$2BN ARMS DEAL: DSS arrests Dasuki, Bafarawa

...towards a better life for the people

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VOL. 25: NO. 62640

N150

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015

From left: Mr Femi Otedola, Chairman, Forte Oil Plc; Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, Governor of Lagos State; Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President, Dangote Group and Mr Mutiu Sunmonu, member, Board of Directors, Julius Berger, at the Lagos State Trade and Investment forum held in London on Monday.

NASS approves N575bn supplementary budget for FG •Jerks figure up from N465.64bn •N30bn for Boko Haram war

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$2BN ARMS DEAL: DSS arrests Dasuki, Bafarawa •EFCC cells swell with suspected receivers of security cash •Count me out of arms deal, says Senate President, Saraki •Insists he never had any reason to partake in arms deal

By Soni Daniel, Northern Region Editor

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BUJA—MORE N i g e r i a n politicians believed to have benefitted from the huge security budget said to be missing were, yesterday, arrested and detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. A former governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa and the

Continues on Page 5

Kogi: INEC, APC in dilemma as Faleke remains unwilling running mate UN—From left: Mali's President, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita; President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama; UN Secretary-General,

Mr. Ban Ki Moon; President Muhammadu Buhari; Guinea's President, Alpha Conde and Niger's President, Mahamadou Issoufou; during a meeting between African presidents and the UN Secretary-General as part of the side meetings of the COP 21 Climate Change Conference organised by the United Nations at the Le Bourget, Paris, France. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

SOUTH EAST VOICE

Red Cross, FRSC, NSCDC remember victims at World Accidents Day See Inside C M Y K

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Tabia Princewill Do only the poor go to jail in Nigeria?

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DEAR

ROTIMI

BUNMI

FASAN

I'm tempted to forward our video to his wife

Can Buhari be more selective of his international trips?

COLUMNISTS:

Pro-Biafra protesters shut S-East

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Hardship, as power supply drops to six hours daily 8

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Mr & Mrs

2 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015

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POCKET CARTOON

MoU—Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (L) with Director, Global Good Intellectual Ventures, Mr David Keogh (2ndL) signing MoU to collaborate in introducing events technology on sectors of Agriculture and Health Care, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday. With them is the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Sen. Udo Udoma. Photo: NAN.

$2bn arms deal: DSS arrests Dasuki, Bafarawa Continues from Page 1 Chairman Emeritus of Daar Communications Plc, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, were among the latest to be questioned by the security agents for allegedly receiving huge sums of money from the office of the embattled former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki.

Dasuki was taken from his Asokoro home in a pre-dawn raid by operatives of the Department of State Service, DSS, ahead of possible arraignment for breach of public trust and money laundering.

Sources at the EFCC

said that while Dokpesi was invited to answer questions for allegedly receiving over N2 billion from the office of the NSA, Bafarawa was brought in for receiving over N100 million from the same source.

An EFCC source said: “A whopping sum of N2.1 billion was traced to the office of the embattled former NSA to Dokpesi without any clearly stated reason and we want to know what he received the huge sum of public funds for. We have also traced some money to the former Sokoto governor, Bafarawa, and we need to know what he got such money from the former security adviser for,” the source said.

IT'S UP TO YOU

BY AYO ADIO HERE is a king and a fool in every man, the one you choose to feed is what the world will see. It's up to you.

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TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Follow three rules; Respect yourself, Respect others, and take responsibility for your actions— Dalai Lama

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AKING full responsibility for one’s life is the key to living a life of absolute freedom. It means to stop blaming others, the unreasonable demanding employer, ungrateful children, unpredictable weather; irritating spouse, unreliable friend, unreliable government, unfavorable circumstances, and even the feeling that life’s not fair on us.

Blaming everybody else is great until you’ve got no one to blame but yourself. Instead, realize that you are the creator of your own life story.

SAYINGS OF OUR PEOPLE A dog does not eat a piece of bone hung on it's neck

Both men were taken in around midday, yesterday, to join the company of no fewer than 22 other suspects, who have been linked with receiving large sums of money from the Office of the National Security Adviser, who may stand trial with them in court.

Vanguard learnt last night that the DSS was making frantic efforts to transfer Dasuki to the EFCC for possible trial based on evidence that he and others yet to be identified mismanaged the nation’s security and defence funds.

EFCC's Head of Media & Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed that none of over 20 suspects who had earlier been detained by the commission had been released.

Wilson said the suspects had been making statements to EFCC operatives on the stolen security funds but did not give further details.

He did not also say when they were likely to be arraigned.

Dasuki's arrest

Meanwhile, after keeping him under house arrest for close to a month, operatives of the Department of State Service, yesterday, whisked away the embattled former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, to an undisclosed destination, though many suspected he was taken to DSS headquarters in Abuja.

PR Nigeria, which has been speaking for the former NSA confirmed in a statement made

available to Vanguard that the former security czar was taken away early in the morning but did not give details of the operations.

However, when Vanguard visited Dasuki’s expansive home in the highbrow Asokoro District of Abuja around 11am, the DSS had scaled up its presence in the compound with more men and vehicles.

The entrance to the house located on 13 John Khadiya Street, was manned by stern-looking DSS operatives, who did not agree to speak with our correspondent.

Two black-coloured operational trucks of the DSS were also parked by the main entrance with their doors kept ajar.

The neighbourhood looked deserted as the security men took charge but did not molest any passer-by as a few of them milled around.

They were decked in their black-on-black attire and armed with sophisticated weapons.

Dasuki, whose arrest was ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari, had, however, made spirited efforts to leave the country for medical treatment in the United Kingdom but was prevented from doing so by the DSS. In spite of securing a federal judge’s order to travel, he was stopped at the airport by security agents who feared he could escape prosecution over alleged misuse of huge defence budgets running into billions of Naira, a charge he had denied.

Dasuki insists that he worked conscientiously for the country, saying that it was former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan who approved all his expenditures.

The panel raised by the presidency to probe the defence budget recently released its interim report, indicting Dasuki for not transparently utilizing the funds meant for security operations in the country.

The panel said most of the contracts awarded and paid for under Dasuki were not executed and that even the equipment said to have been acquired, needed to be sighted.

Last night, the EFCC hauled in some top officials of the previous administration said to have received heavy payments from the office of the beleaguered NSA. A source close to Dasuki said that his pre-dawn arrest by the DSS was to bring him to face trial and to prevent him from escaping from Nigeria.

Count me out of arms deal— Saraki

Meanwhile, the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has dissociated himself from the N60bn arms deal involving the immediate past National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd).

Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, stated that contrary to reports published in an online medium, he has never had anything to do with purchase of security equipment because in his entire political career he never served in any committee or body which has any link with Defence or national security.

According to the statement, “as a member of the Seventh Senate, Dr. Saraki was not a member of any of the committees which have oversight function on the Ministry of Defence or the intelligence and national security apparatus. If he was tagged the leader of the opposition to the Jonathan administration,

how then will he be privy to arms purchases and have the influence to blackmail any government agency or institution over the release of funds.

“The Senate President would like to alert members of the public to this new plot by this particular online medium, to tarnish his reputation as the medium and its sponsors pursue the singular objective of removing him from the office of the Senate President, an objective they have since failed to achieve within and outside the National Assembly.

“This time around, the medium and its sponsors chose to drag the Senate President to this reigning and current issue of arms purchase by insinuating that he once blackmailed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to give him and other Senators the sum of N250 million as a way of covering up the arbitrary withdrawal by the NSA from the security fund approved by the former President.

“First, there is no logic in the claim as Dr. Saraki who was persecuted by the last administration could not have had the influence and good standing to walk up to the Central Bank to demand for any money having exposed many atrocities of the past administration.

Again, on what ground would the Senate President blackmail anyone for 250 Million Naira? It must be emphasized here that Dr. Saraki will never engage in any sharp practice or issue which will warrant him to blackmail any individual or government institution.

“Therefore, for record purposes, Dr. Saraki did not collect any money from any official of the CBN in respect of any arms deal. The Senate President also challenged any official of the apex bank, Senator, serving or past, who witnessed or participated in any sharing of the alleged money purported to have been received by him, to come out with evidence.

6—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2 , 2015

I plotted my boss' kidnap because she maltreated me —Driver

By Esther Onyegbula

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AGOS—A suspected kidnapper, Solomon Michael, who was paraded alongside four others at the Lagos State Police command, Ikeja, has confessed that he plotted the kidnap of his boss because she maltreated him.

The suspect, who was paraded alongside Ibrahim Sozza, Thankgod Husseni, Paul Brutus and Suleiman Mohammed, for allegedly robbing and kidnapping one Alhaja Modupe Idris, a business tycoon in Idumota and her sister, Alhaja Risikat Laminu, said: “I plotted to rob and kidnap my boss because she was maltreating me.

It was one Emmanuel who organised four others that assisted me in carrying out the robbery and kidnapping. After the operation, Emmanuel and his gang gave me the Toyota SUV, smart phone and one I-pad as my share of the loot.

"Immediately I collected it, Ibrahim and I travelled to Jos, Plateau State to meet Thankgod Husseni, who we earlier told about the operation. It was Husseni that helped us sell our loot. He sold the SUV to one Brutus for N400, 000.”

It was learned that sometime in September, 2015, Solomon arranged the kidnap of Alhaja

Idris, who employed him as her driver. He had worked for her for two years.

To perfect his plans, he connived with Emmanuel, a leader of an armed robbery gang, who is now at large to assist him kidnap Alhaja Modupe.

It was gathered that on September 30, Emma and his gang trailed Alhaja from her shop to Surulere area in Lagos, at 9:30p.m., where they hit her

vehicle from the back feigning an accident. Immediately her driver, Solomon stopped the vehicle to check the extent of damage the accident caused, the gang struck, robbed and kidnapped Alhaja Modupe, her sister, Alhaja Laminu and her house maid, who were inside a black Toyota SUV with number plate LSR871BM. They also collected N1.2 million, and other valuables from her before taking them to a bush

somewhere at Ijebu-Ode area.

Briefing newsmen, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni, said operatives of the Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS, were detailed to investigate the case after one Alhaji Wale Idris of Beyioku Eniyansoro Street, reported that his wife, Modupe Idris, sisterin-law Alhaja Laminu and maid were robbed and kidnapped.

The suspects

Delta Police arrest alleged kidnapper in Edo A

By Emma Amaize

SABA—DETECTIVES attached to the Special Anti–Kidnapping Squad, SAKS, of the Delta State Police Command have arrested a kidnap suspect involved in several kidnappings in Benin City, Edo State, Asaba and Oghara in Delta State.

Police seized the suspect involved in the abduction of one Macquain Obi on October

14 in Benin City.

The kidnap gang collected N2 million ransom before releasing the victim.

Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs Celestina Kalu, who confirmed the arrest of the suspect, said in a statement, that detectives tracked him to Benin on November 11, adding, “The suspect has confessed to the crime and his involvement in other kidnapping cases in

Benin/Asaba/Oghara.”

She said: “Investigation is in progress while efforts are on to track down other members of the kidnapping gang.”

On the kidnap of a former Commissioner in defunct Bendel state and publisher, Dr. Idodo Umeh, who was

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A G O S — MAGISTRATE O. A Ogunbowale of an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court, Lagos State has remanded a 45-year-old security man, Musa Mohammed in prison custody over alleged rape of a 15-year-old boy.

The defendant is facing a two count charge of assault and rape preferred against him by the police.

The prosecutor, Inspector Asu Feddy said that the security man who resides on 30, Glover Road,

Ikoyi committed the alleged offences on November 9, 2015, at 4:10p.m.

The prosecutor said, “The defendant forcefully raped the boy.”

However when the charge was read to the defendant, he pleaded guilty.

The Magistrate consequently ordered that the defendant should be remanded in prison custody in view of his plea.

The case was adjourned to December 9, for review of facts and sentencing.

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By Onozure Dania

AGOS—A 27-year-old stylist, Sunday John and a 30-year-old woman, Rita Idim, were, yesterday, arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court, Lagos over alleged abduction and rape of an 11 year-old-girl.

The defendants, who reside at Oribanwa area of Awoyaya in Lekki and Bamboo 1, Ikota Housing Estate Lekki respectively were docked before Magistrate O.A. Ogunbowale.

The duo are facing a fourcount charge of conspiracy, abduction , assault and rape, preferred against them by the police.

The prosecutor, Asu Feddy told the court that the defendants committed the alleged offence on October 26, 2015 at 4p.m., at Ikota Housing Estate, Ikota, Lekki area of Lagos State.

He said that the defendants abducted the girl who is a niece of one Flora Udoh, whom the victim stays with.

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

The Magistrate granted them bail in the sum of N500,000 each with two sureties each in like sum.

One of the sureties must be a blood relation, gainfully employed and their addresses verified.

The case was adjourned till January 28, 2016, for trial.

Why I operate in Lagos —Robbery suspect

Security man remanded for L sodomy with 15-year-old boy

By Onozure Dania

abandoned by the kidnappers after their vehicle was involved in an accident, she said police patrol team and local vigilante recovered a locally made single barrel gun and two vehicles when they combed the surrounding bush near the scene.

2 docked for alleged abduction, rape

By Esther Onyegbula

AGOS—THE Police in Lagos, yesterday, paraded three members of a seven-man armed robbery gang that specialised in stealing speed boat engines and outboards in Lagos State.

The suspects, Olawale Majero 39, Babafemi, Agbeke,33, Baba Tunde Arowodun 40, (stolen goods receiver) were arrested in Lagos after operatives of Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, received a tip-off over their activities in Lagos.

It was gathered that two members of the gang were arrested in Ikorodu area of Lagos during a robbery operation. Their arrest led to the arrest of another suspect who buys the stolen goods.

According to one of the suspects, Olawale Majero, 39; “I was

arrested because I got involved in armed robbery. We are seven in our gang. We steal speed boat engines at Langbasa in Ajah area. My friend who introduced me into robbery was killed during a gun battle with police while we were attempting to escape. Although I live in Ondo State, I usually come to Lagos for operations. I started stealing boat engines early this year. Before I went into robbery, I was a fisherman in Ondo State. I am married with a child. I feel so bad now that I have been arrested. If eventually I am released, I will go back to my village and continue fishing and I won’t engage in robbery again.”

In his defence, 40-year-old Babatunde Arowodun, who buys stolen goods from the

robbers, said; “I have a shop in Ondo State where I sell boat engines. Wale a long time ago as a speed boat driver in Ondo State. One day, Wale called that he had some boat engine that he wanted to sell. So, I came from Ondo State to buy the engine in Lagos. They were four boat engines so, I paid N700, 000 for them because they were scraps.

Among the engines I bought from them were a 9.9 Suzuki horse power and 40 Yamaha 3 plugs.

The price depends on the condition of the engine. After buying them, I carried them to Ondo State. Last week Monday, he called me again and said he has another four engines to sell.

I told him that I don’t have cash because I bought some goods which I have not sold."

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2 , 2015 — 7

Wife of detainee loses pregnancy after torture by Police

By Daud Olatunji

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BEOKUTA — A 37-yearold woman, Risikat Bamidele, is currently receiving treatment at the Ogun State Hospital, Ijaiye after policemen allegedly tortured her on Saturday for making phone call at a police station.

Risikat reportedly lost her nine weeks old pregnancy at the Kemta-Idi Aba police station where her husband, Tunde is being detained.

Risikat, while narrating her ordeals on the hospital bed, said, she was harassed by a policeman on the orders of the Divisional Police Officer for making phone calls.

She alleged that the policeman slapped her several times, while she was being pushed behind the counter.

She said before her encounter with the DPO, she was trying to call her in-law who is based in Abuja on the arrest of her husband.

Risikat was said to have fainted when she got to her place of work, Catholic Comprehensive High School, Onikolobo.

Her husband said Risikat started bleeding while she was still behind the counter at the station.

released by the policeman. They told me that he did not have right to detain me but because I did not give the DPO the phone that was why I was detained. They said, I have learnt a lesson that when an elderly man talks to me, I should answer immediately.

“I was planning to go to the hospital the following day so that I can get drugs but I went to my office to sign before going to the hospital. It was there that I collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. The doctor confirmed that I had lost my nine weeks pregnancy.”

It was gathered that policemen attached to the police station had arrested her husband, Tunde, and three others including two suppliers and a contractor at Iyana Mortuary area of Abeokuta.

Tunde and the two suppliers, Ade and Olowookere, it was learned, were being owed over N500,000 by their contractor, who

was identified as Bolaji, the owner of TSF Nigeria Limited.

He said he agreed to meet with Bolaji at Iyana Mortuary, before he informed Ade and Olowookere, who were also being owed for supplying materials at a construction site at Laderin Workers’ Estate, Abeokuta.

He added that he, alongside Ade and Olowookere were arrested by policemen who were brought by Bolaji at Iyana Mortuary.

He said he tried informing the policemen that his wife was pregnant, adding: “He (DPO) commanded one police officer to bring me out of the cell, remove my clothes, pour water on my body and use tear-gas on me. I told him that I am ulcer and diabetes patient that if they want to kill me, it was better they knew.

“My wife and Bolaji slept at the back of the counter while I, Olowookere and Ade slept in the cell,” Tunde said.

He said the four of them were released on Sunday after paying N5,000 as bail for each person.

Police react

In is reaction, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, said the police command was not aware of the incident.

Adejobi, however, said, the Police Commissioner would be interested in the matter if the command was notified by the affected family.

He said: “We are not aware of the matter. No one has informed us about the incident, except you newsmen. If it is true, the Commissioner of Police will be interested in the matter. We will check on the affected woman if the command is informed. The family should inform the Police about the issue and we will take it up from there.”

My ordeal

Speaking at the state hospital, Risikat said: “When I got to the police station, my husband gave me his phone that I should call his brother. While I was calling his brother, I saw one policeman, I did not know he was the DPO. He told me that I was stupid for making calls in the police environment around after eight o’clock.

“He later called a policeman to arrest me. I was harassed, pushed and brutalised. My husband saw what they were doing to me and he told them that I was pregnant and begged them not to touch me.

“But, the DPO turned deaf ears, saying they will take me to Eleweran the following day. I asked him what my offence was because I did not know what I did wrong. I was begging them to release me because my husband was in their custody and there was nobody at home to take care of my children. They collected my phone, I could not call anybody, it was my neighbour that took care of my children.

“In the midnight, I was having stomach pain, I called the policeman at the counter that I was having pains in my stomach but he said there was nothing he could do. After some hours, I discovered I was bleeding, I tried explaining things to the policeman on duty but he did not listen. My husband later gave me money to get sanitary pad.

“The next morning, I was

Stakeholders at a roadshow to commemorate the World AIDS Day in Abuja, yesterday.

Photo: NAN.

Fulani herdsmen kill palmwine tapper, injure one other in Delta

By Ochuko Akuopha

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LEH— A-30-year-old palmwine tapper was, yesterday, killed and one other severely injured by suspected Fulani herdsmen at Ofagbe community, Isoko North Local Government Area, Delta State.

The palmwine tapper simply identified as Mr. Inibu, Vanguard gathered, was killed while trying to collect palmwine in a bush along the community ’s road to Ashaka, in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of the state.

Speaking with newsmen on the development, the Olotu-Logbo of the Ofagbe Kingdom, Othuke Omejedo said: “One woman ran to me that as she was going to the market, she met the lifeless body of a boy lying on the ground on the road leading to Ashaka. She said another one was injured.”

He said the body of the deceased had been deposited in a mortuary at Ozoro, while the one that was injured, Mr. Thompson Ogege had been taken to a nearby hospital.

Omejedo said the injured victim disclosed to them that they were accosted by the Fulani herdsmen as they were tapping their palmwine and opened fire on them in the ensuing scuffle.

He said: “We have never had any problem with the herdsmen because they have not been living in this community."

How late human rights lawyer was murdered — Witness

By Jane Echewodo

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AGOS — A medical doctor, S. S. Soyemi, from Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, yesterday, told a Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, that disruption of Jugular veins and sharp force trauma led to the death of late human rights activist, Kunle Fadipe.

In his evidence to the court, led by Mrs Idowu Alakija, the prosecuting counsel, Soyemi, who claimed to have carried out autopsy with two other doctors, informed the court about the result he got from the autopsy he carried out on late Fadipe’s body.

Soyemi gave the evidence,

yesterday, at the resumed trial of the suspected killer, Seun Oladapo, before Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye.

Soyemi maintained while giving account of his findings that the exsanguinations, disruption of jugular veins and sharp force trauma were what killed the late Fadipe.

“He was brought in a blue navy boxer with a name tag, which bore Alex Kunle Fadipe and the autopsy was carried out on July 10, 2014,” the witness said.

Soyemi further noted that after his examination, he found out that Fadipe sustained several injuries which included three on his fore head, the side

of his head and a deep stab wound towards the left side of his back.

“When the body was opened up, I also discovered that there was loss of blood (exsanguinations) and pellet wound that was caused as a result of gunshot,” said the doctor.

The matter was adjourned till December 2, 2015 for continuation of trial.

It was gathered that on July 4, 2014, tragedy struck the home of the human rights lawyer, when he was killed at his home, Harmony Estate, near Karaole Estate, College Road in Ifako Ijaiye Local Government Area,

Lagos.

Oladapo was arraigned on five-count charge of murder, robbery and assault occasioning harm, contrary to Sections 221, 295 (2)(a) and 171 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.

Part of the charge read that “Oluwaseun Oladapo on July 4, 2014 at 0300hr at No 1, Harmony Estate, Ifako-Ijaiye, Iju, Lagos in the Ikeja Judicial Division whilst armed with an offensive weapon, a knife did rob one Kunle Fadipe of a large sum of money and murdered him by stabbing him severally on numerous part of the body."

8 — Vanguard, WEDNEDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015

It's not govt’s role to create jobs – Utomi

By Jonah Nwokpoku

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AGOS —PROFESSOR of political economy and cofounder of Pan African University, Professor Pat Utomi, has said that it is not government’s role to create jobs but to make policies and create enabling environment for entrepreneurs to thrive and create the needed jobs.

He stated this while speaking at the 2nd National Summit on Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Lagos.

Speaking on the theme of the summit: ‘Entrepreneurship and Value Creation,’ Utomi said: “Government has a role.

It has a very important role but it is not to create jobs. I share a certain view of how development takes place. This is referred to as latent comparative advantage.

"It is when you take your endowments and create a global value chain based on those endowments so that you can compete. Supposing there is an industrial policy idea which government is driving the creation of say, the industrial parks based on endowments which we could become globally competitive, then those value chains which essentially are occupied by private entrepreneurs, are what create jobs.

“Entrepreneurship is about making the impossible possible. This is because, in the beginning, it looks impossible, everybody says it cannot work.

“The future of our country is at a crossroads. We have a huge population that is growing rapidly. One of the best things that could happen to us is to realise what China realised that if we invest appropriately in education of our young people, we release the entrepreneurial spirit to create a demographic dividend. If we fail to do what is appropriate, we will reap a time bomb and the coming anarchy will consume all of us.”

In a welcome address, the convener of the summit, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa said: “Our country is plagued with an unacceptable high level of poverty. And we all can see the consequences of this.

"Squalor everywhere, hunger in the society and visible social dislocation. We believe that the major cause of this poverty is u n e m p l o y m e n t , underemployment and low productivity. And for a long time when we speak of unemployment, we seem to look towards the government."

FG to privatise pipelines network —Kachikwu

By Sebastine Obasi

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AGOS—Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, yesterday said that the Federal Government is set to privatise the petroleum products pipeline network in the country to minimise the issue of perennial vandalism and ensure availability of products in the country next year.

Kachikwu, who stated this while touring products depots in Apapa area of Lagos, also said that by January 2016, any truck not tagged or fixed with trackers will not be allowed to load products.

According to him, this is to check diversion of trucks after loading, which is one of the causes of scarcity in Nigeria.

He said: “Últimately, we are going to look at pipelines early next year in January to see how we can privatise the management of these pipelines and get them out of these perennial problems that they have because if we are pumping directly through these pipelines, some of these problems will be reduced.

"But like I said, all these problems added is not as big as the problems of the fact that the major participants are not bringing products. That is where the main problem is.”

The minister also said that the Federal Government is looking at refinery models to see how best to deal with the nation’s four refineries which have long been prodicung below installed capacity.

“In January, we are going to be looking seriously at refinery models. How do we deal with it?

How do we bring people to assist us on technical and investment basis to get these refineries in much more consistent and permanent basis,” he said.

He explained that the 90-day timeline given to the refineries may be fruitful as Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries may be back on track by December.

He said: “I gave the refineries 90-day time frame and the 90 days end by December. I am told that the Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries may be be able to come back to help.”

The minister said efforts are being made to ensure that the subsidy claims are paid without further delay.

Kachikwu decried the sabotage and unpatroitic attitude of Nigerians who hoard or divert petroleum products to create scarcity and inflict pains on innocent citizens. According to him, about 26 cargoes with 30,000 capacity of petroleum products are being expected into the country in few days to come, so as to mitigate the effect of the current scarcity. He advised Nigerians not to embark on panic buying as the products will be sufficient for the December period and the new year. He emphasised that filling

stations and depots that engage in sharp practises and product diversion must be sanctioned by the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR. “I am happy to be here today.

Our concern is to get the products supplied to every nook and cranny

of Nigeria and we should be doing it faster than the way we do it.

"December is a crucial month for us. I have asked DPR to do everything they could to enforce price and duly sanction anyone who engages in profiteering

and hoarding.

"Depot owners must sell according to depot prices. This is Christmas period and we would ensure that the product is sufficiently supplied during this critical period.”

WORKSHOP: From left, Managing Director/CEO, Galaxy Backbone Plc, Yusuf Kazaure; Country Director, Korea International Co-Operation Agency (KOICA), Mr. Sang-Hoon Jung; Minister of Communications, Mr. Adebayo Shittu; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Communications, Sunny Echono and Director of e-Government, Mr. Tope Fashedemi, during a stakeholders workshop on e-government master plan for 2020, organised by the Federal Ministry of Communications, in Abuja, yesterday.

Hardship as power supply drops to six hours daily •Don’t expect stable power supply soon — AEDC

By Michael Eboh & Grace Udofia

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BUJA — THE hardship currently witnessed by Nigerians across the country took a turn for the worse in Abuja in the last couple of days as Abuja Electricity Distribution Company reduced power supply to the Federal Capital Territory and neighbouring states to an average of six hours a day.

This was in negation of recent claims by the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, two weeks ago, that power supply had hit a new high of 4,488 megawatts (MW).

Vanguard observed that over a month, the power situation in Abuja took a turn for the worse, with households having to grapple with exorbitant electricity bills despite the absence of electricity.

However, only a few high-brow areas and selected areas like Asokoro, Maitama, Wuse 2, Gwarimpa, among others and some areas with lesser population, like Dutse-Sokale, Dutse-Alhaji; some selected streets in Arab Road and Fate Foundation in Kubwa, all in Bwari Area Council, can boast of a near stable supply of electricity.

Decline in power generation

In a chat with Vanguard on the epileptic power situation in Abuja, spokesperson for the AEDC, Mr. Oyebode Fadipe, blamed the drop in power supply on a decline in power generation and some challenges experienced in the area of transmission.

He stated that Nigerians should not expect a drastic improvement in power supply at the moment, as 24 months is still not enough time to do the radical change that people desire to see in the power sector.

Fadipe disclosed that AEDC had spent over N2 billion on the rehabilitation of legacy projects, while it is currently spending N1 billion on ongoing projects, adding that all these are to enable it bring the network to the point of significant improvement.

He said: “It is because of these investments that we are even talking about the electricity we have today, otherwise, 24 months ago it was really drastic.

Shortly before the election in May it was a very bad situation; where even as a company we got only 18 megawatts.

"Then, how do you share such megawatts? We do not have licence to generate, we only have licence to distribute."

Highly populated areas

He, however, blamed the low

power supply in some areas on the fact that some of the areas are highly populated and are high consumers of electricity.

He said: “The second side of it is that there may be local problem and coincidentally you find out that areas such as Kubwa, Karu, Nyanya, Lugbe among others, are high density areas. Kubwa is the largest satellite town in Abuja, and then you have Karu, Nyanya and isolated cases like the case of Garki.

“The issue is not even about population, the basic issue is availability, it will either be at the point of available generation or there is equipment inadequacy.”

Despite the assurances, residents in Apo village told Vanguard that they have not had electricity for about two months due to a faulty transformer. One of the residents, Kokoma Gabriel, said that efforts to get AEDC to fix the transformer had been unsuccessful, as some staff and agents of the company have requested for financial motivation before the transformer would be fixed.

In Kubwa, residents staying near the village market claim they hardly get electricity for about four hours daily, while residents in Phases Two, Three and Four, PW and environs claim they only get electricity for about six hours, mainly at night.

Vanguard, WEDNEDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015 — 9

DINNER & DANCE: From left, MD/CEO, Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya; Board Chairman, International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Nigeria, Babatunde Savage; former Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Hon. Justice Aloma Mukhtar and ICC Nigeria Treasurer, Dorothy Ufot (SAN) during the 2015 Annual Dinner & Dance of ICC Nigeria in Lagos.

Kogi: INEC, APC in dilemma as Faleke remains unwilling running mate •Wada knows fate on Friday as Faleke drags INEC, APC to court

By Ikechukwu Nnochiri, Levinus Nwabughiogu & Omeiza Ajayi

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BUJA— THE refusal of the All Progressives Congress, APC’s, erstwhile deputy governorship candidate in the last election in Kogi State, Mr. James Faleke, to be the running mate to the new candidate, Yahaya Bello, in this weekend’s governorship supplementary election has put his party and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in a quandary.

As at last night, Vanguard learnt that Faleke’s name was still penned down as the APC’s deputy governorship candidate despite his repudiation of his nomination as running mate to Yahaya Bello.

Vanguard learnt that INEC was procedurally incapable of acting on the letter submitted by Faleke to withdraw himself from the supplementary election as running mate to Bello, indicating that his name is still penned as running mate to Bello.

Faleke had on Tuesday written INEC demanding the removal of his name as the running mate to Alhaji Yahaya Bello in this Saturday’s supplementary election.

Having earlier written the commission and consequently filed a case at a Federal High Court, Abuja requesting to be declared as governor-elect, Faleke had also rejected the option of being Mr Bello’s running mate.

Vanguard checks revealed that Faleke’s second letter to the commission is defective on the grounds that only his party has

the locus standi to present such letter to INEC. Section 35 of the 2010 Electoral Act(as amended) states that: “A candidate may withdraw his candidature by notice in writing signed by him and delivered by himself to the political party that nominated him for the election and the political party shall convey such withdrawal to the commission not later than 45 days to the election.”

Aside from the 45-day timeline which has elapsed, the APC as at press time was said to have continued mounting pressure on Faleke to withdraw his threat to quit the party.

Negotiations still ongoing

Contacted on the issue, National Chairman of the party, Chief John Oyegun, told Vanguard that negotiations were still ongoing.

Mr. Bello’s adoption at the meeting of the National Working Committee of the party followed the death of the former governorship candidate, Abubakar Audu, on November 22.

The party immediately forwarded his name to INEC as replacement for Mr. Audu and that of Mr. Faleke as his running mate.

However, when contacted on phone, Director in charge of Voter Education, Publicity, Civil Society and Gender Liaison, Mr. Oluwole Osaze-Uzi said he could not confirm INEC’s receipt of the letter.

He said if the letter gets to INEC, the commission would look at it and know how to go about it before Saturday’s polls.

In Kogi, speculations are rife that should Faleke make good his

threat to quit the party, Bello would choose his long-time ally, George Olumoroti as his runningmate.

Wada knows fate on Friday

Meanwhile, the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, yesterday, fixed Friday to determine whether in view of section 181 of the 1999 constitution, as amended, the INEC ought to conduct a fresh governorship election in Kogi State.

In its bid to speedily resolve all the legal issues that were thrown up by the death of the former governorship candidate of the APC, Abubakar Audu, the court, yesterday, consolidated four separate suits challenging the legality of the supplementary election scheduled to take place in Kogi state on Saturday.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole, who presided over the four suits, yesterday, said there was need for the court to expeditiously determine the issues, “so that INEC will not conduct the election under a grave shadow of doubt as to the legal or constitutional validity.”

Whereas one of the suits was lodged before the court by Kogi State governor, Captain Idris Wada (retd), the second suit was filed by the governorship candidate of the People for Democratic Change, PDC, in the state, Hon. Emmanuel Daikwo.

Likewise, a legal practitioner, Mr. Johnson Usman, a House of Reps member for Ahiazu Ezinaihitte Mbaise Federal Constituency of Imo State, Hon. Rafael Igbokwe, and an electorate from Omala Local Government Area in Abelijukolo Ife of Eche

ward in Kogi State, Mr. Stephen Wada Omaye, filed the two remaining suits

Issues for determination

Upon consolidation of the suits yesterday, the plaintiffs, led by Wada’s lawyer, Mr. Goddy Uche, SAN, distilled out three principal legal issues for the court to determine on Friday.

They want the court to go ahead and determine: “Whether having regard to the provisions of sections 31(1)(2)(4)(5)(6)(7) and (8), 33, 34, 36, 85 and 87 of the Electoral Act, 2010, as amended, as well as sections 178-181 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, INEC, can lawfully conduct a second/ supplementary election into the office of Governor of Kogi State on December 5, 2015, or any other date at all let alone accepting the nomination/ substitution by the APC of any candidate on the basis of votes computed and credited to the deceased candidate of the APC when the new or substitute candidate was not part of the original election.

Wada specifically prayed the court to determine “whether in view of the provisions of section 179 (2) (3)(4)(5) of the constitution, and other enabling provisions of the Electoral Act, 2010, as amended, and having regard to the doctrine of necessity, the plaintiff being the only surviving candidate with the major lawful votes cast at the Kogi State governorship election held on November 21, 2015, ought not to be declared and returned by the INEC as the winner of the election, having

secured not less than onequarter of the votes cast in twothirds of all the Local Government Areas in Kogi State.”

Justice Kolawole, yesterday, gave all the parties 48 hours to file and exchange their final written addresses, saying they should return on Thursday to adopt their processes to enable the court to deliver judgement on the matter on Friday.

Meantime, though both INEC and the Attorney General of the Federation were represented in court yesterday, there was no legal representation for the APC, which was equally cited as a defendant in the suit.

Uche, SAN, told the court that effort by his client to serve the originating processes on APC at its secretariat in Abuja failed on Monday as a result of a free-forall that was going on between three different factions of the party.

Faleke goes to court

In another development, the deputy governorship candidate of the APC in the November 21 election in Kogi State, Mr. James Faleke, yesterday, approached the high court, demanding that he should be declared the governor-elect.

Faleke, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/977/2015, which he filed through a consortium of lawyers led by Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN and Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, insisted that contrary to the claim by the electoral body, the Kogi State governorship election was conclusive.

He is seeking 16 principal reliefs from the court, among which include, “A declaration that by the express provisions of sections 179 (2) (a) and (b) and 187(1) of the constitution, a person who is nominated as an associate of a candidate for the office of governor of a state is duly elected deputy governor of a state when the candidate for the office of the governor scores the highest number of votes at the election and also scored not less than one quarter of all the votes cast in each of at least two-third of all the local government areas in the state.

“A declaration that by the combined reading of sections 179 (2)(a) and (b) and 181(1) of the constitution, upon the death of a person duly elected as the governor of a state, the person elected with him as deputygovernor is to be sworn in as the governor of the state.”

Faleke also urged the court to declare that the results declared

by INEC following the November 21 governorship election in Kogi State, produced a governor-elect of the state in accordance with the express provisions of section 179(2)(a) and (b) of the constitution.

He argued that the results INEC declared after the election clearly produced him as the Deputy-Governor elect of Kogi State.

10—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2 , 2015

Court reserves ruling in Honeywell, Ecobank suit

By Innocent Anaba

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AGOS—A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, has adjourned till next Thursday to rule on the application by Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, praying it to vacate the November 18, 2015 ex-parte order granted in favour of Ecobank Nigeria Limited, arguing that the order was granted before leave to issue the originating processes was granted.

