way for future investigations in the use of various fibres that we have in abundance and the potential application widened.”

•Some of the vehicle parts on display

700 Babcock varsity graduates drilled on how to get jobs

By Ikenna Asomba

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ONCERNED over the nation’s ravaging graduate unemployment, MrsCEOnaija.com, a unique female empowerment blog, in collaboration with Bestman Games, foremost African games company and the African distributor of customised editions of

C M Y K

Monopoly, have empowered no fewer than 700 female graduating students of Babcock University (BU), IlisanRemo, Ogun State, on best ways to get a job and build a career after school.

Tagged: After Graduation What Next?

It’s Limited Opportunities, the exercise which held in the school’s hall, saw various career counsellors

interact with the female graduands on various topics including identifying life purpose, mastering how to get a job and build a career, building their own business empires and achieving personal finance mastery.

Eminent career counsellors who spoke at the event include the Founder/Chief Executive Officer, Bestman Games,

Mrs Nimi Akinkugbe; Managing Director, Future Software Resources Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Nkemdilim Begho; Commercial Director, House of Tara International, Ms. Ada Iwugo, representative of Jobberman, Mr. Jaiyeola David among others. This is even as MrsCEOnaija.com unveiled its Mrsceonaija’s

Entrepreneurs Starter Kit (MESK) at the event.

Highlights of the event were special packages given the female graduands by partners and sponsors. The lead sponsor, Diamond Woman introduced to them its online platform that offers access to information, networking with other women and access to funds; Bestman Games presented them with the City of Lagos Monopoly boards and copies of the “A to Z” of Personal Finance book authored by Mrs Akinkugbe, while WECHAT team gave graduands already using their apps more gifts and registered new users on the app.

Also, United Capital Asset Management was on ground to enlighten the graduands on investment, asset management and security trading, even as FBN Capital, Jobberman, Future Software Resources Nigeria Limited, Hesey Designs among others, graced the occasion to promote the MESK initiative.

Speaking at the event, Tolu Adedeji of Mrsceonaija.com said MESK is an initiative introduced to empower women through free trainings, internships and skills acquisition.

“The idea is to show women how to fish instead of handing them fishes.

Our goal is to train 500 females in a year, so, we are so excited because we have some corporate partners already on board that have volunteered to give free trainings. We are calling on more corporate organisations and established businesses to volunteer to train at least one female in a year.”

On her part, the Founder/CEO, Bestman Games, Mrs Nimi Akinkugbe, who tasked the female graduands to tap into their innate potentials when the jobs are not forthcoming after school said: “There are several jobs you can create for yourselves after school when you discover you are yet to get a paid job."

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015 — 31

NLC bids to engage Buhari's govt on economy STORIES BY FUNMI KOMOLAFE

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RESIDENT of a faction of the NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba led workers’ delegation to the just concluded 104th session conference of the International Labour Organisation held in Geneva, Switzerland.

Wabba spoke on domestic and international issues at the occasion, which forms the focus of this week’s Labour Watch.

Wabba began by commending the Director- General of the International Labour Organization (IL0) and indeed the organization for its position on issues critical to employers, government and workers.

In particular, he said: “We take extra note of the robust and tireless efforts of the governing body to ensure that the work and direction of the Committee on Application of Standards is neither truncated nor derailed by the acrimonious wrangling on the issue of the mandate of the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations with respect to the interpretation of Convention 87 in relation to the right to strike.”

The issue of the right to strike vis-a-vis the employers' rights has been a contentious issue at the ILO but Wabba remains optimistic, saying “ we are confident that ultimately, reasonableness will prevail in a way that will guarantee the enjoyment of this fundamental right by workers.”

He also spoke on domestic issues such as child labour and general insecurity as it affects children.

Wabba said: “Nigerian workers join the ILO Director-General in congratulating the 2014 Nobel Peace laureates — Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousefzai as their efforts in championing the rights of children have contributed in no small way to inspiring many and equally led to positive changes in policies, programmes and practices by state and non-state actors in the promotion of children’s rights.”

In spite of these efforts, the labour leader said, “it is still far from uhuru for the many children across the world that are engaged in child labour, trafficked into servitude, sexually-abused, as well as conscripted as child soldiers

•Ayubba Wabba into the many armed conflicts around the world.”

He reminded the conference that 200 young girls abducted in Chibok, Borno state of Nigeria over a year ago, are still being held by their abductors.

Secuity Challenge The labour leader attributed the prevailing insecurity and its attendant challenges especially as it affects children, to “the intensification of endemic poverty, bourgeoning unemployment — worst amongst youth; frustrating and depressed wage regimes; while near-absence of social protection floors have combined to exacerbate the plight of the child. The situation in Nigeria is manifestly grave, occasioned by the Boko Haram insurgency and demands global attention.”

Expressing his belief that Africa, indeed the world can tackle poverty, Wabba said: “Just as our illustrious son, Nelson Mandela, noted that poverty can be undone as it is man-made, we are convinced that these threats to the development and well-being of children all over the world can be arrested through genuine and pragmatic collective

•President Buhari actions.”

Social Dialogue The labour leader used the opportunity of his address to seek the ILO’s assistance in promoting social dialogue in Nigeria. Social dialogue, if sincerely embraced, enables social partners to manage areas of conflict better.

It was therefore not surprising when he said that “ we therefore wish to request the ILO to avail the new Nigerian government the necessary technical and institutional support to revive social dialogue in the country.

"Nigeria’s organised labour commits to genuine participation in the revival of

We therefore wish to request the ILO to avail the new Nigerian government the necessary technical and institutional support to revive social dialogue in the country

social dialogue as we are eager to discuss issues of job creation, migration management, social protection floors implementation and the broader issues around the structural transformation of the Nigerian economy.

Wabba added that the Nigerian labour movement welcomes “the announcement by the Director-General that a global commission will be put in place to look at issues within the world of work and the report of which will serve as the document for debate during the centenary celebration of this institution.

"We therefore want to note some issues that could contribute to the terms of reference for the commission.

They include ending Illicit Financial Flows (IFF); a secure and effective public service for developing economies; security and safety at work places and communities, as well as broad and wholistic migration management.”

Corruption in Africa The labour leader’s address did not end without a word on corruption, especially as it affects African countries.

He told the conference: “For Africa, it is a serious issue that the “Mbeki Panel Report on IFF” indicates that a conservative figure of $60 billion leaves Africa annually through tax avoidance and tax dodging activities. Such criminal leakage if effectively plugged will contribute to internal revenue mobilization that will increase social spending.”

In his opinion, “violent conflicts, particularly the ones from the rise of terror and endless civil war are real threats to the global human community as over time, nowhere and no one is safe, even the chances to grow and share prosperity cannot be guaranteed. We must all rise up to take collective and decisive actions to defeat terror

and war. “ Since the ILO could not have met without discussing industrialization and the world of work, the NLC leader has a word on it.

He put it this way: “For Africa, industrialization is an ambition we hold as the thrust of our structural transformation agenda. The state and the public service have immense roles to play. We note the roles these institutions played and will still play in the advanced economies of today.

Thus we are convinced that we should have the same ladder firmly against the wall in our climb to transformation.”

Migration This is a current issue which the international community has been grappling with.

President Muhammadu Buhari in his address at the African Union Summit noted that African was losing her youths migrating to Europe to avoidable death on the seas. He said Africa needs to embrace good governance to stop the trend.

Just as President Buhari is concerned about migration and its attendant loss of lives,the NLC leader said, “the current desperate migration phenomenon is of serious concern. Push and pull factors that trigger and sustain involuntary migration will have to be genuinely addressed by sending, transit and receiving countries, as well as other development and finance institutions. The global commission is indeed, in our consideration, a good space to interrogate these issues further.”

Not a few Nigerian seeking desperate ways of migrating to Europe have either been killed or drowned at sea.

Nigeria was represented at the 104th International Labour Conference of the ILO by a delegation of government, employers and workers.

Nigeria to work with ILO on unemployment

T

he Federal Government is ready to work with the Inter national Labour Organization to beef up its employment creation strategies, social security and productivity improvement initiative aimed at promoting the Decent Work Agenda in Nigeria. Government's views were expressed by permanent secretary, Dr. Clement Illoh who led Nigeria's delegation to the 104th session of the International Labour Organization held in Geneva, Switzerland.

Labour Ministry's Deputy Direc-

tor of Press, Mr. Sam Olowookere who was familiar with the meeting quoted Dr. Clement Illoh as saying “Nigeria with a high youthful population and facing the challenges of unemployment, looks forward to participating at all fora for discussion of this Report. This is with a view to strengthening our various on-going employment creation, social security and productivity improvement initiatives for promoting decent work for our labour force”.

The permanent secretary said Nigeria endorsed the on-going repositioning of the ILO, saying that the he believes it will make the organisation more relevant to the

aspirations and ever increasing needs of member states especially in the years ahead. In the words of Dr. Illoh, “Nigeria endorses the on-going repositioning of the ILO. This will make it more relevant to the aspirations and ever increasing needs of member states mostly in the years ahead. We agree that the future of Work Centenary initiative is an appropriate choice of direction. We are also keenly interested in the other thematic areas of the report as they provide critical opportunities for assessing the ILO in the achievement of its objectives.”

32—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015

The quest to rebuild NANS: A tribute to Emma Ezeazu

Civil service and governance in Nigeria: Issues and possible solutions

By Ladipo Adamolekun

By Lanre Arogundade

I

U

PON learning about the unfortunate demise of Emma Ezeazu, I wrote on my facebook wall on May 18, 2015 as follows: “The news of the death of Emma Ezeazu, NANS President in 1986 is saddening and shocking. Emma’s presidency witnessed the continuation of mass students’ resistance to education commercialization and violation of students’ rights. He played his part when it mattered. May his soul rest in peace”.

In addition to the above, I am pleased to contribute the following piece in honour of his memory being an updated version of a paper originally presented at a lecture organized by the Students’ Union of Michael Otedola College of Primary Education, Epe, Lagos State, on Friday, October 31, 2014.

History of students unionism Historically, Nigerian students have staged major interventions and played critical roles in many of the important struggles that have one way or the other shaped the destiny of this nation. In the colonial era for example, Nigerian students as members and co-leaders of the West African Students Union (WASU), lined up behind the nationalists to demand independence for Nigeria and other countries in the sub-region.

In the immediate post-independence period in 1962, Nigerian students organized under the umbrella of the National Union of Nigeria Students (NUNS), protested against the then proposed Anglo-Nigerian Defense Pact which would have made Nigeria a military satellite of its erstwhile colonial master Britain.

The many struggles By 1978 NUNS had to pick the gauntlet

Late Emma Ezeazu and health care, introduction of the Structural Adjustment Policy (SAP), denial of the political right of the people, attacks on fundamental rights and press freedom, attacks on the right to independent students unionism, attacks on workers and trade union rights, the annulment of the June 12 elections, etc.

Democracy, however, pre-supposes many things: that life would be much better for ordinary citizens especially as the country is abundantly endowed with vast natural and human resources; that the rights of students, workers etc would be respected; that ordinary working peoples would be able to come together, form political parties and contest for power without the encumbrance of costly registration fees and other obstacles designed to favour only the parties of the millionaires; that education and health care would be easily affordable; that there would be good roads and other public infrastructure etc.

If we make an honest assessment of the state of the nation since 1999, these vital

ingredients o f There is a very urgent against the military democracy regime of General need for the student are largely O l u s e g u n missing and Obasanjo which movement to be rebuilt. in some had decided to One way to do this is for instances commercialize Nigerians education by students to begin to are actually introducing and worse off. organize from below to increasing tuition Doctors and fees in Nigerian reclaim their unions and other health Universities. That workers struggle is what is NANS from rightwing h a v e famously referred leaders repeatedly to as Ali-must-Go, gone on since the then F e d e r a l Commissioner for Education is General strike making the same demand for Ahmadu Ali, one of the recent chairmen of adequate funding to enable accessible and affordable health care delivery system; the Peoples Democratic Party.

Under the civilian regime of Shehu Teachers have repeatedly gone on strike Shagari from 1979 to 1983, Nigerian making the same demand for adequate students, now under the umbrella of funding to make education affordable and National Association of Nigeria Students accessible to the poor; students, as was (NANS) and armed with a NANS Charter recently the case at LASU, OOU, OAU of Demands, consistently protested mis- etc have staged protests and governance characterized by outright demonstrations against increase in fees; looting of the treasury as well as the publicly owned institutions have been imposition of anti-peoples austerity repeatedly privatized or commercialized measures like the preceding Obasanjo and sold to private individuals or entities with the attendant increase in prices as it regime.

The Buhari-Idiagbon coup of December is happening to electricity and job losses; 1983 marked the return of the era of pensioners are repeatedly protesting and prolonged military rule that spanned up dying as a result of non-payment of to sixteen years. As a NANS President their pensions, etc. during the period one could testify to the To be continued fact that the cumulative struggles of the period contributed to the eventual collapse Lanre Arogundade, NANS President, of the military and the return of civil rule 1984 and member, Democratic Socialist in 1999; hence, the common refrain that Movement, DSM presented this piece at Nigeria is now under a democracy. the colloquium in honour of Emma The struggles were waged against Ezeazu, NANS President 1986, by the corruption, anti-peoples capitalist policies Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abuja including commercialization of education on Monday June 29, 2015.

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WOULD like to congratulate Dr. Goke Adegoroye on the publication of his compendium in two volumes: Governance in Nigeria, Vol. 1 - The Civil Service Pathway and Vol. 2 - Leadership and Political Will. Through this book and his memoirs, Beyond Yours Faithfully (published in 2010), he has followed the footsteps of some retired higher civil servants at the regional/state and federal levels who have published books that have contributed to our understanding of the work of administration in Nigeria.

Adegoroye’s compendium is sharply focused on the machinery of government at the federal level with attention to both the structuring and staffing of the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of the civil service in particular and the broader public service (federal government agencies and parastatals) in general.

Following conceptual definitional clarifications of state, nation and bureaucracy (public/civil service) at the beginning of Volume 1 (The Civil Service Pathway), Adegoroye asserts correctly that the civil service is a governance institution.

Then, he proceeds to discuss the governance challenges for the civil service, including the functioning of civil servants in a constitutional democracy, effective coordination of the work of administration across MDAs, capacity challenge and integrity challenge. He also summarises the specific roles of civil servants in governance. These include: the workforce of government, the brain-box and institutional memory of the public sector, the bridge across administrations, and the guardian of public interest Shortcomings in existing structure of MDAs He lays out with admirable clarity the shortcomings in the existing structure of MDAs and the assignment of ministerial portfolios and points up the key issues that need to be addressed. Regarding possible solutions, he draws on his extensive insider knowledge and familiarity with international good practices to recommend a maximum of 18 ministries.

Strikingly, his recommendation is close to the 19 that President Buhari’s Transition Committee is reported to have recommended. The modifications he has proposed for strengthening and streamlining the administrative support for the president are sensible and deserve the attention of the Buhari administration. But I do not think Nigeria needs an Office of the First Lady (Chapter 15 of Vol. 1). I belong to the school of thought that would like the role of Nigeria’s First Lady to revert to what it was before the aberration of the Babangida military presidency.

Adegoroye devotes many chapters of Volume 1 and one of the two chapters in Volume 2 to the staffing and quality of the civil service at its upper stratum (directors, directors-general, and permanent secretaries) and the appointment as well as the functions of the leaders of the central human resources coordination offices – Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) and the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC).

He provides strong evidence of poor human resources management, especially as it affects career progression through the directorate levels to the permanent secretary level. Unsurprisingly, a critical dimension to the poor quality of the civil service that he identifies is the problem of pervasive corruption, including collusion between higher civil servants and their political masters (ministers) in

Dr. Goke Adegoroye mismanaging the budgets of MDAs. Appointment of permanent secretaries On the appointment of permanent secretaries (PSs), Adegoroye uses some illustrative cases to buttress his assertion that the merit principle is subordinated to patronage considerations, ethnicity and concern for state quotas that has favoured “transferees”, that is, officials who transferred from state civil services and federal prastatals to the civil service, especially since 1999. Evidence that the deployment of PSs is rarely related to their competence, cognate experience and seniority is the frequency of their posting during the last decade: a PS spends an average of 12 months in a ministry before he/she is deployed to another. This means that a minister who served the full fouryear tenure of the immediate past president would have had to adjust to four different permanent secretaries. The record known to this reviewer is a PS who, in 24 months, has worked in five MDAs! Has the dysfunction in the federal civil service reached this astonishing level?

Unfortunately, the federal civil service also had seven heads between 2007 and 2014, that is, an average of 12-month tenure for each. Because the head of the civil service has the primary responsibility for the deployment (posting) of permanent secretaries to MDAs, the short tenure of each is the major explanation for the rapid turn-over of PSs and the negative consequences highlighted above.

Furthermore, the limited results recorded by reform efforts aimed at improving performance in the civil service during the period is also due, in large part, to the inability of a succession of short-term heads with varying capabilities (summarised in fascinating pen-portraits in the book) to provide effective leadership.

Adegoroye would like the presidential appointment of PSs, Head of Service and chief executive officers of agencies, parastatals and corporations to involve prior screening by a Federal Public Service Council to be established by an Act. Notwithstanding some sound arguments he adduces to support this recommendation, utmost attention to the knowledge, experience and integrity of persons appointed as Head of Service (and I would add a four-year tenure, coterminous with that of a president) and the chair and members of the FCSC would be an effective solution.

To be continued

Ladipo Adamolekun is a Professor of Public Administration, a former Dean of the Faculty of Administration at the Obafemi Awolowo University and a former Lead Public Sector Management Specialist at the World Bank. He is currently an Independent Scholar.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015 — 33

34—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015

There’ll be quick dispensation of justice, if... — Ogwemoh Ogwemoh S ylva Ogwemoh SAN is a Panel Member of the Kigali International Arbitration Centre (KIAC), Rwanda, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, United Kingdom and member of the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA African Users’ Council).

Among others, he is also a member of the Lagos Court of Arbitration, Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria and the Negotiation and Conflict Management Group. In this interview he spoke on the delay in justice delivery, how new guidelines for appointment would improve quality of Judges and his recent landmark case. Excerpts:

By BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

S

ome lawyers have argued that judges encourage delay in justice delivery, what is your position?

If remuneration was simply based on number of cases handled, Judges would sit up and ensure quick dispensation of justice. Lawyers on the other side who would be aware that cases would proceed to hearing on fixed dates would also sit up and be prepared to conduct their cases. This is what obtains in some other jurisdictions.

Do you think the new guidelines for appointment of Judges would help to improve on the quality of Judges who sit in our Courts?

By the new guidelines for appointment of Judges, a candidate for appointment will have to be interviewed to assess his competence and knowledge of the law. If such a candidate is found not to be competent he is promptly asked to step aside.

What this means is that the new system will help to improve on the quality of Judges who sit in our Courts.

Quite a number of our Judges are very good, sound in law, hardworking and committed to duty. Sound knowledge of the law is a requirement for appointment as a Judge. The duty of the Judge is to dispense justice by applying the law to the facts presented before the Court.

