BUDGET 2013: Why we can't pass amendment now— Senate

...towards a better life for the people VOL. 25: NO. 61917

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N150

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

Tension in Delta as Ijaw AMAECHI TO IGP: •P.12 youths kill four Itsekiri •P.9 Redeploy CP Mbu now

BUDGET 2013:

Why we can't pass amendment now— Senate •Insists on vacation as Reps summon Okonjo-Iweala •Jonathan begs Senate to restore allocation to SURE-P

BY OKEY NDIRIBE, HENRY UMORU & JOSEPH ERUNKE

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BUJA—HALFWAY into the year and three months before the 2014 budget is expected to be presented to the National Assembly for deliberation, the lawmakers and the Presidency are still squabbling over the 2013 budget.

President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, sent the third 2013 Budget Amendment to the Senate. The senators, however, said this will not be considered until Sep

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COLUMNISTS:

ROTIMI FASAN •P.19 DEAR BUNMI •P.40

Mr & Mrs FOR SLAIN IBADAN TRADERS—Sympathisers and relations of 10 Bodija Market traders killed at Mugunu in Borno State by members of Boko Haram weep as their bodies were brought back to Ibadan, yesterday. Photos: Dare Fasube.

Oshiomhole, Ashafa, Owie, others pay tribute to Ewherido —PG.45 C M Y K

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POCKET CARTOON

BOOK PRESENTATION—From left: Mr. Jim Ovia, Chairman, Visafone Communications Limited; Dr. Fabian Ajogwu, board member, Lagos Court of Arbitration; Chief Olusegun Osunkeye, President, Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria and Chief Wole Olanipekun, Founder and Principal Partner of Wole Olanipekun & Co, while presenting the book on Corporate Governance & Group Dynamics by Dr. Fabian Ajogwu at Oriental Hotel, Lagos, yesterday.

BUDGET 2013: Why we can't pass amendment now — Senate Continues from Page 1

tember.

President Jonathan sent the budget amendment on a day both the Senate and the House of Representatives frowned at comments attributed to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for

the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on the dangers of the National Assembly not passing this year ’s budget by September. The lawmakers accused Jonathan of reneging on an earlier agreement that should he sign the 2013 budget, legislators will

LIFEWORDS

BY PASTOR ITUAH

Every test in our life makes us bitter or better.

Every problem comes to make us or break us. The choice is ours whether we become victims or victorious.

TAKE HEART

BY ELLA RANDLE

Believe in yourself and in your own voice, your talents, gifts and your creativity because there will be times in this life when you will be the only one who does. And when you believe in yourself, if you can do that, you can make anything happen — E. Randle Life is a mirror and will reflect back to you what you think into it. You may be reinforcing through your mental habits the very things you fear. Today, take a few moments to notice and jot down your thoughts. At the end of the day, review any patterns. If you detect a negative track, replace it with a positive one.

Always try to see a new reality. I’m sure you’ve heard of the statement: “If you can see it, you can be it.” You can use it to improve your life by mentally rehearsing your success. If you are unhappy about your current circumstances, then put on your dreaming cap. Imagine your new world. You are the architect of your life and your dreams are the blueprints. Use your imagination to visualize and expand your potential and then take action but believe in yourself and a higher power working beautifully in your life.

approve an immediate follow-up amendment he would send to lawmakers.

The House of Reps has therefore summoned the Minister of Finance to appear before it, while the Senate warned the minister not to pit the National Assembly against the president.

President Jonathan in a letter to Senate President, David Mark, dated June 26, 2013, sent a third 2013 budget amendment to the Senate, bringing out some proposed changes in some select expenditure categories, even as he noted that some capital projects which allocations were reduced by the National Assembly be restored as that would help promote national development.

Time too short — Abaribe Speaking with newsmen, yesterday, on the new amendment sent by the president, Chairman, Senate Committee on Information, Media and Publicity, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, explained that Jonathan forwarded “ voluminous” amendments as opposed to specific alterations agreed under

the deal, thereby making legislative consideration protracted.

Abaribe said: “What we got from the President, which is actually the third Amendment is a sort of document amending the budget.

Now we found that these documents are even larger than the budget itself and there is no way that the Senate and even the National Assembly can consider these amendments until we come back from our vacation this year.

“There is absolutely no way amendments of this nature would be considered for the short time that we have until we go on our national vacation. The point really is that it is not about the report; there are differences and this was discussed with the presidency. We were to take care of the differences and deal with them.

"Coming now to bring up a whole list of amendments that are even much more than the original that was sent, I do not expect the presidency would say we shouldn’t have enough time to go through it.

“In addition to that, we have other things we would want to deal with.

But we would want to appeal that efforts should not be made to put us on a collision course. We are not on a collision course. We are all interested in making sure that the budget as passed would be implemented, and implemented in such a way that everybody within this country will get the benefit of why the budget was passed in the first place.

“We know that in September as the president has promised, there is going to be a new budget. So, when you bring a budget of this volume and then you bring another budget in September, what do you expect us to do"?

Okonjo-Iweala's alarm On Okonjo-Iweala’s alarm, that the nation would be shut down by next September if the National Assembly does not pass the re-amended 2013 budget proposal submitted last week by President Goodluck Jonathan, the Senate Spokesperson said: "The National Assembly was perplexed when we heard about comments allegedly made by Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy with respect to the budget.

First of all, the Senate does not view the comments lightly. The feeling of the Senate and of course the National Assembly has always been that we do not expect Ministers of the Federal Republic and appointees of the President to make comments that tend to give the impression of a collision course between the executive and legislature, because we are all working towards the same purpose; and which is to make sure that we take care of the welfare of Nigerians.

"Therefore, we find it not to our liking when a comment is made that tends to say that government will be shut down if the National Assembly doesn’t do anything. We do not agree with that."

Okonjo-Iweala had on Monday raised an alarm that economic activities might be shut down and the Federal Government would be unable to pay its workforce by September if the lingering crisis in the 2013 Appropriation Act between the Presidency and the National Assembly was not resolved.

Jonathan's 3rd amendment Jonathan’s Third 2013 Budget Amendment letter read in full: "As you may recall, I had transmitted the 2013 Amendment Budget proposal to the National Assembly on March 14, 2013.

"However, following further consultations, I am forwarding a new version of the categorized 2013 Amendment Budget proposal indicating changes proposed across the expenditure categories.

The Capital Projects have now been designated as follows: “critical” is designated as (I); “important” is designated as (ii) and “others” designated as (iii).

"Some Capital Projects, the allocations of which were reduced and which we seek your cooperation in restoring so as to promote national development, include the following: "Ministry of Works: Abuja-Lokoja Road reduced by N4billion; Kano-Maiduguri Road reduced by N3.5billion; Dualization of IbadanIlorin Section 2 reduced

by N5.5billion; rehabilitation of Jebba Bridge reduced by N1.25billion; rehabilitation of burnt Continues on Page 10

6—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

10 injured in Third Mainland Bridge crash

BY BOSE ADELAJA

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AGOS — TEN people were injured, yesterday, in an auto crash that occurred on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos.

The accident which occurred around 9.45 am, involved a Mercedez Benz 190 and a yellow bus, both from the Adekunle axis of the bridge and heading towards Gbagada.

According to eye witnesses, the injured people who were adults, three males and seven females, included drivers of both vehicles and eight passengers in the bus.

An eye witness who pleaded anonymity said the yellow bus driver lost control and rammed into the Mercedes Benz leaving the lone occupant seriously injured.

In the process, the bus somersaulted and almost plunged into the lagoon but for the timely arrival of men of Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, and Lagos State Traffic Management Authority LASTMA, who were patrolling the bridge.

Gunmen kill CP’s ex-aide

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

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WERRI—THE Imo State Police Command has been thrown into deep mourning, following the murder of a Deputy Superintendent of Police, simply identified as Mr. Tagbo.

Feelers from the state Police Headquarters, Owerri, revealed that the late Tagbo, who trained as a lawyer, was attacked in his private residence in Irete, Owerri West Local Government Area of the state.

An account had it that some armed gunmen stormed his Irete residence and murdered him.

Vanguard was also told that when the shooting had died down and when it was clear that the hoodlums had escaped, the dying police officer was immediately rushed to Federal Medical Centre, Owerri.

“The fine police officer reportedly gave up the ghost in the Federal Medical Centre as he had lost a lot of blood before arrival,” a sympathiser told Vanguard.

DSS parades suspected kidnappers of S-Court judge’s wife Building where victims were kept will be demolished — Oshiomhole

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ENIN CITY— THREE mem-bers of a gang that kidnapped the wife, daughter and driver of a judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Bode RhodesVivour, in May, this year, were among seven suspects paraded by the Department of State Services, DSS, in Benin City, yesterday.

The other suspects paraded were three extortionists who threatened to kill their victim if he didn’t pay up and a musician who was paraded for trafficking in persons.

The state Director of the DSS, Mr. Bello Bakori, who paraded the suspects before the governor and press said the suspects had confessed to the crime and that three members of the kidnappers of the judge’s wife were still at large.

He said Mrs. Rhodes-Vivour and her daughter were kept in a house in Upper Sokpomba area of Benin City from where the suspects were arrested. All the kidnap suspects were from Delta State while the trafficker in persons is from Edo State.

tion of documenting who stays in their hotel and such are used for kidnapping or human trafficking we will demolish it. Nobody has the right to make money out of the pains of Nigerians.”

Oshiomhole expressed joy that the security agencies were able to arrest the gang that kidnapped the wife and daughter of the Supreme Court Justice, saying: “This is a major breakthrough.

What is important is for criminals to know that there is no more immunity. It is a matter of when, not whether, they would be caught and that the officers and men are determined to do their best and those involved in crime would be brought to justice.

He noted : “These criminals, 95 per cent of them are from Delta State. It shows in this business

of crime that criminals are very mobile. No state can find a solution as they keep moving from one state to the other. When their colleagues hear that they have been put on trial, they would look elsewhere.”

Advice to the public To members of the public, the governor said: “This is something that people should take into account, that your own relation may well be the source of your problem. Your own cook may well be the source of your problem; your guard may well be the source of your problem. All of us need to be careful and not take anything for granted.

“The lesson from this effort is that when we report to law en-

forcement agents, they can be arrested, but when we pay ransom, then we are providing additional incentives for the criminals to remain in business. Every ransom we pay is an opportunity for them to do more. For me, the message is clear, we must resist paying ransom. We must take law enforcement agencies into confidence. We must trust them.

“Let me use this opportunity to appeal to our parents that we must watch over our children, particularly our daughters. As we heard from one of them arrested, this business is to attract unsuspecting young girls into travel with all kinds of lousy promises.

In their innocence, they submit and they take them across the borders and they face all kinds of dehumanizing experiences.”

Building to be demolished The governor who was miffed that despite government’s warning that landlords should screen their tenants to ensure that their property are not used by criminal elements said the buildings used by the kidnap suspects will be demolished at the appropriate time.

He said: “For the landlords, we have already made the decision that anyone that aids and abets kidnapping will have his structure demolished. Any hotelier who does not follow the instruc-

The suspects

How woman married two men at the same time

BY ONOZURE DANIA

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AGOS — AN Ikeja Mag istrate's Court was told, yesterday, how a woman, Mrs. Adedoyin Ogunmefun, allegedly married two men at the same time.

She was also accused of having children for the two men she allegedly married.

Mrs Ogunmefun, who was arraigned alongside her second husband, before Magistrate B. O. Osunsanmi, over alleged forgery of National Population Commission certificate of birth AO8/NO/ 0268923 and AO8/NO/ 0268922 was said to have been married to one Mr. Abraham Okoro, who she had

two children for before leaving to have another child for the second husband.

The Police prosecutor, Mr. Benson Emurih, told the court that the defendants presented the forged certificates to Parthcare Laboratory in Oduduwa Crescent, GRA, Ikeja.

He said the offence was punishable under sections 409,363 (3) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011.

The complainant, Abraham Okoro, told Vanguard that he had lived with his estranged wife between 2000 and 2007, adding that the union produced two children namely Kymberly Abieyuwa Adenike Okoro and Bryant Amadin

Olamipo Okoro, who were born in Nigeria and US respectively.

He further accused the wife of deserting their marriage for Ogunmefun, who she had a daughter for in 2009.

In addition, Okoro said the accused was told that for her to be accepted back into her matrimonial home, she would perform some traditional rites of cleansing.

His words: "She agreed to demonstrate her love and loyalty and moved back to my house on February 14, 2012 and we started living together again until May 17,2012, when she went to an Ikeja High Court to file for nullification of her marriage with Mr Ogunmefun before Jus-

tice Oyewole.’’

Okoro, however, said his wife moved out of his house again on November 3, 2012, noting that she suddenly wrote him a letter through her lawyer, Taiwo and Taiwo, in December 2012 claiming that the two children she had for him were not his.

He said: “On March 26, 2013, I got a court summon, the petitioners were Adedoyin Ogunmefun and Babatunde Ogunmefun, claiming that my children were Babatunde’s children, with a fake DNA result purported to embarrass me and my children, the matter which has long been strucked out by a magistrate court sitting in Surulere," he added.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013—7

We pose as beggars when abducting victims — Suspects zSay ‘we target those who park cars to ease themselves’ zAs Police rescue two Epe council staff

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SABA—TEN suspected members of a secret cult have been arrested in a forest at Amai, Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State.

They were said to be initiating new members into their fold.

Delta State Police Command’s spokesman, Mr. Lucky Uyabeme, who confirmed the story told newsmen in Asaba, yesterday, that the incident occurred last Sunday.

According to him, “on June 30, 2013, at about 1600 hours, operatives of anti-kidnapping squad, Asaba in a joint operation with Amai community vigilante arrested 10 young men who are members of mephitis secret cult in a bush at Amai during initiation of new members. While others escaped the arrested members have confessed to the crime.

AGOS — THE Lagos State Police Command has uncovered a kidnappers den in Ajah area of Lagos, killing a suspected leader of the syndicate during a shoot-out, while three other members were arrested.

Rescued at the end of the gun duel were two staff of Epe Local Government Area, Samsudeen Olatunde, 37 and Daramola Muideen Bisoye, 43.

They were abducted a week ago on Abraham Adesanya Street, along Lekki/Epe expressway when they stopped to answer the call of nature.

The suspects who usually disguised as beggars, disclosed that their targets were men who usually parked exotic cars to ease themselves around Ajah and other high brow areas of Lagos.

The seven-man syndicate said to have been on the wanted list of the Area ‘J’ Command, Elemoro, for about a year, reportedly met their waterloo following intelligence report from the area command, consequent upon which a joint team of operatives from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Ikeja and men of the Area ‘J’ Command led by the Area Commander, Mr Felix Vwamhi, reportedly stormed the kidnappers' den, an uncompleted building located in an area popularly known as General Paint in Alasia, Ajah.

Sighting the policemen, the kidnappers reportedly opened fire that triggered a gun duel.

Police sources said: “During the hot exchange of fire, two members of the gang, one of them later discovered to be the gang leader, identified simply as Akpos and his second in command, Michael Chinedu Edom, were fatally wounded.

“They were arrested while five others escaped with minor bullet wounds and one of the guns used by Akpos was recovered including 20 live cartridges.

“Efforts to revive Akpos to enable police use him to get the fleeing gang members failed but “Michael survived and was used to track down two other members, Emmanuel Omoseni and Emeka Agbaji, who have made confessional statements.

Our targets —Suspect One of the suspects, Emeka Agbaji, 31, who hails from Ekuoma village in Ika East Local Government Area of Delta State disclosed: “That fateful day at about 8pm along Epe Expressway, we saw two persons who parked their Toyota Yaris saloon

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

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BY EVELYN USMAN

The operation

10 suspected cultists arrested during initiation

The suspects car by the roadside and went to urinate.

“One of our gang members who disguised as a beggar approached the driver when he wanted to board the car and begged him to assist him with some money to eat. Out of sympathy the driver gave him N100 and he prostrated in gratitude.

“But, as the driver wanted to enter his car, the supposed beggar held on to the car door and started dragging the door with him. The occupants were confused and before they knew it, other members including myself came out of hiding with locally made short guns and pushed the driver and the passenger inside the back seat of the car.

“One of us took over the steering wheel and we drove straight to our camp at General Paint area.

“We did not torture the victims.

We had not even started calling their families or the Epe local government council where we learnt they were working when, all of a sudden, the police stormed the uncompleted building and rescued them.”

Agbaji who said he was lured into kidnapping by the late Akpos confessed that he was once a robber.

“But at a point, I decided not to steal again. I was tempted to join because Akpos advised me to be saving one tenth of any money I got through kidnap for court case, saying kidnap was a bailable offence and that he had formidable hands in the boys he recruited from Delta State. This is my first time of joining them and I was promised N500,000 at the end of the day,” he said.

I intended travelling with my share — Another suspect

For Michael Chinedu Edom, 25, a native of Isiekenesi village in Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo State: “I was also lured by late Akpos, with a promise of more than N2 million when we receive the ransom.

“We were told that each of the victims’ families would be made to pay N7 million. At least I knew I would have got over N2 million with which I intended to travel out of Nigeria.

“I joined out of frustration because all the menial jobs I ventured into fetched me nothing.

“First, I started as a conductor and got only N1,000 at the end of each day which was not enough to fend for myself, let alone my wife and baby who live with a family friend.

“I was squatting with friends in an uncompleted building because I could not afford to pay the rent around Ajah.

“My role in this was to provide

a hideout for the gang. I was promised N10,000 per day. I was not there when they did the job.

I was in a restaurant all through but was forced to run out during the gun duel. In my attempt to escape, one of the arrested persons sighted me and revealed my identity to the police.”

We are only kidnappers not robbers — Third suspect

The third suspect who identified himself as Emmanuel Omoseni, 33, from Zion People village in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, claimed to be a teacher in a private school in the area.

Omoseni said he was tempted to provide the gang a hiding place after being promised N100,000.

“As at then, I had not been paid two months salary. Even the two months salary was not up to the N100,000 promised. My only regret is that I ended up not getting a dime.”

Woman jailed 6 months for drug peddling

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AGOS — JUSTICE Mohammed Yunusa of a Federal High Court, Lagos, yesterday, sentenced a 55-yearold woman to six months imprisonment for illicit drug deal.

The convict, Gado Adams, resident at the Ibafon area of Lagos, was arraigned on June 20, on a one-count charge of dealing in a restricted narcotic, Cannabis Sativa.

She had pleaded guilty to the charge, while the judge adjourned for a review of the facts and sentencing.

When the case was mentioned, the prosecutor told the court that the convict, was arrested on February 8 by Customs officials at Gbaji check point Seme.

Banks close shop in Asaba over robbery scare

BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

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SABA — COMMERCIAL banks in Asaba, Delta State capital, yesterday, closed shop for few hours following strong rumours in the city that armed gangs were threatening to storm the banks, just as courts have been placed under close security watch following Monday ’s escape of two condemned robbers from a courtroom.

Although, the state Police Public Relations Officer,

PPRO, Mr. Lucky Uyabeme dismissed the speculation of impending attack on banks, bank officials and customers were still gripped with fear, while plain-clothes armed security personnel were found lurking within and outside the bank premises.

Uyabeme told reporters: “Though police learnt that some of the banks did not open due to the rumour, we affirm that it was baseless. We are on top of the situation.”

More armed men to accompany prison inmates On its part, the Public Relations Officer, PRO of the Nigeria Prisons Service in the state, Uche Mgbakor, told Vanguard yesterday: “Actions are on to make sure that when inmates are taken to court armed men will be dispatched to follow them especially on the cases of high profile inmates. This is to beef up the security of both staff and inmates.”

8—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

Shell raises alarm over oil theft

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HELL Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, SPDCoperated Joint Venture, yesterday, raised an alarm over the rising cases of sabotage on its facilities.

SPDC said it recorded eight incidences of vandalisation on its pipelines at the Adibawa field in Eastern Niger Delta, which led to the spilling of about 500 barrels of oil.

A statement by Tony Okonedo, Corporate Media Relations Manager, SPDC, said the incident happened between January and June this year, adding that majority of the spills were caused when unknown persons inflicted extensive cuts on pipelines.

He said the Adibawa field straddles Biseni, Edagberi and Ikarama communities, stating that a joint team comprising regulators, government ministries, SPDC and communities investigated each of the spills and confirmed their findings.

He said that the latest spills occurred on the Adibawa-Okordia pipeline at Ikarama, May 24 and June 4.

Pension funds available for investment, but...

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BUJA—NATIONAL Pensions Commission, PenCom, yesterday, said that pension funds were available for investment in infrastructural development through willing partners of government agencies, adding that it needed to be assured on how the funds would be deployed.

Acting Director-General of the commission, Chinelo Anohu-Amazu made the declaration at the 2nd annual national workshop by the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers in Abuja with the theme Transformation Agenda 2, the real issues in the power, housing and energy sectors of the economy.

She said: “I agree that pension funds should go into power sector, but my worry is how we will do it.

“I am concerned about the safety of the investments. Until we see structures, we will be circumspect in letting pension funds go anywhere.”

POWER: President Barack Obama of United States of America (right), Mr. Tony Elumelu (middle) and others discuss Africa's power sector transformation during a tour of the Ubungo Power Plant near Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, Monday.

Tension in Delta as Ijaw youths kill 4 Itsekiri

BY EMMA ARUBI

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ARRI—AT least three youths and an elderly man were, yesterday, shot dead at Ajamita community in Warri North council area of Delta State, while about 34 houses were burnt down at Gbokoda, Ajamita and Udo riverine communities off the Atlantic Ocean by armed Ijaw youths in an early morning attack.

The armed youths were said to have invaded the three communities at 5.00a.m., shooting sporadically with indigenes running into nearby bush for safety.

The corpses of the three dead youths are currently at a private morgue in Sapele, while the elderly man was said to have been buried at his community.

President of Itsekiri Development Association, IDA, and member of Delta State Waterways Security Committee, Mr. Omolubi Newuwumi, told Vanguard on phone that the perpetrators were the same Ijaw youths from Egbema that recently sparked off crisis by hijacking and kidnapping some boats and persons travelling to various communities along the Benin River axis of Warri.

He said their mission was to ignite another round of Itsekiri/Ijaw fratricidal war from which they intend to make enormous financial gains as in the recent past.

He said they do not enjoy the support of well meaning Ijaw leaders and youths of Egbema kingdom, who cher-

ish the peaceful co-existence now in place.

Chairman, Warri Study Group, WSG, and Secretary to the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, Mr. Edward Ekpoko has, however, called on the Federal and state governments, and all security agencies to investigate the killings and unwarranted burning of houses by the attackers with a view to bringing them to book to serve as deterrent to others with simi-

lar evil intentions.

He maintained that the quick apprehension of the culprits would douse the tension and prevent any retaliatory measure, saying that any war at this time in the Itsekiri/Ijaw relations would not benefit both ethnic nationalities in anyway.

Ijaw elder statesman and Egbema leader, Chief Emma Ebimami condemned the attacks and the killings, arguing that as a result of the leadership tussle in Itsekiri communities, some aggrieved Itsekiri youths could have in-

vited the Ijaw youths to come to their assistance.

He stressed the need to thoroughly investigate the matter and bring the perpetrators to book.

Meanwhile, Mr. Omolubi said the Commanding Officer of the Joint Task Force, JTF, codenamed Operation Pulo Shield, has since relocated to the troubled areas to ascertain the level of carnage, saying that they are working round the clock to apprehend the assailants.

He charged Itsekiri youths to exercise patience.

NUPENG/PENGASSAN, FG negotiations end in deadlock available indices on the na- theft, the unions lamented that

BY OKEY NDIRIBE VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG, JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

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BUJA—THE meeting between the leadership of National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, and its sister union, PENGASSAN, with the Federal Government over the lingering problems facing the oil and gas industry ended up in deadlock.

The joint council meeting of NUPENG and PENGASSAN at a briefing, yesterday evening, said that following Federal Government’s insensitivity towards the demands of the unions and the challenging security situation in the country, the unions would continue with the strike they embarked upon on Monday.

Chairman of Joint National Executive Council meeting, Mr. Igwe Achese, said that

tion’s economy showed that the economy was dwindling contrary to the position of the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, that the economy had appreciated.

He said that President Goodluck Jonathan meant well for the country in his transformation agenda, but some of the ministers in his cabinet have been frustrating the efforts of government and were not committed to the agenda.

He called for the immediate dissolution of the Federal Executive Council for a new one to be re-constituted.

The unions had met with the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, on Monday evening to resolve the problems that led to the ongoing strike, but a compromise could not be arrived at.

Apart from the insecurity problems and the crude oil

most of the nation’s roads still remained death-traps for many Nigerians.

Meanwhile, House of Representatives, yesterday, passed a resolution to investigate the root causes of strikes embarked upon yesterday by NUPENG and Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU. The House committees on education and petroleum (Downstream) were mandated to investigate the grievances of the two unions and report within seven days.

The resolution was passed following a motion presented at yesterday’s plenary session by Mr. Kingsley Chinda (PDP Obio/Akpor, Rivers).

The lawmakers also appealed to members of both unions to call off the strike in the interest of the nation, students, parents and teeming Nigerian masses.

The House urged Federal Government to open discussions with the unions to come up with a lasting solution.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013 — 9

Langtang massacre: Death toll rises to 70 7,000 displaced, DCO missing

BY TAYE OBATERU

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OS—THE death toll from last week’s attack on communities in Langtang South Local Government of Plateau State has risen to 70, while no fewer than 7,000 have been displaced.

Member representing Langtang North/South Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Beni Lar,

who confirmed this during a visit to the affected parts, said several people were still missing.

Similarly, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Olakpe, confirmed that the District Crime Officer, DCO, for the area was still missing and that 20 more corpses had been recovered.

Lar said: “From what I

gathered, the Divisional Crime Officer is still missing, seven thousand people were displaced, while almost 70 lost their lives.

“The intention of the attackers was to wipe out the entire inhabitants of the villages for no just reason.”

Addressing displaced persons in different camps at Mabudi, headquarters of the local government, she described the attack as barbaric, noting that they were able to carry out the attack because

of the vulnerability of the villages.

She said security men were unable to gain access to the area because of the bad roads and appealed to government to attend to them to open up the locality.

The police commissioner, Olakpe, said: “From the report I got from my men, 20 additional bodies have been recovered and the DCO is still missing.

“But we have not concluded that anything has happened to him. We are still looking for him and hoping that he will be found.”

DIALOGUE: From left— former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal and Senate President David Mark at the 4th national civil-military dialogue on Assessing and Dealing with National Security Challenges, organised by Institute of Governance and Social Research, IGSR, in Abuja. PHOTO: Gbemiga Olamikan.

Reps probe alteration of Armed Forces Act

BY OKEY NDIRIBE

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BUJA—HOUSE of Representatives, yesterday, passed a resolution to investigate the alteration of the Armed Forces Act through the revision of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, LFN, 2004.

The resolution was passed based on a motion presented

by Mr. Ibrahim El-Sudi in which he drew the attention of the lawmakers to the alteration of the Armed Forces Act through the revision of LFN 2004.

Deputy Speaker of the House, Mr. Emeka Ihedioha, who presided over yesterday’s session, mandated the Committee on Justice to investigate the usurpation of the constitutional powers of the National Assembly and report back in four weeks.

Moving the motion, El-Sudi said: “Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act as contained in CAP A20 LFN 2004, published in June 2004, states that the President may, after consul-

tation with the Chief of Defence Staff and subject to confirmation by the National Assembly, appoint such officers (in this Act referred to as the Service Chiefs) as he thinks fit, in whom the command of the Army, Navy and Air Force, as the case may be, and their Reserves shall be vested.”

He expressed worry that in the updated revised edition of the LFN 2004, published in 2011, the Armed Forces Act CAP. A20 was amended in Section 18(1).

The amended version read: “The President may, after consultation with the Minister of Defence, appoint such Officers (in this Act referred to as “the Service Chiefs”) as he thinks fit, in whom the command of the Army, Navy and Air Force, as the case may be, and their Reserves shall be vested.”

El-Sudi further stated that the amendment of the Armed Forces Act removing

the powers of confirmation by the National Assembly was effected by the Law Revision Committee without the involvement of the National Assembly, adding that there are also certain typographical and other avoidable errors in the 2011 edition of the Laws of the Federation.

He pointed out the necessity of investigating the incident, adding “Section 4(1) of the Constitution of Federal Repub-

lic of Nigeria 1999 vests the legislative powers of the Federation in the National Assembly.”

It would be recalled that a Lagos Federal High Court, last Monday, delivered judgment stating that the President ought to present service chiefs appointed by him to the National Assembly for confirmation.

Activist lawyer, Festus Keyamo, had gone to the court to seek the judiciary’s interpretation of the disputed statute.

Osoba renews call for true federalism

BY DAPO AKINREFON

F

ORMER Governor of Ogun State, Chief Segun Osoba, has renewed calls for Nigeria to revert to true federalism.

Also, founder of the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, Dr. Fredrick Fasehun appealed to the Yoruba nation to consider organising its national conference to address the multifarious issues affecting the region.

They spoke in Lagos yesterday at a lecture entitled Yoruba in Nigerian Politics, in honour of late Pa Abraham Adesanya.

It was organised by the National Association of Ogun State Students, NAOSS, University of Lagos chapter.

Osoba, who chaired the occasion, said the Yoruba people were only asking for self-development.

According to him, “ we are not asking for any assistance from the Federal Government. What we are asking for is true federalism.

"This was how the late Pa Obafemi Awolowo developed the then western region.”

He described the late Adesanya as very intelligent and a man of honour that should be emulated by Yoruba youths.

Fasheun, who lamented the division among leaders and elders of the South-West, said: “I love Nigeria but I love my people more, I will not deceive you.

"Unity is a force and if you have no unity, you will not have force. We need to develop."

Nigeria not ready for state police, says minister

BY HENRY UMORU

A

BUJA—FEDERAL Government, yesterday, said that rather than ask for the creation of state police system, Nigerians should help the present police force to discharge its duty of protecting lives and property.

Government also said that since crime-fighting had become scientific, new recruitment procedures into the

Force be science based, adding that new recruits would be people that have science-related subjects.

Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade (rtd.), spoke to newsmen yesterday, after he briefed the leadership of Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, of activities of his ministry.

He said that the 1000 closedcircuit television, CCTV, already installed in Lagos and Abuja were ready for commissioning by

President Goodluck Jonathan.

According to him, Vice President Namadi Sambo had already inspected the cameras and confirmed that they were working, adding “President Jonathan will soon commission the CCTV for public use.”

On state police, the minister said: “My opinion is that we must make the present arrangement to work before we talk of new methods."

10—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

2015: S-South, S-East monarchs adopt Jonathan

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

Lagos cooperative societies’ assets hit N60bn

BY MONSURU OLOWOOPEJO

L

AGOS — LAGOS State Government, yesterday, said the collective capital base of the state cooperative societies had increased to N60 billion with 13, 000 registered co-

operative societies.

It will be recalled that two years ago, the cumulative asset base of the cooperative societies stood at N40 billion.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Mr. Gbolahan Lawal, who announced this at a briefing to herald the 2013 International

Cooperative Day, with the theme, ‘Cooperative Enterprise Remains Strong in time of Crisis,’ noted that efforts were being intensified to realise the one million fish production target.

Lawal said, “to achieve a 25 per cent increase in fish production in the state before

Y

ENAGOA—TRA DITIONAL rulers from the South-South and South East geopolitical zones of the country met yesterday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State and adopted President Goodluck Jonathan as their candidate ahead of the 2015 general elections.

The royal fathers at the inauguration of the South-South and SouthEast Traditional Rulers Forum in Yenagoa, expressed their readiness to mobilise support for President Jonathan to actualise his ambition.

They noted that their support for the President was because he had provided effective transformational leadership, despite the daunting challenges confronting the country.

Lauding efforts of the President Jonathan-led administration in tackling the security challenges and other problems confronting the country, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade and Gbong Gbom, Jos, HRM Da Buba Gyang described him as one of the best leaders Nigeria has ever had.

Speaking through the General Secretary of the Council of Yoruba Monarchs, Oba Aderemi Adedapo, Oba Okunade submitted that Dr. Jonathan’s emergence as President of the country was a fulfilment of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s “prediction that an Ijaw man would rule this country some day in the future.

“We thank God today that we have an Ijaw son as a good and great leader of this country. If you were there on May 29, 2013 in Abuja where I was representing the South-West, you will agree with me that this man (Jonathan) has surpassed many leaders we have ever had in this country.”

MEMORIAL LECTURE: From left, Sen. Iyiola Omisore, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, Aremo Segun Osoba, and Mr. Jimi Agbaje, at the Memorial Lecture for late Abraham Adesanya, organised

by National Association of Ogun State Students, at the University of Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Shola Oyelese

2015, more communities are being empowered to achieve the objective.”

According to him, from November this year, the annual egg production in Lagos through the Agric-Yes programme of the state would rise to 60 million eggs while chicken production would hit 10,000 weekly.