Justice M. Yunusa, had following an ex-parte application by the bank’s counsel, Mr Kunle Ogunba, SAN, restrained chairman of the defendant company, Dr Oba Otukedo, it’s directors, staff, management, employees, officers, agents, privies or any other person or group of persons whatsoever under the respondent’s authority or any other authority howsoeverderivedorsourcedfrom operating, withdrawing from or otherwise tampering with the respondent’s funds under whatsoever name or guise in any Bankorfinancialinstitutionwithin Nigeria,pendingthehearingand final determination of the applicationfortheappointmentof a provisional liquidator in furtherance of the petition herein.

Kachikwu warns against sub-standard lubricants

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AGOS—THE Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, has warned against the use of substandard lubricants in the oil and gas industry.

Kachikwu gave the warning while delivering a keynote address at the 2nd Nigerian Lubricants Summit, Themed: Quality Lubricants: Key to Techno –Economic & Industrial Development of Nigeria, held on Tuesday in Lagos.

Kachikwu, who was represented by the Managing Director, NNPC Retail Ltd, Mr Ladipo Fagbola, said the use of sub-standard lubricants in the industry should be discouraged considering its danger on equipment and machinery.

He urged the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, and Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, to beam searchlight on imported lubricants into the country.

SYNAGOGUE: Court retrains LASG from

prosecuting engineers L

By Onozure Dania

AGOS—JUSTICE Ibrahim Buba of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos yesterday restrained the Lagos State Attorney-General from prosecuting the two engineers who built the collapsed guest house of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, SCOAN. Justice Buba also granted an order of injunction restraining the Commissioner of Police from arresting and detaining the applicants.

The judge said that the orders will subsist until the state appeals his ruling.

While ruling on the engineers’ application for injunction pending appeal, Justice Buba, urged the prosecution to ensure the appeal is heard expeditiously.

“In the circumstances of this case, the counter affidavit has not been able to show that I should not exercise my discretion judicially and judiciously.

“Even though the applicants had suffered defeat in this court, I am inclined to granting this application on the caveat or rider that the applicants must pursue their appeal diligently and vigorously so that justice can be done to all parties.

“The application for injunction pending appeal has merit and is hereby granted. If the applicants fail to prosecute the appeal

diligently, the order can be vacated by this court or the Court of Appeal depending on the situation, the time and place.

Lagos State had preferred a 111count charge against the Registered Trustees of SCOAN and the engineers over the collapsed building.

Their arraignment was stalled on Monday and Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo of the Ikeja High

Court adjourned till December 11 because of the state’s inability to serve three of the defendants with the charge.

While arguing the application yesterday, the applicant’s counsel Mr Olalekan Ojo said: “The whole essence of the application is to protect the constitutional right of the applicants by preserving the intangible res of arrest and

prosecution of the applicants. The interest of justice leans in favour of the preservation of the res.”

The state, through its counsel Akinjide Bakare, prayed the court to refuse the application as it is another attempt to stop the implementation of the Coroner’s recommendations.

Adding that the applicants do not have a valid appeal before the Court of Appeal and that granting the application would stop the Attorney-General from performing his functions in line with the 1999 Constitution.

DECORATION: Major General O.A. Ogunbiyi (left) and Mr Olatokunbo Ogunyomi (right), decorating Brig. General Toyosi Akiyode with her new rank, at the decoration of new senior officers of the Nigerian Army at the Bonny Camp Barracks in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye.

You can't seize Kashamu's property, court tells FG L

By Onozure Dania

AGOS—A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has barred the Federal Government from seizing the properties of Senator Buruji Kashamu over alleged drug trafficking.

Justice Ibrahim Buba held that the seizure would amount to an abuse of powers for the respondents to infringe on Kashamu’s property rights without following due process.

The judge, however, restrained the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, and the National Drug Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, from violating the senator’s rights to own property.

Kashamu sought for an order of perpetual injunction restraining NDLEA and the AGF from taking over his properties.

Kashamu said he learnt of moves by NDLEA and AGF to seize his properties, including a 24-flat housing estate at

Egbe and several hectares of land on Lekki Peninsula, Lagos.

According to him, he acquired the properties, which he said were worth N20 billion, by dint of hard work and through his legitimate business.

He said the property were not proceeds of drug trafficking contrary to NDLEA’s allegation.

Arguing the application, his lawyer, Ajibola Oluyede, said Kashamu had been exonerated from charges of heroine

importation into the United States of America.

He said two United Kingdom Courts also held that Kashamu has no case to answer, and that one of the courts held that he was mistaken for another person.

Ambode canvasses attitudinal change among Lagosians in Lagos Island.

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AGOS—LAGOS State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode yesterday canvassed the need for Lagosians to embrace attitudinal change and shun all forms of unethical activities in the interest of socio-economic well-

being of the State.

Governor Ambode, who spoke at the Iyalode of Lagos Forum/Health Screening with the theme: “Improving the Ethical Standard of the Citizenry in Lagos State,” expressed delight at the return of peace among youths and various trade groups, especially

Represented by Special Adviser on Civic Engagement, Mr. Olaide Kehinde Joseph, the Governor said he believed that such attitudinal change recorded on the Island would be replicated in all the nooks and cranny of Lagos State.

He also expressed hope that the development would be sustained in the long run for the socio-economic benefits of the State.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015 — 11

Aregbesola seeks approval to withdraw N1.25 bn from Osun Fund

By Gbenga Olarinoye

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SOGBO—FOLLOWING dwindling resources from the federation account to Osun State, Governor Rauf Aregbesola has sought the approval of the state House of Assembly to withdraw N1.25 billion from the Omoluabi Conservation Fund to assist government in the provision of infrastructure in the state.

He sought the approval through a letter to the Assembly, dated November 27, 2015, which was read by the Speaker, Honourable Najeem Salaam, at the plenary, yesterday.

Omoluabi Conservation Fund Law 2012, sponsored by the executive, was passed by the Assembly as a way of bailing the state out of emergency whenever such occured.

According to the Speaker, the letter read: “The law stipulates that an amount not exceeding 50 per cent of the outstanding balance in the fund can be withdrawn upon the approval of the Assembly to address such emergency.

“You are quite aware that for some months now, the state government has been having serious financial challenges which have been preventing it from meeting some of its basic functions.

“This development is largely attributable to the national economic downturn aggravated by the continuous decline in revenue accrueable to the state from the

Federation Account in the last two years.

“The insufficient fund has made it difficult for government to meet the basic needs of the people, especially the provision of infrastructure to enhance physical development of the state which is certainly an emergency that is not palatable.

“It is against this background that I seek the approval of the Honourable House of Assembly to

withdraw the sum of N1.25 billion being 50 per cent of the N2.5 billion in the Osun Omoluabi Conservation Fund to assist government in the provision of infrastructure in the state.”

Subsequently, the Speaker directed that the letter be forwarded to the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation for proper consideration.

He directed that the committee should refer to the law, ascertain whether the

request was in compliance with the law and report back to the house within one week, with a view to giving the request the appropriate attention it deserves.

Meanwhile, the Assembly concluded the consideration of the Land Use Charge Bill at the committee of the whole, as the Speaker directed the Clerk at Table to produce the clean copy of the bill by next week Tuesday for the final passage.

INAUGURATION: From left: Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose; Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) donor; his wife, Omolara Olanipekun (SAN); and Ogoga of IkereEkiti, Oba Samuel Alagbado, during the inauguration of Iyaafin Bosede Olanipekun Special Amenity Ward, donated by Chief and Mrs. Wole Olanipekun, in Ikere-Ekiti.

Fulani set up c'ttee to mitigate S-West farmers’ losses

By Ola Ajayi

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BADAN—AS a step towards ensuring lasting peace between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in the South West, the leadership of Fulani has set up a surveillance committee that would mitigate losses incurred by the farmers.

This was disclosed by the leader of the Fulani Community in the South West, the Sardaunan Yamma, Alhaji Haruna Maiyasin, who is also the Sarkin Sasa of Ibadanland, at a meeting between Fulani herdsmen and farmers from Iwo, Osun State, in his Sasa Palace, Ibadan.

There had been constant crises between the two parties with farmers alleging that the cattle rearers used their crops to graze their animals. The Fulani, on the other hand, accused the farmers of poisoning their crops and water sources leading to the death of their cattle.

Just last week, some farmers from Ido Local Government area of the state threatened reprisals accusing herdsmen of destroying their crops leaving them with nothing.

The formation of the committee is the fulfilment of part of the promises made by Alhaji Maiyasin, at a peace meeting brokered by the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Leye Oyebade, some weeks ago.

According to Maiyasin, the committee is saddled with the responsibility of liaising with the affected farmers and herdsmen to know details of their grouse and find ways to soothe frayed nerves.

The surveillance committee, he added, will also assess the level of destruction of such farms and

work out compensation for the victims.

Alhaji Maiyasin noted that the step would produce an enduring solution to the incessant clashes between the two parties.

He further stressed that this was better than some inflammatory calls from some quarters for reprisal attacks on one another.

While advising Fulani parents to monitor their wards and warn them against involving themselves in criminal tendencies, he assured that nothing would

tamper with the peaceful coexistence between his men and the farmers.

Speaking at the meeting, the leader of the Fulani Community in Osun State, Alhaji Sulaiman Oluwatoyin, commended governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, for the mature way he handled the issue of Fulani herdsmen in his state.

Ogun CJ swears in 46 customary court judges

By Daud Olatunji

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BEOKUTA—OGUN State Chief Judge, Justice Olatokunbo Olopade, has charged customary court judges to exhibit a high sense of responsibility without fear or favour in the discharge of their judicial duties.

Justice Olopade said this on Tuesday at the swearing-in ceremony of 46 customary court judges at the High Court premises, Isabo, Abeokuta.

She noted that appointment of the judicial officers into the state Judiciary was expected to strengthen the dispensation of justice in the state.

She added that they were expected to be thorough, painstaking and courageous in handling matters before them.

She said: “As a customary court judge, you are to be focused, dedicated, vibrant, thorough and painstaking in the discharge of your judicial duties.”

The Chief Judge warned the new customary court judges to shun vices detrimental to their calling as the state would not condone any form of corruption and corrupt practices from officers, noting that the Judicial Service Commission would continue to sanction erring staff judges appropriately.

12—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015

Police deploy DIG, two CPs, 14,000 policemen for Bayelsa poll

By Samuel Oyadongha

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ENAGOA—A total of 14,000 policemen, one Deputy Inspector-General of Police, DIG, and two Commissioners of Police are to be deployed in Bayelsa State for Saturday’s governorship election.

The Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, who disclosed this in an interview in Yenagoa, yesterday, assured the people of the state that the police will provide adequate security for voting materials, INEC personnel and ensure that the election was peaceful, free and fair.

Arase, who later interacted with officers and men of the Bayelsa Command, said, “A Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG and two Commissioners of Police will be deployed in the state to supervise the deployment of 14,000 officers and men of the Nigeria Police for the election.

We are prepared for the Bayelsa election.”

He dismissed claims that the men of the Police Force were part of the federal might allegedly deployed to rig the election.

“The Police is apolitical.

INEC will conduct the election while our job is to provide a

robust policing for the election,” he said, adding that the roads, waterways and creeks of the state would be shut down during the period of the election in all the local government areas of the state.

He dismissed as unfounded, claims of alleged

recruitment of thugs and deployment of fake policemen for the election.

“Such investments by any of the political parties is a waste as the police have initiated special identification code for proper identification of personnel during the poll. Those who

invested in such fake policemen should consider it a bad investment.

“We have developed a unique identification number for the police and those who invested their time and money to sew uniforms and recruit fake policemen should consider it a bad investment.”

PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT: Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State (middle), Secretary to the State Government, Sir Ettekamba Umoren; Commissioner for Investment, Commerce and Industry, Mr Emmanuel Enoidem; Information Commissioner, Mr Aniekan Umana (right), Directors of H. O. Oil Consulting Limited,(left), during the signing of partnership agreement for the take-off of Coconut Refinery Project, at Government House, Uyo.

Rivers PDP to APC: Stop playing politics with the dead

By Jimitota Onoyume

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ORT HARCOURT— PEOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers State has appealed to the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state not to play politics with the dead.

Chairman of the state PDP, Mr Felix Obuah, who spoke to newsmen, yesterday, in Port Harcourt, said it was unfortunate that the APC has started playing politics with those who died in the state.

Stressing that the PDP had no hand in the death of anyone in the state, Obuah appealed to politicians to respect the dead.

He recalled that the PDP recorded a landslide victory in the last election because it campaigned round the state.

Obuah dismissed as laughable, calls by some speakers at the APC rally on Monday for the declaration of a state of emergency in the state, saying that noting should warrant such from anybody.

He assured that the PDP government will continue to take steps to promote good governance in the state.

According to Obuah, the

party had sealed arrangement to celebrate peace in the state.

“We want to say that the PDP will not condescend so low as to play politics with the lives of Rivers people by celebrating falsehood and

deceit. We shall strive to defend democracy, good governance and the sanctity of lives, no matter the situation,” he said.

Obuah also called on the governorship candidate of the APC, Mr Dakuku

Peterside, to shun desperation and be orderly.

“We call on President Muhammadu Buhari, the National Assembly and the law enforcement agents to call Dakuku, his Abuja based sponsor and the Rivers APC to order,” he said.

Calabar monorail'll be functional before Carnival —Ayade Governor Ayade said: “Owing

G

OVERNOR Ben Ayade of Cross River State has said that the Calabar monorail under construction will be commissioned and operational before the Carnival Calabar, which holds on December 28.

The governor, when he inspected ongoing work at the facility, assured that the monorail would be ready and operational before the carnival day.

Ayade said upon completion, the Calabar Monorail will be the first in sub-Saharan Africa, adding that it was expected to breathe a new life and increase footfalls into Tinapa Business Resort as well as bring additional spinoff to the economy of the state.

He said: “This monorail should be working, latest by December 20. That is the

commitment we have received from the contractor handling the project.”

Stressing that the monorail was a confluence between the Calabar International Convention Centre, CICC, and Tinapa Business Resort,

to the vagaries that have attended the effective functioning of Tinapa, resulting from institutional and regulatory framework, my predecessor, Governor Liyel Imoke, in his wisdom, decided to find a way to bring both CICC and Tinapa together."

GCUOBA holds end of year party

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LD boys of Government College, Ughelli, Delta State will hold their annual end of year party at Eko Hotel and Suites, December 6.

President-General Worldwide of GCUOBA, Prof Oritsegbemi Omatete, will be the Chief Host of the event that will have Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as the Special Guest of Honour.

According to a statement by the Lagos Branch President, Chief Clement Djebah, and the Vice-President, Mr Cyril Ogude, who doubles as the chairman of the Luncheon Party Organising Committee, the keynote address will be delivered by Mr James Efekodo.

Renowned diplomat and Director of Guardian Newspapers, Amb. Patrick Dele-Cole, will be chairman of the event.

Be change agents, Delta HOS charges alumni associations

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ELTA State Head of Service, Mr. Patrick Origho, has urged alumni associations to be change agents in the society.

He also tasked them to bequeath a service that is knowledge driven and capable of delivering 21st century service to the people.

Origho, at the end of year lecture organised by Isoko chapter of Nigeria Alumni Association, University of Ibadan, at Delta State University, Oleh Campus, stressed on the five-point cardinal policy objectives of Delta State Government, with the acronym, SMART, adding that the agenda was a new approach to address the present needs of the people of the state.

He said it was conceived to sustain and deepen the policy of less dependence on oil and lay a solid foundation for economic growth and infrastructural development to create jobs, generate and sustain businesses and stabilize families and communities within a framework of equity, fairness and justice.

Earlier, Ven. Albert Nedozi, Chairman Isoko chapter of the association in a welcome address pledged full support and maximum commitment to the promotion of general good and welfare of the university.

Appeal Court upholds Igbuya’s election

By Emma Amaize

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SABA—THE Court of Appeal sitting in Benin City, Edo State, yesterday, upheld the election of Mr Monday Igbuya, Delta State House of Assembly member representing Sapele constituency.

The appellate court, agreed with the ruling of the Election Petition Tribunal, Asaba, which upheld Igbuya’s election, who is the Speaker of the House.

The court awarded cost of N100, 000 against the petitioners.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate for the House of Assembly election for Sapele constituency, Chief Felix Anirah, had approached the Appeal Court, urging it to set aside the judgment of the Asaba tribunal, which earlier affirmed Igbuya’s victory.

He asked the court to declare him winner having allegedly scored the highest lawful votes cast.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015—13

Huge crowd for Sylva at APC mega rally in Yenagoa

By Samuel Oyadongha

said, the crowd that graced the occasion was an indication that Sylva had bounced back and called on Bayelsa voters to play by the rule and defend their votes on election day.

He said that the strength of the crowd has made the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, afraid, as he assured the crowd that victory can only be guaranteed if they participate in the process by casting their votes for the APC candidate.

According to him, Bayelsa can only experience greatness again when Sylva returns to Government House which will bring the change at the centre to the state in order to ensure development of infrastructure.

In his address, National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, called on the electorate to come out en masse to vote for the APC on Saturday.

Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, in his speech said, it was time for the people of the state to join the change train, noting that the

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ENAGOA—THE Samson Siasia Stadium for the second time in four days, came alive as it, yesterday, hosted the mega-rally of the All Progressives Congress, APC, ahead of Saturday ’s governorship election in Bayelsa State.

The rally was a carnival of sort as thousands of APC chieftains and supporters clad in the party colours defied the scorching sun to converge on the arena to drum up support for their candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva and his running mate, Elder Wilberforce Igiri.

Speaking at the colourful event which attracted the who is who in the APC, President Muhammadu Buhari, represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, said that Bayelsa State holds a pride of place in the nation, as he canvassed support for the APC governorship candidate, Sylva.

He said Bayelsa will be a greater state under an APCled state government.

Earlier, National Leader of the party, Bola Ahmed Tinubu,

state has nothing to show after 16 years of PDP leadership despite its enormous resources and contribution to the national economy.

Other speakers including

Y

E N A G O A — BAYELSA State Government, yesterday, explained reasons for the delay in payment of November salary to workers in the state, saying it was due to delay in the sharing of monthly allocations to states by the Federal Allocation Committee, FAC. The state government, through its Commissioner for Finance, Duate Iyabi, said though the delay in the sharing of the allocation to states was not political, the current administration’s effort to pay the salary before the election was due to the delay.

Iyabi, in Yenagoa said, the present financial woes of the state were further compounded by the fall in the sale of crude in the

international market and the drastic fall in the state's allocation from the Federation Account.

He said: “We are under tremendous pressure to pay salaries. Last month,

N5.8 billion received helped us to pay workers salary but due to the delay being experienced, we have to look for alternative sources to pay workers salary."

ITF refutes corruption allegation times for her financial

By Franklin Alli

T

HE Industrial Training Fund, ITF, refuted, yesterday, corruption allegation levelled against the Fund by labour unions.

A statement by the Deputy Director, Public Affairs, of the Fund, Mrs. Ifeoma Iheuze, said: “We wish to refute the allegation of corruption in its entirety.

The present DirectorGeneral, ITF, Dr. Juliet Chukkas-Onaeko, has been commended several

support for the party during the election.

In his address, the governorship candidate and former Bayelsa governor, Sylva, thanked Bayelsans for the show of love and support.

INSPECTION: Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State inspecting the Abonnema Wharf Road under construction in Port harcourt, yesterday.

Bayelsa govt explains delay in workers’ salary

By Samuel Oyadongha

former Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Managing Director, Timi Alaibe and Rivers State APC governorship candidate, Dakuku Peterside, urged massive

prudence and objectivity in tackling issues.

"On several occasions, she had ordered the renegotiation of certain outrageous contracts that were awarded in the past, thereby achieving huge savings for the fund.”

On non-remittance of deductions from salaries from June to date, the statement explained that there had been a backlog due to the implementation of the Treasury Single Account, adding that they were now being processed for payment.

14—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2 , 2015

By Henry Umoru, Emman Ovuakporie, Joseph Erunke & Johnbosco Agbakwuru

A

BUJA—BOTH chambers of the National Assembly, the Senate and the House of Representatives,yesterday, passed a total sum of N574,532,726,857 as supplementary budget for President Muhammadu Buhari.

The money, which is for additional Recurrent (NonDebt) Expenditure for the year ending on December 31, 2015 is to be withdrawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation.

The Senate, however, jerked the original supplementary budget as submitted by President Buhari by N108,895,800,000, just as it said that the increase was designed to accommodate additional funding for fuel subsidy for the months of October, November and December, 2015.

With the additional N109 billion by the Senate for fuel subsidy, it would now amount to N522,258,934,505 as the President, in the letter to the Senate, had requested for N413 billion for fuel subsidy.

Also N5,000,000,000 was approved as Victims Support Funds in the Capital Supplementation which would be re-classified to the Service Wide Vote of N559,217,800,017.

The Senate also approved the sum of N29,958,865,512 to fight the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East and payment of outstanding claims in order to ameliorate the suffering of Nigerians under the heading, Operation Zaman Lafiya. Of the approved money, the Nigerian Army will get N17,468,992,640; Nigerian Airforce, N8,141,434,760; Nigerian Army outstanding balance from 2015 and second quarter, N4,348,438,112.

The Senate had penultimate Wednesday received a supplementary budget of N465,636,926,857 from President Buhari for consideration and approval.

President Buhari, who also sought an upward review of the new borrowing plan from N882.1 billon to N2.103 trillion had said: “The expected deficit arising from the above is projected at N2.103 trn or 2.19 per cent of GDP to be financed by additional borrowing of N1.601 trn through the Debt Management Office.”

The approval of the Senate was sequel to the report of the Senator Danjuma Goje-led Committee on Appropriations on the 2015 Supplementary Appropriation Bill.

Earlier, the senators broke into an executive session for one

C M Y K

BRIEFING: From left: Mr. Alle Awosikunde, General Manager/ Head, IT, SABRE West Africa, Mrs. Tolu Abiola-Lawal, MD/CEO, Victory Travels & Tours Ltd., Pastor Emeka Ndu, Executive Director, Victory Travels & Tours Ltd, Pastor Prince Olaobaju, Head, IT department, The Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, and Pastor Trevor Akindele, Executive Director, Victory Travels & Tours Ltd/Assistant Pastor-in-Charge, RCCG, City of David Parish, a briefing by Victory Travels & Tours Ltd to announce an online booking portal called 9aijatravel.com in Lagos.

NASS approves N575bn supplementary budget •N109bn additional funding for Oct-Dec fuel subsidy •Jerks figure from N465.64 hour as part of moves to discuss the appropriation bill and give the President a soft landing by passing the budget and as a follow up to last Thursday’s dinner the Senators were with the President where collaboration and synergy among the Executive and Legislature were emphasized.

Why Senate jerked fuel subsidy budget

Presenting the report, Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Goje said: “The Committee observed that the provision for subsidy payment only covers year 2014 arrears of N120.5 billion and the claims of January-September, 2015 of N292.8 billion.

“There is need to provide additional funding in the sum of N108,895,800,000 (One Hundred and Eight Billion, Eight Hundred and Ninety-Five Million, Eight Hundred Thousand Naira) only for fuel subsidy for the months of October, November and December 2015 to ensure that the 2016 Budget takes off on a clean slate. This issue came up in the course of clarification of the total subsidy need for the year ending 2015, by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

“The provision for Victim Support Fund in Capital Supplementation should have been made in the Service Wide Vote since it is a Federal Government contribution to a fund managed by a Committee which is not an MDA of Government; “There is need to adjust the proposed amendment to the 2015 Fiscal Framework to capture the additional funding need of N108,895,800,000(One Hundred and Eight Billion, Eight Hundred and Ninety- Five Million, Eight

•N30bn for Boko Haram war

Hundred Thousand Naira) only for fuel subsidy. As indicated in the amendment to the 2015 Fiscal Framework, the Supplementary Budget will be funded through borrowing; “With the Supplementary Bill, including the additional funding need of fuel subsidy, the total aggregate expenditure for the fiscal year 2015 will be the sum of N4,493,363,957,158 in the 2015 Appropriation Act, the Proposed sum of N465,636,926,857 and the additional funding need of N108,895,800,000(One Hundred and Eight Billion, Eight Hundred and Ninety-Five Million, Eight Hundred Thousand Naira) only for fuel subsidy amounting to N5,067,896,015 trillion.”

In his remarks, Senate President Bukola Saraki warned all the Ministries, Departments and Government Agencies to ensure that the approved money was used judiciously and for the purpose for which it was designed for, adding that the Senate must be up to its task in its oversight function to ensure that the agencies of government wake up to their responsibilities.

Saraki urged Senate antiCorruption Committee, Downstream and Upstream to expose government Ministries, Departments, agencies and companies who take advantage of the sufferings of Nigerians to abuse the use of the approved money.

“We have made provisions till December so we must ensure that this money is used properly. This issue of fuel subsidy, I want us all, all Nigerians, we must say no to this blackmail by marketers, we must put an end to this issue. A lot of us in the past have spoken on this matter and I think we are doing this for the interest of

Nigerians, but I think it is high time we say no to this blackmail and end this hardship.

“We must consider this in 2016. I think the committee on petroleum both downstream and upstream as well as committee on anti-corruption should oversight and make necessary recommendation to the Senate for further legislative action on this matter,” he said.

Earlier, Senate leader, Senator Ali Ndume who noted that it was very important for the Senate to pass the bill, said that having looked at the bill, the only people benefiting from the subsidy were those supporting it, just as he stressed that in the past few years, it has continued to increase and even when there was outcry by the 7th Senate to probe it, it was not successful, adding that they were blackmailed to pass it because not doing so would amount to the queue remaining.

Also, Senate Minority leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who supported the bill also asked for the suffering of Nigerians to be brought to an end, just as he stressed that what he would have loved to see as the true change was zero subsidy at the end of the day, adding that Nigerians would be spared the problem of whether there was subsidy scam or not.

Briefing newsmen after the plenary, Senator Goje said that the bill concerns the subsidy petroleum products, adding, “what we were given earlier by the executive only covers from January to September this year.

We have to approve the last quarter, they came up with N108 billion. We want to ensure as we promised Nigerians to do

whatever it takes to supply uninterrupted petroleum products for the next four years.

House of Reps concurs

Like the Senate, the House of Representatives also approved the N575 billion supplementary budget.

According to the report that was considered by the members, fuel subsidy was increased from N413,363,134,505 to N522,258,934,505 showing an increase of N108.895 billion.

The budget was passed after the adoption of the report of the joint committee on Appropriations, Finance and Aids, Loans and Debt Management.

The increase of N108.895 billion according to the joint committee would enable Federal Government to pay for fuel subsidy for October to December 2015.

The upward review of the supplementary budget was agreed on at a meeting with (MDAs) on the 2015 Supplementary Budget held on Monday.

Breakdown of the budget showed that the sum of N10,618,837,435 is for outstanding payment of severance gratuity and allowances of out-gone and incoming legislators and legislative aides; N3,196,089,405 is for salaries of Nigerian Army recruited personnel while N1.5 billion is for All African Games qualification for Rio 2016.

The sum of N29,958,865,512 is for Operation Zaman Lafiya, the sum of N17,468,992,640 is for Nigerian Army while N8,141,434,760 is for Nigerian Air Force.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015—15

40,000 IPOB members shut down S’East for detained Radio Biafra boss •Protesters ground Onitsha, Aba, Owerri, other places •Crowd defies military threat •Kanu's trial stalled •Jewish community makes case for one Nigeria

By Nwabueze Okonkwo Chimaobi Nwaiwu, Nnewi, Chinonso Alozie & Ugochukwu Alaribe

V

EHEMENT IN their e s o l v e to get the detained Radio Biafra boss Nnamdi Kanu released and to actualze their agitation for the sovereign state of Biafra, no fewer than 40,000 members and sympathizers of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, yesterday, shut down commercial and business activities in the South East states as they took to the streets to vent their spleen. r

The detained pro-Biafra leader was supposed to be produced in court yesterday, in Abuja but the trial was stalled over the death of the Chief Magistrate's father.

In Onitsha, the commercial city of Anambra State and its environs of Obosi and Nkpor, the protesters held sway in a non-violent procession.

Vehicular movements were grounded by the intimidating number of the IPOB members and their sympathizers, who marched from the Niger Bridge Head to the former Ogbunike Toll Gate to register their anger against the continued detention of Mr. Kanu.

The blocking of the Niger Bridge disrupted vehicular movements for over seven hours before normalcy was restored on the bridge.

The attempt by the military to disperse them failed because of their number and their resort to non-violence. The military however showed professionalism that had never been witnessed in Onitsha, under similar situation as they carefully implored the agitators to free the road for other users.

Onitsha-Owerri Road was also blocked by IPOB protesters, who made entry in and out of Onitsha difficult for all road users.

The protesting IPOB members were peaceful contrary to allegations that the traders were forced to close their shops or their shops invaded to loot their goods.

One of their leaders and spokesman of IPOB, Mr. Emma Powerful, who spoke to newsmen said: “We decided to avoid coming close to markets, especially Onitsha Main Market, because of the false allegation by some leaders of the traders, who have been paid to destroy our image with allegations of looting and destroying the traders' goods.

“We are not protesting against our brothers and sisters who are doing their genuine business of trading and other businesses. So, there is no reason to attack anybody or invade their shops, neither are we begging anybody to come and join in the protest.

"People whose lives and businesses have been destroyed by government policies join us without invitation, while others join in solidarity. Allegation of infiltration into our fold is also false, baseless and figments of the imagination of those making it. We are only protesting to secure the release of our leader,” he said In his chat with newsmen, National Coordinator of IPOB, Mr. Chidiebere Onwudiwe, who was flanked by Mr. Powerful, said that the protest was a result of the detention of Mr. Kanu and marginalization of the South East, adding that the protest will continue on Wednesday.

Intimidating The crowd was so intimidating that some businesses and markets located along the road including Bridge Head Market, Onitsha Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers Market, Ochanja Market, all in Onitsha; New Auto Spare Parts Market and New Tyre Market Nkpor; Building Materials Market Ogidi and Bakery Market, also in Ogidi equally closed shops as a result of the protest.

When Vanguard sought to know why they closed their shops, some said they did it in solidarity, while others said they were afraid of being invaded by the protesters.

Aba also grounded In Aba, Abia State, it was a carnival of sort as over 20,000 members of the group, yesterday, fulfilled their threat to shut down markets and other commercial centres in protest against the continued detention of its leader, and host of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

The protesters who adorned Biafra emblems and Kanu’s portraits with speakers mounted on motorcycles, marched from the dilapidated Port Harcourt Road through Asa Road from where they divided into smaller groups to other areas of the city, ensuring that all markets and shops along the areas were shut. There was

This was even as hundreds of agitators thronged the court located at Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, yesterday, to show solidarity to Kanu who has been in detention for the past two months.

C M Y K

VISIT: Governor Rochas Okorocha (5th left)with the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, Col .Hammed Ibrahim Ali (ret'd); other officers of the service, and senior Imo State government officials, during Col. Ali and his team's courtesy visit to the governor, Tuesday. heavy traffic when the protest started, but as at 10a.m., the roads were deserted as IPOB members marched, singing Biafra songs and Kanu’s praises.

Vanguard gathered that as early as 8a.m., members of the group had stormed Ariaria International, Ekeoha, Cemetery and Ngwa Road markets to ensure that traders did not defy the order to shut their businesses.

Along Azikiwe and St. Michael's roads by Mosque Street junction, shop owners, who had already opened for business hurriedly shut down as IPOB members were sighted at the area.

However, the Ehere modern market on Ikot Ekpene Road was open as traders went about their businesses without molestation.

Roadblock Some youths later mounted a roadblock at St.Michael's Road by Mosque Street junction, making it impossible for motorists to pass through the area, but the roadblock was later dismantled.

While marching along AbaOwerri Road, a group of IPOB members blocked the gate of Keystone Bank opposite the State Polytechnic, insisting that the Nigerian flag mounted at the bank premises must be removed.

It was a theatre of confusion as some IPOB members, who spoke to Vanguard, insisted that the bank must comply with the order to shut down before they left the area.

The situation created tension in the city as banks and schools opened with caution. Business centres along the ever busy Asa Road located at the city centre, were deserted and later opened at 3.30p.m. when the group had passed through the main park area.

A cross section of members of the group who spoke to newsmen insisted that the protest would continue until Kanu regained freedom and the actualization of an independent state of Biafra became a reality.

“This is just the first stage of the protest, if they don't release our Director, they will be surprised by the next stage of our protest. We

are going to shut Nigeria. We are not joking about it,” they chorused.

When contacted, Abia Police spokesman, DSP Ezekiel Onyeke, said they were monitoring the situation and assured that the Police would not fold their arms and watch the protesters breach the peace of the state.

Kanu's trial stalled The protest however became more grievous when the IPOB members received a message from their colleagues in Abuja that the court did not sit yesterday and neither was their leader, Kanu produced in court.

Hearing on his case was stalled following the death of the magistrate’s father.

Kanu was brought before an Abuja Magistrate's Court by the Department of State Service, DSS, on allegations of criminal conspiracy, engaging in unlawful society and criminal intimidation, which violate Section 97, 97B and 397 of the penal code.

The magistrate, Usman Shuaibu, had on November 23 adjourned sitting till December 1 for ruling, but failed to appear, citing the death of his father.

According to the court registrar, Salisu Yinusa, the magistrate had to travel to prepare for the burial of his father.

The court was, however, considering December 16 for ruling on the matter, but the registrar said that date was still tentative.

One of Kanu's lawyers, Marcel Dim-Udebuani, told journalists that his client had no problem with the recent development, but hoped for a favourable judgment when the magistrate returned.

Call to release Kanu Meanwhile, the General Overseer of the God’s Covenant of Christ Sabbath Mission, High Priest Clifford Nmenabu has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria, to free the Radio Biafra Director, Mr. Kanu from detention.

Nmenabu made the call at Amanachi, Orsu Local Government Area, while addressing journalists on the

recent pro-Biafra demonstrations in the country.

He said that Kanu had done nothing to deserve such a treatment for too long by the Federal Government, adding that Kanu was only seeking the freedom of his people.

He also called on the international community to come to the aid of the Biafrans, who, he said, had been marginalized in the country for too long.

On the issue of the existence of the Radio Biafra, he said that it was divinely created to save the oppressed in the society. He said, “ Kanu was not speaking against any person or group of people.

His broadcast were truth-oriented and conscience awakening. It was a divine arrangement for a renaissance and liberation of a particular sect that is under bondage."

A case for one Nigeria Worried by the agitation for a sovereign state of Biafra, the Nigerian-Jewish community has reiterated its support for Nigeria as one indivisible entity notwithstanding dissatisfaction raised by some ethnic groups.

The National President, Pan Africa Jewish Alliance, PAJA, Most Rev. Kohen Okorie who made the call at a press briefing in Onitsha, Anambra state, yesterday to usher in a week-long centenary celebration of Sabbaths in Nigeria, Nigerian-Jews disagreed with Biafra agitators who are calling for secession from the country..

According to him, “We so much believe in the unity of Nigeria.

The Jewish community in Nigeria in conjunction with Pan Africa Jewish Alliance PAJA disagrees with the detained Director of Radio Biafra, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, on the nation of Biafra to secede from Nigeria."

Although we accept him as an Igbo Jew and support most of his views on Igbo nation but we totally disagrees with him on secession”.

Okorie, however, called on Nigerians to always think of how they would build and unite the country instead of how they would divide it.

16—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015

Lack of infrastructure, multiple taxation worry MAN

By Chidi Nkwopara

O

WERRI—LACK of basic infrastructure in the industrial areas and issues of multiple taxation, are giving the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, sleepless nights.

The President of MAN, Dr. Frank Jacobs, who stated this, yesterday, in Owerri, while flagging off the 28 Annual General Meeting of Imo/Anambra Branch of MAN, equally lamented that the ugly situation was assuming a worrisome proportion.

“The lack of basic infrastructure in the industrial areas and issues of multiple taxation have assumed a worrisome proportion. We hope that the governments of Abia and Imo states, would take bold steps to redress these challenges and pave way for development of the manufacturing sector in the two states,” Dr. Jacobs said.