Having been elevated to the rank of senior advocate in 2014, can you share one of your landmark cases?

Most recent of such cases is CHARGE NO: ID/154C/2011- Federal Republic of Nigeria V. Francis Atuche, Elizabeth Atuche and Ugo Anyanwu.

The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Defendants were arraigned before Justice L. A. Okunnu of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja on June 8, 2011, on a 27 Count Charge

relating to certain Loans that were granted by Bank PHB Plc to some of its customers.

The 3rd Defendant was the Chief Financial Officer of Bank PHB Plc (now Keystone Bank Limited) and charged along with the 1st Defendant who was the Managing Director of Bank PHB Plc and his wife as 2nd Defendant.

In a nutshell, the Defendants were alleged to have conspired and stole N84,212,500,000.00 (Eighty-Four Billion, Two Hundred and Twelve Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira only) being the property of Bank PHB Plc (now Keystone Bank Limited), thereby causing the same to be fraudulently described as loans to some of its customers and allegedly converted the said sums for their personal use.

The Defendants were granted bail pending the trial of the charges against them on certain terms, which they diligently complied with until June 22, 2015 when the 27 count charges were

If remuneration was simply based on number of cases handled, Judges would sit up and ensure quick dispensation of justice. Lawyers on the other side who would be aware that cases would proceed to hearing on fixed dates would also sit up and be prepared to conduct their cases

Experts advocate e-waste laws in West Africa —Pg 36 C M Y K

•Sylva Ogwemoh SAN quashed for lack of jurisdiction of the Lagos State High Court to hear and determine the said charges against them.

Can you shed more light on how the charges against the Defendants were quashed for lack of jurisdiction of the Lagos State High Court?

Trial commenced on July 5, 2011, with the Prosecution (EFCC) calling 18 witnesses through whom 272 documentary exhibits were tendered and admitted by the Court.

The Prosecution closed its case on March 4, 2013. Following the close of the Prosecution’s case, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Defendants respectively indicated their intention to make a no-case submission before the Court on the ground that the Prosecution failed woefully to disclose a prima facie case against them that would empower the Court to continue plenary trial against them.

The Defendants brought the no-case submission pursuant to Section 239(1) and (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State, 2011 (ACJL).

They painstakingly analyzed the evidence of the Prosecution witnesses with a view to demonstrating to the Court with the greatest respect that the Prosecution failed to make a case against them worthy of enabling the

Significance of Professor Azinge appointment as member of Commonwealth Arbitral Tribunal —Pg 37

Court to proceed to the hearing of the 27 count charges against them.

On July 1, 2013, the Court dismissed the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Defendants’ applications on the ground that the Prosecution disclosed a prima facie case against them and directed the Defendants to open their defence on July 17, 2013.

The Court in its judgment said the decision of the Court of Appeal in Okey Nwosu’s case was to be followed, what would you say about that?

1st and 2nd Defendants opened their defence with them calling 14 witnesses through whom 112 documentary exhibits were tendered and admitted by the Court.

The defences of the 1st and 2nd Defendants were in progress when on November 21, 2013 the Court of Appeal, Lagos Judicial Division, in Appeal No. CA/L/601/2011 – Okey Nwosu v. Federal Republic of Nigeria and 3 Ors delivered a judgment that Federal High Court has the jurisdiction to entertain the criminal charge against the Appellant and not Lagos State High Court.

The Court of Appeal in its judgment struck out the Information preferred against the Appellant at the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja.

The facts in Appeal No. CA/L/601/2011 – Okey Nwosu v. Federal Republic of Nigeria and 3 Ors; and Charge No. ID/ 154C/2011 – Mr. Francis Atuche and 2 Ors are substantially the same. The subject matter in both cases revolves

Continues on page 35

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015 — 35

New appointment guidelines'll improve quality of judges Continues from page 34 around the issue of share acquisition, i.e. control of capital issue. The control of capital issue is Item 12 on the Exclusive Legislative List of the 1999 Constitution (as Amended) and the same is exclusive to the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court by virtue of Section 251(1)(s) of the 1999 Constitution (as Amended) and Section 7(3) of the Federal High Court Act, Cap F12, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Therefore, following the Judgment of the Court of Appeal, Lagos Judicial Division in Appeal No. CA/L/ 601/2011 – Okey Nwosu v.

Federal Republic of Nigeria and 3 Ors, the 1st Defendant and 2nd Defendant respectively on November 27, 2013 challenged the jurisdiction of the Lagos State High Court to hear and determine the Amended Information dated June 1, 2011 preferred against the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Defendants.

T

he applications of the Defendants challenging the jurisdiction of the Lagos State High Court to hear and determine the case came up before which judge?

The applications of the 1st and 2nd Defendants came up before Justice L. A. Okunnu of the Lagos State High Court, and she failed to hear and determine the applications on their merits and dismissed the said applications.

The 1st and 2nd Defendants, being dissatisfied with the decision of Justice L. A. Okunnu appealed to the Court of Appeal, Lagos Judicial Division in Appeal No.CA/L/ 1082/2013 – Elizabeth Atuche v. Federal Republic of Nigeria and Appeal No.CA/L/1083/ 2013 – Mr. Francis Atuche v.

Federal Republic of Nigeria.

On July 17, 2014 the Court of Appeal in its Judgment in Appeal No.CA/L/1082/2013 and CA/L/1083/2013

EDITORIAL TEAM Innocent Anaba ( Head) Wahab Abdulah Ikechukwu Nnochiri Dayo Benson (Supervising Editor) 08056180119 dayobenson@yahoo.com

C M Y K

On the said, when the 1st and 2nd Defendants’ applications dated November 27, 2013 came up for Ruling, the Prosecution informed the Court that they had filed an application dated April 2, 2015 urging the Court to adjourn its Ruling on 1st and 2nd Defendants’ applications predicated on Appeal No. CA/ L/601/2011 – Okey Nwosu v.

Federal Republic of Nigeria and 3 Ors pending the outcome of the Supreme Court’s decision in Appeal No. SC/74/ 2014 – Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Okey Nwosu.

I

•Sylva Ogwemoh SAN specifically ordered the 1st and 2nd Defendants’ applications dated November 27, 2013 to be remitted to the Chief Judge of Lagos State High Court for ‘an accelerated hearing on merit by another Judge of the Lagos State High.

Did the Chief Judge of Lagos State assign the case file to another judge for an accelerated hearing?

In compliance with the Judgment of the Court of Appeal, the Chief Judge of Lagos State High Court assigned the case file to Justice L. B. Lawal-Akapo to expeditiously hear and determine the 1st and 2nd Defendants’ application on the merit.

The 1st and 2nd Defendants’ applications dated November 27, 2013 came up for hearing on the merit before Justice Lawal-Akapo on October 29, 2014 and the Ruling of the Court reserved for November 26, 2014, which was not ready on the same date and subsequently on December 10, 2013 and January 13, 2014.

On March 2, 2015, the 1st and 2nd Defendants’ applications dated November 27, 2013 was reheard because of Section 294(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as Amended), that mandates every Court to deliver its decisions or rulings not later than ninety days after conclusion of evidence. The Court adjourned its Ruling to April13, 2015.

By the new guidelines for appointment of Judges, a candidate for appointment will have to be interviewed to assess his competence and knowledge of the law

n your own view, is the application filed by the Prosecution known to law?

The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Defendants opposed the Prosecution’s application dated April 2, 2014 by filing counteraffidavits respectively. The Court heard the Prosecution’s application on April 22, 2015 and May 18, 2015 and adjourned the Ruling on the Prosecution’s application to June, 2015, which was not ready on that date.

The crux of the 3rd Defendant’s opposition as argued by me, in addition to the 3rd Defendant’s CounterAffidavit, were that the Prosecution’s application lacked merit and is unknown to law and would tamper with the Court’s freedom and independence to determine causes and matters before it within a reasonable time as envisaged under Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as Amended).

I submitted that the sole reason for the Prosecution’s application was because of the Appeal to the Supreme Court against the Court of Appeal decision in Okey Nowsu’s case and the duty of the Court is to apply the law as it is today not at it would be tomorrow.

I further submitted that under the doctrine of stare decisis, the Lagos State High Court is bound to follow the Court of Appeal decision in Okey

Nwosu’s case without question and exercise of judicial discretion has not place at all under the doctrine of stare decisis.

In my view, the Prosecution’s application was urging the Lagos State High Court to ignore the present state of the law as established in Okey Nwosu’s case and adjourn its Ruling sine die and it is mandatory for the Lagos State High Court to follow the decision of the Court of Appeal in Okey Nwosu’s case and nothing more.

I referred to the Supreme Court cases of DINGYADI V. INEC (2011) 10 NWLR (PT.1255) 347 AT 402 AND AMAECHI V. INEC (2008) 5 NWLR (PT.1080) 227 AT 379380).

In my further submissions, I urged the Court not to consider the Notice of Appeal in Appeal No. SC/74/2014 – Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Okey Nwosu; and the Letters of the Appellant and Respondent in Appeal No. SC/74/2014 – Federal Republic of Nigeria v.

Okey Nwosu addressed to Chief Justice of Nigeria attached to the Prosecution’s application; since they are public documents which only the Certified True Copies are admissible before the Court.

I then referred the Court to the Supreme Court case of AL AMIEYESEIGHA V. FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA (2006) 16 NWLR (PT.1004) 1 AT 70, 103 & 106.

I finally argued that the Prosecution had not presented any evidence before the Court showing that briefs of argument have been filed and a date fixed for the hearing of the appeal in Appeal No. SC/ 74/2014 – Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Okey Nwosu and the Lagos State High Court cannot therefore wait for Supreme Court in perpetuity before performing its constitutional duty when the position of the law on the case before the Court has been settled by a superior Court.

36 — VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015

NBA, Lagos Branch holds Law Week/Award Night

Experts advocate e-waste laws in West Africa

By DAYO BENSON

A

bsence of electronic wastes laws and regulatory frame work in West Africa have been attributed to the indiscriminate dumping 0f e-wastes in the subregion. This was the view of experts who spoke at a Round Table on Ewaste Regulation in West Africa organised by the Nigerian Institute 0f Advanced Legal Studies NIALS, University of Lagos Campus.

In his introductory speech, NIALS Director General, Prof. Adedeji Adekunle, represented by Director of studies Prof. Mrs Animi Awah, said used electrical and electronic equipment which were valuable to socio-economic development also brought about large volumes of electronic waste popularly called e-waste.

According to him “used electrical and electronic eqipment although valuable to socio-economic development as some businesses including cybercafes and educational institutions depend on imported second hand product for their activities, this development however has brought about large volumes of electronic waste popularly called (E-waste) or Waste Electrical and electronic Equipment (WEEE) “ He also said E- waste is the fastest growing sector of the municipal waste stream pointing out that its improper handling could be harmful to the environment and human health due to its toxic components. He stated that e-waste comprises 5% of the total solid waste stream worlwide but that there seems to be weak enforcement of the law applicable to ewaste disposal in West Africa.

“There seems to be weak enforcement of the law applicable to the disposal and the recycling of e-waste in West African countries” He added.

Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Oladele Osibanjo, of Basel Convention Cocoordinating Centre, University of Ibadan who discovered the Toxic waste dump in Koko, Delta State in 1988 noted that most of the imported second hand computers

were almost at the end of their life cycle adding that burnt copper wire from such computers could cause cancer. He pointed out that electronic waste would become hazardous when the components were broken down. He however observed that absence of e-waste law in Africa was responsible for its dumping in the continent “The only law in Nigeria regulating ewaste is Decree 42 of 1988. Nigeria has ratified Basel convention on e-waste but it has not been domesticated,” He said. In his paper titled “E-waste Regulation in West Africa: The Need for a Coherent Approach “, Director of research NIALS Prof. Lanre Fagbohun, said reduced prices of electronic devices because of competition and shorter life span were responsible for large quantity of e-waste in the country.

Adding that “electronics which are once trendy are now toxic” According to him, East and South African countries were doing better in ewaste management than West African countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Cote D’voire, Liberia and Benin which were porous to e-waste dumping because of their weak regulations. In his own paper titled, “Best Practices on E-Waste Management: A Comparative Analysis” Dr Emmanuel Okon, a Senior Research Fellow and Head, Department of International Law, NIALS, called for implementation and enforcement of EWaste, saying it constitutes a major environmental and health problem.

Speaking on the topic, “E-Waste in West Africa: Issues, Challenges and Solutions” Dr. Oluwatoyin Adejonwo-Osho of the Faculty Of Law, UNILAG, said E-waste posed a threat to human health and the environment.

“For example, in developed countries, despite the fact that the recycle facilities use state-of-the- art equipments and they operate in formal sectors, where guidelines and health and safety standards are implemented, there are still concerns and dangers attributed to the process,”she explained.

Olanipekun urges senior lawyers to inspire juniors

By Bartholomew Madukwe

F

ORMER President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) has called on senior members of the legal profession to inspire their juniors to be successful lawyers.

Speaking on “Virtue of service to the Bar” at the Elders’ Night/Awards held at Ikoyi, Lagos, as part of the NBA Lagos Branch Law Week programme, Olanipekun also pointed out that contribution to the Bar must not be construed as merely financial donations.

“It also incorporates mentoring of young lawyers and shouldering leadership responsibilities. It also dovetails into knowledge sharing, including participation and attendance at a forum like this. Senior members of the Bar should inspire the juniors to make it in the profession and also climb to its Mount Everest,” he said.

He decried the abandonment of the profession and the Bar by some lawyers, saying “they are only known or remembered as lawyers through the prefix of Barrister or Lawyer, without making any contribution whatsoever to the growth of the profession, whether contextually or tangentially.”

The presiding justice of the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, Justice Amina Augie, urged lawyers to always abide by the ethics of the profession.

In an impassioned speech which earned her a standing ovation, Justice Augie warned lawyers to avoid cutting corners as this would ultimately detract from their individual standing and the nobility of the profession.

Justice Augie also stressed the need for wayward lawyers to retrace their steps by embracing honesty and integrity, adding that the profession would be the better for it.

Also speaking at the event, Dr. Fabian Ajogwu (SAN) warned that the

Continues on page 37

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Branch recently held its annual conference in Lagos.

3rd left: Former Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN receiving an award.

L-R: NBA Lagos Branch Chairman, Mr. Alex Muoka; Guest of Honour and former NBA President, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN; Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal (Lagos Division), Justice Amina Augie, CON; Keynote Speaker, Mr. Fabian Ajogwu, SAN and Law Week Chairman, Mrs. Tolani EduAdeola.

(Right) Former NBA President, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN and other discussants at the NBA Law Week Bar/Bench Forum.

NIALS R oundtable on EWast e in W est Africa Roundtable E-W aste West L-R: Professor (Mrs) Anima Awah, Director of Research NIAL, Professor Oladele Osibajo and Professor Lanre Fagbohun, Director of Research NIALS. L-R: Mr. Nwafor John, Okoroigwe Joseph, Ifeanyi Maduagwu and Dr. (Mrs.) Ngozi Udombana.

L-R: Moses Kisha Moses, Kayode Bello, Oraniran Obele and James Bathnna, Institue Secretary, NIALS. C M Y K

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015 — 37

Significance of Azinge appointment as member of Commonwealth Arbitral Tribunal

By Paul Idornigie

F

ollowing the appointment of former Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, NIALS, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, SAN, as a member of the Commonwealth Secretariat Arbitral Tribunal, CSAT, the head of the department of Commercial Law of the Institute, Prof. Paul Obo Idornigie examines the significance of the appointment, its jurisdiction and the procedures for the appointment of of the members of CSAT. This write-up is meant to situate the appointment of Professor Azinge, SAN as a member of the CSAT. In this context, to underscore the significance of this appointment and the honour done to Professor Azinge, SAN and Nigeria, we shall examine the jurisdiction of the CSAT, the procedure for the appointment of members of the CSAT, the procedure for conducting the arbitral proceedings of the CSAT and the Rules. We shall also examine the applicable law.

The Commonwealth, established in 1965, is an intergovernmental organization of 53 member states that were mostly territories of the former British Empire. It is a voluntary association of now independent states. The states are in the following regions: Africa, Asia, Caribbean and Americas, Europe and the Pacific and are diverse – they are among the world’s largest, smallest, richest and poorest countries. Thirtyone of the members are classified as small states – countries with a population size of 1.5 million people or less and larger states that share similar characteristics with them. All members subscribe to the Commonwealth values and principles outlined

in The Commonwealth Charter.

The African Region has the highest number of states followed by the Caribbean and Americas.

The Commonwealth Secretariat Arbitral Tribunal was established by the Commonwealth Governments vide Article I of the Statute of the Commonwealth Secretariat Arbitral Tribunal. The Statute was adopted on July 1, 1995 and amended by the Commonwealth Governments on 24 June, 1999, 18 February, 2004, 14 May, 2005 and 16 May, 2007.

Article II of the Statute provides for the jurisdiction of the CSAT. Essentially the CSAT has jurisdiction to hear and determine any application brought by: (a) a member of staff of the Commonwealth Secretariat; (b) The Commonwealth Secretariat; (c) any other person who enters into a contract with the Commonwealth Secretariat; which alleges the nonobservance of a contract in writing with the Commonwealth Secretariat and includes in relation to a contract of service the non-observance of the contract of employment or terms of appointment of such member of staff, and in relation to a contract for services the nonobservance of the terms of the contract.

The CSAT also has jurisdiction to hear and determine an application involving an international or intergovernmental Commonwealth body or organization which meets the requirements set out in Annex A to the Statute and which has addressed to the Commonwealth Secretary General a declaration recognizing, in accordance with its constitution or internal administrative arrangements,

Prof. Epiphany Azinge the exclusive jurisdiction of the CSAT, as well as its Rules of Procedures and brought by: (a) a member of staff of that international or intergovernmental Commonwealth body or organization; (b) that international or intergovernmental Commonwealth body or organization;aGovernment in the Region(s) concerned, the Commonwealth Secretariat Staff Association and the Commonwealth legal fraternity and invites nominations. At the end of the specified time period, the Commonwealth Secretariat compiles a list of the nominees proposed by Member Governments and circulates the list to Member Governments for their consideration and Commonwealth Secretariat Staff Association for its information.

Member Governments then meet to select the President or member as the case may be. Member

The Rules deal with the Organization of the CSAT, Sessions, Proceedings, Remand of a Case, Intervention and Miscellaneous Matters

Olanipekun urges senior lawyers to inspire juniors Continues from page 36 future of the profession would depend on how well legal practitioners equip themselves, adding that the industry would be increasingly competitive.

He urged NBA members to devise policies that would aid the welfare of young lawyers and better position the legal profession for the future.

Ajogwu who spoke on the theme, “The future of the legal

profession: Protection from exploitation” at the opening ceremony of the Law Week, urged seniors and law firms to shore up their remuneration packages for their employees especially junior lawyers, saying that this is also in the interest of such seniors and law firms.