Lawal said: “We have supported several communities in the past and this year, we are supporting additional ten communities in Badagry and Ojo zones with the production of outboard engines, fishing net refrigerators and other input that will boost their fish production.

“These are the measures we have put in place to assist our farmers with the subsidisation of their input.

“A lot of innovations have been made to develop and strategise on production of foods in the state. Poultries had in the last one year, recorded remarkable improvement in their activities.”

“By November, we are going to produce 60 million eggs annually from the Agric-Yes, our commercial farm initiative in Araga.

“So, we are bent on improving our production. We are looking at the production of 10,000 chicken weekly coming from commercial farms. With all these plans, I am optimistic that we are going to meet out targets.”

BUDGET 2013: Why we can’t pass amendment now — Senate Continues from Page 5

Marine Bridge and Iddo Bridge reduced by N1billion; Special Intervention Funds for Emergency Roads and Bridges washout across the country reduced by N6.28billion; Dualization of Obajana Junction to Benin reduced by N4billion, etc.

"Ministry of Health: MDG HIV/AIDS ARV drugs allocation reduced by N1billion; Routine Immunization Vaccines reduced by N1.75billion; Malaria Programme procurement and distribution of insecticides reduced by N0.8billion; payment of pledge for Onchocerciasis Recertification cut by N0.12billion; National Trauma Centre, Abuja reduced by N0.1billion, etc.

"Ministry of Power: A total of N16.3billion was cut from power projects including the 215 Mega Watts Kaduna Dual Fired Power Plant, which was reduced by N2.25billion; 2nd

Kaduna- Kano 33KV DC Lines reduced by N1.5billion; Gombe-Yola- Jalingo 330KV SC Line reduced by N0.6billion; Maiduguri 330/ 132KV Sub-station reduced by N0.3billion; Kaduna-Jos 330KV DC Line reduced by N0.5billion; Omotosho-EpeAjah 330KV DC Line reduced

by N0.8billion, etc.

"Ministry of Transport: Construction of Abuja-Kaduna Rail was reduced by N1.4billion; Jebba- Kano Rail Line Rehabilitation reduced

by N0.5billion; Procurement and rehabilitation of Wagons/ Locomotives reduced by N1billion; Insurance of Locomotives reduced by N0.2billion, etc.

"Ministry of Education: Allocations to various projects were reduced to the tune of N5.64billion, including the National Library Project which was cut by N2billion.

"SURE-P: We all appreciate the fact that unemployment is one of our major concerns in

this country today. Considering the gravity of the situation, I would like to bring up the issue of the budgetary allocation to the Community Services, Women and Youth Employment Programme under the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme ( SURE-P). Against our proposal of N27billion, the National Assembly allocated N9billion. This cut will have the adverse effect of severely undermining our capacity to create the jobs needed for our teeming unemployed youths, women and physically-challenged citizens. In this regard, I crave your cooperation to restore the SURE-P budget.

"You will further recall that the personnel cost was cut across all MDAs which will make it difficult to meet Government’s obligations to its workers. I therefore seek our kind understanding for the restoration of the said cuts in order to maintain industrial harmony.”

Reps summon Okonjo-Iweala The summons of OkonjoIweala by the House of Representatives followed a resolution passed by the lawmakers in an amended motion presented at the plenary session by the Deputy Minority Whip, Samson Osagie.

Osagie in his motion had drawn the attention of his colleagues to widely published reports in yesterday’s newspapers on the comments of Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, adding it was designed to incite Nigerian workers against the National Assembly which is “a legitimate and most important institution of government”.

He further observed that contrary to the impression conveyed to the public through the remarks of the Minister “there is a subsisting and valid Appropriation Act duly signed into law by the President, which is the operating budget for the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the financial year 2013”.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013 — 11

Aregbesola decries rising crime rate

T

From left, Adebayo Adenubi, Moderator; Chief Nike Akande, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele, representing Hon. Aminu Tambuwal Guest Speaker, and Chief Olawale-Cole, President & Chairman of Council, Nigerian Institute of Management, NIM, at the Distinguished Management Lecture: 'The Role of The Legislature on Economic Infrastructure and Ethical Revolution in Nigeria,' at the NIIA, in Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye.

Labour Party offers ex-Gov Daniel Senate ticket

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

A

BEOKUTA — Indications emerged, yesterday, that the national leadership of the Labour Party, LP, offered former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel party ticket to contest for Ogun East Senatorial District seat in 2015 election.

Vanguard gathered exclusively that Daniel who was suspended by Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in his Ward 12, Sagamu met with the National Chairman of the Labour Party, Chief Dan Nwanyanwu behind a closed door on Monday.

A reliable source told Vanguard that the meeting was

held between 11 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. in Ogun State on Monday ahead of the plan to receive the former governor of the state into the party after his suspension by the PDP. It would be recalled that Daniel’s scheme to go to Senate after he served as governor of the state for eight years under the PDP was scuttled

INEC appeals new constituencies creation in Oyo

BY OLA AJAYI

I

BADAN — THE Independent National Electoral Commission in Oyo State has said it is not comfortable with the proposal of the Oyo State House of Assembly that it should recognise eight additional constituencies in the state.

This was disclosed by the Oyo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Nasiru Ayilara in Ibadan, yesterday, during the voters’ education programme at the Sunshine International School, Ibadan.

To show disapproval of the commission with demand of legislative arm in the state, the electoral body said it had appealed judgment by state High Court ordering it to recognise the eight constituencies and organise election for them within next three months.

The 32-member legislative arm had filed the suit against INEC to recognise the eight additional constituencies it added to the current 32 constituencies.

The REC who personally monitored the school prefect election at Sunshine Interna-

tional school, explained that good democratic culture should be inculcated into these children now that INEC had been refined.

He added that if children were not exposed to good democratic principles at early stage, they would grow up to meet unenviable democratic culture.

The introduction of the voters’ education programme in secondary school was flagged

off last year by the electoral body.

Ayilara advised the politicians in Oyo State to play the game according to the rule as 2015 elections approach.

He noted further that the goal of the commission in introducing the programme at the secondary schools was to discourage the youth from making themselves available for electoral violence.

by the crisis in the party ahead of elections in 2011.

Vanguard gathered that Daniel told LP’s National Chairman of his plan to contest in 2015 election as a Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District which was being occupied by former deputy governor, Adegbenga Kaka, of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN. When contacted over the development, the State Secretary of Labour Party Segun Ogini who spoke exclusively with Vanguard on phone said ” it would not be out of place for Daniel to be looking in the direction of the Labour Party.

His words; “ I don’t think it is out of place for them (Daniel and Nwanyanwu) to discuss the way forward for the party. And to tell you that, every notable people in the state have dialogued with the Labour Party including members of the Action Congress of Nigeria."

Ekiti teachers suspend 5-wk-old strike

BY GBENGA ARIYIBI

A

DO EKITI — TEACHERS in Ekiti State, yesterday, suspended their fiveweek-old industrial action, as the state government has agreed to pay 16 per cent pecuniary allowance.

The state government has, however, pledged not to victimise any member of the union.

The national body of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, had at the beginning of June this year directed the local branch in the states that are yet

to commence payment of 27.5 per cent pecuniary allowance to cgo on strike.

Speaking after signing the agreement at the Governor’s Office in Ado Ekiti, yesterday, the state chairman of the NUT, Comrade Sam Akosile, said the union decided to suspend action because of intervention of well meaning people from the state Akosile said it was a painful decision for members of the union to have embarked on strike action, saying they did not have an option than to follow

directive of the national body of the union “We decided to suspend the strike due to intervention of some well meaning people of the state.

“It is our hope that government will abide with our agreement and treat teachers with respect and dignity Also speaking at the occasion, state Commissioner for Education and Technology, Mr. Kehinde Ojo recounted circumstances that led to break-down of talks between state government and leadership of NUT.

HE GOVERNOR of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has decried the rising crime wave in the country.

Aregbesola observed this at a five-day workshop of the Nigeria Police Special Unit on: 'Fraud and Insider Abuse in Financial Institutions and Implications for Developing Economies.'

The governor said high rate of crime in Nigeria is a symptom of failure of the state.

The governor lamented a situation in which crime has become so pervasive in Nigeria.

He averred that an economic system that does not encourage production but consumption is bound to retard the progress of such country.

“Nobody can earn a living without an income. To do otherwise would amount to an illusion or chasing shadows.

“In great Britain for instance, every citizen must work. No one consumes without contributing his quota to the economy."

Amosun calls for regional integration among Yoruba states

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

A

BEOKUTA — OGUN State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, yesterday, said the creation of more states, has caused artificial boundaries and division among the people in the regions.

Amosun, however, called for regional integration in the country, especially among Yoruba states, describing it as a way of raising the development bar in view of the nation’s current challenges.

The governor stated these at the opening ceremony of the three-day South-West Heads of Service Forum tagged, 'Re-engineering the Public Service for Regional Integration,' in Abeokuta, the state capital.

While stressing the benefits of regional integration which he said would reawaken sense of history of the people in the country, Amosun applauded numerous giant leaps recorded in the South-West between 1957 and 1967 under the leadership of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

12—Vanguard, WEDNTUESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

IYC leader: We didn’t disobey court order —BAYELSA CP

Amaechi to IG: Redeploy CP Mbu now zThreatens to stop funding Police ‘unless the CP is redeployed’ zSays Mbu’s stay is worsening security situation in the state

BY SAMUEL OYADON-

Y

GHA

ENAGOA—THE Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Tonye Ebitibituwa, yesterday, said that the command did not refused to release Nenghi Ikiba, an Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, member over his alleged involvement in cultism and the 2005 killing of a youth in Rivers State.

He dismissed report in a national daily that the police flouted the order of the Federal High Court, directing it to either arraign the suspect in their custody or release him unconditionally.

According to the Police Commissioner, though the order of the Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa for the Police to arraign the arrested youth leader within 48 hours or release him unconditionally was received by the command, the order came when the police had filed information before the state Chief Judge to assign the case to a judge for formal arraignment.

Ebitibituwa, while parading the arrested IYC leader, Ikiba, yesterday in Yenagoa, said the nature and gravity of the alleged crime of the suspect was such that he cannot be arraigned in court within the time frame, except same was first filed as an information before the court.

He said: “It is not in our character in the Bayelsa State Police Command to flout any order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

“The Police and the judiciary in the state have had robust relationship which cannot be broken.”

BY JIMITOTAONOYUME ORT HARCOURT—GOVERNOR Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State, yesterday, threatened to stop funding the police, unless the Inspector General of Police and the Federal Government redeploy the state Police Commissioner, Mr Joseph Mbu to another state.

He warned that the continued stay of Mbu was worsening the security situation in the state, particularly, with the recent kidnap of three National Youth Service Corps, NYSC members, adding that he (Mbu) had refused to do the job for which he was posted to the state.

He also accused Mbu of being arrogant and disrespectful to constituted authorities.

“I don’t want a Commissioner of Police that will work for me. I want a Commissioner of Police that will work for the state, the Rivers people. So, it is not only me that you should complain to, talk to Inspector-General of Police and those who transferred the Commissioner of Police that was working in the interest of Rivers people. Port Harcourt is becoming unsafe, and more NYSC members may be kidnapped, except they remove Joseph Mbu. It will worsen when we (the state government) stop funding the Police, because we will soon stop funding them.”

Amaechi who spoke when the Chairman of the Governing Board of NYSC, Chief Gordon Bozimo led a delegation to him at Government House, Port Harcourt.

He said the state Police Commissioner had long abandoned his constitutional role of securing lives and property in the state.

The governor said the crime situation had risen, noting that as Chief Security Officer of the state, there was no way he could achieve any meaningful result in the fight against crime with Mbu as Commissioner of Police.

Amaechi said that the Police Commissioner was a politician, adding that he attends political meetings with those who alleg-

P

edly brought him to the state.

The governor said: “The Federal Government should post a new Commissioner of Police to Rivers State. I have no control over the current Commissioner of Police, Mbu, even though the constitution says so. He called a press conference, where he said, he does not report to the governor of the state, who is the Chief Security Officer of the state. So, how do I (Amaechi) protect our citizens?” Amaechi queried.

“The Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mbu is a politician, because he attends political meetings with those who brought him to our state and there is no way you can stop that. The only way you can stop that is to ask the politicians in Abuja to withdraw their Commissioner of Police and allow us to secure Rivers State.

“My fear is that his stay in Riv-

ers State is intended to kill the conducive business climate in Port Harcourt and the fast growing economy of our state,” Amaechi said.

“We used to have a wonderful security system and Commissioners of Police, who understood their functions and knew what to do.

But since the Police in Abuja, suddenly withdrew the predecessor of this current Commissioner of Police and posted the person called Joseph Mbu, nothing has been working.

“Mbu has been sitting with politicians and the security system is down and out. Since he came, we have never had peace. We held security council meetings two or three times. But before Mbu came, we held security meetings two or three times every month. We know where our

NYSC members are and we knew the level of security arrangement we put in place to protect them. We also sent operatives of Department of State Security, DSS to watch over them.

“We have equipment that monitors what happens in the state.

The only way they will not kidnap Corpers is to send Joseph Mbu back to where he came from and post us a Commissioner of Police that will serve the interest of this state.”

Earlier, Chief Bozimo said they were at Government House, to thank the governor for his support for the NYSC scheme, lamenting the recent kidnap of three corps members serving in the state. He appealed to the governor to take steps to guarantee the safety of corps members in the state.

MOU: Niger Delta Affairs Minister, Elder Godsday Orubebe (left) and Managing Director, Bank of Industry, Ms. Evelyn Oputu, exchanging the Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, on the establishment of Fish Industrial Park in Niger Delta States in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

Delta Speaker mourns Ewherido

A

SABA—SPEAKER of Delta State House of Assembly, Mr Victor Ochei, has expressed shock over the death of Senator Pius Ewheriodo. He described the late Senator as an exemplary patriot, whose focus was on the socio-economic eman-

cipation of the polity.

In a statement, Ochei said: “My sense of loss regarding Senator Ewheriodo, erstwhile acting Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, stems from the fact that he departed when his repertoire of knowledge would have en-

hanced our fledgling democracy.

“I sincerely wish to implore his immediate and extended family to take solace in the fact that his accomplishments in his short but eventful life will be a source of inspiration to the living.

“He was a consummate political leader, arising from his insatiable quest for knowledge, through voracious reading and interaction with all strata of the society irrespective of tribe or religion.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013 —13

MEETING: Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State (middle); Chairman, South-South Monarchs Forum, Amanyanabo of Nembe,King Edmund Daukoru (left) and his South-East counterpart, Obi of Obinugwu, Eze Cletus I. Ilomuanya, at the inaugural meeting of the South-South/South-East Traditional Rulers Forum in Yenagoa.

Police parade Bishop Nwabueze over alleged rape

BY JIMITOTA ONOY-

UME ORT HARCOURT— CHAIRMAN of All Bishops in Rivers State, Bishop Chibuike Nwabueze, who was arrested for allegedly raping a 15-year old girl, was paraded, yesterday, by the state Police Command.

The Bishop, who confessed to the crime before newsmen, said he was hypnotised, adding that he was set up by the pastor of the church where the incident occurred.

He denied raping the

P

Mrs. Clara Omamogho dies at 80

A

LAGOS business woman, Mrs Clara Omamogho, nee, Omadeli Kpregbeyi, 80, of Warri, Delta State is dead.

The late Mrs Omamogho was a popular textile trader.

A statement from her son, Mr Tosan Omamogho said that funeral for the deceased will start on July 25 and end July 28.

Omamogho who is survived by children and grand children will be buried in Lagos.

Late Clara Omamogho

underage girl, but admitted that she removed her clothes after he finished praying for her in the office and before he could shout ‘the blood of Jesus,’ he was already all over the girl.

The Bishop said he was set up by his fellow Bishop, who was also contesting for the post of Chairman of All Bishops in the state with him.

Nwabueze, who was paraded at the Rivers State Criminal Investigation department, SCID, Port Harcourt, said anybody could have fallen a victim of what happened to him.

He described as untrue, allegation that he made the girl abort a pregnancy from the incident. According to him, it was the girl’s father that did it but he

took care of of the bill.

He said: “We have different Colleges of Bishops. I am the Chairman of Communion of Bishops in Rivers State. Well, what actually happened was a set up. It was set-up by my enemies. The man who is incharge of where I went to minister is my enemy. He is the person that set me up.

“He invited me to his church for a programme and afer the programme, he set me up because of what we are dragging. We are dragging the chairmanship of the communion and that was why he set me up. But to my greatest surprise, on the said day and after I had prayed for her, the girl started pulling off her clothes and before you knew it, I had carnal knowledge of her.”

Gunmen abduct 65-yr-old mother of journalist Demand N20m ransom

BY JIMITOTA ONOY-

P

UME O

R

T

HARCOURT—GUNMEN have kidnapped the 65-year-old mother of a Port Harcourt based Journalist, Deaconess Rose Benson.

According to the son, who is the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Port Harcourt Spectator Newspaper, Mr Parry Benson, the mother was abducted, yesterday in Baen community, Khana Local Government Area of the state.

“My bother came out to know who drove into our compound, he saw three people, including a lady

and the driver, who was still behind the steering. One of them came out of the car, greeted my brother and asked him if he was afraid.

“His response was negative, the man went back to the booth of the car. They came as if he was bringing out something and immediately pointed a gun at my brother. He suspected danger and ran. But before he could call the attention of the villagers, they (the hoodlums) left (kidnapped) with my mum.

She is still with them as I speak with you.

“My mother is 65 years old. She is a deaconess. She is quiet and very peaceful.

Why would anyone want to kidnap her?” he queried.

14—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

Ekweremadu calls for restructuring of police

BY UJU MBANUSI

D

EPUTY Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has called for restructuring of the Nigeria Police Force as a step towards ensuring effective policing system in the country.

Ekweremadu, who made the call at an event to seek ways to combat corporate fraud in the country, said Nigeria could not operate a federal system of government and maintain a good police force without reforms to restructure the police.

He noted that lack of strict enforcement of the law against corruption was responsible for its endemic nature in Nigeria.

He described corruption as threat to humanity, stressing that

Book presentation

G

OVERNOR Ibrahim Shehu Shema of Katsina State will on Saturday, July 6, 2013, be the chief presenter at the launching of a new book on youth reproductive health titled “Youth, Sex and well-being, at Afe Babalola Auditorium, University of Lagos.

The book, written by Yetunde Fashina-Arebi, Vanguard’s Deputy Woman Editor, examines adolescence reproductive health, sexual attitudes, orientation and disposition of young people with the aim of highlighting the challenges they face as they mature into adulthood.

The book also offers suggestions on how they can surmount these challenges.

According to the author, Governor Shema was given the honour because of his unique and unprecedented feat in the promotion of girl-child education in Katsina State which has resulted in a increase in the number of girl-child enrolment into schools.

Other dignitaries expected at the presentation include, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Retired Justice of the Supreme Court, George Olushola Oguntade, and First Lady of Osun State, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola, among others.

C M Y K

the reason it thrived was the introduction of wrong values, and wrongful acquisition of overnight wealth.

Ekweremadu lamented that only the poor were found in the prisons, while the rich bail themselves out to enjoy their loots.

He said for corruption to be checked, there should be job opportunities, good business environment for big and small businesses to strive, provision of electricity and ICT introduction for crime detection.

VISIT—Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke (left) and Pro-chancellor/Chairman, UNICAL Governing Council, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, during a visit to Government House, Calabar.

Catholic, Anglican churches battle over ownership of Onitsha school

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

A

WKA—ANAMBRA Stateowned Lafiagi Primary School in Fegge area of Onitsha has become a subject of controversy as Catholic and Anglican churches are battling for its ownership.

The school, which situates between St Michael’s Catholic Church and St Faith’s Anglican Church, both in Fegge, was before the clash used by both churches for social activities.

Vanguard gathered that an incident occurred during Sunday’s worship as youths of both churches tried to stop the other from making use of the school field.

Parish Priest of St Faith’s Anglican Church, Rev Canon Obiora Uzochukwu, told newsmen yesterday that there had been a lingering crisis over the ownership of the land where the school was built.

According to him, trouble started when the state government gave the Anglican Church the space in the school to conduct its church service.

Rev Obiora said: “The Anglican Communion has been worshiping at the primary school for more than 40 years and we view the recent attack by the Catholics as a way of playing scripts

written by unknown hands to intimidate us.

“They (Catholics) came to the open space where we normally have our weekly activities, but the one that broke the carmel’s back was the incident where members of the MOD of the Catholic Church swooped on our members and destroyed two canopies set for C M Y K

Sunday’s service.”

However, the Parish Priest of St. Michael Catholic Church, Rev Fr, Celestin Aniofor, said the school in question did not belong to either of the denominations, adding that it was a government school.

Aniofor said: “Lafiaji Primary School belongs to the state government. What happened was

that the members of MOD in the church got approval from the headmistress of the school to do their camping programme in the school from Friday to Sunday.

When they came to report to me that members of the Anglican Church had used canopies to block the field where they were doing parade, I quickly pleaded with them to give peace a chance.

Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013—15

Honour agreements with unions, Senate tells FG ...describes Senator Ewherido's death as unspeakable tragedy

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

A

BUJA——SENATE leader, Chief Victor Ndoma-Egba, SAN, yesterday advised the Federal Government to always keep any agreement entered into with labour unions to save the country from sufferings and hardships occasioned by incessant strikes.

The Senate leader, who gave the advice while reacting to the strike embarked upon by the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, as well as Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, and Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, told industrial unions to find a better way of resolving problems with government.

NUPENG had suspended its services on Monday in a threeday warning strike to demand for rights for workers in major oil companies, higher pay from their employers as well as repair of dilapidated roads the union members use in moving fuel products. ASUU downed tools over alleged inability of the Federal Government to keep to

VISIT—Members of the Middle Belt Forum during a solidarity visit to President Goodluck Jonathan at Aso Villa, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

the 2009 agreement it entered into with the latter.

Speaking with Vanguard, Ndoma-Egba said incessant strikes were uncalled for and had become undesirable.

He said: “The strikes are totally uncalled for. The unions should look for more ingenious ways of resolving issues. Strikes are getting very daring.”

On the side of government, he said “government should always keep to whatever agreements it entered into with unions.”

The Senate leader, who represents Cross River Central senatorial district, appealed to the unions to call off their industrial actions and try other methods of resolving issues they had with the government.

He assured that the National Assembly would wade into the matter by making appeals to the relevant bodies involved to save the country from the pains of the strike.

Meanwhile, Senator Ndoma-Egba has described the death of Senator Pius Akpor Ewherido as an unspeakable tragedy.

In a statement made available to Vanguard, Ndoma-Egba said the late senator, who represented Delta Central senatorial district until his death, was a quintessential legislator and one that had courage of his convictions.

The statement read: “I received with great pain and shock the news of the death of Senator Pius Akpor Ewherido on June 30, 2013 at the National Assembly hospital, Abuja.

“Senator Ewherido was the quintessential legislator, cerebral, insightful, clear in language and thought, had the courage of his convictions and had an excellent grasp of legislative practice drawing from his experience as Deputy Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly and natural endowments.

“Only recently, Catholic Senators met with Catholic Bishops and his characteristic courage and candour questioned doctrinal positions of the church which, in his view, impaired the faith. He was not one who feared to state his position on any issue and his positions were clear and well thought-out".

No compromise on standards, Reps warn contractors

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

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ENIN—CHAIRMAN, House of Representatives Committee on Works, Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi, yesterday, warned road contractors in the South-South that contracts that fell below standards would not be compromised.

Ozomgbachi, who led a team of 11 Reps on oversight function on roads in the SouthSouth, gave this warning after inspecting the Benin-EhorLokoja road, Phase 1 after it failed an eco-system test.

He said: “This portion of the road is vital to the Federal Government and any attempt not to execute it as specified in the Bill of Engineering Measurement will lead to stiff sanctions from the House. “ Ozomgbachi summoned the chief engineer to explain why the culvert failed both the horizontal and vertical tests of the eco-machine.

N-Assembly urged to put women issues in constitution

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

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HE third national summit of Women in Parliament ended yesterday, with a recommendation that the National Assembly should put issues concerning women into consideration during the Constitutional Review.

The summit also called for women to be given more strategic positions in the National Assembly leadership as a way of ventilating issues concerning the female gender at the highest echelon of the legislature.

The summit, which was graced by Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, his deputy Chief Emeka Ihedioha and other principal officers of the House of Representatives, was jointly organised by the House Committee on Women in Parliament, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, WARDC. The organisation of the summit came with support from UNDP/DGD Project, UKaid, Canadian International Development Agency, CIDA, and Korea International Cooperative Agency, KOICA. C M Y K

16—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY 3, JULY, 2013

Yuguda rescinds decision on NSGF membership B

BY SUZAN EDEH

AUCHI—THE Bauchi State governor, Isa Yuguda has taken back his words on his earlier decision to withdraw from the Northern States Governors Forum, NSGF. Yuguda had resigned his membership of the NSGF in the aftermath of the Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF, election on May 24, saying he would not go back to the forum because of the unfairness at the forum.

Incumbent Chairman of the NGF, Governor Rotimi Ameachi of Rivers State however, emerged winner of the election, after it was collectively agreed that Governor Jang should be the chosen and adopted candidate.

Amaechi polled 19 votes to beat Jang who scored 16.

Yuguda, an ardent member of the Jang-led bloc, said then, “I don’t

see any reason why I should attend the Northern Governors meeting again. Yes! If that is what we will do, I am not going to be a part of it. For the remaining two years of my tenure I will not be part of the NSGF. I want any northern governor to come out and say yes, I voted [at the NGF election] and I voted against Jang.

“I will then ask him why, after sitting with me in the Northern governors meeting and agreeing on a consensus candidate, after saying Shema and I should withdraw for Jang, he then went and voted against Jang. I would like to know why.”

Yuguda, has, however, made a U-turn saying that having given fair considerations to appeals made by northern elders for him to eschew sentiments and give fair representation to the north, he had decided to

return to the forum.

The Governor who spoke to newsmen, yesterday, at Government House in Bauchi through his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Yusuf Gumli, said: “I however decided to mend fences by letting go of the past and return to the forum.

I have decided to heed the appeals from concerned elders in the north who want me give fair representation to the north in the forum.

“As an obedient son, I have accepted their appeals and gone back to the forum. I have never taken sides with Jonah Jang, I was only working under the instruction of the NSGF so that Plateau State will be the centre of north,where there is a fair representation.”

On his alleged presidential aspiration, the Governor said it was not a sin for him to aspire for the post of the president,

AWARD: From left: Mr. Tian Dong, Zonal Director, Startimes; Ms. Ego Ihedioha-Owelle, Advert Manager, Startimes and Mr. Ovuozourie Macaulay, Secretary to the Delta State Government, SSG, during the presentation of an award to StarTimes as Best Performing Cable & Satellite Television in Nigeria in Abuja. vice-president or even the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, governor, adding that,“there is nothing wrong for one to aspire to any position in the country so long as due process is followed.”

He dismissed allegations making the rounds that the crisis in Plateau State was being fuelled by the Bauchi State Gov-

ernment, pointing out that it was also wrong for the Plateau State government to blame its failure to address its insecurity challenges on Bauchi State.

“Bauchi State also faces its own insecurity problems and have never blamed anybody for it. For instance, the state has been battling with the issue of Tafawa

Balewa crisis for years and had braced up for the challenge. If the state government is to make excuses for its failure, we will still be having crisis in the state and that is why until today, people can run to Bauchi State find safety because the state accommodates everybody irrespective of tribe, ethnicity or religion,’’ he said.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013—17

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18 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013 WHOEVER worked out the 2013/14 cut off marks for admission to federal government colleges is cutting off the North from developing its capacities. It is a practical indication of ordained backwardness for a part of Nigeria – it should not be allowed, for the dangers it portends for the whole country.

It is bad if some children from the South, more qualified than their compatriots from the North, are not admitted because they are too brilliant. It is worse that the children from the North are being treated as second class pupils, whose only right to places in schools is their origin.

According to Section 15 (2) of the Constitution, “National integration shall be actively encouraged, whilst discrimination on the grounds of place of origin, sex, religion, status, ethnic or linguistic association or ties shall be prohibited”. The cut off marks are over the bars for discrimination. Some pupils would be admitted with two marks while their mates require 139 marks.

The discrimination hurts the North too.

Students from the North are treated as

Cutting Of th Offf The Nor North second class: they are not. Leadership in the North has woefully failed to provide facilities that would encourage education; instead it wants to produce pupils who cannot be competitive. This type of entitlement would enhance laziness on the part of the authorities and pupils. They would both think quota is a solution to a challenge that runs through culture, belief, social stratification and the North’s politics.

Proponents of this warped national integration model depend on Section 14 (3) of the Constitution. It states, “The composition of the government of the federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in

such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria …thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few States or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that government or in any of its agencies”.

Federal character, in appointments and employments, has been extended to admission to educational institutions. How would a two-mark pupil compete against those with 139 marks? Would quota system be extended to securing school certificate qualifications for the pupils?

We have pushed federal character to a national ethos. We execute it with patriotic zeal. Sessions of the National Assembly are halted to debate implementations of quota system, or federal character. None of these passionate Nigerians apply Section 14 (2b), “The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government”. Such hypocrisy is behind acceptance of discrimination as a national ethic.

The North needs help, but not one that cuts it off from the reality of a competitive Nigeria.

OPINION

BY MARTINS IWUANYANWU

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OR some time now, the entire West seems to be engaging the rest of the world in a very fierce war to get everyone on earth to buy into the GROUND SIN called ‘same-sex marriage’. It appears very clearly that the West is in a hurry to provoke God’s anger as Sodom and Gomorra did in the Bible days. But America, UK and their allies in this treason against God and humanity are conversant with Bible history, I believe, and maybe want to know what God would do. Why is the West in this self-destructive mission? And why do they want to involve the rest of the world in the satanic agenda?

If President Obama wanted to sign the death warrant of the whole of America, maybe we can keep quiet and watch. Even Prime Minister Cameron is at liberty to take the whole of United Kingdom on a suicide mission. But what is worrisome here is the unrelenting effort to drag the whole world to a battle against the Almighty God. Same-sex marriage is totally senseless, illogical and indeed an aberration. In every part of Africa, it is an abomination with or without the mention of religion.

There is no scarcity of men or women for anybody who wants to marry. God designed in creation that marriage should be a union between a man and a woman and that is what has made procreation possible. It takes positive and negative to supply energy. The man supplies the C M Y K

UK visa conditions, same-sex marriage and democratic universalism sperm that fertilizes the eggs in the woman’s ovaries and she conceives and gives birth to a child after nine months and everybody celebrates the joy of the arrival of a new baby. The entire process of procreation is natural and Godly.

America, UK and their allies today choose to see civilization as a vehicle of confrontation against God. Just a few days ago, it was reported that the Prime Minister Cameron of Britain has boasted he will speak to President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria to ensure that Nigeria toes the line of same-sex marriage legalisation. Apparently, not sure he will be able to persuade President Jonathan to work against the wishes of Nigerians, he decided to adopt intimidation as tool for engagement by coming up with a policy of c ash-bond charge of N750,000 for any Nigerian wanting a UK visa to visit the United Kingdom. I think a constructive dialogue and engagement should have been the right approach looking at it from the human rights point of view. Ostensibly, the concern of President Obama and his brother the Prime Minister Cameron in this matter of same-sex marriage I believe is the respect for human rights and not animal rights. Therefore, Obama and Cameron should start first by showing leadership to their people, divorcing their wives and

then take fellow men as wives or husbands. They should then give us time to observe how such marriages will work with them while at the same time they denounce the children gotten in their previous marriages.

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he whole world must know that the agenda behind democratic universalism and its sister, same-sex marriage and the philosophy of the promoters and proponents is to destroy humanity. It is well understood now that the concept of democratic universalism is to push God by the side and enthrone humanism.

Surprisingly, many kid Westerners today describe the Creator of the Heaven and the Earth as “SKY DAD” and they call it human rights, that is the right to choose to do evil and also to force others to do the same. Freemason is the cult propagating democratic universalism which says that nobody should pray in a public school. Nobody should even talk about Bible or God so as not to offend the sensibilities of the Anti – Christ. You can not even correct your child for doing wrong in the US and in the UK amongst other Western nations because of the prevalent child rights laws in these countries.

What sense does it make to legalise the

right of one to commit suicide? Do we call this human rights or animal rights, when a whole community of supposedly civilized people has lost their senses and now headed to self-destruction? I hope that President Jonathan will without further delay sign into law the Act of Parliament as passed by our own National Assembly forbidding in entirety ‘same-sex marriage’ in Nigeria. Mr. Jonathan does not need Obama or Cameron and their allies to win 2015 presidential election in Nigeria if he so desires and is so desperate. Nigeria will decide who governs them and NOT the freemason cult with its headquarters in the USA. They may decide who becomes American President or British Prime Minister. This terrible and ungodly cult is the father and author of democratic universalism and same-sex marriage. It is intended to change the lifestyle of every individual and nation, to bring everybody in collision with God and that will be the end of the world. I challenge President Obama and Prime Minister Cameron to open debate on SAME SEX MARRIAGE IF THEY ARE NOT ASHAMED!