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Workers shut down Owerri

By Chidi Nkwopara

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WERRI—IMO workers, yesterday, shut down the state to protest nonpayment of arrears of their salaries and allowances by the state government.

Following this development, socio-economic and government activities were paralyzed throughout the day.

The angry workers, who spotted black attires, wept, sang and pronounced

unprintable curses on the administration as they processed peacefully on the major streets of Owerri.

Some of the placards carried by the protesting workers read: 'What have we done to Okorocha to deserve his punishment?' 'Governor Nebuchadenazar, pay us our salaries,' 'Our children are suffering,' 'Rochas, the Idi Amin of our time,' and 'We have never had it this bad.'

They were of the view that

Governor Rochas Okorocha deliberately hoisted the predicament on them, even as they prayed God to take absolute control of the situation.

Some of the workers, who spoke to Vanguard as they processed, lamented that some of their colleagues in the judiciary have sadly died out of frustration and penury.

“The judiciary staff are now owed for nine months and the end of their travails appears

Depletion of Lake Chad threatens 5m people —Buhari ...urges people to contribute to required $14bn for its revival

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

A

BUJA—PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, Tuesday, in Paris, raised alarm, saying that about five million persons living in the countries within the Lake Chad basin risk displacement owing to the depletion of the lake.

The President, who addressed a high level meeting on 'Climate Change Challenges and Solutions in Africa,' at the on-going UN

Climate Change Conference, COP 21, in France, urged the world leaders to contribute to the $14 billion needed to revive the lake.

He also stated that most Nigerians living in that axis have lost their lands to the disaster.

The President said the shrinkage of Lake Chad, had resulted in increased social conflicts, high rates of migration and cross border movements.

“Nigeria has a large population of over 170 million

and in some parts of Northern Nigeria, a farm that used to belong to 10 people now belongs to over 100 people.

They have no other place to live and no land to cultivate,” he said.

The President recalled the research conducted by a professor in a London university and published more than three decades ago, had predicted that unless one or some of the rivers from the Central African region were diverted to the Lake Chad basin, the river would dry up.

not yet in sight. We are really in for hard times in this state and the governor is not worried about our plight,” one of the workers said.

Vanguard recalls that some of the parastatals that were owed heavily, include the Water Board, 12 months; Library Board, eight months; Due Process, nine months; Imo Marketing Board, 10 months; Imo Specialist Hospital, 13 months; Hospital Management Board, nine months, and Imo ADP, 10 months.

When contacted, the State Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Mr. Austin Chilakpu, explained that they were constrained to call the workers out, following the unwillingness of the state government to comply with all agreements reached at an earlier meeting.

“The leadership of the NLC had, November 13, promised workers that the state government would pay their salaries on November 17, based on the agreement it entered into with labour but failed.

"This failure on the part of government made the workers to doubt the inability of the organized labour to fight for their rights,” Chilakpu said.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015 — 17

N

IGERIA’s criminal justice system has often been criticised and ridiculed for its inability to secure convictions, particularly for offences perpetuated by high profile individuals. Yet, one recalls the case of a young man, Kelvin Ighodalo, who was sentenced to 45 years in prison for stealing Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s N50,000 Sony Ericsson phone.

Our justice system is inherently flawed but the current debate over reform efforts is lacking in substance as it focuses mostly on efforts to bring corrupt public officials to heel (which is definitely needed, corruption kills Nigerians let’s never forget it) but the brunt of the system’s injustice and unfairness is actually experienced by the poor masses who spend years in jail awaiting trial, while the rich accused of worse crimes, simply make bail and then wait it out while the case is adjourned till it is forgotten.

Nigerian lawyers have become experts at exploiting the system’s weaknesses and there is as of yet, no real punishment for counsels who frustrate trials or undermine the law’s processes. It is only in Nigeria that the accused can refuse to appear in court and where one can be a sitting governor or senator and still have fraud charges to answer to, making a mockery of our country ’s laws and the universal ethics and best practices which would call for one to clear one’s name in court before returning to public office.

Terminal illness Interestingly, every politically connected person accused of corruption always suddenly and mysteriously develops cancer, or some other terminal illness, but the poor rotting away without access to legal aid are not allowed their own gripping theatrics.

Nobody is ever guilty of corruption in Nigeria but the poor; they are always guilty, sometimes of such paltry offences as stealing bread or pepper after which, if they are not lynched by a mob or beaten by the police; they languish in jail, for much longer than the legally allotted time, where they are raped and beaten again, contracting diseases, lucky to escape with their lives.

So tell me, whose human rights are compromised?

Photographs of purportedly ill, wealthy Nigerians rumoured to have made away with the gross earnings of a small country, do not prove innocence, rather they prey on our ignorance and short term memory while the many incarcerated Nigerians who often don’t even know what crime they are being held for do not receive either our pity or the loathsome “witch hunt” defence which Olisa Metuh and the PDP popularised. On the subject of Mr Metuh who C M Y K

tprincewill@yahoo.co.uk

Do only the poor go to jail in Nigeria?

*Boko Haram: Product of a flawed system? recently celebrated his 50th birthday in an IDP camp, I wonder what long term strategies he has either considered or proposed to lessen their suffering beyond sharing his landmark celebration with them.

Nigeria is plagued by surface charity and opportunistic gestures which the media feeds citizens as righteous, all part of an elaborate scheme keeping us grateful for crumbs, never daring to demand our rights be respected or enforced. Let us make no mistake if there is a witch hunt in Nigeria, it has always been the poor who have been persecuted simply for being poor and not having the resources to subvert the law. However, beyond updating our laws, we must tackle the social vicissitudes enabling crime in the first place, be it white-collar crime and corruption or organised crime and kidnappings.

Seventy per cent of the

Nobody is ever guilty of corruption in Nigeria but the poor; they are always guilty, sometimes of such paltry offences as stealing bread or pepper

Nigerian population is deprived or living outside the laws or rules which normally apply in most societies, fending for themselves by whatever means. It is in this environment that many, if not most, of our future leaders are raised. The Social Justice Policy group, a UK based think-tank, recognises six

paths to poverty: f a m i l y breakdown, educational f a i l u r e , addictions, e c o n o m i c dependence and personal debt.

The link between s o c i a l breakdown, poverty and crime isn’t new yet it is ignored if not denied in Nigeria. From the Niger Delta insurgency, to Boko Haram in the North, the solutions cannot simply be based on the military. The dysfunctionality of the Nigerian society breeds insurgency and criminality.

Yet, few government policies work towards strengthening families: so many children, or youth feel condemned to a life of poverty and grow up without feeling they are part of something, whether a family

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

T

HE former Minister of Finance (there is no more coordinating Minister of the Economy as the title usurps the functions of the VicePresident) says about $500 million recovered from Gen.Sani Abacha was spent in the 2004-2005 federal budgets on roads, electricity, education, water and health.

It is interesting then that the majority of federal owned roads remain in an embarrassing state of disrepair and that we have neither electricity, water nor a real health care system. As for education, it would be ludicrous to imagine that the

Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

much celebrated (by the PDP) Almajiri schools which are nothing more than edifices without much content would gulp such amounts. The World Banksays it wasn’t in charge of monitoring how the funds were spent, implying that was up to the government in place at the time. The former Finance Minister, in company of her former colleagues in health, education, etc, should indeed explain, why after such a colossal investment, Nigerians remain so devoid of such basic government services. Then, the Ministry of Information, could provide Nigerians with infographics explaining just how much $500 million can transform a c o u n t r y, what it could be used to do.

Then perhaps instead of w i t c h hunting, we’ll talk about public outrage.

or a community that cares for them and empowers them, by either encouraging them or providing them with the tools to make a better life possible.

So they are easily led, fed the wrong ideas and fight with weapons, ironically the only accessible tools, for causes they don’t fully understand.

Many of our politicians are victims of our broken country and society where inadequate parenting, abuse, exposure to violence from a young age and to a volatile existence, make it that a boy who grew up without shoes couldn’t see the exceptional opportunity he had before him to liberate this country from those who oppose its greatness: he simply wasn’t prepared to be a leader because our society trains young people for banditry and ethnic opportunism, but not for selfless leadership.

Selfless leadership Many of our politicians are incapable of empathy for the suffering of their constituents because our society does not breed sensitive, thoughtful individuals: the average Nigerian is so hardened, deadened by suffering that by the time (if he is lucky) he reaches any position of responsibility, all he wants to do is to make up for lost time.

For any real justice reform to work, we must look beyond seeing justice as punishment for wrongdoing (although crime and punishment must follow to act as a deterrent). We must fight social exclusion by creating interconnected communities with strong families, which teach life skills and the value of personal responsibility.

As parents, employees, citizens, dereliction of duty, abandoning our tasks and duties to others, is too frequent, we must take charge of our destinies. Government, to support us, must fix our education system so that poverty ceases to be a death sentence and crime or corruption are no longer the only way one can exist or succeed in society.

Mustapha Audu

A

BLOGGER released a story alleging she was raped by the former governor of Kogi’s son, Mustapha, his brothers and friends.

Years after the fact, with a grossly inadequate penal code and a police force with neither the will to question high profile suspects or accused, nor the capacity to do so, will we ever know the truth? *Tabia Princewill is a strategic communications consultant and public policy analyst. She is also the cohost and executive producer of a talk show, WALK THE TALK which airs on Channels TV.

18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015 HE Nigerian environment is un T der threats of diverse nature ranging from oil and air pollution, toxic

waste dump and other activities that are inimical to the ecosystem.

All these have impacted negatively not only on the environment but have also affected human lives. While the overall effects on the environment are immeasurable, people are known to have died of strange afflictions and ailments. Cases of uncommon diseases abound.

Unknown to many, electronic devices, including those used in information and communication technology are risky to human lives and the environment. The greatest danger lies in imported second hand electronic devices which have become a thriving sub-sector of the economy.

Used electrical and electronic equipment which are valuable for socio-economic development have brought about large volumes of electronic waste popularly called ewaste. Some businesses, including

Imperative of E-waste Regulation cybercafes and educational institutions depend on these imported second hand products because they are relatively affordable.

E- waste is the fastest growing sector of the municipal waste stream but its improper handling can be harmful to the environment and human health due to its toxic components. This type of waste, according to statistics, comprises 5% of the total solid waste stream worldwide.

For instance, most of the imported second hand computers are almost at the end of their life cycle and burnt copper wires derived from such

computers can cause cancer. This explains why cancer is now diagnosed even in children. More frightening is the fact that cows feed on grasses where computer cables are burnt and fish also feed from the water where toxic wastes are dumped.

Experts have identified that the absence of electronic waste laws and regulatory framework in West Africa predisposes countries within the region to indiscriminate dumping of e-wastes from the industrialised countries of the world.

The only law in Nigeria regulating e-waste is Decree 42 of 1988, which was made even before the ICT boom

in the Nigerian economy. Even though Nigeria has ratified the international (Basel) convention on e-waste, it has not been domesticated.

The National Assembly must hasten to pass laws that will upgrade and regulate electronic waste management in the country. Such laws should carry stiff penalties, and their enforcement must be professionally done in line with international best practices.

It is equally imperative to regulate the importation of fairly used electronic items into the country. No self-respecting country will allow itself to be a dumpsite for the industrial wastes of other countries.Those who deal in second hand electronic items and the general consumers should be sensitised on the harmful effects of the products.

Stakeholders in environmental monitoring and protection must make more efforts to protect human lives and those of plants and animals.

OPINION

On board Dickson’s campaign train

By Michael Afenfia

I

woke up last Friday morning knowing I would be spending the better part of the day in bed, binge-watching my favorite TV shows and generally taking it easy so I could recover fast from the exhaustion of traversing the length and breadth of Bayelsa State as part of the campaign train for the PDP gubernatorial candidate and incumbent governor of Bayelsa State, Henry Seriake Dickson.

When I discovered sometime in October that I would be on the campaign trail, I did not exactly realise what lay ahead and how grueling every single day in the next couple of weeks would be.

I did not realise I would be visiting almost every community in the state and connecting with peopleandissuesIneverinamillionyearsthought I would, but every single minute of it was worth it.

I learnt to jump deftly in and out of boats after suffering a bad fall from the pier on my first week. But my confidence grew by the day, especially from watching the Governor not just endure every single experience with us, but defy the scorching heat and pouring rain to lead the charge like a five-star general. We all drew strength from him.

I witnessed sights and sounds that will stay with me for the rest of my life and heard stories I would share with my grandchildren when they come. Women in Ikolo literally removed the wrappers on their backs and trunk boxes and had them laid on the ground through the winding foot path linking the jetty and the town hall in

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appreciation of a governor that had done so much for their community. Men, women and youths of Okumbiri jumped into the river with glee in their hearts and a glint in their eyes as they swam a good 50 metres to welcome their “contriman” governor and his entourage.

I saw women tie their wrappers across their chest in a way symbolic of nurturing and care that it left us all in awe. I looked on in amazement as community leaders and paramount rulers gave their blessings and prepared the Governor for the coming polls with symbolic gifts of wrappers, Bibles and lanterns.

From Oluasiri where we lost our way several times navigating through the rivers and creeks because even the boat drivers were not sure of the route, to the great Nembe city where we were drenched in the rain, Governor Dickson demonstrated why the people wanted him to lead them in 2012 and why they overwhelmingly want him to continue until 2020.

He empathized with the people when sympathy was needed and even though he towered above everyone in height and stature he was quick to remind the crowd that the forth coming election was about peace and not war.

Elections are won by credible candidates who vigorously canvass for support and votes

He cautioned that restraint was an imperative no matter the level of provocation every time concerns about violence and the use of Federal might to intimidate voters were raised.

If the campaign took a toll on the Governor which I figure it must have at times, it did not show because he spoke eloquently everywhere we went (in fact I have never seen anyone do extempore better). And when he had to tie those heavy wrappers that must have weighed a ton andthensome,hedidnotmissabeatashedanced with his legions of supporters or slow down his pace as he walked from jetty to palace to town hall completely surrounded by a sea of people so much so that photographers and cameramen had to climb on tree stumps and tall buildings to get a good shot.

Henry Seriake Dickson has set a new standard in electioneering campaigns in Nigeria. He has raised the bar so high it would never be the same again.

The extent of outreach and depth of discourse in his rallies have made it easy to separate the wheat from the chaff and the contenders from the pretenders and in this race there is only one contender. My many years of learning has taught me that elections are won by credible candidates who vigorously canvass for support and votes. This Henry Seriake has done excellently well.

Any thing short of this would be taking us back to the dark days of ballot box snatching and declaration of false results. Any thing short of this would be making a mockery of the sacrifice Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, another proud son of Niger Delta, made to advance his laudable agenda for electoral reforms in Nigeria by refusing to manipulate the institutions of state to

his advantage in the 2015 Presidential election.

Even though I remember the frenzy and the carnival like atmosphere that welcomed HSD throughout the tour, what caught my attention the most was his message and the things he spoke about. I appreciated his admonition to pursue peace and why it was important for Bayelsans to come out and vote for a party and a governor that had worked so hard to obliterate from their memories an era when they did not feel safe and secure as they do today.

Dickson reminded his supporters of the infrastructural developments the state had witnessed in the last three and the half years of his administration. The road linking Nembe to the state capital and the other senatorial roads that are all in advance stages of completion will make agriculture and commerce more profitable for the people. These roads will bring investments, tourists and investors to faraway communities and places in Ekeremor, Southern Ijaw, Ogbia, Brass and Kolokuma that were only once imagined, never visited.

I also appreciated his concern that this election be used to make a statement. A strong and irrefutable statement about their Ijawness and why they should not allow themselves to be misled into willingly surrendering the governance of their state and its finances to forces and influences in Lagos and Abuja, by desperate politicians who care only about their personal interest and momentary gains. Politicians that would do anything, including the betrayal of the very people that entrusted them with leadership in the first place, just to stay relevant.

Bayelsans vote wisely. *Mr Afenfia, a political analyst, wrote from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State

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

Can Buhari be more selective of his international trips?

T

ERRORISTS have killed no less than 10, 000 Nigerians, while two million others have been displaced since the beginning of the Boko Haram insurgency in 2009.

The preceding statistics were provided by President Muhammadu Buhari in the course of his speech during the Queen’s Banquet at the Commonwealth Head of Governments Meeting in Malta last week. That speech by President Buhari was perhaps the most important news report on him at the CHOGM. While thanking the international community for their support in Nigeria’s fight against the insurgents, Buhari used the occasion of his speech to call for more international support.

Buhari’s account of the Boko Haram insurgency was not different from the kind of narrative that the international community has become familiar with from visiting Nigerian leaders in the last 16 years of our return to democratic governance. By implication, Nigeria’s only contribution to discussions at these international forums in which our relevance appears ever more questionable has been the display of our huge begging bowls that carries a check list of demands from the international community. Rather than the prob-

lem solvers we were hitherto known to be, Nigerian leaders now go abroad to seek foreign solutions to our home grown problems mostly spawned by corruption and irresponsible leadership.

Last week’s visit to Malta was one of many the president has made since assuming office six months ago. Most of these trips are concerned with finding solution to our insurgency problem. While the Presidency must surely know the number of times the President has made these international trips, I don’t know if Nigerians keep track of them. But what is clear to me is that the trips are becoming more regular. This is one of those many times when one remembers Gani Fawehinmi. As part of his larger objective of keeping our leaders on their toes and making them accountable to the people, he made it his business to document such trips. Meticulously he weighed these presidential trips against whatever benefits Nigerians were projected or could be expected to have gained from them.

By Fawehinmi’s reckoning our leaders gain too little from these trips. He would rather have them stay back home more to serve the Nigerian people. Gani documented the many trips of President

Obasanjo and was very critical of him for being too footloose. Gani had a soft spot for Buhari going back to the latter’s days as a military leader that took the fight against corruption rather seriously. Gani, Nigerians might remember, was the only notable Nigerian lawyer that flouted the Nigerian Bar Association’s order barring lawyers from appearing before socalled anti-corruption tribunals that the military established to try corruption cases against politicians in the mid-1980s.

Fawehinmi was never a man to fight shy of taking on erstwhile comrades. Had he been alive, I wonder what he would think now of Buhari’s more regular international trips?

Yet, one cannot blame Buhari for travelling more often. He cannot remain stolidly at home as if sitting on his palms and expect to find solutions to the problems that ail us. But he would do well, especially in these early days of his administration, to be very selective of which international trips to embark on. Done too often and

The increasing frequency of the presidential trips is appearing to be indicative of our irrelevance in the international circle; which makes the trips embarrassing

Governors and the minimum wage

By Dan Owegie

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HE Nigeria Governors Forum recently expressed worries that more states may not be able to pay workers salaries if the revenue of the country continues to be on the decline. The NGF, through its chairman, Governor Abdul’aziz Yari of Zamfara, said “the situation is no longer the same when we use to pay N18, 000 minimum wage when oil was 126 dollars; now oil price is 41 dollars.”

The governors also committed to diversifying the nation’s economic base, a cardinal objective of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. In the words of the Governors Forum chair after their meeting: “We will diversify our economy in the area of agriculture and mining. But at the same time, we should understand our situation where some of us (states) today are taking N100 million take home (monthly allocation) and then have salaries in particular of over N2 billion to pay.”

These commentary from the governors have thrown up many issues which many Nigerians have been raising for several decades and have gone unheeded or immaturely politicised. Some even viewed very positive agitations with sedentary ethnic prism.

What the comments from the governors forum meant is that most of the governors, particularly the second termers (who should know better) do not have any agenda for development of their states. It also means that the governors have based their campaign promises and development agenda solely on oil revenue.

Shockingly to many Nigerians, oil revenue did not crash over night and it is a common knowledge that oil resource from elementary economics knowledge is open to volatility. Minimum wage of N18,000 paid

to Nigerian workers was not agreed to when oil price was $126 per barrel. In fact, the national minimum wage came into existence after almost two years of agitation and eventual negotiation by the tripartite of government (represented by the federal and state governments), the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association, NECA, representing other employers (in the private sector) and organised Labour. This was in 2011 and at that time, the price of Nigerian crude averaged $100 and not $126 as claimed by the governors.

Secondly, Nigerians opposed to the creation of more states have always argued that existing states were not viable as most of them were depending on oil revenue for their survival and most opposing voices to the clamour for new states were actually canvassing for the abolition of states and return to regional governments and resource control as it were in pre-independence Nigeria and early years of postindependence. But little minds, who always do not see beyond the now or their nostrils were always shouting them down and having their way in the National Assembly. But today, we are face to face with the reality of what people have been talking about.

To make matters worse, analysts have predicted that with the alignment and realignment of global forces in the Middle East and countries like Iraq and Iran, as well as the

The governors need now to face the reality squarely; they need , on their own, to go back to the drawing board

without any specific gain to the country, these trips can only lead to significant erosion of the little that is left of our national and international prestige. He should be seen to be taking on the very mundane but critical problems facing Nigerians in a more frontal manner. Our problems of constant power cut, fuel scarcity and joblessness may have international dimension, but they do not necessarily need the intervention of the international community.

The long vehicular queues for fuel that have remained with us in the last one month neither need the intervention of the Queen of England, nor President Hollande or Barack Obama.

While some of the trips the President has undertaken may look important, not all of them are of strategic importance to Nigeria’s interest. Even those of strategic interest must be undertaken in style. Indeed, our presence at some of them increasingly cast us in the role of a bench warmer. International events like CHOGM may provide opportunities for Buhari and others before him to discuss matters of common interest with their counterparts from other parts of the world, but they amount to mere sight seeing where there are pressing national issues that call for presidential intervention.

The increasing frequency of the presidential trips is appearing to be indicative of our irrelevance in the international circle. Which makes the trips embarrassing. The President may need to be guided to realise that he doesn’t need to honour all and every international invitations.

Time was when a Nigerian head of state’s speech at international forums were looked upon with great expectations. A Murtala Muhammed’s speech at an OAU meeting was hardly something to be treated with levity. Such speeches were dissected for their

US pumping their oil into the international market, the price of crude could crash to as low as $20 per barrel. Where does this leave Nigeria?

Now, on assumption of office the Buhari administration announced a bail out to governors who were owing their workers several months of unpaid salaries. Most of them who applied have received the facility vide the CBN and it is said to be a long term concessionary facility to the benefiting states.

Twenty seven states went for the bail out.

Take away oil revenue, apart from Lagos and Edo which are serious about the collection of Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, all others may close shop or be declared bankrupt soon, if oil price gets down to its knees any time from now.

The governors who have received bailout funds, instead of wearing their thinking caps as the governors of Edo and Lagos have done, are planning to go cap in hand again to meet the cash cow(Federal Government) to discuss how they would survive. This is an unbelievably naive action to take! They just need to go back to where we are coming from before the petro-dollar era.

Foresighted governors such as Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and then Fashola of Lagos, now Ambode, had seen the need, long ago, to look beyond oil. This explains why when other governors are weeping like Sam Mbakwe of old Imo State, unable to pay salaries of their workers for months, Oshiomhole and Ambode are not only paying as and when due, but are still embarking on massive development projects.

Why should the governors go and meet Buhari again? For what? The governors need now to face the reality squarely. They need , on their own, to go back to the drawing board or ask their colleagues in Edo and Lagos to teach them how to raise money internally without having to wait for oil revenue given the challenge thrown up by oil. There is need for the governors to be more serious

policy thrust, national and regional relevance. They spoke of our role and relevance as a regional power house. These days, especially in the wake of our return to so-called democracy, our presence at similar forums is just as an addition to the number of countries in attendance. Our leaders go to these forums to make very jejune and ordinary pronouncements. If all that could be reported of President Buhari’s presence in Malta are the teary stats on Boko Haram’s depredation, he was better off not attending at all. He could have passed the same message to the international community without going abroad.

Of course we cannot command the attention of the world if we are as corrupt and self-destructive as we’ve been in the last many years.

We can’t force others to respect us when we can’t be seen to be acting respectably. But what this calls for is not more international trips.

Rather, we should try to build Nigeria from within with all our heart and mind. Our leaders have to be inward-looking. When we do the important things the world will notice and will show their readiness to partner with us.

For now we are below the international radar. As with recent trips by high profile world leaders, Pope Francis bypassed Nigeria to Kenya, Uganda and the restive Central African Republic on his recent visit to our continent. Obama has visited South Africa, Egypt and Kenya whose president was until recently wanted for war crime.

Obama, the first African-American president, has not deemed it necessary to visit the most populous Black nation on our planet. What further proof do we need of our plunge into irrelevance? Yet our way out of the valley of international snub lies at home and not in frequent presidential trips abroad.

than ever in collecting their taxes. States like Rivers of Amaechi of old came up with a Compulsory Saving Law which provides for the future when the oil money dries up. They were saving N1billion every month. Governor Wike should now use the savings that accrued to that policy to diversify the revenue base of Rivers by creating the enabling environment for industries to thrive and then he goes ahead to collect taxes to pay workers salaries and finance capital development. Other states need to also look inwards and create the environment for the development of their agricultural and mining sectors and go ahead to collect taxes without looking at faces. It cannot be a paddy, paddy thing anymore.

Also, the governors should not contemplate sacking civil servants in the employment of their states because I believe strongly that labour creates wealth. Government would need all the workers one way or the other but need to create the right environment for businesses to thrive in their various states as quickly as possible. Electricity must be fixed, water must flow, roads must be provided, including feeder roads to farming communities, storage facilities must be functioning.

The loans most state governors have rushed to collect must not be squandered in frivolities but meticulously channeled to creation of enabling environment for peace and business to flourish.

I am sure these are the thoughts of Leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, who in reaction to the governors’ threat to cut salaries or downsize work force warned that they would see such moves as an open declaration of war against the Nigerian workers.

Governors need to also cut down on the cost of governance. The hundreds of billions of Naira public office holders continue to fritter away in the name of governance is in itself what is unsustainable.

Mr. Owegie, a chieftain of the APC, wrote from Benin City, Edo State.

20—Vanguard, Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015

Disability cannot deter me from actualising my dreams —Salami

By Ebun Sessou

F

OR Afeez Salami, dis ability cannot be an impediment to the actualisation of his God-given talents. The 21- year-old, who is physically challenged, is convinced that fulfilling his aspirations in life is the only instrument for his dry bone to live again.

Although Salami presently sells cement to eke out a living, he believes that actualising his destiny lies in becoming a Fine Artist. No wonder he enrolled at the Academy for Innovative Art Technology, ACIATECH to learn Arts and Crafts. The Academy is the brainchild of Gani Adams Foundation, GAF, set up by the leader of O’dua Peoples Congress, OPC, Otunba Gani Adams. Salami who is a beneficiary of the Otunba Gani Adams Art Scholarship, OGAAS, was among the 40 persons who recently graduated from the Academy.

Speaking to Vanguard Metro, VM, the 21-year-old who uses walking sticks as aid, said he is in no way deterred by his deformity which was caused by an accident later in his life.

Great future “I was not born with disability; it was due to an accident I had. But then, I have been coping with it. Some people feel that I should be ashamed of myself but I am not. Rather, I see every opportunity as an avenue to showcase myself. I look at myself as someone who has a great future, hence I always encourage myself. I believe it is not the purpose of God for me to be a beggar on the streets. My family members are also instrumental to my achievement,” he said.

Sounding very positive, Salami declared: “The fact that I was not born with this deformity means that I will not remain in this condition forever.”

Narrating how he got to know about the scholarship, he said: “I heard the advert jingle on radio and I applied.

Fortunately, I was selected for the training. It was a-six-month training and I thank God that I was given the chance. Back in secondary school, I had developed interest in drawing and since then, I never gave C M Y K

*Cross-section of graduating students of ACIATECH are major priorities of the Foundation.

The Foundation he launched during his 33rd birthday, is aimed at alleviating poverty and helping the less privilege and empowering them to be productive.

“Helping others, especially the most vulnerable in the society can bring about positive changes and the neglect of such group of people can pose a real threat and danger to a society. Part of the problem we have in the society such as

up on my dream. In the secondary school where I attended, there was no Fine Arts department but I still followed my heart and I believed that I will make it.

Today, I am a qualified Artist,” Salami, who was overwhelmed with joy, said.

Continuing, he said: “I believe there is room for improvement because I want to become a professional Artist. There is need for me acquire more knowledge. I do not see my present disability as an obstacle. The only challenge is moving around to get materials for my artwork but I believe I can do it,” he said .

Another graduand, Aderoju Sonibare, 19, said he travelled from Ikorodu to Sango Ota three times a week in order to be part of the training.

“I hope to become a profes-

Aworis want Ambode to regulate traffic rule

*Afeez Salami...Says no to disability

The fact that I was not born with this deformity means that I will not remain in this condition forever

terrorism and kidnapping are borne out of this neglect and uncaring attitude by the government and the citizenry in general. The issue of poverty and help for the less -privileged cannot be left in the hands of government alone but it is the duty of everyone to help,” he added.

Fuji Artiste, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma admonished the beneficiaries of the scheme to make use of the opportunity by applying for the second phase of the scholarship.

sional Artist and that is why I am taking a step further to study Fine Arts in the university,” he said.

Speaking on the empowerment programme,the Founder Gani Adams Foundation, Otunba Gani Adams, said it was organised to reduce poverty and unemployment in the country.

He explained that empowerment of the physically challenged, mass literacy campaign and sports development

THE Aworis in Lagos State have called on the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode to enforce the traffic laws in order to put an end to the perennial traffic jam in the city. They promised to assist him to realise this assignment.

Th call was made by one of the leaders of Awori Welfare Association of Nigeria AWAN, Mr. Adeniyi Jafojo during the association’s general meeting in Lagos. The meeting was attended some illustrious sons of the land.

Jafojo who represents Agege constituency in the Lagos State House of Assembly, said the step will improve the security issues in the state and restore orderliness on Lagos roads. The legisla-

tor who observed that the traffic situation is worsened by indiscriminate parking of articulated vehicles, called on the governor to enforce the traffic laws and restrict the movement of articulated vehicles in the day time.

“We are ready to work with the enforcement team of the governor especially in the area of transportation to reduce gridlock and allow freeflow of traffic in Lagos state which in turn will help in solving the security issues in the state. Robbery incidents on our roads will also be minimised,” he said.

Jafojo urged members of the association to desist from illegal land activities and seek the peace of the state at all times.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015

CBN tasks banks, security agents, others on combating terrorist financing

By Caleb Ayansina

T

HE Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, yesterday, called on banking institutions, security agencies and other relevant stakeholders in the financial system to redouble their efforts towards combating Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (ML/TF). Emefiele stated this at the Regional Workshop on Money

Laundering and Terrorist Financing Risk Assessment For Financial Institutions, organized by the Inter-governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), in Abuja. ”The effort at combating money laundering and terrorist financing is no doubt, a collective responsibility of the regulators, regulated entities, law enforcement agencies and other relevant

stakeholders in the financial system,” he said. The governor noted that “money laundering and terrorist financing are twin menace, which all territories should continuously focus on in order to avert their debilitating effects on an economy.”

Citing Boko Haram , an Islamic terrorist group in Nigeria and some neighboring countries, CBN Boss explained that they “started as a small radical sect and festered due to ease of financing.

From left: NDIC Zonal Controller, Kabiru Oniyangi (3rd left) presenting a gift to KACCIMA President, Umar Farouk Dansuleka (1st right) during the NDIC Special Day at the Kano International Trade Fair while other NDIC Staff and KACCIMA 1st Deputy President, Dalhatu Abubakar watch.

‘Entrepreneurs in 54 African countries to access $100m’

By Franklin Alli

T

HE Tony Elumelu Foundation says it has earmarked $100 million (about N20 billion) facility for entrepreneurs in 54 African countries under its entrepreneurship programme (TEEP) for 2016.

The Foundation also invested a total of $4,860,000, including $1,405,000 in agriculture; $410,000 in education and training; and $365,000 in manufacturing, in 2015.

In a statement, the Foundation CEO Parminder Vir OBE, said the second annual round of the programme will commence from January 1 next year, adding, “The programme is open to citizens and legal residents of all 54 African countries. Applications for 2016 open on 1st January and can be made by any for-profit business based in Africa in existence for less than three years, including new business ideas.”

The CEO further stated that last year, the Foundation empowered 1,000 African entrepreneurs, selected from over 20,000 applicants, with start-up investment, active mentoring, business training, an entrepreneurship boot camp and regional networking across Africa.

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“Entrepreneurs, with an average age range of 21-40, from 51 African countries completed the programme and received $5,000 in seed capital for their start-up businesses. The entries for 2016 programme will opens at 00:00am WAT on 1st January 2016 and will accept applications until midnight WAT on March 1st, 2016. To be eligible, entrepreneurs must complete the online application form with questions on their background, experience and business idea, plans for growth and proposed pan-African impact. Applications are

last year, the Foundation empowered 1,000 African entrepreneurs, selected from over 20,000 applicants, with start-up investment, active mentoring, business training...

reviewed by an Advisory Board of distinguished African entrepreneurs.

“Africa does not need aid alone, it needs investment and it needs entrepreneurs. TEEP brings both and our ability to bring capital and the necessary support, for those who will help Africa harness its enormous potential is creating extraordinary opportunities across the continent,” said the CEO. Stella Nakatudde, founder of ICT Company, Ella Solutions Ltd, based in Uganda, said: “Since being selected for TEEP 2015, I have learned invaluable life and business lessons, expanded and enriched my business network, opened our first office, hired two staff and closed two web development deals. TEEP is not just a means to start or propel your business; it is the torch that will light your entrepreneurship journey for life and the pen that will script your story in the new African Narrative”.

U.S Secretary of Commerce, Honorable Penny Pritzker commented “I am pleased to see Tony Elumelu investing in entrepreneurs through The Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme across Africa to work towards fostering communities of innovation”.

“I set out to institutionalise luck with the Foundation and give back to the Continent that made me.”

— 21

”A docile environment invariably disposes its financial system to money laundering/financing of terrorism activities.

Products and services offered by financial institutions provide a veritable avenue for criminals to launder their funds and for terrorist financiers to move funds across various jurisdictions.”

Emefiele, represented by the Deputy Governor in charge of Financial Services and Regulations, Dr Joseph Nnana, said it is behold on the financial institutions to have thorough knowledge of their customers and their businesses.

Policies and procedures ”Consequently, financial institutions are required to adopt policies and procedures that will mitigate the risks of money laundering and terrorist financing. The absence of these policies and procedures exposes financial institutions to reputational damages and regulatory sanctions. Financial institutions must therefore, identify, assess and understand ML/TF risks inherent in the nature of their customers, products and services; delivery channels and geographical locations and implement internal policies and procedures to mitigate the identified risks,” he said.

He disclosed that the Apex bank had developed a robust ML/TF Risk Assessment methodology in 2014, “to aid the identification of high risk financial institutions for immediate intervention and continuous monitoring.

In his opening remarks, the Director General of GIABA, Mr. Adama Coulibly, explained that the workshop was designed to equip financial sector operators across West African region “with the requisite technical capacity to undertake ML/TF risk assessment in line with the revised Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards / methodologies.”

Coulibly expressed confidence that “the exchange of thoughts and ideas in the course of programme will further deepen the implementation of preventive measures.”

$121.30

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195.97 196.47 196.97 POUNDS 295.5032 296.2571 297.0111 EURO 207.6694 208.1993 208.7291 FRANC 190.477 190.9329 191.4189 YEN 1.5914 1.5955 1.5996 CFA 0.2969 0.3069 0.3169 WAUA 268.2625 268.947 269.6314 RENMINBI 30.6242 30.7028 30.7814 RIYAL 52.189152.322252.4554 SDR 269.2432 269.9301270.6171 KRONA 27.824 27.895 27.966

CBN Exchange Rate as at 01/12 /15

22 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015

Aside from the medical bills in such rare occasions, victims who lost property or businesses, or business premises are abandoned to their fate

,

AxaMansard supports community outreach programme

A

XA Mansard Insurance Plc has co-sponsored the Ibadan Community Outreach Program, organised by the West African College of Surgeons (WACS).

In a statement, the company said the move is in furtherance of its commitment towards the provision of quality healthcare to Nigerians of diverse socio-economic backgrounds.

The program was a 4-day community outreach organised WACS and the Oyo State Government at the General Hospital, Aremo, Ibadan from Monday, November 23 to Thursday November 26.