The programme was rounded off with a high-profile Dinner & Award Night at City Hall,

Lagos to celebrate the former Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN).

The Law Week Committee Chairman, Mrs. Tolani EduAdeola, said the choice of Fashola for this year’s award was “unanimous,” stressing that he was “head and shoulders above other potential honorees” for changing the face of governance in Nigeria.

Governments carry out the selection on a regionally representative basis taking into account theneed for continuity and the maintenance of an appropriate gender balance. In selecting or re-selecting members of the CSAT, Member Governments may take into account any views expressed by the Commonwealth Secretary General and the Commonwealth Secretariat Staff Association.

The Commonwealth Secretary formally appoints the President or Member as the case may be to serve a period not exceeding four nears in the first instance.

Members are eligible for reappointment for another term of four years only. This is also provided for in paragraph 4 of Article IV. Article IV of the Statute provides that the CSAT shall consist of eight members who shall be nationals of Commonwealth Member States and that no two members may be nationals of the same member State. Members of the CSAT shall be of high moral character and must: a) have held, hold or be qualified to hold high judicial office in a Commonwealth country; or b) bejurisconsults of recognized competence with experience as such for a period of not less than ten years.

This is the process that produced Professor Azinge, SAN. Appointment to the Tribunal is a great honour. Thus Members are recognized as persons of high moral character who currently hold or have held high judicial office in a Commonwealth country or who are jurisconsults with at least 10 years experience.

According to the provisions of paragraph 5 of Article IV of the Statute, the Tribunal hearing an application shall be composed of three members empanelled by the President. Unless the President decides otherwise, he or she shall be a member of the panel and shall preside over the proceedings. In the absence of the President, the panel shall decide who shall preside. A member of the CSAT has security of tenure and shall remain in office until the end of his/her

term of appointment unless the member resigns or dies. A member may only be removed on the ground of manifest unsuitability or inability to perform the duties of a member of the CSAT following a recommendation of the majority of the other members of the CSAT and approved by Member Governments.

In terms of procedure, this is provided in Article VI of the Statute. Accordingly, the CSAT has drawn up the Procedure for Commencing Proceedings before the Tribunal dealing with time limits, form of application, applicable law, application for oral hearing, costs, review of judgments and application by a non-staff member. The CSAT has also promulgated Rules dated 1 July, 2008. The Rules deal with the Organization of the CSAT, Sessions, Proceedings, Remand of a Case, Intervention and Miscellaneous Matters.

Decision-making is by a majority of the members of the panel which heard the case and the panel states the reasons for its judgment.

According to the provisions of paragraph 5 of Article IX, the judgment of the CSAT is final and binding on the parties and shall not be subject to appeal. However, there is provision for revision or review under paragraphs 5-12 of Article XI. Thus a party to a case in which judgment has been delivered who challenges the judgment on the ground that the CSAT has exceeded or failed to exercise its jurisdiction or competence, or has erred on a question of fact or law or both, or that there has been a fundamental error in procedure which has resulted in a failure of justice or that the CSAT has acted reasonably having regard to the material placed before it, may apply to the CSAT, within a period of 60 days after the judgment was delivered, for a review of the judgment.

A panel of 5 members who did not sit on the initial panel that delivered the judgment in question, is usually constituted by the President to sit as a Review Board to review the judgment.

The Review Board may affirm or rescind in whole or in part the judgment of the panel which heard the application.

Considering the membership of the Commonwealth, the CSAT is a very powerful organ for resolving disputes arising from contract of service and contract for services. The CSAT is not an organ for resolving commercial disputes but its significance lies in the standing of the 53-member strong Commonwealth in the Regions of Africa, Asia, Europe, Caribbean and Americas and the Pacific. It is an administrative tribunal like the International Labour Organization Administrative Tribunal (ILOAT), United Nations Dispute Tribunal (UNDT) and United Nations Administrative Tribunal (UNAT).

To be concluded

38—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015

•Buhari

APC and the other side of merger THE governing All Progressives Congress (APC) has not been itself since the inauguration of the 8th Senate about three weeks ago.

The election of the new officers of the National Assembly, all of whom were opposed by a section of the party leadership, has thrown the party into a state of turmoil that is now rocking the party to its foundations.

By Jude Opara

A

GAINST the position of the party, Senator Bukola Saraki from Kwara State, North Central Nigeria was elected as the Senate President while Rep. Yakubu Dogara from Bauchi State, North East Nigeria emerged as the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The party wanted Senator Ahmed Lawan from Yobe State, North East Nigeria as the Senate President and Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila from Lagos State, South West Nigeria as the Speaker.

The crisis that rocked the party also cost it the opportunity of producing the Deputy Senate President as Senator Ike Ekweremadu of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) emerged in what many analysts say was a direct consequence of

the insistence of the APC leadership not to allow the legislators a free way in the election of their principal officers.

Many critics have also flayed Senator Saraki and Mr. Dogara for what they their aspirations inputting that the two men should have stayed quiet in the face of the seeming bias of the party against the two of them.

The APC is a coalition of four political parties that wanted to wrestle power from the then ruling PDP. The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), the Congress for Progressives Change (CPC), the New PDP as well as a fraction from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Looking at the major players behind these political parties, one could easily notice that they came to the party with different ideologies and agenda. One

could argue that the CPC for instance led by General Muhammadu Buhari accepted to go into that alliance because of the difficulty it had in capturing power using only the celebrated anti-corruption disposition of the general.

The ACN led by former Lagos State governor, Senator Bola Tinubu was more interested in widening its scope of control outside the South West where it had held sway since the return of the country to democratic governance in 1999. Since it was difficult to be freely accepted outside the zone, the merger was then necessary.

The ANPP which had former Abia State governor, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu as its chairman at the time of the merger was also fast loosing grip of its strongholds including the Northeast where it had earlier controlled with ease. Therefore

to remain relevant, it had to accept the merger.

One of the main fragments of the APC actually came from the former members of the PDP who got disenchanted with the way the then ruling party was conducting its affairs. The issue came to a head when five sitting governors from Rivers, Kano, Kwara, Sokoto and Adamawa States stormed out of the PDP’s convention ground to form what became known as the New PDP. A faction of the APGA led by the politically restive Imo State governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha who pulled away to join the merger arrangement.

From what has been playing out lately, it is very clear that the groups that formed the APC which has now captured power at the centre did not sit to discuss how to distribute the offices and positions despite winning the March 28 Presidential and

National Assembly elections, two clear months before the handover of government on May 29.

If they had taken cognizance of the fact that the party was made up of tendencies from different regions of the country and different political blocs they should have painstakingly worked out how to handle the issue also with the spirit of give and take and above all in the overall national interest.

Unfortunately what has been playing out looks like one or two of the different blocs wanting to either take everything or dictate the pace, leading to exchange of blows by party members in the Senate and the House of Representatives last week.

It is thus not surprising that the opposition PDP is now shouting that the APC seems not to know what to do with power claiming

Continues on page 39

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015—39

•Akande: Former APC interim chairman Continues from page 38 that the party just wanted to capture power without really knowing what to do with it.

A PDP chieftain, Chief Chyna Iwanyanwu in a recent interview with Vanguard described what is happening in the APC as what happens when thieves come to share their loot.

There is another school of

•Onu: APC leader

•Oyegun: APC chairman

APC and the other side of merger thought that strongly believes that without President Buhari, the APC will amount to nothing which means that the party may soon lose what they have should they continue to indulge in the unhealthy infighting.

There is a school of thought that also believes that what is happening in the party is a fall out of the presidential primaries as it is alleged that a party chieftain, Atiku Abubakar worked against the interest of Tinubu as

a payback for the latter’s refusal to help his own presidential aspiration.

Yes even as the Senate has managed to name other principal officers with Senator Ali Ndume from Borno, North East

emerging as the Senate Majority Leader, it is yet to be seen how the House will navigate the landmines when it resumes on July 21.

NASS CRISIS: The bigger picture

•Saraki: Senate President

By Adekunle Adefarakan

T

HE crisis in the National Assembly over the election of Principal Officers by the new dominant political party (APC) wasn’t an experience the party’s leaders could have bargained for.

A once robust opposition party, APC has suddenly found itself in a crisis of a magnitude it never imagined.

All its officially endorsed candidates have lost out in the election of principal officers, a development the party national officials found embarrassing, especially the emergence of Mr. Ekweremadu as Deputy Senate President. For an opposition party occupying power at the centre for the first time since 1999, the outcome of the election of principal officers was like a fly in the party’s ointment.

Background

•Dogara: Speaker, House of Reps Both the Senate President Bukola Saraki and House Speaker Dogara have been accused of betrayal by their party leaders for allegedly going behind their backs, displacing party candidates endorsed at the mock selection of candidates.

Senator Saraki is a great political strategist in his own right. It is, therefore, wrong to accuse him acting someone else’s script.

While the party went to bed hoping that everything would go according to plan, Bukola was already working on four cylinders to clinch the Senate Presidency.

However, when the APC leaders woke up from their slumber, relying on the naive assumption that party supremacy was enough to produce the principal officers of their choice or approval, Saraki had already clinched the coveted seat of the Senate President with the support of his APC backers and

PDP votes. His rival Lawan didn’t work hard enough to win the election in his own right without reliance on party endorsement.

But Senator Saraki didn’t join politics for the sake of it.

Underrating his ambition to become Senate President was, therefore, naïve and unrealistic.

When Saraki led PDP defectors into APC, he didn’t do so for the sake of it either. He did so to protect his political interest. After the APC was elected into power, what did the party leaders offer him in return for abandoning his ambition to become Senate President?

Saraki and other members of the New PDP that defected from the former ruling party apparently felt sidelined after the party’s victory. If the APC leaders didn’t offer Saraki concession to become Senate President, what compensation did they offer him instead? Politics is a struggle for power by like-minded people united by common interests.

It is naïve to assume that Saraki merely joined APC to help it capture power, and that is all! All stakeholders in the opposition alliance have strategic political interests to protect. If they had no interests to protect, they would not have invested their political capital in the opposition project to capture power.

Looking for scapegoats Singling out any individual for vilification and smear campaign by hatchet writers is another mistake the party leaders have made. As a political analyst that keenly follows events since 1999, I know as a fact that inventing

enemies doesn’t help any political party or leader.

When Saraki emerged as Senate President, one would have expected the APC national leaders to say “where did we go wrong? How can we undo the damage to save the party unity?” instead, we started reading sponsored stories, blaming former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and others for the emergence of the new National Assembly leadership.

The suggestion by one of the hatchet writers that Atiku “could do anything for the highest bidder ” is preposterous.

Although I have been Atiku’s critic since he left ACN back to PDP, I am not convinced that he could have been bought over by Saraki.

It is even insulting to the intelligence of Nigerians that a man with extensive connections in Nigerian politics like Senator

Singling out any individual for vilification and smear campaign by hatchet writers is another mistake the party leaders have made

Saraki would need to ride the back of Atiku to realize his ambition to become Senate President. Neither Saraki, nor Dogara is Atiku’s political associate, let alone being his protégé.

Just like Atiku, Saraki was a former Presidential aspirant in his own right. Did Saraki need Atiku to attain his ambition as Senate President? I have not come across any cogent argument to establish a link between Saraki’s emergence as Senate President and Atiku’s hidden hands.

Before the APC national convention in Lagos, the party leaders had wanted to produce a presidential candidate by consensus or adoption. It was only record that Atiku advised the party to allow open and free primaries. The outcome of the presidential primaries had boosted APC’s democratic credentials because of the transparency of the election.

As a result, even those that initially resisted Atiku’s suggestion for open primaries eventually appreciated the wisdom of his advice. Even though he didn’t get the ticket, Atiku kept his words to respect the outcome and congratulate the winner.

He not only congratulated Buhari, he also kept his promise to hand over his media team at the disposal of the former APC Presidential candidate. That Malam Garba Shehu became President Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity is a testimony of the commitment of the Atiku Media office to the Continues on page 40

40—VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015

•Monye: The language of opposition is different from the language of government

APC must drop propaganda language now it's in government — Monye •Why Jonathan left an empty treasury PROF. Sylvester Monye served as Special Adviser to the president in the immediate past administration before taking his leave late in 2014 to seek the governorship ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Monye was a guest of Channels Television last Monday during which he fielded questions pertaining to the financial affairs of the Jonathan administration. Excerpts:

By Gbenga Oke

T

HE language of opposition is different from the language of government. In government, anything you say has fundamental implications.

Over the years, the parties that came together to form APC have been excellent in doing their job as opposition party, propaganda, they have been very effective and they were successful in last campaign up to the point of winning election. Now they are in government, whatever they say or the language should change to language of government. When you say certain fundamental things like empty treasury, the country is broke, the economy was run aground, you are creating bigger problems for yourself. In my own position, it is not true.

Are you saying that ‘meeting an empty treasury’ is not true?

The fundamental issue is was

there supposed to be anything in the treasury? Before we can even begin to talk of empty treasury, we need to look at the provisions of the constitution. The constitution says that any money that is earned from oil sales, tax, customs collection, is going to the federation account, and once it goes in, it must be shared using the subsisting revenue formula sharing.

Now, we had a very visionary and strong leader in the person of President Obasanjo then.

When he was president he said no, whether it is in the constitution or not, we must put something aside for the rainy day which is the origin of the Excess Crude Account. The Excess Crude Account accumulates from the difference between what is earned and the benchmark price in the Federal Government budget. So the excess of the oil benchmark goes into savings but the governors have said it is an illegality because the constitution

says you cannot save and I am sure you are aware that the governors took the Federal Government to Court and they are in Supreme Court as we speak. It has not even been decided whether that action is illegal or not illegal. I am being told we currently have about 2.09 billion dollars in that account. It is that 2.09 billion dollars that people are fighting to say we will not have that savings. As long as that savings is concerned, they want it shared. So how can you be talking about empty treasury when there is a Court case saying that the little one you have must be shared.

If the FG gets its own share of the money, does it mean there will be nothing left?

When you do budget, the budget is an estimate of what you are going to get and a projection of how you will spend that money. So if this year, you say X amount of money is coming in and if it comes in, this is what we will do with it. Federal Government receives its own component and it is used on what the National Assembly approves it for. So that is budget.

You will recall that some years back, President Yar‘adua cum Jonathan told the governors to start the Sovereign Wealth Fund and they commenced that

investment with $1 billion. Again, that investment is also being challenged, but upon that, Federal Government has been able to save $500 million on top of that $1 billion so in the kitty, we have in excess of $1.5 billion in savings. $1 billion belongs to the three tiers of government, $500 million belongs to Federal Government alone. Secondly, I have not been told the Federal Government is owing salary.

I have no idea of what he meant. In our constitution, every money that comes in is shared.

The revenue that accrued from oil sales, customs and taxation in May was just shared on the 24th of June. $409 billion. What that means is that after sharing, the treasury is empty. This administration could as well say we don’t want the treasury to be empty, we want to beef up our savings, then we won’t share!

But did the Federal Government borrow to pay?

You know when you budget, you do either balanced budget or deficit budget. Deficit budget means you are going to spend more than what you have. It means you foresaw that in your planning that what you will get will not be enough to meet what you spend. Now if you borrowed money to meet your obligation, didn’t you foresee it and was it not approved by the National Assembly? So when people say you borrow, was it not planned for?

Are you saying they are doing this within the confines of the law?

Well, that is what the constitution says and that is what the governors are challenging in the Supreme Court.

Can you explain what Mr President meant that he met empty treasury?

When you say certain fundamental things like empty treasury, the country is broke, the economy was run aground, you are creating bigger problems for yourself.

In my own position, it is not true

The Buhari administration claims the Jonathan administration left nothing and that is why they have not been able to hit the ground running.

What is your take on that?

That is funny. When you talk about government, you don’t use such words for a start. The tasks you see in government are enormous and that is why I said you don’t use such words for a start. There are ways of measuring any government and we have about three major international rating agencies.

They look at your capacity to earn money, your capacity to meet your obligations and rate you. It is that credit rating that enables our private sector to go and borrow money abroad at reduced interest rate. If there was so much rot as they are implying, how come Nigeria continues to attract so much foreign investment? It is on record that Nigeria attracts more foreign investments that any other country in Africa. If Nigeria is in such a bad shape, why have the investors not run away? So saying rot will scare people away.

NASS CRISIS: The bigger picture Continues from page 39 Buhari campaign.

It is also record that Atiku was running diplomatic shuttle to lobby for Nigeria’s candidate for the Presidency of African Development, Dr. Adesina. The passion with which the Atiku media team members including its current Head, Paul Ibe (who took over from Garba Shehu) had served the Buhari media campaign was so incredible that some were suggesting whether they would ever go back to Atiku.

Dangers of blame games The biggest task before the APC national leaders is to abandon the blame games against any imagined “enemy” or “saboteur”, and begin an urgent process of reconciliation and healing.

Learning the lessons from the mistakes that were made is more important than looking for someone else to blame.

Leaders should look for solutions to a problem rather

than looking for someone to blame, especially innocent people.

As a major first step, the issue of party supremacy must be addressed within the context of the separation of powers.

Imposing leaders on legislators is not a wise step. As Mahmud Jega, the Daily Trust’s Monday columnist observed, the issue of zoning offices should have been concluded long before the elections. He said the APC leaders didn’t pay attention to the issue until after the election.

In fact, even former Kano State Governor, Kwankwaso had warned the party to deal the issue of zoning in time to avoid intrigues and complications that could arise. His advice was apparently silently ignored.

At this point, the APC leaders must forget about bickering and the blame game, and take responsibility for what happened in order to preserve the unity of the party.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015—41

Autism: Awareness will demystify cultural beliefs — EXPERTS

By Chioma Obinna

E

XPERTS and caregivers in Autism Spectrum Disorder, ASD, have said that adequate awareness will demystify cultural and spiritual beliefs associated with the disorder.

The experts who stressed the need for early diagnosis of the disorder pointed out that creating awareness and educating families to know that Autism is not a

spiritual problem would increase early diagnosis and improve management of the disorder.

The experts spoke in Lagos to flag- off the 5th edition of Guaranty Trust Bank Annual Autism Programme tagged: “Bridging the Gaps and Transforming lives”.

The free International conference which will run till 10th of July in Lagos will feature series of plenary sessions and breakout

L-R: Hypertension awareness: Dr. Orebiyi O. Sunday , Medical Officer, Igando-Ikotun LCDA {left} addressing the Igando Market men and women during the Tyonex Nig. Ltd. Hypertension Awareness Programme for You, HAPY, at Igando Market, Lagos

teaching sessions for parents, caregivers, practitioners, therapists and educationists.

ASD is a complex pervasive developmental disorder; it is a lifelong developmental disability which affects the way a person communicates and relates with people around them.

Unfortunately, in Nigeria, not much is known of it and stigmatisation of children living with this condition makes it even more difficult to deal with. It is estimated that 1 in 150 children around the world is affected and about 190,000 Nigerian children are affected.

Co- Developer of the programme and Executive Director, Blazing Trails International Centre, Dr. Anna Lamikanra who noted that the conference has provided the leadership desired in the autism world noted that early diagnosis is key to helping patient live normal life.