*Dr. Iwuanyanwu, a social critic, wrote from Lagos.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013— —19

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NE wouldn’t know if the Jonathan administration has made any official pronouncement on the matter but the issue seems serious enough to warrant a response from senior members of the Obama administration. This was on the planned visit of the American president to Africa, the second since his inauguration as the first American leader of African descent in January 2009.

In his first visit to the Continent Mr. Obama felt Ghana was more central to America’s interest than Nigeria and promptly flew into the waiting arms of our smaller but more respectable neighbour where he was given a once-in-a-lifetime welcome. The country rose as one to receive their respected visitor even if only for a few hours. Nigeria chafed but kept her grumblings to herself and the rest of the world pretended not to notice the apparent snub. During his earlier visit as senator, Nigeria was not on Mr. Obama’s itinerary. On his 2009 visit to Egypt during his first visit as president, he made a major

policy statement on America’s relations with the Arab and Islamic world and the rest of the world cheered. That visit was a major milestone for the president and America.

On this his second visit, the American president has once more made it clear that his country’s strategic interest is better served elsewhere on the continent. And he did draw up an itinerary that did not include Nigeria even if Senegal, Nigeria’s smaller, French-speaking neighbour in the West African sub-region made the bill. So did Tanzania in the east and South Africa that has been catching a cold from sneezes induced by Mandela’s ill-health.

If one could explain away Obama’s snub on his first two visits, his third is one too many and the thick-skinned bulls of Abuja appear bruised. But as I said above, I can’t be sure if Abuja has said anything about this officially.

But Nigerians and other embarrassed observers are not keeping quiet, perhaps in the hope

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of reminding Abuja that there is something the matter with the way we view ourselves and how others view us.

Yet the Americans would want us to believe that all is well between their country and ours. The only problem, they claim, is security- or the lack of it. Which is why, they say, Obama would not be shaking hands with Goodluck Jonathan. In a joint briefing by Ben Rhodes, the Deputy National Security Advisor, Grant Harris, the Senior Director for African Affairs and Gayle Smith, Senior Director for Development and Democracy, the Americans cite Nigeria’s security issue, no doubt caused by extremist groups operating mostly in the North, as responsible for their president’s reluctance to step on Nigerian soil.

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ut we do not all have to be trained diplomats to know this is a lie or just a nice way to say

Iriji Mbaise: Celebrating a dying tradition

BY CHUKWUEMEKA ONWUBIKO

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RIJI MBAISE, one of the very rooted festivals for which Igbos in general and the Mbaise clans in particular are known is celebrated annually on August 15.

Celebrated during the harvest season, this festival is set aside as a thanksgiving to God for a good harvest and offering of prayers for better ones in the seasons ahead.

Of all crops in Igboland, yam is king and most revered. Over the years, Iriji Mbaise has become an international event witnessed by sons and daughters of Mbaise and their friends at home and abroad.

However, in recent times, it has taken more of the status of a political event, thus relegating its essence - socio-culture, economy, spirituality, morality and tradition – to the background.

One of the highlights of this event is the presentation of kola nut and subsequent visit (to the extent that time permits) to all clans, towns/villages and even to kindreds in order of seniority. This can be likened to the ceremony of carrying the Olympic Torch through various cities or countries that have hosted or will be participating in the event.

Since this tradition predates the Olympic Games, will the International Olympic Committee, IOC, ever acknowledge borrowing this practice from Mbaiseland?

There is no other activity that sets the mood for this celebration except the inspection of yam barns of Ndi Eze Ji. One has often wondered why miniature barns of Ndi Eze Ji cannot be erected at the event venue to avail spectators the opportunity of appreciating the art, wisdom, intricacy, innovation and style involved in cultivation, C M Y K

harvesting, preserving and or preparing this revered food item. What has happened to “Ji odu” cultural game children and youths played back in the days which promoted mental alertness, self-consciousness and concentration, among other things? More interesting is even the art of eating the roasted hot yam by the contender who catches his/her opponent off guard.

One is of the view that as much as Western education is desirable, knowledge acquired therefrom should also be applied towards the promotion, progress and deeper appreciation of our culture and tradition.

Apart from our brothers and sisters who are making us proud in their different endeavours outside our shores, many who have made us proud through their writings wrote about our life, the beauty of our language, cultures and traditions. These attributes must not be replaced by pop culture or the current chronic crave for all things Western and therefore be allowed to die as it continuously suffers neglect. Why should we allow the veritable means of teaching and learning (action/talk on one hand and watching/listening and practicing on the other) which produced so many orators and wise men vast in the use of proverbs and idioms in communication and strong, industrious craftsmen and artists who express the meaning and Igbo world view through colours, paintings, artworks and the like to fade away? Are these not what tourists seek where and when they embark on journeys, things that expose deeper meanings of life and nature while enriching their individual lives? But sadly, we neither crave for the former nor care about the latter due to our pathetic fixation on living a

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Nigeria, the desperate giant

Can Nigeria pose more security challenge to the safety of Obama than Afghanistan or Iraq? But Obama has visited both countries; the question is one of strategic interest

something ugly. American presidents have demonstrated support for countries faced with difficult security issues but of strategic interest to them by carefully scheduled visits. Details of such visits are often left till the last moment or are simply left unannounced until the visit is over.

But they are nevertheless made.

Can Nigeria pose more security challenge to the safety of Obama than Afghanistan or Iraq? But Obama has visited both countries, the former on at least three occasions. George W Bush visited Iraq in the heat of the post Saddam Hussein difficulties. The question is one of strategic interest- how much of this does Nigeria represent to America?

We are not here saying that America must be sure it can, say, exploit our oil for her president to find ours an attractive diplomatic destination. No, the point doesn’t have to be that starkly self-serving.

But even in Africa itself, how much of leadership does Nigeria provide as to command the attention of the world? Which of our leaders possess the kind of charisma or political stature as will direct attention to their words? In what way does this so-called giant of Africa prove it’s a leader to be taken seriously beyond her huge demography? Is big just for nothing? How well do our leaders respect the democratic options of the people as expressed through the ballot when ‘the power of incumbency’ that ensures a sitting politician is never defeated in an election is as rife as ever? Both Ghana and Senegal only recently had elections in which a popular party and/or incumbent candidate were defeated. Can this happen in the Nigeria of today where President Jonathan turns the heat on an elected governor on mere suspicion he harbours presidential

One is of the view that as much as Western education is desirable, knowledge acquired there from should also be applied towards the promotion, progress and deeper appreciation of our culture and tradition

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“better life”.

Who said that the Oyibo orthopaedic bed is better than the traditional bed, a byproduct of raffia palm tree or that the sound of Oyibo guitar is more soothing to the ear and mind than the one produced by our local akwara also made from the raffia palm?

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ne therefore thinks it is necessary that parents engage their children (students) productively through activities that will not only teach or arouse their interests but hone their creative instincts concerning their cultural environment.Competing in Igbo essay writing focusing on the festival is one way.

Another way is to task them on gaining more knowledge in their language and tradition by exploring their villages and towns.

Interviewing old people during such trips will ensure the transfer of native wisdom, custom, stories and knowledge in agriculture and of its produce to the next generation.

Imagine the pleasure and applause from the audience on one hand and a sense of fulfilment and achievement of the students debating in their mother tongue on the other.

ambitions? What type of democracy do we hawk where 36 governors cannot elect their own chairperson without secret videos emerging as to how somebody voted or did not vote? Or where the president brazenly shows his hands in the confusion that is rocking his own party? What are we doing about corruption where thieves who pocketed so-called oil subsidies are best friends with our leading politicians? Would a visit

by Obama not be taken by our small-minded politicians, no better than tribal warlords at the best of time- would an American president’s visit not be taken by these mere politicians as endorsement of their corrupt ways?

You can be sure that some fecundminded politician would turn the photograph of a handshake with Obama into a campaign posterevidence of America’s support for their candidacy or validation of the amount of ‘dividends of democracy’ they have brought to their communities where they build a public toilet or village borehole and declare public holidays to celebrate their mediocrity. On the issue of insecurity, how ready or serious is the government to take on the cowards masked as religious activists when many of our politicians are known sponsors or sympathisers of these terrorists?

How can Obama feel safe in such company of potential suicide bombers?

That we are chafing under the imagined slight of not being considered fit host of an American president says much about our fatuous claim of being Africa’s giant. We are a middling giant, too desperate for attention we have done too little to deserve. The best of our tantrums could only make us look like a snubbed first wife not the youthful favourite.

These activities which will attract laurels can serve as prelude to the celebration culminating in the events of each year’s Iriji Festival. In this way, Umu Mbaise are not only carried along but are groomed to preserve the rich legacies bequeathed to them by their forebears.

To the organisers one must warn that the elder who does not teach or instruct a child on how not to let nchekele oku (coals of fire) die before it reaches the fire place and more importantly stoking it to life for either cooking or body warming, is preparing for an old age of hunger and cold.

How much involved are tomorrow's custodians of this event? The failure of imbibing the culture and mores of old by today’s generation must be laid squarely at the footstep of their parents for not carrying on with simple traditions such as taking their children to meetings, be it town, village, kindred and even unashamedly that of the family. But they are quick to take their grown-up boys as bodyguards to political gatherings. So, why won’t they miss the mark?

Aside from the fleeting recognition and pecuniary gains that this festival offers, what enduring legacy can the Mbaise person boast of if not a wider polarized society at the end of each year’s celebration? We must at this point retrace our steps and come together, each with a will of responsibility, selflessness and ability to leave our footprints on the sands of Mbaise land or put more succinctly create a lasting impression in the minds of Mbaise people.

The culture of politics as is practised in our clime today is at variance with the lofty ideals that our culture holds so we must not allow in Mbaise or anywhere in Nigeria, the former which is ephemeral to sing the requiem of the latter which is the soul of our identity and existence.

*Mr. Onwubiko, a cultural traditionalist, wrote from Abuja.

20 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

Man, bed-ridden for 15 years, ponders suicide

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI, PORT HARCOURT

H

E fell from a towering palm tree and lived to tell the story.

But today Prince Henry Ezekiel wishes he died in that accident of December 1992 that left him paralysedandbedriddenfromabroken spine. This is because he has seen his determination to walk again dashed with every new hope.

“My optimism is waning. Suicide has started taking a bigger space in my thoughts as my condition has sapped my aged parents and siblings. Telling my plight to the public is my only fresh will to survive,” Henry told Vanguard Metro, VM. Getting Henry’s story took the reporter to Egboama, a coastline hamlet sharing borders with Kala and Opu, all of Ogbogolo clan far hidden from the rest of Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State. Henry’s home is one among mostly mud houses of thatched roofs and a few others with weather-beaten iron sheets in the Riverside Opu-Egboama.

The decrepit hut tells the first time visitor all is not well with the family. There, in one of two mud cubicles, Henry is stretched out on a bed, his voice loud and clear, hands movable, but the rest of his frame numb from the waist down.

“I have been like this for the past 16 years”, Prince Ezekiel opens on his diary of long suffering. “My disability happened in December 1992, few weeks to my 25th birthday.” Already through with secondary education, his dream was to become a journalist or lawyer. With JAMB success proving difficult to attain, he concentrated on harvesting of palm nuts.

“At first I did not feel any sensation. He repeated the process with cold water. Immediately I felt a sharpburningsensationonmylegs.

Thewaterhadcookedbothmylegs.

As I shouted and struggled due to the burning pains, the helper simply said: ‘It is okay, he could walk with his legs’ and he disappeared, leaving the family to deal with the serious burns caused by the hot water,” Henry narrated.

The family then sought the assistance of another friend, Chief David Okworise, who took Henry to the Ahoada General Hospital after being ferried across the River

Orashi. There, he was referred to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, UPTH. An industrial action that year denied him adequate medical attentionforweeks.In the course of staying there, he developed bedsores, further complicating his condition.

Discharged with insignificant improvement at the UPTH, some other options have been tried, including traditional healers who all failed to help him walk again. He was *Chief M.O. Ezekiel, Henry’s father taken back home in 1997 where he had several hours after regaining con- been confined to bed day and night, sciousness and saw acrowdoffamily members and neighbours who gathered around me at our home.

The impact of the fall snapped my spinal cord as x-rays would con-

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I felt a sharp burning sensation on my legs; the water had cooked both my legs; I shouted and struggled due to the burning pains

On this fateful day, Prince Ezekiel set out to fetch the nuts in one of the high rising oil palm trees on a farm belonging to the mother who was then weeding her crops there. He remembered climbing to the peak of the palm tree with a locally fashioned climbing belt. He also remembered cutting the mature nuts and successfully dropping same tothe ground. He would not know what transpired after taking just a couple of steps descending the palm tree as he plunged from the height of the palm three, well over a hundred metres to the ground.

“I only realised what happened

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*Henry, bedridden and crying for help

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firm later. From this point, my body, from the waist down, went numb,” he recounted.

In the desperation to restore the dead legs, a relative from neighbouring Kala had offered a dangerous diagnosis to determine whether the dead legs were restorable. ‘”He was a senior oil service engineer on a weekend vacation in the village. So the family trusted him to work the magic,” Henry recalls. He asked for boiling water and when this was provided, he poured the steaming water on the legs of the stricken young man, from the knees down to the toes.

his welfare hanging on the efforts of an aged father, Chief M.O. Ezekiel, who was the General Secretary of Ogbogolo Clan between 1960 and 1994. The situation has remained a tough burden on the mother, Mrs. Christiana Ezekiel, his younger brother Gibson and an elder sister.

The struggle to restore life to his dead legs has also seen him attend various miracle crusades by different men of God. He recalls: “In 1997, I was taken to an Omoku crusade hosted by Rev. Uma Ukpai. During the prayers, I stood but fainted as I attempted taking a stride. In 2000, I returned for same crusade at Omoku. I stood with my legs again, but could not walk. I have also had similar experiences with Bishop Reinhardt Bonnke crusade in 2000.”

Even with the hope of walking again seemingly diminishing, Prince Ezekiel now believes medi-

cal science can save him from being perpetually bedridden. It is a matter of cash which his family does not have.

Summing his frustration, Gibson, the younger brother said: “These days he thinks a lot, whether it is not better if he just took his life. It is really hard on us. I have heard or seen people with worst conditions supported medically to live better lives, even if it means helping him to eventually move around on a wheelchair. I am using this medium to call on government, NDDC, other agencies, corporate bodies and well-meaning individuals to come to our aid so that my brother can be useful to himself again.”

Bedridden Ezekiel has two children from a wife who had since left to remarry elsewhere. The first daughter is now 22, the younger onediedthreemonthsback.“Ineed help,” Ezekiel pleads.

Cross River, Abia govts sue for peace over boundary dispute

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OUTHS, traditional rulers and local government chairmen in the warring boundary communities of OkonAku in Ohafia, Abia State and Ikun Ubaghara in Biase, Cross River State, have been advised by governments of the two adjoining states to remain calm, maintain peace and tranquility so as to pave way for development in the disputed area. They were also enjoined to rise up to the occasion by fishing out and sanctioning troublemakers in their respective domains in the disputed area.

Both states agreed to revive and regularise Joint Peace Committee meetings to monthly sitting, while reports therefrom are to be submitted monthly to the Offices of the Deputy Governors of both states through the Local Government Chairmen of Biase and Ohafia. In a communiqué released in Calabar at the end of a recent joint peace meeting of Boundary Committees of both states, they agreed to work out modalities

that would facilitate the opening of an” Escrow Account” wherein payment of compensations arising from the road construction would be lodged for the benefits of both states, pending the final determination by the boundary Commission Earlier, the Cross River State Deputy Governor, Efiok Cobham, sued for peace and called on both states to pressurize the National Boundary Commission to reconvene the postponed meeting of the Technical Team for the determination of the Northern tripartite point between Abia, Ebonyi and Cross River States.

Also, the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Sir Emeka Ananaba, represented by his Special Adviser on Security Matters, Navy Captain Chris Osondu (rtd) who is a one-time, Military Administrator of Cross River State, expressed gratitude to the border dwellers of the disputed communities for adopting dialogue in resolving the boundary disputes and urged them to sustain it with their regular inter and intra-boundary peace meetings.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013 — 21

China’s ICBC tops 2013 global bank rankings

BY OMOH GABRIEL, WITH AGENCY REPORT

I

NDUSTRIAL and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) has leapfrogged two U.S. banks to top the 2013 global ranking of banks with the most capital, highlighting the growing size and importance of Chinese lenders.

ICBC topped The Banker magazine’s annual list of the top 1,000 banks for the first time, relegating Bank of America to third from first, while JPMorgan Chase remained second. ICBC was third last year.

The rankings are based on Tier 1 capital as a measure of a bank’s ability to lend on a large scale and endure shocks. ICBC has for some time ranked as the top bank by market value.

Britain’s HSBC, which gains much of its earnings from Asia, was fourth in The Banker’s list, with China Construction Bank (CCB) ranked fifth. China had four banks in the top 10 and 96 in the Top 1,000. Its top four lenders - ICBC, CCB, Bank of China and Agricultural Bank of China - filled the top positions for profit in 2012. ICBC’s $49 billion profit put it top of the profit table for a third successive year. Total profit for the biggest 1,000 banks is now back close to levels achieved

before the 2007/09 financial crisis, but the regional share has shifted significantly, The Banker said.

In 2006 European banks accounted for 46 percent of global profits and 58 percent of assets, but last year that had dropped to less than 2 percent of profits and 43 percent of assets. Asia’s banks have lifted their share of profits to 56

percent from 19 percent in the same time and increased their share of assets to 35 percent from 22 percent. Spain’s Bankia posted the biggest loss last year at $33 billion, with six of the 10 biggest losses coming from Spain, the magazine estimated.

Banker Magazine report said “In fact, Africa stands out as top performer this year. At 2.3 per

cent, it now has a higher share of global profits than Western Europe, despite accounting for less than 0.8 per cent of global assets. Pre-tax profits are up more than 30 per cent in this year ’s ranking, more than double the rise in China. Its return on assets is 2.1 per cent, far outstripping Asia-Pacific or Latin America. China and Brazil both recorded return on

From left: Executive Director, Market Operations and Technology, Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, Mr. Ade Bajomo; Managing Director, FSDH (Fund Manager); Mrs. Mayowa Ogunwemimo; Chief Executive Officer, NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema and Managing Director, UPDC, Mr. Hakeem Ogunniran at the listing of UPDC REIT shares on the Daily Official List of the exchange. in Lagos.

US AID, A GRA se 7m agric facilities USAID, AGRA sett up $4 $47m

BY JIMOH BABATUNDE, WITH AGENCY REPORT

A

THREE-YEAR partnership worth $47 million has been announced by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and United States Agency for International Development, USAID, to accelerate smallholder farmers’ access to transformative agricultural technologies.

The Scaling seeds and Technologies Partnership will work in four countries within the G8’s New Alliance for Food Security - Ethiopia, Ghana, Mozambique, and Tanzania - where it will help governments strengthen their seed sectors and promote the commercialisation, distribution and adoption of improved seeds and other key technologies.

The partnership aims to increase production of high-quality seeds by 45 percent in three years and ensure that 40 percent more farmers gain access to

innovative agricultural technologies.

When the new alliance was launched, President Barrack Obama and others pledged to leverage technology ’s transformative potential by taking innovation to scale.

To accomplish this, they committed to a series of enabling actions to promote adoption of agricultural technologies, setting yield targets that support country-defined agricultural goals, identifying key innovations that can help farmers reach those targets, harnessing information and communication technologies to support agricultural growth, and promoting policy reforms to improve the enabling environment for agricultural investment that will lift millions out of poverty.

The Scaling Seeds and Technologies Partnership will help deliver on these new alliance commitments. By strengthening seed and input sectors, the partnership’s efforts will leverage technology’s tremendous potential to

spur agricultural growth in Africa, which in turn can catalyze broad-based economic growth, improve smallholder incomes, and reduce hunger, poverty and stunting in children. These gains will also help partnering governments meet the country-determined agricultural priorities they set during the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Plan (CAADP) process.

“The Scaling Seeds and Technologies Partnership will help strengthen seed sectors, including regulatory systems, and create new local seed companies, ensuring that game-changing technologies can reach and improve the lives of millions of smallholders,” said USAID Administrator, Rajiv Shah.

“The United States will continue to support this and other new alliance efforts through Feed the Future, President Obama’s global hunger and food security initiative.”

assets of below 1.6 per cent, with Brazil’s total profits actually falling in financial year 2012. Kenya is the top African market for return on assets, at more than 5 per cent, and enjoys a new entrant in the ranking – the Cooperative Bank of Kenya entering at 1000. Elsewhere, Bangladesh is one of the fastest-growing markets, and it has a 43 per cent return on capital. Total assets per capita are not much more than $40, making this the most underbanked country represented in the Top 1000.

“This year’s ranking may also change perceptions of central and eastern Europe (CEE), widely characterised as the victim of contagion from eurozone banking groups with high market penetration in the CEE region. There are certainly troubled markets such as Slovenia and Ukraine, but the region as a whole was second only to Africa in terms of return on assets. Out of the top 10 countries for asset growth, four were from CEE, led by the largest market in the region – Russia. Even in Russia itself, the market is a divided one. A range of retail-focused banks are earning return on capital of more than 20 per cent or even 30 per cent, whereas many of the large corporate banks are struggling to push profit on capital into double figures and some are lossmaking.

121.85

1.85

2,170.00

-24.00

16.63

-0.29

102.97 +0.81 97.92 CURRENCY BUYING CENTRAL DOLLAR 154.75 POUNDS 235.9938 EURO 202.4285 FRANC 164.0865 YEN 1.5638 CFA 0.2884 WAUA 231.9598 RENMINBI 25.2117 RIYA 41.2645 KRONA 27.131 SDR 232.744

155.25 236.7563 203.0825 164.6167 1.5688 0.2984 232.7092 25.2936 41.3978 27.2187 233.496

+1.36 SELLING 155.75 237.5188 203.7366 165.1469 1.5739 0.3084 233.4587 25.3755 41.5311 27.3064 234.248

CBN Exchange rate as at 02/07/2013

22—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

How insurers can enforce compulsory insurance products the federal and Lagos State laws.

By ROSEMARY ONUOHA

Occupiers Liability Insurance This type of insurance requires that all owners or occupiers of public buildings, whether private or public have as cover. A “public building” is any building that is not 100 per cent used by the owner for residential purposes. Public buildings include tenement houses, hostels, residential buildings occupied by tenants, lodgers or licensees, and any other building to which members of the public enter and exit for the purpose of educational, recreational or medical services (e.g. schools, cinemas, hospitals, malls, petrol stations, etc).

Occupiers Liability Insurance provides compensation in events of bodily injury, death and property damage to the business users and members of the public in the event of building collapse, fire, earthquakes, storm or flood.

The penalty for noncompliance is N100, 000 plus one year imprisonment, and sealing-off or demolition of the building under the federal and the Lagos State laws.

T

What PenCom did A new guideline from PenCom stipulates that if a state wants to raise money from the bond market, for pension funds to invest in the bond, the payment of pensions will no longer be at the instance of the state but will be deducted at source and remitted to the PFAs. It is believed that such move is a strong requirement and the push back initially could be wide but it requires financial discipline on the part of the states.

The guideline is important because state governments collectively are a huge employer of labour and they have a lot of employees that would ordinarily go for Retirement Savings Accounts, RSAs, but because they have to make their own laws first, it is at their own convenience to do that. The idea is really to get them on board, but make sure that they come on board safely and not just half way.

What insurers can do Insurers can borrow a leaf from the pension sector. In partnership with perhaps, the Bureau of Public Procurement, if one is bidding for any government job and one cannot show proof of group life assurance or the relevant

compulsory insurance products that affects one, then such a bidder should not get the job. Whether such bidder has been in operation for a long time, he/she will not be considered.

The compulsory insurances Compulsory insurances are those classes of insurance made compulsory by law, with the objective of providing protection to third parties and the general public. And they are as follows.

Builders Liability Insurance This type of insurance requires that all owners or contractors of buildings under construction (more than 2 floors), must have as cover to provide compensation in event of bodily injury, death and property damage to workers at construction sites and affected members of the public in the event of collapse of the building and other

,

he low level of insurance awarenessin nigeria is well known but in recent times its effects on compulsory insurance products have been over bearing. Awareness creation can never be enough and if practitioners in the sector are to tap into the expected results, which are meant to grow the industry, in terms of premium income while providing safety and protection for the citizenry of this country, practitioners need to do a lot more.

The insurance sector should be pursuing enforcement of the compulsory insurance products because if the required enforcement is not there, the laudable goals and underlining objectives of the compulsory insurances cannot come to fruition.

In pursuing enforcement, the National Insurance Commission in collaboration with practitioners should partner with relevant government agencies, just like what the National Pension Commission, PenCom, did for states that want to access pension funds through bonds.

The insurance sector should be pursuing enforcement of the compulsory insurance products because if the required enforcement is not there, the laudable goals and underlining objectives of the compulsory insurances cannot come to fruition

,

construction risks. The penalty for non-compliance is N250, 000 plus three years imprisonment. Record of conviction, sealing-off and demolition of the building are the penalties provided under

Employer ’s Liability (Group Life) Insurance This is the type of insurance that all employers of labour with more than four employees are required to have as cover under the Pension Reform Act 2004. The law requires that the employers have insurance that will provide for compensation in the event of death, disappearance, disability, or critical illness suffered by staff while in service and to subsidise pension provision in the

event of mental or physical disability. This law applies to both public and private sector employees. This means that employees (and their families) have the right to demand compensation and payment from their employers in the event of injury or death. The penalty for noncompliance with this law is N250,000, record of conviction, and in addition the place of business may be sealed up.

Healthcare Professional Indemnity Insurance This type of insurance requires that all licensed health care providers and medical practitioners (such as doctors, nurses, pharmacists, etc) have as cover under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) 1999. This insurance cover protects their patients in case of accidents or fatalities (death) resulting from professional negligence.

This insurance provides compensation to patients and their relatives in the event of involuntary murder, disability, shock and injury suffered by patients as a result of the negligence of Health Care Providers. The penalty for non-compliance with this law is a possible revocation of licence by the National Health Insurance Council, a record of conviction, and sealing-off of the premises.

Third Party Motor Liability Insurance This is the minimum insurance that all owners and drivers of motor vehicles, motorcycles and special type vehicles plying the Nigerian roads are required to have under the National Insurance Act 2003. The third party motor liability insures the motor vehicle against liability as to death, bodily injury or damage to property of a third parties arising from the use of the vehicle. The penalty for non-compliance is a fine of up to N250,000 plus one year imprisonment.

Insurance contribution to GDP is less than one per cent —NIA

BY RITA OBODOECHINA

N

ational Insurance Association, NIA, is worried over the less than one per cent contribution of the underwriting industry to the Gross Domestic Product, GDP. Chairman of the Association, Mr. Remi Olowude said the volume of business underwritten by industry players in 2012 was N240 billion.The figure represents 10.24 per cent increase against N217.7 billion recorded by the industry in 2011.

He said, “The current performance of the industry has not been sufficient for it to reach the critical mass necessary to make the desired impact on the economy” Olowude affirmed that industry had continued to struggle with inadequate infrastructure and unstable weather which exposed insured assets to natural disasters such as floods.

According to him, the association was reviving the Nigerian Oil and Energy Insurance Pool to improve the industry’s

underwriting capacity in the critical sector.

The NIA boss noted that the association had completed and started deploying the first phase of the Nigerian Insurance Industry Database (NIID) Motor Insurance Module.

On claims payment, he said the delay in claims payment had reduced as its members continued to live up to their obligation of prompt claims payment to policy holders.

Olowude disclosed that the association organised 14 training programmes for its members in 2012 which included collaboration with the GIZ of Germany to build capacity on micro insurance.

Also, Mr. Olorundare Thomas, NIA Director-General, added that the association was working with the National Insurance Commission on the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Programme.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013 — 23

Need to get professional training

By ROSEMARY ONUOHA

T

he Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, CIIN, is the training arm of the insurance industry. In other words, the Institute is the body that has been given the statutory powers to train and retrain insurance professionals and persons in Nigeria.

For professionals Since its establishment, the CIIN has been doing its best to ensure that those who hold themselves out as insurance professionals are well trained before they are certified. That is, for you to become an insurance professional, you must have gone through some prescribed examinations, which the institute conducts.

The examination is in three parts, which are the certificate; the diploma; and advanced diploma stage. If any one hopes to hold himself high as an insurance professional, he/she must go through these examinations.

The Institute has examination programmes it conducts on regular bases, some on annual bases and others at regular intervals.

Such programmes for example include conferences, seminars, inhouse programmes and Mandatory Continuing Professional Development

igerian Insurers Association (NIA) the umbrella body of underwriters has opposed the initiative in the proposed pension bill to domicile annuity funds with Pension Fund Custodians (PFCs).

The Director-General NIA, Sunday Thomas in an interview said the association has expressed its misgivings on the issue at a public hearing for review of the Pension Reform Act 2004, in Abuja.

He noted that the association is opposing the initiative because the management of annuity is totally different from programme withdrawal, hence, the fund should not be left in the hands of PFCs. He said, “The Pension report is dealing with different aspects, one of them is the fact that Life annuity funds should be domiciled with pension custodians. We have said that is not in practice in any known jurisdiction, and we do not think it should be so, because the management of pension annuity is entirely different from programme

NIA revives oil, energy insurance pool T

(MCPD) training.

Need for constant training Knowledge, they say is a continuum, as such, it is no longer fashionable or adequate for one to just have one certificate in the present dispensation without adding any other training like computer, management, accounting,

or insurance. Professions have become so intertwined that individuals must have a bit of what is obtainable in other professions. Therefore, such individuals must never rest on his oars because knowledge evolves and the knowledge that was impacted some 10 years ago may not really be sufficient to drive the business of today.

Underwriters kick against domicile of annuity fund with pension custodians N

BRIEFS

withdrawal. The bases of the liability from both pension arrangements are totally different.”

The proposed bill, seeks to negate the operational guideline entitled: Regulation on Annuity under Section 4.1 (B) of the Pension Reform Act 2004, issued by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) and National Pension Commission (PenCom), which provides that where a retiree chooses the retirement life annuity, the retiree shall based on the Retirement Saving Account (RSA) balance projected to the date of retirement, obtain quotes from life annuity from list of approved eligible insurance companies, as will be provided every quarter by the NAICOM. The guideline, also states that the PFA managing the account of the would-be annuitant shall, within seven days from the receipt of application from the retiree, seek approval from PenCom to transfer the agreed premium to the insurer and the requests should be accompanied

with a copy of a provisional agreement. And the PFA shall instruct the PFC to issue cheque for the premium in favour of the insurance company within seven working days of receipt of approval.

It noted that upon receipt of the cheque from the PFC, the life insurance company shall within seven days notify the proposed annuitant of such receipt, adding that the annuitant and his chosen life company shall jointly execute an annuity contract within 21 days from the date of receipt of payment.

Thereafter, the life insurance company shall cause a schedule of all policies written to be forwarded to NAICOM not later than 30 days of its execution. And that NAICOM shall forward a copy of the schedule to PenCom on a quarterly basis.

The Life Insurance Company is also mandated to issue a standing payment order to its banker to credit the designated bank account of the retiree for the amount of monthly/ quarterly payments.

he Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) has said it is working on reviving the Nigeria Oil and Energy Insurance Pool (NOEIP) to enable underwriters maximise the nation’s comparative advantage in oil and gas production.

Its Chairman, Remi Olowude, who was represented by his Deputy, Godwin Wiggle, disclosed this at the association’s 42nd Annual General Meeting (AGM), in Lagos last week. He noted that the initiative will assist the industry improve on its oil and gas underwriting.

He called on operators to take advantage of the opportunity offered by the initiative to build capacity in the area of oil and energy underwriting.

Olowude noted that the volume of business written by the industry last year was estimated at about N240 billion, as against N217.7 billion made in 2011, adding that despite the stride, the sector continues to grapple with problems of inadequate national infrastructural facilities and the vicissitudes of the weather which exposed many of the insured assets to flood and other natural hazards.

He said last year was particularly challenging for the industry, stressing however, that the industry will continue to play its role of financial intermediation in the economy.

The Director General, Sunday Thomas, on the NOEIP, said following the report of the committee set up by the Commissioner for Insurance Fola Daniel, for the industry to look into how it can explore the provisions of the Nigerian Content Act 2010 to increase the local retention capacity in oil and gas business in Nigeria, the association’s Governing Council, through its committee, reviewed the report and recommended the resuscitation of the existing insurance pool.

He said the committee has continued to make progress in fine-turning other details required for the effective take off of the pool to enable it achieve its goals in increasing local capacity.He noted that members have been called upon to subscribe and participate in the pool.