According to the company, the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, the University College Hospital, Ibadan and the Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (Oyo State) actively participated in the program, which comprised health education talks, health screening and provision of intermediate surgical procedures.

Surgical procedures Free medical services were provided for over 1700 cases, including general health checks and screening, urological diseases, obstetrics and gynecology diseases, primary dental and ophthalmological care as well as provision of eye glasses amongst others.

Mr. Tope Adeniyi, the Chief Executive Officer of AXA Mansard Health Limited commented that this initiative is part of AXA Mansard’s contribution towards improved health care delivery to Nigerians.

Professor Olapade Olaopa, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, representing the Chairman, West African College of Surgeons Outreach Program, thanked AXA Mansard on behalf of the President and Council of the WACS for the continuous support towards the actualization of the goal of the committee which is to C M Y K

improve the overall health of members of the public and lead everyone to a better and healthier life.

AXA Mansard was incorporated in 1989 as a private limited liability company and is registered as a composite company with the National Insurance Commission of Nigeria (NAICOM).

The Company offers life and non-life insurance products and services to individuals and institutions across Nigeria whilst also offering health insurance as well as Pensions and investment management services through its wholly owned subsidiaries, AXA Mansard Health Limited, AXA Mansard Pensions Limited and AXA Mansard Investments Limited respectively.

The company was listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in November 2009 and has the highest market capitalisation in the Insurance sector of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

In December 2014, AXA Mansard became a member of AXA Group following AXA’s acquisition of Assur Africa Holdings (AAH), former majority shareholders in Mansard Insurance plc.

The company is rated A+ by Agusto& Co. (2014) and B & bb+ by A.M. Best (2014) for Financial Strength and Issuers Credit Rating respectively.

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INSURAN Why heavy duty vehicles should be insured Stories By Rosemary Onuoha

A

RTICULATED vehicles and tankers’ accidents are a regular occurrence on our roads. Findings showed that articulated vehicles accounted for 60 per cent of road traffic crashes.

Unfortunately, most victims of such accidents don’t get any compensation of any sort, except on very few cases where state governments have taken up medical bills of some victims.

Aside from the medical bills in such rare occasions, victims who lost property or businesses, or business premises are abandoned to their fate.

The insurance companies which should serve as the channel for rendering such compensations are always quick to say that most times, such vehicles are not insured.

The vehicle owners on the other hand are also quick to say that the insurance companies have refused to insure their vehicles on the grounds that tankers and articulated vehicles carry high risk factors.

However, the Federal Road Safety Corp, FRSC, has lamented that a situation whereby such heavy duty

vehicles do not have genuine insurance has continued to pose a huge challenge to its operation.

According to the FRSC, there is need for the insurance industry to enhance its operation by creating appropriate insurance policies for such vehicles.

An FRSC officer said, “Situations where vehicles that ply Nigeria roads are not insured but are rather turned down by the insurance sector makes our job difficult. In this situation we are handicapped.”

Unfortunately, due to the use of tankers to distribute

petroleum products nationwide, the issue of fuel tanker explosions has taken the centre stage in recent times.

Also, the issue of bad roads across the country and the failure of FRSC, traffic police, and Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs) to implement road safety measures on the highways have also exacerbated the situation.

Recent heavy duty vehicle accidents: In March 2015, about three people lost their lives, while property estimated at millions of naira was destroyed after a petrol tanker went up in flames on the Odo Eran Road, near Ikorodu General Hospital in Ikorodu area of Lagos State.

Automotive gas oil

Findings showed that articulated vehicles accounted for 60 per cent of road traffic crashes

Also this year, over 35 houses and about 80 shops were razed by fire after a tanker laden with 33,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), also known as diesel, crashed in Idimu area of Lagos State.

This incident occurred exactly three days after a fuel-laden tanker skidded off a bridge at the Iyana Ipaja area of the state and was engulfed in flames, burning over 40 shops, five

NAICOM reviews guidelines on compulsory micro-insurance

By Favour Nnabugwu THE National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) says it has reviewed the guidelines on compulsory insurance and microinsurance classes under the

Market Development and Restructuring Initiative, MDRI. The Commission, in 2010 came up with MDRI as part of its efforts to boost insurance penetration in the country. Key objective of the MDRI is to

District Manager, AXA Mansard Financial Institution Channel, Ibadan, Rasheed Adeyemi (2nd left); and Ibadan residents being examined by health officials at 2015 Community Outreach organised by AXA Mansard and West African College of Surgeons in Ibadan, Oyo State.

enforce the compulsory insurance under the Insurance Act of 2003.

Commissioner for Insurance (CFI), Alhaji Mohammed Kari at a two-day retreat organised by the regulator for all cadres of staff, tagged, ‘NAICOM 2015 Staff Retreat’ held in Abuja over the weekend, disclosed that the insurance regulator has began works on the modification of the guidelines for better market development and service delivery.

The compulsory insurances are those classes of insurance made compulsory by law, with the objective of providing protection to third parties and the general public. They are Builders Liability – under the Insurance Act 2003/under the Lagos State Building Control Law 2010; Construction All Risks; Occupiers Liability – under the Insurance Act 2003 and Lagos State Law; Employers Liability – (Group

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015

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CE & YOU

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Going forward, there is need for the insurance industry and relevant stakeholders to meet and structure peculiar insurance policies for heavy duty vehicles.

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‘Global insurance industry unprepared for climate change’

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Articulated vehicle accident scene buildings, 27 vehicles and seven tricycles.

On May 30, more than 70 persons were burnt to death when a tanker loaded with petrol and was descending from Army barracks side of Onitsha Enugu express way lost control and rammed into the Asaba Motor Park at Upper Iweka, Onitsha. More than eleven vehicles mostly commuter buses and about three motorcycles inside the Asaba Park Onitsha including the 40-foot tanker were burnt beyond repairs inside the park, after the tanker exploded.

Also, no fewer than 15 people lost their lives after a truck laden with 33,000 litres of petrol lost control and rammed into vehicles in the Kirikiri area of Lagos State in January 2014.

Over 11 vehicles and 100 shops were burnt.

Also, this year, fourteen persons died and many others were injured at Ogunmakin on the Lagos – Ibadan expressway in two crashes when a trailer carrying 27 people as well as cows and another trailer collided.

Life) – under the Pension Reform Act 2004; Healthcare Professional Indemnity – under the NHIS Act 1999 and the Motor Third Party Liability – under the Insurance Act 2003.

While fielding questions from Journalists, Kari said, "On our own, what we have done is to review the guidelines. We have issues on those specific classes especially on the MDRI like the compulsory insurances, even the special classes of microinsurances."

Still dogged about taking the insurance industry to where it ought to be, the CFI though affirmed that the recently inaugurated market committee is working tirelessly to further develop the market, added that the Commission has gone quite far into the reviews which he informed will be made public soon.

"We have gone a long way in reviewing their guidelines which will be released shortly. Despite the committee working on developing the market we are going to release a reviewed guideline on those classes."

He recounted that the Commission inaugurated the Insurers Committee and also created six sub-committees to improve the growth of the sector, among others.

"We inaugurated the insurers committee last week and the committee has set up six sub committees. That committee has been empowered with the responsibility to come up and look at the details of what we have on the ground and come up with a definite way forward."

Diesel tanker Also, a diesel tanker loaded with petrol coming from Lagos and a luxury bus coming from Abuja crashed into each other along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway. Ten passengers were injured. The four who died were evacuated to Fakoya mortuary, Sagamu.

On September, 2nd, a heavy duty container skidded off the Ojuelegba bridge, in Lagos, landing on a Nissan saloon car and a Sports Utility Vehicle, SUV, killing three people in the process.

The way forward According to experts, going forward, there is need for the insurance industry and relevant stakeholders to meet and structure peculiar insurance policies for heavy duty vehicles.

This is to protect the masses in whatever havoc caused by future tanker or container accidents in the country.

Experts are also of the opinion that the heavy duty drivers need regular enlightenment on the save driving and adherence to traffic rules.

economy continues to develop with the attendant risks involved in economic expansion and growth, it was indeed imperative to consider the role of insurance as an important determinant to progress and development.

“The Nigerian insurance market in recent past had undergone substantial structural and regulatory reforms following the market intervention and the evolution of Nigeria’s financial sector in the last decade.

HRISTIANA Figueres, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, warned that the global insurance industry is not prepared for the unprecedented risks associated with climate change.

Figueres had some sobering words for the global insurance industry, speaking at an event held by the French Federation of Insurance Companies (FFSA) ahead of the opening of climate conference COP21 in Paris.

“With the era of fossil fuel-powered industrialisation at an end, the equilibrium that we had enjoyed as a result is also coming to an end and we are now facing new levels of risk and new types of risk,” she said.

“We have increased frequency, severity and scale of impacts because of globalisation and the ‘domino effect’ it has. And the insurance industry is not ready for that yet,” Figueres said. “The insurance industry is ready to take on weather impacts, but not ready to take on climate change. They are not the same thing.”

The UN representative went on to say that the industry is at the “bottom of the curve of experience” regarding a risk exposure that is completely unprecedented.

“Can you insure against unbounded climate change?

No. All modelling goes beyond what can be explained.

You cannot insure against climate change,” she said.

Figueres told the insurance industry that insurance products need to evolve to meet these new types of risk.

The UN claims that less than 1% of weather losses in developing countries are covered by insurance.

Developing markets “This is not only morally irresponsible,” Figueres said, “but from a business imperative it’s a huge opportunity.

Developing markets will be mostly affected so you have a role to play.”

In order to help close this gap, last week eight Lloyd’s of London syndicates came together to provide specialist underwriting skills and $400m of natural catastrophe insurance and reinsurance capacity to help developing economies build resilience to climate and weather threats.

Tom Bolt, director of performance management at Lloyd’s said this initiative would help “provide the insurance solutions needed to build resilience to natural hazards and promote risk awareness around the world”.

Figueres said that as very important asset holders – with the global insurance industry holding $25tn, or one third of the entire capital of all institutional investors – there is a huge business imperative, for insurers that are “no longer in the world of pricing risk, but are now in a world of managing unprecedented risk.”

She did have some encouraging words however, saying that given the scope of the challenge set by climate change, “there is no one better able to help the world manage its risks than the insurance and reinsurance industry.”

Efficient performance “The Insurers’ Committee will provide a platform for all chief executives of insurance companies in Nigeria to sit with the regulator to discuss issues affecting the industry and proffer steps on developing the business of insurance with the goal of having an effective, efficient performance and improved contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the nation,” He added that as the country’s

Send comments & enquiries to insuranceandyou@yahoo.com

24 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015

Consultations for new electricity tariffs (4)

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INVESTITURE: From left, Mr Peter Folikwe, Managing Director, Berger Paints Nigeria Plc and Mr Ganiyu Koledoye, President and Chairman, Governing Council, National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN),during the investiture of Mr Folikwe as a Fellow of NIMN, in Lagos.

NSE, CSCS commence post-trade allocation service

By Nkiruka Nnorom

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HE Nigerian Stock Ex change (NSE) in conjunction with the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc has commenced post – trade allocation service to the Capital Market Operators (CMOs), especially the custodians and the stockbrokers to the custodians.

The post-trade allocation concise process flow, which kickedoff yesterday, include amongst others, allocation of pool account opened under the custodians, remote trading access to single account granted to brokerage firms, purchase of stocks en-bloc or in tranches into the pool account via the remote trading window based on clients mandates on trade day by the brokers, and authorization by the CSCS to redistribute all purchased securities to the target accounts domiciled with the custodians at the end of trade by brokers.

Speaking at a meeting with the operators, Mr. Joe Mekiliuwa, General Manager, Operations, CSCS, said the introduction of the Post-Trade Allocation service will significantly reduce error trades by brokers and improve quality of trade execution.

According to Mekiliuwa, “the post-trade allocation service will create liquidity, improve trade settlement experience in the market and enable brokers to buy securities en-block, thereby saving time of buying into separate accounts.”

He allayed fears of the process leading to impartiality and favouritism during trade allocation. “An agreement has been reached among brokers that the allocation of the purchased securities would be done at the discretion of the brokers based on C M Y K

fairness, equity and justice. When mandate to transact is received by the brokers, CSCS will ensure that the post allocation will be strictly between the custodians and the brokers. There will be no interference whatsoever from our end besides providing the platform for the service”, he said.

In the event where any client

is erroneously allocated more than the mandated volume, he assured that the CSCS would correct it without any applicable service charge if the error is detected on the transaction day.

Service charge to correct error becomes applicable if it is discovered as from day T+1, he explained.

APR bags a double at Pearl awards In recognition of its unwavering commitment to quality service, productivity, and best-in-class profitability, Africa Prudential Registrars Plc (APR) has received a double award at the prestigious Pearl Awards. The company was announced winner and presented with the awards – Best Profit Margin Ratio, and Best Corporate Governance – at the 20th Pearl Awards Dinner held in Lagos.

IntheMarketExcellencecategory, APR Plc won the award for Best Profit Margin Ratio, beating every other listed company in Nigeria. In 2014, it led the entire group of listed companies by profit margin with a distance at 54 per cent, the closest rival being 40.7 per cent by Dangote Cement.

APR Plc also won the Best Corporate Governance in the Special Recognition category, making the company’s awards two on the night.

Other nominees in this category were Total Nigeria Plc and Custodian and Allied Plc. Organisers of the Pearl Awards noted that it was established to reward corporate excellence, thereby challenge and spur quoted companies to explore innovative and competitive approaches towards achieving outstanding performance and

growth. Therefore, nominees and eventual winners were selected through a verifiable and objective award selection process.

Receiving the award on behalf of the company, Peter O. Ashade, Managing Director/CEO, APR Plc, said, “despite the feat recorded by the company on profit margin ratio, “we will always strive to improve our performance year-on-year, particularly when it comes to ability to convert revenue into profit.”

Chief (Mrs) Eniola Fadayomi, Chairman of the company also explained that the Best Corporate Governance Award highlights that the Board and management of the company have been working in harmony. She assured stakeholders that the company will continue to protect their interests, while ensuring international best practices in corporate governance.

APR Plc has steadily recorded a positive return on investment for its numerous local and international investors. In the current financial year, the company has already paid 17 Kobo interim dividend per share to its shareholders. It would be recalledthatathirty-five(35)Kobodividend was paid to shareholders for 2013and2014financialyear,respectively.

HE Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, should be cautious in its drive for new tariffs given that whatever NERC approves would be taken as the policy of the Federal Government, FGN. The electricity distribution companies, discos, in their 10-year tariff plan documents submitted to NERC, made references to meetings on tariff related issues involving the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, the Bureau of Public Enterprises, the Ministry of Power and NERC. It is, however, NERC’s responsibility to ensure that approved tariffs which are declared as cost-reflective are in fact true and fair to the discos and the consumers.

The computations of the 10year tariff plans by the discos have been based on NERC’s estimates of power that would be available on the national grid as follows; 4338MW in 2015, 5465MW in 2016, 7199MW in 2017, 8999MW in 2018, and so on. The impression this creates is that the FGN has committed itself to achieving these estimates.

Can a new government in place be seen to make promises it would not be able to fulfill?

The manner in which the discos have computed their allowable revenues for 2015 is most disturbing. Although an average of 3800MW of power has been available to the discos for the first eight months of 2015, the discos preferred to use in their computations the NERC estimates of 4338MW thereby creating unearned revenues for themselves associated with 538MW of power. The discos have also promised to carry out the greater part of their capital expenditure, capex, in the first five years of the tenyear plan. Benin disco’s capex was N2.55billion in 2014 and should be N4.06billion in 2015 and N8.898billion in 2016.

Abuja disco’s capex was N2.3billion in 2014 and should be N3.34billion in 2015 and N10.31billion in 2016. Ikeja disco has indicated N18.18billion operational expenditure, opex and N21.33billion capex in 2015.

Ikeja disco has not been able to provide meters to its customers and it has recently been penalised by NERC and so its opex and capex figures for 2015 have to be verified.

The discos in their computations show shortfalls in their

expected incomes set against their allowable revenues in 2015. These deficits and the cost of capital attract interest which is built into the tariffs in succeeding years. It is therefore essential that all unearned deficits are removed from the tariffs if the tariffs are to be true. The deficits shown by the discos for 2015 are as follows; Ikeja N38.86billion, Ibadan N44.96billion, Abuja N30.24billion and Benin N27.35billion. The discos have not carried out significant capex since the core investors took-over management functions in November 2013. The regulated asset base of any of the discos is not likely to exceed N50billion and it is doubtful if the discos would be in a position to raise the funds that would cover the deficits indicated. To put it mildly, the

It is, however, NERC’s responsibility to ensure that approved tariffs which are declared as costreflective are in fact true and fair to the discos and the consumers deficits are not realistic and in some instances, the deficits are outrageous. It is not in the best interest of the discos and their consumers to maintain a regime of deficits over several years.

Individual consumers currently apply a lot of resources to generate power for their use as a complement to what is available from the national grid. The discos should not continue to sit back waiting for whatever comes from the national grid. The discos must enter into partnerships with state governments, consumers, power plant operators in joint ventures for embedded generation. The involvement of all these parties would facilitate the conclusion of power purchase agreements between the disco and the embedded power plant.

CONCLUDED

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015—25

DIARY Gartner Application Architecture, Development & Integration Summit Las Vegas, U.S.A December 1-3, 2015

Horizon 2020 Information day

Brussels, Belgium December 1, 2015

Preview i-Rig acoustic makes recording easier

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he iRig Acoustic, a guitar pickup that claims to record your acoustic playing with the same quality as a studio mic.

When paired with the AmpliTube Acoustic app, the ensemble simulates playing the instrument at a perfect angle in front of a condenser mic, enabling unprecedented sound reproduction on a mobile device.

Creator IK Multimedia claims it can “accurately capture the full frequency range, tonal character and complex harmonics” of an acoustic guitar, providing what’s arguably the easiest way to properly record acoustic playing outside of an actual studio.

C M Y K

Push begins for adoption of e-voting in 2019 elections

By Emmanuel Elebeke

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TAKEHOLDERS in the Information and Communication Technology ecosystem have expressed concern that Nigeria may not reap the full benefits of democracy unless electronic voting system is properly adopted in the 2019 general elections.

This formed the crux of discourse at 2015 e-Nigeria conference held in Abuja recently. At the well attended event, stakeholders charged present administration to as a matter of urgency facilitate the process of full implementation of e-voting in the 2019 elections to help tackle most of the electoral challenges.

Meanwhile, the former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof.

Attahiru Jega earlier in his address said Nigeria lacks local content software and hardware system that would drive full implementation of e-voting in the country ’s general elections.

The stakeholders, who spoke to Vanguard Hi-Tech said that time was no more on the side of INEC to commence the processes if the country must get it right this time.

The former Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, Prof. Cleopas Angaye said Nigeria is ripe for full electronic voting but stressed the need for government to streamline the legal framework ahead of time.

As a leading ICT nation in the continent, Angaye challenged federal government to further demonstrate leadership to the rest of the continent by giving all the needed support to e-voting so that Africa will learn more from Nigeria’s exemplary democratic norms and practices.

should also show leadership in e-voting come 2019.’’

For the President, Association of Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria, ATCON, Engr. Lanre Ajayi, Nigeria was ready for e-voting, despite the infrastructural challenges facing the country.

While commenting on the issue where he outlined the benefits of the introduction Card Reader and Permanent Voters Card in the last general elections, Ajayi said full implementation of e-voting will certainly make the election

Legal framework ‘‘We are ripe for e-voting but first of all, we have to put in place the legal framework.

Ready means we are ready to look at it to make necessary amendments. I am not saying it is possible now, but is time to look at the framework, which is key. ‘‘The theme of this conference is apt as it will enable us address how we can collaborate on what we are doing to bring ideas together. It is very proper.

Nigeria is actually leading in ICT innovation in the continent, I expect that it

We are ripe for e-voting but first of all, we have to put in place the legal framework

process more efficient, more believable and more transparent. ‘‘The relevance of technology was demonstrated in the last election and we saw how technology was used to facilitate a transparent process to a large extent. ‘‘Technology will certainly make the election process more efficient, more believable and more transparent. I think we are ready for e-voting for 2019 general elections.’’

Election results The ATCON President, while justifying his stand, argued that over 80 per cent of Nigeria’s geographical map is covered by the 2G internet services and as such should be enough to carry election results and other related data.

His words: ‘‘Today, the geographical area of Nigeria is covered by about 80 per cent of signal coverage for internet services, the 2G coverage, which means a substantial part of this country can have access to internet, it may not be fast internet it is enough to start evoting. ‘‘We only have 10 per cent of broadband penetration. Since, we have huge coverage of the Continues on page 27

26—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015

Seven signs that you're a social media addict I

By Laju Iren

T is 9 a.m and you're yawning at work. No one but you knows that your weary eyes are not as a result of a crying infant or take home assignments. You spent all night watching funny videos on instagram, and reading through one interesting post after the other on Facebook.

Now you are sleepy. You can’t lay your head on your desk, but at least you’ve got internet access to keep yourself awake.

It is for that reason that you begin the cycle again; photo after photo, video after video, comment after comment, switching tabs as soon as you see your supervisor approaching. You already know that too much of everything is bad, but you don’t think it applies to you in any way. No more living in denial, if one or more of these applies to you, then you’re a social media addict! *It’s the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning Forget prayers and saying good morning to the person next to you, your first order of the day is to reach out for your phone and click away.

Virtual friends If that’s you, then you’re an addict. *You spend more time communicating with people online than in person Do you maintain eye contact with your spouse when he or she talks to you? Or are your eyes constantly fixed on your smart device? What about your children? Are you a present yet absent parent communicating more with your virtual friends than your real family? *You always spend more time online than you planned to You’ve already told yourself that you just need five minutes to check your messages on Facebook. You weren’t banking on being ‘hynoptized’ into staying online for two hours. It might not seem so bad if this happens once in a while, but when it’s time after time, then you got it...you’re an addict.

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*It’s the main thing you use the internet for Lots of people make a lot of money on social media. If you’re one of them, it’s fine if you spend a lot on data. But if social media is simply a hobby and you’re spending a lot on data, then you should know

that you’re an addict. *You use hashtags and social media jargons unnecessarily You’re an addict if you use hastags unnecessarily and can’t seem to get rid of short forms such as ‘lol’ and other social media jargons when writing. *You’re behind schedule at work or school because of social media If tasks that should take you a few minutes are taking you over an hour because of social media, then you’re probably an addict. *You want to post everything that happens in your life You must have heard over and over again that nobody cares what you had a breakfast. That could be quite debatable, but you can be one hundred percent sure that no one cares what you had for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Spectranet makes case for modern family

By Laju Iren

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PECTRANET 4G LTE has commenced a national communication campaign which focuses on the role of the internet in making life easier for the entire family unit.

Speaking on the campaign that involves both social and traditional media, the head of marketing, Mr Mike Ogor said that it is a celebration of what the modern family should be enjoying online.

According to him, the brand is on the rise in the market in such a way that we need to consistently sustain our conversation with our subscribers.

The new Spectranet campaign, shot with a family scene using the internet to

Stanbic IBTC partners NCR on personal teller machine

By Richard Udofia

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TANBIC IBTC bank in conjunction with National Cash Register, NCR a global technology company has launched a solution, “Personal Teller Machine”, an interactive teller machine in Lagos, to ease the stress associated with financial transactions.

Customers can now enjoy efficient service delivery through this innovative, interactive teller machine (ITM) that ensures customers to carry out full banking activities with less or no supervision from the staff.

Users are at liberty to carry out banking operations like account opening, cash deposit and withdrawal, cheque deposit and other general account enquiries like account balance, loan enquiries, card related services, among other functions, without having to use their debit cards.

The device has a two-way video and an audio technology, which allows a customer to see, speak and interact directly with a virtual teller when initiating a transaction on the machine.

With its signature pen and pad, users can endorse and sign-off every transaction performed on his account and a scanner, which allows customers scan small sized documents like utility bills, cheques and identity cards. It has a camera to take pictures as evidence for the purpose of taking photographs for account opening.

At the unveiling of the device, the bank’s Executive Director, Personal and Business Banking, Mr. Obinnia Abajue,

said that as an improvement on the well known Automated Machines, the new solutions installed in its bank will provide financial solutions, drive fulfilling banking

Users are at liberty to carry out banking operations like account opening, cash deposit and withdrawal

experience to end users while addressing the needs of existing and potential customers.

“We will continue to leverage the rich heritage and proven expertise of the bank, to which Stanbic IBTC belongs, to deliver on its promises to customers and exceed their expectations in the provision of innovative and financial solutions to meet their needs,” he said.

“The device would ensure faster turnaround time, convenience, privacy, efficiency, and guarantee the safety of banking transactions."

engage the public at home, shop and office, is a statement of how we are evolving to the extent that every family should naturally be experiencing easy use of the internet every day.

The excitement of the family, from the celebration of the father working from home, the mother consulting on cooking in the kitchen and the children playing games and exchanging pleasantries with friends shows the modern Nigeria family and what Spectranet stands for as a brand for the family and office.

Beyond the happy faces, the characters also possess a unique attitude of being bold and iconic which are unique features of the brand.

Everything seems to come alive as each character is able to connect to what matters and carry out online activities with much needed internet speed.

The import of the advert is not just communicating the message of a brand’s essence, but also, it tries to connect with its subscribers emotionally andbe seen to identify with those things that give them satisfaction.

Recently, the brand changed its logo and expanded the number of base stations to improve experience of the subscribers.

The Managing Director, Mr. David Venn, revealed that Spectranet is daily investing in both human and infrastructural facilities across the country that will enable consumers to have an exciting experience once they are connected to the Spectranet network.

NCC pledges to end multiple regulations

By Richard Udofia

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HE executive vice chairman of Nigerian Communication Commission, NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta has assured service providers in the country that multiple regulations, taxes and right of way will be a thing of the past.

Danbatta made this statement when he received the Management Team of ATC Wireless Infrastructure Company of Nigeria (ATC Nigeria) an infrastructure management outfit in Abuja.

He also engaged other agencies of government in talks with a view to improving relationship with telecommunications Service Providers who are often the victims of these taxes and

multiple regulations.

The EVC said that NCC as a responsible regulatory agency is worried about multiple regulations and taxes because they do not augur well for smooth development of the telecommunications sector “so we have decided to engage all stakeholders especially other government agencies in order to cushion the pains operators go

NCC Boss

through”.

Danbatta noted that the commission is particularly worried about the indiscriminate way base transceiver stations are sealed by agencies and some State governments and we have appealed to these agencies and the State Governors to show some understanding.”

“We are particularly in talks with them to understand the implications of these actions as they affect quality of service and other sundry matters, including power supply.”

He therefore implored ATC Nigeria to ensure regular power supply to the managed base stations in order to make a difference, because government has created an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015—27

Adoption of e-voting in 2019 general elections From left: Immediate past President of the Nigeria Computer Society, NCS, Prof.

David Adewumi; former President of NCS, Sir. Demola Aladekomo, Secretary to the government of the federation, Engr.

Babachir David Lawal, and NCS President, Sola Aderounmu at the 2015 NITMA awards in Lagos.

NSA, Microsoft team up to tackle cybercrime in Nigeria

By Emeka Aginam

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ORRIED with the increasing cybercrime that cause more economic harm than good in Nigeria, platforms and productivity services giant, Microsoft Nigeria has joined forces with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and other industry stakeholders, to tackle the ugly trend.

With over N159 billion lost by Nigerians through online scam and identity theft between 2000 and 2013 as well as 2,175 websites defaced within the same period, in a cybersecurity capacity building workshop organised last week in Abuja between Microsoft and NSA, participants agreed that there was need for education and awareness intervention for security and law enforcement and other ICT regulatory agencies in Nigeria for enhancing the security of the country’s cyberspace so as to checkmate cybercrime promptly.

Virtual globe Earlier in his welcome speech, the National Security Adviser, Major Babagana Monguno, represented by Barrister. Isaac Idu, Director of Internal Security in the office said, “The cyberspace virtual global domain while dismantling barriers to commerce, is increasingly transforming our economy and security posture, creating opportunities for innovations and the means to improve general welfare of the citizens.

Since cybersecurity had taken the dimension of global phenomena which requires concerted efforts of both the private and public strategy to tame it, Major Monguno expressed happiness that Microsoft as a key partner is aligning itself with ONSA to provide a secure online space in the country as part of efforts to

ensure security strategy to secure the cyber space.

Reiterating that the workshop was part of government’s renewed measures towards safeguarding the nation’s presence in cyberspace and ensuring protection of the national critical information infrastructure, Monguno explained that the Federal Government was determined to confront the threats in the Nigerian cyberspace, uphold and support the openness of the cyberspace as well as balance security with respect to privacy and fundamental rights.

In his address, the Managing Director, Microsoft Nigeria, Mr. Kabelo Makwane said the partnership on the cybersecurity capacity building workshop was borne out of the desire to support ONSA, Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies ( MDAs), to grow capacity with respect to global approaches to national cybersecurity strategy, addressing cybersecurity risks through amongst others computer emergency response Team (CERT) management, security and privacy of data in the cloud, cybersecurity forensics and audit skills, global policy and legal developments, cloud computing and its benefits, growing local data hosting

Microsoft is committed to providing a safe, secure and resilient online environment

capabilities, in line with the new Nigerian cybercrime law, the Cybercrime Act 2015.

According to Makwane, ONSA’s National Cybersecurity Strategy (NCSS) closely aligns with Microsoft’s ambition to provide a safe, secure and resilient online environment.

For the Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Mr. Peter Jack, the agency had established the NITDA’s cert.NG centre to police the cyberspace.

He added that the agency is constantly involved in critical role in capacity building through the agency’s Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) centres established in 2014, adding, “We are also concerned and have started the Child Online Campaign.

Security policy We believe strongly in multi stakeholders strategy, as we have worked closely with ONSA in formulating the national cybersecurity policy formulation and documents”.

According to him, NITDA has also concluded plans to collaborate with ONSA to develop a framework aimed at addressing child online abuse in the country.

He said: “We wait eagerly to call all the stakeholders to have the Cybercrime Council inaugurated and then we can make progress.”

Noting that the time had come for multi-stakeholder’s strategy to combat all forms of cybercrimes and identity theft, Jack disclosed that of the 2,175 websites that had been defaced, 585 were actually government websites.

Meanwhile, conscious of the diversity of implications of the nation’s risk exposure in cyberspace, the Federal Government as a matter of urgency had put in place cohesive measures towards addressing the emerging risks effectively.

Continues from page 25 regular service, which is good enough to send election results, which are usually capable of carrying data inflow traffic, we don’t require high data intensity. This tells you that if we choose to do e-voting, we can do it. We have all that is required if the will is there.’’

The former President of Information Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN), Dr. Jimson Olufuye said INEC should leveraged the progress made in the 2015 general elections to plan for full implementation of e-voting in the subsequent elections, particularly 2019 elections.

Olufuye, who underscored the importance of evoting to the Change agenda of President Buhari said, the introduction of full electronic voting system in the future elections will not only alleviate electoral malpractices but brings integrity into the system. ‘‘We do know that little introduction of e-voting through the smart card reader in the last general elections brought some level of integrity to our electoral system. Once we lose integrity in the process, which people use to determine who lead them, then, there is no nation. ‘‘E-voting is very key. We believe this conference will help us to move closer to full blown e-voting and that will be setting the pace for many countries around the world. At this crucial point, we need to prepare for 2019 now.’’

Also speaking on the issue, an IT expert, Mr. Tunde Ezichi, frowned at the lukewarm attitude of politicians towards the adoption of electronic voting system, saying that Nigeria can no longer continue to lag behind in terms of technological advancement if the nation truly wants to move forward.

ASUS brings Zenfone Selfie smart phone to Nigerian market

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AIWANESE multinational computer hardware and electronics maker, ASUS will on Friday this week in Lagos excite the market with the unveiling of its latest smart phone series, ASUS Zenfone Selfie ZD551KL. The smart device is expected to deepen competition in the Nigerian mobile phone market as a result of many capabilities including dual SIM advantage, Dual Standby capability 3,000mAh user-replaceable battery and many more.

With 5.5-inch IPS capacitive touch screen , 1080p resolution and 403ppi density, Gorilla Glass 4 protection, the device is expected to be the toast of smart phone lovers.

Speaking ahead of the launch in Nigeria, Alvin Haung, Director, ASUS South Africa and other English speaking countries will enter the Nigeria smart phone ecosystem with a difference as a result of its innovative features.

He explained that the device 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 chipset, quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & quad-core 1.1 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU, and Adreno 405 GPU. The device has 13MP main camera f/2.0 lens, laser autofocus, dualLED dual-tone flash, 1080p, 30fps video recording and other attractive features.

Similarly, the device has plastic build, back covers in a choice of colors and The smart textures.

The hardware features device is included 1.5GHz expected to Qualcomm Snapdragon 615, 16GB or 32GB of deepen competition in storage 3GB of RAM and expandable storage up to the Nigerian with 3,000mAh mobile phone 64GB removable battery market as a The software features also included Android 5.0 result of many Lollipop, Asus Zen UI.

capabilities

C M Y K

28 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015

A

win over Egypt this evening in Mbour will seal Nigeria’s qualification to the last four of the U-23 AFCON in Senegal as well as set the tone for a 2017 AFCON double-header between the two countries in March.

Nigeria are top of Group B after a 3-2 win over Mali and another three points will guarantee them passage to the knockout stage of the tournament, which also doubles as a qualifier for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

“Wins in our first two matches will qualify us for the semi-finals and that is what we are targeting,” declared Nigeria coach Samson Siasia.

But on Sunday Siasia’s team almost marred a bright start to the U-23 AFCON when they capitulated in the second half against Mali after going 3-0 up in the first period.

Siasia admitted his Dream Team VI were only lucky to win and move to the top of Group B after Algeria and Egypt played out a 1-1 draw in the first game in Mbour.

Egypt, who are missing key players including Al Ahly midfielder Saleh Gomaa through injury, created the better chances against regional rivals Algeria, but failed to finish off in front of goal.

Both Nigeria and Egypt were to have met in September at the All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville before the Olympic Pharaohs pulled out so as to focus on the U-23 AFCON. Interestingly, both teams clashed in a final qualifier for the 1996 Olympics which Nigeria narrowly shaded on their way to making history as the first African team to strike Olympic Gold in Atlanta thereafter.

Cash problems aside, Siasia will most certainly ring changes in his defence after a shambolic showing in the second half against Mali on Sunday.

Kano Pillars defender Zaharadeen Bello is most likely C M Y K

Nigeria a win away from U-23 AFCON semi to lose his starting place to the more experienced Chizoba Amaefule after he was to blame for Mali’s second goal for ball watching.

Skipper Azubuike Okechukwu also struggled in

midfield, but in two-goal hero Junior Ajayi and flying winger Stanley Dimgba Dream Team have two match winners.

Dimgba, for one, showed his performance for league

runners-up Warri Wolves this past season was not a fluke as he ripped apart the Malian defence at will last Sunday.

This game could well be a dress rehearsal for next year’s AFCON qualifier between Ni-

geria and Egypt as several players from both sides could still play a role in March.

Kick-off time today is 7pm at the Caroline Faye Stadium in Mbour.

sador s a b m a d e m a n ro a y a Bab of Kaduna United defender

E

•Babayaro

x-Super Eagles has been Celestine Babayaro of Kaduna or ad ss appointed the amba United. s born in Kaduna The 37-year-old wa lt figure in the cu a and is somehow of northern city. a left-back is set to The former Chelse before the start m be unveiled by the teanal League (NNL) tio Na ria of the Nige new season. manuel His elder brother Em airman/CEO of ch e th w no is Babayaro of Football, which the frontier Friends al to manage the recently secured a de e years from the club for the next thre nt. me Kaduna State govern new media officer a is ted in Also appo dunde, who is a of the team Jide Bo in Kaduna and he st aly an radio football Uba Mohammed will take over from alongside the ed who has been sack n. e last administratio backroom staff of th dfielder Stephen Ex Plateau United mi in Germany for ed Musa who also play team coordinator, e th w no is Sarrebuck e and Ex- beach while veteran leagu l Issa is now du Ab n soccer captai . goalkeeper’s trainer

Messi beats Ronaldo to top prize at La Liga awards

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ionel Messi was named Best Player ahead Cristiano Ronaldo at La Liga’s annual awa ceremony in Barcelona on Monday.