“Awareness is key and intensive therapy helps patients live more meaningful life.”

Also, Founder and Proprieties of Patrick Speech and Language Centre in Lagos, Mrs. Dotun Akande admitted the conference has opened doors for indigent families said more Nigerians with

L-R: Dr. Anna Lamikanra, Executive Director, Blazing Trails International Centre; Mrs Oyinade Adegite, Senior Manager, Communications & External Affairs, GTB Plc and Dr Marcus Tillery, School Of Divinity, Princeton University USA during the GTB 5th annual Autism programme , in Lagos. autism are now coming out to seek for help. “We are seeing more Nigerians with Autism and the level of stigma and spiritual beliefs are reducing. Many parents have realised their children have autism. We have been able to tackle the issue of spiritual causes in Nigeria through awareness, more children are diagnosed early.”

She noted that when a child is diagnosed as early as two years, it gives room for a better outcome than when a child is diagnosed after 10 years.

Managing Director, GTBank,

Mr. Segun Agbaje said: “GTB believes that children irrespective of developmental disorders can rise to the highest levels in the pursuit of their dreams when given a chance to cultivate their innate skills and maximise their potentials.”

Agbaje furrther stated that society on the other hand has a role to play in providing an atmosphere for children living with ASD to thrive. “We will continue to provide support for parents, teachers and care givers of children living with autism through our annual programme.”

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42—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015

UPU condemns Ogedegbe's killing

By Perez Brisibe

U

GHELLI—THE Youth Wing of Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, yesterday, condemned the alleged killing of an Oghara vigilante chairman, Benson Ogedegbe, by men of the Nigerian Army, 19 Battalion, Koko, Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State.

In a statement by its secretary, Rex Anighoro, the union called on the government, judiciary, Nigerian military and other stakeholders, to join forces with the Ogedegbe family in the demand for justice.

Anighoro noted that whatever the perceived offence of the late Ogedegbe might be, the soldiers' resort to extinguishing a citizen's life without recourse to judicial processes was a sin against God and a crime against humanity, stressing that it was totally unacceptable.

He said: “As an Urhobo

....As Oghara youth chairman appeals for peace

By Emma Amaize

O

G H A R A — CHAIRMAN of Oghara Youths in Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government Area, Delta State, Favour Ededey, has called for calm in the troubled community, where soldiers killed the chairman of the vigilante group, Benson Ogedegbe, last week.

Ededey, who spoke to newsmen, said that the former governor of the state, who lifted the ban hitherto placed on youth activities in the community on May 28, did so with the hope that the action would engender peace, not a breakdown of law and order.

He said: “In a letter by the former governor to the Oghara youth body, dated May 28, 2015, the Delta State Government said it had decided to lift the ban on youth activities in Oghara and advised the youths to be law abiding in their operations, thenceforth.”

He said the former governor decided to lift the ban because youths in Oghara pledged to work with the government and urged all indigenes to be rest assured that the youths would no longer be violent.

youth leader, I find it repulsive that extra-judicial killings have continued in Urhoboland without any remedy. The extra-judicial killing and unresolved legal battle of the late Chief Ogbe Onokpite, even at high cost of legal redress, remains a sad commentary to all men of conscience.

“The security agencies are certainly aware of the financial constraints in seeking justice for citizens killed extra- judicially and as such have continued unabated to murder citizens at the slightest provocation and intimidating our people to submission and making us to perpetually live in fear as a

conquered people.

“At the dawn of a new democratic era propelled by the mantra of change, it is an absurdity that our armed forces, which should be protecting our territorial integrity and fighting the insurgency of Boko Haram, are allegedly killing defenceless citizens.”

COMMISSIONING: Akwa Ibom State deputy governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo (middle), flanked from left by Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, representative in the state, Mr. Etim Inyang Jnr; Managing Director, NDDC, Mr. Bassey Dan-Abia; NDDC Board Chairman, Senator Bassey Ewa, and Vice Chancellor University of Uyo, Prof. Comfort Ekpo, during the commissioning of a hostel block donated by the commission for the university's medical students, in Uyo.

IMSA to Akpabio: Don't dictate to Gov Emmanuel

By Tom Moses

U

YO—IBOM Mega Synergy Assembly, IMSA, has commended former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio, for placing the state on the world map through his monumental projects but urged him against dictating to his successor, Governor Udom Emmanuel.

IMSA, a socio-political group based in Uyo, in a communiqué after its meeting by its president, Elder Ubong Sam, yesterday, noted that Chief Akpabio performed outstandingly as governor of the state for eight years, the record of which culminated in his being sent to the Senate, but frowned at the perceived dictatorial tendencies of the former governor.

IMSA noted in particular, the alleged imposition of the names of persons to be appointed commissioners and special advisers by the former governor to serve in Governor Emmanuel’s cabinet and advised him to give the new governor the freedom to execute the mandate given to him

by the people of the state.

The group noted that while it may be necessary for Governor Emmanuel to consult his former boss on certain policy issues, it

was expedient that he should be given the liberty of identifying the quality of persons he would be comfortable to work with to move the state forward.

Intels, Deep Offshore to expand port facilities at Onne

By Godfrey Bivbere

I

NTELS Nigeria Limited and Deep Offshore have embarked on the expansion of existing port facilities at Onne Port in Rivers State, with the development of six new berths with a 14 meter draft.

While three of the new berths, 9, 10 and 11, being developed by Intels have been completed and are awaiting official handover sometime this year, the other three, 12, 13 and 14 are still under construction.

Speaking at Onne when the management team of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, visited the facility, Dr. Friday

Antai, Intels Deputy Director in charge of operations, said that the three berths being constructed by his company have been completed and are waiting for the management of Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, to hand over to them since all ports in the country belong to the ports authority.

Antai explained that berths 9, 10 and 11 have a combined length of 750 meters with a draft of 14 meters at low tide which makes them capable of receiving much bigger vessels to take care all the needs of the oil and gas industry.

He also pointed out that the new berths have 70 hecters of land to be developed for stacking of consignments.

Bayelsa 2016: Stakeholders endorse Dickson for re-election

A

S Bayelsa State's governorship election draws near, the state House of Assembly, has overwhelmingly passed a vote of confidence in Governor Seriake Dickson, just as organised labour and youths in the state are rooting for his reelection.

According to the leader of Concerned Bayelsa Elders, CBE, Elder John Wilson, “It is becoming obvious that Dickson's re-election bid to continue his good work has received a boost with the recent vote of confidence unanimously passed in him by the state House of Assembly.

“Also, the leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, in Bayelsa State, have commended the Dickson administration, for regular payment of workers’ salaries.”

The CBE leader also argued that the payment of N242 billion out of former Governor Timipre Sylva’s N332 billion debt has propelled Ijaw youths, under the aegis of Ijaw Youth Vanguard, IYV, to plan a 1,000-man march in support of Dickson when he eventually returns from his vacation overseas.

Elder Wilson stressed that the endorsements were as a result of the i m p r e s s i v e developmental initiatives of the Dickson-led administration.

Ughovwa for burial

C

HIEF Edwin Ughovwa is dead.

He passed on May 6, 2015.

Service of songs takes place at St Anthony ’s Catholic Church, Ugborikoko, Warri, Delta State.

Funeral service will hold at St Gregory Catholic Church, Oviri Agbarho, Delta State, followed by interment at his residence, 8, Ughelli Road, Oviri Agbarho.

He is survived by children and other family members.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015— 43

Gov Okorocha sacks transition c'ttees of Imo 27 LGAs

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI—IMO State governor, Rochas Okorocha, has sacked the transition committees of the 27 local government areas of the state.

Governor Okorocha also approved the immediate suspension of the chairmen and members of Imo State House of Assembly Service Commission and the State Civil Service Commission.

According to a press statement by the Principal Secretary to the governor, Dr. Paschal Obi, the sacking of the transition committees and suspension of the statutory commissions are with immediate effect.

Although government did not give any reason in the Government House statement for taking the drastic decisions, Okorocha, however, ordered the sacked transition committee

chairmen to properly hand over the reigns of office to directors of administration and general services in their respective councils.

In a similar development, the suspended chairmen and

members of the statutory commissions were directed to hand over all government property in their care to the permanent secretaries on or before the close of work today.

While some close political

watchers in the state said the development was not unexpected, others, however, reasoned that it might be a cost saving device for the administration.

Ikpeazu appeals to judicial workers to resume work STRIKE:

By Anayo Okoli

U

M U A H I A — GOVERNOR Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has appealed to the state chapter of Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, to call off its prolonged strike and resume work in the interest of the state and litigants.

The governor made the appeal when he received a delegation of judges in the state led by the Chief Judge, Justice Theresa Uzokwe, yesterday.

He expressed worry that the strike had crippled activities in

the judicial system.

Reminding them that no arm of government could function effectively without the other, Ikpeazu pledged that his government would ensure cordial relationship among the three arms of government.

The governor also promised to address the challenges facing the state judiciary, assuring that his administration would ensure effective delivery of democracy dividends to the people of the state through prudent application of available resources.

Governor Ikpeazu commended

the state Chief Judge, Justice Uzokwe, for her efforts to bring the striking workers to work.

He assured that with joint efforts from all stakeholders, things would get better for the state.

Earlier in her address, Justice Theresa Uzokwe explained that they came to welcome the governor to the seat of power and urged him to look into the demands of the striking judiciary workers to get them back to work.

She also pledged the unalloyed support and co-operation of the judiciary to Ikpeazu’s administration.

Dockworkers protest unpaid wages, threaten industrial unrest

By Victor AhiumaYoung

D

OCKWORKERS’ BRANCH of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, yesterday, protested months of unpaid salaries by one of the onshore Stevedoring companies, threatening to cripple ports activities over the unpaid wages.

President of the Dockworkers’ branch of MWUN, Mr. Adewale Adeyanju, lamented that since October last year that Mukap Synergy took over operations

from Agwut International Limited, it had not paid dockworkers working for it.

According, to him, Agwut had between October and April this year, paid the workers but stopped paying since April because the payment was supposed to be a stop gap measure to enable Mukap settle down, in line with the agreement that brought it into operations.

However, the management of Mukap Synergy said its inability to pay was informed by the fact that it had not been paid by the principal, insisting that once the principal paid, the workers

would be paid. ‘’The workers should have found from us why we have not paid. The truth is that we have not been paid by our principal,” he said.

Adeyanju, while appealing to the protesting workers not to take laws into their hands, however, assured the workers that the union would take up the matter and if possible declare industrial unrest to ensure they got their dues.

He said: “An injury to one is an injury to all. If this continues, we will shut port's operations to draw the attention of the authorities to the plight of our members.”

Speaking, Agwut International’s Operations Manager, Mr. Muhammad Abrahim, lamented that Agwut borrowed money from the bank to pay the workers, hoping it would be refunded.

“The payment of the workers’ salaries by Agwut was supposed to be a stop gap measure to enable Mukap settle down. ‘’We have been paying since October last year and by April this year, we decided to stop because we could no longer carry the burden. The bank is on our neck. We have not been refunded as agreed,” Ibrahim said.

It’s too early to criticize Buhari’s govt — Abia APC chieftain

By Ugochukwu Alaribe

A

BA—A chieftain of All Progressives Congress, APC, in Abia State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Okwuonu, has said it was too early to criticize President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration and urged critics to allow him settle down fully in office.

In a chat with Vanguard in Aba, Okwuonu said Buhari, who was only a month old in office, should be supported to fully settle down, and warned critics to be patient with him.

He said: “President Muhammadu Buhari needs some time to settle down. It is too early to criticize his government. ‘’These changes should come in the next two years.

He (Buhari) should be given time for his policies and programmes to mature before they are translated into the desired changes.”

While commending the President for his determination to combat corruption, Okwuonu called for political offices in the country to be made less lucrative.

“We need to make political offices less lucrative if we are to reduce corruption to its barest minimum. People do everything in their desperation to get into political offices because they are sure of amassing wealth. ‘’Let the people who have the passion and capacity to offer service get into political positions,” he added.

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

What is your view on Jega bowing out as INEC boss?

W

e are grateful, our hero, wishing you all the best. Prof. Jega, God will continue to bless you.

Your legacy is deeply and firmly secure in the fabrics of Nigeria’s political history. None of your worst detractors can even aspire to rise to your lofty height. Mr. Salisu Bashir, Student

W

hat I can say about Prof. Jega bowing out as INEC boss is that he simply is a source of pride to his creator and motherland. He served this great country well during his time and, most especially, he was an epitome of credible elections. -Mr. Abiodun Adedeji, Worker

J

ega did well. Posteri ty will be kind to him and his generations born and unborn. My Igbo brothers who are screaming tribalism should pause and recall that a certain Maurice Iwu was once INEC chairman. Mr Nnamdi Okoji- Student

J

ega has moved Nige rian democracy forward. The world acknowledges this. May the Almighty God beautify his remaining years on earth with greater strength in his life’s endeavours. -Miss Regina Osakwe, Banker

E

ven as Professor Ata hiru Jega’s tenure expires as INEC boss, he was able to establish himself as a true champion of democracy. He is a distinctive patriot of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Unarguably, his legacies will remain in that entity. -Miss Appau Lucina, Student

P

assing the baton from Prof. Attahiru Jega to Ahmed Wali, INEC has become Islamic business. Please, Nigerians should be careful with this and watch out for this baton that has been passed. God bless Nigeria. -Miss Bukola Okereke, Student

44 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015

MAN boss decries multiple taxation, tasks FG on power

Niger to probe illegal deduction of civil servants' salaries

By Wole Mosadomi

By Demola Akinyemi

I

LORIN—THE Chairperson, Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN) in Kwara and Kogi states, Princess Omolola Olobayo has decried multiple taxation killing the industry,s aying that each member is paying 33 different taxes, just as she urged the new administration to resolve the protracted energy crisis because it would solve 40% of the problems in the sector.

Olobayo spoke with journalists during an interactive session/luncheon of the members/ CEOs of MAN in the two states held in Ilorin.

She also urged the present administration to give priority attention to solving problems in the manufacturing sector, which among others, has the capacity to provide massive employment for Nigerians.

Speaking on job creation, she said, ”No sector can provide massive employment for the masses like the manufacturing sector. I’m sure manufacturing can provide 1000 direct jobs at a stretch aside the indirect jobs. No other sector could do that.

So, it’s necessary for President Buhari to give priority attention to solving these problems if they are sure about the change slogan of their party”

RAMADAN: Senator shares food items worth N30m in Zamfara

F

OOD items worth over N30 million were during the week purchased and distributed to the needy across the Zamfara North senatorial zone by Senator Sahabi Ya’u Kaura.

Ya’u was the erstwhile senator who represented the zone for two consecutive terms on the platform of PDP until he lost to the ruling APC. The items which included rice, millet and maize as well as cash were distributed and disbursed to various categories of the needy in the zone, which comprises of Birinin Magaji, Kaura, Shinkafi and Zurmi.

M

INNA—CIVIL servants in Niger State have raised an alarm over illegal deductions from their June salaries amounting to millions of Naira just as the state governor, Alhaji Muhammed Sani Bello has vowed to get to the root of the matter.

Most of the civil servants were stunned when they saw illegal deductions from their June salaries from between N10,000 to

N20,000 depending on their salary grade levels when they got to their various banks to cash their salaries.

The state governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello who confirmed the development while speaking at the 13th Niger state Trade Fair in Minna yesterday described the deduction as illegal and fraudulent and also a calculated attempt to sabotage his government.

He vowed to punish whoever is involved in the act of depriving

workers of their hard earned salaries, adding that his government will not condone corruption.

According to him,”reports getting to me reveal that workers salaries have been reduced by N10,000 and N20,000 in some cases. This is an unfortunate situation which sounds and appears to me like a deliberate fraudulent action.”

He expressed doubt over the speculation that the development may be as a result of system failure and immediately set

AGM: From left: Pastor Williams Adebayo, a unitholder of IMB Energy Master Fund,; Mrs. Oluwafunmilayo Adedibu, the Fund Secretary/Legal Adviser; Mr. Austin Akpe of United Capital Trustees Limited (the Trustee to the Fund); another unitholder, Engr. Olukoya Ajayi and a Director of First City Asset Management (FCAM) Ltd, Mr. Gboyega Balogun, at the Annual General Meeting of IMB Energy Master Fund in Lagos. Photo by Akeem Salau.

up a panel to look into the issue and report to him by next Tuesday.

He said, “It could be a system failure which has reduced workers salaries . Be as it may, I have directed the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to set up a panel with immediate effect to investigate what actually happened and report back to me by Tuesday.

“I do hope and pray it is a system mistake but if it is someone’s effort to deprive the workers of their salaries, whoever or group is involved will be severely punished. I have resolved to move Niger state forward and change the ways of the past” He warned government workers determined to make money to do so in a legitimate way, declaring that it is a crime to shortchange civil servants due to the desire to make more money.

“If you are a government worker and you want to make money, you can start your company or business and make legitimate money but if you use your position to fill up your pockets, you will face the music if I catch you.”

The Governor called on civil servants in the state to see their positions as a call to service and not to make money illegally and vowed to join hands with President Muhammadu Buhari to fight corruption in an effort to put both the state and the country on a right path of economic revival.

EFCC threat of arrest has caged Kwankwaso — COUNSEL

By Abdulsalam Muham- dress, pointing out that he was in “We have expressive fear that anteed under the constitution court to halt an anticipated viola- Kwankwaso’s right to liberty, is likely to be violated by mad

K

ANO—ATTORNEY representing former Governor Kwankwaso of Kano State, Mr Okechukwu Eze yester day told a Kano High court sitting in Gezawa that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC’s threat to arrest the former governor has confined him to his residence in Abuja.

Addressing the court on the experte motion filed to restrain the anti corruption agency from arresting the former Kano Governor, he said that the move by EFCC if executed would deny his client his fundamental rights.

According to Okechukwu Eze, “my client has been indoors because of the threat of arrest by the EFCC and he has been denied the liberty to perform his legislative duties as mandated by voters of Kano Central District. “ Kwankwaso represents Kano Central Senatorial District in the upper legislative Chamber.

Eze’s attorney told the court that the action of the EFCC emanated from a petition by an unregistered association that has no written ad-

tion of his client’s right.

freedom of movement as guar-

EFCC”, Eze stressed.

Ex-Bauchi govt officials sue Abubakar, recovery c'ttee

By Suzan Edeh

ing the defendants’ properties or taking any action that is capaAUCHI—35 immediate ble of violating the applicants’ past officials of Bauchi State rights pending the determinagovernment that served under tion of the motion on notice. former governor, Mallam Isa Yuguda has filed a fresh suit before the Bauchi Federal High Court against the State Governor, Mohammed Abubakar and the recovery committee set up by the government to recover government properties allegBy Isiaka Oyibo edly taken away by former governATSINA—GOVERNOR ment officials.