SEND YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS TO insuranceandyou@yahoo.com

24 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

SEC to develop whistle blowing mechanism T

HE Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, is on the verge of developing a whistle blowing mechanism that will further guarantee investors’ confidence in the capital market.

SEC Chairman, Dr. Suleyman Ndanusa, who disclosed this at the launch of the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) Over-theCounter (OTC) market in Lagos, said “SEC would soon come out with a detailed whistle blowing mechanism that will help impede fraudulent acts capable of undermining market integrity.

According to him, “Our mandate at the Commission in regulating and developing the capital market is largely underscored by issues of transparency, liquidity and risk management towards creating enablers that would drive the capital market to achieve its purpose of harnessing long-term funds for economic development

“When I resumed as chairman of SEC, we consulted widely and identified the following key areas of concern that must be tackled head-on: Enforcement of rules and regulations, zero-tolerance to infractions,bolstering investors confidence through full-disclosure and compliance with good corporate governance practices, aggressive investor education and complaints management, establishment of functional and sustained whistle blowing mechanism, implementation of dematerialisation of share certificates and e-dividend, operationalisation of efiling process and actualising the demutualisation of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.”

Continuing, he said “Our commitment in these areas are very clear as we seek to entrench more openness, more inclusiveness, better transparency, availability of information that is timely, complete and undiluted. For small and public companies that will form the trading nucleus of the OTC market, they will largely leverage on these achievements when fully realised.”

Cameroon, the River Benue and Nigeria T

HE River Benue has its origins in the Adamawa Plateau of Northern Cameroon. The Lagdo Dam, a 40m high dam, has been built across the river about 50km upstream of Garoua, a major town on the river in Northern Cameroon. The water releases from this dam has continued to create floods in Cameroon and in Nigeria over the years and the resulting devastation reached all the way to the Niger Delta in Nigeria during 2012. Two major tributaries, River Mayo Kebi and

,

BY PETER EGWUATU

There have been reports that Cameroon and Nigeria intend to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with respect to the River Benue basin. The only significant flood control structure in the River Benue basin is the Lagdo Dam

,

From left: Mrs Titi Sobola, Brand Manager, Lafarge WAPCO Nigeria (left); Senator Gbenga Ashafa, Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on Housing (right) during the inspection of the pavilions at the AGM of the Federation of Construction Industry, FOCI/Exhibition, in Abuja.

UACN acquires 51% stake in Portland Paints

BY NKIRUKA NNOROM

A

S part of efforts to increase its presence in key sectors of the economy, UAC of Nigeria Plc, yesterday, said that it has completed the acquisition of 51 percent equity stake in Portland Paints and Products Plc. In a notice filed with the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, UACN said the acquisition resulted in take over of 204 million units of shares of Portland Paints at an acquisition price per share of N4.47.

It stated that the acquisition followed a Memorandum of Understanding signed with the paint manufacturer on July, 2012, while the deal was fully executed on 28th June 2013.

UAC of Nigeria Plc stated that it was convinced that the acquisition of a controlling interest in Portland Paints & Products Plc would deepen its presence within Nigeria’s decorative paints industry, adding that Portland Paints would also benefit from UACN’s vast experience and operations in the Nigeria’s real estate and building mateC M Y K

rials sectors.

UACN had explained that the proposed transaction was driven by potential synergies between the two companies, while saying that the move was in line with its strategy of building a portfolio of brands and businesses geared towards the growth of the Nigerian economy.

“The transaction will allow Portland Paints to leverage the relative strengths of UACN and yield considerable benefit to stakeholders in both companies. UACN and Portland Paints, with their established presence in the Nigerian paint industry, are uniquely positioned to partner on deepening the presence of both companies in existing markets, achieve scope and scale economies in procurement, production and distribution,” the company said.

It will be recalled that an approval to that effect had been secured from the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, and the shareholders of both companies in a separate courtordered meeting.

River Faro, join the Benue in Northern Cameroon downstream of the Lagdo Dam. The Cameroon has an extremely dry north but a very wet high attitude western region. River Katsina-Ala rises in the western region of Cameroon before entering Nigeria, it passes through Katsina-Ala before joining the River Benue about 40km east of Makurdi. The River Donga, which provides up to 20% of the Benue flow, starts in the Adamawa Highlands of Nigeria, adjacent to the Cameroon. The River Donga joins the River Benue at Jibu. The River Taraba also has its origins in the Adamawa Highlands and it joins the River Benue about 20km northeast of Jibu.

The Rivers Katsina Ala, Donga and Taraba drain a part of the western region of Cameroon and an area in Nigeria south of the River Benue. The River Gongola has its origins in Plateau State of Nigeria and it drains an area north of the River Benue before joining the River Benue at Numan.

Essentially, these major rivers just mentioned above contribute to the flow observed in the River Benue at Makurdi.

The basic approach for the control of the flooding caused by a river is to provide a dam at some suitable point on the river so as to contain the peak flood waters within the dam reservoir. Water stored in the dam reservoir is released in such a manner as to reduce high flows and increase low flows resulting in a stable flow regime downstream of the dam.

Currently, contracts have been awarded for the construction of dams on the River Donga in the region near Gembu for hydro-

electric power generation. When in operation, the hydro-electric power project would stabilise flows on the River Donga.

There is a dam, Kashimbilla Dam, under construction on the River Katsina Ala. This dam should also stabilise flows on the River Katsina Ala if it is properly operated. The Federal Ministry of Water Resources which is responsible for the construction of this dam has not been giving adequate direction for the operations of other dams under its control and hence this dam may not have any significant effect on the River Benue floods.

There have been reports that Cameroon and Nigeria intend to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with respect to the River Benue basin. The only significant flood control structure in the River Benue basin is the Lagdo Dam. This dam has a substantial hydroelectric power potential of about 700MW, it has an installed capacity of 84MW and only one turbine for 21MW is in use. We have to take a look at the electric power sector in Cameroon such that we understand why the existing installed capacity at Lagdo Dam is under-utilised and why the overall potential for hydropower at Lagdo Dam is not considered in planning for the future.

AES-Sonel is the company responsible for electric power supply to the public in Cameroon. It came into being in 2001 following partial privatisation of the existing company with AES Corporation holding 56% of the equity and the Cameroon Government 44% of the equity.

The electric power network consists of a western grid and an eastern grid which are connected together while there is a northern grid which is independent of the other two. There is surplus power available from the northern grid which is connected to the power station at Lagdo Dam. However, AES Sonel has concentrated on building new power stations in the west and the east and it has concentrated its efforts on optimizing the hydropower obtained from River Sanaga which has existing hydropower schemes at Song Loulou, 384MW, and Edea 264MW. It is unlikely, in the immediate future, that the hydropower potential at Lagdo Dam would be put to better use. If Lagdo Dam is to serve as a flood control structure, less water would have to be stored in the reservoir behind the dam. The present maximum operating level of the dam, the full supply level, is 216m above sea level.

This should be lowered to 208m above sea level and the lowered level should be incorporated into the Memorandum of Understanding between Cameroon and Nigeria.

It should be noted that peak flow in the River Benue at Garoua is usually in the month of September. Average flow observed in the river at Garoua in September is about 1670 cubic metres per second. However a flow of 6130 cubic metres per second was observed in the river at Garoua in August 1948. If such a flow should occur now, the effects would be catastrophic on the Rivers Benue and Niger through to the Niger Delta.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013 — 25

DIARY

Select ICT events zCritical Communications World.

Holds July 1-3 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

EDITED by Adekunle Adekoya

zVSAT Latin America. Holds Jul 2-3, 2013 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

MainOne seeks total uptake of ICT in Nigerian education

zMicrosoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2013. Holds July 7-11, 2013 in Houston, USA.

BY PRINCE OSUAGWU

F

zBig Data Monetization in Telecoms Summit. Holds July 15-17, 2013 in Dallas,Texas, US. z2nd Annual FTTX Summit Africa 2013. Holds July 22 - 25, 2013 in Cape Town, South Africa.

Preview

,

Winners of Microsoft 2013 Imagine Cup, Olayinka Oni; National Technology Officer, Microsoft Anglophone West Africa congratulating Team Life Saver, 1st price winner 2013 Microsoft Imagine Cup Nigeria finals who will fly Nigerian flag next week in Russia at the world finals. Photo by EMEKA AGINAM.

New inventions shaping life and living

Detecting diseases with a drop of blood

Turnover of ICT firms hits N185bn mark z50 tertiary institutions get internet link

BY EMMA ELEBEKE

M

INISTER of C o m munication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson says the turnover of information communication technology, ICT companies into the Nigerian economy has reached N185 billion in 2013 and is expected to hit N200 billion by 2015.

The minister disclosed in Abuja at a public function organized in Abuja, and also revealed that the ministry has linked about 50 universities in the country on internet connectivity.

She noted that the increase was necessitated by the new policy drive of

the ministry that spurred the increase from N181.8 billion to N183 billion in 2011 and 2012 respectively to the present status.

As part of efforts to encourage innovation and local content, she said that the ministry has made available $15 million as venture capital to ICT with plans to increase it to $50 million by 2015.

This according to her, is

,

A prototype chip able to detect viruses or diseases from a single drop of blood could soon make easier, and quicker, for doctors to complete their diagnoses.

In development by a team from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, the individual devices are spaced six microns apart—the same size as a single cell. Their structure is based around carbon nanotubes, which are crucial in detecting the presence of the cells. Sensors within the device measure the electrical properties of the blood cells, which allows the team to detect variances and, eventually, detect sick cells based on these differences in charges.

There exists an unacceptably high number of Nigerians that are excluded from infrastructures that can meet their basic needs. Increasing the spread of ICTs can be a means through which this can be corrected

I N S Sun-beaming Bot I Can Lagos be a brings sunlight D smart city? (2) wherever you want E C M Y K

aimed at encouraging local software manufacturers, innovative hubs, original equipment manufacturers and young entrepreneurs, who are yearning for support.

Mrs. Johnson also announced plans by the ministry to establish information technology, IT incubation centres in six geopolitical zones.

The idea according to

Software as next NCS president

her, is to catalyze ICT industry by helping Nigerian ICT entrepreneurs create successful businesses, enable public-private partnership and private-sector managed innovation centres.

With Lagos Centre already launched and Calabar to be launched in July, she assured that the centre would have presence in all the six geopolitical zones in the next two years. On e-government, the minister said that the number of Government services delivered online has increased in the past two years to 45 and is expected to reach 100 by 2015. This is as she said that the number of ministries, departments

Continues on page 30

RONTLINE Niger ia cable Company, Main One, last week said that unless there is a holistic adoption of ICT into the Nigerian secondary and tertiary institutions, it may be difficult to produce 21st century graduates that are ruling world economies now.

Chief Executive Officer of the company, Ms Funke Opeke who made the assertion, hinted that ICT presents great opportunities for redirecting objectives of educational development from knowledge to economic empowerment.

Speaking at the 5 th Commencement Ceremony of the American University of Nigeria, Yola recently, Opeke said that only a holistic incorporation of ICT into the Nigerian educational system can produce graduates, who are ICTcompliant, economically and digitally empowered to contribute to national development.

Opeke, represented by the company’s Head of Sales, Bolanle Ogundogba,said her company was determined to boost ICT use especially in secondary and tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

She said that “our effort at Main One is hinged on strengthening global competitiveness of the Nigerian student, ensuring their continued relevance to themselves and their society, and the need to get Nigeria’s educational institutions relevant on the global stage through improved access to ICT. That is why we have consistently supported educational institutions, and improved their administrative and education processes.”

WRC 2015: CT minister tasks ECOWAS on common positions

26— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

B

Can Lagos be a smart city? (2)

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fortnight ago dis which only recently woke course began in up to its responsibilities in this column on the state. The local govthe above subject matter. ernments that should comI could not continue last plement efforts of the state week due to space con- government by building straints; the serial of Chris and repairing feeder Uwaje’s column, which roads are out of the picdwelt on a similar subject ture as a result of finanmatter as it concerns air cial strangulation. Worse, transport infrastructure there is no metro, while took precedence. I now the Railways (another federal body) is as good as return to the issue.

According to Caragliu et not being there. The only al (2009), quoted in Wiki- line into and out of Lagos pedia, “a city can be de- is still the one befined as ‘smart’ when in- queathed by the colonial vestments in human and government; the Railways social capital and tradi- has seen no improvement tional (transport) and in more than 50 years.

Water transportation as modern (ICT) communication infrastructure fuel an option is also not sustainable economic de- available. As a result, evevelopment and a high rybody who must move are on the quality of life, with a roads, are wise manThe first move- which agement of choked ment towards and crack natural resources, repeatedbeing a smart ly. through city, in my book, participaT h e most negtory action therefore and ena t i v e should begin gagement.” thing that Also, the has hapwith developsmart city pened to ment and inteconcept r o a d gration of all was fortransporwarded as tation has available the next been a tomeans of trans- tal lack of stage of urbanization, regulaport and organition. This zations abominasuch as the European ble vacuum has been Union have devoted re- filled by the transport unsources towards its actu- ions and their overlords, alization. resulting in perhaps the Right now, Lagos has most unfriendly transport the status of a mega city, system in the world. which is generally accept- LAMATA’s Bus Rapid ed to be a city with a pop- Transit (BRT) started out ulation in excess of 10 as a viable alternative; million people. It is how- franchisees operating varever projected that by ious bus services are just 2015, a mere two years the old “molue away, the population of system”dressed in new Lagos will hit the 25 mil- robes. A major problem of lion mark. That will be an the public transport sysincrease of 16 million from tem is what I see as dethe 9,113,605 recorded for liberate refusal of drivers Lagos in the 2006 census, (danfo, molue, etc) to in just nine years! Incred- obey traffic rules. They ible, but that is not a mat- drive as if they are the ter for today. only road users, caring Back to Lagos as a smart not a hoot for others. city, and the definition The first movement toquoted above. Everyday wards being a smart city, experience indicates that in my book, therefore we are very far from a should begin with develsmart city. Though there opment and integration of have been huge invest- all available means of ments in the last decade transport. Lagos State in infrastructure, especial- Government, with its ly roads in the city, they huge resources cannot do have had a limited impact it alone; massive private as roads are being built by sector investment must be only the state govern- in play for any appreciament. The major arteries ble result to be achieved in the city belong to the in a decade.

Federal Government,

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Y now, we’re all quite familiar with solar power, but an innovative microcomputer-powered robot wants to help you see the sun in a new light.

Developed by Italian startup Solenica, SunnyBot is about the size of a large desk lamp and is equipped with an on-board mirror that continuously adjusts to reflect the sun’s rays on a chosen area. The idea is to exploit sunlight and recycle it as a light source for otherwise gloomy rooms, or to reflect the sun’s heat to warm that room, heat a swimming pool or nurture indoor plants.

It’s actually not much bigger than a cable dish satellite and works in much the same way.

Only instead of beaming hundreds of television channels into your home, it beams sunlight.

SunnyBot is integrated with a dual-axis microcomputer that’s powered by a row of solar cells and comes with an optional feedback system. The device redirects 7,000 lumens (equal to a

Sun-beaming Bot brings sunlight wherever you want

single 500 watt halogen lamp) with a range at just over 656 feet.

In theory, the lightbeaming bot is a novel idea, but there are some dim spots, namely that the device needs to be positioned in a place with constant sun light.

That might not be a problem for people with skylights and floor-to-

ceiling, southernexposed windows — at least us in the northern hemisphere. But for those of us without those amenities, SunnyBot might collect more dust than it reflects sunlight. Then again, with a range longer than two-and-ahalf football fields, the device might as well be

placed in the yard.

So far, SunnyBot exists only as a prototype, which will give Solenica time to tweak any technical and functional specifications before it goes into production. To help make that happen, Solenica set up a Kickstarter campaign. z Source: Solenica, Kickstarter.

NCS summit focuses on security, IT in governance

BY EMEKA AGINAM

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ARELY three weeks to the 2013 11th edition of the Nigerian Computer Science, (NCS) International Conference scheduled to hold this month in Osun State, organizers of the event have said that Information Technology in governance and security for global competitiveness, digital inclusion, economic growth, job creation, human capital development and overall prosperity would top discussion.

High profile speakers from different sectors of the economy and society, seasoned professionals, researchers, worldclass experts and decision makers will engage and share experiences, ideas, and perspectives among others are expected to grace the event.

The conference, according to NCC comprises plenary, parallel and technical sessions, networking meetings, panel discussions and special focus forums. Interactive engagement will be used to facilitate learning and networking critically is the promotion of innovation and global best practices in addressing the national priorities of smart governance and security. Issues to receive attention in-

clude governance automation, improving public service delivery, closing skills gaps, Publickey Infrastructure (PKI), ICT sector capacity, identity management, digital culture for governance, privacy, research approaches, legislation, policy making, youth innovation, among others.

As an international conference NCS Osun 2013 will provide avenues to connect with other IT professionals and stakeholders working on

these areas in Nigeria and in other countries.

With international participation and attendees from all sectors, NCS said that there will be platforms for fresh, multidimensional and multi stakeholder insights and approaches. The stimulating event environment will expose attendees to partnerships, knowledge sharing, research, capacity-building and policy formulation opportunities.

A conference highlight

advancing youth innovation is the hosting of the finals of the National IT Competitions for Students in Nigeria.

Other game changing innovation initiatives will also be promoted as opportunities will be provided for partners, exhibitors, providers and sponsors to showcase their latest market offerings, hold demonstrations and engage with high-level policy makers in Nigeria’s business and IT community.

DONATION: Gubernatorial aspirant in Lagos, Akinyegun Owolabi Salis (left) presenting ICT equipment worth N1 million to the Lagos Mainland Division of the Boys Scout of Nigeria. Receiving the equipment are Asst. Divisional Commissioner, Emmanuel Odogun, Yeye Akinyegun Olabisi Salis, and Joy Roberts, Asst. District Commissioner, Lagos Mainland Scouts in Lagos.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013—27

IT as wealth creation takes centre stage at IT Assembly

BY EMEKA AGINAM

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ARTICIPANTS at the just concluded 2013 Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria, (CPN) Information Technology Assembly held in Abuja were worried saying that except IT for wealth is given priority attention, the fight against poverty and unemployment will remain unabated in the country.

Accordingly, the forum noted that unless Nigerian youths were empowered with IT skills and knowledge, they may be

left out in the global job market.

458 IT Professionals inducted: However, IT assembly which also witnessed the induction of 394 professionals, 33 associates memebers, 7 graduate members and 24 affiliate members, bringing the total to 458 IT Professionals explored the huge potentials in Information Technology in creating wealth and nurturing the spirit of entrepreneurship in our youths.

With creation of enabling environment in the country, the forum believe

that brain drain among Nigerian graduates will be reduced.

Yusuf becomes new President: Speaker after speaker at the annual general meeting meeting that elected Mrs. Sekinat Yusuf as the President/ Chairman of the council attracted captains of the industry strongly believe that one major way of solving the problem posed by terrorism is to embark on a serious empowerment programme that will encourage wealth creation and employment generation using IT.

IT education in schools: The Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufai while formally declaring the assembly open in Abuja during the IT Assembly noted that IT education in schools must be given priority attention so that graduates can be gainfully employed to face the knowledge society.

The Minister noted without mincing words that IT is the bailout option with respect to unemployment among youth.

According to her, the ministry will continue to invest in IT education

which she said is the new engine of growth and development, adding that investing in IT, Nigeria can create wealth.

Similarly, the Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson in her remarks said that with policies and structures put in place by the present administration, unemployment through the use of IT will be put to an end at least to the barest minimum.

Incubation centers to reduce unemployment : The Minister who was represented by Moni Udoh, an IT Director at the Ministry added that with the incubation centers being created, unemployment level will be reduced .

The minister said that the ministry was creating an environment that would be favorable to innovation, and remove low market entry barriers as well as increase the participation of Nigerian companies to stimulate job creation in the industry.

Development of IT human capital for creation: The Director of the National Information Technology Development Agency, (NITDA), Prof.

Cleopas Angaye in his presentation titled ‘the role of IT in national development’ told the gathering that unfortunately, the employment rate in the country is still very low, saying that the nation can make investment in the development of IT human capital for creation of new jobs and wealth especially for the youths.

“The information technology age has now created new jobs and new employment opportunity all over the world.

“IT gives a new employment in global competitiveness. The large number of unemployed graduates in Nigeria can be re-trained in arrears in IT in order to make them globally competitive as well as give them opportunity to create new wealth.

“These graduates when re-trained in areas such as software development, etechnology, e-commerce, web enabling technology among others will acquire new skills that will make them employable or become self-employed thus contributing to poverty alleviation”, he explained.

Empower youth for job creation: Earlier in his welcome address, the former President/Chairman of Council Ibrahim Z. B. Tizhe noted that Nigerian youths who are the majority of the unemployed must be empowered to create jobs for themselves and others through IT.

According to him, it was in realization of this fact that the 2013 edition of IT assembly theme has to do with the role it can play in the creation of wealth.

If the youths were well empowered in ICT, the issue of unemployment will be minimized to the barest minimum, he added.

Unemployment of great concern: “We are all aware of the fact that unemployment is a matter of great concern to the government of this country. It has over the years put in place a structure to reduce unemployment alongside other efforts by individual state governments. It is in realization of this that that this year´ theme has to do with the role IT can play in the creation of wealth” he explained.

For the President of Software Practitioners of Nigeria, (ISPON), Chris Uwaje, unless the youths were given adequate IT training in software development, little may be achieved in the quest for wealth creation.

He said that youth must be exposed to software development early in life so as to be self-reliance in the global competiveness.

Uwaje who is passioante about youth empowerment said that it was time to empower the youth in the knowledge economy.

Earlier in his address to unfold activities for the IT assembly, the Registrar/Secretary to the Council, S.A. Shehu said that unemployment in Nigeria today was an issue, which is not only germane to national security, but that also continue to stare the nation in the face. " Efforts are being made by government at various levels to provide employment for the unemployed youths whose population is growing geometrically over the years. CPN is complementing the efforts with the dedication of this year’s assembly to fashioning out ways in which IT could be harnessed to tackle unemployment through wealth creation.

“Being without a job is indeed a disaster especially for our youths that are coming out of our tertiary educational institutions every year. Most of them are enthusiastic to work, but cannot find jobs. In societies in which most people can earn a living only by working for others, being unable to find a job is a serious problem.

“It is our candid opinion that Information Technology as a tool for job creation has not been properly explored at this time in the life of the nation when lots of educated youths are roaming the streets in search of jobs.” he further said.

28—Vanguard, WEDNES DAY WEDNESDAY DAY,, JULY 3 3,, 2013

Turnover of ICT firms hits N185bn mark Continues from Page 25

DAFTECH to equip Nigerian youths, reduce unemployment rate

BY PRINCE OSUAGWU

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new ICT initiative aimed at reducing the umemployment rate in the country was last weekend flagged off in Lagos. The Foundation tagged Digital Access Foundation for Technology Development, DAFTECH, was described as a registered not-for-profit organization with an objective to provide free technology educational services, digital learning and new media services to developmental organizations, students, civil society groups, educational institutions and individuals alike.

The foundation said it would achieve the lofty aim with its newly introduced scheme also known as skills4Life program.

Programme Manager, West Africa for DAFTECH, Adebisi Bakinson stated that the aim of the company was to simplify technology, empower educators and inspire students to enhance their technology potential.

According to her, “ we will provide a technology hub where learning and skills’ development thrives with the overall goal of reducing unemployment and creating technology

entrepreneurs in Nigeria and Africa.

“We think this is necessary to bridge the widening skill-gap and create employment opportunities, so we have developed a program called Skills4Life.

The aim of the program is to provide basic and advanced courses in iOS, Android and Windows App Development, Digital Effects, Classical Character Animation, Film and Video Editing, Graphic Designs, Web and Mobile Publishing.

The potential of the Digital Media industry in Nigeria is worth three billion dollars in annual revenue if properly

harnessed but it is evident that we lack the high technology skills required to fully build the industry”.

She said that the programme would kick off this month with the selection of ninety participants quarterly to under go an intensive six weeks of free training in the highlighted areas in our fully equipped Classroom and Digital Studio.

She noted that at the end of each session, certificates will be awarded to participants and the best overall student gets rewarded with a MAC BOOK PRO.

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Software as next NCS president member of NCS and national advocate of Software Nigeria has endorsed the personality of a seasoned software professional in the person of Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu, a former Country Manager of Microsoft Nigeria for the esteemed office of the President of Nigeria Computer Society. Presently he is Secretary-General of the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria.

As a Fellow of NCS and Managing Director of InfoGraphics Nigeria Ltd., he has severally

,

HE next President of Nigeria Computer Society with quality stakeholder assurances may likely emerge from the software professional domain. After series of productive deliberations, it has been acclaimed that there exists no better time than now for the nation to concretely address her software challenge and to ensure that Software Nigeria is positioned at the helm of leadership of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS).

In Nigeria today, the immense contribution of software can be seen in virtually every sector of the economy; software can rightly be said to be the driving force of the global IT business, governance, education and industry. Above all, it is fueled by an explosion of ideas leading to creative thoughts translated into solutions applicable in all aspects of our daily lives.

The Nigeria Computer Society has a pedigree in excellence which has bolstered its position as the foremost IT professional body in the nation and seeks to continue in this tradition of excellence as it ushers in a new council come July 24 at its national conference holding in Iloko-Ijesa, Osun State.

The emergence of a professional software personality as president of NCS is long overdue, judging by its unwavering support and previous contributions to NCS affairs at all levels of engagement in the past twelve years, as well as its expert contribution and wise counsel leading to several ground breaking and innovative ideas that have led to the advancement of the society in no small measure.

ISPON, as a founding

Awards and most recently with Microsoft Worldwide Partner of the Year 2010 Award to consolidate its position as a foremost software design firm in the country and the leading information worker and collaborative portals solutions provider in West Africa.

Chinenye is currently Chairman of eShekels Nigeria, an ICT research and market intelligence company and First Principles Consulting, a business process and automation firm. Chinenye is on the Board of sever-

ISPON, as a founding member of NCS and national advocate of Software Nigeria has endorsed the personality of a seasoned software professional in the person of Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu, the former country manager of Microsoft Nigeria

been recognized for pioneering many innovative solutions especially in multimedia technology as a strategic tool for business growth.

Through Microsoft bestpractices, InfoGraphics won two prestigious awards — the 2005 Microsoft Partner of the Year for Enterprise Solutions and Regional Partner of the Year (Nigeria/ Ghana). Global recognition inevitably followed with the Regional Winner, Microsoft Worldwide Partner 2006

al other organizations including Nigeria’s leading media monitoring agency, Content and Compliance Monitoring Limited (CCM).

He has served as a key adviser to governments on Information Ecology and Strategic IT e.g. member, Presidential Task Force on Cybercrime and Cyber-Security; Member, Board of Trustees and Secretary, Technical Sub-Committee of the Nigeria Software Development Initiative (2006); Technical

zMba-Uzoukwu Adviser, Inter-Ministerial Committee on Microsoft Africa Global Leaders Forum (2009); Member, National Software Policy Committee (NSPC) (2010); Member, Ministerial Committee, National Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Policy(2012); and Member, Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) Working Group on collaboration with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board.

Chinenye is a notable public speaker at numerous local and international events on a diverse range of topics including “Software Process and Product Improvement” 28th July, 2011, Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) 10th International Conference, ITePED 2011 Abuja. “Digital Media and the new Central Bank”, CBN 2013 Content Managers’ Retreat, Enugu. Financing The Development of IT Local Content Product And

and agencies, MDAs with effective web sites has also increased to 480 this year and all expected to hook up by 2015.

On device ownership and penetration, she disclosed that the number of personal computers in Nigeria increased from 7.0 percent in 2012 to 12 percent in 2013. In the area of mobile devices, Johnson said that the penetration in Nigeria has moved from 70 percent in 2012 to 82 percent in 2013.

Mrs. Johnson further disclosed that public access venues were not left out in the ministry’s plan to increase access to service all Nigerians. She noted that high number of Nigerians are excluded Services Global Best Practices, e-Nigeria 2012, Transcorp Hilton, Abuja. Speaker/Facilitator, NNPC Strategy Review Retreat. Nicon Luxury. Abuja. 10th - 12th December 2010 Local Content in ICT Development in Nigeria, e-Nigeria 2012. The Creative Industry - an Exemplar of Innovation as a National Capability, The BOBTV Conference, Sheraton Towers, Abuja, March 2012. Interactive Media in an Era of Broadband -Capitalizing on the Many Dimensions of Convergence for Explosive Growth”, The BOBTV Conference on New Media, New Ideas, New Possibilities, Sheraton Towers, Abuja, March 2011. considerations on digital media for a renascent Nigeria, BOBTV Conference Sheraton Towers, Abuja, March 2010. Microsoft in Nigeria: Catalyzing and Partnering to Build the New Economy; e-Nigeria 2008. Internet Governance – Where is Nigeria? , 27th November 2008,National Workshop On Internet Governance, National Press Centre, Radio House, Abuja.

Chinenye has also in the past served variously as Chairman, NISE 2006 Planning Committee Organizing Committee, and Chairman, NCS Working Group on 2012 NCS -Shell Workshop Technical Committee Meeting, amongst others in addition to his current duties as General Secretary, Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON). He is a Fellow of Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), a council member of the Institute of Software practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON) and a member of Computer Professional Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN).

from infrastructures that can meet their basic needs, saying that increasing the spread of ICTs can be a means through which the gap can be closed.

“There exists an unacceptably high number of Nigerians that are excluded from infrastructures that can meet their basic needs. Increasing the spread of ICTs can be a means through which this can be corrected. ICTs contribute to increasing social welfare and security by being applicable in the delivery of education, health, security and other basic needs. Implementation of guidelines on deployment of Public Access Venues is resulting in better coordination and more efficient and equitable spread of resources.

“Approximately, 2,380 PAVs have been established. However, they are not evenly distributed across the country. Some are in very close proximity to one another. We will not rest until all Nigerians gain access,” she said.

On connection of schools to internet services, the minister said that the ministry declared Nigerian students a priority and through its collaboration with Ministry of Education, National University Commission and Universal Service Provision Fund and the World bank, STEP-B had deployed a fibre-optics research and education network to 27 federal universities, 12 medical colleges, 28 off-campus sites and nine federal universities by September.

The project, she said would be extended to state universities, polytechnics, and colleges of Education in 2014.

In addition this, she said that Tertiary Institutions Access Project, TIAP has provided desktop computers, printers, wireless network facilities to tertiary institutions, implemented in 204 institutions from 2010 – 2012 and 74 institutions in 2012, while from this year, TIAP Universities InterCampus Connectivity provided fibre connectivity between 17 Nigerian universities and their corresponding medical colleges/teaching hospitals.

The minister who lamented the domination of Nigerian ICT industry by international companies put the Software imports estimated into Nigeria at about US$1bn annually.

According to her, foreign ICT industry dominates 70 percent of the PC market share, 100 percent of mobile phone market and 78 percent market share of mobile network operators.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013—29

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30—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

WRC 2015: CT minister tasks ECOWAS on common positions

BY EMMA ELEBEKE

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HEAD of the 2015 World Radiocommunication Conference coming up in Geneva, Switzerland, the minister of Commissions Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson has called on all ECOWAS member States and beyond, in the broadcasting and spectrum management sectors to come up with common positions for the interest of Africa.

The minister gave the charge, Monday at the opening ceremony of a five day forum for ECOWAS digital switchover, organized by the Nigerians Communications Commission, NCC, in collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission, CT ministry and Nigerian Broadcasting Commission, NBC in Abuja.

The forum was tagged “ECOWAS Digital Switchover Forum and First Preparatory Meeting

towards World Radiocommunication Conference 2015, WRC-15”.

The minister said that the meeting was crucial to enable ECOWAS member States to develop strategies on how to meet up with International Telecommunications Union, ITU deadline on switching from analogue to digital broadcasting by 2015.

She noted that the Nigerian administration in her determination to meet up with the ITU deadline,

has set up an implementation team, called Digiteam, to implement the outcome of several consultations and deliberations of stakeholders.

The World Radiocommunication Conference, WRC is the apex of ITU that reviews and updates the radio regulation every four years on the basis of studies carried out within the four year study circle, as well as contributions from member states and regional bodies.

Also speaking at the event, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah said the forum was aimed at actualizing ECOWS policy of promoting integration across the region and to provide an avenue for delegates and users of Spectrum resources to discuss, technically criticize issues that would enable ECOWAS member states have a seamless switch from analogue to digital migration by July 2015.

With the advent of emerging technologies, he said ECOWAS as a region must not be left behind in the formulation and implementation of policies that would positively affect the socio-economic well being of ECOWAS member states.

On his part, the Director General of NBC, Mr. Emeka Mba, represented

by Mike Onyia said it is in the best of interest of ECOWAS to take the necessary steps to fit into the global loop of information and communication or go the way of the dinosaur.

According to him, the forum would help the region make significant move towards making her digital switchover and the use of spectrum more effective.