The prize, which comes on the same day t pair were named on the Ballon d’Or shortlist, w one of two picked up by the Argentine star, Barca and Real Madrid all but swept the boa Having guided Barca to the treble in his deb season in charge the club, Luis Enrique w named coach of the year, while two of his s forwards were also recognised.

Messi picked up the Best Striker award addition to his Best Player gong, winning bo for the sixth time, with team-mate Neymar - t third man on the Ballon d’Or shortlist - claimi Best American Player.

“It is a source of pride for me to receive th award [Best Player] ahead of of so many importa players in the league, I’m very happy,” sa Messi. “This award, in particular, I want dedicate to my son Thiago, even if he does n fully understand yet.”

Valencia’s Algerian midfielder Sofiane Fegho picked up the Best African Player prize, whi Barca’s Claudio Bravo was named Be Goalkeeper.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015 — 29

Mali face do-or-die against Algeria A

LGERIA and Mali Under23 national teams will battle in M’Bour today, in their second Group B outing of the 2015 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations.

The young Eagles began their campaign with a defeat to Nigeria despite a great second-half come-back.

Three goals down at halftime, they managed to pull two back after the break through Adama Niane and Souleymane Sissoko, but that was too little too late for the Malians, who are left with little choice but to get a result against the North Africans.

“We can beat them, but we must avoid the mistakes we made in our first game against Nigeria,” Mali U-23 coach Cheick Oumar Koné said.

Algeria will have slightly less pressure after drawing with Egypt in their tournament opener, courtesy of a 68th minute equaliser

‘CHAN not a must win’ P from Zinedine Ferhat after Mahmoud ‘Kahraba’ had broken the deadlock for the young Pharaohs 12 minutes into the second half.

And Pierre-André Schurmann’s men appear confident ahead of the clash.

“We are all aware that a win against Mali will leave us with

ly, a t I e r a d Nigeria ire in Cote d’Ivo friendlies N IGERIA are proposing friendlies against Italy and African champions Cote d’Ivoire in the new year, according to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president.

NFF boss Amaju Pinnick disclosed in an interview that the federation’s match agent has already began discussions with both teams for the friendlies.

“Nothing has been concluded yet but we wish to play reigning African

Nigeria eye ‘heavyweight’ coach

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•Eagles champions Cote d’Ivoire in London. There is a proposal to play Italy, who are excited

•Akwa Utd

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four points in the standings, which will boost our chances of qualifying,” Zinedine Ferhat told Le Buteur.

“People seem to play down our chances against Mali, but if we are at our best, neither Mali nor Egypt or any other team will stop us.”

resident of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Pinnick has revealed that the African Nations Championshipcoming up next year in Rwanda is not a must win for Sunday Oliseh.

Super Eagles coach, Oliseh will be leading his home based stars to the tournament last year, and Pinnick has revealed that the tournament is a goal but not a condition.

He revealed that the NFF have almost concluded plans for a camp for the home based Super Eagles where they will prepare for the main tournament.

“The last time, the team got to the semi-final and finished third,” Pinnick said.

“We want to go the extra mile this time and win it.”

about playing Nigeria after we defeated Cameroon recently,” disclosed Pinnick.

“We want to make the most every FIFA friendly window by playing top quality matches.”

There will be two FIFA friendly windows in the first half of the new year, at the end of March, when Nigeria battle Egypt in 2017 AFCON qualifiers home and away and then between June 8 and 16.

There will be another FIFA window between August 31 and September 8.

resident of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick has revealed the country is shopping for a “heavyweight” coach to help solve the Super Eagles lack of goals under coach Sunday Oliseh.

Nigeria have managed only four goals in five competitive matches since Oliseh took charge of the three-time African champions “Our coach (Sunday Oliseh) is a very sound coach, but we have to develop a way to score goals and that is why we are looking at some heavyweight coaches to help us in this regard,” NFF boss Pinnick said.

Oliseh remains unbeaten in competitive matches, but most Nigerians are still not convinced he is the man to lead the country out of the woods because their performances have been labored against the likes of Swaziland and Tanzania.

•Oliseh

Police set for IGP Taekwondo

By Solomon Nwoke

Akwa United get apartment, N2million each

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ictorious Akwa United have been rewarded with an apart ment and two million Naira each after they made history by landing a first-ever Nigeria Federation Cup. Rumours were the players will each be given a car gift by oilrich Akwa Ibom State Government, the owners of the club. Akwa United shocked favourites Lobi Stars 2-1 in the cup final in Lagos last month.

After they battled to stay up in the Nigeria premier league this past season, Akwa United will now represent Nigeria in next year’s CAF Confederation Cup.

Gen he 2015 edition of the Inspector n ope al ion Nat ice Pol of era l d hol ld wou hip ons Tae kwo ndo Cha mpi National the at 5, 201 2-5, er emb Dec from Stadium Surulere, Lagos.

Pol ice Cha irpe rso n of the Nig eria Poli ceof t den ten erin Sup , ndo Tae kwo in LaStella Ebikefe who disclosed thismpiongos at the weekend said the cha r 200 shi p wou ld be uni que as ove across the Taekwondo athletes drawn from in the exure feat to d ecte exp are ntry cou ived from ercise based on the entries rece ion that the Nigeria Taekwondo Federat e. conducted the registration exercis , who Superintendent of Police Ebikefe

T

inc lud ing dism isse d any log isti c wor ries ts for the men nge arra te qua ade said s, medical hav e tion peti com the of ing suc ces sful stag cted sele fully care the been concluded even as ee are mitt com ng nizi orga l loca the of members good to go. teams will But stressed that participatingto and from ion rtat spo tran r thei take care of during the Lagos, accommodation and feeding . tion peti com assured of a In terms of security, SP Ebikefe hitch free championship. been made She said adequate security have n Poli ce eria Nig the of as offi cers and men e been put hav they as y read bat com are e forc ants at the on full alert to ensure that particip sleep with will hip ons IGP Taekwondo Champi out the 4their two eyes fully closed through ent. nam tour the of day duration

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30 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015

•The Armoured Personnel Carriers

•The security vehicles

Operation Flush out criminals from Lagos kicks off •As Ambode presents N4.765bn security equipment to Police

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

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HE recent donation of hightech security equipment worth over N4.765b to the Police in Lagos, has set the tempo of security awareness in the state to a feverish pitch. In fact, both the police and other security conscious Lagosians are in high spirits hoping that a dearth knell has been struck on the increasing nefarious activites of criminals in the state.

The target: The equipment which was donated through the state Security Trust Fund, LSSTF, was targetted primarily towards the two major challenges that have apparently continued to beset Lagos State in recent times.

They are; insecurity and traffic gridlock.

form of paradigm shift; we want to see our police officers patrol in convoy between 12 midnight and 4am. People must see improvement on it. That’s why on our part, we have gone out of our budget limits, using our resources from the Security Trust Fund, to say that, yes, it might not be within our budget, but we would spend money to support the Police because if the state is safe, the economy will thrive,” he said.

Donation of equipment: Taking a pragmatic step towards the above assertion, Ambode, last weekend, handed over series of security equipment and vehicles to the State Police Command and

Traffic gridlock Following incessant robbery attacks on residents, with three most outstanding fatal operations at Ikorodu, Lekki and most recently, Festac Town, where the robbers escaped unscathed, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode lamented over the shocking revelation that the state has only 33, 000 policemen providing security for over 20 million residents.

Time for action: “We’re not yet where we want to be. We have only just 33, 000 policemen in Lagos for a population of over 20 million. Again, we don’t have control over these police officers.

We need to see some things change. There has to be some C M Y K

the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, to effectively tackle criminal activities.

Presenting the apparatus to the police command in the presence of President Muhammadu Buhari, represented by the Minister of Interior, Lt-General Abdulrahman Danbazzau (retd) and the Inspector -General of Police, Solomon Arase, Ambode affirmed that it would no longer be business as usual for armed robbers and criminals. The security equipment include: 100 four-Door Salon Cars, 55 Ford Ranger Pick-Ups, 10 Toyota Land Cruiser Pick-Ups, 15 BMW Power Bikes, 100 Power Bikes, Isuzu Trucks, three Helicopters, two gun boats, 15 Armoured Personnel Carriers, APC, revolving lights, siren and Public Address System, PAS, drones,

We’re not yet where we want to be. We have only just 33, 000 policemen in Lagos for a population of over 20 million The patrol vans

vehicular radio communicators, security gadgets; including bullet proof vests, helmets, handcuffs, uniforms, kits and improved insurance and death benefit schemes for officers, among others.

Public display of drones: There was a display of how drones would be deployed to carry out aerial surveillance both during traffic, robberies and emergencies as well as traffic related robberies. The helicopters were purchased purposely for combating crimes as well as unlocking traffic gridlock from the aerial, while the gun boats are to boost security on waterways by the Marine department of the Nigeria Police.

Others are also to boost land security across the metropolis.

The operations of all these

equipment are linked with the Central Control Centre for synergy and easy communication needed for effective security management.

Buhari laments: During the ceremony, President Buhari issued marching order to the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase to put an end to all forms of armed robbery and flush out criminals from Lagos State, even as he affirmed that his administration would concentrate on providing logistics, training and welfare of security agencies in the country to conform with international best practice.

Sundry crimes The president lamented that the spate of armed robbery and other sundry crimes in Lagos has increased lately and urgent attention was required to end the current challenges. He noted that the state government has through the donation, showed its resolve to address the challenge headlong. “I therefore, seize this moment to challenge the leadership of the Nigeria Police to see this donation as the clarion call to decisively deal with violent Continues on page 31

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015 — 31

N-A-R-R-O-W E-S-C-A-P-E

60-year-old transporter Operation Flush out criminals from Lagos kicks off attacked, robbed by ‘one chance’ gang

By Esther Onyegbula

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The helicopter and boat

CP Lagos, Fatai Owoseni: To whom much is given...?

Continues from page 30 crimes in Lagos State, particularly the menace of armed robbery that is threatening to hold helpless residents of Lagos hostage,” he stated.

Ambode and repositioning of Police: In his comment, Lagos state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode stated that with the new development, the state Police Command has been definitely repositioned to compare to similar outfits in other modern city states, like New York, in United States of America, among others.

It was gathered that before the distribution of the equipment, members of the Police Command have been undergoing training to better equip them for the job.

The Rapid Response Squad Squad was also re-branded to give them a new identity.

Tasking the police, the governor stressed that, “We say to whom much is given, much is expected. Law enforcement officers are never 'off duty.' They are dedicated public servants who are sworn to protect the public at any time and place. Lagosians C M Y K

will not accept excuses.”

It's a challenge - IGP Responding, IGP said, “I can assure you that the huge resources spent in procuring these equipments will not be in vain. With these equipments, you have motivated us and assure us that as we work to advance your

With these equipments, you have motivated us and assure us that as we work to advance your vision for a safe and secured Lagos State, you will be by our side

vision for a safe and secured Lagos State, you will be by our side.”

Lawmakers, groups, hail distribution of security equipment A cross section of Lagos residents also commended Governor Ambode for equipping the state police command with modern security gadgets and repositioning the RRS. A lawmaker representing Agege Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Taofeek Adaranijo, described the development as a strong statement by the Governor that the security of lives and property is of paramount importance to him.

Another lawmaker representing Ifako Ijaiye Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Dr. Elijah Olu-Adewale, stressed that the equipment will go a long way in boosting the capacity of the police to swiftly respond to security threats in the state.

Security threats On his part, Lagos lawyer and activist, Ebun Olu-Adegboruwa commended the governor for the initiative to equip the police, but urged the Federal Government to pay adequate attention to provision of job opportunities for the youths so as to keep them gainfully engaged. He also urged the Police to intensify efforts to boost the morale of the rank and file of the police.“ Also speaking, Chairman of the Igbo United Political Coalition in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government, Kanayo Osondu, said Governor Ambode’s gesture to the police will go a long way to address the menace of street urchins and hoodlums who take advantage of traffic situations to rob unsuspecting citizens.

He, however, urged the IGP to ensure that the vehicles and other equipment are maintained to ensure that the purpose of acquiring them is not defeated.

HEN 60-year-old Amos Njoku left his home on Monday morning to go about his normal business as a transporter, it never occurred to him that he would be robbed by members of a catch-in-the-air gang, otherwise known as one chance.

Ugly encounter: It was gathered that the father of four was discovered unconscious at Festac Side, Mile 2 Bus Stop after he reportedly fell victim to the gang when he boarded a vehicle from Ojota to Mile 2.

Narrating his ordeal to Crime Alert after he was discharged, Njoku said; “I went to United Bank for Africa, UBA, Iddo, at about 8:30am where I withdrew N340, 000. From there, I went straight to Ikeja where I gave one of the drivers who is going to Benin N40, 000. From Ikeja cocoa warehouse opposite Guinness, I boarded a tricycle to Ojota. At the bus stop, they were shouting Oshodi, Mile 2, this was about 11:30 am. I then boarded a Vanagon bus loading Oshodi Mile 2. For security purposes, I shared the money into four and hid them in my pockets. And because I was holding money, I was very cautious.

When I got to Mile 2, I walked down from the main road to the link road that leads to my Estate. While I was walking, I noticed a young man who jumped up, sprayed a powdery substance around. When I woke up I found myself in the hospital.”

Family alerted: It was gathered that after members of the gang finished dispossessing him of all the valaubles, they called a number belonging to a family doctor on his phone and informed that Mr. Njoku was found unconscious at the bus stop in Mile two. It was the doctor that now called some of the children of the victim; unfortunately their numbers were not available. “The doctor had to call my youngest daughter who is schooling at Imo State University; luckily she picked her call when her phone rang,”the victim narrated.

Daughter’s account According to one of his daughters, Joy; “I was at home at about 12 noon when I received a call from my sister who is schooling at IMSU saying she just received a call from Doctor who said they found my father unconscious at Mile2 bus stop.

Immediately, I called my father’s phone number and somebody picked the call and said my father was lying down unconscious at Mile 2, Festac side.

After the call, I rushed to the bus stop. When I got there, I met my father unconscious, his body was wet as people who were trying to resuscitate him had poured water on him. I felt his pulse, he was still breathing but unconscious. His legs were numb. It was one of our neighbours that assisted me in taking him home. When my pastor came, he drove him in his vehicle to the Gateway Hospital Idowu street, Wema bus stop. At the hospital, all the tests showed there was no strace of alcohol in his system.

He remained in that condition for two days before he regained consciousness.”

Wife’s account: Wife of the victim, Mrs. Njoku, a trader also gave her own account; “I was at Balogun market where I trade when my daughter called and informed me that my husband is a victim of one chance. Immediately, I started to pack my wares and started coming. Initially I was scared but I got consoled by the fact that my husband is a worker in the hosue of God. So, I had faith that God will not allow him die.”

Victim’s advice: The embattled victim, an indigene of EmiiN b o m m a autonomous communityin Owerri North LGA of Imo state, who noted that he would not allow his enemy go through such a horrifying ordeal advised Nigerians to avoid going around with huge sums of money and to be very careful especially when carryin money. “ As much as they can, they should avoid using commercial transport while carrying cash,”he •Njoku stated.

32 — VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015

BAYELSA: Nostalgia versus reality

BAYELSA DECIDES

THE choice of former Governor Timipre Sylva as the APC’s gubernatorial candidate for the off-season election in Bayelsa State this weekend has injected a dramatic dimension of nostalgic fantasy versus political realism into the contest.

By Lindsay Barrett

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HILE Sylva had been a charter member of the PDP when he served as governor, he ran foul of some of the party ’s top leaders in the state and was stopped from a second term. He was replaced with Hon. Seriake Dickson who was then a member of the House of Representatives.

As a consequence of that, the return of Sylva is being touted by his supporters as payback for the party ’s abandonment of his tenure, while the supporters of the incumbent PDP government portray the ex-governor’s re-emergence as proof that in Bayelsa State, the APC represents nostalgia for the bad old days rather than genuine change.

Governor Dickson’s campaign has been driven largely by references to the difference between the commitment to infrastructural expansion that he initiated when he took over from Sylva and the insecurity and political confusion that characterised much of Sylva’s reign. As the campaigns reach a climax it is increasingly clear that the battle to convince the electorate on who to choose has become a debate over the credibility of the two most prominent candidates’ records in office.

The fact that Governor Dickson’s experience has been affected by an unprecedented downturn in the economic fortunes of the state that is not his fault has given the APC campaigners an unfair advantage that they have been quick to grasp.

Public disenchantment They appeal to public disenchantment by targeting shortfalls in payment of statutory allowances and contract obligations without acknowledging the well-known fact that this is symptomatic of a nationwide economic downturn.

The Sylva campaign machinery has proven to be remarkably adept at utilising this appeal to unfair sentiments of public disenchantment, while the incumbent PDP’s machinery has remained committed to sustaining its adherence to the gradual development of the state. The PDP’s strategy is not as glamorous as the APC’s nostalgic campaign but it promises a more stable and realistic developmental schedule.

Although Sylva’s re-emergence on the political scene in Bayelsa State has been driven by circumstances that are peculiar to the state’s profile as an element of the national polity in the post-Goodluck Jonathan era, there are also other reasons for his resurgent popularity.

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Among these, the penchant for pulling down the leaders of the state, especially if they are regarded as being less generous with distribution of financial resources than they should be, is an important factor. Sylva’s handlers have been very busy promoting this sentiment at the grassroots level as a part of their strategy of blaming the incumbent for ills inherited from the past.

For example, the APC candidate’s handlers do not mention the fact that a substantial proportion of the state’s monthly allocation from the Federation Account (FAC) is regularly extracted at source to pay off a huge debt that was incurred by Sylva’s Administration.

At the same time, they are quick to point to some of the consequences of this reality such as delays in salary payments and shortfalls in pension payments as having been created by Dickson. They know very well that their allegations are false but they take advantage of the public’s conventional ignorance of the complex and complicated details of government operations to create nostalgia for a period that seems to have offered greater generosity.

The irony of this is that that nostalgic perception is being generated by an APC candidate based on his record as a PDP Governor.

Any suggestion that the Sylva challenge is less than a serious threat to the ascendancy of the PDP in Bayelsa State

The realities that have emerged in this exciting campaign period in Bayelsa State are likely to have repercussions that will influence the growth of the democratic impulse throughout the nation in the future. Already, the increase of community based interactions between the candidates and the community leaders, which has been initiated by the Dickson camp, has set a new pace for contestation. It is reasonably certain that subsequent general elections for both state and National Assembly seats will reflect this increasing concern with the public response at the grassroots.

What remains to be assessed is the extent to which the results of the forthcoming election will reflect the true state of affairs on the ground and whether the electorate will be moved by the style rather than the substance of the campaign rhetoric.

Campaign rhetoric A close perusal of the difference between the Sylva campaign style and the Dickson strategy reveals a fundamental separation between bluster and truth as the Sylva campaign steadfastly ignores the realities of the record of dysfunction that bedeviled the tenure of its champion while the Dickson/PDP machine is increasingly forced onto the defensive.

In this situation, even though the Dickson campaign can rightly claim to be representative of the most fundamental change in governance experienced in the state so far the APC tries to take advantage of an overwhelming penchant for opportunist camp-switching displayed by several political operatives in the state to give the impression that the Sylva resurgence is a popular movement. This syndrome, which is symptomatic of the failures of past leadership strategies in the state, is now being promoted as tactical proof of the credibility of Sylva’s claim to be

the best representative of change in the state’s political arena.

Any suggestion that the Sylva challenge is less than a serious threat to the ascendancy of the PDP in Bayelsa State would be an unfortunate miscalculation and misreading of the true political situation in the entire Niger Delta. The APC regards the seizure of power in the major oil-bearing states to be a key priority of its strategy for the future consolidation of its victory in the last presidential election.

Return to power The fact that Bayelsa State is the home of former President Jonathan has also given added impetus to Sylva’s determination to return to power, while this reality is also one of the key motives that Governor Dickson puts forward as justification for reinforcing his mandate for a second term. Whereas the Sylva team has revealed a high level of bitterness over what they portray as longstanding hostility between the former President and their candidate, the Dickson team portrays the retention of power in the state as being necessary to preserve and protect the gains and principles of progressive empowerment achieved by the Southern Minorities, especially the Ijaw who form the major ethnic bloc in the state, during Jonathan’s tenure. These perceptions drive the rhetoric and tactics unleashed by the contestants in the independent broadcast media in the state and through an unprecedentedly high volume of sophisticated billboards and posters around Yenagoa, the state capital.

As a consequence this contest is engaging the public imagination of Bayelsans more than any previous election, especially since the Dickson Administration has allowed a level playing field for all contenders in the race to an extent that was noticeably absent during the Sylva era.

Gowon, Pope, Obiano, Umeh, bishops eulogize Cardinal Arinze...

VOL. 1 NO 49

BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO

O

N I T S H A — AUTHORITIES of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, NRCS, Anambra State chapter, weekend, joined their counterparts all over the world and in 189 United Nation’s member countries to mark this year’s World Accident Day with a minute silence in sympathy of all accident victims in the state, particularly the Sunday, May 31, 2015 Onitsha Petrol Tanker Fire Disaster that roasted 69 persons.

The ceremony, which took place at the NRCS state headquarters, Awka, with series of lectures delivered by officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, and the Nigerian Security and Civil defence Corps, NSCDC, was aimed at enlightening the public on the need to drive safely and avoid road accident during the ember months.

The spectacular aspect of the ceremony was the observation of a minute silence for the departed souls of the 69 victims of Onitsha petrol tanker fire disaster and other accident victims in all parts of the state.

The minute silence was observed at the middle of a keynote address presented by the state chairman of NRCS, Justice Paul Obidigwe (retd), Chief Justice emeritus of the state, during the opening ceremony of the event, entitled: 'Sanity On Our Roads,' SOOR, with a theme: 'Safety on our roads and traffic control.'

At the event during which David Egejuru, the Public Education Officer of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Nnewi Unit Command and Oaihimire Irabor, the Second-inCommand of Disaster Management Department of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Anambra State command, delivered elaborate lectures on road safety and disaster management.

Justice Obidigwe recalled that it was through joint collaboration between the NRCS and other security agencies that they all responded to the ugly petrol tanker fire incident at Upper Iweka.

Obidigwe noted that NRCS had over the years sustained its road safety club project tagged: 'Safety On Our Roads, SOOR, to enlighten their teeming volunteers/members and the entire populace in the 21 local government areas of the state on safe driving tips/ techniques that included: Observing road signs/ traffic light, avoiding telephone calls while driving, having emergency safety kits like first C M Y K

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015

Onitsha petrol tanker fire:

Red Cross, FRSC, NSCDC remember victims at World Accident Day ...team up to enforce sanity on our roads

Red Cross, FRSC, NSCDC officials during the memorial ceremony of 69 persons killed at Onitsha petrol tanker fire disaster, after receiving lectures on road safety and disaster management, especially at ember months.

Egejuru of the FRSC, in his hardship, reckless driving, own lecture, advised road users aid box, reflective triangle and touting, harassment and to avoid over-loading, overchild safety kit. endangering the lives of speeding, answering phone calls He added that proactively, the commuters, adding, officials of while driving and driving while state government had stepped in FRSC and NSCDC were drunk, adding that they should swiftly to address positive assembled by the NRCS to equally beware of using expired measures of limiting road lecture them on the rudiments of tyres. carnages in the state. road safety, safety conducts and The spectacular Egejuru noted that it is always Earlier in his opening remarks, the provision of traffic control to better to arrest a road user and aspect of the the state vice chairman of the create orderliness and reduce the prosecute him for road traffic society, Prof. Peter Emeka Katchy, carnages and hardship on our ceremony was the violation than to rescue him from noted that the World Accident roads, mostly within the period an accident scene where he is observation of a Day was marked all over the of mass exodus for Xmas and critically injured and even dead world and in 189 member nations minute silence for the New Year celebrations. as a result of his involvement in of the United Nations, to remind He condemned the attitude of a road crash. departed souls of the the road users, rail users and those he identified as selfIrabor, on his part, noted that aircraft users all over the world 69 victims of Onitsha acclaimed Very Important apart from road accident, there on the need to observe safety Personalities, VIPs, who drive petrol tanker fire are also environmental disasters rules and regulations to reduce recklessly while blowing sirens like flood, erosion menace, accidents. disaster and other and chasing away other road building collapse and other areas According to Katchy: “This out of the way and urged accident victims in all users where the emergency ember months are the period of such persons to do a rethink in department of the Civil Defence parts of the state road safety challenges, avoidance the interest of the masses and Corps usually go for rescue of accidents, traffic congestions, themselves. missions.

2 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015

7yrs after, magistrate finds Enugu traditional ruler guilty of assault ‘.Asked to write letter of undertaking

BY FRANCIS IGATA

E

NUGU — THE traditional ruler of OjiRiver community, in Oji-River Local Government Area of Enugu State, Igwe Oliver Okefi Thursady, wept profusely in open court when he was convicted by a Chief Magistrate at Oji River for hitting one Chief Timothy Onwuka with a bull’s horn at a police station in the area in 2008. A bull’s horn is an ornament usually held by traditional rulers in Igbo land signifying authority.

The Chief Magistrate, Angela Chioke, however, cautioned and

pardoned the convict after he had apologised for his bad behaviour and asked the traditional ruler to go home and sin no more.

Okefi had in his statement of defence during his trial boasted that he had over 10 subsisting cases in various courts even as his late father who was a traditional ruler too, had over 30 cases during his lifetime.

In a suit number MOR/69C/ 2008 brought before the court in 2008, the plaintiff, Chief Onwuka had accused Igwe Okefi of assault by allegedly hitting him with a bull’s horn at Oji River police station then.

In her judgment, Chief

Igwe Okefi Magistrate Chioke had explained that the offence of assault was punishable with one year imprisonment under Section 252 of the Criminal Code as applicable to Enugu State’s Revised Laws 2004.

According to the Magistrate, the offence of assault is committed when, “a person...strikes, touches, moves, or otherwise applies force of any kind to,the person of another, either directly or indirectly ,without his consent.

“The prosecution has proved that the plaintiff (Onwuka) was assaulted with a bull’s horn and

Plaintiff,Timothy Onwuka,who Igwe Okefi struck with bull’s horn that the incident took place at the Oji-River Police Station where Igwe Okefi had control of the police. Premised on this, I hereby find you (Igwe Okefi) guilty as charged but pardoned.”

TEARS ROLLS FREELY MIDWAY INTO THE JUDGEMENT However, as the magistrate proceeded to sentence Okefi, tears started to roll down freely on his chicks even as he constantly looked outside the court room as the engine of a police van revved at the premises.

South-East Voice observation showed that the Igwe, having heard and seen where the judgment was tilting to, began to palpitate profusely, believing that he was on his way to prison.

In his allocutus, Igwe Okefi said, “Please I am sorry, please forgive me” which provided the platform for his lawyer to plead for leniency.

The Chief Magistrate however admonished the traditional ruler on the need to respect his position in order to guard the dignity of the traditional institutions which he represented.

Tears, suspense as Anambra community bids late Igwe Ezeude farewell at Ofala festival Declares royal stool vacant for interested parties

BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO

O

NITSHA— THE life and times of late traditional ruler of Uke community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra state, His Royal Highness, HRH, Igwe Nwabufo Ezeude were highlighted in positive directions at the weekend during the activities marking his last Ofala cultural festival/ Uke cultural day celebrations.

The festival which took place, weekend, at Uke Civic/ Cultural Centre, was organized by the national executive committee of Uke Development Union, UDU and its board of trustees, BoT. At the ceremony which attracted dignitaries from all works of life, including members of Idemili Leaders of Thought and other friends and well wishers, the community poured encomium on the late monarch who reigned between 1996 and 2011 when he joined his ancestors.

In a funeral oration presented in his honour, the community noted that the sterling qualities of the late Igwe Ezeude was too many to enumerate, adding that he was an icon with midas touch and a thorough bred enterpreneur with total conviction to excel in life.

C M Y K

The Ofala cultural festival/Uke cultural day celebrations

Chief Sam Mendu commended the UDU for towing the part of peace by making frantic efforts to select a successor to the royal throne on a peaceful note

The community recalled that the late monarch was educated at the famous Notre Dame High School, Abatete and thereafter joined business after the Nigerian Civil war, adding that in business, he proved his enterpreneural ingenuity.

They described him as a philanthropist who derived pleasure in giving to the less privileged ones in the society, recalling that in Uke town, he was instrumental to electrification of the community in 1990 and at the same time, donated his own personal land to the Catholic Church for the construction of convent of Trinitarian Sisters Missionary of Love, Uke, as well as donated a large portion of his land at Ezema Uke for the construction of Federal Health Center, Uke, the only one in Idemili North council area.

The leaders of thought at the civic centre Maintaining that the ceremony marked the end of his reign and the declaration of the throne vacant, the community prayed God to guide them in the selection of a good successor.

Earlier in his welcome address, the President-General of UDU, Chief Donatus Enendu, noted that the occasion was primarily a celebration of peace and offer of gratitude to God for eventful reign of their departed monarch, adding that it was now four years since his demise and that ever since then, the community have never had the opportunity of coming together in brotherhood to celebrate their oneness, since their corporate unity is bound by one culture, one tradition and one ancestry.

Enendu noted that the amended

constitution of Uke (2007) imposed on them the use of this civic and cultural center for major events like Ofala festivals, Uke Day, among others, stressing that it was in obedience to that that they were now gathered.

He recalled that the only physical infrastructure at the Uke civic centre was constructed by the late Igwe Ezeude, when he held sway as the chairman of Uke works committee in 1983, adding that the new design of the building would be unveiled later.

In his speech, chairman of Idemili Leaders of Thought, Chief Sam Mendu commended the UDU for towing the part of peace by making frantic efforts to select a successor to the royal throne on a peaceful note and urged other communities who are trapped in chieftaincy squabble to emulate them.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015 — 3

BY FRANCIS IGATA

E

NUGU — Disturbed by the alleged assassination attempt on the Deputy President of the Senate,Ike Ekweremadu,a sociopolitical organization based in Enugu State,Greater Awgu Forum,GAF, has warned that it will not fold its arms and watch,should anything untoward befall Ekweremadu.

The group frowned that the Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament’s election as Deputy President of Senate since June 9,has heated the polity prompting aggrieved main opposition party’s move which culminated in the latest attempt on his life.

Agwu Greater Forum told South-East Voice led by the National President,Chiedozie Ogbonnia,Secretary,Cletus Akalusi and Ude Okechukwu, Publicity Secretary, that,”Despite the fact that Ekweremadu emerged constitutionally, transparently and credibly,the All Progressives Congress,APC,has neither hidden their hatred for the Senator(Ekweremadu) nor their declared determination to remove him.

“The APC has also deployed various means including unsubstantiated allegation of forgery of Senate Standing Rule 2015,lawsuit etc in a desperate bid to dislodge him. Some APC Senators demonstrated the height of spite,hate and parliamentary irresponsibilty when they staged

BY CHINONSO ALOZIE

a walkout on Senator Ekweremadu while he presided over the Senate on Wednesday,November 11.

“They also issued a statement where they vowed to ‘cease to attend any sitting presided over by the PDP in an APC majority chamber of the eight Senate.'

“Ekweremadu was elected with an overwhelming mandate of his people and enjoys the confidence of his colleagues,on account of which he was reelected the Deputy President of the Senate for a record third time.

Eliminating Ekweremadu by ‘all means,’ including assassination, is grave and counter-productive

Eliminating Ekweremadu by ‘all means,’ including assassination, is grave and counterproductive as it holds ramifying consequences for Nigeria’s political stability and corporate existence

Enugu group flays alleged assassination attempt on Ekweremadu

L-R,Secretary,Cletus Akalusi,National President,Chiedozie Ogbonnia and Ude Okechukwu,Publicity Secretary as it holds ramifying consequences for Nigeria’s political stability and corporate existence.

“We urged the Federal

Government and its security agencies,especially the Police and the DSS,to immediately unravel those behind the dastardly act as we will not accept

NESRA, ESCORP partner on sanitation in Imo

T

he National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, NESRA, and the Environmental Ethics and Safety Corps, ESCORP, are partnering to save Imo state, from its current dirty environment and return the state of cleanliness it was known for.

Before the turn of events, Imo State used to be known as the cleanest state in the country.

This was part of the environmental sustainability agenda of ESCORP, at the end of its pre-deployment workshop held in Owerri, weekend.

ESCORP presented strategies on how to make their plans successful, in its project handbook made available to the South East Voice.

Accordingtotheprogramme,the Community Action for Environmental Sustainability, Sanitation and Hygiene,CAFESSAH, and Clean Tomorrow Today,CTT, was a school based approach to achieving environmental safety and also imparting in the younger ones environmental ethics.

It was learned that the programme which had all Nigerian communities as partners had the full support of NESRA. The handbook, jointly authored by the ESCORP CoordinantGeneral, Elder Emenike Eme,

the traditional lame-duck and lackadaisical approach to investigations in an assassination attempt on Ekweremadu.”

Participants at the ESCORP workshop , Owerri Assistant Coordinant-General Nanpan Ishaku and MaryAnn Chukwuono, the corps coodinant programmes,gavepracticableways to the actualization of their plans.

They said that, under the CAFESSAH, all the members of ESCORP would first identify with the traditional rulers to help them sustain the initiative of ESCORP, in their communities, in line with their objectives that they ought to embark on sensitization and mobilization activities, training and grouping volunteers to understand and implement their vision.

Other set goals included awareness campaigns to enable

Set goals included awareness campaigns to enable them achieve the agenda of waste evacuation, general sanitation, monitoring and evaluation as well as environmental maintenance culture that would be beneficial to all.

them achive the agenda of waste evacuation, general sanitation, monitoring and evaluation as well as environmental maintenance culture that would be beneficial to all.

In what they said could be the advantages of CAFESSAH, where the “community gets increasingly neater, with good health and long life assured the community witnesses rapid development” through the sanitation project.

On creation of employment, it was stated that the unemployed youths would be engaged to contribute towards the cleanliness of the society which would equally

increase the economic base of the various communities.

Through the CAFFESSAH programme “ the youths of the communities are engaged in gainful, self-employment in which they, not government , are the determiners of how much they make per month, since the raw materials for money - making (the wastes) are in limitless abundance, Apart from its youths now becoming steady money makers, the communities financial status are enhanced, as a percentage of income generated by ESCORP corps return to the communities coffer; thus aiding, promoting, contributing and helping to strengthen the novel, community government of the Imo state administration.”

Also, crucial to the actualization of the said targets, was the introduction of what they described as a new global concept called “extended producer responsibility,” which would solve the challenges of waste control in the environment.

According to them “the Extended Producer Responsibility, EPR, is a new global concept for waste management, which makes producers responsible for the waste collection, recycling, re-use final disposal of end of life products.

“EPR , seeks to revolutionize waste management as an industry and ESCORP is an integral part of this arrangement.”

C M Y K

4 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY,

DECEMBER 2, 2015

UNDP, Anambra govt give lifeline to 20 physically challenged persons

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

A

WKA—TWENTY physically challenged persons belonging to two cooperative societies in Anambra State have been empowered by the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, and the Anambra State government to create and manage smallscale enterprises that would assist them earn decent living.

The beneficiaries were assisted by government to form two cooperative societies that will enable them have access to financial institutions for the purposes of borrowing money to beef up their enterprises.

These cooperative bodies namely, ‘God’s Will Physically Challenged Cooperative Society Limited’ and ‘Divine Love Physically Challenged Cooperative Society Limited’, both in Awka, would also be receiving financial assistance from the government of Denmark under the UNDP innovation facility, which is part of the renowned Special Target Enterprises Development and Monitor Initiative.

Before the two cooperative societies received their certificates in Awka, the 20 beneficiaries underwent well packaged vocational training that exposed them to equipment support management, design of entrepreneurial monitor template and use of monitor recordings for design of credit access.