Aminu Masari of KatsiOther defendants in the suit included the State Attorney- Gen- na State, has cautioned against eral, the chairman of the recovery citing of projects where the committee and his secretary, the benefiting community was not State Commissioner of Police and consulted for its input, saying the Director, Directorate of State that such approach is the main Services, DSS. cause of many abandoned A motion filed by Mukhtar Abu- projects across the country.

The governor gave the bakar, former Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice in the State advice yestersday when he asked the court to restrain the de- visited the proposed site of the fendants from arresting and seiz- Malumfashi Modern Market,

B

They asked the court to restrain the respondents from taking further steps in connection to the matter pending the determination of the motion on notice.

Bad planning, cause of abandoned projects — MASARI

K

where he advised the local government council chairman to seek the input of all the stakeholders in the area to ascertain whether or not the project is in consonance with their needs.

This caution trails the objection to the citing of many of the projects embarked upon by the immediate past administration of former Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema among which are the modern markets proposed for all the 34 local government areas in the state.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015—45

VISIT: From left— Prince Adewale Adelabu, Deputy President General (FCT President), Omo Oodua Community; Dr. Adesokan Suara, Deputy President 1 (Kano President); Mr. Yusuf Lasun, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives; Chief Toye Ogunshuyi, President of the community, and Mr. Abdul Azeez Oyeniyi, General Secretary, during the community's courtesy visit to Deputy Speaker in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: Gbemiga Olamikan.

FACE OF ITSEKIRI: From left— Chief Richmond Macgrey, representing the Olu of Warri; Mr. Randy Okotie, CEO, Richards Continental Hotels; Mr. Mogbejule Esun, CEO, Mog Ent.; Queen Mola Eyituoyor, winner, 2015 Face of Itsekiri; Mr. Michael Diden, and other guests during the 2015 Face of Itsekiri Beauty Pageant in Sapele, Delta State.

ETISALAT/ETIHAD: From left— Angelone Francesco, Chief Marketing Officer, Etisalat Nigeria; Folasade Akinboro, Marketing Manager, Etihad Airways, and Oluwole Rawa, Director, Consumer Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, at the launch of Etisalat/Etihad Airways High Flyer Reward in Lagos.

PHOTO: Akeem Salau.

MAINONE: From left— Jumoke Akande, Head of Marketing; Babatunde Dada, Chief Financial Officer; Funke Opeke, Chief Executive Officer, and Lynda Madu, General Manager, Corporate Services and Development, all of MainOne, at the company’s #Mainoneat5 anniversary briefing in Lagos.

GRADUATION: Eniola Adewakun (left) and her brother, Ayodeji Adewakun, graduates of Chemical Engineering and Industrial Physics (Electronics & IT Applications), respectively, from Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State.

OPENING: From left— Elder E. Ekeoma, Chief Host; Chief Ukonu Ukonu, Chairman of the occasion; Innocent 2Face Idibia; Mr. Chima Anyaso, Chairman/CEO, Paris Hotel; his wife, Adanna; HRH Uche Dimgba, Royal Father of the Day, and Chief Vitalis Obi, during the official opening ceremony of the second phase of Paris Hotel in Lagos.

LASEPA/NB: From left— Mrs Adetola Onisarotu, Director, Laboratory Services Department, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA; Mr. Kufre Ekanem, Corporate Affairs Adviser, Nigerian Breweries, NB, Plc; and Engr. Adebola Shabi, CEO/ GM, LASEPA Inspection, Waste Water Laboratory, during the commissioning of LASEPA Retrofitted by Nigerian Breweries Plc in Lagos. PHOTO: Diran Oshe.

HYPERTENSION AWARENESS: From left— Miss Julia Sule, Customer Services Manager, Tyonex Nig. Ltd.; Dr. Orebiyi Sunday, Medical Officer, Igando-Ikotun LCDA, and Aneke Ikechukwu, during Tyonex's Hypertension Awareness Programme for You, HAPY, at Igando market, Lagos.

46 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015 — 47

48 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015 YOUR LUCK TODAY

LEISURE

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 LIBRA; If you back your financial plans with concrete and positive actions things’ll go according to your desire. If you fail to realise importance of your spouse you would work your way into avoidable trouble; aren’t you tired of crisis?

SCORPIO; Your intelligence, competence and level of concentration may today bring you envy, which you don’t deserve within your working arena in a negative form but.

SAGITTARIUS; The Moon highlights your Solar second house of money which is good but, if you try to buy true love with money, you’ll be disappointed CAPRICORN; The. Moon in your Star sign’ll gives you new confidence and with new supports from the powers-that-be, it’s like you are now un-stop-able. But be cautious, especially with the veterans within your base of operation

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

O

NE of the greatest fallacies mankind is saddled with is the belief that the rich don’t cry. But my questions are:

So, The Rich Also Cry? why should the rich cry? Is the rich not a human being? Has he no feelings? Does he not eat? Does he got not go to the

TERROR MUDA

toilet? has he no blood running in his vein? Does he have more than one head?

I pity the rich man. He wants

in “Never say goodbye”

companionship, yet, no one is ready to offer him any, because, everybody sees him as self-sufficient in everything.

By Lanre Kehinde

AQUARIUS; Better days are ahead of you but, you will today need to do away with non-productive argument and/or agreement. Try to be more diplomatic now.

PISCES; If what you’re doing today’ll depend on tomorrow’s event it’s better you’re more careful now.

Even things may not go according to your personal plans today. Yet it’s important you plan both your immediate and far future carefully now ARIES; If you take to aggression, your ego would be deflated by your superior colleagues, but your being cooperative in a civilised way’ll prevent trouble TAURUS; Those willing to put you to shame one way or the other ’ll be disappointed with the turn of things today. It’s good to secure support of your spouse.

GEMINI; You’ve had enough of fun in the recent times and it’s now time you settle down for hard work in order to prevent avoidable trouble. Be patient please.

CANCER; Your concentration level and determination are the pillars of your success today. Yet you’ll need to respect your senior colleagues and protect your image

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Pretty Lunatic’

By Andy Akman

LEO; It’s true you’re willing to work harder but you just have to drop both aggression and mental arrogance to allow things to roll accordingly. Then, you’re accident prone within your working arena. Respect the law and its agents today.

VIRGO; Serious thought may be giving to matters of the heart but it’s better you tarry a while. Joint ventures of short duration today may be an invitation to avoidable trouble

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,

Success for me?

Dear Joshua, I am interested in your Astrological counselling.

Kindly tell me everything about myself, especially my finance and career; would I be rich eventually, if yes what should I do to make it happen quickly.

Steve, Edo. Dear Steve, There are indications of financial success for you but you can not change what Almighty God Has designed for you talking about the timing (the quickness you talked in your letter) Certainly however no failure for you.

Mercury –the planet of education and Accountancy, together with mighty Sun at positive angle to planets in Virgo (another Accounting Star sign) attracted you to both Accountancy profession and the academic world.

Truly you did not make wrong choice of career.

Money will eventually come along this line but it’ll not be as faster as if you take to OIL RELATED BUSINESS. Because Neptune (the planet of OIL) was very comfortable when you were born. It will not be out of place if you have filling stations as time goes by, because you are basically a GAS PERSON. Another money spinning vocation for you include writing either along your line or for film making industry; it is important you exhibit the higher quotient of creativity in your inner-self. Yes your dream of becoming A Professor will come to reality. Politics is another area you are not looking at now but will surely come. Do you say why? Because Aquarius is equally political Venus that was powerfully placed when you were born is all about MONEY. Thus you have special ability to make money. And as it was at positive angle to disciplined Saturn, you are not giving to serious frivolity.

One major challenge here is envy by others but you will eventually overcome. Another source of challenges is your love life which looks not totally balanced.

Basically you are a family minded person. You are equally loving and caring. But sometimes your love of freedom get better off you to the resentment of your closer partner(s).Then some other times it is other party’s fault making love-business very interesting. And unless you are more careful and determined you may marry more than once.

VIRGINIA

HOME & ABROAD

dadadekola@yahoo.com

By Lawrence Akapa

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015— 49

VICTIM OF POLICE BRUTALITY RECOUNTS ORDEAL:

Everyday for three months, I was hung upside down and tortured

By Esther Onyegbula

F

OR Justin Nwankwo, a doc toral student of Philosophy at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State,what he went through inside the cell at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Awka in Anambra State, two years ago, is better imagined than experienced. The brutality allegedly meted to him is like hell on earth.

His story Narrating his ordeal to Crime Alert, the then Manager of Upper class Hotel in the commercial city of Onitsha, Anambra State, before it was demolished by the Peter Obi administration said: “August 1, 2013 is a day I will never forget in my life, as it marked the beginning of an ugly experience I passed through for three months. It was the day I was arrested alongside 13 others who worked in the hotel I managed while pursuing my educational career.

That morning, Police officers stormed the hotel shouting: Where is your Director?! I took them to his office and they brought a search warrant. In the course of interrogation, I discovered that they already had a particular room in mind. One of the officers kept shouting: Where is room 102? The staff in charge of cleaning the guest rooms had already resumed. Unfortunately, the particular room which the police officers were asking for was locked by the guest who lodged the previous night. When we discovered that the guest did not drop the key at the reception while leaving, the police had to break the door.

“I was there when they forced the door open and discovered two dark poly bags containing two dried human skulls. But the true story is that before that day, we had a lodger in that room. The night before that day, we had a guest who lodged in one of the rooms in the hotel. He lodged with a name and was given a receipt. It was immediately the guest checked out that the police stormed the hotel early the next morning with a search warrant, searched the hotel and discovered two dried human skulls,two AK-47 rifles and one military cap.

Crime scene and demolition of hotel “Ironically, the police did not take photo shots of the crime scene, the hotel, and the bags containing the items, which is

what obtains in other climes. Rather, what they did was to march all of us out of the hotel, then whisked us to the Area command in Onitsha. They took about 13 of us away in a bullion van to the Area Command and then, to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad,SARS, Akwuzu. When we got there, they said they have to start with the manager. Surprisingly, the hotel was demolished the same day we were arrested by the state government. On the second day, the hotel was in rubbles.

My ordeal “My ordeal started at Akwuzu Special Anti-Robbery Squad where I met an entirely different world. As a little boy who grew up in Onitsha, I heard that anyone who went to Akwuzu SARS never returned, but I had never been there. When we got there, it was a terrible experience for me. I was the first to be tortured. We were taken to a rickety hall, tied like Christmas goats used for barbecue and hung on a stake. I went through this torture everyday for three months. The torture was in stages.

Like other suspects, I was tortured till I passed out. They poured water on me to revive me each time I passed out.

The torture room “The torture room was a large hall with several operatives applying different types of techniques in torturing suspects. When I first entered the torture chamber and saw what was happening, I began to expect mine immediately. Most times, sounds of gunshots filled the halls, as suspects were shot by officers. There was a day I was being tortured and bullets were sprayed on a suspect. I was scared of what will be my fate if any of the bullets hit me? There were times I was tied to a stake with arms raised up. Blood was dripping out of my nose. When I passed out, I was taken off the stake for about an hour or two to recover before the torture continued. From that stage, I was taken to where my hands were tied with a rope and pulled in different directions.

“Severally, I felt I may not survive the torture because of the weighty allegations against me. I was tortured for three months.

"The final torture I received was from my investigating police officer, IPO, who used his hands to pull out the hair on my skin because I am hairy.

I noticed that each time we were being tortured, the officers murmured among themselves, asking what would happen ifthe suspects died.

This shows they knew that the treatment they were meting out was inhuman.

 Justin Nwankwo Physical and mental torture “Initially when I got there, I was asked to write a statement.

Mid-way, they forced me to stop. After the physical torture, they took me through the mental torture. This involved putting you inside a small dark crowded cell with about 26 other suspects, all naked. We were not fed. We were kept under dehumanising condition. Some suspects had gunshot wounds which were decaying, septic, with maggots coming out.

"When tortured beyond unbearable limit, suspects will begin to confess to crimes they didn’t commit, saying what the officers wanted them to say just to be freed from torture. The painful aspect is the fact that they lie to your relatives when they come, that you are not in their custody. Meanwhile you are wasting away in their cell.

"It was when the Network on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN) mounted pressure through media publications that my IPO brought a statement written by him and forced me to sign. Without being derogatory, my IPO is less educated than me. So, I had to confront him when I was granted bail three months later, insisting that the written statement was not mine. Instead of showing remorse, he quipped that I should be happy I was not wasted.

Goings-on at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Akwuzu, are very inhuman....

Each time human rights activists and civil society organizations visit, they give us clothes to wear and depopulate the cells by taking suspects to other cells

Travel to Aso Rock “Goings-on at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Awkuzu,are very inhuman.

They are degrading human life there.

Each time human rights activists and civil society organizations visit, they give us clothes to wear and depopulate the cells by taking suspects to other cells. After they leave, they bring the suspects back into the cells. It was during one of such occasions that some suspects died. They execute people summarily in Cell 5. The cell is built in such a way that when you come inside the building, it is the first cell you see but you won’t know that anything like that goes on there. Whenever they open the cell, expectations are that many suspects will certainly die and they simply refer to it as, ‘travelling to Aso Rock’.

We saw it, we experienced it and we felt it. Every night, we feel like it was the last day on earth.

Disappearance of suspects at night “Usually in SARS, two words are commonly used. They are: to ‘waste

and to travel’. Initially, when I began to hear the phrase, I didn’t understand what it meant till suspects began to disappear from our cells at night and never returned. Some of the suspects I met in the cell left and I rose to become the boss. But I was a very benevolent boss as I used to feed suspects in the cell with the money my parents gave me while in cell. I was lucky to have survived the physical, mental and psychological torture but when I was released, I had to face the societal stigma as people who were close to me before my arrest and detention, stayed away from me and treated me like I was an ex-convict.

Back to academics “I was supposed to have completed my programme but for my ordeal, I was forcefully taken away from the academic world. I returned this year. Hopefully, before the end of July, I would defend my project. Ironically, the police filed a suit against us at the magistrate's court when there was too much pressure from civil right organisations spearheaded by NOPRIN. The police was forced to take us to court. On the day we were arraigned in court at about 2:30am, officers came into the cell, asked us to have our bath. I asked where they were taking us to. They said they were taking us to court. That was the first time in three months that I took my bath. At the court, we were arraigned on a seven-count charge ranging from murder to robbery.

Demolition in error “While in prison, we made enquiries about Nnabule Okafor,the man they said we killed in the charges prepared against us. The truth of the matter is that Anambra state government demolished the hotel in error and when they discovered that it was an error and the whole incident, a set-up, they had to file a charge against us so that they can justify the demolition of the building.

Now that we have been bailed, both the police and the Department of Public Prosecution, DPP, have refused to take the case to high court. We have 14 suits in court on violation of fundamental human right. All the cases we have in the court are the ones we instituted for the government to compensate us but nothing has been done. We have served them notice yet they refused to respond.

Compensation for the oppressed “It is all part of the torture that both the police and Anambra State Governor have erred and still will not accept the fact that there is need to compensate those whom you have victimized.

The experience of torture in the Nigerian police if you have not heard, or seen or felt it, you keep hearing go to court, go to court but we have been in the court.

We also want to be in the court of public opinion because when this thing happened, the Governor of Anambra State did not go to court.

50 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 2 2,, 2015

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 2 2,, 2015— 51

52 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015

Ike: 50 yrs on, the Leopard remains unbottled

By Japhet Alakam

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or you to be celebrated in the literary world you must be steadfast by sticking to creative writing, else poor reading culture and piracy will become a stumbling block.” These were the words of globally celebrated creative writer and author of Toad for Super, Eze Chukwuemeka Ike, when the University of Nigeria, Nsukka kick started the golden jubilee celebration of his writing at the University community.

Looking at when Ike started writing and his contributions to the literary world, he met the standard as fifty years after his first novel, Toads for Super was published, he still remains relevant and that was why various organisations, schools etc rolled out drums to celebrate his 50 years of writing. The celebration which has been done in various states took a different dimension last week when the famous publishers, University Press Plc instead of its normal lectures that address issues in the society dedicated this years Authors Forum to him.

The event which was held at Kakanfo Inn and Conference Centre, Ibadan and attended by many eminent personalities, friends, colleagues, authors and scholars including the Managing Director, UP Plc, Samuel Kolawole; former Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Emeritus Profs. Ayo Banjo, Ayo Bamgboshe, Prof.

Akachi Ezeigbo etc. afforded the management of UP Plc and other authors another golden opportunity to celebrate the elder statesman’s achievements as a leading, internationally acclaimed novelist of Nigerian birth. n his opening remarks, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, University Press Plc, Dr. Lekan Are, who described the veteran writer, Prof.

Chukwuemeka Ike, as an author whose works transformed individuals and the society said UPL was lucky to have Ike, who is also the paramount ruler of Ndikelionwu town in Anambra State, on its board between 1978 and 2002.

“Ike is an acclaimed creative writer, whose first novel, Toads for Supper, was published in London in 1965. To date, he has written several short stories, 11 novels, one novel in Igbo, one fictional travelogue, two nonfiction books, four monographs and edited non-fiction books.

He uses his stories and creative works to mirror, command, reproach and persuade the society, with the intention of having a better society. His stories centre on the transformation of the individual, the transforma-

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tion of Nigeria as well as the transformation of the society at large.” He added.

In her keynote address titled, ‘Celebrating Chukwuemeka Ike: A literary icon of our time,’Prof. Kanchana Ugbabe, who took an analytic overview of the body of relevant writing done by Chukwuemeka Ike in the first 50 years of his career as a Relevant Published Writer....since 1965, described the author as a gentle giant and a man of humility.

Prof. Kanchana Ugbabe who recalled how the writing style of the author helped her and other students in their build up disclosed that her first contact with Prof. Ike dated back to 1970 when she was writing her Ph.D. thesis in Australia.

In her presentation, the professor of English and African Literature who divided the presentation into three sessions, sub-titled: Reading Chukwuemeka Ike for pleasure, Reading Ike as a Scholar, and Reading Ike as a Teacher/

Chukwemeka Ike who wrote with psychological realism and sense of humour used his books to address various fundamental issues in the society

•R-l: Dr Lekan Are, UP Plc chairman speaking, Eze Prof. Chukwuemeka Ike, (Celebrant) wife Ugoeze Prof Adebimkpe Ike and other Professors during the UP Plc 2015 Authors Forum Teaching Ike highlighted the various ways Ike has used his books to address various fundamental issues in the society, pointing out that Ike wrote with psychological realism and sense of humour.

According to her, in the Potter’s Wheel set in the 1940’s Nigeria, Ike presents the shaping and molding of young children in the potter’s wheel of Teacher’s household, in Naked Gods, Ike gives insight into the workings of the university system, but characteristically ridicules the excesses of the system and human behavior. In The Children are coming, Ike lashes out in vehement anger and satire the injustices meted out to young people by adult society by reminding that the children they have nurtured in affluence, in careless abandon, in a coun-

try that can least afford it, are indeed coming. Expo ‘77 sounds the alarm bells concerning exam malpractice as far back as 1980, while Sunset at Dawn is Ike’s bold and compelling venture into historic recording of the Nigerian civil war even as he continues the search for the solution to Nigeria’s problems in The Search. part from the novels, Prof Ike was also concerned with the reading culture, the book industry and access to books by the common man for a very long time. He has been the president of the Nigerian Book Foundation and his efforts have gone a long way towards improving the reading culture and the book industry in Nigeria in the past 25 years. Through the founda-

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tion, Ike has also vigorously protected copyright laws and helped prevent piracy of books.