MTN superstars thrill Lagos

BY LAJA THOMAS

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N another round of fun and extraordinary performances, Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial city was lit up for the MTN Project Fame’s All-Stars Concert with great expectations from youths and music fans, craving for a similar experience to Calabar, a week earlier. None of those expectations was left unmet as memory will linger on, for sometimes, especially, when reference is being made to nights of great music and fan-fair. Most spectacular was the rousing duet by the telecommunications company’s Chief Marketing Officer’s duets with each of KCEE of ‘Limpopo’, Iyanya and Wizkid.

It was great masterpiece and kudos must go to the telecommunications company for bringing together such an array of music stars, in justification of its ‘Can-do’ spirit and leadership, when it comes to supporting its host communities or helping young people to achieve their dreams.

Many dreams, of course, have become realities, thanks to MTN. Fittingly, Praiz and Iyanya sang about this unusual bridge between dreams and realities in ‘Rich and Famous’ and ‘kekukere’, relating how they were brought up from having nothing to being recognized globally.

Giving vent to youths’ dreams by providing the right platform for aspiring musical talents to excel, Nigeria’s foremost telecommunication’s company, MTN, has produced scores of music superstars whose nationality spread across the West African subregion.

Notable among these music superstars are Iyanya, one of Africa’s biggest musical exports, Chidinma, Praiz and Kesse. Remarkably, these musical stars and rare personalities have risen to super-stardom in less than five years, after they participated in Africa’s most popular musical reality, the MTN Project Fame West Africa.

Co

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3 3,, 2013 —31

•Study showed that cabbage stored under 12 (hour) light-dark cycles may provide as much as two to three fold more phytochemical (compounds that research has identified as anticarcinogens) if the cabbage were ingested four to eight (hours) after initiation of the light period than if the cabbage were stored under constant light or darkness.

Timing as crucial factor when consuming fruits, vegetables

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

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O you know that timing is a major factor when eating fruits and vegetables?

That fruits and vegetables you are holding in your hands do you know what time of the day it is? Do you know that fruits and vegetables in the drawer of your refrigerator might look dead, but they are actually still alive—and keeping track of time?

Findings suggest that the way produce is stored and eaten could have an impact on

its nutritional value and health benefits.

A recent study published in the journal Current Biology notes that vegetables and fruits, even after harvest, can respond to light signals and consequently change their biology in ways that may affect health value and insect resistance.

Some parts of plants can continue certain metabolic functions even after being separated from the rest of the plant.

The study conducted by plant biologists at Rice University and the University of Califor-

nia found that internal clocks of some harvested vegetables and fruits continue to function and that the time of day we try to eat them has some effect on what we get out of it.

The researchers found that over the course of day and night, harvested fruits and vegetables continue to perceive and respond to light, so their biological clocks keep running and they can change their biology to meet certain demands. Some plants, for example, begin building up defense hormones and metabolites early in the day in

preparation for the daily attacks from plant-eating bugs.

At dusk, the levels of these chemicals decrease rapidly.

They reasoned that this was very important because the products can influence the flavours of produce, and some of them are known to have anticancer properties.

According to the Author of the study, Janet Braam, “Perhaps we should be storing our vegetables and fruits under light-dark cycles and timing when to cook and eat them to enhance their health value.”

By remaining alive after being harvested, vegetables and fruits can alter levels of chemicals that protect them from being eaten by insects and other creature. They also found that some of the chemicals also have anti-cancer effects.

Braam and her colleagues made the initial discovery in cabbage and then found similar responses in lettuce, carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, zucchini and blueberries.

By eating vegetables and fruits at certain times of day, you may gain the most benefit from them. But that may prove challenging, so the researchers suggested another approach to get the most out of the produce.

“It may be of interest to harvest crops and freeze or otherwise preserve them at specific times of day, when nutrients and valuable phytochemicals are at their peak.”

According to them, timing the preservation, preparation and consumption of produce to coincide with the peak storage of certain biochemicals might enhance their flavour and nutritional value.

NAFDAC DG gets US Congressional Award

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ORE national and in ternational honours and awards have continued to pour in on the Director General of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii as he received the US Special Congressional Recognition for his global frontline role in the fight against drug counterfeiting.

Orhii’s recognition which was endorsed by Congress Member, Jalice Hahn was the initiative of the powerful National Association for Advancement of Coloured People,NAACP headed by Dr. Shelton Hilary.

In his acceptance speech, Dr. Orhii seized the moment to once again draw global attention to the growing menace of drug resistance strains caused by counterfeit medicines which currently has international market value of $200 billion annually according to the World Custom Organization.

Orhii explained that the resistance strains caused by counterfeit medicines is worse than the treatment failure, loss of integrity of medicine supply chain and other dangerous public health effects of spurious pharmaceutical products.

He said that counterfeiting of medicines is a global menace that requires no visa to cross inter-regional borders and thus call for collective action among nations.

Samsung develops healthy, energy saving air conditioners

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AMSUNG Electronics West Africa, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Korea, is focusing on delivering healthy air conditioning with saving on energy.

The new technology which is to address three concerns is designed to ensure that the air conditioners work without stabilizers – between voltage ranges of 135v – 400v, unlike, many other brands, which shuts off the air conditioner, when voltage falls below 170v.

According to Samsung’s Director, Consumer Electronics, Home Appliances, IT and B2B, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Sunil Kumar, Samsung’s unique, Virus Doctor Technology, helps C M Y K

eliminate all bacteria and air borne viruses up to 99.9 percent efficiency, including the infamous H1N1 virus.

“The Virus Doctor feature has helped consumers in not only enjoying cool air, but hygienic environment through the Samsung air conditioners,” he stated.

“The future of air conditioning usage lies in the Indoor Air Quality, along with conservation of energy and environment. We believe in delivering value to consumers in all the products we introduce to the market.”

“We have developed these air conditioners on the back of Built for Africa. As at date, all Samsung split air conditioners

are fitted with Triple Protector technology, developed and patented by us. We have also introduced to the market air conditioners, using Ozone friendly refrigerants, which addresses the concerns around Ozone depletion. We are an organisation that truly, looks to the future and ensures our research and development is tuned towards it.”

Other key benefits of Samsung air conditioners include advanced filters that capture dust and bacteria that conventional filters can miss.

With its large surface area and high density, Samsung’s Full HD Filter removes even the tiniest microscopic particles, keeping your air clean and fresh.

•Centre; Director General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Dr. Paul Orhii displaying the US Special Congressional Recognition Award, his wife; Mrs. Eugenia Orhii, Legislative Aid to Congresswoman, Janice Hahn, (left) Elizabeth Odendahi recently .

32 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

Saintfeit vows to stop Eagles from World Cup •Says Malawi will shock Eagles M

alawi have handed Tom Saintfeit a role on their coaching staff, agreeing a two-month contract with the Belgian.

Saintfeit said: “The goal is

to try to help qualify Malawi for the World Cup 2014 in Brazil. I will work with a strong team of local coaches.”

The 40-year-old has coached in Africa with Namibia,

Zimbabwe and Ethiopia.

Malawi will play their last Group F qualifier against Nigeria on 6 September, knowing a win will put them through to the play-offs.

The Super Eagles lead the group on nine points, two ahead of the Flames.

“I know Nigeria and I know Malawi, I am convinced that Malawi has the quality to win,” added Saintfeit, who will fly out to Malawi tomorrow to watch the friendly match against Mozambique.

•Tom Saintfeit

Believe in yourselves

— Keshi tells home Eagles

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CHAN 2014:

NGR VS CIV

Keshi expects tough tie N

igeria coach Stephen Keshi expects a difficult game against Cote d’Ivoire on Saturday in Kaduna.

Both sides meet in the first-leg of the CAF African Nations Championship qualifier, but despite naming a strong squad, the Nigeria coach remains wary.

“On Saturday, it will be tough because we are playing against Cote d’Ivoire not against Tahiti or Gambia,” he said.

“Cote d’Ivoire has equal potentials back home just like Nigeria and other top African football playing countries.

“So it is not going to be an easy game but we hope to have a good score line at the end of the game,” he said.

Nigeria have failed to qualify for the tournament, which is open only to players playing within their country’s domestic league.

•Keshi

•Agbim

•Egwuekwe

he Super Eagles have been working hard as they welcome the Elephants to Kaduna for the first leg qualifier of the second tier national team competition on Saturday Nigeria are in earnest preparations for their African Nations Championship (CHAN) game against Cote D’ Ivoire in Kaduna this weekend.

Twenty three players except one of all the invited trained on Monday morning under the supervision of coach Stephen Keshi and his crew inside the Abuja National Stadium.

The home based Super Eagles have never qualified for the tournament which is heading into its third edition next year in South Africa, the same country where Nigeria won her third African senior title in February 2013.

Keshi is hoping to be the first to lead a Nigerian contingent to the tournament and perhaps even win it with eight members of his squad having being part of the country’s squad to the Afcon in January and the Confederations Cup in June.

“Let me say I have absolute confidence in you to achieve the feat of defeating Cote D’Ivoire, but you must have belief in yourselves more to achieve the set goal,” Keshi told the team during training on Monday.

National team media officer Ben Alaiya said the team would depart for Kaduna this evening before playing its game on Saturday against the Elephants who are one of only four teams to have played in both previous competitions geared towards exposing players from domestic leagues on the continent.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013 — 33

Powell, Gay renew rivalry in Lausanne J

amaican Asafa Powell and Tyson Gay renew rivalry in tomorrow ’s edition of Athletissima, an IAAF Diamond League meet, here in Lausanne.

According to the entry list, world leader Tyson Gay will have his first meet after great

Wimbledon: Djokovic yet to lose a set Two years ago, Novak Djokovic figured out the grass at Wimbledon and found himself holding the trophy at the All England Club for the first time.

This year, by his own estimate, “I’m actually playing better tennis on grass than I played two years ago.”

Top-seeded Djokovic defeated No. 13 Tommy Haas 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 (4) on Monday to advance to his 17th straight Grand Slam quarterfinal. He still hasn’t lost a set in the tournament.

“I feel good about myself in this moment,” Djokovic said. “I’m No. 1 in the world. I have no reason to be concerned about my game.”

Save a few tense moments in the third set, there was little cause for concern for

the Serb, who is going for his seventh Grand Slam title this week.

He failed to serve out the match at 5-3 and wasted a match point in the next game before closing out the tiebreaker with a forehand winner on his fourth match point.

“It was a great match from my side,” Djokovic said. “Minor setback in the third set. I allowed him an opportunity to come back to the match. But a great tiebreak and I’m really glad to finish in three.”

On Wednesday, Djokovic faces No. 7 Tomas Berdych, who reached his first Wimbledon quarterfinal since he was the runner-up in 2010 by beating Bernard Tomic 7-6 (4), 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-4.

double at US Championships, while Powell, who was seventh at the Jamaican Championships, will seek to add to last week’s victory in Ostrava.

In 15 showdowns between Gay and Powell, the former won nine to the latter ’s 6.

Gay finished ahead of Powell in all major Championships. Gay won at the 2007 Osaka World Champs while Powell finished third.

Kemar Bailey-Cole and Nickel Ashmeade, second and third at the Jamaican Trials, will add spice to the field. Both will also want to finish ahead of Powell, who is running his way back into form.

The 2003 World champion Kim Collins, 2008 Olympic medalist Richard Thompson from Trinidad and Tobago, fourth from US Champs Mike Rodgers and Europe.

‘Serena’s loss not so shocking ‘ I

f it was easy, arguably the greatest men’s player in Wimbledon history would still be here and the five-time women’s champion would not be joining the No. 2 and 3 seeds in stunned silence.

If it was easy, Serena Williams’ 34-match win streak would not have been snapped Monday in the fourth round by a smiling, big-serving German who had never advanced further than this in any Grand Slam tournament but for Wimbledon.

If it was easy, it would not be Wimbledon, and Williams would not be sitting before the media as she did Monday at 4pm London time, saying her 6-2, 1-6, 6-4 loss to Sabine Lisicki was “definitely not a shock.”

“I feel like I had an extremely tough draw today.

I feel like of all the round of 16s, I probably had the toughest one,” Williams said.

“I mean, I’ve said this, I don’t know if you’ve heard, but she’s a great grass-court

Chukwu berates FG over Oliha

F

ormer Nigeria coach, Christian Chukwu is unhappy that the nation’s government has not honoured its pledge to late midfielder, Thompson Oliha after helping the Super Eagles win the Africa Cup of Nations in 1994.

Oliha, who died on Sunday was promised a house by the Nigeria government at the time but the pledge was not redeemed.

Chukwu has now spoken about the situation which he described as “not too good.”

“To be honest, this is not too good. He has not received the house he was promised for

player. You know, c’mon, guys, let’s get with it. She’s excellent. She’s not a pushover. She’s a great player.

“To play this match in any Wimbledon on the fourth round ... it’s definitely difficult.”

It should not be hard to make that argument, this year in particular, as Williams became the ninth current or former No. 1 player in the men’s or women’s draw to be eliminated here (eight before the third round).

Williams’ premature exit, along with those of No. 2 Victoria Azarenka and No. 3 Maria Sharapova, both of whom were out in the second round, marks the second time in three years that the top three seeds have been eliminated before the quarter-finals.

•Serena

Lagos International Football Tournament gets new date

T

•Oliha helping Nigeria win the Nations Cup in 1994. Now he has died and I don’t know if it is not too late for him to be given that house,” Chukwu, an assistant coach to Clemens Westerhof in 1994 said.

he organizers of the Lagos International Football Tournament (LIFT) have announced a new date of September 5-8, 2013 for the maiden edition of the tourney. The initiator of the programme and exSuper Eagles midfielder, Mutiu Adepoju explained in Lagos on Monday why a postponement of the tournament became imperative.

In a press statement issued on Monday in Lagos, Mutiu said “It has become very necessary to postpone the tournament which was earlier scheduled for July 25 to 28 to September 5 through 8, 2013 to allow our Muslim brothers in the participating teams observe the month of Ramadan which begins July 7 and ends August 6, 2013We are very sensitive to issue like this, so we have no choice

than to respect the right of our Muslim brothers who are training hard a head of the tournament”.

Also speaking on the new date, Seyi Akinwunmi, Chairman, Lagos State Football Association said the postponement is inevitable in view of the fact that, July has suddenly become very busy for the Lagos FA.

34—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

Proposed U.K visa fee: Nigerians in Diaspora speak

BY VERA SAMUEL ANYAGAFU AND PRISCA SAM-DURU

N

IGERIANS in the Diaspora have expressed dissatisfaction over the United Kingdom’s plan to impose a £3,000 visa fee on intending Nigeria applicants who seek to migrate to the U.K under its visitors visa plan.

Although the latest proposal was said to be a means through which the U.K intends to tackle abuse of their immigration

procedures by Nigerians and other enlisted countries, Nigerians are yet to come to terms with the reason behind such intention.

Commenting on the issue via telephone from London, a medical practitioner, Chinelo Maduabu, said: “The new policy if implemented, will definitely crash the binational relationship between Nigeria and the United Kingdom. if from the outset of the bi-national relation, there was any on the side of the U.K. I cannot

imagine that a country colonized by the U.K will be subjected to such seemingly discriminatory increase in the amount payable as visa fee, in order to gain entry into their country.

“Personally, I perceive that there was never a true bi-national relationship with the U.K, and ever since the news got around here, I have been viewing Britons as greedy set of people who are capitalising on the humility of Nigerians to ridicule them. This ripple, has added up to the fact that

Nigerians are still viewed as nonentities by the British, and it is time the government and people of Nigeria proved them otherwise.

“We have the best brains in diverse fields of endeavour here in the U.K and if Nigeria, as well as India decide to withdraw the services of their doctors in the U.K, I am quite sure they would not want to imagine the damage it would bring upon their health sector.”

Another Nigerian, Amaechi, who spoke from J a p a n , condemned the move by the F e d e r a l Government of Nigeria to dialogue with the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Pocock, over his country’s plan to impose a £3,000 visa bond on Nigerians who are intending travellers to the

U.K. He said: “It is not enough for the Federal Government of Nigeria to summon Dr. Pocock, over the visa fee controversy. The best thing would have been for our government to give it back to them, even in a more severe measure. I strongly support the suggestions made by the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, Nnena ElenduUkeje, and Chair of the Diaspora Committee Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

“The duo were right to have suggested that Nigeria government should adopt the principle of reciprocity, if the UK insists on going ahead with the new plan billed to take effect November this year.”

Amaechi also decried the ugly development which he said was totally unacceptable, adding that it was capable of rendering every consistent trade relations with the U.K impotent. He, however, implored the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, to thoroughly look into the issue, to skip any distasteful occurrence(s) that may lie in wait to crumble the U.K’s economy. “ It is glaring that the implementation of this bond will not foster true relationship between the U.K, Nigeria, and also between the UK, and other affected countries,” he said.

Visa bond: Choice before Nigerian authorities

F

OLLOWING indications that Nigeria was planning to impose a £20,000 visa bond on U.K immigrants, a Nigerian resident in France, who spoke to Vanguard Consular Advisory pleading anonymity, stated: “I have always been uncomfortable dealing with the Britons.

“Although, Nigeria Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru has assured Nigerians who seek visa to various choice countries abroad his unalloyed commitment in ensuring that each of them do not encounter any problems while in pursuit of their dreams, it yet behooves on Nigerian regulating authorities to assist the minister and his ministry to fight this course.

“Reciprocating is unbiblical and would be ironical, since Nigeria is noted as a country with the most revered individuals.”

He also encouraged the government of Dr Goodluck Jonathan to remain steadfast in its effort to ensure that Nigeria maintains a peaceful and stable bi-national commission with all the foreign missions in the country, without trampling on the rights of the governed, and applicants who seek several consular services from these missions, most of all, those who are affected one way or the other, by the new U.K visa policy.

“In all my years and integration with the French and other countries abroad, I have come to understand to an extent that France and a host of other countries where Nigerians are resident, would find it difficult to impose visa bond on their former colonies. And for the U.K to have nurtured the idea of placing Nigerian immigrants to the U.K with such an ungodly visa bond, tantamounts to hatred for Nigerians and also an indication that their long historical perceived bi-national relation is merely political expediency,” he said

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013 —35

Adeboye intervenes in Nigerian education system

GAY RIGHT BILL: Group urges Jonathan not to delay his assent

By CALEB AYANSINA

A

BUJA – THE Nige rian Fellowship of Evangelical Students (NIFES) has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to assent to the bill prohibiting same sex marriage in the country without any further delay. The Gay Right Bill recently passed by the National Assembly stipulates 14 years jail term for any body found guilty of the offence.

The national director of NIFES, Mr. Bala Usman, who made the call at a press conference on the NIFES Witness 2013 Mission Conference tagged; ‘The Ambassador’, in Abuja noted that, it is high time society stood against gayism, because of its ravaging effect on youths.

He described homosexuality

as “the zenith of immorality and immoral impunity which should not and never be allowed in our nation.

“NIFES has strongly campaigned and stood against gayism and lesbianism which seek to ravage our youth and their future. We commend the National Assembly for prohibiting homosexualism and lesbianism through the passage of the bill, in spite of external pressure. We therefore, call on the president not to delay his assent to the bill”.

Usman maintained that Nigeria had the potential to lead the world, but its people were lacking in character to transform the society, stressing the need for youths to be repositioned, to adequately take the responsibility of leadership.

“Our nation no doubt faces grave challenges today; ranging from national insecurity, lack of trust for one another, moral decadence, corruption, lack of fear of God, disunity, warped social value and un-patriotism.

“We are lacking in character that can build and transform our nation to greatness. We believe that these problems are foundational and a nation without a strong foundation will face grave problem of survival to talk of competitiveness in the comity of nations,” he said.

Usman explained that Witness 2013 was designed “to enhance a greater understanding of the multi-dimensional perspectives for global mission’s involvement and kingdom work with God, while bettering the cause of nationhood.

F

OLLOWING poor perform-ances of young persons in terminal public examinations and the decay that has enveloped the nation’s education sector and the need to restore the lost glory of Nigerian educational system, The Redeemed Christian Church of God RCCG, has declared a one-day special prayer/thanksgiving service for the sector, reports OLAYINKA LATONA. The event with a theme, “Excellent Spirit” is scheduled for Sunday, July 7, at the church headquarters in Ebute Meta, Lagos and will feature the church’s General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye.

Briefing newsmen at the church's national headquart-ers, Pastor Adeboye, who was represented by the Assistant Pastor-in-Charge (Social Responsibility), Pastor Goke Aniyeloye, said the programme will serve as a platform to ask God to revive Nigeria’s educational system and bring back its lost glory.

In his words: “I believe that when lecturers, vice chancell-ors, rectors, executive vice chancellors, bursars, registrars and provosts of all higher institutions including universities, colleges of education, polytechnics attend this programme and the Lord impart the excellent spirit in them, like Daniel, they can restore the lost glory of the nation. "In the programme, they will be empowered because God is the custodian of excellent spirit,” he explained.

GKS leader tasks ministers on practical Christianity

M

INISTERS of God’s Kingdom Society (GKS) have been enjoined to always submit themselves to the will of God in order to effectively carry out their duties of winning souls to Christ.

Speaking at the opening of the 2013 GKS Ministers’ Conference at the church headquarters, Salem City, Warri, chairman of GKS Executive Board, Brother Godwin Ifea-cho, pointed out that the ministers must endeavour to have a proper grasp of the will of God and be ready to live by example in order to continue to translate into reality the purpose for which God used St. Gideon Urhobo to set up the church and for which Salem City was established.

“The spirit of searching, iden-

tifying and submitting ourselves to the will of God and not to our own will is the attitude I want us to adopt for this conference and thereafter, in our day-to-day affairs,” Brother Ifeacho said.

He asserted that Christians must not be afraid to rebuke evil and to make full use of the time they have on earth because no one knows when he/she will die or when God will take vengeance against the wicked.

Ifeacho expressed gratitude to God for the strides made during the year, stating that besides the various outreach programmes the church had in place for spreading the gospel, she had concluded arrangements for the commencement of Watch and Pray programmes on radio stations.

Cleric urges more prayers for Nigeria *Prelate Sunday Ola Makinde, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Methodist Church Nigeria Secretary of Conference, Rt. Rev. Chibuzo Raphael Opoko and Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji during the Prelate's condolence visit to the Tinubu Family over the loss of their mother, Alhaja Abibabtu Mogaji in Lagos.

Makinde extolls virtues of Tinubu's mother

By OLAYINKA LATONA

P

RELATE, Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence Sunday Ola Makinde has described the late Alhaja Abibatu Asabi Mogaji, Iya Oloja of Lagos and the president-general, Association of Nigerian Market Women and Men as a “fearless and humane Leader whose qualities of consistency, commitment, honesty, public-spiritedness and social concern is worthy of emulation.”

He said this during a condolence visit to the deceased’s son, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu in Lagos.

In a release made available by the church’s Media and Public Relations Officer, Rev. Oladapo Daramola, the prelate said the quintessential Alhaja Mogaji was no doubt one of the nation’s most significant figures C M Y K

in trade and business and her influence on the well-being of the citizenry, especially in Lagos and South West, was profound.

The cleric said: “The news of her death came to us as a rude shock knowing that she was in a good and healthy condition and a sound mind. But we are comforted because precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.

"She was a constructively engaging and outspoken person, a dogged fighter, a bridge builder, an activist and an effective mobiliser who stood up against tyranny, oppression, discrimination and exploitation, and she was passionate about the grassroots, the hoi polloi and the Talakawas; a constituency to which she remained loyal, connected and was their voice till she passed on,” Makinde stated.

The cleric said Alhaja Mogaji stood out in the bluntness with which she spoke out on public issues and always strove to emphasise the distinction between good and bad policies, and did so with a forcefulness that made many people sit up and take notice.

It is heart-warming, he said, that Asiwaju Tinubu represents a worthy continuation of the ideals that distinguished the life of Alhaja Mogaji as he displays the same grassroots instincts, the same populist ethos, and the same forcefulness of speech and personality that characterised his mother.

He urged the family to take solace in the words found in one of the books of the Holy Bible; Ecclesiastes 3 which says, ‘For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.’

G

ENERAL Overseer of Liberation Ministry, Pastor Chris Okafor has urged Nigerian spiritual leaders to look beyond their religious and denominational differences and unite in prayers to rescue the nation from further catastrophe, reports WILLIAM JIMOH. Okafor noted that despite the increasing number of men of God, the country is still battling with several social challenges, because there is need to cleanse it from the adulteration that it was exposed to in 1977

when all African idols where brought to the country for exhibition.

Speaking on this year celebration of Fathers' Day, he urged every Nigerian to honour their fathers with all their possessions so that the promise attached to the law by God can be their portion.

"Fathers' Day should be a day set aside to honour our fathers, even if we think our fathers have not done much for us. The blessing you'll receive when you honour your father is unquantifiable," he added.

Cleric tasks youths on hard work

C

ATHOLIC Bishop of Ijebu-Ode, Rev. Albert Ayinde Fasina has charged young school leavers to be hard working, saying it is the only panacea to success, reports VIVIAN NWAOGU. Fashina said this at the 13th valedictory/graduation ceremony of Christ the King Catholic College, Odolewu-Ijebu, Ijebu-Ode-Epe Road, Ogun State.

In his sermon, the bishop urged the 69 graduands nicknamed

“The Titans’’ to be full of faith in God as they journey on in life.

He encouraged the young school leavers to love God and be selfless as taught by scriptures.

The ceremonies featured speeches, cultural displays and choreography.

The principal, Rev. Fr. Patrick Balogun in his speech, commended the outgoing students for living up to expectations.

36—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

Obi wants to bury APGA in PDP — Azike, Chairman, APGA reconciliation committee CHIEF Ziggy Azike, an activist lawyer cum politician was one of the founders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Imo State at the onset of the Fourth Republic. Azike and his team of new politicians at that time remarkably vanquished experienced politicians like Arthur Nzeribe, Sam Mbakwe, Emmanuel Inwanyanwu and such like in the then All Peoples Party, APP in the first set of elections. However, when the experienced politicians crossed over into the PDP, Azike subsequently found his bearing and is presently a chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA and is chairman of the Re-building and Crisis Review Committee constituted by the party’s chairman de jure, Chief Victor Umeh. In this interview in Lagos he reviews the activities of his committee and the crises in his party. Excerpts:

BY UJU MBANUSI H OW far have you gone with your job?

We have reconciled those who are disposed to reconciliation, we have at least given everybody a hearing because what people actually need as a process of healing is for them to ventilate their grievances.

Governor Peter Obi spent about two and a half hours while we were with him in Awka ventilating those grievances.

C M Y K

•Azike Governors Peter Obi and Rochas Okorocha don’t seem to be working together for the party?

To the best of my knowledge, there is no problem between

,

What are his grievances?

These are part of the things I might not be required to go public with. But I can assure you that if you stayed with a man for more than four and a half hours, you must know that the meeting must have been a very deep meeting. In fact we had to ask to go, because we had to leave Awka as late as 9:30pm, to come back to Owerri.

What are the major problems of the party?

Well, we will say that some of the grievances are based on ego, some of the grievances are based on misunderstanding and non-appreciation of the constitutional position of things in APGA. A lot of the things that have happened is because some people have not read the APGA constitution, and they have not appreciated the position of the APGA constitution on issues. If they had this understanding, I can assure you that we won’t be having the crisis we have today.

And again you will hear people say that Chief Victor Umeh has been chairman of the party some people say ten years, some people say eight years, some more than eight years. As a lawyer I know you start acting as chairman when you have been recognised by certain bodies. You and I know that under Prof. Morris Iwu, Victor Umeh was never recognised as chairman. Victor Umeh derived his recognition as the Supreme Court decided on who was the chairman.

What is the problem that

party?

I think in the fullness of time he will retrace his steps because there is no reason for the battle he is waging against his brother, Victor Umeh. In our

Peter Obi must realize that to an extent, he is responsible for what ever happens to APGA. One way or the other, we still will hold him accountable

Governor Peter Obi and Governor Rochas Okorocha because I have been with them at public functions and I know that they greet themselves and they are friends but you know like I keep telling people, the problem with APGA is the matter of tendencies. Peter Obi has a tendency to subjugate APGA to PDP, Rochas Okorocha has a tendency to go towards APC. Then we are what I call the purists; who have chosen that the tendency we believe in is APGA, APGA, APGA. So they are just drawn to different tendencies.

Why do you think Governor Obi is walking away from the

,

discussions with him, he could not give us one strong reason why he is fighting Victor Umeh.

It is alleged that it was because Umeh recognized Okorocha before him at a forum?

Well I was not at the forum, so I cannot confirm and as a lawyer of my standing I can not deal on hearsay. I have heard it said and that’s what I’m telling you that it bothers on ego. If such a thing was done, it must have been done to encourage Rochas. I have always given Governor Peter Obi his due encomium in the party, he is the father figure in the party today; it is the

father that will be hailing the son giving them big names to encourage them. So no matter what you call any body, can you call anybody father? He (Obi) needs to have a change of heart and a deeper appreciation of his role as a father. He needs to come to terms with that. He can’t be over sensitive about little abuses. All the times we spent with him, all that he was talking about was that somebody abused him somewhere, and somebody said a negative thing about him some where.

It has been said that you are not a member of this party, and that you are as such not in position to reconcile warring APGA members?

I am a member of the party and my ward chairman can confirm that I am a member.

The only person who can talk about my membership is my ward chairman. So it is ludicrous and ridiculous but in any case, if I was not a member of the party, I don’t think Governor Peter Obi would have received us.

If I was not a member of the party I don’t think that all the senator serving for my state would have agreed, I don’t

think Governor Rochas Okorocha who is a governor in my state would have received me; because he is the only one who can say, ‘I don’t think you are a member of our party’. So when people talk about not being a member of the party, I can only laugh, or being a rejoiner.

About my private discussion with Peter Obi, you see, Governor Peter Obi must realize that to an extent, he is responsible for what ever happens to APGA. One way or the other, we still will hold him accountable. And if we still will hold him accountable, he has to support our work towards reconciliation and rebuilding, re-energizing and regenerating APGA. People talk about ‘how can a person who just joined APGA, and I say maybe God realizes I can only be part of the peace. And I told him, I said look, apostle St. Paul who wrote almost three quarters of the New Testament was a new convert. What lead to his success was his enthusiasm and commitment to the gospel. And I can tell you that today, I have asked God to use me as a vessel towards reconciling and rebuilding APGA, and He is using us.

You have a parallel reconciliation team lead by chief Reagan Ufomba, do you think he is competent enough?

As a lawyer, I am so careful about competence. First, I will not deal with a person whose source of authority is not a competent authority, I’m very careful about that. So the only recognized authority of our party that can constitute anybody who can enjoy legitimacy is the national chairman under Victor Umeh.

That is why Chief Victor Umeh who is the national chairman will agree to meet anybody who is a member of APGA. And Chief Victor Umeh who is so large hearted met them because he cannot throw away his children once you say they are from APGA.

VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013 —37

T

POLITICAL METABOLISM with

EMMANUEL AZIKEN

The Visa Bond and our Driver’s Licence bondage policies are those that have been conceived for the issuance of the Drivers’ Licence and Motor Vehicle Licence by the

,

HE vociferous outburst in Nigeria to the proposal for successful applicants of the Britain visa to deposit a £3,000 bond is remarkable. Nearly all strata of the society were united in condemning the British proposal which was remarkably conceived to protect the British citizenry.

The policy which the authorities in the British Home Office say is still a proposal, was reportedly conceived to deter otherwise visiting Nigerians from making their abode in the United Kingdom.

Off course, there are many reasons for visitors from this country to forget Nigeria once in the UK. From the stability of the power situation in that country to the absence of local terrorists in religious garb or in official motorcade, there are indeed many reasons to tempt many otherwise frustrated Nigerians not to return to this country once in the UK. However, beyond the outcry

by Nigerians of a patriotically conceived British proposal is the indifference of many Nigerians to the seemingly more wicked policies of Nigerian authorities foisted on many hapless citizens.

Some of the most outstanding examples of such wicked

of licences into an exploitative channel to drain the pocket of an already financially haemorrhaged citizenry.

One can only imagine how much clients of the FRSC lose when they spend the whole day waiting for capture while their businesses suffer

Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC. Whether you are getting it fresh or renewing the Driver’s Licence, one has to literally sweat and sulk through the process that otherwise should not take one more than an hour.

It is even more annoying when the authorities of the commission turn the issuance

,

Last year after the FRSC announced a 100 per cent increase in the fees for Driver’s Licence from N3,000 to N6,000, the Senate rose albeit, belatedly in indignation against the increase which also affected Motor Vehicle licence fees which was put at a minimum of N15,000.

It was one time that many

would applaud the senate’s action especially so as the move was championed by Senator Dahiru Kuta, who sometimes gives the impression of being a comrade.

However, after some consultations the Senate let the FRSC go on with the seemingly wicked tariff regime.

Even as high as the fees are, even the processing of the licence is a nightmarish experience for anyone that boldly decides to go the whole extent without greasing the palms of the officials involved.