The 20 lucky persons were selected from 30 physically challenged persons drawn from some local government areas who were earlier trained in the areas of footwear making and tailoring in August this year. With the training and the assurance of receiving support from international and local organizations, the joy of the beneficiaries knew no bounds.

Team leader for inclusive growth of UNDP, Dr. Robert Asogwa, who spoke during the presentation of certificates to the two cooperative groups, explained that the first base line monitoring would be conducted in December this year to find out their progress

and challenges.

“Hopefully, we shall be conducting the monitoring activities with the help of the Anambra State government officials, consultants and the executive members of the cooperative societies every quarter,” he said, adding that information garnered would be made available to all stakeholders, including the state government, UNDP, Government of Denmark and other financial credit providers for possible further assistance to the beneficiaries.

Senior Special Assistant to Governor Willie Obiano on donor agencies, Mrs. Nneka Onwudiwe said the formation of the cooperative societies was aimed at exposing the beneficiaries to sources of funding from any part of the world, adding that it would also help them increase their businesses with a view to eliminating poverty level in the state.

The elated beneficiaries, who spoke through Mr.

Beneficiaries of the UNDP/Anambra/Denmark Empowerment programme Ikechukwu Nwokike and Mrs. Mary Morah promised to maximize the opportunity offered to them and commended the world body, the government of Denmark and the state government for the gesture.

They said: “Many of us were depending on relations and good –spirited persons to survive before the state government came up with this programme. Initially, we thought it was going to be the usual government promise that was hardly fulfilled, but

The 20 lucky persons were selected from 30 physically challenged persons drawn from some local government areas, earlier trained in footwear making and tailoring

with the training and the incorporation of the cooperative societies, as well as firm promises that we could have access to international donor agencies, we knew God has answered our prayers through the Anambra State government.

“We commend Governor Willie Obiano and his wife for making the welfare of persons living with disabilities a priority and we promise to continue to support the government.”

4,500 JOBS: Ugwuanyi lauds Fr. Mbaka

BY FRANCIS IGATA

E

N U G U —

GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has commended the Chairman and Spiritual Director of an indigenous company, Aqua Rapha Investment Nigeria Limited, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka for using his company to provide 4,500 jobs for the people of the state.

The governor made the commendation during a visit to the company at 9th mile corner, Ngwo for the launch of her new products lines - Rapha Groundnut oil, Rapha Soya oil and Rapha Carbonated drinks.

Gov. Ugwuanyi noted that the Enugu State Government is interested in such business initiatives that create jobs for the people of the state and turn around its economic fortunes, adding that the inherent benefits are enormous and deserve the commendation of the state government.

He expressed delight that the gesture has further reduced crime in the state as a lot of youths are now meaningfully engaged by the company.

“As the governor of Enugu State, I am happy that this development is taking place in my state. I am happy that this company is providing employment for 4,500 people.

Gov. Ugwuanyi commissioning the product line

As the governor of Enugu State, I am happy that this development is taking place in my state. I am happy that this company is providing employment for 4,500 people

It means a lot to the state. It has added value and improved the standard of living of our people. Be rest assured of the support of the Enugu State Government”, the governor said.

In his response, the Chairman and Spiritual Director of the company, Fr. Mbaka thanked Gov. Ugwuanyi for finding it important to come and launch the products in spite of his tight schedule.

He assured the governor of their unquantifiable solidarity and persistent support of his goodwill and sound vision for

Enugu State, adding that the joy of the company is to give people job, reduce unemployment, fight poverty and maintain peace in the state.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Managing Director of the company, Engr. Sunday Nwankwo disclosed that the new products were designed on the principle of quality which the company is known for and applauded Governor Ugwuanyi for his magnanimity in providing a level playing ground for businesses to thrive in the state.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015 — 5

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

A

WKA — WHEN the construction the modern Nnewi High Court complex began many years ago, many people, especially those living near the complex, were elated that its presence would quicken the development of the area.

The court complex is located at the end of Otolo Nnewi and bordered by Amichi, Awkaetiti and Utu and it lies along the Awkaetiti-Ukpor-Isseke road constructed during the administration of Dr. Chris Ngige.

Close to the court is also one of the giant power sub –stations that was abandoned after work progressed to a certain level.

Indeed, as soon as the construction of the court began, cost of acquiring landed property around the area went up as it automatically assumed the toga of Nnewi GRA because of the belief that other government establishments might ultimately move to the area. The construction was actually completed and hurriedly commissioned without equipment.

What followed after the commissioning was disturbing as it was later abandoned. A visit to the complex showed that some of the fittings were already giving way, while the environment looked as if it was a place being used by the men of the

underworld.

Also, the massive area has provided a good grazing ground for Fulani herdsmen who sometimes use the court as their abode. Those who built houses around the court complex because of the envisaged development of the area are complaining that they have been isolated from the rest of Nnewi town due to the abandonment of the court.

To them, living in the area has become very risky as they are exposed to the activities of hoodlums who frequently rob houses in the area.

One of the property owners in the area who spoke to South East Voice said: “This court complex was completed in record time, but we do not know why it was abandoned after commissioning. We do not know whether it has to do with the politics of relocating from the courts inside Nnewi town to this place. Whatever the reason for the abandonment was, government should realize that it was the tax payers’ money that was spent in constructing the court.”

He said that many people bought land and built houses hoping to rent them to the workers that would be posted to the court and the power station, regretting that it turned out that they spent money to build houses for rodents and snakes.

Chairman of the Nigerian Bar

Nnewi court complex: Abandoned after construction, commissioning

The abandoned Nnewi Court Complex Association, NBA, Nnewi branch, Mr. P.O. Ebubedike described the situation as one of the rots in the state judiciary.

The construction was actually completed and hurriedly commissioned without equipment.What followed after the commissioning was disturbing as it was later abandoned

He said: “The integrated court complex was commissioned prematurely. The putative commissioning notwithstanding, we know for a fact that the complex is in no state to be used and would require very substantial investment of resources to become usable.

“We lawyers that practice in Nnewi do not know what or who is or was responsible for the failure to finish and put the complex to use. We therefore plead with the state government to cooperate with our Chief Judge, Justice Peter Umeadi, to ensure that something urgent and dramatic is done to bring that complex into use.”

According to him, the need to put the complex into use became necessary because of inadequate accommodation for judiciary

workers and litigants in Nnewi, adding that even the Magistrate Court complex in Nnewi is also in a terrible state.

Ebubedike said further: “Some of the existing court halls are in such state of decay and old age that they are actually beyond repair. The walls are cracked and when it rains, roofs leak like sieves. The wooden beams and rafters are rotten and the floors are now like rice paddies and actually grow weeds.

“But for want of viable alternatives, some of the halls ought, a long time ago, to have gone into desuetude for they are disasters waiting to happen.”

He however expressed optimism that the state Chief Judge would come to the rescue to address the problem of the judiciary in Nnewi.

JAMB, NBTE bemoan corruption in exam assessment in Nigeria Identify computer –based testing as the answer to malpractices

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

A

WKA—IN a unanimous voice, officials of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, and the National Board for Technical Education, NBTE, have identified computer –based assessment in

THE TEAM Supervising Editor: Chioma Gabriel, Lagos (08052201257) Editor: Emeka Mamah - Enugu email: emekemamah@yahoo.com) Anayo Okoli, Umuahia Vincent Ujumadu, Awka Austin Ogwuda, Awka Chidi Nkwopara, Owerri Peter Okutu, Abakaliki Chimaobi Nwaiwu, Nnewi

Francis Igata, Enugu Nwabueze Okonkwo, Onitsha

Ugochukwu Alaribe, Aba Enyim Enyim, Onitsha Chinoso Alozie, Owerri Chinenye Ozor, Nsukka Eric Ugbor, Aba

examinations leading to admission into tertiary institutions and internal examinations of the various institutions in Nigeria as the best way to eliminate examination malpractices in the country.

The issue of exam practice took the front burner over the years following unwholesome measures being adopted by students to cheat. In the past, it was common for some students to smuggle written scripts into the examination halls and sometimes, carry text book into the halls and use them to write the examinations without being noticed.

To JAMB and NBTE, the malpractices thrived because of the use of paper method in conducting examinations.

Worried by the situation, JAMB has already adopted computer – based testing for its examinations, while the NBTE has been encouraging authorities of the polytechnics and other tertiary institutions to also adopt the system.

Apparently because many lecturers who were benefiting from the essay type of examination objected to the adoption of the computer –based assessment in schools, the two bodies began a nationwide

Participants at the Academic Integrity workshop at Oko Polytechnic campaign to drum up the benefits of computer –based assessment.

The campaign shifted to the South East last week when a two –day national workshop on ‘Restoring Academic Integrity and Engendering Quality Assurance in Nigerian Polytechnics and Monotechnics’ was hosted by the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State. The workshop, which was attended by authorities of polytechnics and monotechnics from the South East and South Geo-political zones, was the first phase of the national programme, which will also take place in Ilaro, Ogun State and Kaduna, Kaduna State, at later

dates.

Professor Sola Akinrinade, provost of Anti –Corruption Academy of Nigeria, in a paper titled ‘Waging war against corruption and allied vices in Tertiary Education in Digital Age’ listed conditions that promote corruption in educational institutions to include lack of ethical leadership about what is acceptable, setting poor examples and failure to reinforce ethical behaviour.

He said: “JAMB has successfully introduced the computer –based testing mode and tertiary institutions should compliment this. Computer – based testing should be adopted

not just for the admission selection process, but throughout the course of study as much as possible. The overall purpose is to guarantee the integrity of examination processes”.

Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education, NBTE, Dr. Adamu Kazaure said that adopting computer –based method of assessment in tertiary institutions would boost quality of education in the country as it would help to minimize unethical practices associated with examinations. , Kazaure said the success achieved by JAMB, through the adoption of the computer –based testing, was an indication that it was the right way to go.

He added: “For quite sometime, unethical practices have bedeviled and negatively affected the fortunes of the educational system in Nigeria, both at the basic and tertiary levels. This has adversely affected the quality of our products. Several measures, both internal and external, have been adopted to curb this monstrous development, especially in enrollment and output of graduates of our tertiary educational institutions.

6 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015

Multiplicity of states our undoing—Dr Okolo ‘…Let's return to 6 zonal structure' Dr. Jude A.P. Okolo is the National President of Anambra State Association of Town Unions, ASATU. He is a private medical practitioner based in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. He was the Local Government Vice Chairman of the Old Abakaliki Local Government Area.

Dr. JAP Okolo, as he is fondly called, is also the president general of Oraifite Town Union, Ekwusigo LGA of Anambra State, he spoke to select journalists including Obialunamma Nwadiogbu in Ekwulobia Anambra State on a wide range of issues.

What is your view on the Indigenous People of Biafra and the protest about the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kalu?

This is an issue that should be handled tactfully. Nnamdi Kalu is the leader of a group of people protesting over certain perceived social problems in Nigeria. When such issues arise, there should be a dialogue. Effort should be made to bring them for a round-table discussion.

I think the best thing we should do as leaders is to find a way to bring these youths to a round-table discussion and let them see where they are derailing and where they are getting it right.

All we should be interested in is for the people of Nigeria to live together peacefully. Nobody gets anything from violence. Violence is a wind that blows no one any good. We should look for a way to solve our problems amicably. We are all human beings and should be our brothers’ keepers.

However, if somebody has a problem and uses an active nonviolent means to pursue his cause, he should be brought close for a round-table discussion.

Nigeria is for all of us, whether Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, or any other ethnic group, the bottom line is that we are all Nigerians and we should learn how to resolve our problems through dialogue. We all owe it as a duty to always pray for and respect people we elected to serve us. We should support the good policies of government and criticize constructively those we perceive to be bad.

Our elected leaders should on their own part, know that we elected them primarily for them to guarantee the safety of our lives and properties.

It is therefore, against this backdrop that I advise the Federal Government to engage these restive youths to a round table discussion with a view to finding an enduring solution to this problem.

What is your take on the poor state of federal roads?

Most of the federal roads, especially in the South-East, are in terrible shape. Gullies and potholes are all over the place.

Something needs to be done urgently, more so, during this yuletide period. It is traditional that South-Easterners do go down to their home-towns during this period. If nothing is done now, we are going to have a lot of problems and probably road traffic accidents.

I would, therefore, appeal to the Federal Government to give an urgent consideration to this and consequently direct Federal Road Maintenance Agency, FERMA, to at least, do some palliative work on all the federal roads within the South East to avert high rate of accidents during the period. I think the Federal Road Safety Corps should also rise up to the situation.

Prevention is usually better than cure.

What should be done about the erosion menace ravaging the South East states, especially Anambra State ?

Anambra State indeed should be declared a disaster zone because of this problem. The surface soil in Anambra State is so loose that even little rains wash it off easily. It is getting worse because the rains, as a result of climactic changes, are getting heavier annually. So something serious needs to be done to check this erosion menace. Sometime in the past, someone’s duplex caved into the erosion gully in Oraifite.

Immediately I came in as the President General of the town, we started making a lot of noise about it because it was about severing the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway.

In order to attract attention, we even had to demonstrate along that expressway.

The government reacted positively by sending contractors to start working on the erosion site, but after some time the project was paused. Our enquiry revealed that the contract was not adequately funded by the government. The erosion menace in the state is definitely beyond the capacity of the state government and should, therefore, be taken up by the Federal Government.

The Anambra State vigilante law is causing a lot of brouhaha among the traditional rulers and presidents general in Anambra communities. Should vigilante groups be scrapped?

This is another sensitive issue.

One thing is that in any community, we should accept the fact that the traditional ruler is the symbol of that town and therefore, his position should, in fact, be revered. Anybody that toys with the seat of the traditional ruler does so at his own peril. On the other hand, the traditional ruler should be conscious of the demands of his position and avoid over- stepping his bounds.

The President General, on the other hand, is the administrative head of the town. I’m talking about

annual town unions registration fee on or before November 30, 2015 or stand the risk of losing this year’s palliative grant.

Dr Jude A.P Okolo, PG ASATU Igbo land where we have been having town unionism even before the advent of our colonial masters. Republicanism has always been a part of the life of Ndigbo. The whites found it difficult to rule our fore-fathers because Ndigbo did not have traditional sole administrative system like we had in the North and West. The colonial masters, therefore, had to create the warrant chiefs and in 1976, the traditional institution became established by the old Anambra Military Government through an edict. But the truth is that the authority of the traditional ruler comes from the people he is ruling.

The town unions, therefore, remains powerful because this remains the common platform where both the traditional ruler with the members of his cabinet meet with the people of the town with the elected President General presiding.

Now, coming to the issue of the vigilante law, an executive bill seeking some amendments of the 2014 State law on Vigilante was presented to the State House of Assembly. This bill was later passed into law some few weeks ago despite the huge outcry from over 90 per cent of the communities. This portrays in a vivid manner the type of representation we have in our various legislative houses from the local government councils to the national level.

Most of them are totally not in touch with the people they represent. Sorry for this digression, well, we learnt that one of the amendments provides that the Igwe shall now be the Chairman of the Community

Establishment of six regional or zonal government structure will help in reducing the cost of governance as well as making these entities viable.

Vigilante Committee, while the President-General becomes the Secretary. The position of ASATU on this matter is that any traditional ruler that knows his worth cannot denigrate the revered Igwe stool by meddling with the affairs of the vigilante group in his community.

However, any traditional ruler that is desirous of that role should be ready to drag his name in the mud at the expense of the image of the town.

ASATU opines that Ndi Igwe should be the ceremonial Chairman or Adviser, while the PG of the town union becomes the Executive Vice Chairman, seeing to the day to day running of the group. We all know how some of these members of the vigilante group behave. I know that most of them are very responsible, but there are some that are not very responsible. Such are not the kind of people that should be entering an Igwe’s palace frequently.

“He who harvests an insect infested firewood, obviously has invited lizards to pay him visit,” is an Igbo adage that is apt for this situation. After all, a deaf man needs no one to inform him that crisis has started.

Since our views were not sought when the executive bill was drafted and our opinions were not favourably considered when the bill was undergoing the necessary legislative processes in the State House of Assembly, we just said, ‘to your tents o Israel,’ and as loyal citizens of the state we accepted the decision of the government.

Would it affect the palliative grants and security grants?

According to the law, there should not be anything like security grants for the payment of the allowances of the vigilante. The law provides for allowances to be paid directly to the vigilante men.

However, if the state considers it should assist the communities that would be welcome since the material they would need in doing their jobs are not being provided.

Palliative grant has become a tradition in Anambra State.

Town unions should be given palliative grants to assist them apply some palliative measures on the roads in their communities. We have already received sms from the office of the head of Department of Community Development reminding each town to renew her

Don’t you think the money has been abused by some of the PGs? This takes me back to a time during ex-Governor Peter Obi’s administration when he, through a scheme he called Social Welfare Scheme for those aged 75 years and above, mapped out N5,000 monthly for six months to all the elderly people in the state.

My own town had 124 in the list and I am sure that nobody will come out to complain that he was not fully paid. But I got information that in some towns, some people received less than the stipulated amount on the ground that they distributed the money to all the elderly people that attended. That was unacceptable.

What is your take on taxation? Do you think it is frustrating businesses in Anambra state?

The focus should be on the welfare of the people. The primary function of a good government is to guarantee safety and welfare of the citizenry.

A situation where you formulate a policy that subjects the people to untold hardship should be discouraged.

Tax is, however, very important for a government to function. Government cannot function without revenue generated. Before the war, the regional governments were doing so well in agriculture. That was when we had the groundnut pyramids in the North and cocoa production in the West, and palm oil production in the East.

But after the war, when crude oil was discovered, every attention was put on it and states were created as if they were local governments, because money was coming from oil.

Viability of a state was not considered so far as monthly allocation is assured from Abuja.

Agitation for creation of states became the order of the day. State creation became a campaign issue. Consequently many nonviable states came into being by the military fiat of our former military leaders who doled out states and sighted state capital to please their friends.

A state that cannot take care of the cost of its governance should not have been created. I also need to mention something that was recommended during the last national conference.

Reducing the cost of governance cannot be achieved only through the reduction of wages of the public office holders.

Establishment of six regional or zonal government structure will help in reducing the cost of governance as well as making these entities viable.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015 — 7

CSO takes education to rural communities

BY ANAYO OKOLI

U

MUAHIA — SHARE WITH GRACE FOUNDATION [SWG] a civil society organization with a major objective of inspiring positively the lives of youths last week took its campaign to the ancient Abiriba community in Abia State, where hundreds of rural students were gathered at Erinma town hall and given talks on the best ways to inspire their lives positively.

Professionals from different fields of endeavour were assembled to give the students inspirational talks that would positively shape their lives.

According to the founder of the group, Lady Grace Nmah,

the aim of this foundation is to change and inspire lives and serve as a springboard for helping people, especially the youth; to confront life issues and find necessary solutions. It is also aims at getting empowerment and upliftment in order to eradicate poverty, disease, disability, social ills, vices, crime and other social anomalies which ultimately help to achieve greater goals and to develop society at the same time.

Lady Grace Nmah and a guest She said the CSO decided to start the outreach programme with the youth because of its belief in the saying “Catch Them Young”.

“We believe that being the leaders of tomorrow it is important to catch them young and mould them for a successful future. There is no better place to start that than

in schools.

“We believe that outreaches such as this one would help fill in the gaps by bringing experts and experienced professionals to talk candidly and earnestly to our young ones”, Nmah said while declaring the programme open.

Travails of little Amarachi

By Chidi Nkwopara

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HIS IS not the best of time for little Amarachi Ekwebelam and her mother, Mrs. Chika Ekwebelam, from Amawom Village, Owerri

municipality. The poor girl has been diagnosed with a life threatening congenital heart disease that severely limits blood supply to the lungs. This condition in medical term, is called “Tetralogy of Fallot, TOF”.

The fragile little girl took ill and

was moved to Cradle Children’s Clinic along Mbonu Ojike Street, Kenegbu, Owerri. After conducting medical examination on the ailing girl, the Consultant Paediatrician, Dr. Francis U. Iregbu, wrote a self explanatory report.

Traders donate 277 bags of rice, other items worth N6m to needy homes, individuals

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

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NEWI — NEW Tire Market Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State has donated 277, bags of 50 kilogram Rice, 95 cartons of Indomine, 54 cartons of Semolina, (Semovita) 24 tubers of Yam and other food materials, including cash worth Six Million Naira to 31 different less privilege and needy homes, and individuals from Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia and South South States and individuals from across the Nigerian Federation.

Chairman of the market, Chief Sunday Ezenwobi disclosed this to South East Voice, SEV, during the 2015 distribution of gift items programme for the less privileged, a yearly event in the market for the past eight years.

Some of the beneficiaries includes, Otuocha Motherless Babies Home,Excellent Love Motherless and Old People Home Ogidi, Oji Deaf, Dumb and Blind Home, Enugu State, Biafran Wounded Soldiers, Orlu Deaf, Bumb and Blind Home Imo State, individuals from the five South East states, including South –South states of Delta, Edo, Cross Rivers Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Bayelsa State and other parts of the federation.

“On assumption of office in 2008 we agreed on the need to assist the less privilege and we started with a free will donation, and subsequently generated N2 million, that year to support the

She noted that character moulding for the youth was an assignment for the entire society, not only for parents or schools, pointing out that Nigerians need to promote this if we really hope to eradicate the social ills plaguing the country.

277 Bags of Rice donated to the homes program.

“In that 2008, we doled out goods and cash worth over N2million, the second year, 2009 we got N3 million, in 2010, we got N4 million, in 2011, we got N6 million and in 2012, we got the highest donation for the less privilege that amounted to N10 million, in 20113 we realized N8 million and in 2014, we got N9 million and this 2015, you know the economic situation of the country, therefore we only

On assumption of office in 2008 we agreed on the need to assist the less privilege and we started with a free will donation

realized N6 million and that is what we use in purchasing this 277 bags of rice and other items we are distributing today,” he said.

He said all the things they have been giving out over the years were on free will donation, no levies, or taxes on trader, “my people are wonderful in this program, every trader ensured he contributed and we thank them for that”.

“Our administration is coming to an end and hopefully our successors will continue the program, “I have led the market for eight years and we preparing to leave office before January 2016, all being equal, I thank the members of the market for their support to this idea, we also thank God on the way and manner people are supporting us throughout or tenure, which by the grace Of God will end in this 2015, we thank God for his faithfulness to all of us,” he said.

He said that his executive secured the confidence of the traders by showing

transparency,honesty to the traders and so whatever they ask them to do, they do even more than they are expected.

“Truly I did not know they will support me to this extent, I attribute their support to Gods favour, that is what I will call it, in fact they see me as their own father, brother, their relation, they have not failed to do whatever I asked them to do, and I am humbled, I don’t know how to express the type of support I have received from them, I thank God. “I always pray for God to reciprocate their gesture to me and to the less privilege, I pray that God will reward them bountifully like they have given to the needy homes, each and every one of them where ever they are lacking, God will reward them,” he said.

Dismissing fears that his successor may not continue with the programme, Chief Ezenwobi said,”the prayer of one of the recipients of the items donated, from Isulo Deaf and Blind Home, was very touchy, and I believe any reasonable person will understand the impact, weight and meaning of that prayer, nobody will hear the prayer and do otherwise.

“They prayed to God and asked God to make sure that anybody that is succeeding me, will sustain the program, but whoever that comes in and try to stop the program, that God will transfer their blindness to the person, or that executive, so that they (Isulo Home) will donate to him as the market was donating to them.

“Miss Amarachi Ekwebelam, a four-year old child, presented to our facility on May 20, 2015, with complaints of fainting spells and difficulty with breathing upon exertion,of about two years duration. These symptoms are recurrent and have worsened with time. Clinical assessment, together with the laboratory investigations, which she had already done, confirmed a diagnosis of Tetralogy of Fallot”, Dr. Iregbu stated.

Explaining what TOF is all about, the Consultant Paediatrician said it is a type of cyan optic congenital heart disease in which blood supply to the lungs is severely limited, adding that the disease causes the patient to have bluish lips, tongue and extremities. It also leads to easy fatiguability and poor growth, all of which Miss Ekwebelam has.

Then the clincher:”If untreated, the condition can lead to stroke and sudden death. Prompt treatment gives an excellent chance at normal life. At present, the facilities and skills for routine surgical treatment of patients with TOF in Nigeria are lacking, hence such patients are usually referred outside he country for surgical correction”.

Dr. Iregbu also stated that currently, the endangered girl is on “conservative medical management but would require heart surgery outside the country, as soon as possible, for total correction in order to avert the aforementioned complications.”

A laboratory report signed by Dr. E. G. Omejua, dated May 14, 2015, equally confirmed this.

Amarachi

8 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY,

DECEMBER 2, 2015

It’s improper for monarchs to be chairmen of vigilante groups – PGs

Gowon, Pope, Obiano, Umeh, bishops eulogize Cardinal Arinze at Episcopal Golden Jubilee

BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO

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NITSHA - ONE -TIME Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (ret'd) and Pope Francis were among those who poured encomiums on His Eminence, Cardinal Francis Arinze, the Prefect Emeritus of the Pontifical Council for InterReligious Dialogue, as well as that of the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of Sacrament in the Vatican City, during his Episcopal Golden Jubilee celebration at Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha in Onitsha Catholic Archdiocese.

Also Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State; the Obi of

Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe; former National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, and APGA senatorial candidate for Anambra Central during March 2015 National Assembly elections, Chief Victor Umeh and Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, CBCN. In his speech, Gowon described the episcopal golden jubilee as a reunion of God and men, adding that Cardinal Arinze is a pride of Nigeria and Africa in terms of catholic religion.

Responding, Cardinal Arinze commended Gowon for attending the ceremony and recalled that himself and Monsignor Obiukwu visited Gowon at Dodan Barracks two weeks after the Nigerian Civil

BY CHINONSO ALOZIE

A

Cardinal Arinze and General Gowon (retd) War and pleaded with him not to abolish Christian religion and he promised not to do it and he did not do it.

Chief Victor Umeh, the former APGA boss described the golden jubilee as a celebration of fulfilment, adding that he would not be surprised if at the end of Arinze’s life, something divine or significant happened to prove his holiness.

The Catholic Archbishop of Jos and President of Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, CBCN, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama described Arinze as pride of Igbo, Nigeria and Africa, adding that he was a one time

President of CBCN when some of the bishops were not yet ordained as priests.

Governor Willie Obiano, in his own speech, praised Arinze for making Anambra State proud, adding that he got to the pinnacle of his religious career to the extent of almost becoming a Pope.

Archbishop Kasujja, the Papal Nuncio to Nigeria, said he was mandated by the Pope to deliver his goodwill message, adding that the golden jubilee event coincided with the Pope’s visit to Africa where he was preaching for peace and harmony around the globe.

CSO, rights groups partners FOU Zone ‘C’ of Nigerian Customs Service to fight extortion, smugglers

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu

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NEWI—A coalition of Civil Society Organizations, C.S.Os, and rights groups have vowed to support legitimate businessmen and women, noting that they would not keep quiet over acts of intimidation and harassment against them by security operatives.

The groups including the Campaign for Democracy, Human Rights People Against Intimidation, Society Against Abuse of Office, Movement Against Smuggling and Crime Against the State, however urged those concerned to help the present government in the country and the leadership of the Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, to succeed in moving the country forward.

Speaking with South East Voice, on the inauguration of task force by the Federal Operation Unit, FOU Zone C of the NCS, to check the activities of hoodlums, who hide under the name of agency officials to extort money from innocent traders and businessmen in the South East, the groups declared their support just as it threw its weight behind the activities of FOU Zone to rid South East and SouthSouth of faceless people, who engage in extortion and claim to be officials of NCS. The illegal activities of the criminals, who had been extorting money from traders and business men from some states of South East to Oron in Cross Rivers State, got to the knowledge of

•Mr. Uzor A. Uzor spokesman of the coalition (2nd Right) addressing newsmen during a news briefing in Onitsha, while other members watch. the Customs Area Controller in charge of FOU, Owerri.

The aggrieved traders and businessmen, who were victims of the extortioners had complained to the coalition of Civil Society groups, which promised to bring their complaints to the notice of the FOU Controller in the zone, Mr. Dimka.

This FOU, in its fight against smuggling has seized over N5.4 billion worth of contraband goods between 2012 and 2015, a feat that has not been recorded in the zone since its creation in 2012

However, since the task force headed by a Chief Superintendent of Customs, Jack Okpabi, was set up, the hoodlums had vanished from the roads and extortion points, among other places they had been extorting money from the traders and business men.

Impressed by the swift response of Mr. Dimka to their appeal, to investigate the activities of the extortioners, the coalition of CSOs and some traders’ organizations, promised to help the FOU with information, to rid the South East of hoodlums and smugglers, importing contraband goods to sabotage the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari-led government.

Addressing newsmen in Onitsha, spokesman for the groups, Mr Uzor A Uzor said that Mr. Dimka and his men had shown that they had listening ears and hence ready to fight corruption in line with the present adminis-

tration’s promise, adding that they would partner with them to ensure success in the sector.

“This FOU, in its fight against smuggling has seized over N5.4 billion worth of contraband goods between 2012 and 2015, a feat that has not been recorded in the zone since its creation in 2012; made 166 seizures worth N1.4 billion in 2003 while it made 267 seizures worth N1.6 billion, in 2014./ It also made about 300 seizures worth N2billion just as it made N2.2 billion between January and September, 2015, it has made seizures worth about N2.2 billion, thereby reducing smuggling to the barest minimum,” Uzor added.

The groups then asked the agency to apply caution in the course of their assignments by helping to educate traders and importers in the zone on the government policies as regards goods that are under prohibition.

WKA—THE national president of Anambra State AssociationofTownUnions,ASATU, Dr.JudeOkolo, hasfaultedthepolicy that makes traditional rulers in the state chairmen of vigilante committees in their dormains, arguing that the development was already causing confusion in many communities.

The state House of Assembly recently passed the Anambra State Vigilante Law, which was an executive bill and it provided that the traditional ruler should be the chairman of the vigilante group, while the President General should be the secretary.

Accusing the state lawmakers of fuelling the crisis that had erupted in many communities following the passage of the bill, Okolo said there was need to have another look at the law.

Beforethepassageofthebill,and worried by the likely feud the issue would generate in many communities,theASATUpresident led the Presidents-General, PGs, told the speaker of the house, Mrs. Rita Maduagwu to prevail on the legislature to stop the passage of the law, but they did not succeed.

According to Okolo, it would have been a better arrangement if the traditional rulers were made ceremonialchairmen.

He said: ‘’We proposed an arrangement where the traditional ruler would become the chairman of the community vigilante committee in an advisory capacity, while the Presidents-General become the administrative heads and the Executive Vice Chairman or Secretary and both of them will be co-signatories of the community vigilante committee bank account.

"Vigilante operators should not be the kind of people that would be frequenting the palace. It seems as if the traditional rulers did not understand that what the PGs were agitatingforwastoprotectthesacred symbolofIgweship.Butwe,thePGs, have given in to the decision of the House of Assembly while envisagingthatthelawasitis,would have a need for revisiting in future.”

....What the PGs were agitating for was to protect the sacred symbol of Igweship.

But we, the PGs, have given in to the decision of the House of Assembly while envisaging that the law as it is, would have a need for revisiting in future

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015 — 33

INEC delivers 52,000 Supplementary Voter Cards

BAYELSA DECIDES

By Samuel Oyadongha

Sylva promises to diversify Bayelsa economy

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HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday reiterated its preparedness to conduct a free, fair and credible governorship election in Bayelsa State this Saturday.

INEC national chairman, Prof Mohammud Yakubu, in an interview in Yenagoa said the commission has put in place the necessary arrangement to conduct credible poll despite the allegation that a party had concluded plan to rig the poll.

The INEC boss added that the commission will ensure that no Bayelsan voter is disenfranchised in the Saturday election.

“Whether you are living along the coastline or mainland in Bayelsa and you are a voter, you will not be disenfranchised in the coming poll. We will have a credible poll,” he declared.

On the delay in the supply of Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs to some councils in the state, Prof Yakubu, said though the delay in the supply was regrettable, “the supplementary voter cards

F

*Yakubu: SVCs provided in the absence of PVCs totalling 52,000 have been supplied this morning and handed over to the Resident Electoral Commission. And we will discuss with the stakeholders on a suitable and effective way of distribution.”

The INEC boss insisted that the commission will ensure that card readers are used during the polls and incident forms allowed where proper

verification of voters are done.

“The card readers have passed all verifiable test and challenges. We have insisted that no card reader, no voting.

But where incident forms will be used, we have instructed that the voters should be verified through provision of passport photograph and it tallies with picture on the voters card.”

Dickson, Sylva, Siasia in debate duel

By Emmanuel Aziken

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HE three leading candidates in this weekend’s election, Serikae Dickson, PDP, Timipere Sylva, APC and Moses Siasia, PDM are to confront one another this afternoon in a live television debate.

Today ’s debate is to be broadcast live on the network service of the public broadcaster, NTA and by the privately owned AIT. The debate which is organised by the Coalition of Change for Development

foundation, (CCDF), is also being sponsored by the National Democratic Institute, NDI an affiliate of the United States Democratic Party and by the International Republican Institute, IRI, an affiliate of the US Republican Party. Speaking ahead of the debate, Comrade Olarenwaju Oretoluwa of the CCDF said the debate will “focus on areas such as governance, leadership, finance, healthcare, wealth creation, energy, technology, small business, agriculture

promotion, education and youth capacity building, housing, investment promotion, and every other areas that touch on the wellbeing of the citizens.

“CCDF is a citizen engagement and accountable Leadership Organisation with a vision to promote good governance and sustainable development through driving the need for healthy socioeconomic activities in diverse spectrum of Nigeria’s sociopolitical and economic landscapes,” he said.

Bayelsa will not labour under the umbrella again — Oshiomhole •Says Sylva has connections in Abuja

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ESTERDAY’S grand campaign of the APC in Yenagoa was an opportunity for two former buddies to reconcile.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole who led the panel that conducted the initial governorship primary had at the end of the exercise exchanged hot words with the eventual nominee, Timipere Sylva, describing him in ungubernatorial words.

But yesterday the brickbats between the two men that took place just three months ago was like an issue that happened centuries ago. It was all buried in the past.

Oshiomhole and Sylva were rather focused on their common enemy. The Edo State governor said Bayelsans cannot afford another 16 years of suffering under the umbrella (the insignia of the PDP).

He said: ‘’you have demonstrated character and conviction about the message of change. We must ask ourselves, why change? For 16 years you have laboured under the umbrella. You know that this state is unarguably the most resourceful, but for 16 years it has been business as usual.

“You must refuse to remain the fish in the river but has no

water to drink. With Sylva, underdevelopment of the state will be solved. He will bring change to Bayelsa. ‘’So, Sylva is here, he has worked for you, you know him, he knows you, he has done his apprenticeship and so you can compare today. I believe that all of us in the APC are unanimous that with Sylva on the driver’s seat, Bayelsa will change for the better. Sylva has connections in Abuja, he will use it to bring development to Bayelsa. The resources are here. I don’t like being the only South South governor in APC, so vote for Sylva. On Saturday, sacrifice that day and equip yourselves with PVCs so you can vote for change.”

By Samuel Oyadongha

OLLOWING the free fall of crude oil price in the global market and its impact on the nation economy, the candidate of the All Progressive Party APC in the Saturday governorship election in Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva has said his administration would diversify the state economy and create wealth with a view to cushioning the sharp dropping in the state allocation.

He also assured that the issue of security and well being of the people would be accorded the deserved *Sylva: My promises attention.

Sylva at a recent forum in Yenagoa where he spoke on his plans for the state if elected declared that the diversification of the state economy would make funds available for the desired development.

The former governor said, “I believe that it is important for us to diversify this economy so that we will have the ability to be able to actually develop Bayelsa, because if you do not diversify the economy, you cannot even have the funds to develop Bayelsa.

“So one thing we must first do is to develop and diversify the economy. But of course, that cannot be achieved without security.

So we are also going to really develop the security infrastructure in the state.”

Sylva, who introduced the “Triple E” policy of engagement, empowerment and enforcement to rein in the youths during the time of militancy when he was governor lamented the security situation in the state.