Ike as literary giant has used his God-given talent in storytelling to educate people on good moral values as well as remind them of rewards that come from hard work and honesty.

Responding to the lecture, Prof Ike who went down memory lane to narrate his experiences in the company, how it started as Oxford University Press till it was changed to University Press Plc thanked the company and others present especially his colleagues for gracing the event.

Finally, Prof Akachi Adimora Ezeigbo presented a gift to the speaker for her contributions to African Literature and the works of Prof. Chukwuemeka Ike.

Nigerian-British Nuzo pioneers new literary genre, Horror Books

By Prisca Sam-Duru

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frican Horror , new lit erary genre which introduces Nigerian culture into this category of writing, has birthed in Lagos, thanks to the pioneering works of NigerianBritish writer Nuzo Onoh.

With the recent spread of regional horror such as Japanese, Korean, Indian and Scandinavian Horror, African Horror is finally taking its rightful place in that literary genre, courtesy of the writings of Nuzo, daughter of the late ex-governor of old Anambra State, Dr. C.C. Onoh.

Her début novel, The Reluctant Dead, is a collection of ghost stories set in Igbo-land, from Enugu to Onitsha, depicting terrifying, haunting, manifestations and possessions by ghosts with unfinished business. The book was so well received that the BBC World Service ran a pro-

Nuzo Onoh gramme on it, with people from around the globe tweeting about it.

The book established Nuzo as the frontrunner of modern African Horror, especially by a female writer. Nuzo’s next book, Unhallowed Graves, is due out this 28th June and follows in the traditions of The Reluctant Dead.

In her latest book, Nuzo writes about hauntings and reincarnations by vengeful ghosts

of people buried in Ajo-ofia or accursed grounds, a custom prevalent in the olden days and still practiced in some villages to date. iving a speech at the last African literary Evening held in London,Nuzo stated that it was time African Horror ceased to be portrayed as a negative condition of the planet rather than a bona-fide literary genre. Encouraging more writers to write works in that

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genre, Nuzo said that a deluge of African Horror books would stop western media from adopting the term to describe wars, crimes, famine, AIDS, Ebola and other disasters that affect the African continent.

Nuzo continues to pay homage to Amos Tutuola and Mike Okri, whom she credits as the founding fathers of African Horror, albeit the term was not used to describe their works.

Nuzo, who holds both a law degree and a Masters degree in Writing from Warwick University, England, also runs her own publishing house, Canaan-Star Publishing, which publishes books from authors around the globe. She is also a regular guest on the BBC Coventry & Warwickshire Radio. Going by the success of The Reluctant Dead, her latest book, Unhallowed Graves, is bound to garner more support from fans' thirsty to learn more about Ndigbo and their rich unique culture.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015 — 53

Give arts a separate ministry

E •L-r: Chimamanda Adichie, Creative Director Farafana Trust, Mr Isaac Amuke receiving Award from Nicolaas Vervelde, MD/CEO of NB Plc left during the Literary Night

Adichie, Wainaina decries dearth of literary works in African languages

By Ikenna Asomba

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otable award winning African writers, Chimamanda Adichie and Binyavanga Wainaina, have expressed worry over what they described as the dearth of literary works in African languages, pointing that the trend portends a bleak future for the continent.

Adichie and Wainaina, who are both facilitators of the annual Nigerian Breweries/ Farafina Creative Writing Workshop (CWW), raised this concern, weekend, during the Nigerian Breweries/Farafina 2015 Literary Evening with Chimamanda Adichie, held at the Oriental Hotels, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Of the over 1, 500 budding African writers who applied for the event, just 25 emerged finalists and were celebrated and given certificates of participation by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Breweries, Nicolass Vervelde .

Interestingly, the finalists were mostly made up of Nigerian and Kenyan writers coming from fields other than the literary.

Earlier, Vervelde, who affirmed that over the last seven years, the CWW initiative has helped in the discovery of many talents in Africa said: “It is always a great pleasure for me to join this gathering of distinguished men and women of letters which brings to an end our annual Creative Writing Workshop organized

by Farafina Trust and sponsored by Nigerian Breweries Plc. As a socially responsible company, Nigerian Breweries remains committed to winning with Nigeria by championing causes that add value to the society.

“When Nigerian Breweries began this partnership with Farafina Trust to sponsor the Creative Writers Workshop seven years ago, this partnership was founded on our company’s desire to encourage the

development of literary writing skills in Nigeria, as part of our strategic corporate initiative for talent development and youth empowerment in Nigeria.

“Since then, the CCW has become a major item in our Corporate Social responsibility calendar. Through this platform, driven by Chimamanda Adichie, Nigeria’s award winning writer and Director of Farafina Trust, Nigerian Breweries and Farafina Trust have helped to discover and nurture literary skills in Nigeria.

He commended the facilitators for this year; Chimamanda, Aslak Sira Myhre and Binyavanga Wainaina who have been part of the literary workshop since its inception in 2009. It is our collective hope that the writers chosen for the workshop this year will have the potential to become future best sellers in literature as they make a commitment to the lessons learnt during the workshop,” said Vervelde.

Speaking at the event, Adichie who urged African parents to imbibe the culture of promoting African languages among their children, however said: “My dream for this workshop is to create a pan-African platform

Interestly, the finalists were mostly made up of Nigerian and Kenyan writers from fields other than the literary

for Nigerians to live up their dream. This year, the CCW was open to everybody irrespective of the age. We have over 1500 entries every year, but we just select 25 people. The write-up of the 25 people selected this year was indeed spectacular. Writing workshops don’t teach you how to write, but they give you validation, spurs you wanting to go out to do better.”

The award winning writer added that “You don’t have to be beautiful to get into this workshop, but you need to tell the African stories. I advise our parents to allow their children to read wide, not test books. Instead of buying your children two pairs of shoes, buy them one pair and buy them books. Poor reading culture is one problem we have in Africa, but when parents do this, they are building a future for their children. I’m indeed happy that Nigeria has a generation that knows that their stories are really valid and they can share it through writing.”

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n his part, Wainaina, who also decried the dearth of literary works in African languages, however said there was a general improvement in commitment and talent among the participants of this year ’s workshop. He said: “The same sense of commitment you see in the young women was also seen in the young men who participated in this year’s edition of the Nigerian Breweries/Farafina Creative Writing Workshop. It’s indeed a beautiful generation of writers.”

Book presentation

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he public presentation of a new Coffee-Table book titled, ABEOKUTA: BEYOND THE ROCKS” is scheduled to take place on Saturday July 4, 2015.

The event which will hold at June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta by 12 noon will have the Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun as the chief launcher while Alake of Egbaland His Royal Majesty Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo 111, will be the Father of the day.

The occasion as inspired by an illustrious son of Kenta, Abeokuta is packaged by an arts company Terra Kulture in conjunction with Ogun State government, will be graced by many illustrious sons of Egbaland.

ntertainment industry is beginning to have a reckoning in Nigeria’s economy via a peep by Nollywood into the International Acts Market. It will be great for Nigeria if Nollywood can produce enough material for commercial representation in the global market alongside Sculpture, Fine and Graphic Arts, Theatre, Dance Film and Music.

The totality of the artistic evolution can wheel Nigeria’s economy to great height. I hasten to say though Nollywood is winking and wiggling in the small screen market, Nigeria still needs a platform of a solid stage foundation to build up the performing arts that will serve the big screen, the films industry, and build the theatre industry that will give meaning to the entertainment industry in Nigeria. [Nigeria needs a separate ministry for the arts to build a viable well structured entertainment industry].

Nigeria could borrow a leaf from America’s Broadway which has been the rock foundation of America’s stage and screen industry. America’s early successful movie stemmed from stage-theatre productions. Movies like Tobacco Road, Irish Rose, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Sound of Music were all popular and very successful Box office stage shows which were later filmed for the screen.

For a viable entertainment industry, Nigeria needs a theatre foundation, to breed a sophisticated and well groomed generation of actors that would feed the screen and establish a theatre tradition. It is sad that the efforts of our pioneer artiste like Hurbert Ogunde, Ene Henshaw, Duro Ladipo, Ogunmola etc faded off with the memories of Festac 77.

No “Minister of Arts” past or present has given the thought to the preservation of the memories of our past art stalwards such as sculptor Ben Enwonwu, Playwright Ene Henshaw, the first Nigeria professional actor Orlando Martins who ranked with the likes of America Actor president Ronald Reagan; Nigeria’s formost pop musician Ambrose Campbell, the man who was summoned home to sing Nigeria into independence the great Fela Anikulapo Kuti, song stars like Nelly

No Minister of Arts, past or present has given the thought to the preservation of the memories of our past art stalwards

Uchendu[MON], Lady Afi Usuah[MON], Musician Cardinal Rex Lawson, Bobby Benson father of Nigeria’s popular music and sports men like Hogan Kid Bassey Nigeria’s first world boxing champion, Dick Tiger, and living legend three times cruiser, weight world tittles holder Bash Ali still bobbing and weaving ready to make Nigeria proud by being the oldest boxing champion to defend his title and enter the Guinness book of records. What are we afraid of, after all, George Forman retired and returned to the ring twice fight for titles, a hundred year old Chinese lady athlete recently won a medal in swimming.

How I wish we can support our boxing wonder-man Bash Ali to bulb and weave Nigeria boxing back to fame once again.

We cannot build a respectable nation without remembering our past heroes. While I seize this opportunity to acknowledge President Goodluck Jonathan for his appreciation of the arts and his interest in entertainment industry, I which to acknowledge his generosity to the Nigeria art sector which an art ministry would have used wisely to the benefit of the nation. recall my “Open letter to the president” published in a few Nigerian dailies immediately after the president’s generous act. I thanked the president for the hug amount and want to suggest amongst other things that we build a hall of fame like Madam Tussauds in England to preserve the memories of our past heroes and not to share to cap-in-hand artiste. Today we are where we were drifting in art canoes without paddles. Leaving the money on the bank and in the bank while we say farewell to Mr. President.

We need an art ministry with a minister who would structure the industry and remove the arts market from the street jamboree; structure a retirement benefit for deserved old artiste, open a market for art exposure between Nigeria and all her embassies round the world and make art truly professional, commercial, and sophisticated.

Well handled, Nigeria’s art can feed our nation.

Nollywood’s wink is but a tease.

As Member of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, (MFR), and pioneer President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria and father of Nollywood, I on behalf of the Visual and Performing Arts Practitioners, heartily and warmly welcome the new President to a familiar seat and wish you a peaceful and successful and joyful tenure while we congratulate and welcome Mr President once again.

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54—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015

Liberia confirms 2 new Ebola cases

By Chioma Obinna & Gabriel Olawale, with agency report

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IBERIA government, yesterday, confirmed two new cases of Ebola after a teenager died of Ebola fever in the country, even as it said more results of blood tests are being awaited.

The confirmation came a day after Health Minister; Bernice Dahn, announced the first case of Ebola in Liberia, warning that it was “likely that we will find additional cases.”

Spokesperson for the country’s Health Department in Margibi County, Cestus Tarpeh, who confirmed the cases, added that a herbalist who had treated the boy had evaded the authorities and was on the run.

The new outbreak comes with the country still reeling from a nightmarish epidemic, which wrecked its health service and economy and left 4,800 Liberians dead.

Reports have it that before the new cases, Liberia had reported its last victim on March 20 and was declared Ebola-free by the World Health Organisation on May 9.

... awaits results of more blood tests The country ’s media reported that the 17-year-old had fallen ill on June 21 and died three days later, although this had not been confirmed by government.

There were no immediate details either on the two new cases, as epidemiologists scrambled to trace and quarantine anyone else who

may have had contact with the teenager.

The country’s neighbours, Guinea and Sierra Leone, are still battling the outbreak, which has killed more than 11,200 people across West Africa. But the coastal Margibi County, where the teenager died, is not near either border.

The health ministry said it

had no reason to believe the teenager had visited either country and the source of his infection remains a mystery.

Also, the US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Linda ThomasGreenfield, described the new Ebola death as a warning to the world that the job was not done.

Meanwhile, residents of Monrovia have expressed fears that the Margibi outbreak would develop into a full-blown epidemic.

Experts are speculating that the latest victim could have been infected by an entirely new variation of the virus from an animal such as a fruit bat, rather than a human.

Lagos gets $200m World Bank credit

By Emmanuel Elebeke

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AGOS State, yesterday, secured $200 million World Bank credit to support a range of reforms on fiscal sustainability, budget planning, budget execution, and the investment climate in the state.

The credit is expected to help sustain the state’s recent economic growth and poverty reduction index, while continuing to deliver social services to the city ’s expanding population.

A statement by Senior Communications Specialist, World Bank, Nigeria, Obadiah Tohomdet, said the fund from the International Development Association, IDA, which supports the Third Lagos State Development Policy Operation, is the last of a series of two development policy operations to improve public finances and the investment climate in a fiscally sustainable manner.

Lagos State government was said to have, in the past decade, achieved significant economic growth, improved its infrastructure and services, significantly reduced crime, and brought millions of people out of poverty.

World Bank

Task Team Leader for the Project, Jariya Hoffman, said: “The operation is focused on furthering improvements in the transparency of the budget system, effectiveness of public expenditures, and the business climate will help sustain the pace of economic growth and thus the state’s positive momentum towards income equality and the delivery of public services.

“With enhanced budget transparency and efficiency, adequate funding can be shifted to programmes to benefit the state’s booming population, especially the poorest families.”

According to him, the operation will enhance the state government’s fiscal sustainability by anchoring the budget in a framework that accounts for key fiscal risks and improves revenue collection.

Also, he explained that the project would support

adopting a new approach to budget planning and preparation and ensure adequate allocation of budgetary resources to social services such as education and health.

In addition to budgetary improvements, the project is equally expected to support a reduction in the cost of land transactions and development and introduction of an electronic web-based system for processing of planning permits that will help to improve the business climate and attract new investments.

Also commenting on the credit, World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Marie Francoise MarieNelly, said: “This operation is designed to assist Lagos State in its quest to continue its recent success in spite of the challenges brought on by rapid economic and population growth.

“As an urban agglomeration that has reduced income inequality during double digit economic growth, Lagos is an example of inclusive growth in Nigeria.

“If the Lagos experience is sustained, there is strong potential for this type of inclusive growth to spread to other parts of Nigeria.”

The World Bank’s IDA was established in 1960 to help the world’s poorest countries by providing grants and low to zerointerest loans for projects and programmes that boost economic growth, reduce poverty and improve poor people’s lives.

IDA is one of the largest sources of assistance for the world’s 77 poorest countries, 39 of which are in Africa.

Resources from IDA bring positive change for 2.8 billion people, the majority of whom live on less than $2 a day.

Since 1960, IDA has supported development work in 112 countries.

Annual commitments have averaged about $18 billion over the last three years, with about 50 percent going to Africa.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015 — 55

INEC: Due process followed in Mrs. Zakari’s appointment as Acting Chairman — Presidency • says Buhari has no personal relationship with Zakari immediate past Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, whose tenure elapsed on the same day.

BUJA — THE Presidency But her appointment has said yesterday that due progenerated concerns and reactions cess was followed in the appointfrom many quarters. ment of Mrs. Amina Zakari as the One of such quarters is the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP which accused the President of appointing his ally to pave way for the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC reclaim the PDP controlled states at the election Tribunal through some dubious means.

The party also accused the President of overruling Jega, ANNIVERSARY: From left, Secretary General, United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, who had earlier Vice Chairman, United Global Compact board, Sir Mark Moody Stuart, and Chairman, handed over to Honeywell Group, Dr. Oba Otudeko, during the United Nations 15th anniversary another senior celebration of the UN Global Compact in New York, US. staff of the commission.

But reacting to the concerns raised by the PDP, the Presidency through the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesi-

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

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Acting Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. It will be recalled that Mrs. Zakari was appointed by President Mohammadu Buhari on Tuesday to replace the

na said that due process was followed in making the nomination.

In a statement issued late last night, Adesina said that “Mr Metuh’s spurious claims of her appointment having been influenced by “personal relationship with the Presidency ” and a Governor in the North-West “to pave the way for the APC” at election tribunals should be disregarded by the public.”

He added that Buhari did not overrule Jega in the appointment of Zakari.

According to him, the allegations were unfounded, deliberately made to denigrate the president.

The statement read thus: “We have noted with regret, the latest tirade against President Muhammadu Buhari issued today (yesterday) by the PDP’s spokesman, Mr Olisa Metuh.

“Other than boring reporters at his press conference with a rehash of baseless allegations of inaction against the President, Mr Metuh clearly had nothing new to say apart from his charge of nepotism and partisanship in the appointment of the Acting INEC Chairman, which also lacks any factual foundation."

CARS RECALL: CPC demands status report from Toyota, others

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AGOS—AS part of its efforts at safeguarding the interest of consumers, the Consumer Protection Council, CPC, has requested franchise holders of four top global car brands in Nigeria to within seven days provide information on the status of their vehicles in relation to the faulty front passenger airbag inflators, which have prompted the recall of the brands’ implicated models from the market worldwide.

The council, determined to ensure Nigerian consumers, who purchased these implicated models from the franchise holders are not left out of the recall policy, had communicated its position to Toyota Nigeria Limited, Nissan Nigeria Limited, Honda Automobile West Africa Limited and CFAO motors Nigeria, the franchise holders for Mitsubishi vehicles in Nigeria.

CPC’s action came on the heels of the global recall of certain models of the brands from the market due to their front passenger airbag inflators’ defects.

Toyota is reportedly recalling 2.86 million vehicles, equipped with certain front passenger airbag inflators in addition to a total of 12.66 million units already recalled.

70-yr-old, baby among rape survivors treated in Lagos—MIRABEL

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By Chioma Obinna

AGOS—A 10-monthold baby girl and a 70year-old woman were among a total of 737 survivors of rape and other forms of sexual assault treated and offered psychosocial support free of charge, in the two years since the Mirabel Centre, the first sexual assault referral centre in Nigeria, opened its doors to victims of sexual assault.

The baby was sexually molested by the father, while the 70-year-old woman was raped by a boy that ran errands for her in the neighbourhood.

Making this and other revelations yesterday in Lagos, Managing Partner, Partnership for Justice, Mrs. Itoro Eze-Anaba, said the increase in reported cases of sexual violence, particularly, child sexual

abuse had become a major public concern in the country.

Eze-Anaba who acknowledged that sexual violence has become endemic in this part of the world said Mirabel Centre was established to fill the gap created by one of the biggest challenges in seeking justice for the survivors who often lack reliable support services and verifiable data.

According to her, more revealing is the fact that out of the 737victims, the youngest was a 10-monthold and the oldest 70 years old.