Documentation process When this correspondent decided to renew his Driver’s Licence without greasing anyone’s palms it was an agony that one almost regretted. After the frustrating documentation process at the Vehicle Inspection Office and the up and down process of going to the bank to pay and all that, one would have expected to get a relaxing experience at the FRSC given the comport and finesse associated with its helmsman, Osita Chidoka.

But no! The process of capturing the customer is a day ’s exercise that brings

incalculable drain on the national economy.

One can only imagine how much clients of the FRSC lose when they spend the whole day waiting for capture while their businesses suffer.

It is not surprising that many take the short-cut by compromising officials to fasttrack the process for them.

Of course, the FRSC is not the only government agency suffocating the suffering citizenry. Virtually all of them are have the same lackadaisical and exploitative attitude to their clients.

Whether it is the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, Customs, or whatever, the attitude is the same.

So it is surprising that many Nigerians would rise in uproar against the British authorities who have taken up the gauntlet to protect their citizenry from the stress of accommodating visiting or runaway Nigerians.

What ought to be is for Nigerians to refocus their energies to those policies churned out here that drive or frustrate Nigerians out of their country. That is what we ought to do instead of enriching the British treasury with visa fees and forsaken visa bonds.

Gombe is developing in the wrong direction — Hassan MR Suleiman Hassan, Chairman, Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, Gombe State, in this interview reviews developments in the last two years of the present administration in the state. Excerpts: Gombe State is an intelligent person and I am sure that wherever he was when that statement was made, I am sure he must have been embarrassed. It is surprising that the Speaker of a State House of Assembly will come out to utter such. Former President Obasanjo tried it.

BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

H

OW do you assess government after two years?

To me, there are two ways of assessing. Yes, we have infrastructure but I will ask you for whom? If you take the roads, for example, as you come into this place, there is a brand new road.

We are not talking of the cost no matter how much you spend on that road, it is a world-class road, I accept but, as you come in you realize that on the both sides of the roads, there were demolitions.

People were on that road before. When it was conceived that there was going to be a road here, they said, thank God. That means there was going to be value addition on their lives and property.

But you come in, take over their houses, pay them compensation and put an infrastructure. And where are they? They now moved into settlements within the suburbs of Gombe where there are no roads, no light, no water and there are no

,

Value addition

•Hassan schools for their children and development is all about improving the lives of the people that you meet there.

Yes, he is building Primary, I agree. We need very good, world-class primary schools for our children. The classes he has conceived are what they supposed to be. But I ask a question.

He came into Government on May 29, 2011 and these projects started earlier, we are in 2013 now, two years gone and construction is still going

on. You and I know that between now and the end of this year, projects are going to stop, and politicking is going to start for reelection into the office. It has already started anyway with the House of Assembly saying they have adopted him.

Do you think the State House of Assembly would have endorsed the Governor for a second term if he hadn’t done well?

Well, I want to tell you that my Governor, the Governor of

not know their mandate in the state House of Assembly.

The CPC called for the cancellation of recent local government elections in the state which the ruling PDP swept. What prompted your outcry?

To say that there was an

...it is a world-class road, I accept but, as you come in you realize that on both sides of the roads, there were demolitions, people were on that road before

Yes, some members of the National Assembly supported him, yes, some members denied him.

They did not come out in the public to endorse him as the Speaker of the Gombe State House of Assembly did. And I want to tell you that I have conducted independent survey and found out that the members of my Party, the CPC were not a party to that decision and substantial number of the PDP were also not part of that decision. It tells you that the excesses can only be blamed on the Executive and the Legislature. Be that as it may, by supporting the decision tells you that they do

,

election in the first place, that is even the beginning of the problem. There was no election. Yes, they sold forms and some of our people bought forms. We were fooled.

They came, cast their votes and they took away the boxes.

Did you go to court?

Yes, we did. We went to court in few cases. In some of the cases, we didn’t even go to court because we are sure that no material will be given to us by anybody to say there was evidence. No body will give you any document from wherever. So, we felt it was going to be an exercise in futility going to court.

38 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

A G R I C U LT U R E :

Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, Agriculture Minister.

Mid-term report points solution to hunger F

IRST, it was the flood which ravaged most parts of Nigeria in 2012, leaving in its trail fears of food crisis. Then came reports that the country was poised to face challenges following decades of wasteful spending on food importation and uncoordinated agricultural development policies.

For a nation with a fast growing population that outpaces food production, the situation was enough to unsettle the populace and concerned authorities.

Indeed, apprehension was the word then, even as relevant agencies allayed fears of a food crisis, with a promise of quick intervention.

“From our efforts this year alone, from maize, rice, cassava, sorghum, we have added a total of 8.1 million MT of food to our domestic food supply. That is 70 percent higher than the target of five million MT we set for 2013; and 41 percent of the total target that we set for 2015,’’ Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, said last year in Minna.

Despite this, doubts still trail the country’s current efforts at providing food for all, through

the Agricultural Transformation Agenda, ATA. Not even the assurance that ATA would raise food production and secure supply, could convince critics, who argued that the latest attempt might go the way of previous policies that were unproductive.

Agricultural Transformation Agenda ‘’Agricultural Transformation Agenda as far as I am concerned is not new from the past failed policies introduced to make us believe they had something good for the sector.

You don’t revive a long neglected sector without addressing the rudiments,’’ Managing Director, Ugbonta Foods and Farms, Dr. Fabian Oligbo told Vanguard Features, VF. Nonetheless, findings into the activities of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development since May 29, 2011, showed the existence of policies aimed at developing the sector through private sector growth strategy in order to diversify the economy.

In achieving this, the Federal Government, FG, is reportedly focusing on food security, reduction of expenditure on food imports, generation of foreign exchange, job creation, among others.

Thus, to avoid repeating past mistakes, the FG decided to treat ATA as a business venture

rather than a development programme.

For instance, the recent injection of over N60bn (US$ 380 million) into the economy through the substitution of 20% of bread wheat flour with cassava flour, has generally been described as a pointer to the government’s efforts in the sector.

Similarly, the plans to distribute mobile phones to 10 million to farmers within the period under review, was also

,

AT midterm, things are looking up in the agricultural sector with a promise that Nigerians are secured, food wise, writes CHARLES KUMOLU.

The aim of this, checks indicated, is to support the production of about 240000 hectares of oil palm in the next three years by small local farmers.

It is believed that this would provide a balance that would assuage the hunger of the rich and find respite for the affluent.

Restating government’s determination at ensuring food security recently in Kebbi State, Dr. Adesina said the Federal Government found it

This year alone, from maize, rice, cassava, sorghum, we have added a total of 8.1 million MT of food to our domestic food supply; that is 70 percent higher than the target of five million MT we set for 2013

gathered to be in line with the ATA. But that has been criticized by the potential beneficiaries who described it as a misplaced priority. Rather than provide them with phones, they say access to funds is what is needed.

Another move which many have agreed would relaunch the country into the committee of agriculturally-developed nations, is the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with small scale farmers associations in 2012 on oil palm plantation to ensure increase in Nigeria’s oil palm production.

Stoppage of rice importation

,

imperative to primarily target food security, reduce expenditure of foreign exchange on food imports, diversify the economy, generate foreign exchange and create jobs.

“Mr President approved the Agricultural Transformation Agenda. The goal of that agenda is to add 20 million metric tonnes of food to our domestic food supply by 2015.

We have picked rice and by the grace of God, we will be selfsufficient in rice by 2015. To drive that, the Federal Government is working very closely with the state

governments,” he stated.

Investigations, however, indicated that the collaboration with state governments to actualise the stoppage of rice importation is being implemented particularly by Niger State.

The State has reportedly acquired over 100,000 hectares of land, engaged over 50,000 rice farmers across the 25 local government areas aimed at achieving not only ricesufficiency for local consumption, but to to feed the sub-region.

The State would also access substantial part of the additional N200 billion Federal Government agriculture enhancement loans for farmers across the nation.

Commenting further on efforts at boosting rice production, Adesina said the three-pronged approach to addressing the defect in rice production include increased yield through land and fertiliser supplies, milling and incentives for exportation. ‘’When I say we, it is not government. Government will get funds at a very low interest rate, guarantee moratorium of 10 years repayment. We are working closely with all the states’ government across all political lines so that we will have all these mills. We are facilitating rice mills and we are also facilitating low interest

Continues on page 39

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013 — 39

...Solution to hunger

Uproar over rise in brain disorder in children

Continues from page 38

Omega-3, etc. All these are to ensure there is no deficiency that would further hamper brain development. I’ve seen improvements in children with autism, and I want to say that more children with autism will improve through consistent intervention and therapy,” he assured.

President of Parents Against Autism Initiative-PAAI, Angela Emuwa, one of the mothers earlier mentioned, though she wouldn’t blame the MMR vaccine, recalled that her son changed shortly after receiving the vaccine.

“Coincidentally, my son had his vaccines not long before he changed, but still, I cannot say vaccination is responsible. I would however advise that parents make sure their babies are very healthy before they have their vaccines.

My child had a cold at the time when he had his own, but I didn’t consider it,” she explained.

However, admonishing parents to learn to love their affected children despite the mystery of autism, Dotun Akande, Proprietress, Patrick Speech & Language Centre, during an event tagged: ‘Demystifying Autism’, put together by her school recently, said: “Though we neither know the cause nor the cure for autism, we advise parents to love their children because that’s the only way they could totally overcome autism. My son is a living testimony because he has overcome autism and is now doing excellently well in a regular school! With

•Mothers suspect MMR vaccine •‘No, Autism has no cause!’, Paediatrician insists

BY JOSEPHINE IGBINOVIA

A

speculate that the Measles, Mumps, Rubella-MMR vaccination administered to children might have a link with the development of autism, due to the fact that it has generally appeared in its victims between the ages of two and four.

Contrary to this speculation though, Prof.Afolabi Lesi, Consultant Paediatrician, Lagos University Teaching Hospital-LUTH, who spoke with VF, stressed that there remains no scientifically-known link between Measles, Mumps, Rubella-MMR vaccine and autism.

“There is no connection between MMR vaccine and autism. Some have said it is the cause of autism, but that’s not true. It is possible for mothers to associate the vaccine to autism because

,

T age one, her son had a few words including “bye-bye”, “daddy”, and the house-help’s name. But six months later, he lost all of it and would simply run from one end of the room to another as a primary means of communication whenever he wanted something. That was the experience of Dotun Akande, a mother who narrated her son’s ordeal with autism.

Like every mother too, Helen Mbakwe dazzled with hopes and aspirations when she had her beautiful baby girl. The child’s development was normal, and at age two, she was enrolled into school.

She had speech too, but at about age three, she gradually lost it until she finally became speechless.

Another mother, Angela Emuwa, recalled that her son who is now age 12 was 18 months old when he lost his speech. Before then, he was talking and everything was fine. Suddenly, his speech began to vanish until he couldn’t speak anymore. It was after undergoing the necessary tests that it was discovered that he had autism.

Dayo Jalekun, a mother with a 15year-old son living with autism, also recalled that her son was talking but eventually lost speech at about age four.

“I took him to various places, and being a typical Nigerian, I sought supernatural intervention because I felt it was spiritual. I, however, finally found out and accepted that he had autism,” she explained.

In the face of these mysterious developments, the big question is: What is responsible for autism?

A neuro-developmental (brain) disorder which inhibits social and language skills, autism slows down the developmental milestone of the child and has been shown to affect more boys than girls on a ratio of 5 to 1. Though they look like every other normal child, children living with autism exhibit diverse traits but the most basic include lack of eye contact, emotional detachment, repetitive or stereotypical behaviour, walking on tip toes, screaming without cause, delayed milestone in language development and more. They are predominantly nonverbal.

Sadly, with the proliferation of schools for autistic children in Nigeria and with each of these schools becoming densely populated by the day, science is yet to identify the cause of the disorder.

Parents and paediatricians are at a loss as to what triggers autism.

Due to its characteristic time-frame of appearance however, some mothers

A neuro-developmental (brain) disorder which inhibits social and language skills, autism slows down the developmental milestone of the child and has been shown to affect more boys than girls on a ratio of 5 to 1

of the period at which autism manifests in children but the fact remains that science does not know what causes autism. Of course, we know there are some associations such as Vitamin D related disorders, but beyond that, we do not know what causes autism,” Prof.

Lesi said. Confessing that he sees more children with autism these days than he saw as a student, Prof. Lesi affirmed that though science has still not found a cure for autism, managements and interventions that could help children overcome autism are accessible.

“Through such interventions, a number of children have been able to come out of the situation. Such interventions include behaviour related modifications, special education, speech therapy, nutritional interventions like the prevention of foods rich in wheat, milk and sugar(which could worsen autism), and an increased consumption of

,

adequate and consistent therapy and love, these children do get better.”

Another mother, Bolanle Adewole, founder, The Learning Place Centre, a special centre for children living with autism and related disorders, noted that though the MMR vaccine has not been scientifically proven to cause autism, research on autism have focused on environmental and genetic factors.

Bolanle Adewole whose nine-year-old is gradually overcoming autism, however, suspected that the jet age’s need for technological advancement might have a link with autism.

“You know, one thing with children with autism is that they are exceptionally skilled, especially in science and technology. A number of great people who have done historic things are on the autism spectrum! This includes Bill Gates, Robert Einstein and many others,” Bolanle said.

financing to acquire large scale integrated cassava processing plant. We want everybody to see that there is more than enough of rice in the country,’’ he added.

He further said, at the moment, Nigeria spends N1bn yearly on rice importation from India and Thailand. Nigeria is the largest rice importer on the African continent, with imports amounting to over 2.5 million tons in 2011-12.

Further checks showed that though imports are growing at an unsustainable rate of 11% per annum, the current administration has increased the import tariff for rice by about nine per cent in the second quarter of 2012. This, experts argued, would be a boost to the nation’s quest to increase local production.

Corroborating this during the Good Governance Tour in Ebonyi State in January 2013, Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, said: ‘’If 157 million people can patronize milled Nigeria rice, we are going to create millions of jobs.

That is the programme the President is doing at the moment. In the last one and a half years, we have created over two million jobs. In Kano, we are doing tomato canning.”

Blueprint on agriculture Nonetheless, findings showed that the latest efforts at resuscitating the sector, is in line with the government’s official blueprint on agriculture.

It is envisaged that the agricultural transformation agenda will add 20 million metric tons to domestic food supply by 2015, 2 million metric tonnes of rice, 17 million metric tonnes of cassava and 1 million metric tonnes of Sorghum.

Policies with good intentions: Notwithstanding, a member of All Farmers Association in Kogi State, Chief Enenche Obekpa, acknowledged that the FG’s latest approach to the sector appears promising, but was worried that implementation might constitute a challenge.

Obekpa told VF that: ‘’We will not disagree that policies are not being formulated. There are policies with good intentions, but will they be implemented?

We have been on this road before, that is why we are not carried away.’’

However, within the period under review, the International Fund for Agricultural Development ,IFAD, said it had committed about $88.5 million intio the ATA so far.

Also, the International Food Policy Research Institute said the value of agriculture in Nigeria is projected to grow to 256 billion dollars by 2030.

40—VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

Affair of convenience

My libido has disappeared Dear Bunmi, Recently, I just don’t feel like lovemaking. I’m a divorced mother of three and, until now, enjoyed a healthy sexual appetite with my partner.

But I seem to have lost all that due to no particular reason. Should I be worried? I’m 43.

Gbemi, by e-mail.

Dear Gbemi, About 40 percent of women have one sexual problem or the other. Lost of libido, which is what you have, could be due to depression (including postnatal depression) and stress.

It can also be as a result of heart disease, diabetes, spinal cord injury and damage to pelvic nerves or blood vessels. Pregnancy and meno-

pause can also be blamed, while some drugs trigger loss of libido.

Check with your doctor whether any prescribed drugs you’re taking might have this effect. You may also be able to change them or reduce the dosage. Hormone treatments can help. Also there are several natural remedies from good herbal shops.

I feel used by people close to me Dear Bunmi, I am in my 40s, with a family. I have a husband who cares for his family but who is rather bossy.

He sometimes disapproves of the clothes I wear and hates me having anything to do with my divorced single friends.

My children too take advantage of my easy-going nature and disobey me from time to time.

I have a shop on Lagos Island. Sometimes I find it difficult to recover debts owed by my stubborn customers.My best friend has always told me that I should be more assertive but whenever I try to be aggressive, it turns to a quarrel and I end up being miserable.

I want to be able to tell people how I feel about the way they treat me without feeling guilty.

Oye, by e-mail.

Dear Oye, One thing you should know by now is that the more you let people walk all over you, the more they take you for granted.

You should know what you want; sticking to your decision is something you have to work at.

And once you make up your mind as long as you know you’re right, don’t waver. You can’t go through life without

hurting people.

As for the children, you need to be stern with them if you want them to be disciplined adults.

Try to talk with your hus-

band about how you feel. It might take him a while to loosen some of his hold on you. But once he does, together you can then tackle the children’s upbringing.

‘

If you like playing with live grenades, that’s your business. Since your neighbour is married, you could find yourself facing a furious wife

’

My ex is now with my best friend!

Dear Bunmi, My boyfriend of two years and I broke up a few months ago. I was just getting over the break-up when I learnt both of them were now an item.

When I confronted my socalled best friend, she admitted they have feelings for each other.

I’ve since tried to move on but I can’t as I see this as a betrayal. I mean, how do I keep her as my best friend while she’s going out with the only man who ever meant anything to me?

Clara, by e-mail.

Dear Clara, Friendship such as you had with your so-called best friend is supposed to be an intimate one. As things stand, however, you can no longer exchange the privacy and trust best friends share— not if everything you say or do can be repeated to your ex.

Don’t cut her off completely, however, as she— and probably your ex and mutual friends— will think you’re jealous.

Be cordial with her if you see her, but no more than that.

In the meantime, start looking for a better friend— and boyfriends.

Is he in the relationship for money?

Dear Bunmi, Although my boyfriend has his own flat, he spends all his free time in mine. Only he scarcely pays for anything he eats or drinks. This makes me angry knowing how expensive food and utilities are.

Whenever I asked him to chip in more, he agrees, then turns up with next to nothing in his wallet. As things are now, it is a struggle for me to

pay for everything.

Tonia, by e-mail.

Dear Tonia, What you have on your hands is not just a money problem, it’s a loving problem.

Your boyfriend, apart from being a leach, is lacking in respect, affection and care.

He should want to contribute, make your life easier and want an equal relationship

where you both at least, pay your way. If you’re to pay for things both of you enjoy, then it is obvious he’s in the relationship for all he can get.

My advice? Don’t waste time trying to find the money to support this free-wheeler.

And don’t waste your breath trying to convince him to pay his way. Show him the door and solve all your problems at once!

Dear Bunmi, I recently got together with a neighbour even though we’ve lived in the same neighbourhood for years. We finally met at a friend’s house-warming and struck up a friendship.

He’s married to two wives but lives alone because of his peace of mind. He stays the night with any of the wives when he needs to. Because of this, I am free to visit him and he usually calls my mobile when he’s free.

Lovemaking with this man is great and he gives me money that I really need to keep body and soul together. What both my husband and I earn can’t keep up with the current inflation.

My closest friend in whom I confided in was really shocked by this relationship and sees it as nothing short of prostitution.

Seriously though, I can’t see the harm in what I’m doing if my husband is none the wiser.

I mean, we’re not hurting him, are we?

Nkiru, by e-mail.

Dear Nkiru, If you like playing with live grenades, that’s your business. Since your neighbour is married, you could find yourself facing a furious wife (or wives) and condemned by the whole neighbourhood as well.

If you’re at all serious about your marriage, it’s time for some serious discussion with your husband about how to manage your finances.

You may think you’re getting away with murder now your husband is none the wiser, but what happens if and when he finds out? What will it do to your kids and the stability of your marriage?

I was wrong to let her go Dear Bunmi, My girlfriend and I split up two years ago. We lived together before we did, only we were always arguing. It never was that way when we lived apart. Our arguments had to do with who did what and who spent what.

However, in the time we’ve been apart, I’ve really missed her. I’ve tried to get back on my feet by starting a new relationship, but haven’t met anyone I really like. Now I think I might have been too hasty by letting her go.

Do you think I should ask her to let us try again?

Tony, by e-mail.

Dear Tony, When a relationship ends,

it is always for a reason. With you and your ex, it was because you had different ideas on how to share out chores and how to spend money. You obviously had a basic incompatibility in the way you approach life.

Now, two years later, what has changed? Have you altered your views on how things would be done?

And do you think she’s altered hers? Most importantly, is she free to come back to you?

If you get back together and one of you hasn’t changed, you’ll still have the same problems all over again. Why not put the past firmly behind you and move on to someone new and better?

Will this older woman dump me too?

Dear Bunmi, I recently split with my girlfriend and I’m currently involved with a lady who is 15 years older. My ex-girlfriend used to criticise my lovemaking and I’m worried in case my new girlfriend also thinks I’m boring.

She’s obviously more experienced and since two other girlfriends left me for older men, I’m scared this one would leave too.

Kingsley, by e-mail.

Dear Kingsley, Being hurt emotionally is often as bad as a physical blow— it leaves a sore spot

that’s vulnerable for a while.

So it’s only natural for you to be apprehensive. But just because something happened in the past, it doesn’t mean it will happen again in the future.

You’re in luck here as I’m sure all your new girlfriend wants out of the relationship is just the intimacy— not the hassle of a marriage.

So talk through your worries with her and ask her how you can make her happy. She’s likely to respond by showing you how.

This way, she’s less likely to leave and you’ll be more confident because you’ll know you’re doing the best for her.

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

Vanguard Vanguard,,

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

— 41

YOUR LUCK TODAY

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 CANCER; Many of you may be tempted and give in to the urge to gamble either with love or other important issue to the detriment of your cause. Be practical.

LEO; This is not the right time to take happenings along your career line for granted. Prepare for important domestic challenge. Keep your family secrets.

VIRGO; You may over inflate your ego to the resentment of people that matter. Watch what you do with money before 12.31pm. Try to be more diplomatic.

LIBRA; If care is not taken you would mislead others before 12.31pm while you are close to minor but costly mistakes from 12.31pm. Be wise with money.

SCORPIO; After initial confusion before 1pm you find your bearing and assert yourself but you will need to prepare to take care of oppositions that may come up suddenly.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

By Richard Eromosele

I AM sure your swift answer to the above question will be God forbid, how can I be a photocopier.

But let us first examine what photocopier is: A photo-

Are you a photocopier? copier simply put is a machine used in producing duplicate copies of documents.

Can you now answer the question?

Do you copy other

people’s behaviour easily without any modification? For example you see some men put on ear rings, can that be rationalised?

Some people ex-

TERROR MUDA in “Never say goodbye”

pose their under wears, is this justified?

Don’t just do things because other people are doing it, do it because it is the right and proper thing to do.

Think about it!

By Lanre Kehinde

SAGITTARIUS; It is important you don’t allow friends mislead you before 12.31pm no matter how genuine their intention. Watch what you do with your health. Tomorrow is your best day.

CAPRICORN; Take it easy along your career/business line during the morning period so that costly mistakes will not make things difficult for. Take your social life seriously.

AQUARIUS; What may look like a very good advice from younger members within your base of operation may eventually lead to avoidable trouble.

PISCES; Miscalculation is possible before 12.31pm that is why you will need to be as practical as possible and refuse to take people for granted throughout.

ARIES; Yes it is good to take partnership related issue seriously but priority attention must be given to money.

Watch what you tell others before 12.31pm.

TAURUS; If you take your new ideas too seriously they would mislead you. But taken good advice from your influential friends can prove helpful. As the Moon fluctuates during AM period it is important you practical till after 12.31pm.

KAPTAIN AFRIKA

in

“Princess Shii’

By Andy Akman

GEMINI; Provided you don’t allow mid-morning blues to get better off you will eventually live up to expectation at work. Take good care of your health, please

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING Send yyour our dat th ttoo the As tr ological datee and place of bir birth Astr trological Counselling, PP.M.B .M.B 1100 00 7, Apapa, Lagos 007,

What’s my sesitive part?

Dear Joshua I ma interested in your daily analysis in Vanguard Newspapers. The truth is your daily horoscope column always work for me and now I just cant do without reading my Star in your papers.

My believe is since you can be as accurate as possible writing daily horoscope you are in a better position to analyse my health which is very important to me. I want to know which area(s) of my body should be taken more seriously.

Sola, Kano.

Dear Sola, According to your natal horoscope you have gone above danger zones of your life health-wise.

But then what you will find here-under will be of benefit. Thanks for your commendation.

Opposition between the Sun (an indicator of basic self-hood) and difficult Saturn during your birth hour pointed to a very tough beginning in life but luckily for you both Spiritual Neptune in powerful Scorpio and steady Pluto in healthy Virgo were at positive angles to your natal Sun thus, your chances of surviving are more than the delicate ones. More so as your natal Sun and Moon are members of strongest Star signs-health wise.

Certainly Saturn must have brought you a few number of health related challenges raging from skin, bone, sometimes the stomach and importantly headache . Since you were able to survive infancy and middle age you have very good chances of living to a very old age. While the ailments stated here can easily be managed by yourself one important organ of your body that must be managed by medical expert is your HEART because of many placement in heart related Star sign. This is not to say you must have heart problem but here is an organ you in particular must take very seriously.

Yes fever is common in Africa and today fear of STDs is the beginning of good health. STDs are mentioned here because of your natal planets is sexual Scorpio. Mind you nothing fatalistic here, but mere warnings.

VIRGINIA

Commen3

dadadekola@yahoo.com

by Lawrence Akapa

42 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

Transformational leadership, a spring board for sustainable development A

CCORDING to a foremost leadership scholar, Burns in his book titled, Leadership, published by Harper & Row, Transformational Leadership is the engagement of leaders and followers in a mutual process of raising one another to higher levels of morality and motivation.

The transformational leader appeals to the higher ideals and values of the followers in an unselfish manner to achieve collaboration and collective success. In this engagement, the leader affects followers and transforms them in three ways, thus: increasing their awareness of task importance and value, getting them to focus first on team or organizational goals, rather than their own interests and activating their higher order needs.

It can be inferred, therefore, that transformational leaders are charismatic, inspirational and transform their followers to higher

ARC MIKE ONOLEMEMEN levels of performance and other positive work-related outcomes through four dimensions: charisma, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized considerations. Transformational leadership helps to unleash the creative potentials of individuals and groups, thereby generating social change as well as motivate their followers to do more than the followers originally intended and thought possible.

Transformational leadership: What are the elements of transformational leadership, and how is this leadership style different from other forms of leadership?

Unlike transactional leadership C M Y K

where the follower is rewarded with carrot for meeting agreements or Map of Nigeria beaten with a stick for failing in what was supposed to be done, transformational leadership motivates followers to exceed expectations. governmental leadership. Public Transformational leaders raise leaders help to create vision for the bar by appealing to higher their community, state, or counideas and values of the follow- try; help to build the public poliers, and in doing so, they model cy agenda; mobilize public opinthe values themselves and use ion with respect to policy proposcharismatic approaches to attract als, and play an important role people to the values and to the in shaping and implementing leader. those programmes and policies Transformational leadership is that government undertakes. more effective than transactional The core agenda of transformaleadership. While transactional tional leadership in a nation is leadership appeals more to self- the protection and nourishment ish concerns, transformational of happiness, and extending the leadership appeals to social valopportunity to pursue happiness ues which encourage people to to all citizens. collaborate, rather than working as individuals. While good viTransformational sioning is central to transformational leadership, it is crucial that leadership the transformational leader is atHow has the transformation tentive to the needs and motives of followers in an attempt to help agenda of the President Goodluck Jonathan-led federal govthem reach their maxiernment reflected this undermum potential. standing of transformational leadEssentially, transforership? The transformation agenmational leadership deda of the Federal Government of scribes how leaders can Nigeria is anchored on the Viinitiate, develop, and sion 20:2020, which seeks to eleimplement important vate the nation’s economy to be changes in organizaamong the top 20 economies in tions, institutions, and the world in terms of growth in governments. The esthe Gross Domestic Product, GDP, sence of transformationby the year 2020. The transforal leadership is that leadmation agenda is targeted at creers transform the followating jobs to reduce unemployers through their inspiment; laying a foundation for rational nature and chareconomic growth; and improving ismatic personalities.

Rules and regulations are flexi- the well-being of Nigerians on a ble and are guided by group sustainable basis. To achieve norms, which in turn provide a these goals, the Federal Governsense of belonging for the follow- ment is focusing its attention on ers as they easily identify with priority sectors such as agriculture, mining, manufacturing, oil the leadership and its purpose.

Transformational leadership and gas, trade and investment, aims at changing the culture of health, education, and tourism.

However, one way of pursuing an organization, state or nation with new vision. A transforma- the Federal Government’s transtional leader is one with the abil- formation agenda is the develity to change an embedded cul- opment of key infrastructure that ture in an organization, state or would lead to the economic emnation by creating a new vision powerment of citizens through for the entity and marshalling the the creation of the enabling enappropriate support to make that vironment for their engagement vision the new reality. Transfor- in productive activities across the mational leadership is deeply sectors. Infrastructure developrooted in studies of political and ment and economic growth are

President Goodluck Jonathan mutually reinforcing, as infrastructure development plays a vital role in wealth creation. The importance of infrastructure to national development cannot be overemphasized: It is at the core of good governance and public welfare. Good infrastructure is critical to the overall development of the Nigerian economy, which in turn impacts the standard of living of the citizens. Good and sustainable infrastructure is needed in Nigeria not only to serve as a catalyst for economic growth, but also for the creative engagement of citizens and to generate national development.

In summary, good infrastructure provides a platform for the sociopolitical transformation of the

,

BY ARC MIKE ONOLEMEMEN

vironment); Human Development (education, healthcare, skill acquisition, and capacity building); Real Sector (agriculture, manufacturing, mining, oil and gas); and Infrastructure (power, roads, rails, aviation, information and communication technology, water for irrigation and industries), more premium is also being placed on funding of infrastructure projects to impact positively on the realization of the other priorities. Infrastructure is a common denominator for the other three priorities and vital to the success of the transformation agenda of the Federal Government.

The various reforms embarked upon by the Administration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, in the last two years in the different sectors of our economy are yielding desired results, which are transformational in nature.

Diversified revenue base What are the indicators? Today, inflation has been reduced from 12.4 per cent in 2011 to 9.1 per cent in 2013; recurrent expenditure has dropped from 74.4 per cent in 2011 to 68.7 per cent in 2013 in an irreversible downward trend that will lead to a positive ratio in favour of capital expenditure.In 2012 alone, the amount of Foreign Direct Investment in our economy stood at $8.9billion; Stock market capitalization has risen by 66.2 per cent since 2012 to N11.8 trillion; Diversified revenue base, which

While transactional leadership appeals more to selfish concerns, transformational leadership appeals to social values which encourage people to collaborate, rather than working as individuals

nation. This is what the transformation agenda of the Federal Government is delivery to our citizens and nation.

Infrastructure stock in Nigeria today is far from being adequate.

This becomes even more evident when compared to countries such as Brazil, Turkey, India and South Africa. The Federal Government recognizes the need to bridge the infrastructure gap in our country.Consequently, the President Goodluck Jonathan-led Federal Government of Nigeria has just completed the preparation of a National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan to guide the nation’s investment in key infrastructure in the next 30 years, from 2014 to 2043. Priorities of the Nigerian Government in the next five years are to focus on Good Governance (security of lives and property, law and order, and providing enabling en-

,

has brought contribution by oil and gas to 70 per cent in May 2013 from about 90 per cent in 2010, while increasing the contribution of the other sectors; Number of insurance policy holders has increased from 700,000 in 2010 to 1.5 million in 2012 and the upward trend continues; Not only has the rail lines (Lagos– Kano) be reactivated, but the number of passengers carried by rail has risen from one million in 2009 to 4.2 million in 2012.

With the scheduled revitalization of the Port Harcourt–Maiduguri rail line and the completion of the sidings on the LagosKano rail line, this number will more than quadruple. Cargo transportation via our waterways has increased from 2.9 metric tons in 2011 to 1.3 million tons in 2012 and still rising; travel time on

Continues on page 43

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013 — 43

Umuahia Premier Club celebrates Okonjo Iweala, Onyema Ugochukwu and others

BY SAM EKELEDO

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EADERSHIP is often times both a privilege and a burden, distilled in the dynamics of community, club or enterprise. And so come Saturday, July 6, 2013, Chief Sunny Osuagwu, OON, exPermanent Secretary of the Federal Republic and president of arguably the most prestigious club south and east of the Niger will step up the podium and induct 21 new members of the Premier Club and further convey award of excellence to four deserving notable figures. For the recipients, including Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Rear Admiral Onyemobi, Rear Admiral Ajuonu and the sage himself, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, this recognition assumes a much more significant attraction because it is from home. More so, since the Premier, M.I. Okpara died, no one else from that core part of Igbo has been so honoured, by this select group.