He said, “the present state of insecurity I dare say, cannot be equalled with any time in Bayelsa State. When I came in there was militancy and we dealt with that problem in a very credible way and today, there’s no militancy but the problem is even worse than ever before.

Dickson gets support in Sagbama

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HE second term bid of Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State received yet another boost as communities in Sagbama Local Government Area of the state, council area have declared their support for him.

Sagbama has the third largest populated council in the state with 87,242 registered voters and is the local government area of Dickson.

It was evidently a homecoming for Dickson as the various communities trooped out to welcome their son and in unison declared the local government a

•Dickson: Flaunts his record “no -go- area” for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Dickson had led the Bayelsa Restoration Campaign Organisation to the communities in continuation of his campaign tour to the grassroots across the state.

The people were ecstatic in their outpouring of encomiums on Dickson for their appreciation of what they said his administration has done to uplift their communities.

In their various speeches, they said they were in one accord to vote the PDP, stating that the December 5 governorship election would only be a formality as Bayelsans in general were poised to endorse continuity of the present administration at the election.

Stakeholders from Bayelsa West Senatorial District, including the former Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon Peremobowei Ebebi, Senator Fosta Ogola, Engr. Charles Dorgu, Hon. Fred Agbedi,Fyneman Wilson, Senator John Brambaifa, Ayakeme Whisky, Hon Emomotimi Fanama and Willy Oyadougha assured the governor of their readiness to deliver PDP at the election.

34 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015

C M Y K

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015 —35

FOR every business, it is not enough for you to have the know-how or funds to run a business successfully. Grit, determination and talent are the key elements needed to run life and any business smoothly. Mrs. Ehi Ehimare, CEO Ehi’s cake who was not only interested in owning a top notch cake business, went out of her way to ensure that she became one of the best when it comes to baking. The zeal to achieve success in her business prompted her to attend her master’s classes in chicago and various other classes with top cake connoisseurs, thereby acquiring a wide knowledge base in Cake decorating. Excerpts.

By Anino Aganbi

H

OW did you get into the business of cakes?

When I came to the US, I began a study plan for a Masters degree in Gifted and Talented Children. I had to first obtain a minor, so I obtained an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Child Development.

During this program, I had an appointment with fate that brought me into caking: one of my Professors during her morning introduction, told the class a brief story of her life and her family which boiled down to “everyone needs an academic profession and a talent profession”.

She said our schooling would naturally take care of our academic profession, but our talent profession had to be developed by ourselves.

Academic profession In the course of our time with her that semester, she made each of us write what we thought we were good at and a plan to develop it. I wrote on my notebook “BAKING CAKES” (which I had learned from my Sister-in-law). From then on, I began evening classes in cake decoration (such a tough venture with 3 toddlers at that time).

I make cakes for all occasions: weddings, birthdays, bridal and baby showers etc. I have a wide choice of clientele including visiting Nigerians. A few years back, I made a cake for one of Nollywood’s actress’s wedding, here.

What is creativity like for you as a business woman?

My business starts with helping a potential client plan out their showpiece cake, exchanging ideas and cake images. When we have picked out a design, we make purchases and begin all advance work. Next, the actual cakes are baked, then decorated. For cakes that require setting up, we deliver, set them up, decorate the cake table and where possible, disassemble and serve the cakes after the cake cutting C M Y K

•Ehi Ehimare

Every business should have a point of distinction for itself — Ehi Ehimare, CEO, Ehi’s cake ceremony, during the event.

Are your cakes tailored to suit individuals?

Each client’s cake is suited to individual preferences. This is why my cakes are CUSTOM! In a situation where two clients want exact same cake, some other features must play in to individualize their cake: it will be either color, flavor choice or just an item added or subtracted to make a

difference. Every business should have a point of distinction for themselves . I hear my customers talking about my neat, well done job.

People comment on how good each of my flavors taste. I introduce new concepts as soon as I figure them out and before they become common place: I make mini cake boxes and set them up to look like a tiered cake. I also make dessert tables , using desert pastries and candies.

Pastries and candies

In cake business, it is important to build up clientele before anything

In 2015, we made the acclaimed “3D Video Mapping Projection Cake”. That’s technology at its finest on a cake!

There is a wide resource base on the Internet for ideas, detailed tutorials for required skills and help groups within the general cake industry.

Creating a unique design for cakes take a lot of skills, how do you come up with such designs.

When a process/craft comes natural to you, it’s easier to do it successfully. I remember my professor had used the words “talent”, “something you’re good at”, your innate potential, waiting to be developed, a flair”, when you consciously work on these, even God backs

you up, causing your gift to make ample room for you.

During the year, especially as spring sets in, I begin to look out for cake trends with other people’s work and take note of them. I purchase tools to make new skills, practice them, and generally keep up with what’s in.

A lot of women factor in finance as a very big obstacle when doing business, how were you able to rise above this.

Means of financing a business differs from place to place. Here, there are mainly three options for financing a business: businesses are either funded by the owner, or by a banking institution or by investors through an investment company. Each of these options require very careful planning to enable cost effectiveness.

How has the US government been able to influence your business?

In setting up a cake business, the cake business owner needs to choose a relevant location for her business. Here in the US, a business owner must obtain all the necessary licenses, permits and registrations necessary to operate a food business. The store space needs to have required and approved drainage and sewage systems. A list of

fixtures, equipment and furnishings needs to be made.

A total plan on how the business will be operated including opening and closing hours, staffing and other considerations must be drawn out.

How would you encourage young women who have plans of running their own business in the nearest future.

In cake business, it is important to build up clientele before anything. I began by volunteering cakes to my friends and family each time they had an event.

Building up of clientele This helped me practice on my skills and gain confidence to make even more difficult, specialized cakes. As with all skills, practice makes perfect.

So practice, practice and practice!

Tell us a bit about yourself.

My name is Ehi Ehimare. I’m a mom of 4 and the owner of Ehi’s Cakes, based in Texas, United States. I was born in Ibadan, Oyo State, went to high school at Federal Government College, KANO and obtained a Bachelors of Education degree in English and Literature at the University of Benin, Benin City.

36 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015 — 37

FG tasks Navy on maritime security

By Festus Ahon

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SABA—MINISTER of Defence, Muhammad Dan-Ali, has charged the Nigerian Navy to collaborate with all stakeholders in the fight against maritime crime in the country.

Speaking at a two-day retreat organised by the Nigerian Navy, Dan-Ali, who spoke through the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, decried the increase in maritime crime, adding that the mainstay of the country was derived from the maritime sector.

Noting that the retreat was to fashion out new strategies to fight maritime crime, the Defence Minister noted that the Nigerian armed forces were committed to the fight against crime.

Delta State governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, in his opening remark at the event, charged the Nigerian Navy to declare a state of emergency on the maritime security.

Okowa warned that the country was hanging precariously on a financial cliff owing to dwindling receipts to the Federation Account occasioned by falling oil prices.

He said it would be double jeopardy if, in addition to the current low price of oil, the country was unable to meet its

oil production quota due to oil theft and illegal bunkering.

According to Okowa, what is needed is a well rounded maritime security architecture that is broad, deep and muscular, adding that the retreat should come up with well reasoned and realistic measures to combat piracy, oil theft and sundry criminal activities in the maritime

sector that were threatening the economic survival of the nation.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, assured that the Navy would continue to partner relevant stakeholders in the credible performance of its statutory duties.

Saying that the Navy was conscious of the great investment

the country has continued to make on her, and mindful of the expectations of Nigerians, Ibas expressed the hope that the forum had the potential to proffer solutions that would provide an accelerated traction in their commitment to address the myriads of challenges in the maritime environment.

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ENIN—GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has lamented what he described as the unacceptable state of the Benin Airport despite the millions of naira allegedly spent on the renovation of the airport by the past Peoples Democratic Party, PDP-led administration in the country.

He appealed to the Federal Government to make the Benin Airport one of its priorities for the safety of Nigerians.

Oshiomhole, while addressing students and staff of the University of Benin, said, “In this country, we need militant citizenry to continue to interrogate those in power. The Benin Airport has capacity to operate 24 hours and it was like that before.

“When I assumed office as governor, there was a day I landed at the airport at 11p.m. And under seven years it has been run down.

It has been renovated, even the runway resurfaced, but as you can see, all of that has produced few milionaires but the airport is worse for it.

“So, I ask our students to stop giving honours to government officials who have superintended over your impoverishment.

The

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By Jimitota Onoyume

ORT HARCOURT— LEADER of Niger Delta Vigilante, Chief Ateke Tom, has denied any link with Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, saying there was no time he took a decision under the aegis of MEND to endorse Governor Seriake Dickson for a second term.

Ateke, in a statement in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, yesterday, said he was shocked to see that he was listed among those that endorsed the governor for a second term under the banner of MEND in several online sites.

A statement by his media aide, Mr Joshua Opia, said Tom believed that power belongs to God.

N-Delta group moves to boost agric devt

F GRADUATION: From left: Mr. Lawani Damion; Chief Michael Ade Ojo, Chairman, Elizade University and Prof. Oloyede Kunle, Vice-Chancellor, Elizade University, during the graduation ceremony of Elizade University in Benin City, Edo State, yesterday. Photo: Barnabas Uzosike.

Oshiomhole tasks FG on repairs of Benin Airport

By Simon Ebegbulem

Ateke denies link with MEND

resources that have been spent on Benin Airport is enough to build an ultra- modern airport, but as you can see, you cannot land there after 6p.m.

“What that means is that we have to appeal to the new Minister of Transport that Benin City should be one of the few airports to receive

attention from the Federal Government so that they can construct the runways so that the airport will be safer for Nigerians.”

DESOPADEC assists flood ravaged communities in Delta

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HE 66 oil producing communities in NdokwaUkwuani federal constituency, Delta State, recently devastated by flood have received relief materials from Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC. Three members of the board of the interventionist agency from the area, Ochor Ochor, Executive Director, Social

Services, Nnamdi Ezechi and Flenjo Oputa, both Commissioners in DESOPADEC, distributed the items to the victims, some of whom were at the internally displaced persons camps before the flood receded in November.

The presentation took place at DESOPADEC office in Aboh, headquarters of Ndokwa council.

The relief materials included

rice, mattresses, beverages, mosquito nets and toiletries which were presented to the Community Development Committee (CDC) Chairmen of benefiting communities who also received cash components while DESOPADEC equally paid the cost of transportation of the materials back home for redistribution.

Boko Haram: FG urgedt to ban use of veils

By Godwin Oghre

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APELE—A human rights activist in Sapele, Delta State, Mr James Idoghor, has called on the Federal Government to ban the wearing of veils across the country, noting that hoodlums were perpetrating crimes with them.

Idogho, who expressed concern over the inability of the Federal Government to find the over 200 missing Chibok girls, and the continuous killings and unleashing of mayhem on innocent citizens, particularly in

northern parts of the country, said, “Most of the perpetrators of the heinous crimes usually

wear veils to disguise their gender and motives."

Emede Union hold end of year meeting Dec 6

E

MEDE Progress Union, Lagos branch, will on December 6, 2015 hold its end of year meeting to discuss the development of Emede community in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State.

A statement by secretary of

the union, Mr. Amos Iwary, said the union embraces all sons and daughters of Emede community living in Lagos.

He added that the end of year meeting will hold at the union’s secretariat, Pedro, Palmgrove, Lagos. He urged all members to attend.

OLLOWING the plummeting global oil prices, the Market Development Programme in the Niger Delta, MADE, has hosted farmers, stakeholders would-be investors in the agricultural sector, state governments as well as global donor agencies, in order to promote agricultural transformation in Nigeria.

Speaking in Lagos, during an interactive Cassava Investment forum, held by MADE, in collaboration with UK Trade and Investment, Nigeria, MADE Advocacy and Communications Manager, Mr. Fidelis Ekom, said that the forum was also organised to reconnect a disconnected industry, so that small, medium and large scale processors can benefit.

APC Chair heads IPAC strategy c’tee

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DO State Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, said it has inaugurated two standing committees to enable the body live up to its statutory responsibilities.

Prince Frank Ukonga, IPAC state chairman, in a statement, yesterday, said that the action which was in line with IPAC rules and regulations has the standing strategy committee comprising, PDM, ACPN, UPP, AD and PDP is headed

by Anslem Ojezua of the All Progressives Congress, APC. Ukonga added that the technical working committee headed by Mrs. Mary Adedeji of Labour Party (LP) has ACD, DPP, MPPP, CPP and KOWA as members.

38—Vanguard, WENESDAY,DECEMBER 2, 2015

NBC set to ramp up investments, facilities

Prophet Olayooye for Vanguard End of Year Thanksgiving

By Olayinka Latona

By Prince Okafor

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I

HE 15th edition of Vanguard Media Christian Fellowship end-ofyear thanksgiving and praise service has been scheduled for tomorrow, December 2, 2015 at the corporate headquarters of the company in Apapa,Lagos.

The General Overseer of Tabernacle of Safety Church, Prophet Samson Olayooye will

N A bid to meet up with the sales projection trajectory in a competitive environment, Nigerian Bottling Company, NBC, is set to ramp up investments and upgrade facilities in the country.

The company, which had put in concerted efforts to ensure that its investment and upgrade in manufacturing facilities meet the interest of Nigerian consumers is keen on doubling its production capacity by 2020.

According to the Acting Head, Public Affairs and Communication, NBC, Limited, Mrs. Sade Morgan, who disclosed this during an engagement session with its major stakeholders said, “the company is upgrading its manufacturing operations, and the Ilorin facility is being transformed to become a world class material handling and logistics hub.

“Demand for Coca-Cola products is high and growing, and in a bid to meet up with the sales projection trajectories in a competitive environment, more production lines are being installed in some of our existing manufacturing facilities, most of which will be new.

"The new Ilorin depot facility, when completed, is expected to support new and upgraded production lines in the region to deliver our products more efficiently and effectively to yearning customers and dealers within the SouthWest Region and beyond.

be ministering as the guest speaker during this year's programme In a statement, the cocoordinator of Vanguard Media Christian Fellowship, Elder Emmanuel Obuh, said the theme of this year’s thanksgiving and praise service is: ‘Lord God Omnipotent,’ with inspiration from Revelation 19:6.

According to Elder Obuh, the programme scheduled for 1p.m.

at the company’s premises is expected to feature choir ministration, special prayer sessions for the management and staff of the company.

It will be recalled that the Fellowship holds an annual spiritual revival with eminent clergymen ministering at the occasion.

Last year, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch

FG saves N100m monthly through PTAD ...3,000 fake names removed from police, army, others

By Peter Okutu

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BAKALIKI—PENSION Transitional Arrangement Directorate, PTAD, yesterday, said it has saved the Federal Government about N100 million monthly by checkmating fraudulent pension payments in the country.

The Director General of PTAD, Mr. Nellie Mayshak made this known while addressing journalists in Abakaliki during the verification exercise of civil service pensioners that took place

in Abakaliki and other parts of South-East geo-political zone.

Nellie noted that the objective of the verification exercises was to establish a credible, authentic and digitalized database of pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme, DBS, eliminate duplicate payments and fish out ghost workers from the civil service.

He noted that the verification was also aimed to regularize anomalies such as over payments and under-payments of salaries to pensioners across the country.

“PTAD is as a directorate under the Federal Ministry of Finance established in August 2013 in compliance with the provisions of section 30 sub-section (2) (a) of the Pension Reform Act of 2004 and as restated in section 42(1) of the amended act of 2014 to manage the old pension scheme (Defined Benefit Schemes –DBS) for pensioners who retired on or before June 2007 and did not transit to the new contributory scheme.

“With the successful completion of the nationwide biometric

UNN students cry out over N75,000 laptop fee

By Francis Igata

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NUGU—STUDENTS of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, yesterday, urged the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu to quickly intervene over the compulsory laptop fee foisted on them by the university authority.

New students of the university, who spoke to newsmen in separate interviews, described the N75,000 compulsory laptop levy as arbitrary.

It was gathered that the university administration had recently introduced a mandatory policy, wherein all the students

are being forced to own a laptop.

One of the new students described the policy as inhuman, noting that, “it is so sad that they are making education so difficult for the poor.

“With this policy, we would now be paying close to N200,000 in a federal university per session.

This is wickedness.

“As I speak to you, I’m helpless because my parents don’t have that kind of money. It is wrong for anyone to make computer ownership compulsory. It should be a matter of choice. The management should not use us to make money."

Also speaking another student

called on the education minister to call the vice chancellor to order.

“We are begging the minister to urgently intervene because they are turning this university to a market place.

“If the vice chancellor is interested in doing laptop business, he should find a market for it, not placing such burden on poor students.

“Some of our parents are leaving on N18,000 minimum wage; now they want them to pay N200,000 as school fees for one session. This is wickedness of the highest order. This computer ownership should be by choice,” he stated.

On Biafra agitation

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iafra is a spirit; it is not a matter of Buhari or APC. We want a country we can truly call our own, a country where we can protect ourselves, a country where justice will prevail, and a country where there will no born-to-rule.

-Mr. Martins Onuigbo, Businessman

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he demand of Biafra is very simple; stay on your own and I stay on my own. So, must we stay together when the business is no longer yielding any profit? No! What an old school system! The world needs emancipation, not amalgamation! -Miss Hope Macaulay, Worker

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n Biafra we stand. I'll better be a tenant in a self-contained one-room apartment than be a slave in a palace of tens of rooms and only a cleaner. Let me go to Biafra and be small. -Mr. Iyoke Ehi, Businessman

verification of Police, Customs, Immigration and Prison Pensioners, PTAD was able to identify and remove over 3,000 bogus names from the payroll.

This has in effect saved the Federal Government about N100 million monthly in fraudulent pension payments.

“We are able to restore monthly pension payments to genuine pensioners previously removed from the payroll, including 750 Pensioners (made up of 529 regular police retirees and 221 Next of Kin, NOKs, who had never been paid any pension or gratuity, some for over 10 years after retirement.

Nellie expressed the preparedness of the Commission to bring sanity in the payment of pensions to pensioners noting that pensioners who were not receiving their pensions prior to the establishment of PTAD, can now be paid.

He added that the verification started November 2, 2015 with pensioners in the North West zone of the country covering Jigawa, Kano, Kebbi, Sokoto, Katsina, Kaduna and Zamfara states, and will be closely followed by the South East zone of Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia and Imo states from November 30 – December 12, 2015.

By Bartholomew Madukwe (08102479985) nwamad@yahoo.com

PEOPLE SPEAK

s it because Jonathan lost the election? Nobody has ever denied Igbo people the presidency; let them present a united front.

They should stop blaming people. What did they make of Jonathan’s regime? -Mrs. Okereke Olamma, Businesswoman

Adeboye was the guest speaker of this annual gathering while other prominent clergymen included the President of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor; Senior pastor of House on the Rock, Pastor Paul Adefarasin; Rev. Moses Iloh, Founder of Soul Winning Church in Lagos; Rev. Dele George, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, and many other ministers of the gospel.

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here is every known reason and justification why Biafra must be restored. It is a pity that it is too late for Nigeria, hence Biafrans have finalized to opt-out. In my view, I think it is better they forget totally. -Mr. Ogwu Nwachukwu, Self Employed

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he current agitation has more to do with Nnadi’s radio propaganda and his subsequent arrest than whoever is in power. President Buhari is not the root cause of the current agitation. -Mr. Egbu Yugo, Worker

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2 , 2015—39

PPA re-elects Ameh national chair, new national officers

By Chris Ochayi

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OKOJA — Progressive Peoples Alliance, PPA, has re-elected its national chairman, Chief Peter Ameh, alongside other 11 national officers in a peaceful National Convention of the party held in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital.

Other officers elected through consensus votes at the convention observed by officials of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, include Edwin Okonkwo and Haruna Mohammed asDeputy National Chairmen; Kehinde Edun, National Secretary; Naama Bulama, National Women Leader; Sam Okonedo, National Auditor; Lawrence Ade, National Financial Secretary and Otanwa John, National Legal Adviser.

Also elected are Mrs Akpa Elizabeth, National Reasurer; Abiodun John, National Organizing Secretary; Usoko Zarume, Publicity Secretary, And Ralph Gbobor Jack, National Youth Leader. The Deputies That Completed The National Working Committee Include Aloye Briamah, Deputy National Secretary And Ugwu Wilson Ikenna, Deputy Financial Secretary.

The National chairman, Chief Peter Ameh in his welcome address and acceptance speech, thanked the congressmen for the confidence reposed on him, assuring that his return will be a new era in the annals of the party.

“Duty beckoned on me to assume the National Chairman in December 2013 following the resignation of the immediate past chairman. I had served the party diligently and conscientiously in many capacities prior to this call to higher service which came by sheer providence and not as a result of any scheme or plot on my part."

5,000 people living with AIDS in Jigawa

By Aliyu Dangida

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UTSE — THE Executive Secretary, Jigawa State Action Committee on Control of AIDS (JISACA), Dr. Bashir Ahmed, has disclosed that there are about 5,000 people living with the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in the state with about 26, 000 yet to be registered.

Speaking, yesterday, at a ceremony to mark the World AIDS Day at the state Police Command headquarters clinic, Dutse,

Jigawa State, Ahmed noted the registered 5,000 people are those currently receiving the retro viral drugs in 14 facilities across the state.

While regretting that about 26,000 people living with AIDS are yet to be registered and have access to the retro viral drugs, Ahmed said the state is winning the battle in the urban centres through enlightenment and awareness about the existence of the dreaded disease.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abdullahi Eskurawa, who

WORKSHOP: From left, CEO, 3t Consulting, Jimi Morgan; Executive Principal/Heads, Banks Financial Institutions, Standard Chartered Bank, Oloruntimilehin George; Executive Director, WimBiz, Mosun Layode and Assistant Director, Development Finance Department, Central Bank of Nigeria, Jonathan Tobin at the workshop on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Fund organized for women entrepreneurs by Bankers Committee’s Sub Committee on Economic Development Sustainability & Gender in collaboration with Women in Management, Business & Public Service (WimBiz), in Lagos.

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VENT management company, Eventful Limited, is set to host the maiden edition of the biggest food and beverage fair in West Africa, tagged Fiesta of Flavours, which will hold in Lagos at the Harbour Point, Victoria Island between December 4 and 6, 2015.

The three-day food and beverage fair aims to showcase the best in local and international cuisine, cutting edge food technology and cooking techniques, as well as the best beverages, wines and spirits the world has to offer.

Speaking on the inspiration C M Y K

By Boluwaji Obahopo

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OKOJA —The Attah Igala, His Royal Majesty, Michael Ameh Oboni, yesterday, called on people of Kogi State to be calm and conduct themselves peacefully before, during and after the supplementary governorship election holding across 91 polling units, weekend.

The paramount ruler, who spoke in Lokoja at a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, condemned the spate of protests and agitations among political gladiators following the death of Prince Abubakar Audu.

He said there was no reason for politicians and their supporters to take to the streets in protests and thus creating apprehension among people over issues that could be resolved amicably within themselves.

He said: “The days of wars are over. Things can be settled peacefully. What we want is peace and we are all one in Kogi. Let us forget about sentiments and stop making inflammatory statements; after all, power belongs to God and He gives to whom He likes whenever He likes.”

Adeosun to establish expenditure benchmarks for MDAs

By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief

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BUJA— THE Federal Government is to come up with new price benchmarks to drive its expenditure guidelines in the pursuit of cut in cost of governance.

The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, disclosed this while inaugurating the Efficiency Unit, E-UNIT, in Abuja, on

Monday.

Her words: “We are going to issue a circular to all MDAs, saying, this is the cost of (a realm) paper and if you go above it, the Permanent Secretary or whoever is approving it must have a reason to say, for instance, in this area, this is the price.

“We are just trying to establish benchmarks and we believe in so doing, we are going to make everybody much more cost

Eventful set to host West Africa’s biggest food fair

By Etop Ekanem

represented the state Commissioner of Police, Usman Tilli, advised police serving in the state to get tested in order to know their status.

He said: “It is important for us to know our status as AIDS has made many families to loose their loved ones.”

The officer in charge of the Police Clinic, Deputy Commissioner of Police Emmanuel Gadzama, commended the state government for assisting the clinic with some testing kits and other facilities.

KOGI: Attah Igala sues for peace

behind Fiesta of Flavours, Convener of food and beverage fair and CEO of Eventful, Mrs Yewande Zacchaeus, said the initiative is to explore the numerous untapped potentials in Nigerian agriculture and food processing sector, She said: “Food is an essential part of our cultural heritage and identity. We ventured into this to draw attention to the neglected Nigerian agriculture industry.”

According to her, the fair will be an exciting time of food, fun, family and music that will provide an avenue for attendees to fully experience the entertainment, art and business of food. The fair would also feature training for

food service professional, nutritionist, event managers and home cooks, adding: “There will be children fun corner, farmers’ market, food and drink store.”

On her part, Chief Executive Officer, Culinary Academy, Chef Titan Alile said the event is a platform for stakeholders in the food and agriculture industry to discuss challenges facing the industry.

She said: “The agriculture and food industry in Nigeria has been neglected for the past 50 years, we can see the effect of this in the quality of produce we get and the fact that a lot of food and farm produce are now being imported from neighbouring countries.”

conscious on how they spend public funds. At the moment, there is no guideline and where there is no law, there is no sin.

So we need to establish such guidelines to guide how people spend (government) money.”

"In the few weeks I have spent as the Minister of Finance, it has become clear that without a radical intervention to manage the costs of governance, no meaningful improvement in our nation will be forthcoming.

“Our initial review has found wide variations in the prices of basic items between departments and within agencies. Paper costs varied by up to 80 per cent between departments; range of prices of airline flights to the same destination differed by 100 per cent; printer cartridges of the same specification ranged in price from N16,000 to N62,000.

“The problem we have right now is that there is no standard.

For instance, there is no standard on the fare you are to spend. So, what this unit will be doing is to benchmark what government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, spend on various items.

We will go round the private

sector to know what they spend on such items and then we will benchmark government expenditure.

“No amount of fiscal innovation, financial reengineering or other wellintentioned economic policy will deliver the desired results, for as long as the manner in which government money is expended is not carefully controlled. We need to put the fiscal house in order.”

No conflict with BPP functions

She assured that there would be no conflict between the EUNIT and the Bureau of Public Procurement in their functions.

“BPP deals with the awards of contracts. What we are doing is not with selection of contracts.

What we are doing has to do with the day-to-day overhead expenditure and at the moment, there is no guideline on that. EUNIT is pruning down fuelling, photocopiers costs, papers, the day-to-day expenditures but those day-to-day costs when actually added up are more than the capital budgets that is what we are trying to address,” she said.

40—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015

LAUNCHING: From left—MD/CEO, Standard Chartered Bank, Mrs. Sola Adesola; Deputy Managing Director, Deutsche Bank, Mrs. Adeola Azeez; MD/CEO, Luxury Bridal Store, Mrs. Yeside Laguda; Justice Bisi Akinlade and wife of Minister of Information and Culture, Hadjia Kudirat Mohammed, during the formal launch of Luxury Bridal Store in Lekki, Lagos, yesterday.

AWARD: From left—CEO, Chain Reactions, Jaiye Opayemi; Manager, Events, Etisalat, Orah Egwu, and Steve Babaeko, CEO/CCO, X3M Ideas, all displaying some of the awards won by X3M Ideas, at the 2015 Lagos Advertising & Ideas Festival, LAIF, in Lagos.

COMMISSIONING: From left: Delta State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hon. Austin Chikezie, representing Governor Ifeanyi Okowa; Chairman, Board of Governors of the institution, Obi of Ejeme Kingdom, HRM Godwin Nzemeke and others, during the commissioning of the permanent site of Prime Vocational Institute, Kwale, Delta State.

FREE MEDICAL OUTREACH: From left—Mr Ugonna Maduagufor, Administrator, Comforters' Companion Fellowship; Mrs Grace Monye, Vice Chairperson; Deaconness Margaret Elumelu; Pastor Peter Elumelu, Pastor-in-Charge, Fountain of Power Parish, Lagos Province 23, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Lekki and Mrs Ibironke Awonuga, General Secretary, Comforters Companion Fellowship, during the free medical outreach for the people of Lekki and its environs

by Comforters Companion Fellowship in Lagos. Photo Lamidi Bamidele C M Y K

SUMMIT: From left— Group Head, SME Banking, First City Monument Bank, George Ogbonnaya; Chairman, Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Group of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG MAN), Mr. Okey Akpa and Director General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii, at the 2015 NAFDAC Summit & Exhibition in Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau.

BRIEFING: Mr. Vincent Ihenewa, Mr Mohammed Panti, GM, OPS & Services, Mr Sule Umar Bichi, MD, RSE, Mr Masir Turaju, COO, Red Star Freight and Victor Ukwat, GM, Sales, all of Fedex Red Star Express, at a briefing on 'PayLess Ship More " promo ending on January 15 in Lagos. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye.

VISIT: From left —Director General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, Joseph Odumodu (right) and Founder, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, NAGAFF, Boniface Aneigbonam, during a visit by the SON DG to NAGAFF headquarters in Lagos, yesterday.

AWARD: From left— Mr Lekan Makinde, Pastor Philip Akinola and Mr. Sunday John, all Editors of Tellviev Magazine, during the 2015 Tellview Role Model Award in Lagos.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015 — 41

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VANGU ARD, WEDNESD A Y, DECEMBER 2, 2015—45 ANGUARD, WEDNESDA

Older women could be amazing

Did he ever care about our marriage?

Dear Bunmi, My husband gets a load of kicks from flirting with other women. For the eight years we’ve been married, I’ve watched him chat up women and had countless nights anxiously waiting for him to come home from his nightcrawling. Now, after his last affair where his latest girlfriend insulted me to my face in his presence, I’ve

decided I can no longer live with him.

When I told him I wanted out of the marriage, he said that suited him fine and he was thinking of going abroad to work. This would mean our two children might not even see him. It’s hell being with a man who can’t stay faithful, but if I end our marriage, my children will lose their father.

What should I do?

Feel like telling my mother-in-law to get lost Dear Bunmi, My mother-in-law has always interfered in my relationship with her son.

Ever since I gave birth to our son three years ago, she’s become much worse. She criticizes all my choices and says the clothes I buy for my son are cheap and secondhand.

She’s mad that we didn’t call the boy the name she gave him saying the one we call him doesn’t reflect the family background.

Most times, she just walks into our house without informing us and hangs around for as long as she likes. Whenever I mention her attitude to my husband, he just shrugs his shoulders and says his mum means no harm.

But I’m getting close to being really nasty to her.

Stella bye-mail.

Dear SteIla, I think your mother-in-law is probably feeling left out and jealous. I’m sure she would have loved to be more involved in the way her grandson is brought up. So, why not let her join in? If she criticizes you, ask her nicely to help you put things right.

And on a practical level, she could come round occasionally and take your son off your hands.

I’m sure that once your mother-in-law feels more needed and useful, she’ll chill out considerably.

Bilikis Bye-mail.

Dear BiIikis, Being married to a Casanova can be a nightmare. Flirting might be harmless but it has led him to having affairs while controlling you and does what he likes. Now that you’ve found the strength to fight back, he’s making you feel guilty for the hurt your children may feel at the separation. As a mother, you naturally want them to have contact with their father, but you can’t make your husband a responsible father. He has shown little respect for you and your marriage.

You deserve better, and if he’s unwilling to change, then you are right to end the relationship. While your children need a father, they also deserve a happy mum.

Perhaps your threat to end the marriage has made him invent this job abroad so you’ll change your mind. Let him know that going away would be his choice and he will have to justify this to his children in the near future. As much as possible, I always try to advise couples to stay together, but unless your husband shows real desire to change, you owe it to yourself to build a happier life for yourself and your children.

I’m tempted to forward our video to his wife Dear Bunmi, I am fed up to the teeth with my boyfriend’s unreasonable behaviour. I knew he was married when we met and all I wanted was a fair share of his time, not marriage.

Instead, all I get are snatched moments with him, all the time telling me he had to lie to his wife to be with me. This has really pissed me off. He always tells me he loves me but I suspect he tells me that so as to get me into bed.

Unknown to him, I once used my phone to record us having sex. If I forward this to his wife, she’s bound to hit the roof and maybe end the marriage. This way, he would have more time for me, or what do you think?

Anna Bye-mall.

Dear Anna, Even if your man’s wife ends her marriage because of this nasty video of yours, it doesn’t mean he’s going to

come running to you. He is likely to be so angry that he could end your relationship.

Besides, wives seldom pack their bags these days just because of an affair. They prefer to give their marriage all the chances it deserves.

If your lover were to leave his wife, he would have done that without your help. So,

the chances are he is only interested in you as a bit on the side. Seriously though, why would you want to be with a man who lies and deceives his wife? He could easily lie and deceive you too. Don’t waste any more time on him.

Instead, look for a decent man to share your life with.

Can I get my boobs back in shape?

Dear Bunmi, I am only 28 and just had my first child. To my horror, I discovered my boobs have sagged since I gave birth.

My husband has even noticed this and I am desperate to get them back in shape. Is there anything I can do or should I consider plastic surgery?

Franka Bye-mail.

Dear Franka, Breasts are fat and milk

producing gland tissues.

They are held up by ligaments that stretch as your breasts grow during pregnancy. They rarely return to their previous size afterwards. Exercise, such as swimming, can help.

You will do well to invest in some confidence-boosting bras. Plastic surgery is a bit drastic and very expensive.

Also, there is no guarantee that in a few years you might not need another.

Dear Bunmi, I recently made love to a woman 11 years older than me and it was the best night of my life. She was really amazing. I’m used to being in control but she bossed me around in bed and told me exactly how to pleasure her.

As a result, I found myself doing stuff I’d never thought of with a woman and was shocked at how brazen and explicit she was. Are older women as dirty in bed as she was?

Alan By e-mail.

Dear Alan,

You’re discovering the many benefits of dating an older woman! I wouldn’t agree with you that older women are dirty, but they often know their own minds and body.

Many men believe they have to take full responsibility for what happens in bed but it can be a huge relief to let a more experienced partner take over.

It’s obvious you had a great time and learnt a lot from your recent experience.

You’ve also realized the benefits of listening to your lover and learning what women desire most in bed.

Why is he so nasty to me when we go out?

Dear Bunmi, I am a married woman with three children. My husband and I get along fine and the family is happy. But whenever we go to parties, my husband often teases me in public.

Admittedly, I have put on a bit of weight since I had the kids, but he waits until there is an audience before bragging about what a provider he was. He would draw attention to my weight and my backside and this always infuriates me. Why does he act this way and how can I make him stop?

Sherifat By e-mail.

Dear Sherifat, It will amuse you to know that teasing is as close as many men can get to a public show of affection. This may be the case with your husband.

Maybe he is embarrassed to let others know the depth of his feelings for you. So he reaches out to you in a joking manner. If you don’t like your husband’s teasing, tell him you know he loves you but you would appreciate it if he wouldn’t do or say things that make you feel foolish in front of others.

Yet teasing is not necessarily a sign of affection. Some people tease as a way of venting their anger so you would feel victimized. If you think this is your husband’s aim, tell him you’re no longer going to bear the brunt of his jokes and would like to know why he always puts you down.

Also, let him know that others see his behaviours as cruel and inappropriate. This may shock him into finding a better way to deal with his anger.

Teasing is not necessarily a sign of affection; some people tease as a way of venting their anger so you would feel victimized; if you think this is your husband’s aim, tell him you’re no longer going to bear the brunt of his jokes and would like to know why he always puts you down

Share your problems and release your burden. Write now to Dear Bunmi, Vanguard Newspapers, P.M.B 1007, Apapa, Lagos, or bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

46 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015

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Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015 — 47

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48—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2 , 2015

By Ugochukwu Alaribe, Aba

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BA, the acclaimed Enyimba City and commercial capital of Abia State was in the news recently, albeit for the wrong reasons. No fewer than 20 persons sustained varying degrees of injury in a fracas that resulted from the forcible eviction of some traders from the Highlife area of the city by the Aba Urban Renewal, AUR Committee.

Aba Urban Renewal Committee, headed by a Special Adviser to the Governor, Mr. Solomon Ogunji, was set up by the Abia State government to demolish structures built on roads, drainage channels and pedestrian walk ways as part of efforts to restore the lost glory of the city.