“This number is made up of 17 male clients and 720 female clients. Many of these clients are referred to the centre by the police and the hospital, civil society organisations, government agencies and some just

walk into the centre for treatment.

"In Lagos, locations with the highest number of assaults include; Kosofe, 91, Alimosho 128, Ikeja 56, Oshodi-Isolo 72, and Agege 80,” she stated.

She further lamented that the perpetrators of sexual violence in the country act with impunity due to corruption and incompetency in investigation and prosecution of such cases.

Stating that Partnership for Justice offers needed professional care with funding from Justice for All Programme of the Department of International Development, DFID, of the British Council, she frowned that absence of verifiabledataandpressuresfrom familyandfriendshasledtomany survivors not seeking help nor reporting to the police.

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56 — VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JULY 2 , 2015

Thousands of Greeks rally for ‘Yes’ vote to austerity

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IAEA chief to hold last minute talks with Iran ahead of new deadline T HE global nuclear watchdog said yesterday its boss would fly to Tehran to discuss some of the last big issues that need to be resolved so that Iran and world powers can reach a breakthrough final nuclear deal by a new deadline of next week.

Iran and six world powers gave themselves an extra week on Tuesday to reach an accord that would curb Tehran’s nuclear program in exchange for relief from economic sanctions, after it became clear that a June 30 deadline would not be met. Despite the lapsed deadline, diplomats have given upbeat assessments of the prospects for a deal.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif held one-on-one talks on Wednesday. Zarif said the talks were making progress and would con-

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N US Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry and delegates tot he Iran nuclear talks tinue to do so.

Western countries suspect Iran of seeking the capability to make a nuclear weapon. Tehran says its program is peaceful.

The effort to resolve the dispute has led to the most intense diplomacy between the United States

and Iran since Iranian revolutionaries stormed the U.S. embassy in Tehran in 1979. A final accord to resolve the standoff would be a major policy achievement for both U.S. President Barack Obama and Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani, but both presi-

dents face scepticism from hardliners at home.

Obama said on Tuesday no deal would be agreed unless it blocked all Iranian pathways to developing a nuclear bomb, and ensured a robust monitoring system was in place.

comes alongside months of talks with Cuba after the leaders of the two countries agreed in December to begin warming relations.President Barack Obama and President Raul Castro exchanged letters agreeing to reopen embassies in each other’s capitals, with the Cubans saying that could happen as soon as July 20.

“This is a historic step forward in our efforts to normalize relations with the Cuban government and people and begin a new chapter with our neighbors in the Ameri-

Cuban President Raul Castro and his US counterpart, Barrack Obama cas,” Obama said from the White House Rose Garden.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, speaking from

Vienna, said he would visit Havana later this summer to raise the U.S. flag outside the U.S. embassy.

Greeks brace for votes as Merkel dismisses threat to Europe lower house of parlia-

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REEK Prime Minis ter Alexis Tsipras vowed yesterday to push ahead with a controversial bailout referendum despite pressure from European leaders, and urged creditors to accept a fresh reform offer by Athens.

Even as German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the outcome of the vote will not threaten the future of Europe.

Hours after Greece became the first advanced

Turnout was comparable to the “No” camp’s own rally a day earlier in support of left-wing Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, when tens of thousands swarmed to the main Syntagma square in front of parliament.

Greece faces defaulting at midnight on a loan repayment to the International Monetary Fund after the collapse of negotiations with creditors at the weekend on a new aid programme.

NATO silent on Lithuania’s request for ‘Baltic brigade’

Jubilations as US, Cuba formally restore relations UBANS yesterday jubilated over the re-opening of embassies in Washington and Havana as part of the agreement between the two countries to restore diplomatic ties that had been severed for 54 years.

President Barack Obama unveiled a breakthrough deal with Cuba as bth countries reopen embassies in a major step toward ending decades of Cold war enmity. The agreement is a major foreign policy achievement for the president, and it

HOUSANDS of Greeks worried about the prospect of crashing out of Europe’s currency union rallied in Athens on Tuesday behind a “Yes” vote in a referendum on whether to accept tough terms demanded by creditors to keep the country afloat.

One banner read: “We will not become the last Soviet state”. Many carried flags of the European Union.

They chanted “Greece, Europe, democracy!”

•Merkel economy to default on the IMF, the leftist leader used a televised address to tell Greeks to vote ‘No’ on Sunday to creditor austerity demands.

European ministers yesterday to consider a new proposal from Athens but

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has already insisted there can be no new deal before the referendum.But German Chancellor Angela Merkel said yesterday that “the future of Europe is not at stake” from the Greek crisis but warned against striking a compromise at any price that could weaken the EU. “Yes, these are turbulent days. And the stakes indeed are high,” Merkel told Germany’s Bundestag

ment, a day after debtladen Greece crashed out of an EU aid programme and became the first advanced economy to default on an IMF payment.

“The world is watching us. But the future of Europe is not at stake. The future of Europe would be at stake if we forgot who we are and what makes us strong — a community based on rules and responsibility,” she said.

ATO has vowed to hold “continuous” military exercises in eastern Europe to deter Russia but has yet to respond to a request by Baltic states for a permanent brigade, Lithuania said yesterday.

In May, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia formally asked NATO’s top commander to deploy a “permanent rotational” battalion-sized unit in each country amid concerns triggered by Russia’s military resurgence.

NATO has so far refused

to approve a substantial permanent deployment, with some saying it could breach a 1997 agreement with Russia and trigger an arms race.

Lithuania’s military spokesman Captain Mindaugas Neimontas confirmed to AFP Wednesday that US General Philip M. Breedlove sent Vilnius a classified document “several weeks ago” vowing that NATO’s military drills would continue without considerable breaks.

UN declares humanitarian emergency in Yemen

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HE United Nations yesterday declared its highest-level humanitarian emergency in conflict-torn Yemen, where over 80 percent of the population need assistance.

U.N. officials have said the Arab world’s most impoverished country is now a step away from famine.

Humanitarian chief Stephen O’Brien convened a meeting of U.N. agencies early Wednesday, and all agreed to declare a “Level 3” humani-

tarian emergency in Yemen for six months.

The United Nations now faces four top-level humanitarian emergencies. It is already trying to respond to “Level 3” emergencies in three other conflict-wracked countries: Iraq, Syria and South Sudan. The U.N. humanitarian office says the declaration of a top-level emergency mobilizes U.N.wide staffing and funding to scale up aid delivery.

Russia assures Baltic states over independence status

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USSIA sought yes terday to ease concern in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia over plans to review the legality of a 1991 decision formally granting them independence from the Soviet Union.

The Baltic states declared independence in 1990 and 1991, and activists in Lithuania and Latvia were killed in attempts by Soviet forces to quell rebellion.

The events have been a matter of particular sensitivity in the three countries since Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine, another former Soviet republic.

The Russian prosecutorgeneral’s office said on Tuesday it would review the decision by the Soviet Union’s State Council, the

•Putin highest organ of state power, in the last months of the Soviet empire, to recognize the break. But the Kremlin distanced itself from the move and the prosecutorgeneral’s office presented it as just a formality after a review was requested by two members of the United Russia party which is loyal to President Vladimir Putin.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015 — 57

Burkina Faso: France suspends two soldiers over child sex abuse

Mutiple Islamic militants attack, kill 53 at Sinai checkpoints D

OZENS of Islamic militants unleashed a wave of simultaneous attacks, including suicide car bombings, on Egyptian army checkpoints in the restive northern Sinai Peninsula yesterday, killing at least 53 soldiers, officials said.

The advanced planning and coordinated execution of the attacks show that the long-running insurgency in the area is growing stronger, posing a serious threat to Egypt’s security as the military-backed government struggles to restore stability after years of unrest since the 2011 uprising. The assault came a day after Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi pledged to step up the battle against Islamic militants and two days after the chief prosecutor was assassinated in the capital, Cairo. The officials said 50 militants were killed in fierce fighting that started in the early morning and was still raging at the end of the

day — the deadliest battle in Sinai since the 1973 Arab-Israeli war.

Egyptians lament hardship

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FTER a year in power, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s aura of invincibility may be fading as he comes under closer scrutiny from a public growing impatient with the same social inequalities that triggered a mass uprising in 2011.

To be sure, Sisi is still firmly in control, with security forces cracking down on dissent, and Western and Gulf Arab powers on his side, pumping billions of dollars into the economy each year to support a strategic ally.

But with frustration growing on the streets, the man who could once do no wrong in the eyes of many Egyptians is becoming more cautious

•Al-Sisi in his approach to ruling the Arab world’s most populous nation, evidenced by a recalibration of some policies.

“I can’t work. I can’t feed my kids. I’m fed up with this entire country,” complained a 35-yearold food cart owner at a crowded market in Alexandria.

Egypt’s leaders, he said, were out of touch.

They didn’t understand how expensive everyday

needs were and they didn’t come down to markets like this one to find out.

As army chief, Sisi toppled Islamist President Mohamed Mursi in 2013 after mass protests against his rule, quickly earning praise from many Egyptians who longed for stability after the fall of autocrat Hosni Mubarak in 2011 sparked years of turmoil.

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RANCE has sus pended two of its soldiers over allegations they sexually abused children in Burkina Faso.

One of the alleged victims was a five-year-old girl whose father found a camera containing images of his daughter being sexually abused, report AFP news agency.

It comes after another abuse scandal involving French soldiers.

A leaked UN report claimed 16 French peacekeepers abused children in the Central African Republic.

“This is an army that confronts [such accusations] head on,” the army’s chief of staff, General JeanPierre Bosser told AFP news agency.

French military police

are travelling to the country to investigate, alongside the local police.

The French army has come under criticism for being slow to react to previous child abuse claims in Central African Republic.

There have been a number of sex scandals involving UN peacekeepers recently, with one UN report saying the peacekeepers regularly barter goods for sex with people.

About 3,000 French soldiers are stationed in five countries in the region Mali, Chad, Mauritania and Niger as well as Burkina Faso - in an antiterrorism operation and the UN currently has about 125,000 peacekeepers deployed in a number of countries around the world.

Liberia suffers set back on Ebola-free status

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IBERIA confirmed yesterday it had at least two cases of Ebola, nearly two months after the West African country worst hit by the disease had been declared free of it.

More than 11,200 people have died since last year in the worst ever outbreak of Ebola, nearly all of them in three neighboring countries, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

Liberia was the worsthit, with more than 4,800 people dying, but was declared Ebola-free by the World Health Organization on May 9 after 42 days passed with no new infections.

Neighboring Sierra Leone and Guinea are still suffering, with 20 new cases reported in

•Johnson the week to June 21 between them.

Liberian authorities were monitoring more

than 100 people to contain a new outbreak after the body of 17-yearold Abraham Memaigar tested positive for the virus on Sunday in Margibi County, a rural area about 30 miles from the capital.

He was buried the same day but the news was announced only on

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•Hollande

Tunisia identifies victims of Beach Resort attack

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LL 38 victims of the massacre at a Tunisian beach resort have been formally identified, and 30 of them were Brit-

Ivory Coast reinforces border security after Islamist militants Mali attacks Armed men attacked pected hit a police station in the

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VORY Coast has re inforced security along its northern frontier after recent attacks just across the border in Mali blamed on Islamist insurgents, a government spokesman said yesterday.

and briefly took control of Fakola, a town in Mali’s southern region of Sikasso, close to the border with Ivory Coast, on Sunday. The raid followed a similar attack weeks earlier during which dozens of sus-

Burundi awaits vote results amid violence IX people, includ ing one police officer, have been killed in gun battles in Burundi’s capital as the nation awaits election results from Monday’s parliamentary poll.

The clashes in Bujumbura’s Cibitoke district on Wednesday took

Tuesday. A neighbor of the boy also later tested positive.

We have two confirmed cases today in Liberia,” Dr. Moses Massaquoi, case management team leader for Liberia’s Ebola task force, said yesterday. It was not clear how the teenager caught the virus.

place after three grenades were thrown at a police patrol, injuring two officers, a police official said speaking on condition of anonymity.

“Two policemen were injured,” said Fabien, a resident of Mutakura district where weeks of street protests took place against Nkurunziza in

May and early June.

Fabien said it appeared some civilians were also wounded when two grenades exploded but it was not clear how many.

Elsewhere in the capital, military parades were held to mark the country’s independence day.

nearby town of Misseni.

Spokesman Bruno Kone said after a cabinet meeting in the commercial capital Abidjan that Ivory Coast had been taking specific measures for months to protect it against a spillover of violence from Mali.

“In addition to the regular measures, reinforcements have been made after this threat was judged to be closer,” he said. “We can say that things are being put in place to keep what’s started to happen from going too far.”

Kone declined to give further details, citing the need for operational secrecy. But he said the two neighbors’ defense min-

Al-Hassan Quattara isters were communicating and security had been reinforced on both sides of the border.

Ivory Coast, the world’s top cocoa grower and French-speaking West Africa’s largest economy, is emerging from a decade-long political crisis and is now in the midst of an economic revival.

It has enjoyed relative

ons, the Tunisian Health Ministry said yesterday.

“All the bodies have been identified,” said the ministry’s director of emergency services, Naoufel Somrani.

The massacre began on Friday on the beach in Sousse when a 24year-old student, Seifeddine Rezgui, fired on tourists in their lounge chairs with an assault rifle, then strode through the Imperial Marhaba Hotel complex, shooting terrified vacationers and tossing several grenades, officials and witnesses have said. Along with the 38 foreign tourists killed, 39 people were wounded.

In addition to the 30 Britons killed, three of the victims were from Ireland, two from Germany and one each from Belgium, Portugal and Russia. Britain flew the bodies of eight citizens home on Wednesday, with more flights expected in the coming days.

58— Vanguard, THURSDAY THURSDAY,, JULY 2, 2015

By Jude Njoku, Bose Adelaja Augustina Anyaegbu

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he last Senate presided over by Senator David Mark, arguably etched its name in the Guinness Book of Records when on the last day of its sitting and within a space of ten minutes, it passed 46 bills into law.

Nigerians who were left in a quandary as to how such number of bills could be passed into law in a legislative sitting that lasted only a few minutes, were soon proved right when the provisions of the bills began to unfold.

Of all the 46 bills, the one that has attracted the most reactions is unarguably the Sexual Offences Bill 2015 sponsored by Senator Chris Anyanwu who represented Imo East Owerri in the 7th Senate.

The passage of the bill may have been influenced by the plethora of sexual abuses in the country.

Rape cases rarely reported

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lthough rape cases are grossly underreported, yet the Nigerian media is on daily basis, awash with stories of rape and other forms of sexual defilement.

Sometime in January 2014, a private hostel in Ita-Oyila area of Ikenne, Ogun State was shut down over allegations that its proprietor, a 60- year-old man, had canal knowledge of a 12- year-old girl placed under his custody.

The victim who was alleged to be a student of May Flower Secondary School, Ikenne, went to live with the hostel proprietor because her parents could not afford the exorbitant accommodation fee in the school.

Vanguard Features, VF, learnt that the supposed custodian had carnal knowledge of the innocent girl on two occasions.

Sources claimed that when the girl could no longer cope with the situation, she raised an alarm which attracted neighbours and sympathisers.

The suspect allegedly lured the girl into his bedroom and forcibly had carnal knowledge of her.

Unable to contain the trauma, the poor girl was said to have ran to a relative at Ikenne to report the defilement. In an apparent bid to save the girl from being stigmatised, the matter was swept under the carpet for days until some concerned citizens reported

Lingering ripples over anti-rape legislation the incident to the Ogun State Police Command which effected the arrest of the man. They also sealed off the private hostel operated by the suspect.

Another bizarre incident occurred on Friday, August 23, 2013 in Niger State. The State Police on that day, arrested a man, Saliu Lawal, 25 for allegedly raping a three-yearold girl who was his next door neighbour. He allegedly lured the kid into the premises of a primary school and raped her.

These two cases are among the numerous incidents of rape that go on in virtually all parts of the country on daily basis.

Rape cases are rarely reported due to the extreme social stigma cast on women who have been raped or the fear of being disowned by their families, or subjected to violence.

Flurry of oppositions

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he joy that heralded the passage of the anti-rape bill (as the Sexual Offences Bill is also known), was short-lived when its provisions became public knowledge. The

President Buhari should never place his assent on such a nefarious distraction; its implications doom the victim to afflictions that churn the stomach even to think of the human toll

provision that upset most Nigerians is the section dealing with the age of consent to have sex. This provision triggered off a flurry of criticisms against the roposed law. One of the first to raise objection against the bill was the respected Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, who advised President Muhammadu Buhari not to assent to the bill. He stated that a a nation should not be founded on the sexual exploitation of the fragile and innocent.

“President Buhari – and here I make my first imposition on his presidency – should never place his assent on such a nefarious distraction. Its implications doom the victim to afflictions that churn the stomach even to think of the human toll. Perhaps those legislators think that vaginal fistula is something thought up by arm-chair critics with nothing better to occupy their minds. No matter, let those who profess a genuine concern declare their stand on this,” Soyinka said.

Another rights activist, Mr

Femi Falana, SAN, and his wife Funmi, also raised eyebrows over the age limit set for potential victims by the bill. They alleged that the age limits were inserted wrongly into the original bill. The bill stipulates a life imprisonment for any individual found guilty of rape or sexual intercourse with children under 11 years; 10 years for incest; 10 years for child pornography or a fine of N2 million; and 14 years for sexual abuse, among others.

“But since the obnoxious provision was illegally inserted by the Committee on Judiciary and Legal Matters without approval, the Senate ought to reverse itself and amend the relevant provisions of the Sexual Offences Bill, 2015.

Our Law firm has made a request to that effect,” Falana said.

He declared: ”If the Bill is eventually passed into law with its obnoxious provisions, we shall not hesitate to pray the Federal Continues on page 59

Vanguard, THURSDAY 5 — 59 THURSDAY,, JULY 2, 201 2015

Continues from page 58 High Court to strike it down in view of Article 18(3) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act (Cap A9) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 which has imposed a duty on the Government of Nigeria to ensure the elimination of every discrimination against women and ensure the protection of the rights of the woman and the child, as stipulated in international declarations and conventions.”

The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team also took a swipe at certain provisions of the bill.

The team specifically condemned the sections which sought to make a distinction in the ages of children. Same as the section that sought to give a statutory defence for sexual offences against a child on the grounds of purported deceit by the child, which causes an accused person to believe that the child is above 18, when the act of defiling the child is committed.

The anti-rape bill stipulated a punishment of life imprisonment for any individual found guilty of rape or sexual intercourse with a child and 14 years imprisonment for sexual abuse.

Speaking for the Group, the Permanent Secretary and Solicitor General of Lagos State, Mr Lawal Pedro, SAN, said the team identified certain sections it wants amended or cancelled from the bill.

The identified provisions, according to Pedro, are inconsistent with the provisions of Section 1 of the Child Rights Act which provided that “in every action concerning a child, the best interest of the child shall be the primary consideration”.

The Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team also requested for the ejection from the bill, the provisions of Section 9 which introduced the offence of gang rape, observing that prosecution under the Section may be problematic.

More criticisms

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arents, teachers, activists, religious and community leaders have also expressed dissatisfaction with the age

*The Ejigbo rape suspects as paraded by Police of consent provision in the Bill.

A social commentator and past President, Nigerian Bar Association NBA, Ikeja Branch Mr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani, questioned the passage of the bill and called on Mr President to examine it properly before signing it into law.

According to Ubani, the Bill if signed by Mr President will defy the international standard code of law which puts the sexual consent age at 18. ‘’Are you sure such a Bill was passed by the Senate? I doubt it because it will go against international standard code which puts the age of consent at 18.But if Nigeria should decide to lower it to 11, I wonder what we are aiming at?” he said.

Corroborating Ubani’s view, the helmsman of Humanity Foundation for Peace and Development, Mr Adenigba Henry said the Bill failed to examine certain factors about child development.

He argued that the health status and other factors were not put into consideration before the age of consent was arrived at. ‘’I think Nigeria is just stepping into a democratic development and we expect a more concrete polity to be put in place to give us exactly what we need. The Bill shows how primitive the government is. If the sexual age is pegged at 11, are they saying a child should be married out at such age?

Every child has the right to survival, development, protection and participation.

When they were promulgating that law, did they invite children to participate in such discussion? Was a survey or research carried out to give them (the children) a voice before passing the law?’’ he queried.

Henry argued that children should have been consulted before the passage of the Bill to know what exactly they want as regards sexuality. He noted

that it is wrong to push this kind of law down people’s throat. ‘’If they only take a look at the Northern states and feel a child should be married out at the age of 11, what happens to those in the South West and South East parts of the country.

This should be determined by many factors- the structure, morphology, stature and experience. Mostly in the North, children are married out at a tender age when the body morphology cannot cope and this affects the state of health of such children. Are they putting their health into consideration or they are being forced or coerced?’’

Under-aged marriages

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By your robust advocacy against the bill preventing sexual abuses of children, you foreclose the future of children in this society

he distinguishing aspect of the age of consent laws is that the person below the minimum age is regarded as the victim, and their sex partner as the offender.

In the Northern parts of Nigeria, children are usually married out at a tender age. Not much is known about why some elderly men prefer to marry children but such decisions are always frowned at in Nigeria. A classical case played out about five years ago, when a senator and former governor of Zamfara State, Nigeria, Ahmed Sani Yerima got married to a 14-year-old Egyptian girl. The controversy generated by the marriage prompted officials of the National Agency for Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and other Related Matters, NAPTIP, to wade into the mater. The Yerima case is one among several cases of underaged children being given out in marriage to persons who could be their grandpas.

Sponsor of bill justifies its passage

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ustifying the Bill, its sponsor, Mrs Chris Anyanwu, stated that when implemented, it would mitigate the sufferings of parents by reducing their fear of what happens to their children in their absence – at schools, in the play grounds, in the neighbourhoods,

and in religious spaces.

In an open letter to allay the fears of Prof Soyinka, the respected journalist/ senator described the Nobel Laureate’s opposition to the Bill as one borne out of misinformation.

“You have been misled by the misinformation circulated by someone who could not read or comprehend a legal draft; someone who did not have the patience to read through a proposal, see what was recommended and what was finally accepted. You were misled by someone who deliberately distorted the content of one of the most profound bills ever passed by the Nigerian legislature, scandalised the proponent and the institution for reasons that you and I may not know,” she said.

Mrs. Anyanwu said by passing the bill, the 7th Senate had kept faith with the people of Nigeria by providing the cover of protection under which Nigerian children can live normal lives of fulfillment without fear. “By your robust advocacy against the bill preventing sexual abuses of children, you foreclose the future of children in this society,” the former Senator said.

In her reaction, the Lagos State Cordinator of Child Protection Network, Ngozi Ekwerike-Okora, said issues relating to the Bill should not be over-flogged. ‘’ I was in a meeting when you sent a text message about the Bill and I shared the text with the house but one of the judges present at the meeting advised we should not over-flog the issue yet because it will not work,’’ she said.

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VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015

Onazi appeals NFF $5000 fine

BY BEN EFE

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UPER Eagles m i d f i e l d e r, Ogenyi Onazi argued in a letter of apology to the Nigeria Football Federation that the 5000 dollars fine imposed on him, after he was sent off in an African Nations Cup qualifying match against Chad in Kaduna was unnecessary.

He was given the marching orders by the referee for shoving a Chadian player, after Odion Ighalo was brought down in the box. The Lazio of Italy player said that since he was already serving a two match ban by CAF that should be enough punishment considering the circumstances that led to the fiasco. Onazi explained why he acted

in violent way.

“My action was not premeditated. It was only a reaction to a violent attack on me by the Chadian player, he hit me from behind, while I was standing outside the penalty box.

“I accept that my action was tantamount to an unacceptable conduct in the field of play,”Ogenyi said in his letter.

He added that he will be present in the two matches against Tanzania and Egypt to give support to his team-mates.

“I will attend the two matches home and away since I have been punished by CAF. I believed that this is an amendable punishment and there appeal the further fine of 5000 dollars.”

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UPER Eagles star, Sunday Mba has moved to Turkish second-tier side Yeni Malatyaspor from CA Bastia in France.

Yeni Malatyaspor won the third division last season to earn promotion.

The 26-year-old moved to French side CA Bastia in January 2014 after Nigerian club Warri Wolves rejected an offer for him six months

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•Onazi

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AERIAL CONTEST . . . Rangers International of Enugu striker, Pape Ousmane (top) against Kano Pillars defenders

Saturday’s final, to beware of leaving gaps in defence comes after a 6-1 roasting in their semi-final on Tuesday.

“Chile must be careful

you go out to attack Argentina what happened to us can also happen to you. You get caught wrong footed,” said striker Lucas Barrios.

Taribo Continues from BP deal by Nigeria. The NFF set up a committee to investigate the matter.

But former Nigeria international, Taribo West said, “ït is all rubbish.”

In a chat with Sports Vanguard yesterday, Taribo said, “That is total rubbish. The NFF should be concerned with how to reposition Nigerian football and take it to where it is supposed to be and not dissipate their energy on frivolities.”

He contended that the protracted contract talks between the NFF and Keshi may have informed Keshi’s decision to apply for the Ivory Coast job. “The talks were on for too long. Today he is in, tomorrow he is out. No sane person would put all his eggs in one basket. Now that they

have offered him the job, they should let him be. I think they should be more concerned on how to move Nigerian football forward and leave Keshi alone.

“However, if they don’t need him, they should tell him so and let him go.”

Taribo said the football house should have a structure for all the national teams. “They should have a template for all the national teams and ensure strict compliance to it in terms of execution,” he said.

The former Inter Milan star observed that the NFF as presently run was without such a template. “We should stop running up and down when things go wrong. We must have a plan and follow the plan religiously so that when anything goes wrong we can easily identify where it could be fixed.”

earlier.

His career has stalled since scoring the winning goal for Nigeria in the final of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

CA Bastia played in the third tier of French last season and Mba has not been a regular for the Super Eagles since 2013 and missed out on last year ’s World Cup in Brazil.

Essien is highest paid player in Greece

Copa America: Paraguay warn Chile against Argentina because we know that if ARAGUAY, the only team to have scored against Argentina at the Copa America, can talk with authority about what it is to face the favourites when they are in full song.

Their warning to hosts Chile, who face Lionel Messi’s team in

Mba moves to Turkey

ICHAEL Essien has emerged the highest paid player in Greece with his move to Panathinaikos.

The Ghana midfielder will be earning a net income in excess of € 1.6m per year in his twoyear deal with the Greens.

The breakdown of Essien’s net yearly salary includes bonuses for feat achieved such as playing over 60% of official matches, winning the league and qualifying for the group stage of the Champions League.

Essien was set to sign for a club in the MLS until the mouthwatering offer from Panathinaikos came along.

And with alongside the prospect of remaining relevant in World

football by playing the in Champions League, the Ghanaian found the offer too good to refuse.

The former Chelsea star arrived as a free agent with his contract at AC Milan expiring at the end of last season.

•Essien

Hayatou Argentina star Messi (l) outwits a Paraguay opponent.

Athletes

Continues from BP

“Talking about the All Africa Games, we are getting set and the stage we are now is that on the 4th of July that is on Saturday we are expecting weightlifting, wrestling as well as badminton, tennis, boxing and table tennis to be in camp.

“Boxing and table tennis will be in Lagos, there is a 44- bed hostel that the current Chief of Army Staff who is also the president of the boxing federation facilitated and it will be commissioned on the

28th of July. So since we intend to open the camp on the 4th, we are going to meet with them to find a way out of it.”

He also revealed that Nigeria has secured and deposited money for 36 rooms in two hotels in Congo, adding that all Nigerian athletes have be registered for the games by name, sport and by discipline.

“I want to state that we have met all the timelines for the games as stipulated by the Organizing Committee for the All Africa Games.”

Yakmut concluded.

Continues from BP Football said yesterday.

Hayatou, the president of the African confederation and a longserving member of FIFA’s executive committee, was “already in Canada,” CAF secretary general Hicham el Amrani said in an email to The Associated Press.

He was there to present the trophy, el Amrani wrote in a brief message.

The New York Times earlier reported that Hayatou of Cameroon would stand in for Blatter at the women’s final.

Blatter, the FIFA president, is skipping the trip to North America in the midst of a U.S.-led investigation into corruption in the world body, which prompted Blatter to announce his

intention to resign.

Blatter made the resignation announcement on June 2, just four days after being re-elected to a fifth term.

FIFA said last Tuesday that Blatter and his No. 2, FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke, wouldn’t go to Canada because of their “current commitments” in Zurich, where FIFA is based. The world body said it would announce its plans for the Women’s World Cup trophy presentation in due course.

The American investigation into FIFA has left nine top soccer officials and five sports marketing agents facing extradition to the United States on charges of bribery and racketeering. Four other officials have entered guilty pleas.

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015 — 61

Transfer market.... Transfer market....

Real Bound... David Gea

Real, Man. United haggle over De Gea, Ramos

M

ANCHESTER United have told Real Madrid they will only increase their offer for Sergio Ramos, if Real do likewise for David de Gea. United have bid £30 million for the Spain defender, which Louis van Gaal believes to be ‘a fair valuation for a player

already in his 30th year’.

Real have, unsurprisingly, rejected United’s offer, but it seems United are unwilling to table an improved amount unless Real considerably up their original De Gea bid, thought to be £15 million shy of what they believe

he is worth.

United dismissed Real’s opening salvo for the Spanish goalkeeper, believed to be around the £20 million mark, valuing the 24-year-old at £35 million, despite just one year left on his contract.

The Mirror adds that although United made their offer for Ramos independently, there is an acceptance at Old Trafford that the two deals are likely to merge at some stage.

De Gea told United in early June that he would not sign the new 200,000 pounds-a-week contract offered by the club and informed the club of his desire to move to the Santiago Bernabeu.

But behind closed doors senior club officials disclosed that De Gea is certain to leave United, even if negotiations drag on until the end of the transfer window.

Benteke’s 32.5m pounds fee freaks Liverpool

Praying...Christian Benteke

Christian Benteke remains Liverpool’s No.1 target – but there is no deal in place to sign the Aston Villa striker.

Reports yesterday suggested that the Belgium international was on the brink of completing a move to Anfield.

However, the Liverpool Echo understands that

the situation remains unchanged. Liverpool want to sign Benteke but are unwilling to pay the £32.5million asking price and that stand-off remains.

Liverpool don’t want to pay more than £25million for the big frontman, who has two years remaining on his current contract.

Living Legend... Lionel Messi leading Argentina to the Copa America final

Copa America: Messi wants to end Argentina title drought

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ARCELONA star, Lionel Messi heads into the Copa America final with a chance to end his nation’s 22-year title drought, and prove that he can replicate his club-level success with the national team.

Messi thrived in leading Argentina to a 6-1 rout of Paraguay in the semifinals on Tuesday, setting up a final against host Chile on Saturday.

Messi didn’t score but helped set up five goals, including a spectacular run past several defenders from near midfield.

It is Messi’s and Argentina’s second chance in a year to lift a trophy, and the first since the World Cup final in Brazil.

“We really want to win this one, we are very hopeful,” the 28-year-old playmaker said through a translator.

Argentina hasn’t won a significant trophy since the 1993 Copa America, when Messi was aged six.

He lost the 2007 final to Brazil in Venezuela, and was eliminated in the 2011 quarterfinals at home by Uruguay.

Victory on Saturday

would give Argentina its 15th Copa America title, tying Uruguay as the tournament’s most successful team.

Messi has won nearly every title possible with Barcelona but nothing with Argentina’s senior squad, which has always prompted a lot of criticism against him. Many Argentines complain that with the national team he has never played as well as he does with Barcelona.

“I really want to win something with the national team,” said Messi, a four-time world player of the year.

Juve reject Barca’s 80m Euros bid for FIFA WWC: USA knock German Machine out Pogba Italian giants Juventus have rejected a 80m Euros bid from Barcelona for midfielder Paul Pogba, according to the club’s director general Giuseppe Marotta.

Barcelona are reportedly frontrunners to sign the France international but have fallen at the first hurdle, despite reports from Spain claiming the two clubs had reached an agreement not to sell the player until next summer – when Barcelona’s transfer ban is lifted.

“Yes, we received an offer of 80m Euros,” Marotta told Gazzetta dello Sport. “But I can confirm that we will not sell Pogba.”

The 22-year-old is one of the most sought play-

ers on the planet and for good reason. No player in Serie A scored more goals from outside of the box than Pogba last season (five goals).

Furthermore, only two players won possession in the final third more

than Pogba last season (27) and only four players to have made more than 20 appearances all of whom play further up the field - completed more dribbles per game than Frenchman (2.9).

Inter accepts Stoke offer for Shaqiri

S

TOKE have had a £12million offer accepted for Inter Milan winger Xherdan Shaqiri.

Stoke first tried to sign Shaqiri from Bayern Munich in January and have now made a second move for the 23-year-old as their chances of landing Yevhen Konoplyanka fade.

Shaqiri must now decide whether he desires a move to the Britannia Stadium, just months after turning down Mark Hughes’ side to sign a four-and-a-half-year contract at Inter Milan in a deal understood to be worth £16million.

U

SA women advanced to the final of the FIFA women World Cup in Canada

by beating world number one team Germany.

Carli Lloyd buried a penalty kick, Hope Solo

Wimbledon: Djokovic survives Nieminen scare

D

OWN a break at 31 in the first set, defending champion Novak Djokovic came to life and reasserted his dominance on a sweltering day at Wimbledon.

Running off 13 points in a row, Djokovic seized command and stayed in front the rest of the way on Centre Court as he beat Finland’s Jarkko Nieminen 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 on Wednesday to reach the third round of Wimbledon on one of the hottest days ever at the All England Club.

Nieminen started fast,

•Djokovic breaking serve in the opening game and going up 3-1. But the topranked Djokovic won the next three games, including two at love, and never let Nieminen back into the match.

got another saved. Kelley O’Hara came off the bench to seal any hope of Germany fight back in the 85th minute.

Lloyd’s penalty kick in the 69th minute went into the right side of the goal less than 10 minutes after Celia Sasic shot wide on a penalty kick for Germany. “Just slotted it home. I knew what I had to do,” Lloyd said..

The final is set for Sunday at Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium.

“It’s a dream come true,” Lloyd said. “This is what we trained for.”

It was the fourth World Cup meeting between Germany and the U.S. In each of the first three games, the winner went on to win the title.

62 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 2 2,, 2015

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 2 2,, 2015— 63

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2015

Wimbledon 2015: Djokovic survives Nieminen scare — Pg.61

Cote d'Ivoire job:

Taribo defends Keshi

•Djokovic

BY JACOB AJOM

Onazi appeals NFF $5000 fine •P.60

F

ORMER Super Eagles defender, Taribo West has lambasted the Nigeria Football Federation over the ongoing investigation on Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi in respect of the Ivory Coast job.

The Ivory Coast Football Federation had published Keshi’s name among 58 others shortlisted for the vacant position of national team coach penultimate week.

The NFF had fumed at this and vowed to sack Keshi if it was established that he actually applied for the job after he had already been signed on a 2-year

AAG: Athletes to camp in Lagos, Abuja

Continues on Page 60

•Yakmut

TODAY'S

Hayatou to present trophy at Women’s W/Cup

W •West

•Pinnick

BY JUDE OPARA, Abuja

T

HE National S p o r t s Commission (NSC) has c o n c l u d e d arrangements for the commencement of camping of athletes

PUZZLE

ITH Sepp Blatter staying away, FIFA Senior Vice President and African soccer head Issa

•Keshi

ahead of the Congo 2015 All Africa games. The camping will be in Lagos and Abuja.

Director General of the Commission, Mallam Alhassan Yakmut told journalists yesterday that the camp which will open on July 4 will begin with weightlifting,

wrestling, badminton tennis, boxing and table tennis.

He explained that boxing and table tennis will camp in Lagos while the others will be camped at the newly constructed Athletes Hostel in Abuja.

Continues on Page 60

Hayatou will present the trophy at the Women’s World Cup in Canada, a senior official at Hayatou’s Confederation of African Continues on Page 60

•Hayatou

QUICK CROSSWORD

FRI DAY'S FRIDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Perspire (5) 2 Lunge (6) 8 Penitent ((5) 10 Middle (6) 11 Poke (4) 14 Consuming (6) 15 Discussed (7) 18 Through (3) 19 Barrier (3) 21 Adroit (4) 23 Dissuade (5) 24 Network (4) 27 Lair (3) 29 Summit (3) 31 Swung (7) 32 Lent (6) 34 Departed (4) 35 Amatory (6) 38 Tree (5) 39 Fiery (6) 40 Coin (5)

DOWN 2 Sorrow (3) 3 Wrong (6) 4 Hill (3) (5) Sort (4) 6 Rebelled (6) 7 Objective (6) 9 Ebbed (7) 12 Knock (3) 13 Dreadful (4) 16 Relax (4) 17 Old-fashioned (5) 20 Threatened (7) 22 Repute (4) 24 Pester (6) 25 Deer (4) 26 Venerate (6) 28 Disregard (6) 30 Enclosure (3) 33 Deceased (4) 36 Material (3) 37 Tavern (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Select 5, Void 8, Organ 9, Rob 10, Nude 11, Clan 12, Essay 13, Abroad 16, Sign 18, Cram 20, Ate 22, Lot 23, Yen 24, Pier 25, Item 28, Divert 30, Screw 32, Root 33, Near 34, Van 35, Fence 36, Load 37, Bridge.

DOWN: 1, Spread 2, Liberate 3, Canvas 4, Presented 5, Vacancy 6, Only 7, Dune 8, Ode 14, Diligence 15, Man 17, Got 19, Reserved 20, Aim 21, Erected 26, Mirror 27, Stance 29, Oral 30, Sofa 31, Wee.

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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