I have been privileged to know both the Premier Club, Umuahia and these award recipients, somewhat. These are truly deserving men and a lady. The Club has, from its humble beginnings in 1983, since metamorphosed into a leading group of elite able to turn the tide politically in Abia State should it so choose. Which is my nagging grouse with this powerhouse.

Premier Club is, however, not your equivalent of the once very prosperous Kaduna mafia. It is certainly a gathering of

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Chief Onyema Ugochukwu

of the club reminded everyone in a recent Press briefing that it has only happened this once in the history of this burgeoning nation that a person, let alone a woman has been seen to occupy the office of Coordinating Minister of the Economy.

Nigeria’s unofficial prime minister, if you like. Her achievements have already filled the annals of more than one lifetime and they are all in the public domain. To be sure, Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, despite all odds (boko, et al) is opening the vistas of a global economy and international best practices toa normally renegade people.

,

So much can be said about Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, first African editor of London based West Africa magazine; editor of that legendary largest nationwide daily in Nigeria, Daily Times, Executive Director, Daily Times of Nigeria, President, Nigerian Guild of Editors

some of the most brilliant and articulate technocrats, reverent ministers, politicians, sports administrators and businessmen you can find anywhere with such defining values as fostering the unity, culture and values of Umuahia people and the development of the place for all. They have treaded gently, yet have made steady progress, organizing youth boot camp, award of scholarships, free healthcare delivery, an endowment for space studies for the best graduating student in mathematics, and now they have concluded plans for the construction of a resort that will contain an international conference centre, leisure facilities as well as a skill acquisition centre both in Umuahia and Abuja, if only government will graciously give the land.

It is open to all. Membership requirements include an interview at some point, but most especially your comportment in observer status participation in a number of meetings in which you are feted like a king afterwards.

I have not witnessed a more splendid buffet in any occasion. Who wouldn’t like to show up again? It is, indeed a large place fit only for men of courage. Is the Club not gender sensitive? No. Wives of members are fullfledged members, except I don’t see them in Club meetings.

As part of the preparations for this year ’s event, Premier Chukwunyere Nwaononiwu, Chairman of Abuja chapter

,

Indeed, she is making us all feel we belong to a country. At least no one has printed his own money, neither has our reminiscences compelled us to do more than write a book. She will rise to receive this award of excellence from her people who love her so much and take pride in her commitment to the development of this nation. So much can be said about Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, first African editor of London based West Africa magazine; editor of that legendary largest nationwide daily in Nigeria, Daily Times, Executive Director, Daily Times of Nigeria, President, Nigerian Guild of Editors.

He achieved all these under 50. By 1998 when Obasanjo’s fledgling campaign for presidency really needed a bite it was Onyema Ugochukwu that the campaign approached. Success breeds success and so he would go on to become Senior Special Assistant on National Orientation and Public Affairs (and it would seem that the appellation Senior to special assistants had to be because of him); pioneer Chairman, Niger Delta Development Commission where he ensured the production of the Niger Delta regional development master plan and laid the foundation for that enduring agency. It was that integral plan and other sure visions that Chief Onyema Ugochukwu was going to bring to the Abia State governorship but blind innocence sadly prevailed against him.

Were it in the days of military regime, Air Vice Marshal Chimechefulem Onyemobi and Rear Admiral Azubuike Isaac Ajuonu would have sat in the Supreme Military Council and from there quite gladly issued my own Federal Government guarantee for whatever business whim or better still my very own OPL. Imagine. Air Vice Marshal Onyemobi comes from a notable political family in Ibeku whose political sagacity is traceable to the Eastern Region era. There is a long line of legislators from that time to Imo State era and to present Abia. All of them are Onyemaobis. It is heartening that early in 1978 this one pursued a different career, nonetheless strategic. Through training, experience and diligence garnered over the years in various parts of the world under the auspices of Nigeria Air Force, he can fly anything man made that has wings. This self effacing, unassuming man is presently Air Officer Commanding Tactical Air Command, Nigeria Air Force, Makurdi.

Intimidating proportions Rear Admiral Isaac Azubuike Ajuonu is a man of intimidating proportions both in learning and in size. An all round soldier, he has practically served the Navy all his life. Little wonder he is today the Flag Officer Commanding Naval Training Command, Apapa. And he is a very kind man too. I remember very well when he served in the Defence Headquarters, Lagos and how he awarded Randy Ukawoko and I a handsome contract to supply basic drugs for our military operations in Sierra Leone.

Years later when I took interest in a demining operations contract this time, at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, I really missed him. I know that he is truly deserving of this present honour as many more younger elements from all around Umuahia can still attest to his professionalism and generosity.

These are some of the bright stars from Umuahia, home of Nigeria’s first indigenous General of the Nigeria Army and military head of state, Dr Michael Iheonukara Okpara, Dr J.O.J. Okezie, Dallas based Ben Iroha, Nigeria’s ex international, and so many other dignitaries too numerous to mention, who are inspiring our world. As she celebrates these great personalities, Umuahia Premier club is geared for greater heights.

Transformational leadership, a spring board for sustainable development Continues from page 42 most federal roads has been reduced substantially due to improved condition of the roads, and only recently ABC Transport Company in a recent advertorial in a national newspaper, slashed its fares as a result of the improvement in our road network across the country; Improved passenger comfort and navigational aids at our airports and removal of import duties and charges on aircraft and spare parts; reduced clearing time at the ports from 39 days to seven days, the destination being 48 hours; increased power generation from 3,514 MW in 2011 to 4,500 in 2012, with a projected total of 7,000 MW by December 2013 when the NIPP comes on stream; increased domestic food supply which has been put at 8 Metric Tons in 2012, representing 70 per cent above target; increased mobile phone subscription from 14 million in 2004 to about 150 million by 2012; and many more positive developments in other sectors of our economy.

The import of these indicators is that citizens of our country are being empowered by the improving economic environment consequent on better infrastructure in a way that enables them to engage in productive and profitable ventures.

Improved infrastructure This, to my mind, is the hallmark of transformational leadership which brings about sustainable development, as citizens are better positioned to sustain their productive activities consequent on improved infrastructure and economic climate.

While infrastructure is the bedrock of development of a society, a solid and adequate infrastructure base will translate into an increased aggregate output and flourishing economy. Researchers have traced the development of infrastructure in Africa and concluded that there is an urgent need for transformation. It is, therefore, gratifying that the President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s Administration at its commencement launched the transformation agenda and is not only in the process of bequeathing a National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (NIIMP) to Nigeria, it is already implementing the content of that plan which will have the salutary effect of truly transforming infrastructure development in Nigeria in a sustainable manner, as citizens become freer and better able to pursue happiness and extending the opportunity to pursue happiness to others.

•Arc Mike Onolememen, Minister of Works, writes from Abuja

44—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

2015: DPM backs Obielum for Delta guber

Edo community sends SOS to Speaker over oil spill

BY DANIEL GUMM

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ARRI—SPEAKER of Edo State House of Assembly

BY FESTUS AHON

U

GHELLI—AHEAD of the 2015 gubernatorial election, a political group, Delta Progressive Movement, DPM, in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, has urged Deltans to cast their votes for Chief Godswill Obielum.

The group described Obielum as the best governorship candidate to take over from Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in 2015.

Speaking during a meeting of the group in Ughelli, the group's Coordinator, Chief Johnbull Ekama, said that Chief Obiulum was an experienced technocrat and dependable political ally.

Noting that Obielum hails from Ndokwa nation, the largest ethnic nationality in Delta North, Ekama emphasised that the governorship aspirant has the most formidable political structure in the state.

He reiterated that DPM was the parent body of all political pressure groups with progressive tendencies in Delta State.

Ekama, who was a senatorial aspirant in the 2003 elections, said the group had endorsed Obielum for the governorship position in 2015.

He said: “All we need to do now is to key into the project and deliver him in our local government area.”

has been called upon to prevail on the management of Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, to take

responsibility for the oil spillage from its pipeline in Ajatiton community.

Elders of the community, in

ACN chieftain accuses lawmaker of forgery

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ENIN—A chieftain of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in Edo State, and former chairman of Etsako East Local Government Area, Mr. Stanley Odidi, yesterday, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Muhammed Abubakar, over alleged failure by the police to prosecute a member of House of Representatives, Abubakar Momoh, for alleged forgery.

Odidi, through his counsel Mr. A. Afegbua, in the petition called on the IG to examine some documents particularly, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Form CF.004.

He said that his signature was forged to oust him from the 2011 election into the House of Representatives seat for Etsako Constituency, which according to the letter, had allegedly benefited Momoh, who is also a member of ACN. In a police document dated October, 2011, signed by ASP R. Onwuzulike of the Police

Ndokwa demands constituency's restoration

BY SONI DANIEL, Regional Editor, North

A

S groups mobilise for 2015 elections, the people of Ndokwa nation in Delta State, have asked the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to restore one of the two constituencies it created for them in Ndokwa East before the next elections.

Vanguard learnt that the constituency was created by the defunct National Electoral Commission, NEC, in 1991 under the leadership of Prof.

Humphrey Nwosu.

Inexplicably, only one of the two constituencies had been recognised by the government since the advent of democratic

governance in 1999, despite its high population of over 103,000.

In a petition sent to INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, the people noted with concern the continued delay in restoring the constituency by successive electoral commissions, which had tended to carry on as if the matter had been laid to rest.

The petition was signed by the President-General of Ndokwa Nation, Chief Paul Enebeli and Mr. Chukwudi Enebeli through their counsel, Ikimi Oghenejagbor.

It read in part: “It is our brief that Ndokwa East council was divided into Ndokwa East Constituencies 1 and 2."

Forensic Document Examiner, obtained to Vanguard, the report stated that “the questioned signature in the relevant column of document marked ‘27’ is not the same with the signature in the relevant column of the documents marked 28, 29 and annexure B and C.” Following the police examination report which confirmed that Odidi’s signature was forged, the petitioner wondered at the refusal of the police to arrest and prosecute the lawmaker, whom he alleged forged his signature, noting that he (Odidi) withdrew from the House of Representatives race on account of same.

He said: “It is pertinent to note that forgery is a criminal offence for which culprits should be prosecuted."

LSBTC takes campaign to LASU

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AGOS State Blood Transfusion Committee, LSBTC, has taken its voluntary donation drive to Lagos State University, LASU, Ojo. The agency described the step as one of the strategies that has been adopted to help it meet the World Health Organisation, WHO’s target.

The target is that 100 percent of blood transfused must be from voluntary blood donors by 2020.

Dr. Amoore Oludare of Lagos State University Health

Centre, said many Nigerians refused to donate blood because of misinformation, adding that the campaign in institutions of learning would erase such erroneous beliefs.

He said: “Those that need blood are people with sickle cell disease, cancer, anaemia, road accident victims, women that bleed during pregnancy and delivery, surgery patients and victims of burns.

“These people and others like them can die if they do not get blood on time.”

By Bartholomew Madukwe

PEOPLE SPEAK

08102479985

a Save Our Soul, SOS, informed the Speaker of the “increased environmental damage to farmland and aquatic life of our people, who live on Osiomo River shores on account of the spillage.”

The message by Mr. Samuel Ireokane, Trust President, and Mr. Oloma Eyewuo-ma, Trust Secretary, said: “Fishing, which is the primary occupation of our people, and availability of potable water, have been seriously affected as the river is the only source of water.

“We are afraid to go too close to the spill site for fear of being caught in a fire outbreak, which we know is possible in this situation.

“The situation, bad as it is, is compounded by the very painful fact that the management of NPDC, owners of the facility from which the spill occurred, is not ready to do anything to clean up the spill or show any concern about the effect the spill on the community.”

A call to the Community Relations Department of NPDC for their response was not answered at press time.

(nwamad@yahoo.com)

On £3,000 bond for UK visa (2)

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welcome the idea.

Some Nigerian over stay in UK and that makes UK embassy in Nigeria to reject the applications of some genuine travelers. For example, last year I was denied UK visa two times and I was going there genuinely.— Miss Anita Williams, Administrator.

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T doesn’t affect every Nigerian. It’s only if you are a first-time visitor to the United Kingdom that you are required to deposit the 3,000 Pounds. Nigerians, who have been to the UK, would not be asked to deposit any money.— Mr. Samson Robinson, Engineer.

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HE UK government does not mind those excuses made by Nigerians talking about their business and other engagements in UK. They knew that even if it is N1 billion bond, some Nigerians can still afford it.— Mr. Ajiboye Sunday, Music Director.

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T is most unfortunate that we find our selves in this mess due to the recklessness of our “leaders” who has made our country undesirable for youths. So they seek greener pastures in other climes. Nigeria is a time bomb waiting to explode.— Mr. Sokefun Olusola, Businessman.

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am not against it. It will save time in the cases of valid visa application. So those who are facilitating their entry to stay in the United Kingdom should be notified that UK has got them. They are not as corrupt as our country.— Mr. Peter Ekpo, Businessman.

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Y implication, a visa application that will normally cost about N100,000 officially, will now cost close to N1 million for an applicant. So for those using travel agencies, the cost will even be higher than normal.— Mrs Jennie Osasu, Businesswoman.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013 — 45

Oshiomhole, Ashafa, Owie, others mourn Ewherido

BY FESTUS AHON, OLASUNKANMI AKONI & SIMON

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EBEGBULEM

GHELLI—PROMINENT Deltans, have described the sudden death of Chief Pius Ewherido, Senator representing Delta Central senatorial district in the National Assembly as shocking and a monumental loss to the Urhobo ethnic nationality in particular, Delta and Nigeria as a whole.

Those who spoke to the Vanguard include, Mr. Ndudi Elumelu, member representing Aniocha/Oshimili federal constituency; Chief Ovie Omo-Agege, former Secretary to the Delta State Government; Olorogun Taleb Tebite; Olorogun John Oguma; Chief Ighoyota Amori; Mr. Edoja Akpodiete, member representing Ughelli North constituency II on the platform of DPP and the Urhobo Youth Council, UYC. On his part, Governor Oshiomhole said: “I commiserate with my brother, the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, the government and the people of the State on this unfortunate death. I also condole with the President of the Senate, Senator David Mark and other distinguished Senators on the death of their colleague and friend.

“I pray the Almighty God to grant the family of the late Senator the fortitude to bear this very painful loss. May He also grant the deceased peaceful rest in His bosom.

“My last official interaction with the distinguished Senator was during his visit to Edo State, as a member of the Senate Committee on Education which went round the state to access the state of our schools, and gave a very positive report on their evaluation of our contributions in the education sector.”

Similarly, former Chief Whip of the senate, Senator Rowland Owie, on his part, described the deceased as a very humble person “whose respect for elders and seniors was unprecedented. A few months ago we flew together and on arrival at Abuja airport, Senator Ewherido insisted on taking my brief case. That is the level of his humility. We have missed a star. I pray God Almighty and Blessed Virgin Mary, to grant his soul eternal rest..”

Also, former governorship aspirant of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Delta State, Mr. Sunny Onuesoke, described the death of Senator Ewherido as incomprehensible and great loss to the Urhobo nation, Delta State and the Niger Delta struggle.

Elumelu in a statement, described Ewherido “as a highly distinguished senator, who has contributed immensely to the development of Delta State through the sponsorship of people oriented bills that had impacted positively on the lives of Deltans and Nige-

Army warns against storing stolen crude in shrines

BY EMMAARUBI

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CONDOLENCE VISIT: Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, signing the condolence register, at the residence of late Senator Pius Ewherido in Abuja. rians in general.”

Omo-Agege said: “We received with rude shock and utmost disbelief, the sudden demise of our brother and compatriot, Senator Ewherido, the distinguished Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial Zone in the National Assembly.

“Our prayers are with the family in grief, the young wife Doye in shock, the young children, the aged mother, the entire Ewherido family and mourning Urhobo nation.”

Ashafa in a statement by his Head of Media and Strategy, Mr. Babatunde Adegunju, said he received the news of the sudden demise of Ewherido with a heavy heart, adding that he still could not believe that the cold hands of death could snatch away such a patriotic citizen. ”Just last week Sunday, Senator Ewherido among other lawmakers at the National Assembly came to Lagos to commemorate with our national leader of Action Congress of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, over the death of his mother. Hearing his untimely death is too shocking to bear. ”Ewherido was a true Nigerian, a soft spoken seasoned pro-

fessional, an indefatigable soldier of democracy and a committed, magnanimous brother and motivator,” he said.

Taleb Tebite, member representing Ughelli South constituency in the state House of Assembly, said: “The death of Senator Ewherido is very painful and a great loss to us, the people of Ughelli South, Urhobo nation, Delta State and Nigeria as a whole.

“My condolence goes to the wife, Doye, kids, aged mother, siblings and the entire Ewherido family. I also use this opportunity to thank our Governor, Dr. Uduaghan on behalf of the people of Ughelli South for the role he played in trying to save the life of our brother, Senator Ewherido.”

Olorogun John Oguma on his part said: “The news of Ewherido’s death came to me as a rude shock. I pray God to grant the immediate family and the Urhobo nation the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”

Also, Chief Ighoyota Amori, Senior Political Adviser to the Delta State Governor, said: “The death of Ewherido is a big blow to us and the people of Urhobo nation.

I

sympatherzise with his family. ” Akpodiete said: “Words are not enough to quantify the loss the death of Senator Ewherido has caused the Urhobo, Deltans and Nigerians as a whole. Ewherido is one politician with a very strong charisma and genuine desire to better the lots of his people.”

On its part, UYC in a statement said: “We received with disbelief, the sad news that our articulate and vibrant representative, Senator Ewherido has gone the way of all mortars at his prime.

“Our prayers are with his wife, young children, the family and the Urhobo people and indeed the government and people of Delta State. His death has robbed us of a dogged fighter and legislator per excellence.”

The group in a statement by its National President and Deputy National President, Mr. Henry Baro and Olorogun Jaro Egbo respectively, said “We also extend our condolences to the President General of the Urhobo Progressive Union, UPU and our royal fathers at this trying period and urge our youths to hold the peace.”

Tambuwal for Edo dep gov’s birthday

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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ENIN CITY—SPEAKER of the House of Representatives, Mr Aminu Tambuwal, will Saturday, July 6, storm Benin City, Edo State, for the birthday and 25year wedding anniversary of the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Dr. Pius Odubu.

Meanwhile, the weeklong event commenced, yesterday, with the celebration of morning Mass at the GRA residence of the celebrant after

which the family visited orphanage homes in Benin City.

The member representing Oredo federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. Rasaq Bello-Osagie, who confirmed Tambuwal’s visit to the state to Vanguard, said the Speaker will lead a delegation of top officers of the House to the state on Friday to celebrate with Odubu, who was in the House of Representatives between 1999-2007.

Odubu, who spoke to newsmen shortly after he hosted no

fewer than 200 children from different orphanage homes in the state, expressed his gratitude to God “because I am alive to celebrate my birthday and silver jubilee wedding anniversary. It is not easy to be together for 25 years and that is why we must thank God for our lives. I decided to celebrate today (yesterday)with the orphans because I share their pains, but I know that God Almighty who gave us life and kept all of us will surely protect them.”

ARRI—THE Commander of the 3 Battalion Army, Effurun, Delta State, Lt. Col Ifeayin Otu, has warned community leaders against allowing the use of their ancestral shrines as hideouts and warehouses for the storage of stolen petroleum products.

Out, who said that such practices do not only desecrate the supposed Holy ground, but was unacceptable, adding that such shrines when discovered would be burnt down and the traditional/political leaders brought to book.

He spoke at the shrine housing the Egbokodo Community deities in Warri South Local Government Area, during a raid on suspected illegal oil refineries.

Twelve large Cotonou boats and 100 by 250 litres drums loaded with suspected crude and locally refined products were destroyed during the raid.

Col. Otu who also stormed the Shaguolor illegal oil market depot less than 100 metres away from the Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company/Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, WRPC/ PPMC, also destroyed large number of illegal refineries.

Rep wants Rivers CP redeployed

BY JIMITOTA ONOY-

UMEAND BRIGHT OGUNKILEDE ORT HARCOURT— MEMBER of House of Representatives representing Bonny/Opobo/ Andoni Federal constituency, Rivers State, Mr. Dakuku Peterside has joined the call for the redeployment of the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joseph Mbu. The lawmaker in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, said it was sad that the Commissioner had left his duties to engage the governor of the state on issues outside his constitutional mandate.

Speaking yesterday, he said that the state Police boss recently called the governor unprintable names, adding that it was enough reason for him to be transferred out of the state.

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46—Vanguard , WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

Task Force warns against product adulteration

Land dispute: Abia House orders varsity to produce survey

BY ANAYO OKOLI

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BY TONY EDIKE

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NUGU—THE Pipeline Vandalization and Product Adulteration Taskforce set up by the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association, IPMAN, Eastern zone, yesterday, warned marketers who indulge in illegal practices to stop forthwith or risk being exposed.

Chairman of the Taskforce, Chief Mike Onu, who gave the warning while speaking with newsmen in Enugu, sought the cooperation of fellow marketers to protect the oil pipelines in the zone, arguing that if they (marketers) didn’t patronize product from illegitimate sources, vandals would be discouraged from engaging in the illicit act.

He said IPMAN was fully prepared to complement efforts of the NNPC and security agencies in checking the ugly menace which had conspicuously affected the economy of the 13 states that make up the Eastern Zone “as well as our reputation as stakeholders.”

Onu noted that activities of vandals and adulteration of products had hindered businesses in the oil sector, having crippled three of the five depots meant to serve the 13 states of the Eastern zone.

4 suspected robbers remanded in prison

BY ONOZURE DANIA

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AGOS—A 24-year-old man, Sese Demide, and three others were yesterday remanded at Kirikiri prison, by an Ikeja Magistrate court, over alleged armed robbery.

The other suspects are Ramon Salaudeen 23, Franklin Akpobuwa 20 and Olapade Ayo 19, were docked before magistrate Abimbola Komolafe.

The accused are facing a twocount charge of conspiracy and armed robbery brought against them by the police.

Police prosecutor Inspector Aranus Nnamonu, told the court that the defendants committed the alleged crime on June 16, 2013, at about 10pm at Market Bus Stop, Cele near Isashi area of Lagos.

He said the accused, armed with locally made pistol, conspired to rob one Sylvester Akpor of his hand sets and money.

MEETING—Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State (right); Capt. Ibrahim Wada of Kogi State (left) and another official during a meeting on Presidential HIV/AIDS emergency response plan at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

Why we terminate concessions,

by FAAN

BY KENNETH EHIGIATOR

T

HE Federal Airports Author ity of Nigeria, FAAN, said yesterday, that its resolve to terminate lopsided concession agreements with some of its concessionaires was informed by the desire to survive.

General Manager, Corporate Communications of FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Dati, said the Build, Operate and Transfer, BOT, agreement with Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, concession agreements with Maevis Limited, Terminal Zero Limited and others, were skewed against the agency, as their promoters used their closeness to the Presidency in the past to undo FAAN. Dati said activities of FAAN were at that time being directed by the Presidency, adding that as a government organ, the management had no choice but

to abide by the directive to recognise the agreements, even though they were grossly tilted against the interest of the agency and people of Nigeria.

He said: “It is the same lopsided agreement they are taking to court to get judgment and that is the agreement that some people are writing should be respected, even when those writers know that this was a faulty agreement because it serves their interest at the moment.

“Such arbitrary interference stopped since the late Umar Yar’Adua became the President of this country and today FAAN is making a turnaround because the management has been given the freedom to operate.”

Dati alleged that the next plan was to liquidate FAAN and share its assets to those who were already hanging around as airport managers.

“These are assets owned by

Nigerian citizens. We are happy they did not succeed because air travel would have been killed by high charges and exorbitant air fares”.

On Maevis, Dati said FAAN had to move against the company to safeguard itself and ensure that the jobs of over 34,000 workers were protected.

According to him, if Maevis is allowed to continue to manage the Airport Operations Management System of Lagos and Abuja airports, FAAN would have become bankrupt.

“In breach of the terms of the agreement, Maevis consistently failed to submit daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual technical and financial reports.

“The effect of this was that FAAN was unable to obtain critical technical information for its planning and financial purposes and most importantly, for effectively monitoring the performance of Maevis".

Ebonyi LG poll: Opposition can't field candidates, says PDP stalwart

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BY PETER OKUTU

BAKALIKI—CHAIRMAN of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ebonyi State, Chief Ugorji Ama-Oti ,yesterday declared that opposition parties in the state lacked the capacity to field candidates during the forthcoming local government election scheduled for September 28, 2013.

Ama-Oti, who stated this while briefing newsmen on the party’s readiness for the forthcoming LG polls, insisted that the only reason that would make opposition parties field candidates for the polls would be to benefit from the

state government’s financial support during the election.

He called on them to sponsor private member bill at the State House of Assembly, if they felt aggrieved over Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission, EBSIEC’s decision to use option A4 voting system for the election.

He said: “There is no other party in the state apart from PDP as I speak to you. They can’t afford ordinary billboard. They can’t.

“I would be surprised if any of them can field any candidate. They will only field can-

didates because they think government will, as usual, release some funds to support the election. They can’t field candidates.

Where will they get the candidates from? The issue is not EBSIEC because anything the commission is doing flows from the law.

“The reason the opposition is complaining about the option A4 is to have excuse to make after the election..

“What they should do now is to sponsor a private member bill or public bill to the State House of Assembly requesting for amendment of the Electoral Act".

MUAHIA—ABIA State House of Assembly Committee on Boundary and Security mediating in the land dispute between Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, and one of its host communities, Amaoba Ime, has directed the university to produce the institution’s survey plan.

This was to enable the committee compare it with the original survey plan of the land the community tendered.

The committee also directed both the university and community to stay away from the disputed land until the issue was resolved.

The House of Assembly gave the directive after it inspected the portion of the disputed land alongside Surveyor-General of the state.

The committee and Surveyor-General were conducted round the disputed land by the traditional ruler of Amaoba Ime, King Otuwa 1 and his team and some principal officers of the university.

Balogun, Peterside others for CEOs workshop

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HAIRMAN, FCMB Group, Otunba Michael Balogun and Chairman, Stambic IBTC Bank, Atedo Peterside are among leading business men and leaders of thought facilitating a workshop on Tuesday, July 19, 2013.

The workshop, whose main focus is CEO successor planning, is being put together by Michael Stevens Consulting, in collaboration with Pgl Image Consulting.

It is also expected to have in attendance Dr. Cheloha, a renowned professor and consultant to over 50 global brands on succession planning in its first in the series of ‘Built to Last’ programme.

According to Michael Steven Consulting, “succession planning is critical for the sustainability of familyowned businesses and overall economy".

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013 — 47

INSPECTION: From left, Chairman House Committee on Works, Hon. Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi, Deputy Chairman, Mohammed Wudil, Lawal Ibrahim, Sani Umar, Mohammed Idris Ibrahim and the Edo State Federal Controller of Works, during an inspection of Benin-Ehor-Lokoja Phase 1 Road, in Benin City.

D O N AT I O N : From right, President, Governing Council, AES Excellence Club, Dr. Ausbeth Ajagu, MFR; Director General, National Orientation Agency, Mr. Mike Omeri, and Chairperson, Events Committee, AES Excellence Club, Dr. Violet Arene, at the donation of 1,100 motivational and leadership books by the club to the Agency, in Lagos.

INSPECTION: Executive secretary, Petroleum Technology Development Fund, PTDF, Dr. Oluwole Oluleye (right) and Project Manager, Julius Berger plc, Martins Von Loun (left), during the inspection of PTDF project in Abuja.

VISIT: From left, Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titi-Laoye Tomori; Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Akire of Ikire Land, Oba OLatunde Falabi, and Executive Secretary, Irewole Local Government, Prince Soji Ajayi, during a recent visit to the governor, at the State Government Secretariat, Abere, Osogbo.

DINNER: From left, President, Entrepreneurs' Organisation, Mr. Ayodeji Shittu; Forum Chairman, Mrs. Funmi Babington-Ashaye; EO Certified Global Trainer, Ms. Julia Langkaer, and Chairman, Communications, Mr. Dele Agekameh, at the EO Pre-board summit dinner in Lagos.

MEETING: From left, Adegoke Omotola (President),Tomilola Onasanya (Treasurer) and Tayo Quadri (Welfare Officer), of City University London, Nigeria Alumni, during their meeting in Lagos.

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CONCERT: Chief Marketing Officer, Larry Annettes (right), performing a duet of 'Limpopo' with the rave of the moment, KCEE, at the MTN Project Fame All Stars Concert, at Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos.

FUNERAL: From right, former CEO, UPS Courier Services Ltd and lay preacher, Wesley Cathedral, Olowogbowo, Lagos, Olusegun Caulcrick and his brother, Police Commissioner, Olufemi Caulcrick, at the funeral reception for their late mother, Helen Olusola Caulcrick,at Yaba, Lagos

DEDICATION: From left, Venerable Levi Opara, JP, Archdeacon of Kirikiri and Vicar, St Paul's Anglican Church, Kirikiri; wife, Adlene; Most Rev. Ephraim Ademowo, Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, during St. Paul's Anglican Church dedication and award presentation, at Kirikiri, Lagos. Photo: Lamidi Bamidele

48—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

We'll toughen laws on domestic violence —Tambuwal

Kaduna lawmakers in Ethiopia for week-long retreat

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BY JOSEPHINE IGBINOVIA

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BUJA—SPEAKER of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has said that Nigeria will toughen laws on violence against women and ensure there are no second class citizens in the country.

Tambuwall who was speaking at the on-going Women in Parliament Summit with the theme “Advancing Gender Agenda in Nigeria: The Role of the Lawmakers”, organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Women in Parliament in collaboration with the Women Advocacy Research and Documentation Centre-WARDC and the UNDP, in Abuja, yesterday, said the House would do everything possible to protect the rights of women.

He reiterated the need for an increased representation of women in the parliament, adding that such would enable women issues to gain prominence and subsequently, eliminate marginalisation.

Tambuwal also advised women to consider taking advantage of the vast opportunities provided by modern information and communication technologies by posting issues on gender discrimination online and accessing information on employment, education, health services, protection and politics among others.

Human Rights Watch tasks Boko Haram committee on accountability

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BUJA—HUMAN Rights Watch, HRW, yesterday asked the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North to demand for accountability over serious crimes that violate international human rights law. these crimes.

This was contained in a letter to the committee, signed by a Director at HRW, Daniel Bekelerica.

It called for “Justice for the gravest abuses, whether

by Boko Haram or security forces.’

OATH OF OFFICE—Governor Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State (right) signing the Oath of Office of Justice Fati Lami Abubakar, after she was sworn in as the first female Chief Judge of the State, in Government House, Minna.

UNIJOS ASUU endorses nationwide strike ....AS ASUP refuses to call off strike

BY TAYE OBATERU

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OS— THE University of Jos Chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), yesterday, endorsed the indefinite strike declared by its national body over the non implementation of agreements reached with the Federal Government since 2009.

This was even as the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, has said it would not call off its two-month old strike until the Federal Government meets all its demands.

ASUP’s position was contained in a statement on the resolutions of the recent 74th National Executive Council meeting of ASUP signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Clement Chirman and made available to journalists in Jos. It denounced government’s non-challant attitude and lack of political will to address its grievances, calling for an end to what it called ‘’lip service to technical education,’’ through proper funding of polytechnics.

However, the ASUU chapter at a meeting at its secretariat within the permanent site of the institution reviewed the situation and aligned itself with the decision of its national body, pledging to cooperate fully to make the strike effective.

ASUU chapter Chairman, Dr. David Jankam had briefed members of the issues in contention and how the Federal Government had defaulted on various aspects of the agree-

ment which, he said, left the union with no option than proceed on an indefinite strike.

He solicited the support of members for the strike which he said should be total and comprehensive.

Members agreed that the strike was justified and resolved to comply with the union’s directive. It was agreed that meetings would hold every Wednesday while the strike lasted to update members on any development.

Academic activities have meanwhile been paralyzed in the institution as students who turned up for lectures, yesterday returned home disappointed because lec-

turers were unavailable.

Vanguard learnt that the strike would disrupt post graduate examinations scheduled to commence next Monday. Some of the students who spoke prayed that the strike would not drag so as not to disrupt the academic calendar substantially.

Meanwhile, ASUP has kicked against discriminatory cut-off points for candidates seeking admission into universities, polytechnics and colleges of education saying they should be harmonized.

It however, commended steps taken by the Federal Government to tackle security challenges in parts of the country but said more should be done to secure the lives and property of citizens.

ADUNA—THE second batch of Kaduna State House of Assembly members are in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for a week-long retreat, the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports.

The 12 lawmakers were led by the Speaker, Muazu Gangara, for the retreat organised by Express Lead Consult, a Kaduna-based Consulting firm, with the theme “State Legislation and the Challenges of Insecurity in Nigeria“.

NAN reports that 17 members of the assembly including the Deputy Speaker, Dr Dogara Mato had just concluded a similar programme in Addis Ababa.

Meanwhile, work on the N20 billion Zaria water project is to be completed in April 2014, the General Manager of Kaduna State Water Board, Alhaji Kabiru Rufai, has said.