Trouble started for the traders when the AUR team stormed the Highlife area spanning Clifford, School, Ehi and Cameroun Roads, including the main gate of the Enyimba International Stadium, to enforce an order directing street traders to relocate to the Good Morning Market along Ngwa Road.

Relocation order: According to Ogunji, the traders at the Highlife area were severally directed to relocate to the Good Morning Market as the government banned trading on roads, streets, drainage channels and pedestrian walkways, but they kept defying the order.

Enforcement of ban When the team went to enforce the ban, they were resisted by the traders, including butchers stationed at School Road near the entrance of the Enyimba Stadium. Some of the traders who spoke to Vanguard Features, VF, accused the AUR team of setting their wares ablaze and inflicting injuries on them when they attempted to recover their wares from the fire.

In the melee, business operators and shop owners were forced to close down even as youths mounted road blocks at Azikiwe by Adazi junction, leading to the market.

Eyewitnesses told VF that some youths from both sides wielded machetes, axes and other dangerous weapons.

When the fracas died down, it was found that a Toyota Camry car belonging to an AUR official, a tricycle and two motorcycles had been burnt, while over 20 persons sustained injuries.

They were still receiving medical attention at various hospitals as at press time.

•A bus damaged in the fracas

Aba relocation order:

Traders, govt officials draw battle line Soldiers were also seen patrolling Clifford, Ehi and School roads which were the theatres of the incident, while several policemen patrolled the city centre. Some of the traders who spoke to journalists accused the

consult our market leaders.

The next day, they came again after some people had collected N120 daily ticket and started destroying our goods again.

We don’t know what happened between the team and a trader which resulted to a fight and in the process, their Tricycle and a Toyota Camry car they came with were set ablaze”.

Another trader who declined to have his name in print, said: “Many were injured and were rushed to different hospitals.

We lost cash and other valuables in the process.

Security officials

Many were injured and were rushed to different hospitals; we lost cash and other valuables in the process. Some of us who tried going into the market to salvage our goods were stopped by security officials

•A Toyota Camry belonging to the AUR Committee of engaging thugs who destroyed their wares.

Speaking on the incident, one of the traders, Ifeanyi Godwin said: “It all started last Wednesday when we were doing our businesses. The Aba Urban Renewal people arrived

with some boys and started pouring fuel on our goods.

That did not go down well with us, but we tried to find out the reasons for their actions. They asked us to go over to the Good Morning Market. We refused to do anything further but to

Some of us who tried going into the market to salvage our goods were stopped by security officials, while the Urban Renewal people were led to this area by men of the Abia State Vigilante Services” No notice: The traders also denied they were given enough notice before the Aba Urban Renewal Committee stormed the area to enforce the order. Appealing to Govenor Okezie Ikpeazu to call the members of the Committee to order,they said: “Nobody has

Continues on page 49

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015—49

Traders, govt officials draw battle line

•Clifford Road now free of street trading Continues from page 48 asked us to leave this area before now. The only time government tried it was during Chief Theodore Orji’s administration and we later resolved the situation. The Aba Urban Renewal officials suddenly surfaced from nowhere, told us to go to the Good Morning Market and started burning our goods.

Since Governor Ikpeazu came into office, nobody has asked us to leave this place”.

An AUR official who preferred anonymity dismissed the claims of the traders as false. “We gave them enough notice. If you allow them, they will continue to plead for more time.

Some of them pleaded that we should allow them to stay since the year has almost ended. If you allow them, they will continue giving one excuse or another.

Banning of street trading They are street traders and should find shops in the market. The government has banned street trading,” he said.

Good Morning Market— uninhabitable with dilapidated access roads A cross section of traders who spoke to VF on why they are yet to comply with the order to relocate to the market, said the Good Morning Market is yet to be fully developed and lacks facilities to accommodate the horde of traders expected to relocate to the area.

Again, all the access roads Ngwa Road by East, Emelogu, Etche, Danfodio and Pepple’s roads leading to the market, are in deplorable conditions. They also lamented that the area is unsafe for commercial activities since drug dealers and addicts

who were sacked from their former abode at York Street by men of the National Drug Law Enforcement, NDLEA, now do business in the vicinity.

Lawmaker visits v i c t i m s : Meanwhile, the •Some goods burnt in the fracas m e m b e r representing Aba North/ Aba South Federal Constituency in the Reacting to the incident and House of Representatives, Ossy the accompanying protest by Prestige recently visited the traders, the Abia State injured traders at the hospital Government appealed to them where they are receiving (traders) and residents of Aba medical attention. to cooperate with government Prestige condemned the use agents in their efforts to sanitise of live ammunition by security and bring decorum to the city agents and also faulted traders and its markets and desist from for taking the laws into their actions that could lead to hands. According to him, both confrontation with authorised government and the traders government agents. should always seek more civil In a statement signed by the and legal means of executing Chief Press Secretary to the their actions and presenting Governor, Mr. Godwin Adindu, their grievances. He however the government said it is on a promised to assist the injured mission of bringing back the victims.

One of the victims who identified himself as Goodluck Osas said he was shot in the crotch, while Chidiebere Political jobbers Ugochukwu sustained an injury that looked like a deep and enemies of the machete cut in his hands.

Ifeanyi Okechukwu said he state who are was shot in the thigh while cashing in on this Chinecherem William said he was wounded in his left hand. sanitation exercise Appeal to Gov. Ikpeazu to generate crisis Some of the traders used the opportunity to appeal to the and foment trouble Governor to call the committee are well advised to to order. “We want to use this rethink; they must opportunity to appeal to the Abia State Governor, Dr. desist from acts and Okezie Ikpeazu to call Ogunji statements capable to order because he is going to cause people to hate him of inciting Aba (governor).” residents against Abia govt sues for traders’ one another cooperation

destruction of property. He maintained that the fracas could have been avoided if government officials had employed more tact by carrying out sufficient sensitisation visits to the area.

According to him, government officials should be humane while carrying out their duties. “I’m worried about the ethnic colouration being ascribed to the relocation of traders. The impression is that the Ngwa people are fighting with non-indigenes in Aba, but this is untrue. The Ngwa people are peace loving and hospitable. Every Igbo man living in Aba should be treated as an indigene. People should not behave as if non-indigenes who established businesses in Aba made a mistake. It is wrong for people to wake up and see their places of business pulled down without adequate notice.

Traders should cooperate with the government to better their lots while the latter should be humane in its policies and programmes. People must be carried along in government policies because their welfare is the primary reason for the existence of government,” he said

Existence of government

lost glory of Aba. “Government wants to reemphasise that the mission of sanitising Aba and reinventing the ancient city, which is being executed through the Aba Urban Renewal Office, is one cardinal policy thrust which the current administration is pursuing with passion, dedication and every sense of duty.

Sense of duty Therefore, the street traders must adhere to the government directive to relocate to the newly constructed Good Morning Market, along East Street, by Ngwa Road,” the government spokesman said, adding that enough shops have been constructed at the Good Morning Market by the Aba South Local Government Area to accommodate traders who have been directed to relocate to the market.

Ethnic sentiments: Some of the traders alleged ethnic sentiments in the manner the enforcement was executed.

They accused Ngwa indigenes of trying to dislodge stranger elements in Aba. Speaking on the situation, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Friday Nwosu, condemned the fracas between the traders and the Aba Urban Renewal team which led to the

Also reacting to the allegation of ethnic witch-hunt, the Abia State Government advised residents of the state against the propaganda being peddled by some disgruntled elements that the exercise is targeted against non-indigenes. “Aba is a melting pot for all ethnic nationalities in the country. Aba does not only belong to Abians, it belongs to Nigerians and the world.

Governor Ikpeazu is rebuilding a new city for the world. Political jobbers and enemies of the state who are cashing in on this sanitation exercise to generate crisis and foment trouble are well advised to rethink.

They must desist from acts and statements capable of inciting Aba residents against one another and causing the breach of the prevailing peace in the land,” the government said.

As at the time VF visited the Highlife area, de-silting of drainage channels and demolition of illegal structures were ongoing. However, the Abia State government appears to have heard the cries of the traders on the dilapidated state of the Good Morning Market and its access roads.

A source told VF that rehabilitation works may soon commence on the roads leading to the market. The State Commissioner for Works, Mr. Eziuche Ubani, recently visited the area to assess the situation with a view to rehabilitating the roads.

50 — VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015

RWANDA: Rights groups press for French 1994, - that contradicts army probe over genocide statements by certain army

H

•Garry McCarthy, a police superintendent with the Chicago police, who was dismissed yesterday as a result of outcry over the killing of a black teenager.

German cabinet approves ISIS mission T

HE German cabinet has backed plans for military support in the fight against Islamic State (IS) militants in Syria.

Tornado reconnaissance aircraft, a naval frigate and a 1,200-strong force will be sent to the region under the proposals - expected to go for a parliament vote as early as Wednesday.

Germany decided to join the fight against IS after an appeal by French President

Francois Hollande in the wake of the 13 November Paris attacks.

Its forces will not engage in combat.

MPs are expected to back the mission, which would become Germany’s biggest current military operation abroad.

A debate and vote on the UK’s involvement in fighting IS in Syria are due in the British parliament on Wednesday.

US urges Turkey, Russia to end row over downed plane •To deploy special force to Iraq

U

S President Barack Obama has urged Turkey and Russia to reduce tensions, a week after Turkish jets shot down a Russian warplane.

After talks with Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Paris, Mr Obama reaffirmed US support for “Turkey’s right to defend itself and its airspace”.

But he stressed that Russia and Turkey should “deescalate” their dispute.

“We all have a common enemy,” Mr Obama said, referring to the so-called Islamic State (IS) group.

“I want to make sure that we focus on that threat,” he said.

“Turkey is a Nato ally,” he added. “And we’re very much committed to Turkey’s

security and its sovereignty.

We discussed how Turkey and Russia can work together to de-escalate tensions and find a diplomatic path to resolve this issue.”

Chicago police chief fired over death of teenager

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HICAGO’S police chief has been fired following the outcry over the fatal shooting of a black teenager by a police officer.

The city’s mayor, Rahm Emanuel, told reporters he had dismissed Superintendent Garry McCarthy because of an erosion in public trust.

A black 17-year-old, Laquan McDonald, was

Aung San Suu Kyi to hold talks with Myanmar’s rulers

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The Bundestag (lower house) will assess the proposals on Wednesday and a vote is expected by the end of the week, reports say.

Germany ’s armed services association cautioned against entering a conflict without clearly defined goals.

“I’m working on the basis that this fight, if it is taken seriously, will go on for well over 10 years,” the association’s chairman Andre Wuestner told German TV. Green Party chairwoman Simone Peter was concerned about the legal basis for the mission without a UN resolution: “This deployment also has no political goal, no political concept and that’s why it’s irresponsible.”

The mandate will initially last a year and will cost •134m (£94m; $142m).

YANMAR’S opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is set to hold high-level talks with the country’s civilian and military rulers, amid speculations that she could manoeuvre to become president despite the current constitutional restrictions.

Aung San Suu Kyi is scheduled to meet President Thein Sein and military commander General Min Aung Hlaing on Wednesday, three weeks after she sent a letter calling for “national reconciliation”, ahead of her party taking over the government next year. The date of the meetings was announced on Monday. The meeting with Thein Sein is expected Wednesday at 0230 GMT, and 0730 GMT with Min Aung Hlaing. Lower House speaker Shwe Mann, another former general, also met with Aung San Suu Kyi on November 19, to discuss the transition.

shot 16 times by a white police officer in October 2014. Officer Jason Van Dyke has been charged with first-degree murder.

“This is not the end of the problem but it’s the beginning to the solution of the problem,” said Mr Emanuel.

“It’s time for fresh eyes and new leadership to confront challenges.”

Mr Emanuel appointed the city’s chief of detectives, John Escalante, to oversee the police department until they find a permanent replacement.

There had been calls for Mr McCarthy’s resignation leading up to the mayor’s announcement.

People did cheer 9/11, says ex-NYC mayor Rudy Giuliani The former mayor of New York City has said there were some people in the area celebrating when the World Trade Center towers fell on 11 September 2001.

UMAN rights groups are demanding that French soldiers active in Rwanda in 1994 be formally put under investigation on suspicion of complicity in the genocide at that time.

More than 800,000 minority Tutsis and politically moderate Hutus were killed in a three-month rampage by ethnic Hutu extremists in 1994 while the world largely stood by.

France, an ally of the Rwandan government that ruled before the genocide, stayed away from last year’s 20-year commemoration after rebel-turned-president Paul Kagame renewed

accusations of a direct French role in the killings.

In the latest chapter of a long-running French investigation into the mass killing, the rights groups say they have documents showing the French army in late-June 1994 abandoned hundreds of Tutsis who were slain days later in the hills of Bisesero in western Rwanda.

The appeal came from the International Federation of Human Rights and other rights organizations.

One of their main arguments is that they have a fax from the time - a critical period from June 27-30,

officers that they had not been informed that a large group of Tutsis was at risk in a specific area nearby.

The fax from another army officer, part of documents that were recently declassified, showed, to the contrary, that he had raised the alarm, saying about 2,000 Tutsis were holed up in dire conditions in a wooded area and urgently requesting French protection.

“Certain elements of the French special forces with a clear mandate to halt the massacres were stationed about 5 km as the crow flies from the crime scene with all the information, communications and equipment.

•Jubilant supporters celebrating the electoral victory of Roch Marc Christian Kabore in Burkina Faso.

China’s Xi Jinping in Zimbabwe for talks “deep and firm” East” policy since the West with Mugabe afriendship, Mr Xi said in isolated him over his

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HINA’S President Xi Jinping has arrived in Zimbabwe, making him the most prominent global leader in many years to visit the country. The two nations had

an article in Zimbabwe’s state-run Herald newspaper.

Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe has strongly pursued a “Look

S/African court to rule on Pistorious’ appeal tomorrow

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SOUTH African appeals court will announce on Thursday whether it will change athlete Oscar Pistorius’ manslaughter conviction to murder.

The Paralympic sprinter shot girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp through a locked bathroom door in February 2013 but said he mistook her for an intruder.

He was convicted of culpable homicide, or manslaughter, eight months later.

State prosecutors say Pistorius should instead have been convicted of murder and want his prison term increased.

They say the jail term should rise from five years to a minimum of 15 years.

The court heard the state prosecutors’ appeal on 3 November.

The five appeal court judges did not consider the facts but the application of the law, in a highly technical

case. The judgement is due to be delivered by the Supreme Court of Appeal at 09:45 (07:45 GMT) on 3 December.

The Paralympian was transferred to house arrest last month after serving one year of his five-year term.

controversial land reform programme.

China is major investor in Zimbabwe, helping to keep its economy afloat.

President Mugabe was at the airport to welcome the Chinese leader, who received a 21-gun salute before inspecting a guard of honour.

Chinese nationals, waving both Zimbabwean and Chinese flags, were also there to welcome Mr Xi. The two governments are expected to sign agreements to boost Zimbabwe’s agriculture, mining and manufacturing sectors.

B/FASO: Kabore wins presidential election

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OCH Marc Christian Kabore has won presidential elections in Burkina Faso, the electoral commission says.Mr Kabore, a former prime minister, secured 53.5% of the vote on Sunday after months of political unrest.

It was the first election since last year’s popular uprising which toppled longstanding President Blaise Compaore.

The vote was due to have been held last month but was delayed by a failed coup in September led by members

of the elite presidential guard. Mr Compaore, 64, is now living in exile in neighbouring Ivory Coast.

The Independent National Electoral Commission says Mr Kabore, 58, won the elections outright, and there is no need to hold a second round.

It says his main rival, former Economy and Finance Minister Zephirin Diabre, gained 21.6% of the vote. Mr Diabre has already congratulated Mr Kabore, according to the AFP news agency.

Vanguard, WEDNEDAY, DECEMBER 2 , 2015—51

WORLD AIDS DAY: How we can end AIDS

epidemic, by WHO •470,435 Lagosians living with HIV—Lagos lawmaker

By Chioma Obinna & Ebun Sessou & Gabriel Olawale

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AGOS—AS the world yesterday marked the 2015 World AIDS Day, World Health Organisation, WHO, has said that the only key to ending the AIDS epidemic within a generation remains

the expansion of Antiretroviral Therapy, ART, to all people living with HIV. Meanwhile, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Segun Olulade has disclosed that no fewer than 470,435 Lagosians are living with HIV virus in the state.

In a statement to mark the Day, the Director-General of WHO, Margaret Chan said the expansion of ART has resulted in a stark reduction of AIDSrelated deaths.

While increasingly effective prevention efforts have reduced numbers of new HIV infections.

“Over the last 15 years, scale-

GRADUATION: From left: Onundi Risikat Folashade, Ajagbona Babatude Emmanuel, Vice President, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, Etisalat Nigeria, Ibrahim Dikko , Vice Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University; Prof. Ibrahim Garba, Ahmed Abubakar Sadiq and Yau Isiyaku, during a reception for the ETEPP graduates that went to the Etisalat Academy, UAE.

up of ART has been most dramatic in the WHO African Region where now more than 11 million people are receiving HIV treatment, up from 11 000 at the turn of the century.”

“Trial results published earlier this year have confirmed that people living with HIV who begin antiretroviral therapy soon after acquiring the virus – before the virus has weakened their immune systems - are more likely to stay healthy and less likely to transmit the virus to their partners.”

Corroborating her views Assistant Director General, WHO, Dr. Winnie MpanjuShumbusho said that in the effort to help countries implement the “treat all” recommendation, WHO is now presenting an additional set of recommendations on how to expand ART to all – in a rapid, focused, and efficient manner.

“These recommendations include using innovative t e s t i n g approaches such as community or self-testing to help increase

the number of people who know their HIV status; starting treatment faster in those people who are diagnosed with HIV; bringing ART to the community; and allowing for greater intervals between clinic visits for people who have been stable on ART for some time.”

In a related development, no fewer than 470, 435 Lagosians are living with HIV virus in Lagos State.

Disclosing this on the floor of the House while seeking the support of the House for those living with HIV/AIDS, Hon. Segun Olulade said there is a need to unanimously fight the deadly disease not only in the state level but at the federal.

Olulade who is also the Chairman, House Committee on Health representing, Epe constituency 11, under the APC auspice added that there is a need to show support to those living with AIDs and that the world aids day gives them opportunity to identify with people living with AIDs. “It is a serious issue that cannot be ignored or treated with levity, no fewer than 470, 435 people have HIV in Lagos State alone,” the chairman said.

The lawmaker said that the figure was obtained from the Lagos State Aids Control Agency on Tuesday by the committee.

Workers' protest shuts BUA Groups operations

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AGOS —ANGRY workers of Nigerian conglomerate, BUA Group yesterday engaged in a protest that shut down the company’s activities at its head office along Adetokunbo Ademola Street on Victoria Island, Lagos The protest started at about 12:30 in the afternoon, with the employees mostly men, seizing control of BUA’s head office, chanting war songs and crippling activities at the usually busy head office completely.

It was gathered that even the Chairman and Chief Executive of the company, Abdulsamad Rabiu, was unable to attend crucial meetings for an extended period of time, as the protesters shut access to the premises and forcefully prevented entry into and exit from the head office.

The head of public

affairs of BUA group, Otega Ogar, however, denied that their operation was shut down and promised to send a comprehensive statement later.

The protesters were said to have demanded that Rabiu, who is acclaimed to be one of the richest Africans on the Forbes lists, must come out of his office and address them on his plan for their welfare.

Visitors as well as customers of the company were also prevented from going into the premises, as men of the Nigeria Police Force who came in two police pickup vans contended with the agitating workers trying to bring the situation under control.

The angry workers who kept on shouting on the top of their voices and chanting war songs, individually expressed their frustration, and blaming the companyanditsmanagementfor poor work condition and antilabour practices.

52—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2 , 2015

L-r: Mr. Osondu C. Nwokoro, Director, External Affairs NTEL; Prof. Umar G. Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); Mr. Kamar Abass, CEO NTEL and Director of Public Affairs, NCC, Mr. Tony Ojobo during a courtesy call on the Commission in Abuja yesterday.

Mr. Peter Ashade, Managing Director/CEO, Africa Prudential Registrars Plc (middle) receives the Best Corporate Governance Award for his company from Mazi O.C.K. Unegbu (l), former CIBN President & Member, PEARL Awards Board of Governors, and Alhaji U.F. Abdullahi, Chairman, PEARL Awards Nigeria and former Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission at the 20th Pearl Awards Dinner in Lagos

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015 — 53

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54 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015

FIFA withdraws Eaglets skipper award W

ORLD football gov erning body FIFA have withdrawn bronze boot award from Golden Eaglets skipper Kelechi Nwakali at the recent U17 World Cup in Chile and re-awarded it to compatriot Samuel Chukwueze after a mistake In a letter to the NFF general secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, and signed by Mustapha Fahmy, director of the football division, FIFA admitted their blunder: “We made a mistake at the closing ceremony of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Chile 2015 with the distribution of the adidas Bronze Boot.

“Instead of player no.

8 of Nigeria, Samuel Chukwueze, the player Kelechi Nwakali (player no. 10 of Nigeria) received the adidas Bronze Boot. However, if two or more players are still equal (after goals and assists), the player who has played fewer number of minutes will be ranked first.

“With this in mind, adidas will send you another Bronze Boot in December 2015, which

we would kindly ask you to hand over to Samuel Chukwueze. Please be informed that Kelechi Nwakali may keep his trophy.”

Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen scored 10 goals and made two assists to win the Golden Boot, while Johannes Eggestein of Germany scored four goals to win the Silver Boot.

Nwakali, who was voted Most Valuable Player of the Tournament and earned the Golden Ball, tied with compatriot Chukwueze for third place with three goals and three assists.

However, Nwakali played more minutes (630 minutes) as against Chukwueze’s 535 minutes.

•Nwakali

EONTAY Wilder has challenged Tyson Fury to a unification fight to decide who is the world’s No1 heavyweight.

The American Wilder holds the WBC belt, while Fury’s surprising victory over Wladimir Klitschko means the Briton is the IBF, WBO and WBA champion.

Wilder told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I’ve got to fight someone in January and after that fight I would love to have a unification bout – and guess what, I wouldn’t mind coming to the UK for that one. No matter where it

T

URKISH club Kasim pasa are set to fork out five million pounds to sign Nigeria defender Kenneth Omeruo by the summer when his Chelsea contract will have only a year to go.

Top sources revealed

that Kasimpasa are satisfied with the Nigeria international defender, who is on a season-long loan deal from Chelsea.

Omeruo, 22, has made eight appearances for Istanbul club Kasimpasa, who are sixth on the ta-

might be, I want to be the undisputed champion of the world.”

He added: “We haven’t had an undisputed champion in I can’t remember how long and I want to be the first name to bring the belts back together and heavyweight boxing back to its full potential.” Britain’s Lennox Lewis was the last undisputed champion in 1999.

“Next year is going to be a great year for me, regardless. Everything is falling in our plan, our time and our planning for what we want to do.”

M’Bour.

According to Siasia, “We were damn lucky in our first game against Mali, after watching that game again, all I can say is that this is not Christmas yet and as such my players can not give out free gifts, because if we do that against an organised side like Egypt who are good in set pieces, then we are finished” “Our target today is to go all out and attack, attack, attack, because C M Y K

Magistrate Court sitting in EbuteMeta has adjourned the case of late Beauty Macleod, the mother of Nigeria’s Junior Tennis Champion, Angel Macleod, who was allegedly murdered by a policeman in Lagos to February 4, 2016.

The case which was before Magistrate K. A Ariyo was yesterday as the court awaits the advice of the Directorate of Public Prosecution’s (DPP) on the matter. And the accused was however not brought to court.

According to the counsel to the Family of the deceased, Mr Chidiozie Bonaventure Obi, the matter is still pending before the court because the court is waiting for the DPP’s advice.

that is our strong point, then we will work on our defence line, so that we don’t give out cheap and easy passes to our opponents” Expressing satisfaction with the performance of his team despite conceding two second half goals, the U-23 gaffer said what is uppermost was that they won the game and got the 3 points, and that a win against Egypt will put the team in the semi final, so they have to work very hard.

ble with 20 points from 13 matches, 10 points adrift of leaders Fenerbache.

“Kasimpasa are very satisfied with Kenneth and they are most likely to active the player’s release clause at Chelsea which is put at between four and five million pounds,” a close source informed.

“His contract will have only a year left by next

June and it is expected Chelsea will let him go for a fee by then rather than lose him for nothing thereafter.”

But for injuries, the Chelsea loanee would have been an everpresent for his current club.

He only returned to action this past weekend in a 2-2 draw with Galatasaray after a relapse of a hamstring injury.

“Presently the court is still waiting for the DPP advice , after which we will know the way forward”, he stated.

He also added that the Magistrate court does not have the jurisdiction to preside over the case of murder.

The mother of the Angel Macleod, who was present in court yesterday, was allegedly murdered in October by a policeman identified as Aminu Joseph, after an altercation between both at an hotel on Balarabe Musa Street, Victoria Island.

The late Nwankwo,who had lodged in a hotel in the area with her daughter, Angel was said to have engaged in an argument with the policeman before the incident happened.

However, the counsel also confirmed that the accused person has since been in custody

•Angel

Jordan 2016: Nikyu calls 30 to camp

H

EAD Coach Bala Nikyu has called 30 players to the camp of the U-17 girls national team ahead of a FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifying fixture in January. All invited players have been instructed to report at the Serob Legacy Hotel, Wuye, Abuja on

Continued from B/P •Wilder

We’re not Father Xmas— Siasia Continued from B/P

A

Omeruo to quit Chelsea for 5m pounds

Wilder challenges Fury to unification bout

D

Court adjourns case of Angel’s mother to Feb. 4

On whether he will use Chile U-17 top scorer Victor Osimhen in the competition, coach Siasia had this to say “the young man is in my plans, when the right time comes I will introduce him, he has a lot of potentials that I can tell you, but we need to wait for the right time, he is a part of this team.

The game against the junior pharaohs of Egypt comes up Wednesday 6.45 pm Nigerian time at the Caroline Faye Stadium, M’Bour.

60,000-seat ground, on the site of Stamford Bridge, has revealed the full scale of what will be the country ’s most ambitious stadium build yet.

On Tuesday, 160 documents were published featuring images of the Blues’ planned new home, with work on the £600million-plus, threeyear project expected to be signed off in the summer.

Provided they get the necessary backing in the now-launched consultation period, Chelsea could begin life at a revamped Stamford

Thursday, 3rd December.

The Flamingos, who have qualified for and participated in every edition of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup finals since the competition was launched in New Zealand in 2008, will take on the winner of the Botswana/Namibia first

round fixture.

Namibia won the away leg to Botswana 2-1 at the weekend.

Nikyu, who also coached the team at the last finals in Costa Rica early last year, has recalled brilliant attacking midfielder Rasheedat Ajibade of FC Robo.

Chelsea Bridge on the first day of the 2020-2021 season.

However, the new design hasn’t gone down well with all football fans, with some claiming the stadium will look like a colander, a Slinky toy or an egg slicer.

Roman Abramovich’s design team, spearheaded by Herzog & de Meuron – most famous for their work on Bayern Munich’s incredible Allianz Arena and the beautiful Beijing Bird’s Nest – have produced a new 60,000capacity ground that draws Westminster Abbey among its influences.

As revealed by Sportsmail’s Charles Sale earlier this week, the

stands will have the same names so fans can stay in their favoured place. This is because at two public exhibitions to showcase the plans, which drew a 93 per cent approval rate, the most common question fans asked stadium planners was where their seat would be.

Methods of keeping the neighbours onside will also be explored with apprentice schemes to learn building skills during construction and ensuring minimum disruption by employing Keltbray, the firm who are painstakingly bringing down Earls Court Exhibition Centre brick by brick.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015 — 55

S/Africa pip Zambia

S

OUTH Africa came from behind to beat Zambia 3-2 in their group A encounter at CAF U23 Africa Cup of Nations at the Stade Léopold Sédar Senghor yesterday.

Trailing 1-0 at the break, goals from Gift Motupa and Menzi Masuku propelled the match pressed South Africa to a much needed win.

South Africa next face Tunisia on Friday with their future in the competition in their own hands.

Chipolopolo created the best chances in the first half, but were denied by Jody February who produced a top drawer save before Tebogo Moerane was on hand to stifle Zambia with a last ditch tackle.

The Zambians though were rewarded on 35 minutes, Conlyde

Luchanga firing home on the volley to hand Fighton Simukonda’s troops the lead at the halfway mark.

Whatever da Gama said at the break worked wonders for South Africa who pulled level two minutes into the second stanza through Masuku who poked in from close range.

Motupa then completed his brace between the 52nd and 54th minute, first nodding in from close range before latching onto a superb through ball by Orlando Pirates teammate Masuku.

Zambia pulled goal back through Billy Mutale on 73 minutes, but South Africa held on for all three points.

The Zambians lost their opening game to Tunisia 21. They will play hosts Senegal with the hope of getting a consolation victory.

Gbajabiamila unveils soccer tourney in Lagos

By Chris Onuoha

FEDERAL House of Representative majority leader, Femi Gbajabiamila has unveiled a football tournament for youths in Surulere Constituency of Lagos State called “called Femi Gbajabiamila Football Tournament.

The draw was held at the Surulere local government secretariat on Monday 30. It attracted sports dignitaries and sports veterans within the constituency. It will be an inter-ward tournament comprising all the 9 wards in Surulere Local government kicking off from December 12 with the finals slated for February 5 2016.

Speaking during the launch, Femi Gbajabiamila said, “The essence of this tournament is bringing

Hot Cake... Jamie Vardy C M Y K

everybody together. This is the first time we are having tournament that will be inter-wards among the 9 wards in Surulere LGA. The idea is to bring all of us together and stimulate unity among the youths.”

“We all know what football represents in Nigeria and in our lives.

Football is a strong unifier for both male, female, young or old. We need everything in Nigeria now to unify us. Football does not know political affiliation, religion or ethnicity.”

Tough Contest.... Nigeria’s Oghenkaro Etebo fight for ball possesion with Malian defender Aboubacar Doumbia during their group B encounter. Nigeria won 3-2.

U-23 AFCON: Winning is our priority, not allowances — Nigerian players

By Ben Efe

N

IGERIAN players at the CAF under-23 Africa Cup of Nations have resolved to carry on with the task

of winning their games and qualifying for the Rio 2016 Olympics even as payment of their entitlements is hanging.

After almost two weeks of camping and playing

in the tournament, the players and their officials have not been paid any stipends by the Nigeria Football Federation, which is in dire straights.

However, there are efforts being made by the NFF to get funds to the players before the crucial

Onazi back to training with Lazio

S

UPER Eagles mid fielder, Ogenyi Onazi who was hurt in the world cup 2018 qualifier against Swaziland has returned to training with his Italian club Lazio.

Eddy Onazi, 22, released a brief statement to the Italian media about

his health condition after further tests were carried out.

“I’m fine, I’m better now, “ Onazi said to lalaziosiamonoi.it.

Meanwhile, Lazio have echoed the words of their Nigerian star, saying via their official website that he started training with

the first team on Monday and his practice will be intensified over the next few days.

Onazi missed games in the Serie A against Palermo and Empoli plus the Europa League fixture with Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk due to the ailment.

stages.

“Allowances are not our priority for now. The boys have not even asked for it.

“All they want is to play and pick that ticket for the Rio 2016 Olympics. For now they are looking for personal glory.

“Yes allowances are important, but they don’t want that distraction now,” Timi Ebikaboro the team’s media officer said.

Before the delegation left for Gambia for camping, coach Samson Siasia had voiced out his frustration. It was gathered that the NFF prepared the minds of the players for the crunch, and assured them their monies will be paid.

Vardy shuns Chelsea, Man United links

J

AMIE Vardy is ignoring transfer speculation linking him with a move to the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United, with the Premier League’s record-breaking striker confident that Leicester City can match his ambitions.

Vardy, 28, scored in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with United to net for an 11th consecutive top-flight game, beatingarecordsetbyformer Old Trafford forward Ruud van Nistelrooy in 2003.

The England international’s impressive form has helped Leicester into second place after 14 games—levelonpointswith table toppers Manchester City—withtheBritishmedia reporting that both Louis van Gaal’s United and champions Chelsea could

seek a £30 million January deal.

But speaking to reporters about the speculation on Monday, Vardy said: “No,

it’s not mind-blowing. I just cope with it how I have coped with it every single day. I’m exactly the same person."

Messi, Neymar want Suarez in Ballon d‘Ór list League, Copa del Rey and

IONEL Messi and L Neymar have spoken of their

disappointment that fellow Barcelona attacker Luis Suarez has not made the three-man shortlist for the 2015 Ballon d’Or. FIFA announced on Monday that Messi and Neymar would be joined by Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo as the nominees for the prize to be given out at a gala in Zurich on Jan 11.

This dashed hopes among Barca fans and pundits that afterwinningtheChampions

La Liga Treble last season, theirclub’s“MSN”triocould take all three places on the podium — as happened in 2010 when Messi, Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta were the nominees.

Messi picked up the player of the year and attacker of the year prizes at the La Liga 2014-15awardsinBarcelona on Monday night, and told reporters that Suarez deserved to join him and Neymar on the Ballon d’Or shortlist — but added Ronaldo also merited being among the top three.

Back on Track... Ogenyi Onazi

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2 , 2015

CAF U-23: Nigeria v Egypt

We’re not Father Xmas, Siasia charges players Kick-off: 6:45pm H

Chelsea have submitted a planning application for their new 60,000-seat stadium at Stamford Bridge which they hope to open in 2020

Chelsea to rebuild 60,000seat stadium with £600m Mali Nigeria

2 2

Tunisia South Africa

Today’s Matches v Algeria v Egypt

•Siasia

C

CAF U-23 Results Senegal Zambia

EAD coach of the U-23 national team, Dream Team VI Samson Siasia has said his players cannot afford to give out free gifts to the Egyptians when they play the second group game today at the ongoing U-23 African Nations Cup in Senegal.

Coach Siasia made this disclosure yesterday at the pre-match press conference held at the Caroline Faye Stadium, Continues on Page 54

0 3

4pm 6:45pm

FIFA withdraws Eaglets Eagles eye skipper’s award Pg.54 Italy, Cote d’voire NFF wants ‘heavyweight’ friendlies coach to help Oliseh — Pg.28 — Pg. 29

HELSEA’s p l a n n i n g application for a new Continues on Page 54

QUICK CROSSWORD

T OD AY'S PUZZLE ODA

FRI DAY'S ANS WERS FRID ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Restraint (6) 5 Clergyman (6) 8 Section (8) 9 Companion (4) 10 Damp (3) 12 Choose (5) 15 Fate (3) 17 Finish (3) 18 Sheep (3) 19 Vegetable (3) 20 Donated (5) 21 Skill (3) 22 Observe (3) 23 Mouthful (3) 24 Owing (3) 26 Lament (5) 29 Weight (3) 33 Stupefy (4) 34 Renown (8) 35 Throw (6) 36 Rely (6)

DOWN 2 Combine (5) 3 Discharge (4) 4 Craft (5) 5 Confusion (5) 6 Identical (4) 7 Surpass (5) 10 Dried (5) 11 Torment (5) 12 Bordered (5) 13 Eel (5) 14 Taut (5) 15 Jumped (5) 16 Giant (5) 25 Express (5) 27 Urge (5) 28 Avarice (5) 30 Harmonium (5) 31 Break (4) 32 Pace (4)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Disc 4, Mop 6, Back 8, Stance 9, Annual 10, Tan 12, Great 14, White 15, Reach 18, Tested 20, Intact 24, Outer 26, Defer 28, Water 30, Fen 32, Muster 33, Ornate 34, Yell 35, Elm 36, Read.

DOWN: 2, Inter 3, Convert 4, Meet 5, Plan 6, Bench 7, Frantic 11, Arc 12, Get 13, Tee 16, Ado 17, Hit 19, Execute 21, New 22, Trainer 23, Tor 25, Use 27, Extol 29, Extra 30, Free 31, Norm.

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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C M Y K