Rufai said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, yesterday in Kaduna that work on the project was over 84 per cent completed.

He said when completed, more than 150 million liters of water would be supplied daily to consumers in Zaria, Sabon gari, Giwa, Makarfi, Ikara, Kudan, Kubau and Soba local government areas.

....Textile workers back ASUU strike

BY EMEKA MAMAH

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AGOS—THE National Union of Textile and Garment Workers of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, has expressed solidarity with the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, over its nationwide strike to compel the Federal Government to respect the agreement signed with it (ASUU) since 2009 on the payment of lecturer’s "Earn" allowance.

This was contained in a statement signed, yesterday, by the General Secretary of

the union, Issa Aremu.

The statement read: "As an affiliate of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, we hereby register our solidarity with the nationwide strike action embarked upon by the ASUU. Once an agreement is signed, it becomes binding on the two parties, in this case the Federal government and the ASUU. "Acting contrary to the terms of collective agreement as done by the Federal Government is a violation that is in-

jurious to the industrial relations process. ASUU strike is a legitimate move to enforce an agreement freely entered into with the Federal Government four years ago.

"We therefore call on the government to urgently put an end to the strike action through immediate implementation of the agreement reached with ASUU. The Ministers of Education, Prof.

Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i and Labour, Chief Emeka Wogu must be on duty to urgently resolve the lingering issues with ASUU."

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013—49

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50—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

How we pioneered internet radio in the East—Obiozor

BY UDUMA KALU

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NTERNET radio (also web radio, net radio, streaming radio, e-radio webcasting) is a new experience. It is an audio service transmitted via the Internet. It involves streaming media, presenting listeners with a continuous stream of audio that cannot be paused or replayed, much like traditional broadcast media; in this respect, it is distinct from on-demand file serving. Many Internet radio services are associated with a corresponding traditional (terrestrial) radio station or radio network. Internet-only radio stations are independent of such associations. Its services are usually accessible from anywhere in the world— for example, one could listen to an African station from Europe or America. Internet radio remains popular among listeners with interests that are often not adequately served by local radio stations. They offer news, sports, talk, and various genres of music —every format that is available on traditional radio stations. In this interview, producer of the station Dr. Williams Obiozor, explains how the radio came to be. EXCERPTS: What is One Street Radio?

ONEStreet Radio is a new experiment on 94.1 UNIZIK

•Obiozor in his studio RADIO FM with broadcasts on mass youth mobilisation, vocational and career counselling, enlightenment and community development via the radio. We are currently working on an Internet radio while hoping to raise funds to establish the first community radio in Anambra State and Nigeria. Our targets are

Amosun tasks AAAN on govt policy communication

BY PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

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HE governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosu, has tasked the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria, AAAN, to articulate clear ideas on how government can effectively communicate its policies to the citizenry.

Amosun said this during the associations Conference and Annual General Meeting hosted by the governor in Abeokuta penultimate week in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of advertising in Nigeria.

Speaking at the conference tagged: “Advertising in Nigeria: 40 years done, the next 40,” the governor acknowledged that it’s been 40 years of creative excellence for the profession but challenged the practitioners to brace up for the challenge of globalisation.

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•Ogun state, Senator Ibikunle Amosu He promised that the state would continue to contract the services of registered AAAN member agencies while the state would always be willing to host the association’s events and activities.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), Mr. Lolu Akinwunmi, said AAAN had made a great impact in its 40 years of existence.

youths, adults, teens, parents with talents and interest in selfdevelopment and community development. We also feature agencies and organizations promoting youth development.

How did it begin?

It began as a general interest discussion platform on Facebook where issues concern-

ing youths, entertainment, literacy, special education and development are discussed with humor and commentaries from over 3,000 subscribers on the site/page of the producer (Dr. Will), Dr. Williams Obiozor – an American-trained motivational speaker, multi-media impresario, researcher and training consultant. It is from the these 3000 plus friends and fans that we interact and mingle on general issues. Now we have moved to the public listeners on 94.1 UNIZIK RADIO FM every Saturday 11am.

Is it necessary?

Yes, it is necessary to utilize any available public forum to inform, entertain and educate the masses, especially the youths, who should be abreast with the happenings around the globe and around them.

Nigeria being an emerging industrial and developing nation, literacy and information is very essential to the growth of her populace.

What are your challenges?

Sourcing for funds to sustain the radio talkshow on UNIZIK RADIO STATION 94.1 FM at Awka – Capital of Anambra State. We are based in Awka and being hosted/powered at the moment by the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Radio Station 94.1 FM. We have wide reception due to the populari-

ty of the UNIZIK RADIO FM. We have so many callers during each programme edition.

We have youths from different parts of the state and neighbouring Kogi, Rivers, Enugu, Imo and Abia States. We need funds to acquire a license and begin full operations not only hosting talkshows on 94.1 FM. We have already secured a land for the station but still sourcing for interested investors to join us and make the radio station a reality.

I have to give kudos to the Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. B.C. Egboka whose initiative and inspirations brought about the UNIZIK FM RADIO STATION. This station has been of great assistance to both the Awka community and the university as well as the entire state. I wish to also state that Prof Kate Omenugha, the radio station director, station manager and the present Head of Mass Communication Department where the radio station is located are doing great job in ensuring the dissemination of great programmes to the listeners across the state.

So, who is Dr Will?

I am the production consultant to the Radio programme . I am Dr. Williams Obiozor, popularly called Dr. Will on Onestreet radio …the anchorman and producer of the ONESTREET RADIO TALKSHOW ON 94.1 UNIZIK FM RADIO. I was a former assistant professor of Adult/Special Education & Exceptionality Programs at Bloomsburg University, USA.

Nigeria, others win polio reporting award

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OURNALISTS from Nigeria, Côte D’Ivoire, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates are winners of the first journalism competition on coverage of vaccines and immunizations.

In well-documented multimedia and broadcast reports, most of the reports spotlighted the challenges and victories in eliminating polio.

“The winners produced coverage that serves as lessons to all on how to conquer devastating yet preventable diseases such as polio,” said ICFJ President Joyce Barnathan. “They have done a major service to the public and health officials.”

The contest, launched by the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) together with the African Health Journalists Association and the Arab Media Forum, aims to stimulate coverage in Africa, Pakistan and the Gulf states on this key issue. The New Venture Fund sponsored the initiative with a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Winners earn a two-week study tour of the United States to explore in greater depth a variety of

•Girl affected by polio health issues.

Nigeria's Vivienne Irikefe, science and health correspondent, TVC News, with her story: “Polio Eradication in Africa: Experts Fear for Children Not Immunized.” Irikefe focuses on Nigeria’s failure to vaccinate all newborns against polio. The country is the only nation in Africa where polio is still endemic, with a troubling increase in recent years. With stirring images and powerful interviews, she drives home the horrors of the disease by profiling a victim who can’t get a job because of the stigma of polio.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013 — 51

Mandela: Grandson faces allegations of illegal grave tampering M

EMBERS of former South African President Nelson Mandela’s family have laid a criminal complaint against his grandson Mandla.

Police spokesman Mzukisi Fatyela told the BBC that officers would investigate allegations of illegal grave tampering.

A public prosecutor would then decide whether to press charges, he said.

It involves the bodies of three of the expresident’s children, who were allegedly moved from a family graveyard about two years ago by Mandla Mandela.

In a separate case, 16 Mandela family members are seeking to move the bodies back to

the graveyard in the village of Qunu, where Mr Mandela, who is critically ill in hospital with a recurring lung infection, wants to be laid to rest.

The case is being heard at the Mthatha High Court in Eastern Province and has been postponed until today.

Last week, the court granted an interim order

for the remains to be exhumed and moved from Mandla Mandela’s homestead in the village of Mvezo to nearby Qunu, 22km

(14 miles) away.

But Mandla Mandela, who was appointed as chief of Mvezo by his grandfather, is now contesting that order.

But Mandla Mandela, who was appointed as chief of Mvezo by his grandfather, is now contesting that order.

Egypt army plans to suspend constitution A

S the President of Egypt, Mohamed Morsi faces international pressure to engage in “serious national dialogue” hours after he rebuffed an army ultimatum to find a solution to the political crisis, the Egyptian army has said it would suspend the constitution, dissolve parliament and force fresh elections if politicians cannot meet a looming deadline to

resolve the country ’s political crisis, according to Reuters news agency.

Already, the UN human rights office called on Morsi’s government to listen to the demands of the Egyptian people and engage in a “serious national dialogue” to defuse the crisis.

Rupert Colville, the spokesman of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, also said the role of the Egyptian military

was crucial.

The announcement yesterday came a day after the military gave

politicians 48 hours to come to an agreement and calm mass protests against the rule of

President Mohamed Morsi – leaving only 24 hours for a solution to be found.

US President, Barak Obama and his predecessor , George Bush commemorate those killed in bomb attack on the US embassy in Dar es Salaam in 1998.

Edward Snowden’s asylum options Several states including Morales said he would narrow Spain said applicants had

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growing number of countries have rejected the asylum requests of fugitive intelligence leaker Edward Snowden, as he attempts to avoid extradition to the US.

to be on their soil.

Mr Snowden, who is at Moscow airport, sent requests to 21 countries in total, Wikileaks said, but he later withdrew a request to Russia.

Bolivia’s President Evo

consider a request.

He told Russian television Bolivia had not yet received an application for asylum, but added: “Bolivia is ready to accept people who disclose espionage if one can call it this way.”

Senegal to detain ex-Chad leader pending trial Habre’s lawyer, Francois responsible for the torture

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HAD’s former president Hissene Habre has been remanded in custody pending trial in Senegal on charges of crimes against humanity, war crimes and torture during his eight years in power, his lawyer said yesterday Habre, 71, was arrested on Sunday in the Senegalese capital Dakar, where he has been living in exile for 22 years since he was overthrown in a 1990 coup in Chad.

“He is remanded in custody from today,”

Serres, told Reuters. “He has been formally charged.”

Human rights groups accuse Habre of being

or killing up to 40,000 people during his 19821990 presidency of the poor, oil-rich central African state.

Kerry: US, Russia want Syria talks soon

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HE annual regional forum of the 10member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has opened in Brunei with US Secretary of State John Kerry and his Russian counterpart discussing their positions on the

war in Syria.

Kerry said yesterday after meeting Sergei Lavrov that Washington and Moscow were committed to holding a peace conference on Syria but that it would likely take place after August, the AFP news agency reported.

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56 — Vanguard,

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

By UJU MBANUSI

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middle aged man identified as Christopher Ezenwaka from Anambra state, is currently cooling his heels at the Homicide Department of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba, over the alleged gruesome murder of a 25 year old plumber identified as Samuel Ikeokwu Nwoke at Mangoro estate, two weeks ago.

Although operatives of the Homicide section have reportedly begun investigation to unravel the circumstances that led to Samuel’s demise, the suspect denied knowing anything about the Plumber’s murder. .

When Crime Alert visited the bereaved family at their Mangoro abode, sympathizers were still thronging the apartment to console the family.

In an emotion laden voice, the deceased’s father, Mr Nwoke who hails from Okigwe in Imo state, narrated how the news of his son’s demise was broken.

According to him: “ I returned from work at about 2pm on June 18, 2013 and asked my wife the where about of Samuel. She said he just left the house after

Gruesome Murder at •Who killed this plumber?

•The deceased: Samuel Nwoke receiving a telephone call which she suspected to be from one of his clients. I was a bit worried when he had not returned at about 9pm. I tried calling his number but it was switched off. So I presumed he had gone for an ‘outside work’, because sometimes he would go, stay a day or two before coming home. But he would always call to inform us where he was. We waited until the

•Father of the deceased: Mr. Nwoke next day without any news from him.

By Friday June 21, someone advised me to go to Ikpeteshi police post at Mangoro estate to report the case, since Christopher Ezenwaka, the man whom my son worked for, lives almost opposite the police post, I obliged. Thirty minutes later, one of the police men called me on the phone to come to the station. I went in the

•The gutter where the body was dumped company of a friend and was informed to my greatest surprise that the body of a young man was discovered in a gutter very close to an Oduua Peoples Congress, OPC post at Mangoro estate. He further told me to call one Mr Wale for more information on it. I did and Mr. Wale asked me to come to the office on Monday since it was already late.

On reaching there on

Monday in the company of three members of my family, Mr. Wale handed us over to another policeman who showed us a card he used to deposite the body at the Lagos state mortuary- Yaba. He said he could not go with us because he got a call that another corpse was discovered around Ojota area.

My worst fear was confirmed on reaching the mortuary at Yaba, as I discovered the corpse to be that of my son! On further observation, I

Police storm warehouse where fake Olive oil is produced in Lagos ...arrest leader of syndicate, recover fake goods, on the trail of fleeing members of the syndicate

By IFEANYI OKOLIE

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35-year-old man, Jude Ozokuwere, who is alledged to be a member of a syndicate that specializes in adulterating and distributing olive oil in Lagos and other parts of the country, has been arrested by the police at Trade Fair Police Station;The suspect, who is currently helping the police in apprehending other members of the syndicate, told Crime Alert that poverty drove him into the crime.

It was gathered that the suspect was apprehended after police detectives received intelligence reports that members of his syndicate were cocking Goya Olive Oil bottles with vegetable oil using fake

cocks and labels at the Atiku Market located opposite the Trade Fair Complex along Lagos Badagry Expressway.

Sources at Trade Fair Police Station intimated Crime Alert that importers of Goya Olive Oil, Ekulo Group of Companies had petitioned the State Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, complaining that their product was being adulterated.

The Police boss, after receiving the petition, reportedly directed all the Divisional Police Officers Lagos State to be on the look out for persons involved in the crime. However, on the CP’s instruction, the Divisional Police Officer, DPO Trade Fair Police Station, Robinson Eregare, was said to have swung into action and raided Atiku Market arresting

Ozokuwere in the process.

One of the sources that craved anonymity told Crime Alert; “after we received information on his activities, we monitored him for about one month because we wanted to catch him. Last Tuesday, we learnt that he had started producing, then we stormed his warehouse and caught him red handed.”

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he suspect, a native of Orlu in Imo State told Crime Alert during an interview that “I was jobless for eight years after I was deported from Libya and some of my friends introduced me into this business. They said instead of hanging around doing nothing, I should start adulterating olive oil. They took me to a place at Iyana-Oba where I bought

empty Goya bottles for N250 per dozen and they also took me to the Lagos Island Market, where I bought fake Goya labels and cocks for N2500 per bundle. I also bought a carton of 15 litres of vegetable oil for N7000 and then, I went to the waste bin at Trade Fair Complex to pick disused cartons of olive oil. After producing, I went into Trade Fair Complex to advertise the product and my targets were mainly northerners buying goods for transportation to the northern part of the country. A carton of the original oil is sold at N6,500 but I sold mine for N2,500. A lot of them bought from me and I started producing plenty. I knew what I was doing was wrong but I kept on doing it because it was my only means of survival. I am married with three children and I have suffered a lot. I don’t know how the police knew about my activities but I was in my shop last Monday producing when

they came to the place and arrested me.”

Reacting to the arrest, the Marketing Manager, Ekulo Group of Companies, Emeka Oramadike, commended the police for assisting them to stamp out adulteration of their product. He also assured members of the public of the company’s effort in ridding the market of adulterated Goya Olive oil. “Some time last year we discovered that our products were being faked, we sent a petition to the police and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, requesting their assistance to arrest those involved in the adulteration of our products. We are grateful to God that the police have been able to arrest a suspect and they are on the verge of arresting more suspects. We want to assure members of the public that we are not relenting until we clean out the market of this fake product,” he stated.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

Mangoro discovered that his eyes and tongue were missing”, Nwoke said, trying hard not to betray his emotions.

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ontinuing, he said: “ I went back to the police post at Mangoro to find out what happened to my son because I was reliably informed that my son was last seen alive at the police post in the company of Christopher Ezenwaka ( his boss). The officer said he was not aware of that and ordered his men to cross check and get the name of the officer on duty that Tuesday (June 18) afternoon. They did and a female police officer confirmed that my son came in the company of Christopher to report a misunderstanding between them. But since both parties were unyielding, they were told to go and settle the matter out side without writing any statement. She also said my son came to the station to get some police men to arrest Christopher before then but on getting to his house, he was not there. It was discovered that both incidents were not regis-

tered.

From there I went to Shasha division to inform the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, who assigned a policeman to go with me and arrest Christopher’s wife at her shop which was not too far from the place where my son’s body was dumped, since her husband could not be found. She called her husband from the station and when he came, she was released.

But last Friday, I was informed that Christopher’s elder brother whom everyone described as a millionaire called a photographer I had earlier met to take shots of my son’s corpse, to do a job for him, between 9-11pm. When he got there he was asked to take some shots of the body of a young man lying dead in a gutter.

He showed me the pictures and behold it was that of my son after he had been killed.

This shows there is more to the death of my son. I know all these cannot bring him back but all I want is, justice!”

Brush with a moving train T

HIS young man had a deadly brush with a moving train weekend after he walked into it’s tracks along Agege Motor Road by Air port bus stop, Ikeja.

The young man covered his ears with ear phone as he walked into the tracks and was knocked down by the moving train.

Sympathizers thronged the scene and rescued the yet-to-be identified victim from the clutches of death, though his head was battered. A LASAMBUS emergency ambulance raced to the scene and took him to Ikeja General Hospital. We could not ascertain the state of his health as at press time.

—57

Cultists on rampage in Mushin, kill three . As Army, NDLEA raid area of drug dealers

By IFEANYI OKOLIE

R

ESIDENTS of Idi-Oro area of Mushin, are recounting their ordeal after two days of bloody clashes between rival cult gangs, which left no fewer than three persons dead.

The bloody clashes which left agony in its trail will be hard to forget by residents of Ikeolu, Ereko and other adjoining streets, who watched as their vehicles were set ablaze, buildings vandalized and shops looted by the rampaging hoodlums on May 17, 2013.

Though Mushin is known for violent clashes between factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, rival cult gangs and hoodlums, the area was relatively peaceful until the recent incident.

Crime Alert gathered that the crisis started at a naming ceremony at Alhaji Ota Street, organized by a notorious drug baron from Akala.

Hoodlums from Akala allegedly attacked and killed a member of the Black Axe confrater-

Lagos CP, Umar-Manko nity at the event.

The victim, was allegedly attacked following suspicion that he may have switched sides.

But this didn’t go down well with members of the Black Axe operating in that area as they swift-

ly mobilized and carried out a reprisal attack on Akala boys at IdiOro Bus Stop, along Agege Motor Road.

One of the Akala boys,who sustained severe injury after the attack was rushed to a Nurse operating at Ikeolu Street, but the woman identified as Iya Kenneth, on seeing the severity of the injury urged them to take him to a hospital for proper treatment but the injured man gave up the ghost before he was taken to the hospital.

H

is death infuriated the Akala boys as they descended on residents of Ikeolu Street, setting fire on vehicles parked along the streets while some buildings were set on fire.

A resident, who identified himself as Shola Afolabi, told Crime Alert that it took the intervention of Policemen from Alakara Police Station to restore normalcy.

“I was sleeping in my house when the fight started, I first heard gun shots earlier I later saw a large crowd of hoodlums from Akala destroying vehicles and setting them on fire. They also burgled people’s houses and stole valuable properties; it was the police that drove them away. It wasn’t really easy for the police to calm the situation, because the boys were many and vicious. They blamed the nurse for the death of their member so they decided to attack our streets. The policemen got reinforcement from the Area D’ Command, Mushin, before they drove the boys away,” he stated.

However, the police in Mushin, operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, and the Army, reacted swiftly leading to the arrest of 25 hoodlums and 47 drug traffickers.

Also, the Army raided the notorious Akala Street and arrested 47 suspected drug traffickers and recovered 3,166.15kg of narcotics including cannabis, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine.

58 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

Day Oliha dared death — Kalu D

EPARTED 1994 Nations Cup Eagle Thompson Oliha exhibited so much energy that former Abia state governor Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu believed the star could not die young.

Eulogising Oliha, Kalu recalled an incident in 1988 when the player, starring for Iwuanyanwu

Nationale[now Heartland] was unconscious for nearly 24 hours.

“It was at the June 17 Stadium Constantine, Algeria. Iwuanyanwu were away to Entente Petroles Setif of Algeria in the CAF Champion’s Cup Grand-Finale. Oliha came in for Law Ukegbu

Tope Orowole, since Edibi is in Turkey for the FIFA junior World Cup. The Nigerian referees will have Guinean Bangoura Ali as match Commissioner.

in the 65th minute and was ready to do or die. The Algerians went after him, and in five minutes, he was injured. Oliha had seven stitches on his face and was unconscious thereafter. As soon as he came to meet him, the young man was more concerned about the Cup loss than his health”, the ex-governor said.

Kalu again drove down memory lane in his tribute to Oliha who was called Tommy by friends.

“From Owerri, he moved to Abidjan to join Africa Sports in 1992. Same year , with Gabriel Okolosi, they won the Africa Winners Cup beating Vital’o of Burundi 5-1 aggregate.

Oliha emerged the second highest scorer with three goals, behind Okolosi’s eight. On January 10, 1993 the duo became the first to win the Super Cup”, Kalu added.

“Oliha was so strong and friendly. At Senegal ’92, few hours to the semis between Nigeria and Ghana, he bumped into his Iwuanyanwu team mate and Black Star Edward Ansah in their Dakar hotel. ‘Eddie Murphy’, Oliha screamed as they embraced, talking less about their clash. I am sure his friends all over Africa will miss him, just like all of us”, Kalu said.

IVERPOOL have c o n t i n u e d rebuilding for the new season by finalising a deal to bring in Kolo Toure from Manchester City.

The Ivory Coast international completed his switch after signing a deal at Liverpool’s Melwood training ground.

Toure is Liverpool’s fourth signing of the summer, following Luis Alberto, Iago Aspas and Simon Mignolet to Anfield.

The 32-year-old said: “This means a lot to me.

Firstly, I’m joining one of the best clubs in England.

“When I left City it was important for me to stay in England because it’s the best league - and to join Liverpool is massive for me. “I chose Liverpool because of the history and because of the spirit of the team and the people here.”

Most of Liverpool’s squad, including Toure and fellow new signings Alberto, Aspas and Mignolet, were all back at the club’s Melwood training ground on Tuesday.

The only absentees were those players who have had international duty this summer, with the most high-profile of those being Luis Suarez.

Mba leads out referees for CHAN

Mba As Nigeria gets set for a third qualification attempt at the African Nations Cup Championship for Home based national teams, CAF has also appointed other Nigerians to be on duty.

NFF Referees Consultant Linus Mba is off to Bamako where he will function as Match Commissioner for the match between Mali and Guinea.

The referees for the match are from Burkina Faso led by Zio Juste Ephrem. Also, Nigerian referees have been appointed for the encounter involving Burkina Faso and Niger in Ouagadougou. Amao Joshua Opeyemi will be assisted by Edibi Peter and Baba Abe, while Ango Abubakar is the designated fourth official.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation has written to replace Peter Edibi with

Late Oliha

Milo Basketball: St. Jude begins title defence with a win

BY UCHE UDEH

T Toure completes Liverpool deal L

HE 2013 Milo Secondary Schools Basketball champion-

Toure

ship dunked off yesterday at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium Surulere, Lagos.

In the opening match,

defending champions, St Jude Girls Secondary School Bayelsa State defeated Government Girls Secondary School Gboko 24-16 in an exciting match. In the second match, Yejide Girls Grammar School, Ibadan overwhelmed Ahmadiya College Kano by 34 points to 11.

In the boys category, I n t e r n a t i o n a l School(RSUT) Rivers suffered a 29-34 points loos to Government Secondary School, Minna while UNILAG International School, Lagos thrashed Government College Funtua 31-29 in a closely fought encounter.

Meanwhile, Brand Manager, Milo Funmi Osineye has described the 2013 national finals of the Nestle Milo Secondary Schools Basketball championship

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013 — 59

Spurs land £17m Brazil ace

CAF Confederation Cup:

CAF disqualifies Enugu Rangers *Rangers appeal decision; NFF, LMC back appeal

T

HE Confederation of African Football (CAF) has disqualified Nigeria’s flag-bearers Enugu Rangers from this year ’s CAF Confederation Cup, for featuring junior international goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel in the competition.

In a letter addressed to the NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu, and dated 2nd July, CAF said it was basing its decision on “documents and letters sent by the club Shooting Stars and its Chairman”, which confirmed that “by the time the player was registered on December 24th, 2012, no agreement was found between Shooting Stars and Enugu Rangers for the player Daniel Emmanuel.”

However, the League Management Company, in charge of Nigeria’s elite division, on Tuesday confirmed that player Emmanuel Daniel plays in the Glo Premier League with a valid license that recognises him as a player of Enugu Rangers.

Also on Tuesday, Enugu Rangers, which prevailed 1-0 on aggregate over CS Sfaxien to reach the prestigeous mini-league phase, and is the only Nigeria club left in contention for continental honours this year, immediately set in motion the process to appeal the d e c i s i o n .

NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu, said that the Nigeria Football Federation will give Rangers the full support in the appeal process.

“We are absolutely shocked that an internal transfer matter between two clubs could snowball into a situation that will see a Nigerian club disqualified from continental competition.

Rangers players in a Glo-League match

Eagles ‘ll fly over Elephants — Maigari

P

RESIDENT of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, has expressed confidence in the ability of the home-based professionals to fly gloriously over the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire in Saturday ’s 2014 African Nations Championship qualifier in Kaduna.

Continues from BP Organising Committee for the Interclub Competitions, “Daniel Emmanuel was not eligible to participate with Club Enugu Rangers in match number 90, played on June 2nd 2013, against the C.S.S., since the player had not been registered in a regulatory manner, in accordance with Article 25 of the Regulations governing the competition.

“Player Daniel Emmanuel had been

Nigeria football’s supremo, presently at the FIFA U-20 World Cup finals in Turkey, assured that he would be in Nigeria before Saturday to lead the cheer for the home-based Eagles at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium.

“I have very high confidence in the ability of the home-based

Sfaxian given the authorisation to play with Enugu Rangers starting from April 2013. Accordingly, the player was ineligible to play with his team prior to the 2nd phase of registration, as stipulated by the Regulations of the competition (August 10th 2013).

“Therefore and in accordance with Article 28 of the Regulations governing the competition, the CAF Organising Committee for the Interclub

professionals to acquit themselves well against the Ivorians. They have been part of Coach Stephen Keshi’s rebuilding for almost two years now and most of them have enjoyed opportunities to play against some of the biggest teams in Africa and the world.

Competitions confirms the elimination of the Nigerian Club Enugu Rangers from the 10th Edition of the Confederation Cup 2013, for having used an ineligible player in the aforementioned competition.

“Accordingly, Club Sportif Sfaxian (C.S.S.), which had been eliminated by the Enugu Rangers in the 2nd 1/8th finals of the Orange CC 2013, are called upon to replace them in the group matches of the said competition”.

S

TRIKER Emmanuel Adebayor could be on his way out of Spurs.

The North London club last night clinched the £17million capture of Brazilian midfielder Paulinho from Corinthians.

And now Andre VillasBoas will switch his attention to his frontline, with Valencia’s Roberto Soldado his top target.

The Spurs boss expects a busy summer and Besiktas are said to be lining up a £5m swoop for Adebayor.

They hope he is tempted by the country’s tiddly 15 per cent tax rate.

The striker, 29, has two years left on his £80,000a-week deal but looks to be on his way.

Villas-Boas wants the Togo hitman off his wage bill to help him land Soldado.

Tottenham are ready to offer £15m — but the Spaniards want closer to £25m.

Valencia president Amadeo Salvo Lillo said: “We have suffered

Paulinho money problems but not so significantly that we will release players on the cheap.”

Soldado, 28, scored 30 goals in 46 appearances last season.

Tottenham beat off competition from Italian giants Inter to land Paulinho in a club-record deal.

The Samba star, 24, said: “The other interest we got was off Inter but the only offer came from Tottenham.

“It was a big decision to go to a big club.”

Uruguay Continues from BP side of the box, but his well-controlled, side-footed volley was straight at the keeper. The Africans suffered a major blow shortly after as the game suddenly sparked, with Shehu receiving a straight red – seconds after being shown a yellow card – following a reckless challenge on Diego Laxalt.

Uruguay had their best chance of the game when Laxalt’s bouncing volley after half-time almost beat Chukwunenye Okani, before Guillermo Varela hit the inside of the post – but was ruled offside. De Arrascaeta was next to test him, firing from a 30-yard free-kick, but the keeper – not all to convincingly – palmed over. The one-way pressure continued against the ten men and it finally told. De Arrascaeta swung another free-kick into the area and when Gaston Silva got ahead of Okani, Lopez was on had to tap in.

However, Nigeria clearly had not read the script as Kayode scored a stunning equaliser. Carrying the ball from the halfway line, the Uruguay defence backed off before the forward turned onto his right foot and thundered home from the edge of the area.

Seconds later Olaitan Michael rippled the sidenetting with another effort from range.

It now looked to be anyone’s game, but Uruguay took control after a misjudgement by Okani after getting into a foot race for a loose ball with Diego Rolan. The Bordeaux man beat him to the ball and skipped past him, before being brought down by Onyinye Ndidi in the box.

Lopez stepped up and, cool as anything, chipped what was a match-winning Panenka penalty beyond the keeper.

Ndidi and Kingsley Madu went close to drawing level again in stoppage time, but it was not to be.

60— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

C M Y K

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C M Y K

62— Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

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VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2013

— P.59

Uruguay stop Nigeria again!

U

RUGUAY yesterday defeated Nigeria in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey after also stopping the Eagles in the Confederationscup in Brazil. They won 2-1.

Nicolas Lopez scored twice in the second-half, after Abdullahi Shehu was sent off towards the end of the first period, with Olarenwaju Kayode pulling Nigeria briefly level.

Nigeria were the first to go close when Aminu Umar got in behind the Uruguayan defence, but Kayode could not turn the ball home. The likes of Lopez and Giorgian De Arrascaeta were struggling to find their rhythm, while Nigeria faired little better as the first-half failed to ignite.

With the break hoving into view Nigeria finally brought a save from Guillermo De Amores.

After a cross from Shehu found Umar at the far

Continues on Page 59

F

OLLOWING the disqualification of Rangers from further participation in this season’s Confederation Cup, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) last night said that Tunisian club, Sportif Sfaxien would replace the Nigerian representatives.

According to the CAF

Continues on Page 59 FIFA U-20 W/CUP RESULTS Spain 2 Greece 1

France 4 Nigeria 1

Mexico 1 Uzbekistan 3

Turkey 1 Uruguay 2

FIXTURES CONTEST . . . Flying Eagles’ midfielder Ovbokha Agboyi (L) vies for the ball with Urugay’s Sebastian Cristoforo (R) during their round 16 stage match at the FIFA Under 20 World Cup in Istanbul last night. Photo: AFP

CAF disqualifies Rangers — P.59

PUZZLE

Portugal vs Ghana 4.00 pm Croatia vs Chile 4.00 pm Colombia vs Korea Rep 7.00 pm Pa r a g u a y Iraq vs 7.00 pm

QUICK CROSSWORD

Sudoku TODAY'S

Sfaxian replace Rangers

YESTER DAY'S YESTERDAY'S

ANSWERS

ACROSS 1 Insult (4) 4 Proverb (3) 6 Vessel (4) 9 Previously (3) 10 Client (8) 11 Girdle (4) 14 Epoch (3) 16 Oar (5) 19 Country (8) 21 Dogmatist (5) 23 Name (8) 24 Talk (5) 27 Barrel (3) 31 Draught (4) 33 Diligence (8) 34 Through (3) 35 Tear (4) 36 Jewel (3) 37 Cape (4)

DOWN 2 Extol (4) 3 Ritual (4) 4 Representative (8) 5 Labour (4) 6 Clique (5) 7 Era (3) 8 Dense (5) 12 Guardian (5) 13 Seasoning (5) 14 Recede (3) 15 Dark (5) 17 Friendship (5) 18 Correct (5) 20 Emery (8) 22 Can (3) 25 Show (5) 26 Leading (5) 28 Circle (4) 29 Observe (4) 30 Gang (4) 32 Transgression (3)

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS ACROSS: 1, Abroad 5, Quarry 8, Vendetta 9, Cape 10, Odd 12, Shift 15, Sew 17, Raw 18, Hew 19, Duo 20, Obese 21, Air 22, Leo 23, Far 24, Nil 26, Pilot 29, Dry 33, Myth 34, Overhead 35, Flimsy 36, Tetchy.

How to Play Sudoku

DOWN: 2, Blend 3, Odds 4, Ditch 5, Quaff 6, Arch 7, Rupee 10, Olden 11, Droll 12, Swoop 13, Ideal 14, Theft 15, Sward 16, Worry 25, Idyll 27, Irony 28, Overt 30, Reach 31, Chum 32, Shut.

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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